CHRISTMAS PARTY!

Celebrate the Christmas Season with Us!

When: Saturday December 12th 6:00pm

Where: Shirley & Heather's Place


Répondez, s'il vous plaît to Shirley or Heather's email or below.




CHRISTMAS DINNER






WHEN: Thursday December 17th 6:00pm
ATTIRE: Semi-formal
(Men: This means at least dress pants & dinner jacket for us)
Please let Donna know by Saturday Dec 5th if you can attend so she can make reservations.
See the address below for the menu:

FEELING IRISH IN BETHLEHEM?

When: Saturday Dec 19th 9:00am

Where: Meet at ECC Parking Lot to carpool

Mark needs his annual Irish-fix... Where better to do that than Bethlehem at Christmas time!

Come join me in a wonderfully Christmasy town with beautiful shops and maybe we'll stop by the Christkindlmarkt and watch people do their crafty stuff http://www.christmascity.org/ckm/, or do something Moravian, and of course stop by the Tea Room for some good Irish food!
I'm planning to be back by 3:00pm.

Upcoming Weeks Plans... CELEBRATE

Just a reminder that we will not be having small group as we normally do for the rest of the year.

  • Christmas week: week of spontaneity... depending on schedules, perhaps a movie night :)
  • New Years Eve???? does someone want to plan a party/come up with a plan?

Celebrating Thanksgiving


It's going to be awesome to get to spend the afternoon/evening together celebrating and giving thanks! Here are the details:

Saturday November 28
Jere and Shannon's
4:00 pm

Last night at group we got all the "main ingredients covered, so most of us know what we are bringing. We'll be having a traditional thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. If you were not there and can come, I'd suggest maybe an appetizer, dessert, vegetable or beverage. We'll be eating and then hanging out/passing out... whichever comes first. :)

Conference at ECC

Reminder to everyone that there is a conference taking place at ECC Saturday and Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm. Several of us from group have been a part of the leadership conference and have really heard some amazing teaching and had some great times of worship. Hope to see you there!!

Thurs, Nov 12


Location: Stu and Laura's

Time: 6:00 pm

Dinner Theme: A Banquet of Falling Leaves: * Go outside (at your house, your work place, or along the sidewalk) and pick up a fallen leaf. Look carefully at the color of the leaf.
What foods does this bring to mind, that are the same hue? for example: yellow (squash, bananas, lemon...), light brown (potatoes, brown sugar, graham crackers, whole wheat pasta...). Choose one of those foods and make something with it! (Stu, you are very creative)

Topic/Verses: We still have a lot of meaty discussion left on the Ten Commandments... so we will pick up where we left off last week in the discussion.

We have been invited to a Barn Party!

When: Saturday November 7th 6:00PM
Where: Barry & Cheryl Wissler's Place
Hosted By: ECC's Young Adult Small Group

Bring a snack to share.

There will be a hayride and a bonfire!
We will probably play train wreck and other barn party games.
Let us know in the comments if you think you can come!

Thurs, November 5

Host: DeAnna
Time: 6:00 pm
Theme: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs... DeAnna will provide Meabull Subs, we can provide the sides, drinks and dessert.

Bible Study: Tim is leading as we move into the Ten Commandments and beyond.

For the Ladies: High Tea and Testimonies

Ladies Only



You are invited to:



High Tea & Testimonies

At

Shannon Shertzer’s Home

(see list or email us for address)

On

Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 1 o’clock p.m.



Please bring along willingness to share your stories; I’ll take care of the foodJ



Please RSVP if you will be attending by Friday, November 6
(RSVP to Shannon, see info on the list or email us)

Thursday October 29

Time: 6:00 pm**
Location: Jesse and Kim's

Dinner plan: Bring your favorite dish that mom (or dad or grandma) used to make.

Study: Laura is leading discussion beginning with Exodus 17:8



Prayer Request

I hope you can make it to small group tonight... but even if you can't...

Please be praying for Donna as she heads to Haiti this weekend... also pray that she feels better because she's been a little under the weather.

Also, lets be praying for God to cover us all during this crazy flu season.

Thanks!!

Thurs Oct 22

Bible Study: Hungry for Mannah or quail?

Well... that's not quite what we're having for dinner

Dinner at the Shertzers! They will be providing pork tenderloin and garlic mashed potatoes!!!

