PassWord
April 18, 2025
Dear PassWord People,
A beautiful, clear, sunshine filled Good Friday! I’ve been watching the lilac bush in Mrs. Clave’s yard come to life over the last couple weeks and the deep purple blooms are gorgeous, even from here. God’s in His heaven and all’s right with the world.
So, yesterday was a full day. I worked in the morning and in the evening and some of our kids and grandkids descended on the house in the afternoon to color eggs. The chatter before they came was whether to bring the dogs. Katie always votes for dogs and since her Bo is a brother to Becky’s Maggie, that usually happens. But Becky now has another dog, also – Remy, short for Remington – and Remy gets car sick. But there was also talk about peeps – Becky and family are in the midst of incubating eggs right now and they had started to hatch. Kara told Becky to bring the peeps to my house so the kids could see them. Becky was worried it would be too cold for them. And I told Kara the peeps can visit her house on Sunday, as she is hosting Easter this year.
Kara and Donny showed up first with Nora and Maverick. And then Katie arrived with Bo and her three. Bo always, every single time, comes dashing in the door like he is on fire and heaven forbid you are in the way as you would get knocked over. And then Becky showed up with two boys – Luke was working - and her two dogs and Makayla followed shortly after her. Becky had given Remy medicine for his car sickness, which didn’t appear to help as he still threw up on the way here. But he was a ball of energy by the time he arrived to play with Bo and Maggie. Jackson didn’t show up till after work, and Lily came late, caught in a traffic jam. Counting Jeff and I and Tiny Girl we had 16 people and 4 dogs to color eggs. (And thankfully no peeps.) Despite the chaos, the egg dying went well, with the exception of Olivia spilling purple dye on her jeans and needing to borrow one of my skirts. And the dogs have an affinity for my pond so they were barely here before we had wet dogs going in and out of the dog door. Caleb and AJ are both of an age where egg dying is not that important to them and they disappeared to go “geo caching” or some such thing. When called for supper, we all were appalled to find they had somehow managed to get the whole way to Sheetz on foot in their “caching”.
I had warned some of them at least, to not come hungry as we weren’t having supper till 4:00. Some of them are real bears when they are hungry. But the meatballs were already in the crockpot and I worked on the egg salad and Makayla worked on the macaroni and cheese and we were able to feed the masses by 4:30 or so.
But really, the truly intriguing thing to me yesterday was that the older girls, Makayla and Olivia managed somehow to find my PassWord books. Some years ago, the church gave me as a gift the Friday, “PassWords”, compiled into hardcover editions. There are four of them. And somehow, yesterday the girls found these on the bookshelf and sat together reading – and laughing – their way through at least a volume or two. I said, “What are you doing?”, but they would just laugh. The only complaint came from Makayla whose birth announcement somehow missed being in the PassWord. This, I still can’t believe, but since I can’t find it anywhere, she might be correct. All I can say is we moved to Middletown the same week she was born and somehow in the confusion she wasn’t mentioned. More likely though, was that I stored it in the wrong file. There are a few missing “PassWords”, which will probably be gone forever, ha. Mentioned or not, she is not forgotten.
But dear Olivia says to me, “We are going to fight over these….”, meaning they are already plotting what they want when I die, lol. I don’t know if I should find this offensive or take it as a compliment, ha. But she is not wrong; I am dying. So are you. And that brings us to Easter, beloved. It is so very important to have a risen Savior. Because without a risen Savior, there is no risen Kim. I do realize that sounds very self centered. But death, is truly a very personal experience. We live in fear of death or we relax, and know that we won’t stay dead, anymore than Jesus stayed dead. What He did in conquering sin and death is either true and therefore powerful – or it is not. It can’t be both. And depending on what you believe will largely determine how you live. You see, you can't kill me, anymore than they killed Jesus. I will forever live in Christ - this is the promise of the Gospel.
Come join us for Easter. We are using a strange but powerful scripture this week, from Ezekiel 37. Our meditation is “Can These Bones Live?” But we already know the answer, Beloved, praise His Holy Name.
