July and August 2015 - hopeumcephrata.org

A Word from Pastor Jim July and August
2015
Greetings in the Name of Christ!
Table of Contents
When God moves, get ready to go!
After seeing my house in Delaware sell in one week, and A Word from Pastor Jim pg. 1-2
the same thing happen to my mother-in-law’s when she put
her home on the market, I was not surprised to see the Office Notes pg. 3
parsonage sell just as quickly. Nor was I surprised that we
got a favorable price for the house. God works in wonderful Weekly & Monthly Events pg. 4
– and often surprising – ways.
As I was preparing to enter the ministry, someone once UM Women & Outreach pg. 5
told me to “get ready.” It wasn’t that I didn’t know what I
was getting in to, God had been preparing me for that. Vacation Bible School pg. 6-7
What they were trying to communicate to me was that this
new phase of my life was going to be akin to something like Fellowship Events pg. 8
getting on a roller coaster with Jesus sitting next to you
roaring with laughter! He knows what’s coming — he Collections pg. 8
planned it, and our surprise and wonder is both a delight to
us and also to him! Jerry Jones Concert pg. 9
Hope Church is entering one of those moments of
change as we wait for the final settlement in selling the Sunday School pg. 10
parsonage. The sale will be a relief in a number of ways. We
won’t be in the position of being a landlord — even if it is Men of Hope Book Study pg. 10

(Continued on page 2) Laity Academy pg. 10

God’s Time Youth Ministry pg. 11

Phillies Game pg. 11

Birthdays pg. 12

Anniversaries pg. 13

Community Help pg. 13

Preschool pg. 14

60+ pg. 15

Clyde’s Nature Note Back Page

for a future pastor (may that be a long time coming)! And having the injection of funds for the
church will take some burden off of our shoulders.

But there are some things we need to know and remember as we move ahead. It is important
to point out that the funds we receive from the sale cannot be used to cover our general
operating expenses. That means we still have to live, day to day, with what we receive from
tithes, gifts, and offerings. (So we will still have to rely on your generosity.) That’s the bad news.

The good news is that we will be able to do some major (and minor) fix-ups that we have had
to put on hold until we could find or raise the money. We can use some money from the sale of
the parsonage for major capital improvements and repairs.

Better still is the fact that we can move forward in ministry and missions without worrying
about how to fund the next big thing. So while it may look like we can have a bit of a breather,
we are really being given a rare opportunity to immerse ourselves in the work of the Lord. God
provides a boon so that we may do more in his service, not so that we can rest on our haunches!

So I want to encourage you over the next few months to give a try to something that the Lord
spoke through the prophet Malachi:

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,"
says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so
much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

Now is not the time to back off, but to take a chance and see if we can truly make a God-sized
impact for Christ in our community and the world.

All Christ’s Love... and mine!

The Pastor is In

Monday through Thursday
— as posted by his office —

Other hours by appointment!

Please contact Pastor Jim directly if
you wish to meet with him.

(cell & text)

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Church Staff Office Hours

Pastor ......................................................Rev. Jim Bongard Monday through Friday
Coordinator of Christian Education.......Sue McMillan-Gamber 9am – 1pm
Youth Director/Coordinator....................Steve Smith
Director of Music.....................................Lisa Helock Wanted!!!
Bell Choir Director ..................................Lynn Miller Committee Chair
Organist...................................................Lorena Gockley
Sexton......................................................Doreen Deamer

We need YOU for the
Education Committee!

Flowers & Bulletins

There are a few dates still available near Lost & Found
the end of the year to sponsor flowers, and
lots of dates available for the bulletins. We still have winter coats! It’s true! Are
you missing a coat, a sweater, or anything?

Altar flowers - $35 Bulletins - $20 Small items are in the Lost & Found box
under the mailboxes in the church office.
Free 17” Computer Monitor Please ask in the church office to see the
larger items.

It’s on the back counter in the office, near Pictorial Directory
the paper cutter. If you want it, take it! 

We’re planning a new pictorial directory … but, this time, in-house! Lisa Helock will take
studio portraits at prearranged times. Schedule yours now! Sign-up sheets are in the lobby.

Photo Credits - Baby Beau the cow & the horses

on the front page are Pastor Jim’s neighhhh-bors.
“Fireflies - The Morning After” is courtesy of Jeff Turner
(flickr Creative Commons). If you can guess the location
of Pastor Jim’s “photo
vacation,” you get 50 points
toward “A Major Award.” 

