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For room or facility scheduling,
please contact the church office.
The newsletter is printed the first weekend of each month,
and is available at the Welcome Center or online
at the church website. Information for the next
newsletter should be submitted by
Wednesday, March 25.
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES & MORE
2020 Elder Board
Phil Burns
Pastor Ken
Todd Finley
Ben Keener
Tom Kotay
Derek Leonard
George Peach
Joe Vangeli
Caleb Zimmerman
A publication of Lebanon Area
Evangelical Free Church
600 Shepherd Street Jonestown, PA 17038
717-865-9900
www.lebefree.org
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm
Thanks for your faithful prayers for the many individuals battling ongoing illnesses. Please contact the church office with prayer
requests so that we can get those out to our faithful prayer warriors.
We invite you to utilize our Prayer Room here at the church, available during the week between 9:00am-4:00pm, and also on Sunday
mornings. All are welcome to the Hour of Prayer led by David & Miriam Bauman, each Wednesday, from 10-11am in the Prayer Room.
Pray that as we study LOVE ON THE MOVE this year, (Jesus’ Gospel in the Book of Mark), we would be transformed and moved to action.
Pray for the True Life Bids for Kids Benefit Auction this month.
Pray for the ministry of Celebrate Recovery.
Pray for peace in our world.
Pray that we would “be imitators of God, as beloved children;” that we would “walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God…” (Ephesians 5:-1-2, NASB)
Pray for our leadership teams, both our pastoral staff and our elder board.
Thank God for His goodness and grace.
Lebanon Free Church is a host site again this year, serving our
community, for AARP TAX-AIDE. This the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax
preparation and assistance service. There is no fee (donations welcomed)
and no age requirement. Appointments will continue every Thursday
(except March 19) through April 9. To schedule, call 717-274-2596.
Baby Bottle Boomerang If you haven’t already, please return your bottle filled with coins, cash or a check, to the
Welcome Center at your earliest convenience. All proceeds benefit ALIGN LIFE Ministries. Thank you for making a difference for LIFE!
“Dear Church Family, My heart is overwhelmed by your love and acts of kindness during my hospitalization and recuperation. Your prayers, cards, meals, flowers, visits and prayer shawl were very special. Thank you and may
God bless you beyond your expectations.” -Joan Hossler
“To My Church Family, Thank you for your love and support during this difficult time. Your prayers are very comforting…”
- Eleanor Schamber and family
Thank You Notes
Congratulations to these individuals who graduated from our 2019 EFCA Gateway Theological Training Course:
Lisa Ebersole, Kristy Hollinger, Dennis Kresge, Don McNutt, Karen McNutt, Janet Martin and Michael Martin
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Page 2 Ministry Opportunities
Music Corner
Page 3 Connection and
Community
Eagles’ (55+) Ministry
Page 4 Kidz Harvest Ministry
Page 5 Middle & High School
Ministries/Young Adults
Page 6 Women’s Ministry
Men’s Ministry
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Page 7 Outreach/Missions
Page 8 Prayer/Church Info
Memo Board
Sunday, March 8
“Knowing, Living, Sharing… the Heart of Jesus”
MARCH 2020
Lebanon Area Evangelical Free Church
SUPPORT STUDENT MISSIONS!
Our Student Ministries’ Candy Sale begins March 1. Please see one
of the teens to order some assorted candies! 100% of your money
will support that student’s trip. The candy you get is a BONUS!
(Fudge, peanut clusters, pb balls, buckeyes, & chocolate covered pretzels)
Join us Sunday evening, March 8 at 6:00pm!
On Sunday, March 22, from 5:30pm-8:00pm, the LAEFC SERVE Team will be partnering with AFCA (American Foundation for
Children with AIDS) to host a night of service for all ages. Everyone is welcome to attend and volunteer! (Childcare will be provided for infants and toddlers.) The evening will begin with a Fellowship Meal
and a brief presentation of the ministry by Tanya Weaver. Various opportunities for service projects will immediately follow, from bandage sewing and rolling to sanitary kit assembly, as well
as small electronics repair, bottle washing & card making. The evening will conclude with a final prayer and dedication of the
items to be sent to Africa. Sign up at the Welcome Center in the Lobby by March 15!
