Thursday, November 18 - HarvestNet Leaders Conference

We had a GREAT time at Stu and Laura's. It was a perfect way to go into our "holiday break". I know I went home feeling a sense of warmth and family.

A reminder that Thursday, November 17 thru Sunday is the Annual HarvestNet Leaders Conference at Ephrata Community Church. (HarvestNet is a grouping of churches that shares the same vision of teamwork It's hosted by ECC, but there will be people from all over at the conference. The conference sessions are Thursday and Friday and the General Sessions are Saturday and Sunday evening. You can check out more details at the HarvestNet website link. All small groups in the church have been asked to take a break this week in order to make this time a priority for all of us.

Thurs Nov 11

Hey guys, sorry for the late update

This week we'll be meeting at Stu and Laura's house.

Time: 6:00

Dinner Theme: foods you liked as a child and still like today".

We're listening through Deuteronomy and discussing ... reminder this is our last week of "regular" Thursday night meetings for the year. Of course other fun parties and gatherings will pop up throughout the Christmas/New Year and we'll keep each other posted!!

See previous blog about Thanksgiving and don't forget to let us know what you are planning to bring. :) Thankfulness, food, movies, games, who knows what kind of relaxation and or craziness will ensue.

Thurs, November 4

We're enjoying the change of listening to The Bible recording as we go through Deuteronomy.
We hope you can join us this week for dinner, Bible Study and sharing time together!

Time: 6:00
Place: Tim's house
Theme: Celebration: "bring stuff which promotes a party atmosphere."

Thursday, October 28

This week we'll be meeting:

* For Dinner meet at Lancaster House of Pizza on Chestnut Street in Lancaster at 6:00
(be ready to head to DeAnna's a little before 7:00)

7:00 Study/prayer time at Deanna's

We will begin reading Deuteronomy, listening through while reading along.

(last week we did not get into the text and just "hung out" so we're just starting this week, see post from last week)

THANKSGIVING

We had such a great time celebrating Thanksgiving together last year that we want to make it a tradition. Please look over the info and respond with what you can bring.

Thanks!

Date: Saturday November 27th
Time: Noon - ?
Place: Mark's House

Food: Mark is making a Turkey Casserole... let's supply all the fixings and more. Ideas: mashed potato, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls, something cranberry-esque, salad, dessert, pie, veggies, punch or other beverages, anything else that is a tradition in your family.

October 21

Where: Mark's Place

When: 6:00PM

Dinner Theme: Scramble - That is Scramble for what ever you can find... or you could scramble whatever you do find. :-) no road-kill please

Starting Deuteronomy... There is a lot of merit to reading through. However there is also merit in listening to large sections at a time that would otherwise feel tedious to read. So for the Book of Deuteronomy we have decided to listen through in large sections - for the sake of context and review. If you have an audio version feel free to bring it along. We may use it.

October 14th

Where: Mark's Place
When: 6:00PM

Food Theme: Italian

THE END OF NUMBERS - Inheritance Time!

Numbers 34-36

Let us know if you have interest in joining us for another Thanksgiving Dinner this year like we did last year. We will discuss plans on Thursday. See you then!

October 7th

Where? Mark's Place

When? 6:00PM

Dinner Theme? Fall Food... Something fitting for a Fallish Blustery Day

Study... Tim is teaching Numbers 31-33! Midianites, & AAA Promised Land Trip-Tiks

October 30

Where: Tim's Place!

Time: 6:00pm

Tim's Dinner Theme: Chaos! Bring whatever!

Numbers 26 onward: Census, Joshua's appointment, Offerings, Feasts and Vows.

Only 2 more weeks to Deuteronomy!

Fair Tonight????

An email was just sent out to the people on the email list... Stu was sort of heading up the fair trip tonight and it turns out that he is sick. I (Stacey) was never able to go because I'm getting ready for Africa... so please check with other friends from the group to see if they are still going before you head out. Have a great week everybody and I'll see you when I get back!

Ephrata Fair!!!!

It's fair time! So, we'd like to interrupt your regularly scheduled Thursday night get together for a night at the fair.

Let's meet at 6:30 on the corner of Main and State Streets by the Ephrata Review.


Wahoo...

