Jottings from St. John’s | November 2025

Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

Loysburg, PA 16659............November 2025

www.sjrcl.org

stjohnsloysburg@gmail.com

Mission’s Corner

Heifer International (www.heifer.org) was founded more than 80 years ago by

Dan West, a farmer and fellow church leader who rallied his church community to

support a new way to help those in need.

West felt that needy rural families couldn’t truly escape hunger and poverty through handouts alone. They needed real opportunities to earn better incomes and create lasting change in their lives. His approach largely revolved around supplying livestock to a community, such that the produce from that animal would benefit the whole community in a sustainable way.

As many of you are aware, we have supported Heifer International’s efforts over

the years with our Sunday School groups raising money to provide animals and training

to those in need. Look for the donation basket in November and fill the ark this

Christmas season.

Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org) has been a staple among mission

organizations since 1970. After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said “Go

and do likewise.” That is the mission of Samaritan’s Purse – to follow the example of

Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel. Samaritan’s

Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters,

disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus

Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord

Jesus Christ.

Many of us are familiar with Samaritan’s Purse’s efforts through their responses

to natural disasters. We can help support those efforts financially and they are also a

good way to start physically supporting the mission field. Another popular outreach this

time of year is their Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry. Gift-filled shoeboxes

are delivered together with the Good News of Jesus Christ as expressions of God’s

immense love for a child. The National Collection Week is November 17-24. Many

local churches and collection centers are already accepting shoeboxes.

-Submitted by Mark Sell

Give Warmth this Season

We will decorate the fellowship hall tree with donations of sock, hats, gloves,

mittens, and scarves which will be divided between the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home

and the NB Food Bank for needy families. Please help us cover the branches generously!

-Submitted by Barb Thomas

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From the Consistory President

The Consistory met on October 9, 2025, at 6:30 in the copy room of the church.

The meeting was opened by Joel with prayer. Both the minutes of the last meeting and

the treasurer’s report were accepted as read.

The Parsonage project is moving along according to plan. Debbie Bowser has

been painting almost daily. When you see her please offer her thanks for the work she

has been doing, mainly by herself. There was a painting party (with pizza) on October 11

to help expedite the work Debbie has been doing. Still to do at the parsonage is install

the cabinets in the kitchen, lay the laminate flooring, and lift the carpet to check the

condition of the floors in the living and office areas of the house. If the floors are in good

condition we are considering refinishing them. Also brought up was replacing the air

conditioning in the children’s Sunday School rooms. However, due to the cost, the

project has been tabled until spring as we consider the different options we have. Also, it

was noted the roof of the church will need to be replaced within the next couple of years.

This will be a major expense but also a necessary one. We will keep you posted on this

project as we may need some fundraisers to help with the cost.

The Pastor Search Committee conducted an interview on October 23 with a candidate for the position. It seemed to go well, yet the committee is being thorough and will meet again on October 30 to discuss the interview and the pros and cons each member sees with the candidate.

It will be determined at that meeting whether or not a second interview is necessary. Please, keep the search committee in your prayers, that we keep the search God centered, seeking only His will and following where the Holy Spirit leads.

The T-shirt fundraiser brought in between $150.00 and $160.00. Thanks to

Jordan Rhoat for taking the lead in that project. Also, Jordan Rhoat designed and ordered hats with the church’s logo to be sold at the auction on November 1.

Well, it is that time of the year! The holidays are upon us. Although we do not

yet have a Pastor, the Consistory wants everyone to know we are keeping the holiday

traditions of the church alive this year. Advent begins on November 30, 2025, and we

will begin the season with the hanging of the Chrismons on the tree, lighting of the

Advent Candles, along with the readings each week throughout Advent.

We usually decorate the church and set up the tree the Saturday before (Nov. 29).

The Christmas program will be on December 14 at 10:45 a.m. with a meal to follow. Christmas communion will be December 21, 2025.

We are planning our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve service for December 24 at 7:00 p.m. We may have to tweak the service a little this year, so if you would like to do some special music, read a poem, or have a special Children’s story (or any other idea) please let Joel know by November 16 so it can be scheduled. We will continue to give you updates about these services throughout the season. But please help us by using your God given gifts to make this season as uplifting and special as possible.

The next consistory meeting will be November 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the copy room

of the basement.

--Submitted by Joel Ritchey

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Election Information

Statewide elections include casting yes or no votes for the retention of three State

Supreme Court justices, one State Superior Court justice, and one Commonwealth Court

judge, all for 10-year terms. Seeking seats as justice of the Superior Court are Brandon

Neuman, Dem., Maria Batista, Rep., and Daniel Wassmer, Liberal. Seeking 10-year

terms on the Commonwealth Court bench are Stella Tsaik, Dem., and Matt Wolford, Rep.

