WE ARE THE CHURCH OF GOD OF LANDISVILLE

YEAR 2011 REVIEW IN PICTURES-PART 1

2011-12-28T20:47:00.000-05:00

2011 was an exciting year at the Church of God of Landisville. Particularly in children's, student and outreach ministries. Here are some of the highlights.


Mark Haldeman began his third term as president of the council in January


Judy Byers was the chairperson of the elders, the first woman	to have held this post


Pastor Barry began his 8th year as our Associate Pastor


Dr Steve celebrated his 10th anniversary as Lead Pastor in September


January was our first GLOW Generations dinner organized by our Children's Ministry and an intentional effort was made to begin building strong intergenerational relationships


Lynn Byers was back in Haiti serving at Adentiste Hospital in Port-au-Prince where she would remain until December


February featured our Youth Sunday backed up by a vastly improving Burn Worship Band


In March we renewed our baptisms of new Christians from our BURN student ministry and worship service as Jeremy Moyer moved on to a new ministry and Stacie Reber became our Interim Youth Director


Palm Sunday took on a whole new tenor at the Kuyasa Kids visited us from South Africa


This led to new friends and more than a dozen of our families began sponsoring these AIDS orphans from Hope International Ministries


In April we were named Adoptive Church of the Year by Child Evangelism Fellowship of Lancaster County for our sponsorship of the outstanding Good News Clubs at Landisville Primary and Intermediate Centers


April ended with a spontaneous day away for prayer in support of Stacie Reber, soon to become our permanent Youth Director

MORE SIGNS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH

2011-10-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

Good News Club at Landisville Primary Center

Supper at Second Thursday Family Night

"The Languages of Love" with Dr Bruce McCracken


102 pieces of pizza


Cooking for FLOW

The Original Couriers come to FLOW

SIGNS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH

2011-10-29T23:10:00.000-04:00


Fifth Quarter

BURN Leaders

5th Quarter's Official Greeter


On Mission with Jesus

Baptisms

Celebrating New Life

FLOW and our guests from Conestoga View


Volunteering at Gain

The BURN Moving Company

The GLOW Girls at Gain

Blessing Jared and Rachel's marriage


Sunday Nite YOUTH GROUP has been added

THE GIRLS OF FLOW VISIT "HANDS ON HOUSE"

2011-07-26T21:03:00.000-04:00

THE ORIGINAL COURIERS AT FLOW

2011-07-20T00:44:00.000-04:00

Carl Rupp, Neal and Duane at FLOW

July is often one of our smaller attendance months at FLOW. That was not the case this year as the Original Couriers performed for our senior life ministry. 168 people plus our FLOW volunteer staff were in attendance as Neil, Dave, and Duane shared more than an hour of their trademark gospel plus some new pieces recently released. We were truly blessed by their heart-felt and inspiring ministry. The Couriers have been traveling around the world and singing for Jesus now for 56 years.

Tom Shea makes name tag for guest

Some of our guests

Dave talks to uour guests

Original Carriers in concert in our MPR

Guests from Conestoga View

Jen Rigard, Joanne Peter, Patty Sager prepare sandwiches

Sharon Bender and Elaine Rhen

Are you sure theirs enough?

TSAILE DIARY - HOMEWARD BOUND

2011-07-16T20:31:00.000-04:00

(4:20 am)

Seven days to our departure, almost exactly to the hourEastern Time that we took off from Baltimore, we are gathering in the lobby ofthe Hampton Inn to begin shuttling our 26-member team to the Albuquerque Sunport International Airport which is five minutesaway. We’re hoping this airport doesn’tuse the complicated kiosks that we had at BWI. Just straightforward ticket counters and human clerks would be very,very nice. Then we will work our waythrough security, heading towards our gate. Our flight leaves for Atlanta at 6:30 am Mountain Time. No blue VBS shirts this time. Just our own individual traveling clothes andsome groggy people for whom the night was not long enough.

(6:58 am)

We lifted off from Albuquerque about 30 minutes ago. Everyone seemed eager to go because they werein the lobby before 4:30. Hampton Inn graciously opened their breakfast twohours early so we could eat before shuttling to the airport. They also only charged us for twelve roomsinstead of the thirteen we used. ThenDelta opened a separate check-in line and we were pretty much finished there byshortly after 5:00 for a 6:25 flight. Security posed some challenge as Michaela lost her perfume to the fluidsize regulations for fluids. A couple ofus had our carry-ons inspected more thoroughly and rumor has it that Bulah wasfrisked.

(12:25 pm EDST)

We have a 2 ½ layover in Atlanta which allows us to havea leisurely lunch. After living on sucha tight schedule and being on the move, it is nice to slow down a bit. It appears we will be delayed by 15 minutesfrom our originally scheduled time. Onelast air leg into Baltimore where a bus meets us to return us to Landisville.ETA 5:15 pm. Although we don’t quitewant this mission adventure to end, it will be nice to be home. We look forward to seeing you in churchtomorrow and to light that New Life Candle for nine young Navajos who havedecided to follow Jesus.

(3:25 pm)

About 45 minutes left til we touch down inBaltimore. Our flight was delayed forabout half an hour because an equipment delay. The team took this stoicly, some playing Dutch Blitz, comparing photoson their digital camers, or just visiting. Several of the kids and Pastor Steve have already received friendrequests from the Navajo kids on Facebook ® and Becca even received a telephonecall. The plane is packed (as hav beenall our flights. Some of the kids wantedto do a flash mob of “Wild and Wonderful God” on the plane, but Steve squelchedit). There may be another attempt at baggage check.

(4:59 pm)
Heading out on the bus. Tyler Brown was the only to lose a suitcase.

(6:18 pm)
Crossing the Susquehanna. Didn't it have more water when we left?

(6:30 pm)
Bus unloaded. Hugs, good-byes, prayer circle in the parking lot. Our God is an awesome God.

