Adult Spiritual Development
Music Ministry
Faith Formation Hour
Write From The Heart
Congregational Life
Christian Care
Youth Groups
Adult Spiritual Development
It is Adult Discipleship’s goal to provide opportunities for continuing adult spiritual development while we are not able to meet in person. Some small group discussions can be at church as a choice. We do have a couple of individuals willing to be facilitators, to do both zoom and on-site meetings.
Small Groups meet twice each year
Online resources
YouTube, along with our own streaming services, offers services and videos too numerous to mention –
Highlights include
The Chosen series
Saddleback Church lecture series on many topics by Rick Warren and staff
Joni Eareckson interviews
Musical performances by The National Christian Choir and other artists
Lectures by John Piper and other well-known Christian apologists
Gospel for Life – Timothy Keller sermons
Video series such as Prodigal God and other books – videos that accompany books
Small group meeting topics could include
Prayer group for our nation, church, community and individuals
Book study – book club with a suggested list
Bible studies
Spiritual Formation group following Renovare model
Books list
The Good and Beautiful God series (Good and Beautiful Life, Community) by James Bryant Smith
Books focused on the person of Jesus Christ: Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund (a good follow-up on Dave’s recent sermon series), Timothy Keller’s Jesus the King and his Encounters with Jesus
Books on the Christian Life: I know there are many, but here are some recently found
Life without Lack by Dallas Willard
Hidden in Christ by James Bryant Smith
Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee
Dallas Willard trilogy (pretty heavy) Hearing God; Spirit of the Disciplines; The Divine Conspiracy
Christian Care
What does your Faith Community Nurse (FCN) do?
The FCN works for you, the parishioners, and supports the well-being of the GPC membership and community members, providing one-on-one care.
The FCN promotes health and wholeness in the name of Jesus and provides spiritual, social, and emotional care.
How does the Faith Community Nurse (FCN) assist the parishioners of GPC?
Health Counselor
Pam listens and speaks with persons regarding their health issues. She is available to visit in the hospital, in nursing facilities, and in homes, as needed. She also offers her presence and prayer during times of crisis and celebration.
Advocate
Pam assists parishioners with any health-related needs and interests. She can accompany you to your doctors’ appointments (to be your eyes and ears) and help you to understand any test results, medications, and so forth so that you can make informed decisions. Confidentially, Pam can review your discharge instructions, medication lists, etc., to ensure you have a good understanding of your post-care or continuing care needs.
Health Educator
Pam provides health information and awareness about chronic conditions or diseases. She will be emphasizing preventative care through educational opportunities, screenings, and more (for example, blood pressure screening Sundays, keeping up first aid kits, etc.)
Spiritual Presence
As an FCN, Pam works with the GPC pastoral care team in the caregiving ministry of GPC by listening, praying, supporting, and encouraging through personal visits, telephone calls, and other forms of communication.
Resources
Pam works to link the GPC congregation members to community/spiritual resources. She works alongside the Stephen Ministry and Deacon Ministry at GPC.
COVID 19
Here are two links to help you deal with the stress and self-care suggestions:
Sanitizing Hints:
Stress Release:
DIY Hand Sanitizer and Wipes:
Personal Health Booklet:
Advanced Directive Information:
To contact Pam, call 410-596-0777 or email gpcfcn@gettysburgpresbyterian.org
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers are laypeople — Christian men and women — trained to provide one-to-one care of people experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation or separation due to military deployment. Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life. Their commonality? A passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of need. Since 1976, more than 600,000 people from more than 12,000 congregations and other organizations have been trained as Stephen Ministers. For more information call the church office at 717-334-1235.
Support Groups
Support groups for bereavement, divorce recovery and cancer recovery are held periodically as interest warrants.
Congregational Life
The mission of the Congregational Life Committee is to enrich the lives of members by strengthening the connections between people and providing a sense of belonging within the church family. We do this by seeking and promoting intergenerational activities to gather and support each other and the greater community, sharing the love of Christ.
