News from the Faithful Community
MAY 2012
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
1333 Cowpath Rd, Hatfield, PA 19440
Web: www.hatfieldcob.org
e-mail: hatfieldcob@aol.com
Church Office: (215)855-3064
As Christians, we should all recognize the importance of prayer in our lives. We pray at
home, church, and if you are like me, in the car. We pray for needs and situations. We
pray for our government, our ministries, our families, our communities, etc. We may
even wish we prayed to the Lord more often.
Did you know that Jesus prayed for us? John 17:20-21 records His prayer: “I ask not
only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through
their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I in you, may they
also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (NRSV). Right
before his arrest and execution, Jesus prayed for future believers, which includes us, to
be unified in God so the world would believe.
Did you know that Jesus still prays for us? Have you ever thought about that reality?
“Consequently he [Jesus] is able for all time to save those who approach God through
him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Or,
consider Romans 8:34: “Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who
was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.”
So what does this mean? It means that Jesus prays for us. Simple. Jesus prays for us!
Did you catch that? He is praying for you! He is praying for me! So, before we pray
for ourselves, or others pray for us, Jesus has already been praying for us. Imagine how
many times it has been His prayers that are at work in our lives. Imagine what exactly
Jesus may be praying about for us. Imagine the answer rate on His prayers.
Believe me – we need Jesus to pray for us. How great is our need for Him who carries
our anxieties, burdens, and sins!
Let us be awestruck, grateful and reassured that the One who is with us always is the
One who is praying for us. Savor this truth! And let us not forget that we have the
greatest intercessor of all time in our corner, praying. What a faithful and loving God
we serve!
Grace to you this month,
Brother Brandon
Our Church in Action
THE SEMINARY CORNER . . .
Brother Brandon’s article is on the Front Page. Brandon will be graduating from
Bethany Seminary on May 5, 2012. His family is traveling to Richmond, IN to help
Brandon and Katrina celebrate this monumental event. If you would like to send
congratulations to him, his address is: Rev. Brandon Hanks, 702 E. Main Street.,
Suite B, Richmond, IN 47374. Please keep Brandon and Katrina in your prayers as
they seek God’s guidance for their future.
FOOD CUPBOARD NEWS . . .
The Food Cupboard is so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of about 20
volunteers, and this month we were happy to welcome Merle & Larry Landes. We
appreciate the extra help and are always looking for more volunteers. If you or
someone you know is interested in helping, please leave a message at the church or call
Kelly Poehlmann at 610-256-9303.
We were excited this month to find out that two women who come to our Food
Cupboard have recently gotten part-time jobs. They were so happy to share their good
news with us! And a gentleman that recently started coming to the Cupboard just took
and passed his GED exam. It’s nice to hear that good things are happening for our food
cupboard families, especially in this tough economy!
This month we are working with the Hatfield Community Christian Coalition to provide
a free clothing exchange for families in need. The clothing exchange will be held at
Emmanuel EC on Saturday, May 5th from 9am -2pm. It’s not too late to donate clean,
usable clothing that you no longer need. If you have items to donate please contact
Janet at Emmanuel (215-855-2540) to make arrangements to drop off your items. And
if you know someone in need who could benefit from our clothing exchange, please tell
them to stop by on Saturday!
In honor of Mothers’ Day this month, our friends at Indian Creek Church of the
Brethren in Harleysville are collecting personal care items (shampoo, body wash,
lotions, etc) that we will use to make gift bags to give to all the women coming to the
Food Cupboard this month. If you would like to donate items for the gift bags please
drop them off at church by May 13th. We hope this little bit of pampering will help to
brighten the day for these special ladies!
OUR CHURCH IN ACTION - continued
NEWS FROM FRIENDSHIP HOUSE CHILD DAY CARE CENTER . . .
