ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING

RECAP

Last Sunday, we gathered to celebrate God’s faithfulness in 2023 and to discuss plans for the year to come. The following recommendations passed with 90 members voting:

• Confirmation of all proposed nominations
• 2024 Budget
• Changing the definition of full-time for pastors from 50 hours a week to 40 hours a week
• Pursuing the purchase of 2151 Greenwood Street
• Distribution of 2023 surplus funds

Keep praying that all we do will be Spirit-led and in pursuit of our HBIC vision: to be a thriving diverse urban church sharing Christ’s love and serving the needs of our local and global communities!

MOSAICS MEAL

Mosaics Meal is a favorite event in the life of our church! Each year, we come together to celebrate our ethnic and cultural diversity through fellowship and lots of delicious food. Please plan to join us on Sunday, February 25 at 5:15pm in the sanctuary.

We'll send a separate email with all of the details, but here's a summary: Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring an ethnic dish/family recipe of choice and/or a dessert.  Please plan to bring two pans of the same dish so we can have two identical serving lines. This helps us move everyone through the line more quickly! We'll also need some volunteers for this evening. If you're willing to lend a hand (there will be a variety of needs), contact Pastor Hank!

MARCH ROOTED SERIES

Rooted is a foundational 4-week series providing an overview of Harrisburg BIC, from our history and our commitment to multiethnic community to what it means to participate in the life of HBIC today. This is an opportunity for long-time attenders to gain a fresh vision of who we are as an (ever-changing) community of faith. Rooted can also help newcomers to answer questions and dive into deeper involvement in this community!

Our Rooted classes take place on Sunday mornings at 11am and run for 4 weeks in January, March, May, July, September and November. Sign up for our next Rooted class, starting on March 3, here or at the Info Desks at the back of the sanctuary.

YOUTH LOCAL MISSION TRIP

All youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to consider applying for our 2024 Local Mission Trip happening June 23-28! Watch our intro video here!

We are very excited about this opportunity where we’ll be serving our immediate neighborhood, partnering with local service organizations and helping some of our congregants with small house projects/needs. During our time together, we’ll be learning about serving others as we look at Scripture and hear from local ministry leaders. We'll also have time set aside just for fun! Please see an email from Pastor Brie with more details and the application.

Sunday, February 4

Before both services: Coffee and Fellowship (Open Area)

9am & 11am: Worship Services, Kids & Youth Sunday School

9am: Tell Her Story Book Study (Upstairs)

12:45pm: Young Adult Lunch (Open Area)

1pm: Worship Flag Team Practice (Sanctuary)

6:30pm: Bible in Community (Upstairs)

Monday, February 5

6pm: Girls Who Code (CE Room)

6:30pm: Property Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 6

6pm: Worship Dance Practice (Sanctuary)

6:30pm: Deacon Team Meeting (Upstairs and Zoom)

Wednesday, February 7

5:30pm: Community Meal (Sanctuary)

5:30pm: Junior Bible Quizzing (CE Room)

6:15pm: Youth Group (Large Youth Room)

6:30pm: Kids Club (CE Room)

6:30pm: ELL Classes (Upstairs)

6:45pm: Jonah Study (Sanctuary)

6:45pm: Prayer Meeting (Prayer Room and Zoom)

Thursday, February 8

11am-2:30pm: Food Pantry (CE Room)

6:30pm: Citizenship Class (CE Room)

Saturday, February 10

9am: Comforter Day (Open Area)

6:30pm: Youth Game Night (Open Area)

Check out the meeting days and times of small groups here!

THE GREAT WINTER WARM-UP

A handmade comforter provides not only warmth but also a tangible reminder to people in vulnerable situations that their needs are not forgotten. HBIC will host a Comforter Making Day on Saturday, February 10 from 9am to 3pm. If you can tie a knot, you can help! If you can sew, you can help! If you can pray, you can help! So far, we have donated over 100 comforters to Mennonite Central Committee for their relief efforts. Last year, they sent over 59,000 comforters to many countries. The need is great, and we can help. See you on February 10! (Bring your scissors!)

YOUTH GAME NIGHT

All youth are invited to join us for a game night on Saturday, February 10 from 6:30-9:30pm. We'll play board games, card games, video games and have an art table. We'll also have ice cream sundaes! Please bring a snack or drink to share. Reach out to Pastor Brie with questions.

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP AND REFLECTION

You are invited to come begin the Lenten season with worship and repentance on Wednesday, February 14 at 7pm. We will meet in the Sanctuary after the Community Meal (which begins at 5:30). Kids Club and Youth Group will meet as usual, but there will be no Adult study or Prayer Meeting on this night.

CLASSICS & YOUNG ADULT BOARD GAME NIGHT

The Classics game night will be on Friday, March 8 at 6:30pm in the CE Room. The Young Adults are invited to join the Classics in playing board games. Ice cream is provided and you may bring your favorite topping to share. Contact Sheldon Sawatzky or Pastor Brie with questions!

2023 GIVING RECEIPTS

The finance team has mailed the 2023 giving receipts! If you didn’t receive your receipt or if there are any errors to be corrected, please contact the team at contributions@harrisburgbic.org.

NEW GIVING, DIRECTORY APPS

AND MORE!

A few weeks ago, we sent an email with an important update regarding some new resources that will support our ministries in this new year! If you didn't have a chance to read it, check it out here.

You should have received an invitation via email to our new online Church Directory. If you haven't, or if you need help accessing or correcting information, let Pastor Hannah know.

Keep an eye out in the coming months for info about a new Check-Ins process for kids, and a helpful app for small Groups.

All of these apps will filter into one place that is accessible NOW for anyone in our church family! Click here to visit our Church Center online (where you can view giving activity, edit directory info and more) or download the Church Center app for iPhone or Android!

Questions? Reach out to the church staff here!

WINTER WEATHER UPDATES

If we need to communicate with you about a cancellation, delay, or online-only service due to inclement weather, we will do so through a banner on the top of the church website, a mass email, and an announcement through the local news tv channel (ABC27 and CBS21). Please check these locations if you are wondering about the status of programming!

EVERENCE FINANCIAL TRAINING

Everence is offering new stewardship training! The FreedUp program is a way for everyone to get their finances in order at any economic level – and gain a deeper faith perspective on your money. FreedUp is an app-based lesson series that includes a workbook and opportunities to share with others over seven weeks. There are several days of the week and times to choose from so you can find a time that fits your schedule.

Everence currently has a temporary discount code to get the sessions for $19 instead of the regular price of $99. If you are interested in participating, register using this link as soon as possible. There are limited registrations available at the discounted rate! Check out this flyer for sign up instructions and other helpful information. You will receive an email with the discount code after you start the registration process. If you could use financial assistance beyond this discount, please contact Pastor Lynda on behalf of the HBIC Deacons.

We welcome you to contact us by email or by phone if you have a need. Here is the contact information for our pastoral and office staff.



• Church Office - office@harrisburgbic.org, 717-561-2170
• Pastor Hank – pastorhank@harrisburgbic.org
• Pastor Lynda – pastorlynda@harrisburgbic.org
• Pastor Brie – pastorbrie@harrisburgbic.org
• Pastor Patty – pastorpatty@harrisburgbic.org
• Pastor Carmen – pastorcarmen@harrisburgbic.org
• Pastor Hannah - pastorhannah@harrisburgbic.org
• Pastor Ryan - pastorryan@harrisburgbic.org
• Aaron Johnston, Facility Manager -  aaron@harrisburgbic.org
• Sarah Barron, Office Assistant - sarah@harrisburgbic.org