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THE BEACON
February 5, 2026
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This is a publication of Lighthouse-Christ Presbyterian Church.
You are invited to obtain information about anything in this newsletter by contacting our office at office@lighthousecpc.org or 386-677-4076
The office is open Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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From the Pastor
Lighthouse Church,
It has been three months since we changed up our Sunday morning schedule. It was on November 9, 2025, that we combined our two worship services, launched education, and expanded our opportunities for fellowship. Does that seem like a long time ago? Sometimes I think so, but then I consider that 12 Sundays are not really so many. It would be fair to say that we are still in a period of transition. We are still getting used to our new pattern, yet we are getting used to it. As the “honeymoon” glow lessons, we will settle into a new feeling of normalcy. This is to be expected and is a good thing. An increasing sense of regularity will allow us to get to work on the areas in which we wish to grow. The “new normal” will be the strong foundation of our spiritual life together. Church leaders are working to lead us “one step at a time.” Your positivity and participation — wow! — has been a gift. I encourage us all to continue moving forward. I see signs that we are moving in a good direction: worship is feeling genuine and joyous, the Sunday School classes are well attended, and people are building relationships with each other. To me, these are signs that our “new normal” is a goal to keep pursuing faithfully. Well done, everyone!
"Growing Together"
In Christ,
+Rev. Jason Hefner, D.Min.
Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church
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#2: Why do we chime the hour with bells on Sunday morning?
Ancient people did not have clocks, watches, and mobile devices to tell the time like we have today. Instead, bells were used to mark the hours of the day. For example, in the Roman Empire, bells were sounded to mark major shifts in the day like morning, noon, evening, and night. Jews and the Christians coordinated their daily prayer with the ringing of the bells so that they prayed "without ceasing." (1 Thess. 5:17) Later, churches obtained bells of their own. For almost two millennia churches have rung bells to summon Christians to worship or to signify a baptism, a wedding, or a funeral, or even to drive away demons. Eventually, the ringing of bells became associated with Christian worship for both religious and secular citizens alike. Today we chime the bells at the beginning of Sunday service to signify that gathering together to pray and worship is part of the natural rhythm of the day. The bells also remind us that Christian worship is a source of blessing not only for the gathered congregation but for the entire community in which it is situated. Now you know, Why We Do That. -- Pastor Jason
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Thanks to all who attended the Ministry Fair and made it a big success! If you have decided that you are ready to volunteer for a group, please refer to the lists below for your contact person and reach out through the Church Center Directory or contact the church.
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Buildings and Grounds - Paul Howes/
Scott Schilsky
Deacons - Rich Haas /
Elizabeth McDaniel
Education - Gail Pyle /
Lorraine Miklos
Fellowship - Sally Nunziato /
Stephanie Coleman
Finance - Susan Kaznoski
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Membership-Welcome - Mike Abate /
Sharon Bridges
Mission-Outreach - Jean Meredith /
Kevin Mitchell
Safety Team - Roy Bertolet /
Paul Howes
Stephen Ministry - Jan Wieboldt /
Elizabeth McDaniel
Worship - Debby Fadlevich
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Weekly Offering Envelopes
If you have not yet picked up your pre-numbered Weekly Offering Envelopes for 2026, they are available in the narthex on Sundays or the Church office during regular business hours.
If you have any questions, please call the church for more information.
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Come to Sunday School!
If you haven’t been to our terrific adult Sunday School classes yet, give them a try!
We have two classes for adults. The Connections class meets in Room 1 and uses a curriculum called Connections. Each class member receives a quarterly Study Guide. In February, this class will be studying the lessons Jesus taught in the book of Matthew. You probably know the stories, so this series called Object Lessons will enhance what you already know by going deeper into the scriptures.
In Room 4, you will find something different each week. The Wired Word class uses lessons from the news and explores what the Bibe says about that news story. A recent lesson explored the historic meeting of King Charles III of England and Pope Leo XIV and what that meeting could mean for Christian unity. Biblical references included scriptures from Genesis, Isaiah, John, and Ephesians. The Wired Word lesson is emailed to each class member prior to Sunday. Lively and respectful discussions happen every week.
Check these classes out and let me know what you think.