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES MUSIC CORNER
Page 2 The Community Connection
If you have a love for vocal music and
love the Lord, whether you’re young
or young a heart, consider joining the
worship choir, as we prepare for our
Easter worship experience!
Our rehearsals have begun but it’s
not too late to join us!
Thursday evenings, 7:00pm
LAEFC Meals Ministry
LAEFC has a meals ministry for our church family. There are
three coordinators; Charlotte Hoover for the Annville/
Palmyra area, Emily Keener for the Lebanon/Myerstown
area and Denise Kotay for the Jonestown/Fredericksburg
area. If you would need meal support during an illness, after
surgery or a debilitating accident, at the birth of a baby, or
surrounding a death of an immediate family member, call
the church office or Denise Kotay (717-868-2932) and we
will make arrangements to bless you with some meals.
AmazonSmile and Lebanon Free Church
Did you know that we (LAEFC) have recently registered as a non-profit organization with
AmazonSmile? Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible smile.amazon purchases to
the charity selected by their customers. We are spreading the word so that you can sign up
at the following unique link for LAEFC -- https://smile.amazon.com/ch/25-1788213 .
Many people at church already do this for New Covenant Christian School (NCCS) or the
American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA). We are not asking anyone to change
their designated agency; we’re just encouraging others to select LAEFC if they are not aware
of this opportunity to indirectly support the church. Thank you!
True Life Youth Ministries (formerly YFC) is once again
collecting goods and donations for
the 35th annual Bids4Kids Auction, taking place on March 19th-21st at the Lebanon Expo Center. You can
select an item(s) from the pegboard in the church lobby and return them to the church between March 8—15.
Thanks for your continued partnership with
True Life Youth Ministries!
OUTREACH MISSIONS
Page 7
MISSIONS — GOD AT WORK, BOTH HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR MARCH & APRIL:
canned potatoes, canned meats, canned beans, beef stew and Spam
Our food and household items are being given to the Jonestown Outreach Pantry (JOY) and/or to persons who come into the church in emergency crisis and meet with
a pastor. Please consider bringing several items each month to help others in need. Collection baskets are located near the coffee shop in the church lobby.
JOY Pantry is located at 48 W Market St in Jonestown and serves all eligible residents living within the NLSD, and all veterans.
Sharing the Heart of Jesus
TJ Renninger
Be praying for TJ, serving with Disciplemakers at PSU, handling technological needs
required to make the ministry as effective as it can be to reach college
students through evangelism and discipleship.
“At the beginning of January we had a staff training conference where we revisited the
basics of discipleship which served both as a refresher, and a reminder of what are ultimate goal is as a
ministry which is to make disciples on the college campus such that they are equipped to integrate into
the church both during and after college and equipped to also make disciples.
We (the Systems Department) got the okay to replace our Donor Management System and
Financial (Bookkeeping) Software. The new software combines the two and is a software that is made by
Christians for Christian organizations. This should help streamline financial processes that are unique to
Christian non-profits which ultimately saves time and headache. We also have an opportunity to improve
upon the software via my software engineering skills, which intern will hopefully benefit the greater
missions community.”
Donna Patrick
“I am excited to let you know about a special opportunity that I have been given that involves two of my passions – helping missionaries and those
impacted by ADHD! Dr. Cheryl Winget, a Special Education consultant with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, has invited me to be part of
a group of special educators conducting professional development from March 8-13 at the Christian International School of Prague (CISP). My role on this
team will include providing training and resources on ADHD issues for the regular classroom teachers, parents and students. Additionally, I will be leading
workshops and providing hands-on training in differentiating lessons in the regular classroom, as well as leading a STEAM workshop for gifted students in
grades 2 - 6. It's going to be a very full, fast, fun week!
Those who know me well, know that my heart is very sensitive to the needs of students who navigate life with ADHD. I long to see these kids perceive
themselves as God does and to help them find solutions that will enable them to live to their full potential for the glory of the God who made them!
I would ask for prayer for this entire project! There is much planning and preparation to be done and each person serving on this team of five already
has a full-time ministry that they are part of -- just like me! Once there, we will be jumping in to a fast-paced schedule with little time to adjust to the
6-hour difference in time zones! We also want to be aware of and sensitive to the various needs of the children, parents (most of whom are missionaries),
and teachers we go to serve.