TSAILE DIARY - FRIDAY HAS ARRIVED

2011-07-15T22:25:00.000-04:00

Greg Nauman and friend try to create something in crafts

Last night we celebrated six more children who gave their hearts to Christ on Thursday. Friday has arrived and we will be sharing that Good News one more time. It has been an awesome week for us - from the new experience for many of connecting with our sister church at Tsaile to entering in a small way into the Navajo culture to the daily challenge of VBS itself to the chance to see some of Arizona's rugged beauty to building new relationships with people who come from different congregations and generations within the Church of God of Landisville.

(3:45 am Mountain Time)

Just some of the eager faces we greet each day

Barry Henry has been up a long time and now Dr. Steve joins him. They check the baseball scores (Barry's beloved Yankees didn't want, Steve's Tigers didn't play). The first pot of coffee is made. Soon Irv Steele joins them and starts checking his morning email to make sure that Hawthorne Electric back home has no crises to be managed from afar.

Becca Frankford "high fives" an athlete

(5:30 am)
More life although we have yet to see any of those staffers who played a raucous game of "spoons" until 10:30. This is the closest thing to sleeping in we will have done since last Sunday morning. Stacie and Lauren's video about the "wild creatures of the wildwood forest" (see Stacie or Steve's Facebook page) is getting its early viewing. Second pot of coffee is about to be made. A small stream of sleepy people is now flowing towards the showers. This will be our last morning to be shared with so many people who have become such fast friends as they have worked together for the Lord.

(8:28 am)

We are at the churchcompleting our set-up. This morning ourvans carried our pillows and linens we didn’t intend to take back toPennsylvania. Pastor Teller told us thatthey would gladly distribute them to needy families in the community. One corner of his office is starting toburied with this linen offering. As we passed Tsaile Acres on the way in it was8.15 (we were running a hair late) and we saw that our kids were alreadywaiting at the first stop. It is obviousthey are eagerly anticipating the day. The kitchen is under way for today’smeal. In the sanctuary we are testingtoday’s videos and our crew is doing their calisthenics to the tune of the VBSmusical videos. At breakfast thismorning the cooks wished us well, and on shared about a son who was stationedin Japan. It is interesting how afterseveral trips they see as friends and initiate the conversations. Last night Jane Mike, the Food Service Directorheld dinner an extra 30 minutes for us and then accepted a personal check fromSteve for our food service when we realized the check we had cut in Landisvillewas for too much. God is at work. Hopefully we have planted some good seeds forPastor George Reser and the folks from Mt Carroll IL who are already scheduledto do the 2013 VBS.

(9:15 am)

“The Battle Belongs to theLord” … that was our first song on Monday as we taught that “Our God isUndefeatable”. As we did this morning’sopening, it struck Pastor Steve that as we leave these children that they willindeed miss us. Some of them willcontinue to face some very, very difficult situation. We want to remind that although we will befar away in Pennsylvania, that God will be with them and then need not fearbecause “the battle belongs to the Lord.”

The first session hasbegun.

(10:15 am)

Dr Steve and Pastor Tellerare talking in the office when Dianne enters with six kids who have acceptedChrist so they can meet their “pastor.” This includes three brothers who takethe evangicube ® and explain the gospel.

(11:56 am)

The last day is alwayshard. We have built relationships withthese kids. It’s more than the enthusiasm with which they sing our rocking VBSsongs. It’s the ways that we haveconnected in those classrooms when one of them finally is captured by the Biblestory or who can remember the memory verse when all the while you think theyhave been bored out of their skulls. It’s times you have thrown them a home run ball or celebrated theircreations in crafts. It’s the ones who want you to sign their shirts or whobring you something they created that night at home. As Stacie found, the oneswho want to friend her on Facebook ® Aswe closed this morning Maria brought Shane, a little girl who wanted to prayfor the meal. As she finishes thatprayer she adds, “And be with Steve and his team as they travel. Protect themand give them a safe journey. A littlegirl who maybe was five. There is no adry eye in the house. We have beenblessed. There is no doubt we will be safely reunited with our loved onesSaturday night.

Maria and Brenda with two of their students

(1:08 pm)

Dorms are emptied. Vansloaded. Keys turned in. We hit the road.No gas at the pumps at Tsaile. The poweris out. No cell service either. Wefinally get gas at Navajo about twenty miles down Navajo 12. Cell service eludes us until WindowRock. We drive very carefully. TheNavajo Nation Police have set up speed traps on the road to Gallup.

(3:00 pm)

One last stop at Earl’sfor ice cream and snacks and to score some more jewelry and pottery. Bulahalmost buys some Navajo tennis shoes but they’re two sizes too big. She turnsdown the advice to simply stick some newspaper into the toes.

(4:00 pm)

Pastor Steve (AKA “thetravel Nazi”) nudges us gently out to our vans. He’s mellowing. Greg heads thecaravan eastward on i-40 (aka, “Old Route 66.”) Except for emergencies, neststop Albuquerque. Praise the Lord!

(4:40 pm)

Had to make a gas stop forone vehicle to get enough gas to arrive in Albuquerque without a full tank whenwe returned the van to the rental guys. Of course it turns into a bathroom stop, they must have forgotten tomanage this 45 minutes earlier at the last stop. (This is obviously the maletravel Nazi blogging).

(4:48 pm)

Back on the road. Thank goodness for 75 mile an hour speed limits. Albuquerque is still 75 miles from Grants NM(where we stopped) Not going too fast, however, to see the lava rock protrudingfrom the ground.

(5:19 pm)

While still on the road wenote we had 60 students today, including a new one. No new decisions for Christ, but there werenine total this week. That was wellworth our investment in the Kingdom. Although Pennsylvania will not afford us this spectacular scenery, awhole lot of people are simply sleeping in their vans. Many tired little puppies. We are winding down. Only one more ordeal, check-in at the HamptonInn but hopefully Steve’s arrangements with them will be followed. Some of the people still awake are thinkingabout supper.

(5:59 pm)

Arrived on time. Checked in smoothly. In our rooms by 6:10 - everybody off to Applebees for dinner.

