Pastor Mick’s Musings

WGT Calendar 2

Youth News 3

Anniversaries & Birthdays 4

Scriptures, Servants, & Stats 5

Witness Updates 6

Christmas Dinner Pics 7

Tiny Timbers Tidbits 8

TT Spotlight 9

Inside this issue:

February 2019

God’s Valentine Gift

God’s Valentine gift of love to us

Was not a bunch of flowers;

It wasn’t candy, or a book

To while away the hours.

His gift was to become a man,

So He could freely give

His sacrificial love for us,

So you and I could live.

He gave us sweet salvation, and

Instruction, good and true--

To love our friends and enemies

And love our Savior, too.

So as we give our Valentines,

Let’s thank our Lord and King;

The reason we have love to give

Is that He gave everything.

By Joanna Fuchs

Player or Poser?

As I know you all know by now, I grew up playing guitar and wanting to be a rock star! Actually, I just wanted to make it in music. I worked hard at my craft. It took years to get to the level to where I was good enough to play out in clubs and get in recording studios. I loved it and was happy to pursue life living in the fast lane with the dreams of making it big! Fortunately for me, God had other plans. Now I play for the Lord and that suits me quite well. I used to purchase Guitar Player magazine from time to time to check out the new gear and read articles about those who made it big. In the magazine, there was a full page advertisement claiming in just three weeks you could be a rock star by subscribing to this new method of learning to play guitar. Three weeks! Wow! On the page they had this male model with fake long hair posing with a Fender Stratocaster guitar. He looked goofy! His hands were in the wrong place and he was holding the guitar all wrong! I’d laugh every time I saw the ad and wondered who in world could take this guy, this male model, seriously. He was not a player. He was a poser! A poser is someone who looks the part but acts in a certain manner to impress others. He looked the part. But as a player, I was absolutely sure this guy in the advertisement could not play at all. This is the same for those who claim to follow Jesus Christ - some are players and some are posers. Some are willing to commit to Jesus and work out their faith in action. They are the players - the real deal. Players for Jesus talk the talk and walk the walk. They put in the time to become more Christ-like and follow the Lord. They stand tall in hard times, relying on faith to pull them through. They demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The love of God is evident in them. Not so with the poser, they may dress and act like believers but are Christians in name only. They say they are spiritual and follow Jesus but have nothing to show for it. Posers talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. They do not reflect the love of Jesus in their actions. When it comes to hard times, they will waver and lose their faith. Posers claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, but their actions do not testify to their beliefs. They look the part but they are not players! Posers will walk away. In John 6 of the Bible, we see posers walking away. Jesus is giving a hard lesson regarding who He is and what He is willing to give up to those who truly want to follow Him. Jesus calls Himself the bread of life and states in verse 51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” As the Jews and the followers of Jesus are arguing about this statement, Jesus again proclaims in verses 53 and 54, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Youth Retreat

2

3M 7 am

Youth Retreat

3 Early Service

8 am Sunday School

9:15 am Worship 10:30 am

Youth Retreat

4 WWW 7 pm

5

6 Youth

6:30 pm

7

Men’s Bible Study

Choir 7 pm

8 Prayer Shawl

Gathering 9:30 am

9 3M 7 am

10 Early Service

8 am Sunday School

9:15 am Worship 10:30 am

11 WWW 7 pm

12 Commis-

sions 7 pm Board 8 pm

13

Youth 6:30 pm

14 Men’s Bible

Study Choir 7 pm

15

16 3M 7 am Youth

COBYS Gym Night 5 pm

17 Early Service

8 am SVPS Baby

Shower 9 am Sunday School

9:15 am Worship 10:30 am

Who’s Coming to Dinner

18 WWW 7 pm

Tiny Timbers Closed

19

Tiny Timbers Closed

20 Youth

6:30 pm

21

Men’s Bible Study

Choir 7 pm

22 Women’s

Fellowship Movie Night

7 pm

23 3M 7 am Board

Retreat 9 am

24 Early Service

8 am Sunday School

9:15 am Worship 10:30 am

25 WWW 7 pm

26

27 Youth

6:30 pm

28 Men’s Bible

Study Choir

Like Minded Churches

Mtg. 7 pm

Page 3

WGT Youth News As you read this please take a look at or pictures to close 2018. We spent some time celebrating the birth of our Savior, as well as seeking to follow his example serving outside the body as well as fellow-shipping and serving (and being blessed) inside the body. Did you consider that these pictures depict us serv-ing WGT’s mission: “to know, love and follow Jesus by serving others”? *We seek to follow Jesus - to know Him more *In knowing Him – love Him *In loving Him – obey Him.

