Woodbury Church of the Brethren
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Tidings from the
Woodbury Church
of the Brethren
Helping people to know God as revealed in His fullness through Jesus Christ and responding to God and mankind in love and service.
December, 2020
White Gift-Tree Starting in December
Working with the school district, a team has identified local families who can use some extra help this
Christmas. Our church will be helping several of the families by purchasing specified gifts and accepting
cash donations or $25 gift cards for Walmart, grocery stores or Sheetz for gas. In December, there will
be an easel with a tree holding paper balls in the church narthex.
· Ornaments will have the name and size of a gift item and the age of the person.
· Tape the colored ball onto your wrapped, purchased package .
· Leave wrapped gifts near the church office window.
· Monetary donations or Gift Cards can be placed in the offering bucket (Indicate
for “White Gift”) or put in Carol or Nancy’s mailbox.
· You can also mail in a donation (Please designate for White Gift).
· We are also accepting Walmart, food store, or Sheetz gift cards. Please indicate
they are for “White Gift”.
Packages and monetary or gift card donations will be due here at church no later than
Sunday, December 20th.
The church is open Monday thru Friday in the morning if you’d like to stop by to
select a gift-ornament or drop your present off.
Outdoor Christmas Eve
There will be an outdoor service on Christmas Eve in our
church parking lot (weather permitting). Come join the congrega-
tion in singing carols together. There will be a brief Christmas
message and lighting candles. Social distancing will be main-
tained. Time has not been announced yet.
Christmas Eve – Together at Home
Music and Worship is creating a video worship service that
you can view as a family at home on Christmas Eve. A team will
begin compiling musical and other contributions to the service rec-
orded either at the church or in homes. More details on this will be
announced soon. The completed service recording will be available
on YouTube on the church wesite www.woodburycob.org – or as a
DVD if you prefer.
Hope + Peace + Joy + Love = Merry Christmas!
Hope. Peace. Joy. Love. Important and valuable commodities in our lives. Too often, scarce commodi-
ties in the world in which we live. Of course, they’re also the four traditional themes for the Sundays in Advent.
Our plan this year is to focus on these topics each Sunday leading up to Christmas. It’s not that they only have
application at this time of year. Each of the four should be part of our lives as believers all year round. Three of
the four are listed as components of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, and Paul was a strong advocate of the
hope that we have in Christ.
So why do we emphasize these four characteristics so much during Advent? I think it’s because for us,
as believers, the genuine articles - the “real deals” of these commodities - are all wrapped up in what Christmas
is all about: Jesus the Son of God coming to earth for us.
Hope. Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he
will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Matthew 12:20-21,
NIV84) Paul tells Timothy: “We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially
of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10, NIV84)
Others may put their hope in the things of this world, but our confident expectation of things to come rests
in the eternal Son of God who came to earth as one of us.
Peace. Isaiah tells us: “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6-7,NIV84). Jesus says:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV84)
In a world of rioting, terrorism, division and violence, Jesus is our peace. He alone gives
peace that is beyond our understanding.
Joy. In Zechariah 9:9, we read: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation” The angel of Luke 2:9 announces: “Do not be
afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has
been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Many have settled for “the pursuit of happiness” and found it elusive and fleeting. But the joy we have
in Jesus is eternal, and it isn’t dependent on the circumstances around us.
Love. Isaiah writes: “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the
house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” (Isaiah 16:7,
NIV84) And we’ve heard it so often we may forget how powerful it is: “For God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only Son . . .” (John 3:16, NIV84)
Without God’s love, displayed in Jesus Christ, we would be eternally lost, separated from God forever. So why
would we turn anywhere else to find love? What other example would we use for how we should love others?
May the hope, peace, joy and love of Christ fill your life in this Christmas season,
and remain a powerful force in your life in the year ahead.
Pastor David
2021 Deacon Board Announced
Council voted on November 1st to accept as Deacons all persons who were nominated and listed on
the ballot. The 2021 Deacon Board will be: Dick & Cindy Appleman, Arlan & Dolores Barkman, Lance & Tam-
my Barkman, Tim & Amy Frye, Alan & Lisa Gearhart, Steve& Kathy Miller, Stephen & Cheryl Over, Jean
Reighard, Herman & Beverly Ritchey, Megan Ritchey, Steve & Jeri Ritchey, Travis Ritchey, Richard & Cindy
Sell, Don & Becky Smith, Carol Snyder, and Joanne Stern.
“Wraps of Love” Still Raising Funds
For Blankets
My name is Lydia Barton and I am trying to collect
blankets for the women's shelter in Altoona. Over the sum-
mer I fell in love with "paint pouring". I started to sell some
of my paintings to help pay for more blankets. In November
my paintings were sold at "The Garage", aand "Triple M
Treasure" barn sale, plus the "Jumble Box" and "Thirteen
Pines Trading Company” in Bedford also sold my artwork.
