August 31, 2017
Church-Wide Events
This Sunday - Pastor Lester will be bringing us Part 3 of the Acts 29 teaching series with a message called "The Holy Spirit Still Saves."

Belong: The Journey - BELONG will again be offered during both services beginning this Sunday, from 8:30-10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. The focus this Sunday is on "Connect."

Office Closed - The church office will be closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.

Eastgate House of Prayer - Join us this Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a special night as EHOP celebrates its six-year anniversary! We will ponder the power of remembrance both personally and corporately as a house of prayer. Barb Hummel will be leading our teaching and time of corporate communion. All are welcome! And, yes, there will be yummy food afterward! Childcare is provided through age 5. Due to the celebration, there will be no personal/prophetic ministry offered this Tuesday.
Petra App - If you have not done so already, you can download the Petra App from the App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone, or Amazon Appstore. Watch Petra sermons anytime and anywhere; stay current with major events; connect to all ministries, resources, and life at Petra, and give your tithes and offerings directly from the App. Pick up an Info Card from one of the Hubs.
Night of Worship - Mark your calendars for our next Night of Worship on Friday, September 15, at 7 p.m. The theme is "Glorious Day."

Hurricane Relief
  • Please continue praying for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and the severe flooding on the Texas Gulf Coast. An assessment team from Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) has traveled to Texas this week to determine short- and long-term responses. MDS is accepting financial donations for recovery efforts and is collecting names of those interested in volunteering. Visit this website for more information.

  • Petra is sending a hurricane relief team from September 23 - October 1 to partner with a local church in Houston that is coordinating relief efforts. The team will be assisting with demolition, cleanup, and reconstruction work. The team is open to both men and women, but construction experience is preferred. For more information, contact Jerub & Jewell Dienner at 903-749-0980 or 903-749-0981.

Listing of Petra Events - To see what's happening over the next few weeks, click on the button below.
Fall Church-Wide Study
ALL IN
Holding Nothing Back

When did we start believing that following Jesus is easy? Or that it’s safe? “Jesus didn’t die to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous.” Join us each week of this teaching series from September 24-October 29 as we answer a different question that gives a new key to living All-In for God.

Join a discussion group to meet other people and discuss practically how to live All-In for God.  

We'd like to know by this Sunday if you’re interested in leading a discussion group, contact Pastor Brian Flewelling at brianf@petra.church. You can also p ick up a leader sign-up flier this Sunday from the Hubs or the Life Groups counter in the lobby. Drop it off at one of the Hubs.
Petra Life Groups - If you want to connect in relationship with others and grow in your relationship with Jesus, a Life Group is an ideal place for that to happen. This fall, beginning the week of September 24, we will be offering a variety of Life Groups to anyone at Petra who wants to join. Sign-up begins next Sunday, September 10.

A few groups begin earlier, and you are welcome to join them!

  • Women Sewing for Hope - Next Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Café

  • Women's Thursday Care and Share - Next Thursday, 9 a.m., Loft (SLC)

  • GriefShare - Next Thursday, 7 p.m., North 115

  • DivorceCare - Next Sunday, September 10, 9 a.m., North 132

  • Women's Tuesday Care and Share - September 12, 9:15 a.m., Loft (SLC)
Group Leader Launch
Sunday, September 10, 1 - 3:30 p.m., South 228
 
This training is designed for leaders launching a group, or any developing leaders looking to understand why we do small groups and how we structure them here at Petra. RSVP here .
Episode 52 - Making Sense of Christian Traditions

Pastor Gary Buck and Jamie Detweiler have fun tackling questions like, Why do we say, "God bless you" when someone sneezes? Why do some people dress up for church? Should we ask God to bless the food before we eat? Why do we lay hands on people? The answers may not be what you think!

DOVE Hopewell Ministry Training School

The 2017-18 DOVE Hopewell Ministry Training School begins next weekend, September 8 and 9, with "Destiny, Spiritual Gifts, and Leadership." Classes run on Friday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Partial scholarships from Petra are available for Petra attenders. For more information, visit this website, pick up a brochure from the East or West Hub, or contact Pastor Brian Flewelling or Pastor Ken.
ELANCO Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery , a weekly, faith-based 12-step program, will begin on Thursday, September 21, hosted by Petra. It will start at 6 p.m. with fellowship and food, followed at 7 p.m. with a meeting.