Gail Pyle, Christian Educator
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Looking Ahead to Lent
Lent is a 40-day season of spiritual focus, commencing with Ash Wednesday, on February 18. Christians worship, pray, fast, and serve during Lent to prepare for Jesus’ passion and resurrection on Easter. This season, we will seek to engage with Christ. On Sunday mornings, we will listen in on personal encounters between Jesus and people who met him along the way to his cross. In each story, Jesus offers a transforming insight into the spiritual life, and he invites us to take up the way of the cross with him. To help us toward this goal, Jean Meredith and Pastor Jason will be offering a special lunchtime program of spiritual practices at 12 p.m. on the Fridays of Lent, in the Gathering Place. We will enjoy simple soup (a sign of fasting) and turn toward Christ in prayerful and practical ways.
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2025 End-of-Year Giving Statements
Statements are available on the Church Center Website for your 2025 giving history. On the church webpage, click on "More" on the top right side of the page. Then click on the "Give" dropdown arrow. From there, on the right side, across from My information, click on "My Giving." It will show you how much you contributed last year. You can then use that information for your taxes. If you have any questions or would prefer a paper copy, please call Kathy at 386-677-4076.
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This Sunday is Scout Recognition Sunday. This special day honors the enduring legacy of character building, outdoor adventure, service to others, and moral development that scouting instills in young people. Boy Scout Troop 403 and Cub Scout Pack 74 will join us on Sunday and offer ceremonies before and after worship, including presenting the US flag, and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, and Scout Law. After service, you are invited to meet with the scouts in the courtyard and enjoy their freshly made cinnamon rolls.
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Prospective New Members
If you have a friend, or know of someone, who might be interested in becoming a member of Lighthouse Christ Presbyterian Church, please invite them to "Pizza with the Pastor" immediately following the 10 a.m. worship service on April 19th, in the Gathering Place. Please RSVP to Carolyn.
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Preaching and Worship
Between the major seasons of Advent and Lent, we join with the first disciples as they are drawn to Jesus. Who is he? What is he doing? These six weeks are a time for us to be curious about Jesus and to be filled with renewed desire to walk closely with him.
January 18. Come and See. John 1:29-42. Jesus welcomes two interested people to get to know him better.
January 25. Come and Do. Jesus calls his first disciples to follow him. Matthew 4:12–23.
February 1. Blessed are You. The Sermon on the Mount, Part 1: Matthew 5:1–12.
February 8. You are Salt and Light. The Sermon on the Mount, Part 2: Matthew 5:13-20.
February 15. Transfiguration Sunday. Jesus reveals his glory to his closest disciples. Matthew 17:1–9.
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Shake Hands with a Handbell Party!
If you have ever wondered what it feels like to ring a handbell, please join the JuBellation ringers at a Shake Hands with a Handbell party. We’ll meet in the sanctuary on Sunday, Feb 15 and Feb 22 at 11:15am, just after the worship service. We’ll spend about an hour learning about handbells and what makes them ring! You don’t need to read music, or understand what all the symbols mean. There’s no commitment to join our group, we just want to share the joy of ringing. You’ll get a chance to ring our smallest bell, and also our largest bell, if you dare ;-) .
You don’t need to bring anything, just yourself! Let me know if you have any questions.
Please contact Suzan Howes to reserve a spot and bring a friend!
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Jude
Wednesday Evenings, 6:30 p.m., Compass Room
Led by Pastor Jason, this weekly Bible study will help you engage with the Bible in a friendly and curious way. We take our time to explore, ask questions, and go a little deeper. We are currently reading the letters written by the people who were closest to Jesus. Wherever you are in your knowledge of the Bible or your spiritual journey,...
you are invited to dive in!
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The donation we give to Family Renew Community (FRC) provides for about half of the yearly cost for the family in our church’s apartment. The support of the annual ice cream social allows FRC families to attend for free. The gift cards we provide at Christmas enable all of the families in all four campuses to have some spending money for presents. The Christmas presents we donate to the family in our apartment brings Joy and smiles to their faces. | | | | |
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Join the Hospitality Team
The Hospitality Team is looking for volunteers to welcome parishioners and visitors on the First and Fourth Sunday of each month. As a member of the team, you will provide visitors with information about our church and invite them to join us. For more information, please contact Sharon Bridges.
