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I’ve recently responded positively to an invitation for nomination as bishop of the Susquehanna Conference for another term of 6 years. This will need confirmed at our annual meeting next April and the new term will begin in August. God’s wisdom, grace and mercy are my request for this next chapter of ministry.
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The Cedar Grove church is in the midst of an End of Term review for Pastor Steve Munger. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s direction and wisdom for the Mungers and the congregational leadership.
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The Cedar Heights church is working at some restructuring issues that will allow it to proceed with ministry expeditiously. Also, there are a couple issues being raised that the pastor and church board are handling with wisdom and discretion. Pray for continued direction.
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The Eshcol congregation is facing the retirement of Pastor George Kibler. We are in the midst of a search. There are also some congregational health issues being addressed at the same time as this search. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for myself and the Pastoral Committee as well as Pastor Kibler as we all work together on these things.
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No doubt you have lifted the Byers’ family before the Lord in these last weeks upon the death of John. This was a great unexpected loss to the family as well as to Messiah Village. This necessitates a new search for a Pastor of Congregational Ministries. The Committee has been down this road too frequently in its recent past. Pray for stamina, wisdom and direction as we work on this process together with Terry Rose, Director of Pastoral Care of the Village. It is good in this period that Roger Witter has consented to serve as part-time Interim pastor.
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Linda and I were glad to travel to Ohio to be with Kurt and Megan this past weekend. We also look forward to their returning home for Thanksgiving. It was and will be good to catch up. He’s doing well and Linda and I along with Megan commented about his uplifted spirit even in the midst of serving as P/T Jr High Youth Pastor at The Chapel in Akron and being a full time student at Ashland Seminary.
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Next week I will begin the End of Term review for Pastor Bill Baublitz who will be retiring next summer. This will necessitate a pastoral search for Roseglen. Again, pray for the Lord’s guidance and for Pastor Baublitz to finish well.
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Although we do see some bright spots with James in counseling pray that the Lord will give Linda and I endurance for the long haul. The cross is sufficient for all circumstances. It’s just that we want solutions in our time, in our way. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord and trust Him. Sometimes we feel we are taking three steps forward and two back and sometimes even more than two.
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PTL! The search for a pastor at Pathway, vacated by founding pastor John Cressman, is complete. I will install Adin Herndon as pastor on Dec 30. Adin is not new to the conference or the BiC but is returning after serving in three other pastoral roles with other churches. Adin is a great addition to the conference pastoral team.
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PTL! Tracey Brubaker has come through her ordeal healthily.
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Continue to pray for the developing church plant endeavors in Big Valley and Carlisle as they continue to work through the early phases of satelliting and planting.
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Lift Nate Yoder, bishop elect in the Atlantic Conference, before the Lord as he winds down at Palmyra BiC church and winds up for bishopping.
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Pastor Terry Rose’s mom is in her last days. Terry and Dave got to visit her in Chicago in the past two weeks for which they are grateful. Pray for the comforting of God’s Spirit.
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PTL for the Extreme Makeover for the Pleasant View congregation. They are working diligently for their celebration service for this endeavor to “spruce up” and add to their technical support in their sanctuary.
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There are a couple pastors in the conference making some significant decisions. Pray for the spirit guidance.
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PTL for the Carlisle’s churches expanding endeavors. All I can say is, “Wow!” Pray that God continues to bless their efforts to reach out. Pray for their youth pastor search as well.
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Seek the Lord on behalf of the Ferguson Valley and Granville congregations as they make efforts to support their pastor more in line with his service to them. He recently lost his full time job which gave them a significant break financially. Pray for God’s provision.
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Thank the Lord for the new Youth Pastors at Mechanicsburg (Chad Wenger) and Grantham (David Stuebing).
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It was announced a few weeks ago that Pastor Blaine Kimball will be resigning as of the end of Dec. Pray for wisdom for those remaining to discern the Lord’s direction for Life House. Pray for direction for Blaine and Tracey.
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With all that’s going on in the churches noted above I have had little time for a couple on-going assignments and work for the General and regional conferences. Pray that the press will let up with the helps of the Comforter.
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I thank the Lord that both Linda and I have been healthy. We have leaned on each other through these last couple months a bit more than usual. September through November has been a blur. We are looking to do a bit of painting next week at home…a welcome relief…I can’t believe I said that! God continues to give me stress relieving opportunities on the tennis court and well as the community chorus preparing for Christmas. Our greatest joy is the anticipated arrival of our first grandson. Kyle and Dawn, Makayla and Natalie are awaiting the arrival of Logan Dale due on Christmas eve…we’ll see what he says about that!