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July & August Weekly Events Monthly Events

Independence Day God’s Time Youth Ministry Holy Communion
Saturday, July 4th Sundays at 6pm July 5th and August 2nd
Cow Appreciation Day Youth Room
Wednesday, July 15th
National Ice Cream Day 1st Sunday Giving
Sunday, July 19th July 5th and August 2nd
Friendship Day Collection for Assistance Fund
Sunday, August 2nd
Watermelon Day during worship
Monday, August 3rd
Fellowship Sunday
Zucchini Day July 19th and August 16th
Saturday, August 8th Join us for a special time of
National Senior Citizens Day
Friday, August 21st fellowship and snacks
Women’s Equality Day after worship
Wednesday, August 26th
Water Street Ministries
Sunday, August 16th
4pm

September Newsletter
Deadline

Monday, August 17th

60+
Wednesday, August 26th

11:30am
Luncheon & Show
at Timbers Restaurant
& Dinner Theatre

in Mt. Gretna

Committee Meetings (7pm unless specified) Men of Hope
Men’s Group Study
 Wednesday, July 1st ........................ Youth Council (6pm) Thursday, July 16th
 Monday, July 13th ........................... Stewardship and Thursday, August 13th
 Monday, July 13th ........................ Trustees
 Tuesday, July 21st........................ Church Council 6:30am
 Tuesday, July 28th ....................... Finance Studying
 Wednesday, August 5th ................... Youth Council (6pm) “Jesus is the Question”
 Wednesday, August 19th ................. Worship (6pm) by Martin B. Copenhaver

United Methodist Women
Thursday, August 20th
12:00pm
(special time)
Annual Picnic

5th Sunday Giving
Sunday, August 30th

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United Methodist Women (UMW) & Outreach

 UMW Picnic · August 20th · Thursday · 12pm · Sandy’s house
Bring a small salad to share. Meat, drinks, and place settings will be provided. All women
are invited. For details, call 733-3073.

 Backpack Drive
The children in our Middle School need backpacks. Throughout the month of August, look
for a donation jar in the lobby, sitting next to a backpack.

 5th Sunday Giving · August 30th
For our second offering, we will be collecting donations to buy backpacks for our Ephrata
Middle School students.

Peter's Porch Needs Our Help!

This ministry is sponsored by Zion Lutheran Church in Akron. Some background
information: it was begun in 2009, currently serves an average of 120 people per
month, over 56% are from the Ephrata & Akron area, and food is provided by various
businesses and county agencies.

The two Wednesday nights before Peter’s Porch is open to the public (3rd Saturday)
is when they bag food and sort clothing (6 to 8pm). Then on the 3rd Saturday (7 to
10:30am) volunteers are needed to help serve the free breakfast and hand out one
paper bag full of food. Rooms full of free clothing are open during that time.

Hope Church has been asked to have a regular working crew on a Wednesday and/
or Saturday. We are looking for 6 to 8 people plus a few extra people who could be
substitutes, working occasionally. I know we are limited in helping on Wednesdays
because of choirs, but even if 4 people could commit every other month, that would
be helpful. Committing another 4 people on Saturdays when we aren't going to Water
Street in Lancaster could be a way to help others. For example, one group could help
on a Wednesday of every other month, beginning September 9th or 15th, and then
another group could help Saturday of every other month, beginning September 19th.

Two or three people have already been helping for the last couple of years. This is
one way we can help others right here in our own community. Please contact me or
the office if you could possibly help in this area of great need.

May God help us to serve others.

Sandy Schmid
733-3073
e-mail: [email protected]

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Vacation Bible School - Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power

Sunday, July 12th - Thursday, July 16th · 6:30-8:30pm (first night starts at 6pm)
Let the excitement begin! We join with Rothsville UMC to travel to Mount Everest in the
Himalayas for this year’s Vacation Bible School! Expect mountains of fun! Kids will
walk away with a rock-solid faith that they can rely on God when life gets tough.
We still need winter camping & climbing gear for decorating, plus supplies for games.
The children's church room is the drop-off point for whatever you donate or loan.
Please mark all items you want back.

 Tents & Rope
 Boots & Hiking Gear
 Lanterns & Camp Stools
 Used Oxygen Bottles?
 1 Child-size Wading Pool
 1 Large Inflatable Globe or Ball
 3 Large Plastic Bowls
 3 Plastic Buckets
 3 Splash Balls
 4 Packs of Spring-Type Clothes Pins
 9 Pairs of White Athletic Socks
 9 Beach Towels

VBS is open to all children ages 3-4 who are diaper-free, and those in Kindergarten
through 5th Grade. Register today to be part of a climbing crew for Everest VBS!