All other elections will be for county and municipal officials and school directors.

In Bedford County the only county official to be elected is Recorder of Deeds and

Register of Wills. Faith Zembower, Dem., incumbent, is being challenged by Alyssa N,

Miller, Rep.

All townships will elect a supervisor, tax collector, auditor, judge of elections, and

inspector of elections. Boroughs will elect council members and similar officers as the

townships.

In South Woodbury Township, the only incumbent not seeking reelection is

Kelly Baker, tax collector. Barbara J. Detwiler, Rep., is the only person running for that

post.

Bedford County voters will be asked a yes or no referendum question: “Should

Bedford County support the Federated Library System of Bedford County to operate the

county library system by establishing a special library tax at the rate of 09 mills on the

taxable real estate within the county ($9 per assessed value of $100,000)?"

School district voters will be asked to vote for new or incumbent board members.

Each school board is composed of nine persons. In the Northern Bedford District two

incumbents, Randy A. Wiand and Chris Cronrath, are seeking reelection with no challengers.

-Submitted by David Snyder

MEETING MINUTES

St. John’s Women’s Guild- October 3, 2025

Overview of Program:

Cindy Johnson opened the night with a word of prayer and then began her

program about “Kindness.” Cindy asked each of the ladies to look to their left and say

something kind about that lady, and keep going around the table.

There were a lot of wonderful. kind comments, compliments, and laughter during this activity, even some tears.

Cindy used the book Prayers and Promises for Women and shared three verses

regarding kindness. The verses were Ephesians 4:12, Proverbs 11:17, Romans 2:4, and

also recited a paragraph telling of God and kindness from the book. Cindy read the book

1-2-3- Kindness to the group, a cute tale of simple kindness. Cindy closed the program

with handing out cards with “Act of Kindness” on them, and asked each lady to do an act

of kindness this week and write it down on the card.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Gardner’s Candy Fundraiser- Beverly indicated the candy is paid for. Those

wanting to sell are asked to pay when signing out a box/product to sell, due to prior

history of not getting monies back. There are 48 peanut butter candy bars in a box and

will be sold for $2/bar.

2. Auction November 1- Joel Ritchey was asked to be the auctioneer, and

accepted. Have auction items to church by 12pm on 11/1. There will be two kinds of

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soups and sandwiches available by donation. Cindy will solicit for pies to be donated for desserts for the attendees.

3. Officer Nominating Committee- Elect 2026-2027 officers in November-

Beverly, Barb and Kim are on the committee.

4. Guild Christmas Meeting will be December 5- all are welcome to attend and

bring a snack to share if they wish.

5. Hoffman Home holiday gifts- Barb spoke on the subject and will pass the

donation box around as in years prior. Also December 10 will be a day to go help wrap

gifts at the Home if anyone is interested.

6. Christmas Program will be December 14 at 10:45 a.m – Worship service will be at 9:30 a.m.

There will be a covered dish lunch afterwards.

There was discussion around the Christmas costumes, noting we still have the angel costumes.

7. Cindy mentioned she and Linda attended an Auxiliary meeting at Homewood

and were given the 2026 information- $3 single membership and $5 for a couple to join.

Cindy will distribute information in November.

8. Beth mentioned Deb Bowser would like to have a Soup-er Bowl and Chili cook-off on Super Bowl Sunday in 2026.

9. Discussion was had about giving a gift to Kim Ritchey and family.

10. Mention of a possible fundraiser in the future would be a cookbook.

Next business meeting will be November 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. Peg Wachter has the

program, and Debbie Bowser and Molly Shirk are the hostesses.

-Submitted by Julie Russell

Collecting Funds for Hoffman Home

The Hoffman Home box is in circulation, upstairs and downstairs, to accept

donations for children and youth resident of Hoffman Home near Gettysburg, ages 7-21.

Many have nowhere to go for the holidays. Our Christmas donations will be used by

staff to purchase Christmas gifts for those who will spend Christmas at the facility.

Hoffman Home provides psychiatric care, treatment, therapies, services and education

to approximately 115 residents. Your donation says someone cares.

-Submitted by Barb Thomas

Sunday School Christmas Program

Please mark your calendar for Sunday, December 14, following our worship

service, to attend our annual St. John’s Reformed Sunday School Christmas Program.

We will begin at approximately 10:45/10:50.