(8:25 pm)

Transportation meeting and then swimming, sleep, television, whatever. Yankees and Tigers losing, Phils winning. Good night.

TSAILE DIARY - DOWN TIME

2011-07-15T01:36:00.000-04:00

Although we came to do the Lord's work at Tsaile and we understood it would be indeed that, work; the Team does have down time each day. Generally it is in the afternoon and evenings. Generally we are back at our dorm at Dine College by 12:30. There is an evening staff meeting where we review the results of the day, do some problem solving, focus on the next day, tease one another a little, share God stories and pray. Most of us are in bed somewhere between 10:00-10:30. But when we are up, there is a whole lot going on.

Sundown at Canyon de Chelly

Each day Donna Williams gathers all the VBS shirts of the team and washes them so we can have them to wear the next day. Various team members generally gather in the lobby of the dorm to assemble the crafts for the next day. Or teachers make their prep for the next day. We review the many photos we have taken, downloading them. This latter activity tends to center around Stacie and Roger. Another welcome activity is a leisurely shower (with hopefully warm water). Irv and Kerri, Fred and Brenda, Kelsey can often be seen crossing the campus briskly taking a walk. Naps are another down time activity - literally. We have had some lively card games like "spoons". Bubba Miller and Bulah Dougherty have really developed a competitive reputation in that circle. Tyler Brown, Barry Henry and Tammie Mitchell can be found reading. Dr Steve is our mad blogger. One night we had a birthday party for Megan Gretz.

Beginning Tuesday we generally have an off-site trip. Tuesday members of the team left Tsaile (elevation, 6237 feet above sea level) to drive up into the Luckachukai Mountains to Buffalo Pass (9700 feet). Later that evening a number went down the road to Canyon de Chelly to sit on the canyon rim and watch the sunset. Wednesday the team went to Window Rock to visit the Navajo Museum, Window Rock itself, shop for crafts, and have dinner at the Dine Restaurant. Thursday afternoon will be our final sightseeing. Roger and a crew will be taking a jeep tour to the floor of Canyon de Chelly, Greg will lead another group that will hike down into the canyon. Steve will take another group on the regular drive around the rim of the canyon stopping at all the overlooks along the roughly 20 mile route.

Window Rock

Greg, our Cruise Director

Pottery at Window Rock, we almost bought them out

The three amigos - Donna, Nancy, Bulah

Dinner at Dine Restaurant


One of our best meals

Hanging out at the Canyon - Alice, Megan, Michaela, Kelsey, Tyler, Lauren, Becca, Stacie

TSAILE DIARY - FRIDAY'S COMING

2011-07-14T22:06:00.001-04:00


2011 Tsaile VBS Team from Landisville

We just finished our evening staff meeting in preparation for Friday. Friday morning is our final session of VBS with a people we have come to love and who have afforded us many blessings. Each of us have been changed in some way by the time God has given us here on the Rez.

The members of this team are: (Front Row, kneeling from left to right) Tammie Mitchell, Michaela Barbaro, Megan Gretz, Kelsey Wettig, Stacie Reber, Donna Williams, Dani Lindemuth, Irv Steele, Roger Fry (2nd Row) Dr. Steve, Dianne Dunn. Lauren Zimmerman, Tyler Brown, Bulah Dougherty, Alice Shannon, Becca Frankford, Nancy Reitz, Kerri Steele (Back Row) Steve Lindemuth, Maria Nauman, Greg Nauman, Fred Kaylor, Brenda Kaylor, Bob Miller, Barry Henry, Linda Fry

Tonight we complete preparations for the final morning classes, clean our rooms, pack, finish laundry, share some personal time, and hopefully, get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow will almost be like a launching-first to school, a quick birthday party with Pastor Teller, serve lunch to the kids, get them home, clean up the church, change into our traveling clothes, load up the vans -- all before 1:00 pm when we will start out return journey to Albuquerque. For most of this, this is over a little too soon. And for all of us, it will be a time of celebration as thank God for what He has done in and through us.

We can hardly wait to share our stories in person at our two morning worship services on July 24th.

TSAILE DIARY - THURSDAY

2011-07-14T20:47:00.000-04:00

Pastor Teller, helping with recreation. Today is his birthday.

It is our next to the lastday here. Last night we were visited byone of the young women who has attended our last two VBS’. She had just been brutally beaten by herdrunken father. After Donna counseled her and sent her to the hospital Donna,Steve, Steve and Danielle, Maria, Roger and Lynda, Bubba, Kerri and Irv, andTammie made a prayer circle lifting her up in prayer and also for Tom Shea andthe Shea Roofing family in the death of a beloved employee.

(6:28 am)

Steve and Barry Henry hadbeen the first two up so Steve made the first pot of coffee. Many of our adultstaffers are now up and showering. Thekids will be up soon. Breakfast at Dine College Food Service in about an hour. They always have good breakfasts, although yesterday we looked in vain for the blueberries in the blueberry pancakes.

(8:28 am)

We got here a little late, but the vans are off andrunning. The road construction at thecollege took away our shortcut. The crewchiefs are making water balloons for today’s recreation – the ever-popularwater balloon toss. We kid you not, eventhe oldest of the Navajo ladies seem to love this game and are actually verygood at it. The Tsaile van driven byValencia has already deposited their charges which makes it a little chaotic atthe moment. Barry Henry is restocking toilet paper. Nancy Reitz is mopping the women’s bathroomwhere Michaela has already dropped a ripe water balloon as she tried to carryit. Roger is in the sound booth revving up the music. In the midst of all the chaos, Bulah issitting quietly in the sanctuary praying. The day will be good. She’s got it covered.

(8:51 am)

Waiting on two vans. A new mother and daughter who is studying at the college and we met thismorning at breakfast. She responded to Danielle’s invitation. That’s an Oh!Wow! Ran out of buckets for waterballoons so we can grabbing waste baskets. As if Tsaile hadn’t had enough water on the ground, we are going to addto it big time! It is our next to the last dayhere.