VBS Craft & Decoration Prep Days Why is Mallory special?

Every Tuesday & Thursday until VBS · 1:30-3:30pm She migrates at a higher altitude

Volunteers are still needed to help prepare crafts than any other bird! Bar-headed
and decorations. We need you July 7th & 9th! geese can flap their wings for more
than 17 hours non-stop (not soar &

drift easily like other birds) ... at

24,000 feet or possibly higher …

where the air is so thin the oxygen

is less than 10% of what’s available

in the air in Ephrata. She’s one of

many fascinating & unique animals

we’ll meet

Our Bible Memory Buddy! during

— Mallory — VBS.

The Bar-headed
Goose!

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Vacation Bible School will be collecting

money for UMCOR - Nepal. Our children will
be studying Mt. Everest & Nepal - working with
God. We will also have plates at each door
before & after worship on July 12 & July 19 for
the congregation to donate.

Preparing for the final assembly of the
two curtains made of 1,600 bottle caps.
One is of Mount Everest, and the other,

covering 5 tables, celebrates all of the
happy colors received. Thank You!

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Fellowship Events

Our next event is the upcoming…..

POTLUCK DINNER!!!
August 30th, 5:30pm
Jerry comes to Hope Church as a good friend of Pastor Jim’s. So before the concert, let’s
enjoy a potluck dinner in Fellowship Hall. Bring a dish to share! We eat at 5:30pm, then we
all troop upstairs to enjoy and be inspired by Jerry’s music.

Mark your calendars for other upcoming events:

September ........... Possible kite flying day / hot dogs and s’mores by the Fire Pit
October 4 ............. Shared community event with Hope Preschool
October 10 ........... Yard Sale and Chicken Barbeque
Early November .. Our own “Pumpkin Chunkin” contest
November 14 ....... Savor the Seasons Dinner and Auction

Reminder:
Fellowship Time follows morning worship service on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Do you
have a special snack that you enjoy? Bring it for all of us to enjoy on these Fellowship
Sundays! As a congregation, we are all responsible for the “goodies” we munch on while we
visit and catch up with each other. So write it in your calendars for the 3rd Sunday of each
month: “Bring a snack to share to church.” In lieu of a snack, drinks and paper products
work well, too.

Thank you for taking part in Fellowship Sunday!

Ongoing Collections

 One Great Hour of Sharing
This program benefits the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Your giving helps support
local efforts to aid disaster survivors by providing early response training for volunteers,
shipping emergency kits, and granting disaster response funds. There is a coin jar in the
lobby to collect your change for this effort.

 Food
This program benefits Ephrata Area Social Services (EASS). Food is collected every month
and delivered to EASS. It is important to pick up a few extra boxes or cans of food to help
others in our community. See the baskets under the coat rack near the library.

 Recycled Metal · Tony’s Recycling Center · the bin behind the garden shed
Drop off any recyclable metal and Tony Hachkowski will turn your trash into cash. If in
doubt, please bring a sample to Tony. No steel food cans, plastic, paper or glass, please!

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Jerry Jones Country Gospel Concert and Potluck

Sunday · August 30th  7pm

Jerry was named "Spotlight Artist" for "Country Gospel
Connection" magazine in 2005, and also
“SouthernGospel.com” internet magazine in September
of 2007. The songs "Get Behind Me" and "God's
Soldiers" (God's Soldiers written by Carol Collins) both
received #1 status in August and September of 2007 on
the Radioactive Airplay Chart. Jerry released his next
song, "Read the Word" and IT hit the #1 spot in The New
York Music Review! This is quite an honor to receive!
Soon after, Jerry wrote another song, "Barstools and
Church Pews," which charted in the top 20 in "Singing
News” magazine and climbed to reach #1 on several other charts, including The New York Music
Review. Jerry has written numerous other Gospel songs, and gives Glory to God for each and every
one. Being true Servants of God, Jerry and his wife Jeannie take part in many benefit concerts
throughout the year, volunteer their services for the American Cancer Society, and contribute to
and promote St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a hospital for children with cancer and other
catastrophic illnesses that offers its services free of charge to children and their families.

Jerry has devoted his life to using this powerful
gift in music to minister to others all across the
country. As he sings, his heart seems to flow right
through the songs with each note, and others are
moved and touched...heart to heart!