The Young Adult class is in charge of our opening welcome, scripture, prayer, thoughts, and leading of a congregation carol.

The upstairs children’s classes taught by Beth Clark, Sarah Gunnett, and Leah Salyards will

have an opportunity to share Christmas joy in recitation and song.

The Middler class taught by Matt and Joy Nelson and the Jr./Sr. High class taught by Chris and Chelsea Kurtz will follow the children.

The Youth Choir is diligently learning two new Christmas songs and will be joined by the Adult Choir for the second number. The Senior Adult class will close with meditation thoughts, a congregation carol, and prayer.

Our first “St. John’s Reformed Christmas Luncheon” (covered dish) will follow the

program. We urge all church members, families, and friends to support our Sunday

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school efforts by joining us for both the program and the Christmas fellowship meal.

“Jesus is Born!”

-Submitted by Barb Thomas

LOOKING AHEAD

• Women's Guild Meeting Friday, November 7, 6:00 p.m.

• Sound of Hope movie showing Sunday, November 9. Doors open at 2:15, movie

starts at 3:00 p.m. at Pitt Theater, 134 E. Pitt St., Bedford. Registration required.

• Sunday School Christmas Program Sunday, December 14, 10:45 a.m. The program will be held during the Sunday school hour. The children/youth choir and the adult choir will sing, as well as all Sunday school classes may present

Christmas selections. A covered dish carry-in meal will follow immediately after

• Christmas Caroling

  • Tuesday, December 16, time to be determined, visiting

Loysburg/New Enterprise shut-ins.

• Thursday, December 18, meeting at Hillview Health Center, Altoona

around 10:00 a.m. to sing carols, and the choir will be presenting several songs.

All welcome to go on either or both dates.

NOVEMBER PRAYER CONCERNS:

Eileen Adams, Andrea Chamberlain, Penny Corle, Bella Gable, Berneta Gable, Mary &

Brett Hall, Diane Hockenberry, Malachi, Charlie Mountain, Carl Otto, Carol Otto, Kim

Ritchey, Kelly Schibi, Zeke Shade, Betsy Snider, Birch Snider, Robbie Spaid, Mike

Sollenberger, Nancy Swander.

NOVEMBER FOOD PANTRY REQUESTS:

Microwave meals, Rice-a-roni, ramen noodles, ketchup, mustard, relish, fruit juices,

cranberry sauce, shampoo, Q-tips, cosmetics, and facial tissue.

**Any submissions for the December newsletter are due to Joy Nelson

(22joylinette@gmail.com) by Wednesday, November 26.

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CALENDAR

Acolytes:

November 2-Grayson Rodgers

November 9-Janie Russell

November 16-Sole Rhoat

November 23-Grayson Rodgers

November 30-Janie Russell

Music Ministry:

November 2-Ladies Chorus

November 9- Beverly Smith

November 16-Choir

November 23-Laurie Stiles

November 30-Brad Gable

Children's Moment:

November 2-Linda Furry

November 9- Laurie Stiles

November 16-Joy Nelson

November 23-Barb Thomas

November 30-Hanging of the Chrismons

Altar Flowers:

November 2, 9, 16: Joel Ritchey

November 23, 30: David Snyder

Birthdays:

3-Ransom Salyards

7-Rick Smith

9-Lori Garman

12-Sandy Styer

12-Greg Russell Jr.

16-Bristol Howe

19-Berneta Gable

22-Molly Shirk

24-Katrina Howe

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A Thanksgiving Poem

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

The sun hath shed its kindly light,

Our harvesting is gladly o’er;

Our fields have felt no killing blight,

Our bins are filled with goodly store.

From pestilence, fire, flood, and sword

We have been spared by thy decree,

And now with humble hearts, O Lord,

We come to pay our thanks to thee.

We feel that had our merits been

The measure of thy gifts to us,

We erring children, born of sin,

Might not now be rejoicing thus.

No deed of our hath brought us grace;

When thou were nigh our sight was dull,

We hid in trembling from thy face,

But thou, O God, wert merciful.

Thy mighty hand o’er all the land

Hath still been open to bestow

Those blessings which our wants demand

From heaven, whence all blessings flow.

Thou hast, with ever watchful eye,

Looked down on us with holy care,

And from thy storehouse in the sky

Hast scattered plenty everywhere.

Then lift we up our songs of praise

To thee, O Father, good and kind;

To thee we consecrate our days;

Be thine the temple of each mind.

With incense sweet our thanks ascend;

Before thy works our powers pall;

Though we should strive years without end,

We could not thank thee for them all.