CROSSFIRE
Interchurch Singles Ministry
430-A Colonial Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109-1537
Office: 717-545-0005 Link Line: 717-545-0017 Website: www.cfire.org
Newsletter – August 2012 – Volume 34, Issue 8
Every issue is numbered consecutively in a series that may not be broken by assigning numbers to issues omitted.
MISSION: “Connecting single adults to God and each other in authentic, Christ-Centered
community” Reaching single adults in Central PA – Harrisburg / Carlisle / Lancaster areas
Calendar – August & September
 Wellness group- Saturdays at 10am at CF office through August 11
 Under 40 Singles Small Group – Sundays biweekly at 6pm – August 5, 19 at CF office
 Discovering Discipleship Tools for Every Believer – Thursdays August 2, 9, 16 at 6:30pm at CF office
 Fall Small Groups – planning underway – watch for the announcements coming soon!
 Fri. Aug 3 – Joyce Meyer Conference, evening session – carpooling from Manheim and from CF office
 Sat. Aug 4 – Joyce Meyer Conference and HersheyPark – for 30-something group only, 9am carpool
 Sat. Aug 4 – Millersburg Ferry and Dining at The Wooden Nickel, 4pm carpool from CF
 Mon. Aug 6 – CF Harrisburg Leadership Team meeting, 6:30pm at CF office
 Tue. Aug 7 – CF Carlisle Leadership Team meeting, 6:30pm at St. Paul’s church in Carlisle
 Fri. Aug 10 – Lititz Second Friday and Games Night, 6:30pm
 Sat. Aug 11 – Dining out at Chinese Super Buffet, Carlisle, 5pm
 Sat. Aug 11 – Nissley Vineyard (Bainbridge), music w/ Uptown Band and dinner on the lawn, 7pm
 Mon. Aug 13 – Crossfire Board Meeting, 6:30pm
 Wed. Aug 15 – Mini-Golf in Manheim, 6pm
 Sat. Aug 18 – Movie Night at 2 locations (Hummelstown & Enola), 7pm
 Sat. Aug 25 – Christian Music (Freznel Lenz Band) outdoor concert at Manheim, 6pm
 Sat. Aug 25 – Games night with Ice Cream Social, 7pm at CF office
 Mon. Sept 3 – Labor Day Picnic, noon at Lower Allen Park, Lisburn area
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Also inside this newsletter - Invitation to Labor Day Weekend Beach Trip
 Sat. Sept 8 – Square Dance, 7pm at First Alliance Church, Harrisburg
 Tues. Sept 4 – Combined Leadership Teams meeting at CF office, 6:30pm
 Mon. Sept 10 – Crossfire Board Meeting, 6:30pm
 Sat. Sept 15 – Annual Pig Roast and Singles Dance, 5pm at Carlisle Fish & Game (advance tickets discounted
at $12 – contact Crossfire by September 8 – or pay $15 at the door)
 Sat. Sept 22 – Games Night, 7pm at CF office
REGISTER FOR EVENTS
Please register for upcoming events via the website www.cfire.org or by calling 545-0005 and leaving a
message, including your name and the event name. You may also send an email to info@cfire.org to
register. (No need to register for dances or games nights.)
Crossfire Friends,
I hope you will consider joining us this summer for the remaining “Discovery” teaching series –
Discipleship for Every Believer will equip you to share your faith with others.
As
Christian single men and women, we have a unique voice and gifts that God wants to use to help
others.
summer
So far we are having a great
of events – tubing (26 people) and our games nights, picnics,
small group studying the Grace of God, dining out, hikes and other events have all been well-attended.
Don’t miss the final picnic of the summer, on Labor Day and the ice cream social (games night) on
August 25th.
fundraising
Please support Crossfire by participating in our
efforts, especially by ordering scrip
cards (which are simply used as “gift cards” to make purchases at many local stores, with a % going to
this ministry) - you can order them on-line or pick up an order form at an upcoming event. We also
offer our PassPort membership to everyone who gives at least $25 per month, which entitles you to free
entrance to all picnics, dances, square dances and community nights. When you support Crossfire
financially, with your prayers and by volunteering, you are helping yourself and other single adults to
connect to God and to discover Christian fellowship through this ministry. Thank you!
We are hiring a part-time administrative assistant to help in the office with all the “behindthe-scenes” work. Since I’m now working full-time again, the board agreed that we really need some
additional staffing to keep up with the newsletter, emails, website, etc.