Jesus’ teaching could be simplified to 2 commands – love God and others (including ourselves),

as well as 1 commission – make disciples.

All three play an important part in the youth ministry of WGT. We are constantly answering the questions that most of us have through exploring the wisdom the Bible provides. In doing so we see how to truly love God, love others and love ourselves. We cannot neglect one or the others cannot be fully realized. But we have all heard the saying – “actions speak louder than words.” So as we look at Jesus we often look at his words but those that were most impacted by Him were those that not only heard his teaching but those that lived life with Him and saw Him live what He taught.

With this in mind, we desire to live life with you and the youth. In living life together, we best see what it means to love God, love others and love ourselves. But this lesson is best learned in relationships. Jesus had some important relationships, most notably with his twelve disciples. But Jesus had an even closer relation-ship with the three; Peter, John and James. Research today suggests that most peo-ple can only handle 5 intimate relationships. If Jesus’ had a close few, and we want to follow Him - who are your “few”?

The youth ministry team of WGT have implemented such a strategy. We have com-mitted to do for a few what we wish we could do for all. We have decided to be intentional

about connecting and loving a few. Will you join us? Will you consider seeking intentional relationships with a few? The great commission instructs us to make disciples – we could each start with one. Is God speaking to you? Is there a name that comes to mind as you read these words? As we seek to be transformed by Christ, who is that you might assist in their transformation? Shawn O’Brien Director of Youth Ministries

Jesus’ Birthday Celebration

BHA Service Day

Fundraiser Breakfast

Page 4

WINTER WEATHER RELATED SERVICE DELAYS/CANCELLATIONS Tune in to the following to check for any service delays/cancellations:

Online: www.wgal.com - “Stormwatch”, www.westgreentree.org (front page, scroll down), Television: WHP - Channel 21, WPMT - Channel 43,

CW - Channel 15, Radio: FM 90.3 WJTL

Anniversaries

2/14 - Paul & June Gerhart

2/16 - Don & Ruthie Hollinger

2/19 - Scott & Heather Leleux

2/25 - Mel & Brenda Geib

2/26 - Greg & Cindy Seitz

Birthdays

2/1 - Matt Ramsey

2/2 - Nel Bender

Sarah Clugston

2/4 - Jim Spickler

2/5 - Darlene Breneman

2/9 - Brad Drawbaugh

2/11 - Janessa Daniels

2/12 - Matt Haverkamp

2/14 - Donna Hollinger

Don Hollinger

Paula Brandt

2/15 - Barrett Youtz

Esther Yeagley

Lyla Smith

2/16 - Karen Ginder

2/17 - John Townsend

2/19 - Clint Arndt

Michelle Myers

2/20 - Jean Landvater

Gale Forry

2/22 - Brendan Haverkamp

Alexis Miller

2/23 - Krista Dickson

2/24 - Jessica Tripp

2/25 - Doug Breneman

2/28 - Carey Brandt

Jonathan Coble

Family Game Night Nurture is sponsoring a Family Game Night on Saturday, March 2nd starting at 5:00 pm. We will have pizza, chicken corn soup and drinks. Please bring a snack or cookies to share and of course your favorite games. Come join us for an evening of

fun and fellowship!

It is in this context that Jesus separates the players from the posers. After this incredible statement from Jesus, the crowd of followers say that this is too hard a saying and many leave. The twelve disciples stay. Jesus asks them, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” The disciples were players. They would follow Jesus through any situation and circumstance. Eventually, many would become martyrs. They counted the cost, picked up their crosses and followed Jesus. The question we should all ask ourselves, somewhere in the course of our faith walk with Jesus is, “Am I a player or a poser?”

All for His Glory, Pastor Mick

Part-time Choir Accompanist wanted for WGT’s Choir. Please see Regena Tripp, Scott Farmer, or

Ryan Arndt if interested.