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Adventures in the Arts
Thank You to the congregation for donating all those toilet paper rolls. Do you ever wonder what we do with them? Well, they come in handy for a multitude of crafts and S.T.E.M. projects. In the past our students have created fun finger puppets with them. Last week they were used for a S.T.E.M. project where our students created and constructed their own playgrounds using the toilet paper rolls. Our students are very creative and ingenious, as you can tell by their elaborate creations!
Keep those toilet paper rolls coming!!
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Men's Wednesday Morning Breakfast and Bible Study
Breakfast, fellowship and guided Bible Study for men, led by Ron Belton. Meets every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in the Gathering Place.
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Stephen Ministry
Our congregation's Stephen Ministry program equips lay people (fellow members) to provide confidential one-to-one Christian care to individuals who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.
Stephen Ministers have received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care. They listen, care, pray, support and encourage their care receivers: Men and Women. They meet for about an hour each week with their care receiver for as long as there is a need.
We all go through difficult times in our lives when we could use a friend or non-family person to listen and support us in a non-judgmental, loving Christian way.
If you or someone you know could benefit from Stephen Ministry, please contact Jan Wieboldt.
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New Deacon List
Deacons offer a ministry of compassion, witness, and service to the congregation and beyond. Working closely with the pastor, they seek to keep each member connected to the community of faith. Each Deacon is charged with a segment of the congregation based the last name of members. Every member is encouraged to know who their Deacon is and to welcome their care. Members may click on a name to view the Directory contact information of their deacon. If you are not a member of our congregation, we are still available to you. Please contact your Deacon Leader, Rich Haas.
Deacons as of February 8, 2026
A-B.............Sally Nunziato
C.................Rich Haas
D-F.................Peg Mitchell
G-H...........Michele Wallens
I-K...........Sherry Haas
L...............Carol Kahle
M................Don Owen
N-O.......Joyce St. Germain
P-R..................Kathy Helm
S..................Sherry Haas
T-V........Richard Ackerman
W-Z.......Donna Kahle
Information is also available on our Website
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Columbarium
Prepayments for urns and engraving associated with niches in the columbarium will no longer be accepted. The church will continue to honor prepayments already in place. Contact Rick Dawson at 386-566-9730 or rick@thedawsons.us
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Bible Study is at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, followed by the Presbyterian Women monthly meeting at 11:15. Both meetings are in Room 1.
PW Luncheon is every third Friday at a different location each month. February location to be determined. Please plan to arrive at 11:30 a.m.
Check out the Presbyterian Women's Group Page to join our community or contact Marcy Tyner.
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Bench Dedication
A bench dedicated to the memory of, or in honor of, loved ones is a lasting memorial. New benches have been added to the plaza area. The cost is $950, including the custom engraved dedication plaque. Contact Rick Dawson (rick@thedawsons.us 386-566-9730).
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Feb 1 Pat Kelly, Kane Lowry
Feb 2 Marcy Tyner, Dan Mayer, Skip Smith
Feb 3 Dennis Culler
Feb 8 Charlene Austin
Feb 12 Eve Mitchel
Feb 14 Colleen Kaslow-Knight
Feb 16 Tom Peacock, Myra Wooden
Feb 19 Jean Crawford, Sandra Weible
Feb 21 Sue Higgins
Feb 22 Scot Buck, Victoria Woods
Feb 24 Dave Melton, Patrick Mitchell
Feb 25 Pam Kelly
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Feb 9 Conrad and Sharon Lehto
Feb 14 Ben and Denise Van Verth
Feb 19 Mike and Kay Kemmer
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Do you have something to share with the church?
Announcements: Please submit your announcement to the church office. If published, all submissions are subject to editing for length, style, and content.
Pictures: Do you have pics of ministry, worship, and fellowship happening at Lighthouse? A picture is worth a thousand words! Send your pics to the church office for possible inclusion on our website!
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Email Issues?
Problems receiving our emails? Be sure to check your spam/junk email folder for messages from churchcenteronline.com and mark them as "not junk" so they aren't blocked in the future. If you have questions or need help, please contact the church office.
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Check out our Church App
Just click on the picture to obtain our church app on your device! It's the easiest way to see our calendar, join groups, and give!
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