The Gospel Alphabet (Take off on a Bible Adventure):
In 2025 we are memorizing scripture together as a congregation. These scriptures are alphabetical meaning the first letter of each one corresponds to the alphabet. You can pick up the new verse to add to your ring from the basket in the narthex. \
H - Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. - John 6:37b
Join What God Is Doing in Malawi, Mozambique & Zambia
Pastor Jack Selcher wrote a devotional, evangelistic, discipleship resource, “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength” a few years ago and classes using it have been taught in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. As of February 10, 2025, 9,019 people have attended a class. Classes average about 80–90 people. About 80 percent of students do not own a Bible due to the cost of Bibles when compared to their income. The limiting factor in this outreach is the number of Bibles we can send. Pastor Jack's ministry sends at least 500 Bibles monthly and as of February 2025 has provided 6,626 Bibles. The price per Bible is $10.00 each when ordering 500 or more through the American Bible Society.
If you would like to join in this outreach and get this special price (24% discount), write a check to “American Bible Society” for the number of Bibles you want to buy at $10.00 each and include your name, address, telephone number, and email address. These can be placed in the offering plate or given directly to Pastor Jack Selcher.
Pray Luke 10:2 Everyday at 10:02 : He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." The Churches of God General Conference has asked us to pray together each day at 10:02, asking God to raise up more workers and more churches for the Kingdom of God.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Our annual Easter egg hunt and outreach event is planned for Saturday, April 19 from 11:00-1:00. Various hands on stations will tell the story of Jesus and his resurrection. Volunteers are needed to help with this event. If you can help, please see Patty Kuharic or Pastor Kim.
Candy and egg fillers are also needed. Donations of small, wrapped candy can be put in the wooden box in the narthex. If you are able to help fill plastic eggs please see Patty Kuharic or Pam Minckler.
This event is a great outreach opportunity so be sure to invite your friends, grandkids, and neighbors to join us!
You’re invited to Morning Star’s Annual Life Saving Banquet on Thursday, May 1 at the Penn Harris Hotel. Learn about the changing face of abortion in our community, see how God’s grace shone through Morning Star in 2024 and hear keynote speaker Jill Stanek, a prominent leader in the pro-Life movement. Empower moms to choose Life.
Register at www.SupportMorningStar.com.
Camp Yolijwa: It's time to register for camp! Our church offers scholarships for 50% of the registration fee. Just pick up a scholarship form in the narthex, complete it, and return to the church office. Some camps fill up quickly so be sure to get your registration in early. Camp registration forms are also available in the narthex or you can sign up online at https://campyolijwa.org/online-registration.
The Chapel Sunday School class will be showing all five sessions of Max Lucado’s, “He chose the Nails”, in a marathon showing, beginning at 9:10 Palm Sunday April 13. All are welcome to see this excellent series!! The showing should be over by 10:20.
All are welcome to see this excellent series!!
CALENDAR
Saturday, April 19. 11:00-12:45 Easter Eggstravaganza, with egg hunts at 1:00.
Sunday, April 20 6:00 am. Easter Sunrise Service in the narthex, followed by Easter Breakfast.
Sunday, April 20. Easter Sunday! Worship at 8:00 and 10:30. We will look at Ezekial 37:1-14. Bring your flowers to put on the cross or use ours.
Monday, April 21. 9:00 Exercise Class with Peg Bryant. Triple Room. All welcome.
Wednesday, April 23. Wednesday Night Live. Supper at 5:45, classes at 6:30.
Sunday, June 1. Mortgage Burning Celebration! One service, 10:00 am, in Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, June 8. Graduation Sunday.
Monday - Friday, July 7-11 VBS Day Camp.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Jimmy and Cece Abromitis
Sherry Belton
Robert Dinteman
Douglas Earl
John Frisch
Karl Krodel, Jr.
Rich Sauerwine
Doris VanNote
Our condolences to the family and friends of Michael Clave. Michael died on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
If you have a prayer need or would like to be added to the Prayer Chain, please call Ruth Yanek at (717) 944-7585.
Enough. He is risen! Jesus is risen! Hallelujah!