(9:43 am)

VBS is in full swing. The Preschool Class has inexplicably dwindledagain, but with the growth of two other classes we have switched Michaela andLauren. Kelsey and Tyler are holding down the preschool. By the way, our waterballoons weren’t working but a little Navao girl named Katina gave us hers andhelped us fill them. We gifted her with one of our VBS shirts.

Trying to download theBurn video from last night to show the kids, but so far we have not licked thetechnical difficulties. Dr Steve is backfrom his daily ice run to Wilkinson’s. Someone finally called him “the Iceman”today. We had a mom leave just a fewminutes ago. She had a small child who kept wandering away from class (Mom wasin the adult class) and would not stay. We were concerned for her safety plus one wanderer encouragesothers. We insisted the child stay withMom, but obviously Mom thought wandering was okay. A class of cultures that we could not in goodconscience accommodate.

(9:56 am)

Jade gave her heart toJesus in Brenda’s class just now.

(10:33 am)

Starting our final sessionof the morning. While the ladies of hisclass go out for rec, Steve Lindemuth is helping the kitchen begin filling theplates with the snacks. Sloppy Joes areon the menu. Earlier today Dr Stevelearned the Navajo word for be quiet, “Geht!” It works!

Unofficial count for theday is 70 not counting the staff. We know we have at least two new students. We hope to wrap things up quickly so we someof our crew can make a 1:30 departure for a three hour driving tour of thecanyon floor. By the way, our theme forthe day is God is uncontainable. Our oldest youth is named Nicholas. He is inDianne’s class and is Mr. Henry’s buddy. Nick will be a senior at Chinle and then is going into the Marines. Today we gave him a blue VBS shirt and made him part of the staff.

(10:43 am)

Out of paper towels againin the girl’s restroom. This is at leasta daily occurrence.

(10:54 am)

Dianne’ class is makingthe loudest earthquake you have ever heard.

(11:10 am)

Closing session. Stacie is leading and whole lot of kids arenow helping us with the singing. We’re going to sing “Happy birthday!” toPastor Teller. The preschoolers are coming in from the playground. It wasfinally dry enough for them to use it.

Tyler Brown has a "following" as our Preschool Teacher

Our daily partners at Dine College

MEMORABLE PHOTOS - PART 2

2011-07-14T01:06:00.000-04:00

And it was THIS big

Oh, no! Treeeessssss!!!!!!!

Aren't we cool?

Now see here, Pilgrim

Are you going to be the "quick" or the "dead"?

Do you think we could Sami a date with Little Joe?

Stacie's squirrel phase

TSAILE DIARY - SOME REALLY PRECIOUS PEOPLE

2011-07-13T23:16:00.000-04:00

Here are some photos of our VBS staff in action in Tsaile. It has been an experience they will never forget.


Dianne telling the kids about how God is Unmatchable


Tyler Brown and his preschool students


Megan Gretz, positioning the outfield

Brenda Kaylor, listening to thoughts of her students


Irv Steele counts out those cheese puffs


Becca Frankford pitching to a future Ryan Howard

Dr Steve and Barry Henry cheering on the kids at closing

TSAILE DIARY - WEDNESDAY

2011-07-13T22:39:00.000-04:00

Stacie "at rest"

By Wednesday, a good night's sleep becomes a precious thing for most VBS Team members. You go to sleep tired, yet fulfilled. God watches over you as you slumber, refreshing your body and renewing you for the next day of the adventure. As much as you are enjoying yourself, about Wednesday there is a piece of you that thinks, "It'd really be nice just to sleep 30 more minutes," but you don't. Breakfast is served in the Dine College Cafeteria and the vans leave at 8:10 and the first kids get to the church around 8:25. Here is where you learn, "His strength is made perfect in our weakness." You pray and then you launch into another day of ministry. Day three of VBS has arrived - Wednesday and HERE COME THE KIDS!

It was 59 degrees around 6:00 am - not a cloud in the sky. Finding ourselves in the monsoon season here, however, we anticipated rain at some point. Although we had two vans seriously stuck last night, we do not begrudge the rain because we know how much the people here are so very thankful for it. A couple of sweatshirts were purchased yesterday at the college book store and there is talk about going on a blanket hunt; but we will survive. Last night part of our team went to Canyon de Chelly to watch the sunset and the rest enjoyed some quiet down time back at the dorm. Dr. Steve is a little worried, however, because Dianne and Danielle were trying to figure out how to make something explode for their Bible story today as we teach about how God is UNCONTAINABLE. At the staff meeting last night we were blessed by Bulah's prayers (which included some prayers for things back home that had been emailed to us). Later that night Michaela Barbaro led devotions for a group of the girls and women.

(8:14 am)

We arrive a little late,but the vans head right out. Kerri andIrv start lunch prep. Mini-pizzas. Carrot sticks, raisins. There will be no leftovers. Lynda and Donnalay out crafts. Roger is cranking up the sound system. Maria is raking the playground to move someof the water so the preschoolers can swing. Tyler is creating an alternateplayground inside just in case. The crewchiefs are boisterously rehearsing the motions to today’s songs. Danielle,Dianne and Brenda are practicing the explosion which works with humorous resultswhen Dani remembers to tighten the cap.

(8:33 am)

First kids arrive and Mr.Henry is greeting them at the door. Registration team is ready to go. In fact,there are some major conventions that could take a lesson from this crew andits efficient, friendly organization.

(8:43 am)

Only one van back.Hopefully a good sign unless the Luckachukai van which goes off road got stuck.Greg and Stacie are handling that one. But three sets of parents have droppedoff their kids, which always helps.

(9:10 am)

The last van arrived earlyso we started 10 minutes early. Livelysongs. Aisia (pronounced “asia”) presented us with a beautiful dragon fly thatshe had made. We gave her one of our VBSstaff t-shirts. Then we went out to seethe teacher’s experiment. This time it did not explode all over Dani. It didn’texplode at all. Back to the drawing board. God has an ornery sense of humor. Classes are underway and Steve is about to head to Wilkinson’s tradingpost for our daily ice and paper products run. Pastor Teller has a funeral today so we do not anticipate seeing him orMary. We are praying for them today as they ministry to an extended family.