Patti Gilbert, Crossfire Interim Director
Office 545-0005; Cell 480-0524 pattigilbert@cfire.org
DONATIONS TO CROSSFIRE
Your donations sustain the quality of this ministry and allow us to reach out and meet the
needs of more single adults in central PA. Will you pray about giving to Crossfire on a
regular basis? Event fees do not cover our operating expenses, so we count on your
additional donations. PassPort members donate at least $25/month and receive free
entry to all picnics, dances and community nights. You can become a PassPort supporter of
this ministry by calling our office or sending an email to info@cfire.org.
Crossfire is a 501c-3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
Send donations to: CROSSFIRE at 430-A Colonial Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109
NEWSLETTER & eMail NOTICE
Events for all of Crossfire, including CROSSFIRE-NEW GENESIS (Carlisle) and CROSSFIRE-LANCASTER
are included in this newsletter. New participants receiving the newsletter by mail will be asked to make a
donation of $15.00 per year to cover the cost of printing/mailing after 6 months. The newsletter is always
available free by download from our website. Our weekly email blast goes to over 500 people – to
be added to the list, send a request to info@cfire.org or sign up on the website.
DIRECTIONS TO CROSSFIRE OFFICE, 430A Colonial Rd. Harrisburg PA
From West Shore, via Rt. 81 North - exit at Progress Avenue, at light go straight thru 1.5 miles on Valley
Road. Turn left into church parking lot (Crosspoint United Methodist), just before coming to light at
Colonial Road. You may have to drive around the back of the church to our upper parking lot area.
From Rt. 581/83 - Take Rt. 83 North to Jonestown Road Exit, follow right lane to light at Colonial Road
(next to Colonial Diner), go through light, along west side of Colonial Park Mall to third light, turn left on
Crums Mill Road and immediate left into the CrossPoint UM Church parking lot. CROSSFIRE OFFICE is
at rear of upper parking lot in the ranch house (annex).
CF Community Groups
Small Group for Younger Singles (with child care provided)
Sundays at 6pm biweekly – August 19, September 9 & 23
Meeting biweekly at 6pm at the Crossfire office, this group is for men and women under age 40.
This group discusses the challenges of living as devoted Christians in our American culture.
Co-leaders Darren and Janee also host some social events specifically for younger singles,
including a HersheyPark day on August 4th. Child care is provided during the group meetings.
Cost of the group is a suggested donation of $3/week to support Crossfire. Register your
interest by email to info@cfire.org.
Discovering Discipleship Tools for Every Believer
Thursdays at 6:30pm on August 2, 9, 16 at CF office
Crossfire leader Patti Gilbert will teach this 3-part summer series – simple
tools to help people begin a relationship with Christ, to mentor them by
investing 1 hour per week and to cultivate the “good soil” of the Gospel in
the lives of people that God sends your way – in your family, your workplace
and community. YOU can influence others and become a mentor to
someone! YOU can help fulfill the Great Commission by using these tools
AND discover the joy of sharing Christ with others outside the walls of
church! A suggested donation of $3 per week will help support Crossfire. We’ll meet at the
Crossfire office, in the living room or downstairs, depending on the size of the group, which is
open to single men and women. Please register in advance.
Fall Small Groups are coming – announcement in September!
FUNDRAISING TO SUPPORT CROSSFIRE
Everyone can now participate in our fundraising efforts by going to www.shopwithscrip.com to purchase a variety of preloaded cards such as Giant Foods, Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, CVS, Amazon, Boscovs, Kohls, Target and many local
restaurants like Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Applebees, etc. Over 70 businesses and Crossfire will
receive 2%-13% on each of your orders! This is a great way to make a donation to the ministry by simply buying the cards
through us. For instance, if you buy a $50 Giant Foods card, Crossfire will receive $2.00 or if you buy a $20 Panera Bread
card, Crossfire will receive $1.80. Will you get on board and check it out? Pick up a form at any event or call Niles to get
more information (329-5209).
Easy Instructions for buying Scrip Cards using PrestoPay
(purchase cards on-line by opening your own account)
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Go to www.shopwithscrip.com
In the Family Sign Up box click on the Create Account button. Follow the instructions on the form. Do not fill in teacher
name or student name lines
Enter CROSSFIRE enrollment code: 71234L4933118
Go to Home page and click on My Account on top far right; Left side menu click on PrestoPay
If you have any questions call Niles Miller at 717-329-5209.
Crossfire-Harrisburg/West Shore Events
Please register by calling 545-0005 or send an email to info@cfire.org.