If you would like a certain type of painting please
call 766-2956 and let me know the size and colors you
would like. If you’d like to make a cash donation for me to
buy some blankets that would also be okay, please contact
my family at 766-2956 for that information. If you’d like to
purchase your own blankets, that would also be wonderful!
Please leave all new blankets under the mail boxes in the
narthex at the church. And thank you so much for helping
those who need the most. Lydia
Ministry Updates Youth Small Groups
GTi Hope - Please check our bulletin board for The Youth Painting Small Group is making connec-
details. Some wording is changed due to political tions within their group, with Pastor Dave and with
sensitivity. Kathy Miller who is helping instruct. They’ll be using
Our congregation has 7 church planters that are the techniques they are learning in service to the
specifically assigned to us. These are in people- church when they begin to create a mural in the
groups needing special priority. Bill Teate reports downstairs area in 2021. Watch to see how their
the following results from those assigned to us: 95 talents are used for the Lord!
decisions for Christ, 34 baptized and 128 attend- The YouTube Small Group is learning to create vide-
ing church. Please see more information on the os to post onto the YouTube web site. They’ve been
narthex board. meeting every week. You can check out their crea-
Castaway Ministries – Matt and Rebekah Karch- tivity on our church website under the “Students” tab
ner are grateful to be back in Cambodia after quar- near the top of the screen. Thanks to Pastor Dave
antine and Covid testing. Through their extended and Jacob Dasher for their help with this ministry.
homestay, they were blessed to serve 23 church- Watch for more ministry groups coming up – a Youth
es and 1 school. They are now at 60% for month- Band and an Outdoor/Fishing small group. Talk to
ly living and ministry expenses and continue to Pastor Dave Scott if you’d like to learn more about
trust the Lord for a much-needed truck for their these or have an idea for another interest group.
ministry. Our congregation will be supporting their
ministry to families in 2021. They ask for prayers
for a year’s extension of their entry visas.
“Star Wars or Pro Athlete” video and Fall Pumpkins paintings.
Christmas Tea … well, maybe next year
We’re glad for the months we were able to meet
this year. Thanks so much to all who helped plan
events and service activities! Those meetings were
a blessing! Eadie and Nancy
December Calendar
Sundays
8:30 and 10:30 (Kids WOW at 10:30)
9:45 Youth, Unity, FOCAS, and Young Adult Classes
6:00 Youth Meet in Pavilion
Saturdays 7:30 Men’s Group
12/1 7:00 Ministry & Evangelism
12/6 10am Deacons meet in Nursery room
Faith X …
12/20 White Gifts, Monetary and Gift Cards Due
12/24 Christmas Eve Outdoor Serviice Faith Outreach Expeditions
Recorded service on YouTube The Church of the Brethren Workcamp
12/25 Happy Birthday Jesus! Ministry has a new name: Faith Outreach
Expeditions, or “Faith X” for short.
You can now check our calendar on our church website: “Faith” … a place for theological explo-
www.woodburycob.org At the top of the screen, click ration, discernment, and spiritual growth.
“Calendar” and it will take you to the screen with our “Outreach” … becoming the hands and
events and times. feet of Christ. “Expeditions” … a sense of
Thanks to Pastor Dave Scott for his work setting this up! adventure and fun while serving. Read
more at www.brethren.org.
Messenger Renewal Time
If you’d like to change your subscription to the Messenger,
please let the office know by January 3rd. Gifts for Village Residents
Due December 13th
The Sunday School Christmas out-
New Arrival! reach project is collecting items for the resi-
dents’ Christmas bags. Suggested gifts:
Jude Tyler Nycum Stress Balls, Small Stuffed Animals, Body
Lotion, Tissues, Crayons, Coloring Books.
11/19/2020 Large Print Word Search or Crossword
Books. Leave by Office Window
18 1/2 inches,
5 pounds 4 ounces
Parents: Thanks for the
Kenzie & Jon Nycum Many Shoeboxes Packed
Thanks to Richard and Cindy Sell
who delivered 96 packed shoeboxes to
the Operation Christmas Child collection
New Arrival! site! There were also
several people in our
Krew Maddox Nycum congregation who
“packed” an on-line box
11/19/2020 on the Samaritan’s Purse
18 inches, website.
4 pounds 9 ounces Be in prayer for the
children and families who
Parents: will hear the Word of God
when they receive these
Kenzie & Jon Nycum small gifts in a box!