Page 5

February Servants

February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24

Scripture & Sermon

Romans 6:1-14 Life & Death & Life

Pastor Mick

Romans 6:15-23 You Gotta Serve

Somebody Pastor Mick

Romans 7:1-12 Shawn O’Brien

Romans 7:13-25 Wretched! Pastor Mick

Pianist/Organist Ryan Arndt Leslie Allen Ryan Arndt Brenda Geib & Ryan Arndt

Special Music Choir Noah Burger Choir WGT Kid’s Choir

Chorister Liane Sucharski June Kolp Regena Tripp Allison Huber

Greeters 8 am Daryl & Angie Harnish Mike & Marcia Haw-thorne

Ed Horst Dan & Nila Grose

Greeters 10:30 am

Doug & Darlene Breneman

Greg & Cindy Seitz Dennis & Ann Saylor Phil & Donna Hollinger

Welcome Center 8 am

Mary Jane McClena-ghan

Julie Ramsey Todd & Tammy Sieber Dan & Nila Grose

Welcome Center 10:30 am

Don & Ruthie Hol-linger

Todd & Lisa Shelly Dennis & Ann Saylor Phil & Donna Hollinger

Worship Leader Donna Weaver Dick Dickason Brenda Axe Allison Huber

Ushers Youth New Horizons SS Class Faith Seekers SS Class Sojourners SS Class

Deacons/Anointing Doug & Darlene Breneman

Jim & Polly Shumate June Kolp Marlin & Rose Hibshman

Sound Room 8 am Jerry Huber & Nick Sieber

Jerry Huber & Zane Seitz Jerry Huber & Greg Seitz

Jerry Huber & Ben Youtz

Sound Room 10:30 am

Jeff & Shane Schwanger

Duane Martin & Greg Seitz

Duane Martin & Ben Youtz

Jason Leonard & Zane Seitz

8 am Nursery/Toddler

The Cannon Family The Farmer Family Cindy Collins & Kim Coble

10:30 am Nursery/Toddler

Jason & Holly Leonard

Dan & Krista Dickson Chad & Audrey Garber June & Sarah Kolp

December & January Stats

December 30 January 6 January 13 January 20

Total Worship 187 184 147 149

Sunday School None 114 111 108

General $23,627.00 $6,102.00 $3,586.00 $2,676.00

Building $5,000.00 $520.00

Deacon $6,000.00 $160.00 $48.00

Seminary $6,670.00 $140.00 $107.00

Page 6

Witness News From the Witness Commission: Jim Shumate, Kelsey Hollinger, Todd Shelly, Abigail Schwanger,

and Zane Seitz Volunteering at Bethesda Mission in Harrisburg The mission is in need of volunteers to serve meals, 3 times a day, 7 days

a week. They serve thousands of people every month. West Green Tree will be serving dinner in Bethesda’s soup kitchen on Sunday, February 3rd. We will leave from West Green Tree as a group at 3:30 pm. We will be at the mission from 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm, arriving back at church between 6:45 pm and 7 pm. We need a total of 6 volunteers. Please see the sign-up sheet on the Witness bulletin board at the Information Center.

Police Appreciation Day The Witness Commission has designated Friday, February 8th as police appreciation day for the

Northwest Regional Police Department and also the Elizabethtown Borough Police station. What better way to thank them for serving and protecting our community than with PIZZA!? We are delivering pizza along with Pepsi and Frito products to the station for lunch that day.

Baby shower for Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services The Witness Commission is once again, hosting a baby shower

to benefit the work of SVPS. They are a Christian-based pregnancy service, providing medical care, counseling, supplies, and Christian love to pregnant girls and women in our area. They make it possible for these ladies to choose life instead of abortion for their unborn babies. SVPS walks alongside these ladies, whether they raise their babies themselves or if they decide to bless someone else through adoption. Sunday, February 17th, at 9 am, we will have the Fellowship Hall decorated for a baby shower. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy cake, coffee and snacks. The shower will take place during the 1st part of the Sunday School hour, then everyone can head to class. However, refreshments will be available until 10:30 am. If you’re able to, please bring a baby shower gift or you can place a financial donation in the big baby bottle.

Most Needed Items for the Baby Shower

New or like new strollers (double, umbrella & regular)

New or like new Pack n Plays

New “Boppy” nursing pillows

Bassinets

High chairs

Diapers (all sizes thru size 6, especially sizes 5 & 6)

Baby Wipes

Diaper Ointment

Crib bedding (pads & sheets—earth tones, soft grays, mochas, blues)

Clothing (infant to 4T, warm & cool weather

New layette items (brush & comb sets, pacifiers, bottles, bibs, digital thermometers, baby shampoo, baby wash, baby towels, washcloths, receiving blankets)

Baby formula (Similac Advanced)

Walmart or Target gift cards PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept used toys or new/used stuffed animals Due to frequent recalls & strict government regulations, we appreciate financial donations which can be used to purchase larger baby items such as cribs, 3-in-1 strollers, and Pack n Plays online that are delivered to the client’s home.

Page 7

Thank you to everyone who helped make WGT’s 8th Annual Christmas

Dinner a success! We provided meals to nearly 400 people.