Joyce Meyer Conference
Friday, August 3, carpools from Crossfire and from Manheim
Two groups are carpooling to the evening session to hear Joyce Meyer. You must register for
the carpool that you will be joining. Patti Gilbert will lead the group going from the Crossfire
office at 5:30pm (480-0524) and Lisa Bates will lead the group going from Salem United
Methodist Church, 140 N. Penn St., Manheim (201-0323) at 4:30pm. Please register by Aug. 2nd.
Joyce Meyer Conference and HersheyPark
(for participants under age 40, with 6 free tickets available)
Saturday, August 4, 9am carpool
Our 30-Something group will be attending the Saturday morning conference session and then
going to HersheyPark for the day. This event is open to any Crossfire participant under age 40.
We have six free tickets for HersheyPark (first-come, first-served), so you will need to call
immediately to reserve your free ticket. Please register for the event by calling Janee at 570204-8418 by August 3rd so she knows to look for you. The carpool will meet at the Perking
Point CoffeeHouse at 257 Hershey Rd., Hummelstown at 9am. The coffeehouse is in the
Meadows Marketplace Shopping Center (Giant Foods is there also) on Rt. 39, just 3 miles north
of HersheyPark – grab a coffee and then ride together to the Giant Center to hear Joyce Meyer.
The session will end about noon and the group will go to HersheyPark for the rest of the day.
Janee has a free parking pass but participants in additional cars will need to chip in for the
parking fees. Come prepared to enjoy HersheyPark rides, and bring cash for eating at the park.
Millersburg Ferry and Dining at the Wooden Nickel
Saturday, August 4, 4pm carpool
We’ll meet at the Crossfire office and leave at 4pm
to carpool to the west side of the river to use the
historic Millersburg Ferry to cross the river, which
takes about 30 minutes. The ferry holds up to four
cars so we can take 15-20 people (cost will be $4.00
per participant, which will include the cost of taking
the cars on the ferry). After crossing the river, we’ll
go to the Wooden Nickel restaurant in Millersburg
for dinner at 5:30pm, where the menu features a wide variety of seafood
dishes, flame-grilled steaks and chicken, home-made pasta and pizza (dinner cost $12-30).
You may join us for dinner if you prefer – restaurant address is 219 Market St. (Market Square),
Millersburg. You must register by Friday August 3 so we can confirm the reservations for the
ferry and for dinner. Patti Gilbert will host this event (480-0524).
Movie Night – Two locations
Saturday, August 18, 7pm
Choose your location and enjoy a casual night of fellowship, watching a movie with
some Crossfire friends. A group will be hosted by Barb Edwards at her home at
One Hillcrest Drive, Enola (call Barb at 732-4423 if you have questions; up to 16
people are welcome). A second group will be hosted by Irene Ralls at her church,
The Bridge (at the Rail Community Center), 200 S. Hanover Street, Hummelstown (call Irene at 805-2388
if you have questions). Register by Friday, August 17 and plan to bring a snack, dessert or beverage to
share. Each group will “vote” on a movie to watch (PG13 or PG).
Special thanks to the following churches for their support of CROSSFIRE
through giving and hosting events:
Camp Hill United Methodist
Capital Area Christian Church
CrossPoint United Methodist Church
Full Gospel Church of God
Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ
River of God Church
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Carlisle
Salem United Methodist Church, Manheim
Celebration Community Church
Chambers Hill United Methodist
First Alliance Church
Glenvale Church of God
New Hope Church
Silver Springs Presbyterian Church
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ephrata
LifeSpring Fellowship, Lititz
Games Nights at CROSSFIRE office
Saturday, August 25 at 7pm with ICE CREAM SOCIAL
This games night will include ice cream with all the fixings! We’ll use the
sunporch area weather permitting. Please come at 7pm and bring a topping or
a snack to go with the ice cream social such as waffle cones, sprinkles, syrup,
cherries, whipped topping, pretzels, etc. Vanilla and Chocolate ice cream will be
provided. Hosted by Sandy Ricci, Sue Danley, Lue Kramer and/or Patti Gilbert.
No need to register, just come and have some fun!
Saturday, September 22 at 7pm
Bring a snack, beverage or dessert to share and enjoy your favorite games. No need to
register, just come and join in for a relaxing night of fellowship.
Labor Day Picnic
Monday, September 3 at noon
Come out from Noon to 5pm and enjoy food and fun with us at our
annual Labor Day picnic at Lower Allen Park, Lisburn (Mechanicsburg
area). Please bring a side dish or dessert to share and $7.00 donation.