The program is designed to help individuals find freedom from hurts, habits, and hang-ups. It's based on the eight principles from the Beatitudes, and can deal with many issues, such as:

  • Addictions - substance abuse, gambling, eating problems, and repeated hurtful relationships

  • Emotional struggles - anger, fear, self-esteem, depression, control, perfectionism, and bitterness

By working through these principles we grow spiritually, and move toward healing and freedom. This freedom creates peace, serenity, joy, and most importantly, a strong personal relationship with others and with our personal, loving, and forgiving Higher Power, Jesus Christ.

Everyone is welcome! For questions, or more information, e-mail elancocelebraterecovery@gmail.com or call Carol Musser at 717-587-2202.

ELANCO Celebrate Recovery is financially underwritten and supported by Petra, Bethany Grace Fellowship, and Weaverland.

Come and enjoy the fellowship and support!
H ave a heart to see hurting people find healing? Volunteers are still needed for Celebrate Recovery in various areas of service. Volunteers must be age 18 or older. We especially need the following, and you would have to be available on Thursday evenings:

  • Audio/Visual Techs - training will be provided in September

  • Praise and Worship Musicians

Please contact elancocelebraterecovery@gmail.com or call Carol Musser at 717-587-2202.
Petra Lifespring
New Beginnings - Are you hurting from the death of a loved one or the break-up of your marriage? We believe that a New Beginnings support group can help. GriefShare begins next Thursday, September 7, at 7 p.m. DivorceCare begins on Sunday, September 10, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Enter at the North Entrance. All are welcome at any time, and there is no cost to participate; workbooks are free. Although walk-ins are welcome, we would appreciate if you would register online, by using the Petra App, or by contacting Pastor Titus Kauffman at 354-5394 or titusk@petra.church.
Marriage Enrichment Ministry
Registration for the Marriage Beach Retreat from October 6-8 in Ocean City, Maryland, is now closed. Final payment is due by this Sunday ; please pay the balance online by using the link in the e-mail you received from the church office. You can also pay in the Resource Center this Sunday or drop a check in the offering bucket with Marriage Beach Retreat in the memo line.

Young Marrieds at Petra - Join us for our next social event - featuring a potato bar - on Sunday, September 10, from 5 to 7 p.m . in the Café! Potatoes will be provided by the Young Marrieds Leadership Team; couples should bring a favorite potato topping to share. We'll have some fun with outdoor games (corn hole, can jam, etc.) on the Patio. Please note that the October event is cancelled due to the Marriage Beach Retreat.
Regional Events
Region C (New Holland West) Picnic in the Park - Join us this Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at the east-most pavilion at the New Holland Park! Pulled chicken, rolls, ice cream cups, beverages, and paper products will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Please RSVP with a head count to Laurie Eadline at 717-354-7514 or 717-725-8903 by tomorrow (Friday).

If you live in the Goodville/Morgantown/Honey Brook area, you are invited to a Region I Summer Fest Picnic with fun and games next Saturday, September 9, at 5 p.m. The rain date will be Sunday, September 10. The event will be at Lee and Darlene Stoltzfus' home at 285 Horseshoe Lane, Narvon. Hot dogs and rolls for a hot dog roast will be provided; please bring a covered dish to share. Bring lawn chairs as well. For more info, call Betty Esh at 610-286-5780.

Region E (Brownstown, Leola) is having a picnic next Saturday, September 9, at 5:30 p.m. It will be at Neil and Lisa Martin’s home at 54 Mayfield Drive, Leola. Each family should bring a side dish or dessert to share. Burgers and drinks will be provided. For more info, contact Neil Martin at 717-419-1068.

Everyone in Region O (Ephrata/Akron/Lititz) is invited to a Fellowship Meal on Sunday, September 10, at 12:30 p.m. in the Café. Please bring one large or two small dishes to share. For more info, call Marilyn Charles at 717-380-2828.
Petra Women
Petra Life Group - Join us this Fall for a seven-week W! Study Group called "The Gospel of Mark: The Jesus We're Aching For." Teaching videos by sought-after Bible teacher and speaker Lisa Harper will allow us to follow Jesus from his early ministry all the way to the cross. It will be offered on Monday mornings at 9 a.m. and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. beginning September 25 and 28. Pick up a rack card with details at the Life Groups counter this Sunday. Register online or visit the table in the Atrium beginning next Sunday.