Committee members include Ellie Bilz, Patty Bowers, Tracy Boyer, Heather Bertelson, Debbie Farnsworth, Margo Har, Deb Kammerer, Deb Litten, Kyle Clark, Pam Phillips and Jane North and Peter North (Chair).
MEN’S INTERFAITH FELLOWSHIP
The MIFF Luncheon has continued to meet throughout 2024, welcoming pastors from the surrounding area churches to come in and lead us in a 30-minute worship service. The group made continues to pray about where God is leading them, and from that discernment, made the decision to eliminate the extra Lent and Advent meetings. We would love to have you join us for lunch on the first Wednesdays of the month at noon, as we eat together, sing together, and grow together in 2025.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Members of Committee are as follows: Debbie Farnsworth – Moderator, Katherine Hawkins - Co-Moderator, Margo Har – Treasurer, Amy Dietch – Minutes, Barb Roy, Leslie Casteel, Becky Stabler, Carol Gugel, Rachel Parmentier – Rep. for PW Carlisle/USA. PW committee meets monthly to plan, review, and execute activities for the year. The PW has 3 bible study groups that meet monthly.
Beginning 2024, PW updated the information board in Fellowship Hall. In January, in conjunction with Congregational life, we hosted a Game/soup and salad night. PW sold leftover soup. In February we offered a cookie decorating class to all ages. We held our annual Rummage/Bake Sale in April and will now only be offered once a year, in the spring. Our Women’s luncheon was held in June at Ann Gallon’s. We also decorated the Sanctuary in November for Christmas, directing members of the congregation to aid in this time-honored tradition. This year, members of the PW created and donated several wonderful baskets for the Christmas Mission Fair. PW is also responsible for changing the wreaths for each Season.
Objectives and goals for the upcoming year are to continue growth with committee by providing services/meeting needs of the congregation as well as community. We seek to offer different opportunities to provide fellowship, socialization, commitment, personal growth, and meeting spiritual needs.
YOUNG AT HEART (YAH)
Young at Heart (YAH) Ministry is to bring together seniors (age 50+) members of our congregation to enjoy a time of Christian fellowship. Whether they have just retired and/or recently relocated here, singles as well as couples, YAH provides an opportunity to connect with others in a leisurely, friendly atmosphere. The average attendance is 25-30 members of our congregation, but we welcome friends and relatives who would like to join us. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at noon for potluck lunch, followed by variety of half-hour programs and speakers. Co-leaders: Rachel & Randy Parmentier and Richard & Linda Hagee.
Faith Formation Hour
Starting at 9:45 am on Sunday mornings, we offer a variety of programs between our services to help further faith development at any age.
J.A.M.(Jesus and Me)
For ages 3 years old to 5th grade (separated into two groups). Located in the lower hallways, this rotational model is designed to keep children moving and engaged. Consisting of 3 rotations: Journey (hearing a Bible story), Activity (craft, game, or service project), and Music (making joyful noise). Utilizing the curriculum “Growing in Grace and Gratitude”, our Christian Education Committee hopes that your youth will join us for a time of faith development and fun! *During the Music rotation, children will be working on performances for the congregation, including the Christmas Pageant.
The Upper Room
For middle and high school students. Located in the Youth Room on the 3rd floor of the church. Utilizing the curriculum “Faith Questions” we invite youth to grow in their faith through a variety of topics. Topics may change based on the interests of the group.
Men’s Bible Study
Held in the Crane Library on the second floor in Heritage Hall. This group of men meets to engage in fellowship and study. They follow the curriculum “Adult Bible Studies” which is Bible-based and Christ-focused, it is an approved resource by the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church.
Adult Sunday School
TBD
Music Ministry
We currently have opportunities for a brass quintet, women’s choir, flute choir, youth orchestra, instrumental soloists who are needed for anthem and hymn accompaniments, piano/organ duets and hand bell duet/trio/quartet. God has given us many talents and we rejoice in sharing them with the congregation and with our concert audiences. If you would like to use your talents at Gettysburg Presbyterian Church, please contact me. Jamie Bowman can be reached at gpcmusic@gettysburgpresbyterian.org. I look forward to hearing from you!