REGISTER by Sept 1st so we can plan the amount of food needed.
CROSSFIRE will provide the paper goods, water and iced tea, hotdogs
and hamburgers. In the park, there is a nice walking trail, sand volleyball
area (we’ll provide the volleyball). Bring your games/cards to play after
lunch or enjoy bocce ball on the lawn.
Directions from Harrisburg: (Address: 4075 Lisburn Rd., Mechanicsburg) Take I-83 South to
Rt. 581. Exit onto Route 15 South (Gettysburg). Go about 3 miles, take the
Rossmoyne/Wesley exit and turn left off the ramp. Travel for approximately 1.5 miles, until
you come to a "T" in the road. Turn right onto Lisburn Rd. Continue on Lisburn Road for
approximately 2.5 miles; Community Park is on the left side of Lisburn Road (look for the red
barn). Look for the CROSSFIRE signs to find the pavilion.
Square Dance
Saturday, September 8, 7-10pm
Time to put on your cowboy hat and boots – or not! Either way, come out
to enjoy our first square dance of the fall. Beginners are welcome – our
caller Ken Gordon takes time to teach everyone during the first few
dances. Line dances and square dances will be included during the
night. Bring a snack, dessert or beverage to share, cost is $7.00. We will
be at the First Alliance Church, 403 S. Progress Avenue, Harrisburg – a
great location for these events! Directions from Rt. 81: Take Rt. 81 to Progress Avenue exit, turn south
toward Harrisburg, go to the intersection of Progress Avenue and Union Deposit Rd. (about 2 miles). Go
straight through light and turn right into the church parking lot.
Directions from Rt. 83: Take Rt. 83 north to Union Deposit Road exit. Turn left and go 1 mile to intersection
with Progress Avenue. Turn left and immediate right into church parking lot.
Labor Day Beach Retreat Open to Crossfire Participants
You are invited to join some Christian friends at the annual Labor Day Beach Retreat from Friday,
August 31 to Monday, September 3 at the Ark Retreat Center, located at 632 Wesley Avenue in
Ocean City, NJ. The cost per person to stay at the Retreat Center is $90, which does not include food
or amenities, and there is an additional cost of $12-20 for use of the
beach that weekend. Those interested in staying at the retreat center
should send a check for $90 per person, made payable to Kevin
Etter, 1367 Glen Moore Circle; Lancaster, PA 17601. Space is limited
to about 45 people. Also, there is a motel near the Retreat Center
called the Luray Motel, which is also near the shore. People wishing
to stay there instead will need to make their own reservations. Please
call Ralph Caminero with any questions (717-671-4583) regarding
reserving your spot and carpooling, or send an email to him at
ralphcaminero@yahoo.com. This is NOT a Crossfire sponsored event, but each year many Crossfire
participants do attend.
Crossfire-Carlisle Events
Please register by calling 545-0005 or send an email to info@cfire.org.
Dining out at the Super Buffet
Saturday, August 11, 5pm
Join us for a great Chinese buffet at the Super Buffet, 40 Noble Blvd., Carlisle
Hosted by CF-New Genesis leader Diane; ask for the Crossfire group when you arrive.
Please register by Friday, August 10 (call 545-0005) so we can confirm the reservation.
The buffet costs about $10 and includes about 120 items, Chinese and American
Cuisine , Sushi Bar, Appetizer Bar, Salad Bar, Fruit Bar, Dessert Bar, Rakestraw's Ice
Cream. Located just off Hanover Street (Exit 47 of Rt. 81); turn left at the light at Noble
Blvd, then left to enter the shopping center and look for the Super Buffet.
Annual Pig Roast and Singles Dance
Saturday, September 15, 5:30pm at Carlisle Fish & Game
Once again this year everyone is invited to join in with the
Carlisle group for their biggest annual event! Come to
socialize at 4:30, (doors to inside will open at 5pm), Dinner
5:30 and Dancing 7-10pm with DJ Bob Yeingst at Carlisle Fish
and Game, 1421 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle (Rt. 641, Between
Carlisle & Mechanicsburg). Tickets are $15.00 at the door or
you can purchase a ticket for $12 in advance before September 8 by sending a check to
Crossfire, 430-A Colonial Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17109. This is one event folks look forward to
every year! Please bring a covered dish to share. There will be some outdoor seating during
dinner, weather-permitting. Call Crossfire at 545-0005 if you have any questions.