Serving in December December Birthdays
2 Erin Weaver, Jan Snider
Outdoor Greeters—8:30 service
3 Erik Swanseen
Front Back
5 Duane Claire
12/6 Steve Ritchey/Craig Sell Lisa Miller
6 Tammy Fluke
12/13 Jarryd Rush/Tim Rush Nancy Msslman
7 Carter Love
12/20 Thom Miller/Don Smith Steve Over
8 Travis Ritchey
12/27 Dick Appleman/Steve Beck Steve Ritchey
9 Clara Frye
Outdoor Greeters—10:30 service 15 Kevin Gable
Front Back 17 James Over
12/6 Larry Graybill Sharon Graybill 18 Tammy Barkman, Hayley Cottle
12/13 Steve Ritchey Jeri Ritchey 19 Jeri Ritchey
12/20 Richard Sell Cindy Sell 20 Sydney Lingenfelter
12/27 Denny Cooper Audrey Cooper 23 Ava McClain
25 JESUS
Sound EZ Worship
27 Kara Weaver, Hannah Ritchey
8:30 10:30 8:30 10:30
28 Linda Keller, Lily Hoover
12/6 Craig Alan 12/6 Ryan Ryan
30 Lisa Miller, Missy Morningstar
12/13 Steve Ben 12/13 Jason
12/20 Dave Alan 12/20 Logan Logan
12/27 Steve Adam 12/27 Meredith Jason
Worship Leader December Anniversaries
8:30 10:30
15 Andrew & Chelsey Ritchey
12/6 Lori Ulm Logan Barkman
23 Frank & Debbie Dasher
12/13 Dave Scott David Ulm
27 David & Emily Swanseen
12/20 Logan Barkman Lori Ulm
12/27 Dave Scott David Ulm
In Sympathy
Music Luther Steele
8:30 10:30 Food Bank Collection November 7th
12/6 Jean/Karen Jean/Karen December
12/13 Lori Melody
Canned Beef Stew /
12/20 Wendy Sally
Canned Meats
12/27 Jean/Karen Jean/Karen
Deacons of the Month
If you need transportation to the doctor or grocery store,
contact Lance and Tammy Barkman
Pray for comfort for Dottie and family.
Giving them a week’s notice is helpful.
Camp Blue Diamond Updates
· We had a wonderful Family Campground season
with 33 seasonal/yearly sites.
· Rising Sun, Lakeside and Hemlock cabins were Come tour Cove Community Theater's
rented heavily through the summer and fall as they outdoor Christmas Town. It's filled with classic
provided families an opportunity to shelter-in-place Christmas scenes & music from all decades
and spend time in the outdoors. We were able to and is sure to fill you with holiday cheer! There
have 2 physically-distanced Family Camps! will be delicious refreshments and holiday
· The shower house in the Campground has the foun- greens for purchase. Admission: $8 per per-
dation and blockwork nearly completed. son; 5 and under are free. Call Janet Sell for
reservations @ 793-2695 or 327-2515
· Camp Connects, the online alternative to summer
camp this past summer was a huge success. Friday, 12/4 &11: 6:30-7:30
· We’re grateful to many who supported the ministry Sat., 12/5 & 12 / Sun, 12/6 &13: 5-6 and 7-8
of Camp during the past several months. Because
of their generosity we have been able to pay staff
and complete many projects. Virtual Heritage Fair Keeping Connected
raised $22,640. Thank you.
While some are staying at home on Sundays
Looking toward 2021: due to COVID precautions, we’re putting our
Online registration for Summer Camps is open at: weekly bulletin and Newsletter on our church
campbluediamond.org. Facebook page. If you can’t access Facebook
we’ll be happy to e-mail or snail-mail you a copy.
Summer Camp brochures and registrations will be sent The Newsletter is also on our web page –
to all past campers in January. Early-bird registration is www.woodburycob.org
especially important if we need to limit the number of
campers per session. E-mail (woodburycob@atlanticbb.net) or call
(793-2288) to let us know if you’d like to receive
Dean, Jerri and the Camp Staff a bulletin or the newsletter by mail or e-mail.
Woodbury Church of the Brethren
PO Box 176
4359 Woodbury Pike
Woodbury, PA 16695
Rt. 36, 1/2 mile north of Woodbury
Phone: 814-793-2288
Email: woodburycob@atlanticbb.net
woodburystudents@gmail.com
Web: www.woodburycob.org
Pastor- David Ulm
Associate Pastor for Children & Youth –
David Scott
Sunday
Services:8:30 / 10:30 with children’s church
6:00— Youth Meetings (Grades 6-12)
Saturday - 8 am
Men’s Study Group (at Community Center)
2nd Tuesday Women’s Group, 7pm
Youth Special Groups meet at various times
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