Page 8

Our theme for January is Snowmen & Winter. As our second half of the year begins, we are concentrating hands on to learn names, alphabet letters & sounds. One of our daily activities is “Question of the day”. An example would be, Do you like to read? Each child answers and of course Miss

Carrie & Miss Cindy have to respond as well. When the yes & no answers are tallied, we see how many of each. Emergent reader booklets are helping the children to learn site words and

counting. The booklets go home and the children can review at their leisure. We have Styrofoam peanuts in our sensory table. Hidden among the peanuts are mittens. The children’s job is to find the mittens that match. Mr. Hoobly Doobly taught the children how to cut out a snowflake. OR did the children teach him! Lol This is a once a month lesson with Pastor Mick. Each month he brings us a story. His message for January as he cut out the snowflake was

Psalms 51:7. Our snowflakes that he cut were dirty on one side & white on the other. “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” Thank you Pastor Mick and Tiny Timbers. God is awesome!

In God’s Grace, Miss Cindy C.

MWF Teacher’s Assistant

This is the trophy WGT received for their float in the E-town Holiday

Parade! Way to go folks!

GUESS WHO’S COMING FOR DINNER Sunday, February 17th, is set aside for a fun event, Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner! This is a great way to get to know others in the church. Families decide if they wish to host a meal or be a guest & sign up according to their preference at the information center. One week prior to the event, the sign up sheet is taken down & a committee will assign guests to the hosting houses. On the day of the event, guests receive a notice telling them where they are going for dinner. If inter-ested in hosting or being a guest, please sign up! See Julie Arndt, Julie Ruhl or Ann Saylor with questions.

Understanding Today’s Youth Culture The Atlantic Northeast District will present, Understanding Today’s Youth Culture, at West Green Tree, Saturday, March 30th, beginning at 9 am. CPYU President, Dr. Walt Mueller, will present this seminar. Contact Jess Ross at the district office at 717-367-4730 for more information. You may also check the link out on the district website, https://cpyu.org/event/elizabethtown-pa-understanding-todays-youth-culture-2/

Pastor Mick’s “Whiter than Snow”

Bible Story

Snowman Names

Page 9

Page 9

Tiny Timbers Student Spotlight

Sophia Hollinger 1. If you could pick a favorite activity that you did with your family over Christmas, what would it be? Going to

SkyZone.

2. What is your favorite song? The Welcome Song.

3. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be & why? A bunny because it’s so cute!

4. What is one food you eat all the time? Christmas cut out cookies.

5. What would you like to be when you grow up? A princess.

Jonathan Hynick 1. If you could pick a favorite activity that you did with your family over Christmas, what would it be? Making

cookies.

2. What is your favorite song? Wibbly, Wobbly, Woo.

3. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be & why? A zebra because I like stripes.

4. What is one food you eat all the time? Cheese.

5. What would you like to be when you grow up? A fireman.

Adalynne Krall 1. If you could pick a favorite activity that you did with your family over Christmas, what would it be? Seeing

family.

2. What is your favorite song? Go Tell It On The Mountain. 3. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be & why? A panda because I like them so much &

they’re snuggly.

4. What is one food you eat all the time? PB & J sandwich.

5. What would you like to be when you grow up? A doctor.

Brennan Lechleitner 1. If you could pick a favorite activity that you did with your family over Christmas, what would it be? Being

with my family & opening presents.

2. What is your favorite song? Jingle Bells. 3. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be & why? A dolphin because I like how they swim &

splash.

4. What is one food you eat all the time? Peanut Butter & Jelly - I love it!

5. What would you like to be when you grow up? A sea explorer & an astronaut.

Irelyn O’Brien 1. If you could pick a favorite activity that you did with your family over Christmas, what would it be? Eat family

dinners together.

2. What is your favorite song? Silent Night.

3. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be & why? A cat because they have pointy ears.

4. What is one food you eat all the time? Chicken.

5. What would you like to be when you grow up? A teacher.

Riley Swords 1. If you could pick a favorite activity that you did with your family over Christmas, what would it be? The

sleepover at Mema’s house with my cousin Piper.

2. What is your favorite song? Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

3. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be & why? A zebra.

4. What is one food you eat all the time? Pizza and spaghetti.

5. What would you like to be when you grow up? Myself.

740 Greentree Road Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Mick Allen, Senior Pastor pastormick@westgreentree.org

Paula Jones, Administrative Assistant paula@westgreentree.org

Phone: 717-653-5367 Fax: 717-653-5056

www.westgreentree.org

WEST GREEN TREE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

WEST GREEN TREE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

Our Purpose Statement:

“To Know, Love, & Follow Jesus by serving All”

Sunday Service Times: Contemporary Worship 8:00 am Sunday School 9:15 am Traditional Worship 10:30 am Monday: Ladies Bible Study @ 7 pm Wednesday: Youth @ 6:30 pm Thursday: Men’s Bible Study @ 7 pm