Jerry has won many honors and many awards, he
has been on a variety of charts and has
become very popular in Europe as well as in the
U.S. And yet, given all of those things, Jerry's
purpose, his passion, is to make a difference in
the lives of others; to bring them to know his
loving Christ Jesus.

To learn more or to hear some of his music,
please visit his website.

www.JerryJonesMinistries.com

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Summer Sunday School
July 12th through August 30th

The Sunday schools combine during the summer, and will study, S.H.A.P.E.
by Eric Rees.
In a companion book to Rick Warren’s A Purpose-Driven Life, Erik Rees
more thoroughly explains the use of Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities,
Personality, and Experiences that Pastor Warren first introduced in his
book twenty years ago. Identify and understand these factors, discover God’s will in your life,
and use them for his glory! What will be the contribution of your life?
A sign-up sheet is available in the lobby. Sign up now to reserve your study guide!

Wide Awake Sunday School Class - Hot Dog & Corn Roast

Saturday, August 1st · 5:30pm (new time!) in Fellowship Hall
It’s Wide Awake fun time! We’re getting together for some fun, food and fellowship. Bring a
dish to pass! Hot dogs, corn, drinks and paper products will be provided.

Men of Hope Book Study - various locations

July 16th and August 13th at 6:30AM

We meet for breakfast once a month as we continue our study of Jesus
is the Question - The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He
Answered by Martin B. Copenhaver. New members welcome anytime!
 July 16th at Evergreen Diner
 August 13th at Bright’s Family Style Restaurant
Weekly meetings will resume in the fall. Questions? Please talk to Dick Erisman.

Laity Academy

August 14th - 16th
The 32nd Laity Academy will be at The Inn at Reading, 1040 North Park Road in
Wyomissing. The theme is "Planting Seeds: Rooted in God's Word." Go to their website,
epaumc.org/events/32nd-laity-academy to get plenty of information (including the registration
form) about this annual education and fellowship event – the largest gathering for laity each
year! Questions? Contact Aubrey Bates at [email protected] or Anne Taylor at
[email protected]. Registration deadline is July 17th.

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GTYM - God’s Time Youth Ministry

July and August:
 Sundays · July 19th* and 26th; August 9th, 16th and 23rd  6pm

~ regular meetings
 Sunday · July 5th and 12th; August 2nd and 30th

~ no meetings

 Sunday through Thursday · July 12th to 16th  6:30pm to 8:30pm
~ Vacation Bible School
Anyone who can help with Vacation Bible School is encouraged to do so. Note that the
start time on Sunday (the first evening) is 6pm.

 Saturday · July 18th  8:30am to 11:30am
~ Car Wash Benefit in Lower Parking Lot for EASS (Ephrata Area Social Services)
*Weather permitting; if event goes as planned, it will be in lieu of our meeting on July 19th.

 Thursday, July 30th through Saturday, August 1st
~ A Closer Walk · Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ
 featuring the band Leeland, guest speaker Dave
Nasser and worship leader Phil King.
 includes beach camping on Thursday and Friday
nights and unlimited rides at Morey’s Piers through
Saturday afternoon.

Coming up:
 Uprise Festival · Shippensburg Fairgrounds · Saturday, September 19th

~ featured artists on the main stage on Saturday have been announced:
Good Little Giants, 7th Time Down, Disciple, Peter Furler Band, Colton Dixon,
Family Force 5, Thousand Foot Krutch, Reliant K, Jeremy Camp, and Switchfoot.

United Methodist Night at The Ballpark

 July 18th · Saturday · 7pm ~ Citizens Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia

vs. Miami Marlins

Come catch a great ballgame, but come early to hear the New Hanover UMC choir sing
before the game and to cheer U.S. Air Force Chaplain Lt. Col. Sherrol James (a United
Methodist) when she throws out the ceremonial first pitch.
To order your tickets, go to www.phillies.com/methodist and use the promotion code
METHODIST. Proceeds of each ticket in locations $38 and under benefit the Conference
UMM Ministries. Sponsored by United Methodist Men. Questions? Contact Ross Brightwell
at 215-643-1269 or [email protected].