Thursday Sept 16

Where: Stacey's house

When: 6:00

Dinner Theme: Themeless Thursday... the sky's the limit.

Study: Numbers 21 forward...lots of action... battles and snakes and donkeys, oh my.

Thurs, Sept 9

This just in....

Time: 6:00
Place: Stu and Laura's
Dinner Theme: Things you would bring camping or to the beach
Studying in Numbers

Thursday, September 2nd

We're back! I know I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!

Time: 6:00

Place: Mark's

Dinner Theme: Mark says: "a surprise dinner... in other words... what you bring should have an element of surprise to it in appearance or ingredients. For instance... no plain mac n cheese... that's about as unsurprising as it gets... but a mac n cheese sculpture of Albert Einstein would work... if I hadn't already mentioned it :-)"

Studying: Numbers

August Break

Hey everybody,

We are going to take the month of August off from our "regularly scheduled" Thursday night dinner/studies. We were encouraged from church leadership to take the summer off and though we didn't take off the whole summer, we do feel it will be nice to have a month of "free time" for summer fun and a break from the norm. Please (as always) feel free to plan fun events of your own!

And remember Donna will be home from the hospital , so give her a call next week to see when you can visit! Shannon too! :)

Also, look ahead at your schedule and email Stu if you can host sometime starting in September and email Mark if you would be willing to teach. It's great getting different perspectives!!!

Keep praying for each other and if you have a prayer request of course let us know.

-Stacey for the group

Thursday, July 29

Thanks for being patient... we now have details

Place: Mark's house

Time: 6:00

Dinner: "Experimental Recipes" - Create a recipe which does not yet exist!

Mark will be teaching as we move into Numbers 17 onward...there are almonds involved... I like almonds....grumbling not so much. :)

July 22 - Binn's Park!

Where Binn's Park? Queen Street Lancaster - Across from the Bus Station
When: 6:00pm

This is a PYOP! pack your own picnic! AND bring your own chair.

(there are also many nearby places to buy something on Queen St.)
If it downpours that night the back-up is Kate's Place (in the basement) :-)
If we need to go to Stace's house that is available too.

There is a MOVIE afterwards in the park "FOOD INC" if you care to stay and watch.

More Numbers to crunch this week!
see you then!

July 15

We've waited 1 Year and 3 months for this moment...

In Gen 15:16 we read God's promise to bring his people back to this land...

We have now arrived. (incedently, they had to wait 401 years)

So Bring On Your Promised Land Food! ... It can be made with Milk or Honey or Fruit or be just plain BIG!

Where: Mark's Place

When: 6:00pm

Numbers 13-? Kate will be teaching

July 8

Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Shirley's House
Dinner Theme: Mexican

Study... Numbers 11 - ?

Stu will be teaching... Beware The Mexican Quail... and other Interracial Ethnocentricities.

JULY 1st!

Time: 6PM

Place: Kimberly W's House

Dinner Them: ORGANIC NIGHT!

We've finished up chapter 6... on to Numbers 7 -10 .... Guess What! We're...

On the road again -
Just can't wait to get on the road again.
Leaving Sinai and eatin manna with my friends

And I can't wait to get on the road again.
On the road again

Hit it- Willie Nelson...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TD_pSeNelU

No Meeting This Week

Since a large portion of the group is going to be away this week/has family visiting/or other commitments, we are going to take a week off from meeting as a group this week.

Have a great rest of your week!

Prayer Request Update

Here's an update from Heather.

(Also, remember to keep Shannon in your prayers as she continues with radiation and of course keep praying for all the rest of the prayers shared in your prayer groups Thursday nights!!!)

Dear Friends and Family,

Thanks for the prayers....Dad is making baby steps towards recovery.
Dad loves reading the cards...thanks for sending them.

So far, he has been in the hospital 13 days and has had 5 surgeries, surgery number 6 is scheduled for Wed. (tomorrow)
He has 4 pins in his leg and they will be taking the pins out and putting in a rod. (hopefully)
We are praying for....
- Pray for clear communication between the Trauma Team and Orthopedic Team. Both teams are working on Dad.
-That he would be encouraged
-Pray that what is left of his calf - muscles/tendons/blood vessels would heal and by faith, new ones would grow.
-The broken bones would knit together and heal with NO infections.
God's strength and wisdom for all of us. (Ben my brother, me and Dad)
Blessings to you all!
Thanks,
Heather

Thurs June 17

First things first... CONGRATULATIONS JESSE AND KIM.