Everyone else needs to follow the instructions below:

1) Flip a coin. Heads=Bring an appetizer. Tails=Bring a dessert.
2) Ask a co-worker (or fellow student) what their favorite appetizer or dessert is and bring something like it for our meal.

(I'm hungry just thinking about it. See you Thursday!)

Thurs Oct 15

This week: Shirley and Heather's place

Time: 6:00 pm

Theme: Mexican! Chicken Enchiladas and Fried Ice Cream will be provided. So bring on your mexican favorites!

We're still Exodus-ing. :)

October 8

Location: Stacey's House
Time: 6:00
Dinner: CHILI (Kim R is making cornbread... yum) I could use some corn chips, sour cream, beverages, dessert, a vegetable or salad to go with it...could you comment back if you are bringing any of the above?

We're at Exodus 11... heading into Passover and The Exodus.

October 1 2009

Where: Donna's House
When: 6:00PM
Food: Donna is making her famous Roasted Vegetable Lasagna! Please bring something to compliment the meal.

Still trying to get out of Egypt... 6-10 The Plagues

See you then!

September 24, 2009

Where: Mark's Place
When: 6:30
Food Scavenger Hunt!!!
  1. Take the last letter of your first name, and turn it into a number. (A=1 B=2 etc.)
  2. Go the store and count the departments & isles until you reach your number (omitting non-edibles - if you run out of departments, start over)
  3. Bring something from, or made from, that isle or department! :-)
Shirley will lead as we discuss Exodus 5 onward.

EPHRATA FAIR

It's that time of year again!

Fun Friends and Fried Food!

Wednesday 7PM The parade beings.

I'm planning on going and walking the streets.
The church usually gathers at a home on the North side of West Main Street, not far from the rides, but bring your cell phone and call us when you get there and we'll meet up and walk the Fair or watch the parade together!

Feel free to coordinate car-pooling in the comments below...

September 17, 2009

Location: Jesse and Kim's Humble Abode
Time: 6:00
Menu: Comfort Food... bring your favorite comfort food to share with the group as Jesse recovers from his sinus surgery.

Donna will be leading us in discussion from Exodus 4-?

As always, email for questions/directions.

Thurs, September 10

This week we're meeting at the Shertzer house. (Jere and Shannon's). Email ourblogconnection.blogspot.com for address details.

Time: Meal at 6:30, bring ingredients to pitch in for a salad, and they will grill chicken.

Scripture: Exodus 1-3

Thurs. Sept 3

Hey Guys, this is Stacey. Looking forward to having you at my place for small group as we finish off the book of Genesis and the life of Joseph.

Time: 7:00
I'll provide some snacky stuff
Location: My place (on street parking, so carpooling might be helpful)

I'm looking forward to hosting and to seeing everyone! Call with any questions.

August 27 2009

Where? Jere & Shannon Shertzer's House (Tilly & Belle's Place)
When? 6:30 to Eat

Theme? Something that reminds you of Childhood (Meat will be provided)


As with last week - Don't wear dress clothes if you want to pet the puppies.

Joseph's Grain Distribution - including Short Video Feature of Joseph's Grain City

Joseph (Imhotep) Grain City




August 20 2009

Where: Shadow's House

When: 6:30pm

Food Theme: Vegan

Come prepared to meet Shadow:
She's still a puppy too young for training... which means she chews and puts her paws on people, and anything else she can discover.

Back to Egypt with Joseph this week.
Stewardship 101

Aug 13 2009

Where: Stu's House
When: 6:00 PM

BRING SOMETHING TO GRILL....

We will be grilling at Stu's House - So bring something to throw on the fire and come join the cookout!

Genesis 36-38 Edom, Joseph & Phares

August 6 2009

Free Joyce Myer and Delerious Event at Hershey
Starts 7:00PM
Carpool from ECC 5:45PM
Check out the link below

http://joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/Conferences/hershey09.htm

July 30 2009

Where: Donna's House
When: 7:00 PM Possibly Dessert

GENESIS CHAPT 34 -

"Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah"

July 23 2009

ITS DINNER AND ICECREAM AND GAME NIGHT!

WOO HOO! We are going out to eat at...

Oregon Dairy 6:00pm For Dinner
BYOD (buy your own dinner) :-)

Then enjoy a FREE ICE CREAM SUNDAE!

Afterwards we will go to Donna's house to hang out had play games
Bring any games along you think would be interesting!

See You Then!