Directions: Take Rt. 81S to High St. exit at Carlisle, turn left and go about 3 miles on Rt. 641
(Trindle Rd.) to the event location on your right.
Coming this Fall:
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Dances in Carlisle are being scheduled starting in October – at St. Paul’s church.
Small group beginning in September at First Church of God, Carlisle.
Crossfire-Lancaster County Events
Please register by calling 545-0005 or send an email to info@cfire.org.
Lititz Second Friday & Games Night
Friday, Aug 10, 6:30pm
Meet at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church to park and walk around the Lititz shops and Lititz Spring Park.
Leader Kathy Ross will host this event and she can be reached at 468-7582. Enjoy a casual outdoor
evening with Christian friends. Local residents and visitors enjoy this historic village - shops,
restaurants, and galleries are open on Main and Broad streets as musicians, dancers, artists and
entertainers dot the sidewalks, porches, and businesses throughout the downtown streets. Afterward,
the group is invited back to St. Paul’s church for games night at 8pm (200 W. Orange St., Lititz).
Nissley Music in the Vineyard 2012
Saturday, August 11, 7pm, with music from 7:30-10pm, The Uptown Band
This great soft rock, oldies and mixed music band will perform for your
listening pleasure and dancing on tree-shaded patios. Bring a picnic
supper and a lawn chair or a blanket. This is an adult-only event so
children (minors) will not be admitted. Admission tickets must be
purchased at the Admissions Tent for $15 (credit cards and out-of-area
checks are not accepted). Register by calling Crossfire at 545-0005 or
Dianne at 615-7179 and look for the Crossfire sign at our seating area.
Location: NIssley Vineyards, 140 Vintage Dr., Bainbridge.
From Lancaster: take Rt. 30 West to Columbia. Exit at Rt. 441. Go North for 8 miles, and watch for the Nissley
Winery sign. Turn right on Wickersham Road. Continue 1.5 miles, following the signs at intersections.
From Harrisburg: take Rt. 83 South to Rt. 283 East. Follow the signs to the Airport (Harrisburg Int'l Airport).
After exiting Rt. 283, go 1.3 miles. Take the PA 230 Highspire/Middletown exit. At the traffic light, turn left on Rt.
230 East. Go 1.7 miles. Turn right on Union Street. Go 1/2 mile. Turn left on Ann St. Follow Rt. 441 South for
9 miles. Turn left on Stackstown Rd. (toward Maytown). At the Y, bear right and continue 1/2 mile to Vintage Dr.
Mini-Golf at the Caddy Shack, Manheim
Wednesday, August 15 at 6pm
Join us for dinner and a round of mini-golf at the Caddy Shack Mini-Golf and
Restaurant, 662 S. Oak St., Manheim (just off Rt. 72 heading south from
Manheim, turn left onto E. Sun Hill Rd and immediately turn left onto Oak St.)
They have great roasted chicken, crab cakes, ice cream and a full menu of other
items. Cost for mini-golf is $6.00 per person. Kathy Ross will host this event.
You can register by calling her at 468-7582 or by calling Crossfire at 545-0005.
Jammin’ Christian Concert, Food and Fun (Manheim)
Saturday, August 25 at 6pm
Come out to hear a great contemporary Christian band, Freznel Lenz, performing an eclectic
mix of styles, ranging from Country to Calypso, Blues to Bluegrass, Rock'n'Roll to Latin soul,
and even Swing and Jazz. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. We’ll meet at the Ruhl’s Church
picnic grove, 2766 Newport Rd. Manheim, at 6pm. Call Kathy Ross to register (468-7582) and
to find the group at the event.
Coming this Fall:
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Dining out and Games Night at Loxley’s – tentatively set for Sept 15th.
Potluck dinner and speaker night – tentatively set for September 22 – come hear about
Biblical Archeology from an expert in the field!
Small Group – on Saturday mornings starting in October, studying “Boundaries”.
CROSSFIRE Singles Ministry
430-A Colonial Road
Harrisburg, PA 17109-1537
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
August & September 2012
CROSSFIRE Harrisburg ~ CF-Carlisle ~ CF-Lancaster County
Dining Out ~ Games Nights
Movie Night ~ Mini-Golf
Millersburg Ferry & Wooden Nickel
Labor Day Picnic
Annual Pig Roast and Singles Dance
Square Dance
Discipleship Discovery Series
Outdoor music concerts / Lancaster area
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Harrisburg, PA
Permit No. 403