Ok... back to regularly scheduled information

Location: Stu and Laura's

Time: 6:00

Dinner: Foods you would take camping

Study: starting with Numbers 6

Thurs June 10

June 10th already... whoa.

This week:

Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Stacey's house
Dinner Theme: Food is Yummy Human Fuel... bring something that could possibly fall under that theme...
Study: Numbers 3 and on

Possibility: the Binn's park movie after study

Prayer Request Update 6/7/10

Here's an update from Heather

Dear Friends and Family,

This morning I awoke to the squawking of the peacock that has adopted my Dad’s backyard, specifically under his deck. (A little to close for my liking) Then, when I went to sleep Saturday night, it was to the same squawking. People often ask me, does your dad take care of him. My reply? Nope, my Dad just supplies the shelter/deck. Other neighbors feed him and everyone in the cul-de-sac pitches in and takes care of the peacock. Kinda like my Dad right now, everyone is pitching in and taking care of him and us (Ben and I).
Thank you! We appreciate your prayers

Here’s the update for Dik McGlaughlin:
-Dad was moved from ICU to the step down surgical unit. (Praise God!)
-Please pray that his Body would continue to heal and he would trust God with his future.
-His 2nd surgery on Saturday AM went well. His 3rd surgery is Monday morning. Please pray for the doctors.
-My brother is meeting with the insurance adjuster. He also is transferring insulation systems from the old truck to the new one. Pray that the equipment works, and God’s wisdom and strength sustain him.
(Actually, please pray that God’s wisdom and strength sustain all of us)

Blessings to you and yours!
Heather

An Update from Heather

Dear Friends and Family,

Thanks for all your faithful prayers!

We (my brother Ben, sis-in-law Wanda and myself) know that those prayers are sustaining us.
Here is an update on Dik McGlaughlin’s status:

Good News:
He’s awake, eating, talking and giving the nurses a hard time. They moved him from the bed to a chair for an hour. (painful)

Other news:
His Dr still doesn’t know if she can save his leg. On Sat 6/5/10 he will go through another operation on his leg.

Please pray
-That his spirit would be lifted...encouraged
-Pray that what is left of his calf - muscles/tendons/blood vessels would heal and by faith, new ones would grow.
-The broken bones would knit together and heal
-NO infections
-My Dad and brother run their small family business together.
Now, my bro is making major decisions with out Dad’s input. God’s wisdom is need.

Right now? Dad is sleeping and snoring peacefully.
Thanks and Blessings to you all
Heather

Prayer Request Update (from an update last night)

For those of you who weren't at small group last night, Heather called us with updates on what to pray for...

• Dik had a fever, pray that it subsides and for no infection to be involved
  
• Pray that his liver is not affected by all of the particles floating around in his body from the bone breakage, etc... We prayed that God would be the one to clean those things out so the liver would not have to overwork
• Keep praying for decisions and blood flow as it pertains to his leg... pray that it would be able to be saved
• Continue prayer for opportunities for Heather and her brother to share their faith and praise for the ones she's already had with people at the hospital
  

Prayer Request Update for Heathers Dad

Dik (Heather's dad) has been upgraded to stable condition. They are still waiting on what to do about his leg. Pray that blood flows in the injured leg.

Thanks.

Prayer Request/Update for Heathers Dad

I just got off the phone with Heather and wanted to update you on how you can be praying for Heather, her father and her family. Please keep checking back for more updates.

• the breathing tube is out and he is conscious and is talking. Praise God!
• He's still in Intensive Care and the Dr's are monitoring him for infection. Please pray that he will be free from infection
• It is still uncertain if they will be able to save his leg, please pray for wisdom for the Drs and the family as decisions are made. Pray for the family to be on the same page in decision making.
• Pray that as the family is gathered that Heather and Ben and Wanda will take advantage of opportunities to communicate Christ to them through words and actions
• Pray for Heather to have grace and energy as she was already feeling very "spent" from the school year.
  

Thurs June 3

Welcome back from your long weekend... whether you were camping, or relaxing or working... We're back to our regularly scheduled Thursday nights this week.