Thanks for taking time to read this and for whatever part God may direct you to have in encouraging missionary families and teachers at the Christian
International School of Prague!
For His Kingdom and His glory,
Donna”
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ladies’ Bible Studies
“It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way” by Lysa TerKeurst (DVD Study)
Marketplace Bible Study: Monday nights,
March 2, 16 and 30 7-8:30pm, Fellowship Hall
Truthseekers Bible Study: Wednesday mornings,
March 4 and 18 9:15-11:30am, Fellowship Hall
LIVE SIMULCAST with Priscilla Shirer
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 9am - 4pm
Tickets available in the lobby beginning March 1st
or online. https://
lebefreegoingbeyond2020.brownpapertickets.com
Open to ALL women! Come join us for this special
all-day women’s event here at LAEFC! 1
From Jen Levengood: “There truly are no words to describe what will
always be my home church at Lebanon Area Evangelical Free Church.
God has so used the people there to carry me through the hardest season
of my life. Today, I saw the mail lady drop off a package that I thought was
my Amazon order. Upon closer examination, I could tell it wasn't. Not sure
what to expect, I opened it up and read the cards and opened the gifts.
Inside was nothing but love, care, prayer and comfort. A daily journal
"Jesus Calling," a prayer shawl that is so soft and comforting, and cards
that just overflow with so much love and support. I was moved to tears as
I clung to this shawl and read the first devotional. I've been here for 4
months already and this church is still loving on me and carrying me
through. THANK YOU!”
The Community Connection
WOMEN’S MINISTRY MEN’S MINISTRY
Page 6
NEW Men’s Events coming in March!
Are you looking for opportunities to grow with God
and connect with other men? Men's Ministry has
two exciting events in March! Join us for the
launch of a new, monthly men's Breakfast &
Breakout event on Saturday, March 14th.
What's this all about? The 2nd Saturday of
every month, from 8am - 10am, all men are invited
to come together as we challenge our hearts and
grow in our walk with Christ. The format may vary
from month to month, but it will be a time of relevant
topics, engaging discussions, food, worship &
prayer. You'll want to be there!
Then, on Friday evening, March 27th, we will host a
"March Madness" basketball event, here
a the church, that will include a 3 v 3 Tour-
nament and NCAA b-ball on the big screen.
‘Not into basketball? Come anyhow, as
there will be non-basketball activities, along with
food. Plug in and join us! Sign-ups begin March 8.
SAVE THE DATE — Family Fishing Derby! Saturday, April 11 ~ More info coming soon!
If you knit or crochet and would
be interested in becoming
involved in a ministry of prayer,
fellowship, stitching and
blessing others, please join us!
Our next meeting will be Monday, March 23
at 7:00 pm in the YA room.
CHURCH FAMILY: If you know of someone
who would be blessed by a prayer shawl
(it does not have to be someone from our
church) please contact Linda Embich
([email protected]), Denise Kotay
([email protected]) or the church office.
<< See the note (right column) from one of the
many recipients who was so blessed by this
ministry!
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION
Page 3
Do Eagles Sing? - Pastor Gary
There seems to be some debate in the feathered-friend-watching world considering the question “Do Eagles Sing?” Some say the eagle just makes a mournful cry and screams. Others say, “of course they do, it’s just different from other birds.” Still others insist, “No, they do not.”
I just listened to a YouTube video of an eagle's mating call and it sounds like singing to me. Sometimes singing, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. We could count the eagle out and pronounce it song-less but maybe what we should do is appreciate the unique gifting the eagle has. Yes, it is a different kind of song, but to fellow eagles that mating call is pretty attractive. The eagle has so many wonderful qualities, from its majestic appearance, to its strong and speedy flights. These qualities have lifted the Bald Eagle to the place of prominence as our national bird.
As each of us ages, there could be the temptation to think that we have lost our song—that there is no beauty to our life experience. But nothing could be further from the truth. The Lord instructs us in Isaiah to “ Mount up with wings as Eagles.” Being 55 + is not the end of the road; it’s the beginning of taking off in flight. We can sing for the Master, even if sometimes it sound like cries or screams. We can sing out the message of Christ's love. We can display the majesty of the Sovereign Lord we adore, and we can fly to opportunities to fellowship together and serve others. If you are 55+, or even if you’re not there yet, the LAEFC Eagles welcome you to be a part of our flights. Come make a joyful noise unto the Lord with us!