Choir Opportunities for Adults
Adult Choir
This choir presents the anthem at the 11:00 Sunday service. It rehearses in the balcony of the sanctuary from 7:00-8:30 on Wednesday evening, September through June. Major works and instrumental accompaniments are a part of program. The director is David Conklin.
Early Choir
This choir is responsible for quick learning! It rehearses in the Music Room at 7:40 am on Sunday, then sings at the 8:15 service. This is the choir for you if have limited rehearsal time in your schedule. The Director is David Conklin.
Adult Hand Bell Choir
This group rehearses at 6.00 pm on Wednesday evening in the Music Room. They play at the 8:15 or 11:00 service once a month. Sometimes smaller groups are used for hymn or anthem accompaniment. Director: Jamie Bowman.
Choir Opportunities for Children
Chapel Choir
The Chapel Choir is for students in Pre-K through 5 grade meets every other Sunday morning for fun group activities, singing, and movement with some involvement with instruments. The Chapel Choir will sing for the congregation several times throughout the year. Director: Krystal Nolte. For more information contact the church office.
Write From The Heart
The mission of the Write From The Heart ministry is to send notes to members of our Church family for a variety of reasons. We send ‘thank you’ notes to members for things they have done for our Church or helping out other members of our Church family. We send notes to those who provide special music during our services to thank them for their talents. We send ‘congratulatory notes’ for special birthdays and special anniversaries, birth of a child or the birth of a grandchild. We do notes for new members joining our Church and to the Confirmation Class when they join the Church. We send notes to members who have graduated from high school and College. We do ‘thinking of you’ notes for those who are unable to attend Church regularly to let them know we are thinking of them. We send sympathy notes, get well notes and notes of encouragement.
During the 2024 year we sent a total of 245 notes. The WFTH ministry currently has a total of 10 dedicated writers. Our writers are: Tracy Boyer, Nancy Cook, Nancy Coombs, Cathy Gardner, Gale Pollock, Mary Ann Remaley, Barb Roy, Leslie Smarsh, Christa Williams and Deb Wolf. We would gladly welcome any new writers and if anyone is interested, please contact the Church Office or either of the Co-Directors of this ministry. If you enjoy writing, this is the ministry for you!
Mary Ann Remaley and Tracy Boyer, Co-Directors
Youth Groups
Outside of Sunday morning Faith Formation, we offer a variety of programs for children and youth to grow in fellowship with each other.
Kids Club
For children in kindergarten through 2nd grade on Wednesday afternoon (4:30 to 6:00 pm). This program is full of fun, faith, fellowship, stories, and snacks. Beginning Oct. 1st, 2025, our theme will be “God Does Big Things” and will focus on how God used everyday people to do amazing work. Ranging from Abraham to Mary, and many in between! How might God use you? Please contact kyle@gettysburgpresbyterian.org with any questions.
Youth Club
For youth in 3rd through 5th grade. Meets Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30 pm (dinner is included from 5:00 to 5:30 pm). A time of fun, fellowship, activities, service, and dinner. This year, we will be “Journeying with Jesus” as we look at his life from birth through resurrection. Please use the following links to view our schedule or fill out a permission form. Please contact kyle@gettysburgpresbyterian.org with any questions.
MidSHIP
For youth in 6th through 8th grade. Meets Sunday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 pm (dinner is included from 5:00 to 5:30 pm). This year, we will take a look at who we are as individuals, as a group, and who Christ is calling us to be. Through a variety of different events such as games, service projects, faith-based discussions while building respect for ourselves and each other. There will also be an extra time on Tuesday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:30 pm to hangout, finish up schoolwork, play some games, and enjoy some snacks! Please use the following links to view our schedule or fill out a permission form. Please contact kyle@gettysburgpresbyterian.org with any questions.
SHIP
For youth in 9th through 12th grade. Meets Sunday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 pm (dinner is included from 5:00 to 5:30 pm). Please contact drew@gettysburgpresbyterian.org with any questions.