Location: Heather and Shirley's
Time: 6:00
Dinner: Garden Theme. Bring something that comes from your garden or that you would eat at a garden party. They will supply a green salad and beef bar-b-que.
Study: Beginning with Numbers 1. Shirley is teaching.

Memorial Day Campout! At Rausch Gap!

<-----(Mountain Laurel... our State Flower)

Friday Dinner - Sunday Lunch

PIONEERS: From Mark’s Place Friday 12:30pm.

WAGON TRAIN: From ECC Friday 5:30pm

GAMBLERS:

• From Manheim, take Rt. 72 North 26.7 miles (until 72 ends)
• Continue Straight, on Rt. 443, 2.1 miles
• Turn Left on Gold Mine Road - go 2.8 miles (over Stony Mt.) and Park in parking lot, on the left, at the bottom of the Mt.
• Go West Young Man - or woman (toward the sunset) on the abandoned Stony Valley Railroad Grade for 3.8 miles to the Bridge at Rausch Gap.
• From the bridge follow Appalachian Trail Markings (painted white strike on trees) west about 75 yards as it eventually turns and leads off the RR bed and up the hill to your right.
• As you are going up the hill on the AT, you will pass a Mt. Laurel (a pic above) After you pass a Mt. Laurel take the 2nd foot path to the left (the first path is right beside the Mt. Laurel) so follow the second one to the campsites… We will try to secure the campsite beside the facilities as we did two years ago.

DON’T FORGET YOUR GRUBSTAKE:

• Bike (Optional - Stony Valley RR is a brisk 1 hour walk)
• Toilet Paper
• Your own Food, Prep gear, and eating necessities. (Stuff to Share)
• Sleeping Gear / Shelter (Optional - some are bivouacking)
• Hiking clothes / Swim Gear for Cascade
• Anything else you want that you’re willing to carry.
• You can leave a clean change of clothes in your car for the after-party at Donna’s House.

CAMP AMENITIES:

• Toilet Facilities
• Rausch Creek Refrigeration (BYO Ziploc bags)
• Stocked Trout Stream! For licensed fishers of fish.
• Late-night entertainment from a host of talent who live life on the wild-side.
• There is the option of going out to eat Sat. for those interested in riding the Stony Valley RR to the Stony Creek Inn for dinner http://www.susqueats.com/ (abt. 14 -17 miles away)

Call me if you have questions before Noon on Friday!

Memorial Day Weekend Fun

In addition to the campout at Rausch Gap May 28-30... WOO HOO, we have a weekend of picnicking offers to look forward to.

May 30 Chill Night:
Place Donna's House
Time: come anytime after 5:00 PM, and be there by 6:00 PM to eat.
Bring: Money. We'll order out for something.

If you want to come later for games/movies you can do that, too. (and snacks are always welcome)


May 31 Memorial Day Picnic

Place: Erica's House
Time: 2:00 - ???
Bring: paper products, drinks, side dishes or dessert. She will provide the meat.
RSVP to Erica so she knows how many to plan for and what you plan to bring so we don't have 18 bags of chips, etc. :)

She lives near a park so we may go there to play volleyball, frisbee, whatever too

Thursday, May 20

Place: DeAnna's NEW house (see updated connection list sent 5/17)

Time: 7:00 for study, see below for dinner plan

Dinner: 6:00 or a little before. Meet at Lancaster House of Pizza 23 West Chestnut St in Lancaster... right next to the police station and across from the Post Office... there is usually plenty of on street parking and there is a small parking lot behind the restaurant, too. If you're coming to dinner, please try to be on time so we can get over to DeAnna's for 7:00. :)

Dessert??? If anyone feels inclined to bring cookies or something dessert-y (that doesn't require any dishes) to share at DeAnna's feel free. :)

Study: We're closing in on the end of Leviticus ... Leviticus 24 ... Teacher?... YOU! Come prepared for the casting of lots... if it falls to you, you'll be leading the discussion this week! :-)

Thursday May 13

Where: Jesse and Kim's

Time: 6:00

Dinner: Jesse and Kim will be grilling and will provide the drinks, so please bring sides/desserts etc. Please bring a lawn chair if you have one.