******
P.S. If you weren’t there, we are sorry you missed the Eagles’ Game Night in February. We had a great time of fun and fellowship and got to know each other better. This month, our special activity is going to the Booth Brothers Concert on March 7. Although tickets are sold out for this event, we hope we can catch you next time. #flyeaglesfly
EAGLES (55+) MINISTRY
Adult Bible Connection Classes
Class elective for adults on Sunday mornings
SPRING 2020 - Begins Sunday, March 1
(No classes on Easter Sunday, April 12.)
7:45am, 9:00am and 10:45am
These classes provide “mini-church” opportunities for
adults to connect with a smaller group of people through
fellowship, sharing life experiences, and diving into
God’s Word together.
Volleyball - OPEN GYM
Sundays, 2:00 - 4:00pm at LAEFC No volleyball on March 22.
PARENTING MS/HS STUDENTS Parents of Teens! Join the Longeneckers, Sunday, March 22, at 10:45am as we tour the student
ministry wing, sit in on part of their SMT worship and announcements, hear the concerns you are facing in parenting, and pray, discuss, and encourage one another as a small group. (Room A8)
Every single one of us struggles with some sort of hurt, hang-up or habit.
Join us for CELEBRATE RECOVERY, a Christ-centered support program
that meets every Wednesday at 7pm here at LAEFC, in the youth worship center.
Fellowship & light refreshments at 6:30pm
See page 6 for NEW Men’s Ministry Events coming soon!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Page 4 The Community Connection
Upcoming Events in March:
4 Regular Night
11 Regular Night
18 Regular Night
25 Regular Night
Volunteer Training/ Equipping
Tuesday
March 3, 7:00-8:00pm
In the QUAD
Every first Tuesday of the month we meet to discuss kids’ ministry,
hear feedback and concerns, and encourage you, our volunteers.
We would love to have join us!
“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection
life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over
which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the
ground, absorbed with the things right in front of
you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around
Christ-that’s where the action is. See things from
His perspective. ” ~ Colossians 3:2 MSG
Daylight Saving Time
begins
March 8th
Family Friday:
Cardboard Cut-Out
Movie Night
Featuring Cars 3
Friday, March 13th
6:30pm-8:30pm - in the QUAD
Bring your cardboard car and your family!
MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL NEWS & EVENTS
YOUNG ADULTS (post high school through age 24)
Page 5
MONDAYS, 7-9 pm
HSM Discussion/LIFE Groups Monday, March 2
HSM Fun Night Monday, March 9
No HSM Monday, March 16
HSM Worship Night/Summit Monday, March 23
HSM LIFE Groups (off-site) Monday, March 30
TUESDAYS, 6:30-8:30 pm
▪ LIFE Groups Tuesday, March 3
▪ S.L.A.M. Night Tuesday, March 10
▪ No RISE Tuesday, March 17
▪ Summit-led Tuesday, March 24
▪ “Worth It!” Create Night Tuesday, March 31
MS/HS “SMT”
(Sunday Morning Truth) Grades 6-8 / 9-12
10:30 am
Bible Study & LIFE Groups (at the Hoover’s) 7-9 pm
Bible Study & Connect Night (THINK GREEN)
Bible Study & Prayer
Bible Study & Prayer
10:30 am in Room C1 Sunday mornings - Join us for a series with
John Zimmerman
M
A
R
4
11
18
25
Sundays -
Find us on Facebook! Lebanon Free Young Adults www.lebefree.org
Combined Events for ALL
MS/HS students:
WINTERBLAST RETREAT!!
at Camp Orchard Hill
March 13-15
for 6th-12th graders Pre-registration required!
Details will be sent to all
those attending.
CANDY SALE
Fundraiser
Kicks off on March 1!
Orders due on March 22.
Pick-up is Tuesday, March 31.
Looking ahead - - Please mark your calendars now for Tuesday, April 7, for our JOURNEY TO THE CROSS event! Parents and siblings of both MS and HS students,
watch for sign-ups in the church lobby for your participation!
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped
for every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Dive into God’s Word & connect with peers in your age group!
