January, 2022

Young Liturgists in Training!

Does your child enjoy reading? Would you like her or him to experience what it’s like to read scripture in worship in a low-pressure environment? Now’s the opportunity!

Rev. Wahlig will work with whoever is interested. Just send an email to don@silverspring.org or catch him after worship and he’ll schedule a time to work with your child following either worship service, then together pick the best date for you.   

Upcoming Sermon Series

Join us in worship on January 30, February 6, and February 13 for the upcoming 3-part sermon series called “Love, Faith, Hope.” Beginning with Paul’s famous “Ode to Love” in I Corinthians 13:1-13, we will follow as he reminds the Corinthians of the essence of the gospel. He reminds them - and us - of the unbreakable link between God’s love, our faith, and the hope we share, all just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Make a Joyful Noise at Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir meets on Wednesday nights for rehearsals in the choir room from 7:15-8:00 pm. This group performs on average about 35 Sundays a year, with the addition of a summer "pickup" choir, which consists of any church member who is moved by the spirit to sing. With an average of 30-35 members each week, the choir performs weekly from September through June at the 9:00 am traditional service. Contact Kyle Weary for more information:

New This Year: Family Music Time

While there isn’t a definite start date for Children's Choir, they will be starting along with the Sunday School program, hopefully within the next few weeks. New this year will be family music time for the first 10 minutes of Sunday School in the gym. All children, youth, and families are welcome to participate! We are hoping to get our Children's Choir jump-started by offering this time for our families to make music together. All are welcome! The first song we will be singing is called "Step By Step." This song tells of our eagerness to praise God and to learn how to walk in His ways. This is true for all of us, no matter our age. We all strive to follow God and to be faithful to Him every day. Reach out to Tracy Wieseman for more information.

From a Mother’s Perspective: What the Choir Means to Me

My favorite Christmas music memory from 2021 was singing in the Christmas Cantata with both my son and husband. This truly made it seem like Christmas for all of us, and it was amazing to sing with live instrumentalists under Kyle Weary's direction. The choir members are always very gracious and welcoming and immediately helped us feel like family when we first sang with them. Music is wonderful therapy, especially in these uncertain times.

Submitted by Tracy Wieseman

Upcoming Events in Christian Education

The Christian Education Committee supports the worship life of our congregation by helping Silver Spring members and friends address our inherent hunger to know and love God with our minds as well as our hearts.

Here are some upcoming events from your Christian Education Committee:

• Start of Sunday School for children pre-K to 12th grade and also adults. The Christian Education Committee has chosen the “Seasons of the Spirit” curriculum and is waiting on its arrival. Watch Friday announcements for the start and further details about the course.
• Nursery care is back! Teachers are available every Sunday during both services to watch infants and toddlers in our preschool area. Nursery care is for children 0 – 3 years old.
• The committee is planning a Lenten project for Sunday School attendees during the Lenten season, which will result in gifts to be delivered to our members who are not able to attend services. Further details will be forthcoming.
• The committee has room for two more members. If you would like to become a member and assist with building our curriculum and events for our Sunday School classes, please contact Scott Pepperman or Laura Shoop.
• Vacation Bible School is coming at the end of June! Watch for notices and information in the SSPC announcements and around the church coming soon.

Member Spotlight: Kendra Ferguson

My daughter Ella and I live in the Cumberland Valley School District. She is a senior this year. We both are busy with our individual schedules and interests, but still carve out time together and enjoy watching movies, doing face masks, creating Tik Toks, shopping, cooking, playing board or card games, and working out together.

Ella is active in her school musicals and takes voice and guitar lessons. She spends time with her friends and boyfriend as well as works at Starbucks. We are very close and I will miss her when she leaves for college this summer.

When I’m not working at UPMC in the marketing department, I teach boxing classes in the evenings and on weekends. Fitness is a big part of my life and keeps me mentally and physically in shape!

My fiancé, Tom, joined our family nearly three years ago. We are planning to marry this year and Ella blessed our relationship immediately. All three of us have made great memories over the holidays, on weekends, and during the summer. Whether we grab lunch or kayak or do game night and movies with Ella and her boyfriend, it’s all easy and fun.

Ella and I joined SSPC when we relocated to Mechanicsburg from Harrisburg in 2015. We felt an immediate connection with everyone and were welcomed into the faith family. While the pandemic has pressed pause on our in-person attendance, it’s still very much our church home.

When we joined SSPC, we became members of the choir. Ella is a singer so that was a natural choice to become involved. Ella sings solos occasionally and I served as a Deacon. We both also read scripture during services. When I introduced Tom to the church he felt comfortable and appreciated the history, as well as Don’s sermons.

The holidays always are special and everything from the giving tree for kids in need to the live Nativity and of course when we sang in the Christmas Cantata pre-COVID, followed by a holiday party at Ken Harm’s house. Those were very special times. There are so many special people at SSPC. 

Deacons Bring Comfort to Community

Our Deacons visit the homebound, deliver flowers, and act as mentors to new members. Please consider becoming a Deacon for the next class and provide your name and number to the Deacon Moderator Melanie Pepperman at 717.756.1864 or email mompep2@aol.com. Your name and information will be passed on to the Nominating Committee.

Several times each year, they undertake special ministries such as creating and delivering Thanksgiving baskets to needy families, operating the Christmas Angel Tree project to provide gifts to underprivileged children, creating and delivering college and military care packages in April to our members, and delivering holiday gifts to our homebound members.

In addition, the Deacons sponsor the Stephen Ministry, Friendly Visitor Program, Prayer Chain and Prayer Shawl Ministries, and the Health Ministries Program.

Deacons provide a service for funerals that are held at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church. Our committee is actively searching and reaching out for volunteers from the congregation to volunteer to set up, serve food and drink, bake desserts, and clean up. Any volunteer may contact Christa Lenk at 717.571.8436 or Melanie Pepperman at 717.756.1864.