Study: Leviticus 22 and onward

Thursday May 6th

Where: Mark's Place

When: 6:00 PM

Dinner: Bring something we can eat with chopsticks... It does not necessarily have to be Asian...you could bring your Cinco de Mayo leftovers... we'll just have eat 'em with chopsticks :-)

Heather is teaching from Leviticus 20 onward.

Thurs April 29

We'll be at Stu and Laura's this week.

Dinner is at 6:00. Bring foods that you love to eat when you get that certain craving for something, be it salty, sweet, exotic, bland ... ;)

We are up to Leviticus 18.

Thurs April 22

6:00 pm at Stacey's house

Dinner will be a Greek Theme. I'm making Spanakopita (greek spinach pie), roasted grapes (not necessarily Greek, but yummy), and whatever else.

Ideas: Hummus, pita, greek salad, stuff for gyros, something involving feta, olives, bread, baklava, beverages, ... or any random thing you might grab along the way. We aren't picky. :)

Will be discussing Leviticus 15 forward.

Stay tuned for details about the memorial day weekend camp out!

Thursday, April 15

Howdy.

This week we'll be meeting at Andrea's house in Lancaster City. The best option for parking is to park at Clipper magazine stadium and walk over.

6:00 Dinner... the theme is green (think Spring).

I (Stacey) will be leading discussion. I'm hoping to go through Leviticus 11- 15 since they run on the same themes of purification/cleanliness/etc.

Also, a reminder that the Heather Clark Worship and Arts Conference is going on at ECC all weekend. Check out the Ephrata Community Church website for more info.

Thursday. April 8

Hi everybody!!!! I hope your Easter celebration was a special time!!!

This week we'll be meeting at Tim's house

Time: 6:00

Tim has asked us to bring raw fruit and raw vegetables and unsalted nuts. And no dip. He will make a dish that corresponds. :)

Stu is leading discussion...as we move forward in Leviticus 8-10

Thurs, April 1

This week we'll be meeting at Mark's house.

6:00 pm... for dinner, bring a food that you will NOT be having at your Easter meal. :)

We'll be back in our text in Leviticus and Mark will be leading discussion.
(Please start thinking about/preparing to share in the fun of leading!!!)

HAPPY EASTER for those who won't be there! Celebrate Jesus!!!

Good Friday

Kimberly Wilshire wants to have people over to remember Good Friday. She's thinking maybe watch Passion of the Christ, have a light dinner, etc.

Kim needs to know who's coming as soon as possible so she can determine her plans for the Easter weekend if this doesn't work out.

RSVP by Monday March 29th (by calling or emailing Kim Wilshire)

Thurs, March 25

This week we're going to spend some time praying for each other as a group and individually.

We especially want to pray for Shannon as she's beginning her treatment. It would be great if you could seek God in your private prayer time the next couple days specifically for Thurs night.

We'll be meeting at Jere and Shannon's. at 6:00 for dinner.

Please bring food to share that is "left-over-able" to leave for Jere and Shannon that they can freeze it/eat it in the days to come.

Thur May 18

Place: Kimberly W's
Time: 6:00
Dinner: Italian! Bring Folding Chairs if ya can.
Study: Leviticus 8 and onward.

ROAD TRIP!

When: Saturday Mar 13th 10:00am

Where: Meet at ECC Parking Lot to carpool

(There will be a funeral at ECC on Sat. so lets park at the back of the parking lot)

Mark still needs his Irish-fix... Any taker's for a trip to McCarthys?

(Scone anyone? Tin Whistle? Sharangarry Squash Soup? Wooly Sweater? ...)

We will also combine this with a trip to the Crayola Factory.

May 21: Taste the World

Hey Guys, another upcoming event to check out is Kids and Culture's Taste the World event. Jesse and Kim are really excited about it and would love to see us get a fun group of people together. Early registration is probably important. It's a chance to taste a bunch of yummy food in Lancaster City, walk around, and benefits Kids and Cultures...

Here's a link to the website for all the details

Thur, Mar 11

Yay for sunshine!!!

Thursday March 11

6:00 pm: Breakfast at Mark's house. He will be making eggs to order and we can bring ingredients for omelets, OR fruit, pastries, bread, breakfast meats, drinks, or other breakfast-y things (even pancakes can be made in advance, they are microwavable).