(9:45 am)

Almost through the firstsessions. Lunch is coming along fine.Still having a few arrivals. Dr Stevemanaged to buy some more quarters so we can do laundry later today. Our supply of laundry quarters was liftedfrom the dorm by an unknown person. Theft on a college campus is always a problem and good thieves manage tofind any way to reach all but the most secure of items. We try to be verycareful. Stacie just did the five minutewarning that classes are about to change.

(10:40 am)

Two young people have justprayer with Maria to receive Jesus Christ, the first of VBS. Last night we had discussed how God choosesthe time and we should not worry about our results but our faithfulness inplanting the seeds. God provides theharvest even if it would be a long time after we depart Tsaile. But our awesomeGod in His sovereignty allowed us to share in that blessing of welcoming twonew persons into the Kingdom. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

(11:10 am)

Time for closing. Stacie,Lauren and Tammie lead them in a song. Mr. Henry tells them about the people atchurch and what we do with pictures of pastors, elders, and kids. The Tsaile kids can now tell you many thingsabout their sister church in Pennsylvania. One more new convert and five recommitments reported.

(11:50 am)

As we load kids on thevan, Roger and Steve pray with Krystal a young lady who was bit by a pit bull onMonday and still has pain. You neverknow what God will call you to do. A thevans start returning the kids, the rest of the staff cleans the church. Theladies who makes necklaces and jewelry are lining up the wares outside. This is better than QVC!

TSAILE DIARY - GETTING READY FOR WEDNESDAY

2011-07-13T01:44:00.000-04:00


Tsaile Peak - part of our view each day we are here

This has been, in the words of our senior member Bulah Dougherty, an "awesome experience" for us as we have had the incredible privilege to serve God among our Navajo brothers and sisters. As we arrive at Wednesday, July 13th we will be reaching the midpoint of our missionary adventure. The faces you see below
represent lives that are precious to God. They have experiences that we are just now learning and face challenges that are more than any of us could imagine. Some live in great poverty - both physical and spiritual.


Alice Shannon with one of the kids we have come to love

Pray for them and for Pastor Teller and his fine people at Tsaile Community Church - that lives will be changed by the hope of Jesus Christ. Pray for us in our remaining days that we might be faithful and fruitful as Christians ambassadors.

Pastor Everett Teller, Tsaile Community Church

A correction: Our enrollment after two days is 81 - our daily attendance has been in the sixties.

TSAILE DIARY - MEMORABLE PHOTOS, PART 1

2011-07-12T20:02:00.001-04:00

Run, Stacie!

Our (campus) neighbors

I'm queen of the world!

I am your worst nightmare!

TSAILE DIARY - DAY FOUR - OUR GOD IS UNDEFEATABLE

2011-07-12T17:56:00.000-04:00

Team member Megan Gretz celebrated her 17th birthday last night (Also picture here on the right is Tammie Mitchell)

Powerful rains last night, quite uncharacteristic of Arizona this of year. So much so that the people around here are thanking us for bringing the rain from Pennsylvania. Another invited us to stay another week. It was not raining at the beginning of VBS today (although the mud on the roads prompted several of our team not to walk the one mile to church). The muddy roads may have kept some kids away, but we once again had 80 students. Our fastest growing class has become the Adult Class taught by Pastor Steve Lindemuth. Two young joined him today so he was not totally surrounded by those Navajo ladies.

"Our God is Undefeatable" was today's theme that revolved around the story from Daniel of Shadrach, Mechach and Abednego, who were thrown into the fiery furnace for their faithfulness to God.

Yesterday one of our classes found it tough going, the Orange Team, taught by Danielle Lindemuth, Greg Nauman, Fred Kaylor, and Tammie Mitchell. It had primarily teens who were not about to let down their guard--but today some relational ice appeared to be broken.

A matter of prayer for us is that no one has yet responded to our invitations to follow Christ. Please lift this up because it is clear that there are several kids who simply need Jesus in their lives.

Another child of Tsaile

Barry Henry today told the kids about our churches history and explained the Bible stories behind our stained glass windows.

Steve and Joyce Rogers (grandparents of Tyler Brown) and their granddaughter Kiersten visited us on their way west to Grand Canyon. The Navajo jewelry traders have also been finding us with some persistent success do the love of jewelry that several our ladies possess.

This afternoon another powerful thunderstorm hit, but that did not prevent 23 of our team from going up to Buffalo Pass for one of the great sights of this part of the country. Tonight most of the team will go to Canyon de Chelly to sit on the canyon rim and watch the sun go down over the desert.

We understand it is incredibly hot back your way. We have yet to see 74 degrees today and 81 may have been our highest since we arrived at Tsaile itself.

Supper in the cafeteria at Dine College - Dr Steve and Dianne, Becca Frankford and Bob Miller in the background

Tammie Mitchell, Brenda and Fred Kaylor


Maria Nauman,Greg, Irv and Kerri Steele - Donna Williams' back

Roger and Lynda Fry

Steve Lindemuth, Nancy Reitz, Bulah Dougherty, Barry Henry, Danielle Lindemuth

Lauren Zimmerman, Michaela Barbaro, Stacie Reber, Kelsey Wettig

TSAILE DIARY - FEED THE CHILDREN

2011-07-12T07:19:00.001-04:00

One of things we do as part of our VBS outreach to Tsaile is to provide a lunch for the children before transporting them back to their homes. We got the idea originally from the Chambersburg Church of God but have been doing it four all four trips. The first two Jim Baugman, Benrie McFarland, and Judy Byers were our cooks; but the two most recent VBS missions Irv and Kerri Steele filled the job. Generally we feed over 100 people, including our own staff. Yesterday, for example, we served 80 students, our 26 staffers and four others who were on site at meal time. This is another of the ways we seek to bless the Tsaile community.