16 Juillet 2009

Where: Le Maison de Marc Ginder
When: 6:00pm - French Gourmet Fare

My definition of French is very easy:
* Tasty,
* Usually presented in small portions, (I will have small plates available for you to prepare serving sizes - if needed)
* Always Presented with an Artistic Flair!

This is your chance to express yourself Artistically with food!
Yes, you could do this with a creatively arranged platter of Pringles... but I know you're all much more adventurous than that :-)

Come at 6:00 if you need prep time or just want to hang out... we'll probably eat at 6:30 and during the meeting... We will also label your dishes in French to add to the effect :-)

Bon Chance!

I will pick it up from Genesis 32

July 9th 2009

Where: Shirley's House
When: 6:00pm - for SALADS!

Let's do salads-everyone bring some type of salad...pasta salad, potato salad, fruit salad, etc...

Kimberly will be continuing her teaching from Genesis 31.

July 2nd!

Where: Stu's House
When: 7:00pm

Bring some fresh fruit or something sweet to share. Stu will be serving tea; if you would prefer coffee let him know and he'll have some made.

Kimberly will be teaching from Gen 29 onward… where she will perhaps expound her exegesis regarding the ecumenism of the pre-Levitical mindset. :-)

June 25 2009

Picnic time! ...

Where: Shirley's House
When: 6:00pm
Dinner: We will be doing Burgers on the grill! Please come prepared with something to compliment a burger. "Hey there... nice bun!" "You're smokin hot!" etc. etc.

We are at Genesis 28-29... Mark is teaching... can you sense the foreshadowing?


Hello everyone...
I am planning on having group at my house tomorrow night. I was going to grill some burgers and make some brownies. People are welcome to bring sides, fixins, etc. If someone can bring a couple packages of buns that would be great! Burgers should be ready to eat between 6 and 6:15. Thanks and see you all tomorrow night!
Shirley

June 18

Let the good times roll...

Where: Heather's House
When: 6:00
Dinner: Cajun Chicken Bayou, we're going Louisiana in our minds (bring something fun to go with a southern style meal)

We are at Genesis 27 in the Bible.

June 11

BBQ at Jesse and Kim's

Time: 6:00

There will be no formal bible study this week but we will take some time to pray.

Please bring a side or drink to share.

More Free Stuff

Not that I want to get us all eating junk but...

Celebrate National Donut Day
Free Donut on June 5th

Head to your nearest Dunkin' Donuts this Friday, June 5th to celebrate National Donut Day and get a free donut with any beverage purchase.[5] The celebration doesn't end there as we'll also announce the winning donut from Dunkin's Next Donut Contest. Check it out!

Free Stuff

Hey guys wanted to let you know that there is free ice cream to be had at 2 different places this week.

TONIGHT: Sonic is giving away free rootbeer floats from 8pm to midnight

and Saturday Friendly's is giving away ice cream 12-5

June 4: Small Group AND a Free Movie :)

Location: Stu's new house

Time: 7:00 - you can bring a snack to share

**Please try to carpool

Discussion: Genesis 27 - ?

After group, we're going to head to Binn's Park on Queen St in Lancaster to see Stranger than Fiction for FREE. The movie starts at 9:00.

May 28

Location: Donna's House
Time: 6:00 for park barbecue. Suggestions are things like corn on the cob, veggies, fruit, chips, (think, post Memorial day cook-in).

Topic: Genesis 26 - Stacey will lead discussion

We'll also need to do some more planning for the camping weekend coming up.

May 21

Location: Kim's House (2 in a row, thanks Kim!!!)
Time: 6:00 for Pancakes (bring breakfast-y things to share)
Topic: Genesis 25 - ? continuing on with Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, Jacob, etc. Stacey will lead discussion.

We're planning a camping weekend June 12-14. (somewhere fairly local... still scoping out campgrounds). Please mark your calendars... more details to follow.

May 14

Location: Kimberly's house
Time: 6:00
Dinner: Tacos

Discussion Genesis 23 - ? Donna will be leading

May 7

Location: Long's Park
Time: 6:00 pm

It's National Day of Prayer. We'll meet up at the park. (call each others cells to find out where we are.) Concessions are available there or you can bring a picnic. I'm pretty sure Shirley is singing in the choir, so we can support our friend. :)

There are things going on there all day. Details are at lancasterndp.com.