Join us as we begin Leviticus!

Thursday, March 4

This week we'll be meeting at Stu and Laura Metzler's house.

Come at 6:00 for dinner. Bring your favorite kind of salad or casserole.

We're looking at Exodus 35 and beyond

We Interrupt Your Regular Scheduled Announcements...

A Message from Stu and Laura:

This morning, Stu and I went to the doctors and saw something for the first time ... a little baby Metzler kicking about inside of me! We are SO excited for this new adventure in life, and what God has in store for us as we prepare to be parents for the first time. The baby is due October 5th. So far, everything is looking good and healthy! But please keep us in your prayers as we face many big decisions and changes in the months to come (as if we haven't had enough already ;) Thanks!

~ Laura

Thurs Feb 25

Our study has taken us to Exodus 31 so far.

** for those of you there last week I realized that probably the reason I thought we were already at Leviticus was i got confused with where I was at in my personal reading vs. the group study...

Location: Heather/Shirley's

Time: 6:00 pm

Dinner: Heather is planning on making lemon garlic chicken... hmmm if we need a theme... it could be aromatic things? healthy things? Asian, perhaps??? or, just bring something yummy to share...

Thursday, Feb 18

It feels like it's been forever!!!

So this week, we'll be meeting at Tim's house.

6:00 Dinner: Tim is planning to make meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy so we can bring something to go along with that. (ideas: salad or veggie, drinks, dessert, a side of some sort, etc).

If you have an idea of what you are bringing in advance, please leave a comment.

Mark will be leading discussion as we move into Leviticus

Thursday FEB 11 WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENT

We have decided to cancel group for this week due to all the crazy weather.

ECC is having a Missions Conference this weekend Friday thru Sunday... all are welcomed/encouraged to come out!

Enjoy the snow! Stay safe and warm!!

Thurs, Feb 11

How on earth is it Feb 11 already?

Anyway, this week we will be meeting at Stu and Laura's house.

Time: 6:00

Dinner: What do you eat when you are snowed in?

Discussion: TBA... :)

Stay safe in the snow!!!

The picture I attached is just attached because it's pretty.

Thurs, Feb 4

Time: 6:00 pm

Place: Andrea's house

Dinner: Please bring something in your cupboard...or fridge...or freezer. Bring something that you have on hand already - no special shopping required.

**Please park at Clipper stadium on Prince St. There is rarely parking on Andrea's street.

Discussion/Lesson: Tim will be leading. We're at Exodus 29

Thurs Jan 28

Thursdays on it's way... yay!

Remember to be praying for healing for Shannon as well as all of the rest of the requests shared in our groups last week.

Details for this Thursday:

Location: Donna's House
Time: 6:00
Theme: pseudo-Superbowl party dinner. Donna will probably make "pulled pork BBQ sammies" and people can bring Superbowl party stuff i.e., wings, chili, chips & salsa, etc... yum yum!!!

Discussion: Stacey will lead and we're looking at Exodus 27 onward...

Thur Jan 21

Location: Stacey's House

Time: 6:00

Dinner Theme: Home Sweet Home (something that makes you think of home, or something homemade, or something sweet... the options are endless...) I'm planning to make our family recipe for baked mac and cheese

Bible Study: Mark's leading... we're in the Exodus 23/24 area :)

Thurs, Jan 14

Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Shirley and Heather's

Theme: The dinner theme for the evening is based upon the fact that January 14th (this Thursday) is the Eastern Orthodox New Year-so, we are going to celebrate! Bring a fun food you like to enjoy at New Years parties! We didn't all get to enjoy each other for New Years this year, so this is our second chance! See you Thursday!

Lesson: Shirley or Heather will be teaching.

Thurs, Jan 7... We're Back!!!

I have all these song lyrics... "back in the saddle again", the theme song from "Welcome Back Kotter", etc going through my head. But Anyway.... (this is Stace... just so nobody else gets accused for being this weird) WELCOME BACK and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Location: Mark Ginder's home
Bible: Exodus 21
Time: 6:00 pm
Dinner: Drizzled ...Bring whatever food you want but it must have something drizzled over the top of it. (melted butter, salad dressing, barbecue sauce, chocolate, caramel, honey, guacamolito sauce ... whatever is appropriate for your dish)