TSAILE BONUS - SUNDAY MORNING BEFORE CHURCH

2011-07-12T03:40:00.000-04:00

Funny thingabout being a Lancaster County person on Mountain Time, especially if you’re anearly riser. If you typically get up between 3:00-5:00 am back home, it’s still2:00-4:00 am here in Tsaile. Irv andSteve started around 4:00 am Tsaile time – Irv making coffee, Steve finishinghis sermon. Next came Roger, followed byBubba. By 6:00 Donna and Bulah were emerging from their dorm rooms. The camaraderie of coffee, donuts, OJ in akitchen when everyone else is sleeping can be memorable. You just have to keepthe laughing down. As the sun comes up,it’s a cool 60 degrees with fresh air and no humidity and now the horses aregrazing outside our dorm. Theconstruction seems to have chased off the sheep.

This is ouronly morning of the entire trip to sleep in. Much of the team took advantage ofit, enjoying breakfast on their own, trying to get a shower before we departedto church at 9:30. We will be meetingthe congregation this morning, experiencing Navajo worship (ever had to worshipwith a translator?), sharing in what the Lord is doing in Tsaile. Dr. Steve is their guest preacher today, so at least we understand him even ifwe don’t understand what’s translated into Navajo.

Greeting one another at 10:00, we outnumber the Navajos

Greeting at 10:30, full church

The Ten Commandments in Navajo

Dr. Steve preaching to a packed house, they even had to bring in more chairs

TSAILE DAIRY - DAY THREE

2011-07-11T21:34:00.000-04:00

The reason we serve

Tyler Brown teaching the Preschool Class (Rainbow Team) - also pictured Kelsey Wettig

Nancy Reitz explaining a craft to kids from Team Green

Dianne Dunn, teacher for Team Yellow

Team Green

Fred Kaylor and Team Orange

Preschoolers with Laure Zimmerman, Michaela Barbaro, Kelsey Wettig, Tyler Brown

Team Green

Nancy and Bulah cheer Team Green in wiffle ball

After two days of travel,set up and orientation, canvassing the neighborhoods—the actual teachingbegins. We had been concerned because ithad rained repeatedly on Sunday, at times making the roads either impassable ortreacherous. But dawn broke – cool andcrisp (low sixties) sun came out, vans headed out and we began the first daywith 80 students. (This is a good firstday for VBS at Tsaile.)

Our theme is WildwoodForest and the team decorated the sanctuary with 26 trees. We told the kids we had brought the treesfrom Pennsylvania in our suitcases, which was true. (We had made huge trees out of paper, foldedthem up and placed them in our suitcases. We have some magnificent artists andthen there is Dr. Steve whose art resembles that of his three year old grandsonJake.

The story of Gideon wasour key message and how with God in our lives we are undefeatable. Besides a musical opening and lunch, each day thereis a lesson, a craft time, and recreation. Our teachers are Dianne Dunn, Steve Lindemuth, Brenda Kaylor, DanielleLindemuth, coordinated by Maria Nauman. Tyler Brown teaches the preschool class, who we call the Rainbow Team.Each teacher has helpers called crew chiefs. These persons are Megan Gretz, Alice Shannon, Bulah Dougherty, Kelsey Wettig,Michaela Barbara, Nancy Reitz, Fred Kaylor, Tammie Mitchell, Greg Nauman,Lauren Zimmerman, and Barry Henry. LyndaFry is our craft leader. Roger Fry andDonna Williams are her assistants. Stacie Reber assists Dr. Steve. Irv and Kerri Steele are our cooks.Grilled cheese, chips and a big pickle really hit the spot with the Navajokids.

TSAILE DIARY - MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS

2011-07-11T21:12:00.000-04:00

DAY TWO - WORSHIPING WITH OUR SISTER CHURCH

2011-07-11T20:37:00.005-04:00

Ourteam got a taste of worship in a Navajo church this AM. Whenthe service began at 10:00, we outnumbered the congregation. By 10:30, however,the church was packed as they brought in more chairs. At least half our team are veterans and nowrecognize many old friends (and were easily recognized by Navajos we have metin our three previous trips.

ANavajo service has lots of music – a combination of cowboy Christian songs,Southern gospel, a mix of contemporary, old hymns and chorus sung in Navajo andEnglish, and songs popular on the Navajo revival circuit. Keyboard, guitar,drum.

Italso has lots of prayer in both languages, two greetings, an offering where thecongregation sings as its brings its tithes and offerings to the altar asindividuals. At least two differentgreeting times which makes us look like “stick in the pews.”

Beforethe service there is an impassioned affirmation of the Bible as God’s Word, andthen the message. This Sunday Dr. Stevespoke on John 6.25-35 and how we should not be so consumed with signs and showsfrom God as being a sign ourselves that we daily live by Jesus, the Bread ofLife. Pastor Teller closes with a 10minute sermon synopsis in Navajo for the non-English speakers. One more rousing song and dismissal for theday.

ThisSunday they fed the team – Navajo tacos, fruit salad, blue corn mush. We “ate it up.”

DAY ONE - ON THE WAY TO TSAILE

2011-07-11T20:34:00.000-04:00

Please note that because of some problems getting on-line in Tsaile, these first posts are from several days ago. We'll be up to speed by Tuesday.

DAY ONE - ONTHE WAY TO TSAILE

“The GreatPillow Hunt”

The Tsaile Team left theparking lot at 3:08 am. Much of the team had experienced very shortnights. The teenagers staying withStacie at the church basically did not sleep at all. Many of the team then tried to recapturethose lost hours on the two legs of a Delta flight before arriving inAlbuquerque shortly after noon Mountain Standard Time. Only one bag failed toarrive but it followed on a flight landing only 15 minutes later.