April 30

6:00: Saladworks in Lititz (they are supposed to be having a "special" $5 for entrees on Thursday
7:00: Heather's house

Discussion: Genesis 23 (Stacey is leading)

We'll meet at Saladworks at 6:00 and plan to eat there if the weather is nice. Otherwise we'll take our salads back to Heather's. Discussion will start right around 7:00 as usual.

Also, next week is National Day of Prayer. We'll talk about meeting up there next week. (Details will be posted here once decided).

April 23, 2009

Where: Stacey's Housee
Time: 6:00

Discussion: Gensis 20 - ? Heather will be teaching

Dinner: Meatball subs, feel free to bring anything you think will go with that. Stacey is providing the meatballs, buns and other fun stuff.

update to prayer request, praise God

from facebook

"Shirley just called me and wanted me to write to all of you since she is at work and can't access her facebook page herself. Patti has been found! She is in Ohio. Shirley said to thank you all for praying."

Please Pray

Got this message from Shirley today on Facebook. Please be praying.

"I am writing to ask you all to pray for my sister Patti. She has been missing for over 24 hours. Please pray for her safety, that she will call someone and whatever else is put on your heart to pray. Thanks
Shirley"

April 16 2009

Where: DeAnna's House
Time: 7:00
Topic: Genesis 13 - ?
Discussion: "To plead or not to Plead, that is the question" Stu will be teaching.

Snack: brownies and ice cream. You can bring a topping or a drink to share.


April 9, 2009

Time: 6:00 pm for Supper
Where: Jesse and Kim's
Topic: Genesis 15 - 18 Mark will be teaching

Supper: Make Your Own Pizza. Please bring a topping to contribute to the cause of our hungry bellies.

Discussion: Covenant

MOVIES AT MARK'S PLACE

SUNDAY APRIL 5TH 1:00 PM
Lunch Will Be Provided - Bring Snacky Movie Stuff


DOUBLE FEATURE:

Donna is featuring - Keeping the Promise (1:30 min)
Harsh elements, disease and dilemmas mark a Massachusetts family's move to uncharted Maine and a better life in 1768


Mark is featuring - Revealing God's Treasure (1:40)
Archaeological evidence of: Noah's Ark / Sodom and Gomorrah / Joseph's Grain Cities in Egypt / The Exodus and Red Sea Crossing / The Real Mount Sinai...


April 2, 2009


This week we'll be joining ECC for the Passover Seder. (for those who pre-registered). If you aren't registered, you could always call the church to check if they can sneak you in at the last minute ... but the deadline has passed so no promises. :)

This past week (March 26th) was a very small group so we ended up just eating our comfort food and hanging out/praying, so Mark will be teaching Genesis 15 - 18 next week.

March 26, 2009

Time: 6:00 pm for Supper
Where: Mark's House
Topic: Hang-out night


Comfort food theme: I'll make grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup - Please bring whatever else you care to contribute.

March 19

Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Heather's House
Topic: Genesis 12 - ? Kimberly or Mark will be teaching

Heather is going to making lasagna. Stacey is bringing salad. You are also invited to bring something to contribute if you'd like.

Also, Ephrata Community Church is having a Passover Seder Meal on April 2 at 6:30. Tickets are $8 and need to be purchased by March 20th (this Friday). They can be purchased by calling the church office 717-733-4071. We think it would be great to go there as a group especially as we are in the Old Testament.

Video
Here's a bit of review... and a bit of context for this and upcoming weeks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1QvTbFHS4A

March 12 2009

Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Mark's Place
Topic: Genesis 11 - Stacey is teaching!

Mark will come up with something snacky for the evening.



An Extremely Interesting book below, which addresses many of the extra-biblical questions we have raised thus far. I'm currently speaking with Pastor Barry about why the Old Testament references this book, yet they omitted its passages from the Old Testament.

"Is not this written in the Book of Jasher?" Joshua, 10:13.
"Behold it is written in the Book of Jasher." II Samuel, 1:18

I present to you... The Book of Jasher

http://www.loveyah.com/jasher/Jasher1.htm
Read Responsibly...

MARCH 5, 2009

Time: 6:30 PM
Where: Stacey's Place
Topic: Genesis 9-? Stu is teaching!

Stacey is coordinating hobo ice cream sundaes?! Wohoo!

BYFICT (Bring Your Favorite Ice Cream Topping)
She's providing the ice cream.