Several Life Groups begin next week! Look for information about the start of Women Sewing for Hope and the Women's Thursday Care and Share Group under the Life Groups section of this e-bulletin.
Petra Men
Men's Backpacking Trip

There are only a few spots left for the Men's Backpacking Trip from September 22-24! This Sunday is the final day to register in the Atrium; you can also register by Monday night by clicking on the button below or by using the Petra App.

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Petra Life Groups - "A Man and His Design," a volume of 33 The Series under Men's Fraternity, will be offered on Thursdays at 7 p.m. from September 28 through November 9. Discover God's design for men with a clear definition and inspiring vision of authentic manhood. The Conquer Series , a cinematic teaching series on sexual purity, will be offered on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. from September 26 through October 24. Register online by clicking on the button below, using the Petra App through the Connect tab, or visiting the table in the Atrium beginning September 10.
Petra Student Ministries
Fifth and Sixth Graders - Remember that EDGE 56 will be launched on Monday, September 11! EDGE 56 will normally take place on the first and third Sunday mornings of each month at the end of our worship time (5th and 6th grade students will be dismissed in a manner similar to those leaving for the Belong group) and on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the SLC. For any questions regarding this ministry, contact Administrators Dan and Alicia Jensen at danj@petra.church .

Parents of Fifth and Sixth Graders - How will EDGE 56 impact your Sunday morning experience? Click on this link for important information regarding student check-in, dismissal from the worship service, and pick-up.
High School Fall Retreat

The registration deadline has been extended for this awesome fall retreat at Refreshing Mountain from September 8-10! Join us for games, food, time with friends, worship, and great teaching from guest speaker Rob Gillen!

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Kingdom Kids
2017-18 Classes - This Sunday is Step-Up Day for all Early Childhood and Elementary children through Grade 4. This is the Sunday they move up to their new classes! 
Local Outreach
Can you invest a couple of hours into staffing the concession stand at the Garden Spot football game tomorrow (Friday) night? We still need an additional 4 to 6 volunteers. Please contact Laurie Eadline at 717-354-7514 or 717-725-8903 or e-mail her at laurie.eadline@frontier.com.

English as a Second Language  - This fall again Petra will be offering free ESL classes as an outreach to the community. Classes start on Wednesday, September 13, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. If you are aware of a person or family who could benefit from these classes, please extend an invitation to them.
Global Missions
Mission Prayer Focus - Marta Estrada is a Petra missionary serving as director of Restoration of the Nations—a ministry that seeks to bring freedom and healing to women in addiction throughout the world. Pray for God’s leading and direction in her ministry, and for wisdom and provision as she seeks to help people caught in addiction in the USA, Colombia, and Thailand.

Fundraiser Meal - Enjoy some cheesy baked spaghetti, tossed salad, applesauce, garlic bread, and assorted desserts at a fundraiser meal on behalf of Josh Leininger on Sunday, September 17, at 12:30 p.m. Take-outs will be available at 10:30 a.m. Josh is heading to California for the Discipleship Training Program with YWAM called the CR Experience, a seven-month leadership training and missions program through Circuit Riders in affiliation with YWAM. As part of the program, for four months, he will actively participate in the 2018 Carry the Love Tour . Specifically, he will be a part of the music track of their program, where he will hone his passion for music to authentically further the message of the gospel.
Last Week Update
August 27, 2017
Attendance
1,421
General Fund
Weekly Budget:
$54,808
Last Week's Giving:
$58,362
Building Fund
$1,216

Community Event/Opportunity
Construction of the Cooperative Living House at Garden Spot Village is now underway, and volunteers are needed to transform the vision into reality. This project, in partnership with local businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations, is being built and funded entirely through volunteers. The home will provide affordable living for four to five senior members of the ELANCO community on a sliding scale rent. Skilled and unskilled construction volunteers are invited to help with framing, installing windows and doors, siding and shingles, as well as painting and cleaning. Individuals and small groups of adults are both welcome. The Cooperative Living website - with a volunteer form and tentative construction schedule - can be accessed by clicking on the button below.