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July Birthdays 10 Ryan Lindberg 18 Kris Powers
Sammatha Seifert Barry Smith
1 June Kohl
2 Reed Lagaza 11 Grace Jefferson 20 Isabel Sweigart
Morgan Strohl 23 Dennis Deamer
Jack Smith
3 Michael Trella 12 Janice Van Zant Alan Noll
13 Chloe Peuler Teresa Usner
Jonathan Willier 16 Bonnie Seidel 26 Joe McGovern
5 Ian Wettlaufer David Wenger
6 Abby Rohr Paul Trella 28 Emily Beamesderfer
9 Dennis Howe 17 Barbara Griffith 29 Diana Wenzel

Lynn Miller 20 Doris Bickhart 26 Marie Hassell
Dave Schmid Mary Peachey 27 Belle Peters

August Birthdays 22 Bettie Calhoun Nathan Spoo
Tracy Lagaza 28 Jennifer Brobst
2 Charlie Anderson
Everett Fasnacht 23 Ralph McQuate Floy Nolt
24 Joyce Fasnacht Rodger Landes
9 Richard Hackman 30 Steve Smith
12 Jim Strohl Lucille Miller
15 Dick Imhoff Larry Overly
16 Patricia Wealand 25 Madison Handwerger
17 Jim Frisbie Hazel Stoudt

Tom Texter
19 Jody Klopp

Early September Birthdays

1 Jeanne Heft 11 Ray Martin 13 Karen McNamara
Lisa Helock Emma Peuler Dustin Wenger

8 Shirley Kreider 12 Mary Ellen Fake 14 Melissa Gorsuch
Sue McMillan-Gamber Don Miller Marianne Wenger
Don Witmyer Chris Voshell
15 James Hassell
9 Isabella Deamer

Happy Anniversary to:

Chris & Amy Voshell, who celebrated their.16th anniversary on June 26th.
Dick & Marilyn Rodman, who celebrated their.36th anniversary on June 30th.

Please accept our apologies for having missed you in the June Newsletter!

We apologize if we made ANY errors with your important dates!
Please let us know right away so we can correct them.

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Anniversaries

Joe & Laurelin Accardo will celebrate their.3rd anniversary on July 7th
Ron & Doreen Raezer will celebrate their.52nd anniversary on July 14th
Dion & Alyssa Deamer will celebrate their.4th anniversary on July 23rd
Jim & Ilene Bartlett will celebrate their.27th anniversary on August 8th

Thomas & Arielle Susco will celebrate their.4th anniversary on August 12th
Mark & Cindy Kamide will celebrate their.27th anniversary on August 20th
Vernon & Marian Bear will celebrate their.59th anniversary on August 26th
Curt & Evie Kline will celebrate their.51st anniversary on August 29th

Ernest & Shirley Dunkelberger will celebrate their.58th anniversary on August 31st
Jim & Marcia Frisbie will celebrate their.33rd anniversary on September 4th
Dan & Patricia Guers will celebrate their.40th anniversary on September 6th

Dave & Sandy Schmid will celebrate their.55th anniversary on September 10th

Community Help

Peter’s Porch – Saturday, July 18th and August 15th · 8 to 10:30am
Hosted by Zion Lutheran Church (435 Main Street, Akron), Peter’s Porch distributes a hot
breakfast, free clothing, household supplies, and a free bag of groceries to local families in
need. Volunteers are necessary to keep this ministry going! They’re needed on:
 Wednesdays, July 8th & 15th; August 5th & 12th · 6pm (packing grocery bags &
sorting clothing)
 Saturday, July 18th and August 15th · 7am (serving & running).
Call 859-2100 for more details. Also, please call to ensure that volunteers are still needed on
the day you wish to volunteer; the number of volunteers needed each time varies.

Blessings of Hope Food Boxes – Every Wednesday, 11:30am to 2:30pm
Boxes of food are available to all in need from the Blessings of Hope ministry (Church of
God, 111 East Chestnut Street, Ephrata). Call 733-8833 for more information.
Volunteers are needed for this local food distribution ministry. Their vision is to keep spare
food from companies and grocery stores out of the landfill and into the hands of the hungry.

Ephrata Community Meals – Every Thursday 6pm · Doors Open 5:30pm
July Meals: Bethany United Church of Christ (140 East Main Street, Ephrata), 733-9608.
August Meals: First United Methodist Church (68 North Church Street, Ephrata), 738-2465.

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Hope Preschool & Mother’s Day Out

Greetings and Happy Summer from Hope Preschool!

June at Hope was a very successful month. Our
Backyard Science camp was three weeks of fun-filled
activities for 16 students. Highlights included making a
bee and lady bug piñata, watching vegetables and
flowers grow in the gardens of Hope, and learning about
various critters in our area.

Our students and staff look forward to July’s session, What’s Cooking?. Students will
experience cooking and tasting foods of the season from Lancaster County. Also coming up
is our August session, Outdoor Adventures, which will focus on activities such as camping
and outdoor sports.