Flexibility and rapidresponse planning is one of the keys of a successful VBS Mission Team. Our first adventure followed a Friday eveningcall from Pastor Teller informing us that College had developed a snafu withits linen service. The team would haveno linens, towels or pillows. Phonecalls after 9:30 pm and spinning washing machines produced the needed linenswhich were crammed into suitcases and off we went. This added to our first day’s shopping as wemade an unplanned trip to Walmart near the Albuquerque Airport to buy roughlytwo dozen pillows. $3.97 was the price and so we added these jumbo pillows toour increasingly packed vans. (You should have seen Donna Williams and Dr.Steve wheeling two shopping carts full of pillows across the parking lot) A small glitch which means nothing to our God, Jehovah Jireh, “the Great Provider.”

Temp at Albuquerque’sSunport Airport was 78, and plenty of sunshineas we boarded four vans to begin the journey across Interstate 40 in the “Landof Enchantment” heading to our first major stop – Gallup NM and Earl’sRestaurant. Along the way, however, weexperienced a first – driving through a powerful thunder storm on I-40, itswinds rocking our vans a little. But toEarls’ we headed, arriving at 4:15. 26people enjoying a variety of food. From Megan Gretz’s encounter with ribs tothe Steeles enjoying Navajo tacos. Weeven did a little jewelry and pottering buying from the Navajo venders headingto our tables.

After an unplanned tripthrough a Navajo residential neighborhood we hit Walmart in Gallup. We dividedinto seven teams and spread through the store buying grocery supplies forfeeding the kids (and ourselves), packed the results into every nook and crannyof our vans. No space was left unfilled,but by 7:15 we were headed on the last leg—up into the beautiful mountainswhere Tsaile is located.

There we found a collegeengaged in major road work, horses grazing outside our dorm. Steve being tired(and getting a little cranky), we were slowed a bit as we sorted out keys thatat first did not seem to work but when weread the instructions were just fine. We unloaded the vans, unpacked into our rooms and most of the team hitthe sack by 10:00 pm Mountain Time(Midnight at home), roughly 23 hours after we had arisen for the journey. The unity and quality of ourintergenerational team was reflected in the spirit, hard work, and patience isexhibited throughout the day from the youngest to the oldest. God is good!

TSAILE DIARY - SATURDAY

2011-07-09T06:52:00.002-04:00

When you read this post, we will be on our way to Tsaile. We left Landisville at 3:00 am heading to BWI Airport for a 7:00 am flight. We will fly through Atlanta and then on to Albuquerque. From there we will load into vans for three more hours to Gallup, a stop at Earl's for an early supper, and then launch massive shopping trip at one of the biggest Walmarts you have ever seen (which will also be filled that night with half the Navajo nation). From there its another 2 1/2 hours through Window Rock and then north into the mountains to Tsaile. We will now be on Mountain Time getting there about 8:00 MST (10:00 pm at home). We'll move into our dorms at Dine College, unpack, go in search of extra toilet paper, and then settle in to sleep - probably about 10:00 pm or midnight at home (21 hours later). Here are some photos from our 2009 journey courtesy of Stef Sellers and Melissa Fischer.

TWO MORE TSAILE TEAM MEMBERS

2011-07-07T20:27:00.001-04:00

Bulah Dougherty, Crew Chief

Nancy Reitz, Crew Chief

Thanks to Roger Fry's files we now ave two more team members. First-timers Nancy Reitz and Bulah Dougherty.

MORE OF OUR 2011 TSAILE VBS TEAM (PT 2)

2011-07-07T18:22:00.000-04:00

The 26 member team leaves for Tsaile in just a little over 36 hours. Here are some more of our smiling faces.

Alice Shannon (third from right) Elementary kids crew chief

Tyler Brown (on the left) Preschool Teacher

Barry Henry (the tall guy) - Dr Steve's assistant director and a crew chief

Brenda Kaylor from Elizabethtown - teacher

Lynda Fry, craft leader


Roger Fry, leadership team and craft assistant

Currently we have no photos available for Nancy Reitz, Becca Frankford, Bulah Dougherty and Bob Miller

SCENES OF THE CHURCH IN THE SPRING

2011-07-04T01:43:00.000-04:00

Creation

Bre Jewart, Tyler Stephens, Stef Sellers, Mitchell Boring (our 2011 Grads) Not pictured: Patty Sager

2011 TSAILE VBS TEAM - PART 1

2011-07-04T01:36:00.000-04:00

This Saturday, July 9, 2011 - a 26-member team will roll out of the parking lot at the church in Landisville that will end 21 hours later as they settle into their dorm rooms at Dine College in Tsaile AZ. This is our 2011 VBS Mission Team, our fourth team since 2003. Meet part of this team and begin praying for them.

Dianne Dunn who will be one of our teachers

Donna Williams, our financial secretary and craft assistant

Fred Kaylor from our Elizabethtown Church, van driver and crew chief (guide for a group of students through the VBS learning experience)

Kerri and Irv Steele, our cooks

Kelsey Wettig, preschool worker

Lauren Zimmerman, preschool workers

Michaela Barbaro, preschool worker

Maria Nauman, teacher and Greg, one of Team Leaders

Megan Gretz, crew chief with elementary kids

Stacie Reber, photographer and Dr. Steve's assistant

Tammie Mitchell, crew chief for elementary kids

Steve Lindemuth, adult teacher and van driver and Danielle, registrar and teacher

ALL CHURCH FAMILY RETREAT

2011-05-02T22:35:00.000-04:00

Doubling Gap Center

Dr Steve and some of our teens awaiting the opening program

Danielle Lindemuth teaching a Saturday morning elective on Proverbs 31

April 29 through May 1, the Church of God of Landisville and friends from the Elizabethtown and Living Faith churches joined together at Doubling Gap Center for the annual All Church Family Retreat. Approximately 120 persons spent all or a part of a beautifully sunny weekend. Here are some photos of the retreat courtesy of Stacie Reber, Dr Steve and Jeff Hamill.