As our school year is quickly coming to a close, we are preparing for many
special events. The first week in May we are hosting a Book Fair and Art Show. To
highlight this event, we will have an Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, May 2nd from 78:30pm. We also have invited Marie Delp, a local author who has written the “Patches
the dog” books, and she will be reading to the children during Wednesday evening’s
event.
This past month the children have been studying many famous artists and the
feedback from our parents is very positive. They are really impressed that their children
are coming home talking about Jackson Pollock and the type of paintings he made as
well as Monet who lives where the Eiffel Tower is located. As the children have been
studying artists’ works, they have also been creating artwork inspired by them. All are
invited to attend any and all of these activities.
We are celebrating Earth Day by working in the playground, and the older
children helped to dig up weeds and gather new seedlings of trees. We planted the tree
seedlings and each child was given a tree to take home to plant. We also had a visit
from Farmer Anita of Quiver Farms. She brought 12 eggs that we are going to watch
hatch and take care of. The children are the “Chickie Mommys and Daddys”
throughout this learning activity. Please come down to the school to see our new babies
arrive. They will be going back home on Friday May 4th.
For Mothers Day this year we tried a Fundraiser of hanging flower baskets from
Diddens Green House in Hatfield. We will also be hosting “Muffins with Mommy” on
Friday, May 11th for our mothers. It is always a fun and exciting time when the parents
visit.
We will be once again sponsoring a Trike-A-Thon for St. Judes Hopsital. The
children get to ride bikes for this event with popsicles as a treat. During this week we
will be looking at transportation and things on “Wheels”. The Race Car Track is created
by the children with teacher help and includes a gas station, water stop, garage for tire
changes and a super fast track. It is fun!
Looking ahead, this year’s Graduation and Celebration will be held on
Wednesday, June 13th at 3pm. There will be a program featuring the children with songs
and special presentations. The graduating Pre-K’s will be in cap and gown. There will
be a picnic immediately following the program. All are invited to attend.
Mary Catherine Reilly,
Director
MAY BIRTHDAYS
19 – Barb Kinsey
26 – Andrew Hanks
MAY ANNIVERSARY
18- John and Carole Bruning
Friendship House
Book Fair, Art Show
Ice Cream Social
This Book Fair/Art Show will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd from 7-8:30pm. To
highlight the evening, we will have an Ice Cream Social. Marie Delp, a local author
who has written the “Patches the Dog” books will be here to read to the children during
the evening. Please browse the book tables in the back of the sanctuary. The books are
cash-n-carry.
DIRECTORY UPDATE . . .
 Steve Orzel – new e-mail address: Orzel.sa@hotmail.com
WOMEN’S EVENT . . .
th
Tuesday, May 8
 7:00pm. Spring Celebration Special at the Quakertown Church of the Brethren.
The guest speaker is Kathy Piepmeyer from radio station WBYN-fm. Many of you
listen to this station and hear Kathy along with John Yoast throughout the day. She
will share her testimony (faith walk) and her experiences working at a Christian
radio station. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow. Please let Barb
Kinsey or Connie Holbert know by Sunday, May 6th if you wish to attend. We will
car pool.
Sunday, May 13th
 Calling all moms! Happy Mother’s Day! Bring the whole family to worship at
10:00am. What a way to help you celebrate your special day.
GUEST SPEAKERS . . .
th
Sunday, May 6
 Rick Houseknecht from Biblical Seminary in Hatfield. Rick is the Director of
Academic Services and a Hebrew Professor at the Seminary. He lives in Emmaus.
Sunday May 13th
 Rev. Clay Moyer from Indian Creek Church of the Brethren.
Sunday, May 20th

David Whetstone from Indian Creek Church of the Brethren.
Sunday, May 27th
 Rick Houseknecht from Biblical Seminary. As above.
THIS - N – THAT
Sweet Hour of Prayer – Will be held on Thursdays at 7pm at the home of Barb and
Paula Kinsey, 557 E. Broad Street, Souderton. We will follow the simple acronym,
ACTS, as described below. Our main focus will be personal and church growth.