Our summer programs are worth checking out!

Mother’s Day Out (18 mos. to 3 years)
Session II – July 7th through July 30th
Session III – August 4th through September 3rd
Each session runs Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9am to 1pm.

Summer Camp (3+ to 7 years)
What’s Cooking? – July 21st through July 30th
Outdoor Adventures – August 11th through August 27th
Each camp runs Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9am to 1pm.

Please contact Miss Missy in the Preschool Office, 738-2447 or [email protected],
for more information. During the summer, the Preschool Office is open Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9am to 1pm.

Looking to the fall, we are now accepting Preschool & MDO applications for the 2015-2016
school year. There are LIMITED openings in our preschool programs, so contact Miss Missy
as soon as possible for registration information.

Finally, we enjoy continued growth at Hope, and we are pleased announce an
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY for the upcoming school year. Interested applicants should
have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a similar, related field. Contact
Miss Missy at 733-2447 or [email protected] for more details.
Application deadline is July 10th.

Have an enjoyable summer!

Miss Missy
Director, Hope Preschool & Mother’s Day Out

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60+

Wednesday · August 26th  11:30am

For our extra-special August outing, we hop on a bus to Timbers Restaurant & Dinner
Theatre in Mt. Gretna for Say It with Music. This two-act musical revue will feature popular
classics and current Billboard and Broadway hits, all to fill our hearts and lift our spirits.

In Act One, we’ll relive the classic vinyl era with covers of classic tunes from early Elvis to
Johnny Cash to Jerry Lee Lewis. Then we’ll cruise on over to the Motor City and hum along
to the Supremes and the Jackson 5. Finally, let’s take a trip down Broadway – you know all
the words to that song!

Act Two will take us to the Timbers Dew Drop Inn and its eclectic assembly of hotel guests
and employees. Hum along to standards by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin.
Hilarity ensues when the Dew Drop staff struggles to keep their composure during
encounters with a reckless lottery winner and a wealthy tourist couple.

To reserve your spot, fill out the form below, tear it off, and submit it to Eleanor Drybread or
Dick Erisman by July 26th.

2015 Program Calendar

September 23 “Beside the Babbling Brooks” by Fred Habegger. Scenes and
stories along the Cocalico Creek, Hammer Creek and Middle Creek.
October 28 Lisa High – The Hat Lady
December 16 Annual Christmas program – with Dan Kirby

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Hope July’s Interesting Insects by Clyde McMillan-Gamber

United On many a sultry July night, I have stood in awe of a fantasy world of
Methodist innumerable flashes from male fireflies’ cold lanterns in local tall-
Church grass meadows and the trees and shrubs of woods and suburban
areas. If there had been a noise with each blink of light from those
beetles, the roar would have been deafening.

Join Us Sundays And occasionally, late in that same month, I have walked at night to
hear the boisterous, but enchanting, trilling and chirping choruses of
9:00 a.m. Worship multitudes of unseen male crickets, grasshoppers and katydids in
10:30 a.m. Sunday School those same pastures, woodlands and suburbs. Males of the insects
mentioned above proclaim their presence – which is risky for them –
Contact Us inviting females of their respective kinds to mate.

(717) 738-3774

[email protected]

3474 Rothsville Road
Ephrata, PA 17522

www.hopeumcephrata.org

Follow us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/
hopeumcephrata

Whisperings
is published digitally as well
as on paper, and is distributed

via our website, 1st Class Locally, July begins with lightning bug lights at night and ends with
Mail, and church mailboxes. the nighttime fiddling of crickets and their kin. Fortunately, we

If you would like to adjust humans have the God-given ability to enjoy the intrigues of these
your subscription, please insect mating rituals, and other miracles in nature that also add
contact the church office. inspiration to our lives. Much of nature is pleasing to experience. We only

need to appreciate it and thank God for having provided it.

Daddy long-legs ... deer, bucks and deerflies ... poles, pigeons and peregrines ... lady’s
slippers and mountain laurels ... clover and thistle … you name it, and Clyde has probably
written about it. These titles and more are recent entries in Clyde’s blog. Stop in often to see
what's new in Nature's Beauty and Intrigues, at naturesbeautiesandintrigues.blogspot.com.
Ask Clyde for one of his blog cards if his blogspot name is too long to remember.

Clyde’s lifetime hobby and career has been the observation and study of nature. Stop by his
blog to see some of his many topics. Each short story is like taking a walk with your very own
park naturalist. (bottle caps for the VBS curtain are the background … so many bottle caps!)

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