I have emailed a spreadsheet lining up 10 of the ancient accounts of The Great Flood, by each event that was recorded, so you can go through them all in one reading! I think you'll really enjoy it! If you read it you might be able to guess who this guy is! I'm sure he will come up in our discussion this week. :-)

February 26 2009

Time: 6:00 PM for supper!
Where: Mark's Place
Topic: Genesis 6-8 Donna is teaching!


Supper - Let's think IMPROV!
Time to think outside the bun... No it's not Taco Bell.... it's HOBO STEW (not Hobo Stu).

What is Hobo Stew you ask? Well I'm providing the Pot the Broth and the Meat.... And everyone else please bring something to add to it... Like the hobos used to do in the 1930's;
Think of the possibilities... Vegetables / Beans / Other meats / Spices / Cheeses / Pasta / Grains... The possibilities are almost endless**

This will be so fun - But our taste buds need your help!


**I will act as master-chef so we end up with something delicious.
Just bring something "stewish" (precooked if necessary) so we can just warm it and eat.

Any side dishes are welcome as well.

Check out the Video Below:



In 1960, a joint US/Turkish expedition sets out to investigate the aerial sighting of a boat shaped object located in the Ararat Mountains of Easte...


Here's what you can do next:
http://www.google.com/s2/sharing/stuff?user=117369298608676423917&hl=en
View everything shared by people you know

From the Horses Mouth

I wanted to update everyone on the updates you've been getting. I'm recovering, making strides every day as the scar lightens and the swelling goes down. Today I got the final results and am clear from Cancer. Praise God. My left lobe was actually twice it's size, (not 4 times as Mark was told)... but that was enough swelling to make it a difficult operation for the surgeon... and thus probably add to some of my back, neck and head aches.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, flowers, gifts, food, calls and texts, etc. As you have heard, my office and family has been overwhelmingly helpful, too. It's been great not to have to worry about food and just be able to rest. Also, after missing so much work, it's a great financial blessing. I actually had to turn my phone off at times to try and get some rest since I was getting so much lovin.

Today I came into the office for 2 hours and it's definitely as much as I'm able to spend up and around. I'm ready to head home and lay down. I plan to slowly add extra curricular things back into my life... so I won't be at small group tonight, but look forward to being with everyone together soon. I'm so so thankful for the body of Christ... it's during times like these that we can see how it's supposed to operate. :)

Love you all!!!

February 19 2009

Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Donna's Place
Topic: Genesis 4-5

  • Donna is coordinating snacks this week.
  • Please contact me if you want to help make meals for Stacey.
  • Please let me know if you are available to host in upcoming weeks.

"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

February 12 2009

Time: 6:00 PM
Where: Heather's Place
Topic: Genesis 2-3

Heather will be coordinating a meal this week so stay tuned, she may call you to bring something. We'll be taking a look at Gen 2&3. Come with your questions. ☺

Hey y'all-Can't wait to see you and feed you on Thursday. Dinner will be at 6 (sorta) (We can aim for 6)I thought we could go to Italy for the night? My contribution will be Chicken Parmesan. Is their anyone who wants to add to that??? Let me know!
C U Thurs....Heather


FEBRUARY 5 2009

Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Jesse & Kim's Place
Topic: Genesis 1-?

Hello Everyone! If you are new to the gang, or a part of the group of friends that used to hang out at "the pub" on Thursday nights, you are now cordially invited to join some of you former comrades for a good evening of catching-up, prayer and breaking open the book from The Beginning. Hope to see you then!

Jesse's Driveway is plowed, however there is probably only room for about 8 vehicles in it. PLEASE CARPOOL! Feel free to post a comment here if you want to host a carpool.


CARPOOL TO JESSE’S HOUSE!!!



Superbowl Party

When: Sunday February 1
Time: 6PM
Where: Erica's Place
Details:

Its that time of year again....football, cold weather, food (including Buffalo chicken dip), etc. It's Erica's 2nd annual Superbowl party!! Kickoff time for the game is right around 6:30. People are welcome to show up pretty much whenever but we'll say the party officially "kicks off" at 6pm! Food contributions are welcomed! Please include with your RSVP what (if anything) you would like to bring. I will make Buffalo chicken dip and Guacamole. If you would like to contribute but don't want to cook we will also need the practical items: plates, cups, napkins, ice, drinks, etc. If you would like direction or need ideas for food shoot me an email and we can work together to plan it. Feel free to pass the invite on to anyone I missed or bring friends. Just try and let me know so I can plan accordingly! Hope to see you all there! - Erica