Bob McPherson from Elizabethtown sharing stories of American folklore

Relaxing on the front porch


Kelsey Wettig brings up the rear as BURN hikes to Flat Rock

Snack time in the Game Room Friday night

Steve Lindemuth teaches an elective on nature Psalms

The Creek that feeds into beautiful Lake Henrietta


Stacie and Kaitlyn await the Old People-Youth basketball game

EASTER SUNRISE 2011

2011-04-28T16:27:00.000-04:00

Scene from our Easter Sunrise Service April 24, 2011 next to the Landisville Mennonite Cemetery. Roger Fry, one of our elders, was the speaker.

KUYASA KIDS IN CONCERT AND WORSHIP ON PALM SUNDAY

2011-04-19T20:53:00.000-04:00

KUYASA KIDS CHILLING IN THE AGAPE CENTER

2011-04-19T20:44:00.000-04:00

Palm Sunday Weekend 2011 the Church of God of Landisville was blessed with a visit from the Kuyasa Kids African Children's Choir. This ministry sponsored by Horizon International provides a home and education in South Africa for AIDS orphans. When the kids were not rehearsing or performing, they and their hosts from the church took advantage of the facilities of the Agape Center.

MARCH GLADNESS - FAMILY FOTOS

2011-03-26T21:52:00.000-04:00


"Signs" of the times

The Kids of our BURN Congregation and Lead Pastor's Wife, Dianne Dunn

God continues to inhabit worship

BAPTISMS MARCH 6, 2011

2011-03-10T11:56:00.000-05:00

Lauren and Scott Zimmerman of our core congregation and Austin Young and Jeffrey Hamill of our BURN congregation were baptized at the 10.45 service on March 6, 2011

Preparing to baptize Jeff Hamill


Jeff shares his testimony

Baptismal candidates joining us for worship

The Zimmerman family and others sharing in worship before the baptisms


Stacie reading Romans 6.1-10 as we prepare for baptism

Pastor Barry leading worship - three full rows of BURN kids in front


Dr Steve explaining about baptism and talking about the kids


Lauren Zimmerman - the "fire-starter"

Jeremy asking Austin Young the baptismal questions


Celebrating Scott Zimmerman's profession of faith


"Have you asked Jesus into your life as Savior and Lord?"

Jeremy shares his thankfulness for our support of him and BURN as he prepares to move into a new ministry

PARADISE LAKE RETREAT

2011-02-21T02:23:00.000-05:00

February 19-20, 2011 - a truly incredible and Spirit-filled retreat for our high schoolers at Paradise Lake. Photos courtesy of Kelsey Wettig.

AND WE ARE THE CHURCH OF GOD OF LANDISVILLE

2011-02-17T21:27:00.000-05:00

Irv Steele and friend at Tsaile. Irv is on our Outreach and Evangelism Commission

Baptism at the BURN Beach Party with Megan Gretz sharing her testimony

Bulah Dougherty and friend at the GLOW Generations Dinner. Bulah is our Treasurer,

Dr Steve uniting Nate and Amber Berkenstock in marriage

Russ and Dottie Saunders, Viola and Bob Bradley at the Pastor Appreciation Dinner

Kristen, Stef and Madison at VBS

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE CHURCH OF GOD OF LANDISVILLE

2011-02-12T17:32:00.000-05:00


Pastor Barry Sellers, our Associate Pastor and head of our Stephen Ministry. Barry is now in his 8th year with us.


Barry Brosey, newest member of our Fellowship Commission and Donna Williams, our newest elder

Dave and Donna Stehman, council members and members of our Agape Kid Staff


Doug Sutton, Chairman of our Finance Committee and co-leader for our Feeding Team that works with the Lancaster County Council of Churches at Christ Lutheran in the city


Our BURN Worship team this past fall - Brittany Dukeman, Nick Moutsetis, Scott Zimmerman, Erika Glass

Maria and Greg Nauman, teachers for Transformers Class (our class for younger adult couples)

Mark Haldeman, our Council President


Roger Fry, one of our elders and Dr Steve Dunn, our Lead Pastor

Three members of our Worship Band - Nick Koppenal, Carol Scillia, Dianne Dunn

THE YEAR 2010 IN PICTURES - INSTALLMENT NO. 2

2011-01-03T03:15:00.000-05:00

Simply seeking to be the best church FOR our community. More highlights in pictures from 2010.


Ignite the Day - Day 1 at Hempfield High School Fall 2010

Laurie plays "O Holy Night" on the soprano sax Christmas Eve

Dr Steve and Pastor Everett Teller from our Navajo sister church in Tsaile AZ at LCOG April

Sandra Swiatek adding her commitment TO SAVE A LIFE - August

Joseph and the Shepherds - Christmas Eve for Children and their families

BURN Worship Team - Brittany, Nick, Scott, Erika

Our Mt Pleasant Work Team taking one of several ice cream breaks

Mark and the Adult Choir - Last Sunday in Advent


GLOW Carolers at Lancashire Terrace


Jeremy preaching in Africa

Our Elders - Sam, Roger, Dwight, Judy, Jane, Nancy

THE YEAR 2010 IN PICTURES - INSTALLMENT NO. 1

2011-01-02T21:05:00.000-05:00

It has been a great and exciting year at the Church of God of Landisville. Here a few pictures to remember by:

The cast of the Christmas story for Christmas Eve 2010


Part of our team for the Mt. Pleasant Work Camp in July

Winter storm - a rare cancellation of worship


Sam and the kids at Family Camp


The girls of GLOW working at GAIN to feed families in Africa


Our first group of Stephen Ministers


Greg and our Easter Party for the neighborhood kids


Prayer and commitment at BURN

A new on-campus Bible study and worship at Hempfield High School


A day away for Prayer in November

"To Save a Life" - Sandra writes her commitment

RANDOM PHOTOS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND MINISTRY

2010-12-12T03:54:00.000-05:00


Miss Lori and her preschool Sunday School Class

Our Elders - Sam, Roger, Dwight, Judy, Jane, Nancy

Heidi and Lauren praying "at the Pole"

Dianne, our Spiritual Gifts/Ministry Counselor at A Day Away for Prayer

Sam at A Day Away for Prayer

Our Lead Pastor, Dr Steve