Thursday, November 26, 2020 |
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This Sunday – Join us as we celebrate Christ's coming through our Advent Series: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. Pastor Brian Coles will launch this series with a message called "Hope."
BELONG: The Journey - On the fifth Sunday of the month, our focus is on the topic of “Partner.” If you are interested in pursuing church membership at Petra, this is the session to come to! Join us at 9:30 or 11:30 a.m. in the Café.
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Songs This Sunday - There’s Nothing That Our God Can’t Do, God Of Revival, Take Heart, O Holy Night
The Petra Family Christmas Card Exchange begins with drop-offs this Sunday. Place your cards in the marked collection boxes located in both the Lobby and the Atrium. It would be helpful if you could alphabetize and rubber-band your cards. Please also be sure to include first and last names on your cards, with the names of both husbands and wives. You may pick up a current listing of Petra members and regular attenders at the Resource Hub, if you wish.
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Child Dedication - Blessings to the children being dedicated to the Lord this Sunday! 9 a.m. Service: Jay Jeffrey Smucker and Jenasis Hope Smucker, children of Daniel and Rachel, and Valor Timothy Stoner, son of Grant and Beatrice. 11 a.m. Service: Leah Paige Brown, daughter of Adam and Mandy; Faith Elizabeth Hahn and Troy Daniel Hahn, children of Josh and Candace; Jaxon Miles King, son of Nathan and Wanita; Asher Elijah Martin, son of Jonathan and Crystal; and Aida Leneé Nolt, daughter of Justin and Jolene.
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EHOP - Join us this Tuesday at 7 p.m. as Kristina Flewelling and her team lead us in a time of Worship with the Word, using Psalm 91. Worship with the Word is a prayer format in which we agree with God’s heart as we sing through a biblical passage, focusing on the truth of who God is and what his promises are. This week again we will offer healing and prophetic ministry; simply sign in when you arrive. Our trained team is excited and prepared to minister to you! Childcare is provided through age 7. All are welcome!
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A Response to the Spike in COVID-19 - Last week Pastor Brian Coles released a video update acknowledging the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. In case you missed it, here are the key points.
We are asking everyone to use wisdom in making their own decisions as to how they can best protect themselves and their families. If you or anyone in your family is experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay home.
We continue to offer multiple options for you and your family to decide the best way to connect to our Petra community.
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One option is worshiping with us online. You can join us through the Petra App, Facebook, YouTube, or our website at www.petra.church/live.
- A second option is to attend our mask-required service in the Oasis, where our worship and sermon are livestreamed directly into that space.
- A third option is to worship with us in our main Sanctuary. Masks are encouraged, as well as social distancing.
We have made temporary adjustments to the format of our elementary-aged Children’s Ministry. The kids will no longer gather in the Summit for group worship and teaching. Instead, they will go straight to their grade-based classroom for the morning. For our parents, nothing is changing; you will drop off and pick up your children as always.
Even in the midst of this challenging season, we continue to look to the Lord as our refuge and strength. We continue to pray for those struggling with health issues, our front-line medical workers, and those who are grieving loss. Several of the Petra staff have recently tested positive for Covid-19 and would appreciate your prayers as they recover.
This has been a challenging year. Let us commit to showing kindness and respect to those around us. Let us commit to unity in Christ during these challenging times. Let us always encourage one another and ask that God would be glorified in us.
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Online Christmas Eve Special - Join us on Christmas Eve – online only – as we consider how our advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love can provide comfort in the midst of a difficult year for our nation and the world. Enjoy beautiful music, a message on the hope offered through the Christmas story, and the sharing of Christmas memories! Gather at home with your family and friends to catch one of our two showings, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. You can also watch any time afterward, on demand, through our usual Petra platforms. If you can’t get together in-person, consider hosting a Facebook watch party together. Plan now for this unique viewing experience – with a special dose of fun for the children!
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Saturday Night Prayer - As a health and safety precaution, we will return to Zoom-only meetings for the foreseeable future beginning this Saturday, November 28. Join us here via Zoom each week from 8 to 9 p.m. Let's continue to spend time praying in a spirit of thankfulness for our Petra families and community. Colossians 3:15
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Lipstick and Crayons, a Fellowship for Moms and Children - Join us in the Oasis this Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. as Dr. Theresa Newell teaches us about our Jewish roots, especially in regard to Hanukkah and Christmas.
Women Sewing for Hope will have a work day next Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Café. Both sewers and non-sewers are welcome.
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Bible Quizzing is a fun program where our students (grade 7 - 20 years old) are given the opportunity to study Scripture in a friendly and competitive environment. We will meet for practice on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. from January 14 through March 18. Sunday afternoon practices and matches will begin on January 24 and continue through March 21. An end-of-the-season tournament will be held with other Ohio teams the weekend of March 26-28 in Kidron, OH! This year we will be studying portions of Job, Joshua, Nehemiah, Jonah, and Zechariah. Sign up online by December 11. For questions, email Alicia Jensen and Zane and Jess Waite.
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A.C.T.I.O.N. Christmas - Petra high school students will be traveling by bus to the Ephrata Walmart on December 9 to purchase Christmas gifts and supplies in support of children living at Christ's Home in Paradise. In the meantime, they are finding creative ways to raise money for this event, such as raking leaves, babysitting, sub sales, etc. If you would like to help financially, please designate your gift to A.C.T.I.O.N. Christmas by Sunday, December 6.
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Our 2020 Christmas Outreach, beginning this Sunday, will benefit senior adults living at the Welsh Mountain Home and families served by the Good Samaritan Shelter. Please pick a gift tag from the Christmas tree in the Lobby or the Atrium and bring your gift by Sunday, December 20. All gifts must be wrapped and clearly marked with the tag from the tree. Thank you!
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Mission Prayer Focus - JC and Lois Ebersole serve as Petra missionaries, with JC overseeing the Africa Association of Bible Schools (AABS), which makes Biblical education available and affordable in local churches and communities across Africa. Pray for wisdom for JC as he gives direction to the ministry of AABS from a distance and oversees the African staff members who are serving onsite. Pray also for God’s provision as they serve.
European Dessert Night “Come and Go” Fundraiser - InSTEP Ministries International, led by Pastor Darryl and Joyce Henson, will offer a European Dessert Night next Saturday, December 5, from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. at New Holland Coffee Co. You will be able to come and go as you wish during the times listed. Enjoy a selection of European desserts along with live music, a video and slide show, mission updates, door prizes, and a silent auction of items from Poland. Tickets are required for entry and door prizes; they are available online for $6 apiece. The Hensons are passionate about mentoring and supporting pastors internationally; this fundraiser will help provide the means to do that. Donations will be received at the event.
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Petra Family News
Death
Our sister Nellie Beiler passed on to Glory on November 20. Our love and sympathy to her husband, Levi.
Death
Our brother Mel Weaver transitioned to his heavenly home on November 24. Our love and sympathy to his wife, Vera Mae, and to his family, including Ken and Nadine Weaver and family. Services are tentatively planned for December 4 and 5. Details will be provided in next week's e-bulletin.
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Last Week Update
November 22, 2020
Attendance
1,179
General Fund
Weekly Budget:
$63,462
Last Week's Giving:
$62,654
Building Fund
$433
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