Camp Hill Presbyterian Church
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PASTORAL GREETINGS
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. . .The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace. (Psalm 29:1-4, 10-11)
Dear Siblings in Christ,
In I Kings chapter 19, Elijah discovers that God is not found in the great wind, nor earthquake or fire. Instead, God is found in “a sound of sheer silence.” (The sound of sheer silence is sometimes translated as “the still small voice” of God.) And when Elijah “hears” the silence, he covers his face, because he knows that he is in the presence of the LORD.
I have always treasured this story of Elijah, and the reminder that we are called to listen for God in the deep silent spaces of our lives. But God is never limited to speaking in only one way. And while God is not found in the wind, fire, and earthquake in I Kings 19, we find quite a different story in Psalm 29, which describes a thunderstorm, as the Psalmist marvels at God’s power on display in the storm. Amid the storm, God flashes lightning, and shakes the wilderness, breaking rocks, and stripping trees bare.
In the midst of God’s raw power, the Psalmist is filled with awe and praises the holiness of the LORD even as the Psalmist also cries out for God to share God’s strength and power with God’s people, and for God to bless God’s people with peace.
Psalm 29 is one of my favorite psalms, and I often pray with it, whenever I find myself watching whatever storms may come. This psalm reminds us that God is at once holy and powerful beyond our imagination, and at the same time, God present among us, and closer to us than our own breath.
As I write this week’s letter, the weather forecasts all suggest that we are about to face a major storm this weekend. It is highly likely that we will not be able to gather this Sunday. I want us all to be as safe as possible as we plan to wait out the storm. At the same time, I hope that we will pause amidst the storm, notice God’s power among us and to also remember that God is with us always, even we cannot be together.
I do hope and pray that you remain safe and warm this weekend. I will look forward to being with you soon.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Richard E. T. Jorgensen, Jr.
IT'S HAPPENING AT CAMP HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Please Note: Just in case the storm changes course, we will wait until Saturday afternoon to make our final decision about this Sunday’s worship service. Please check our social media or your email tomorrow afternoon for updates and cancellations. Please share any updates with those who you may know who don't have email or social media. And if we are unable to gather in person, we will post a brief worship video Sunday morning at 10:30 am. And finally, no matter what happens this weekend, please stay safe.
Everyone is invited to join in an evening of musical theatre at Open Stage of Harrisburg’s production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Forum on Friday, March 20th. The show begins at 7:30pm and a light meal will be served in our Fellowship Hall at 5:45pm. Carpooling can be arranged for those who do not wish to drive from the church to the show. To make a reservation, please complete a reservation form available via Connections and in the Gathering Space and submit your form and $30 per reservation to the church office no later than March 1st.
Chancel Flower Openings Through Easter — There are many opportunities to contribute chancel flowers during the upcoming Lenten season. The Feb. dates available are 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, and 2/22. The March dates are 3/1, 3/8, 3/22 and 3/29. If you’re interested in any of these dates or have had them in the past and would like to contribute again, please contact Dolores Peffley at dwpeffley@gmail.com or call 717-766-7554. This is a generous and special way to enhance the beauty of our sanctuary, remember / honor loved ones or special occasions and gift our shut-ins all at the same time. Surely, flowers add Light to our worship experience!
Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians — Beginning Feb. 3, please join our new adult Bible study by Beth Moore for an in-depth, 6-week, exploration of Paul’s letter to the Galatians discovering the revolutionary gospel, the freedom found in Christ and its timeless relevance for today. Contact Monica Zazworsky (mojozaz@gmail.com) for more information or to register.
CHPC Supper Club — We’ll be enjoying dinner at Momma Spriggs in Carlisle on Friday, Feb. 20th at 6:30pm. Please call or text your RSVP to Vonny at 717-576-7589 by Sunday, February 15.
Liturgists Needed — If you would like to help Pastor Richard lead Sunday worship by reading a Bible passage and a prayer or two, please sign up outside the church office and review the instructions provided by the sign up form. It is a great way to participate in worship and in the life of the church. Sign up for a single week or for a regular commitment, whichever you prefer. Thank you!
We are looking for volunteers to help with VBS on Feb. 13 & 14. If you’re interested, please email dce@thechpc.com or sign up on the bulletin board outside the office. Thank you for supporting our children’s ministry! - Hannah