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middletowncog/
Our Website: www.middletowncog.org
Dear PassWord People,
A beautiful, clear, sunshine filled Good Friday! I’ve been watching the lilac bush in Mrs. Clave’s yard come to life over the last couple weeks and the deep purple blooms are gorgeous, even from here. God’s in His heaven and all’s right with the world.
So, yesterday was a full day. I worked in the morning and in the evening and some of our kids and grandkids descended on the house in the afternoon to color eggs. The chatter before they came was whether to bring the dogs. Katie always votes for dogs and since her Bo is a brother to Becky’s Maggie, that usually happens. But Becky now has another dog, also – Remy, short for Remington – and Remy gets car sick. But there was also talk about peeps – Becky and family are in the midst of incubating eggs right now and they had started to hatch. Kara told Becky to bring the peeps to my house so the kids could see them. Becky was worried it would be too cold for them. And I told Kara the peeps can visit her house on Sunday, as she is hosting Easter this year.
Kara and Donny showed up first with Nora and Maverick. And then Katie arrived with Bo and her three. Bo always, every single time, comes dashing in the door like he is on fire and heaven forbid you are in the way as you would get knocked over. And then Becky showed up with two boys – Luke was working - and her two dogs and Makayla followed shortly after her. Becky had given Remy medicine for his car sickness, which didn’t appear to help as he still threw up on the way here. But he was a ball of energy by the time he arrived to play with Bo and Maggie. Jackson didn’t show up till after work, and Lily came late, caught in a traffic jam. Counting Jeff and I and Tiny Girl we had 16 people and 4 dogs to color eggs. (And thankfully no peeps.) Despite the chaos, the egg dying went well, with the exception of Olivia spilling purple dye on her jeans and needing to borrow one of my skirts. And the dogs have an affinity for my pond so they were barely here before we had wet dogs going in and out of the dog door. Caleb and AJ are both of an age where egg dying is not that important to them and they disappeared to go “geo caching” or some such thing. When called for supper, we all were appalled to find they had somehow managed to get the whole way to Sheetz on foot in their “caching”.
I had warned some of them at least, to not come hungry as we weren’t having supper till 4:00. Some of them are real bears when they are hungry. But the meatballs were already in the crockpot and I worked on the egg salad and Makayla worked on the macaroni and cheese and we were able to feed the masses by 4:30 or so.
But really, the truly intriguing thing to me yesterday was that the older girls, Makayla and Olivia managed somehow to find my PassWord books. Some years ago, the church gave me as a gift the Friday, “PassWords”, compiled into hardcover editions. There are four of them. And somehow, yesterday the girls found these on the bookshelf and sat together reading – and laughing – their way through at least a volume or two. I said, “What are you doing?”, but they would just laugh. The only complaint came from Makayla whose birth announcement somehow missed being in the PassWord. This, I still can’t believe, but since I can’t find it anywhere, she might be correct. All I can say is we moved to Middletown the same week she was born and somehow in the confusion she wasn’t mentioned. More likely though, was that I stored it in the wrong file. There are a few missing “PassWords”, which will probably be gone forever, ha. Mentioned or not, she is not forgotten.
But dear Olivia says to me, “We are going to fight over these….”, meaning they are already plotting what they want when I die, lol. I don’t know if I should find this offensive or take it as a compliment, ha. But she is not wrong; I am dying. So are you. And that brings us to Easter, beloved. It is so very important to have a risen Savior. Because without a risen Savior, there is no risen Kim. I do realize that sounds very self centered. But death, is truly a very personal experience. We live in fear of death or we relax, and know that we won’t stay dead, anymore than Jesus stayed dead. What He did in conquering sin and death is either true and therefore powerful – or it is not. It can’t be both. And depending on what you believe will largely determine how you live. You see, you can't kill me, anymore than they killed Jesus. I will forever live in Christ - this is the promise of the Gospel.
Come join us for Easter. We are using a strange but powerful scripture this week, from Ezekiel 37. Our meditation is “Can These Bones Live?” But we already know the answer, Beloved, praise His Holy Name.