Follow the example of Jesus . . . set aside this time for corporate prayer as you continue
in your personal prayer life. Let us pray together and see what God can do.
Talking to God
Prayer is simply communicating with God, according to Worldwide Challenge. It is a
relationship experience, more than words or an activity. Jesus, whose days were filled
with many pressures, made prayer a priority. The simple acronym, ACTS, offers
guidance for prayer: adoration that is simply praising God, confession of sins,
thanksgiving for God’s blessings, and supplication for help concerning your needs and
the needs of others.
--Toolkit
Volume 39 Number 3; May/June 2012
Work Night at Church – The 4th Wednesday of every month we will have work night
at church. Time to begin is 7pm. We will work off of the posted list. Come on out and
help get the church in tip-top shape!
May NEWSLETTER information is due Sunday, April 22nd
Skin Cancer Screening will be held FREE of charge Saturday, May 12th 8am to
10am at the Orthopedic and Spine Institute, Ground Floor in the Lansdale Hospital,
100 Medical Campus Drive, Lansdale. Skin cancer is the most common and most
curable type of cancer. Screening is sponsored by NPVNA and Lansdale Hospital.
Dermatologists Andrew Kaplan, MD, Allan Mineroff, MD, Marvin Sasson, MD and
Michael Stierstorfer, MD will provide the service. Prevention and treatment
information will be available. Pre- registration is required by calling 215-855-6191.
Walkers Wanted (stroller riders too!) The 18th Annual Family Fun Walk to benefit
COBYS Family Services will be held Sunday, May 6th 4pm at Peter Becker
Community, Harleysville. If you are interested in walking this three-mile walk or
making a donation, please pick up a flyer from the glass case in the foyer of the church.
Memorial Day Picnic on Sunday – We will have a picnic following Worship on
Sunday, May 27th. Hot dogs, rolls, condiments and drink will be provided. Please bring
a picnic item to share. All are invited.
Praise Dinner to benefit COBYS Family Services, Evangelical Seminary, Friendship
Community, On Fire Youth Ministry will be held Thursday, May 3rd, 6pm and
Lebanon Expo Facilities, Lebanon, PA. Buffet Style Meal with entertainment &
inspiration by the Blackwood Brothers Quartet and Tony Campolo. Cost per person:
$100. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. 100% of your contribution
directly benefits the above mentioned ministries. For more info please contact:
rwalmer@wengers.com or call 717-866-2130.
Ambler COB has invited us for a “family weekend” camping at Camp Swatara on
Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-13, 2012). We use the cabins and lodge in the West
Area and cook our own meals. It is an intergenerational event with crafts and study.
Cost per person for lodging is $57 for two nights and $32 for one night. Children 3-8
yrs are half price and up to 2 yrs are free. Contact Betty Lou Nyce (215) 855-8240
ASAP.
Peter Becker Community Annual Benevolent Care Fund Dinner will be May 17th,
from 6-8pm. Cost $130/person. Make reservations or a donation by contacting Paul
Nye, VP of Mission Support, and 215-703-4015.
New Everence Resource – Everence’s Personal Financial Affairs Directory is a
resource that helps people take a step towards organizing your information, preparing
for your future, and taking care of the gifts God has given you. See Connie Holbert,
Everence advocate for a copy.
Roll & Stroll to benefit Indian Creek Foundation will be held Saturday, June 16th at
the Indian Creek Foundation facility, 420 Cowpath Road, Souderton. Register by
May 25th and receive a t-shirt. Visit www.rollandstroll.com for more information and to
register. See the bulletin board for more information.
It is time to think about Camp Swatara. Check out the bulletin board for some Camp
Swatara events scheduled for May. Summer Camp registration is now open. Brochures
are on the glass case in the foyer. Register for summer camp early. After May 19 th all
camps will go up in price by $25 for the late registration.