The Gospel Alphabet (Take off on a Bible Adventure):
In 2025 we are memorizing scripture together as a congregation. These scriptures are alphabetical meaning the first letter of each one corresponds to the alphabet. You can pick up the new verse to add to your ring from the basket in the narthex. \
H - Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. - John 6:37b
Join What God Is Doing in Malawi, Mozambique & Zambia
Pastor Jack Selcher wrote a devotional, evangelistic, discipleship resource, “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength” a few years ago and classes using it have been taught in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. As of February 10, 2025, 9,019 people have attended a class. Classes average about 80–90 people. About 80 percent of students do not own a Bible due to the cost of Bibles when compared to their income. The limiting factor in this outreach is the number of Bibles we can send. Pastor Jack's ministry sends at least 500 Bibles monthly and as of February 2025 has provided 6,626 Bibles. The price per Bible is $10.00 each when ordering 500 or more through the American Bible Society.
If you would like to join in this outreach and get this special price (24% discount), write a check to “American Bible Society” for the number of Bibles you want to buy at $10.00 each and include your name, address, telephone number, and email address. These can be placed in the offering plate or given directly to Pastor Jack Selcher.
Pray Luke 10:2 Everyday at 10:02 : He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." The Churches of God General Conference has asked us to pray together each day at 10:02, asking God to raise up more workers and more churches for the Kingdom of God.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Our annual Easter egg hunt and outreach event is planned for Saturday, April 19 from 11:00-1:00. Various hands on stations will tell the story of Jesus and his resurrection. Volunteers are needed to help with this event. If you can help, please see Patty Kuharic or Pastor Kim.
Candy and egg fillers are also needed. Donations of small, wrapped candy can be put in the wooden box in the narthex. If you are able to help fill plastic eggs please see Patty Kuharic or Pam Minckler.
This event is a great outreach opportunity so be sure to invite your friends, grandkids, and neighbors to join us!
You’re invited to Morning Star’s Annual Life Saving Banquet on Thursday, May 1 at the Penn Harris Hotel. Learn about the changing face of abortion in our community, see how God’s grace shone through Morning Star in 2024 and hear keynote speaker Jill Stanek, a prominent leader in the pro-Life movement. Empower moms to choose Life.
Register at www.SupportMorningStar.com.
Camp Yolijwa: It's time to register for camp! Our church offers scholarships for 50% of the registration fee. Just pick up a scholarship form in the narthex, complete it, and return to the church office. Some camps fill up quickly so be sure to get your registration in early. Camp registration forms are also available in the narthex or you can sign up online at https://campyolijwa.org/online-registration.
The Chapel Sunday School class will be showing all five sessions of Max Lucado’s, “He chose the Nails”, in a marathon showing, beginning at 9:10 Palm Sunday April 13. All are welcome to see this excellent series!! The showing should be over by 10:20.
All are welcome to see this excellent series!!
CALENDAR
Saturday, April 19. 11:00-12:45 Easter Eggstravaganza, with egg hunts at 1:00.
Sunday, April 20 6:00 am. Easter Sunrise Service in the narthex, followed by Easter Breakfast.
Sunday, April 20. Easter Sunday! Worship at 8:00 and 10:30. We will look at Ezekial 37:1-14. Bring your flowers to put on the cross or use ours.
Monday, April 21. 9:00 Exercise Class with Peg Bryant. Triple Room. All welcome.
Wednesday, April 23. Wednesday Night Live. Supper at 5:45, classes at 6:30.
Sunday, June 1. Mortgage Burning Celebration! One service, 10:00 am, in Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, June 8. Graduation Sunday.
Monday - Friday, July 7-11 VBS Day Camp.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Jimmy and Cece Abromitis
Sherry Belton
Robert Dinteman
Douglas Earl
John Frisch
Karl Krodel, Jr.
Rich Sauerwine
Doris VanNote
Our condolences to the family and friends of Michael Clave. Michael died on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
If you have a prayer need or would like to be added to the Prayer Chain, please call Ruth Yanek at (717) 944-7585.
Enough. He is risen! Jesus is risen! Hallelujah!
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middletowncog/
Our Website: www.middletowncog.org