Helping/Caring Ministries
The primary purpose of these ministries is to address specific needs through the love of Christ and wisdom of the Bible. Some ministries meet the material needs of individuals or families. For information on groups that address issues that are troubling people's lives, or bring together people with mutual concerns in order to support one another, visit the Pastoral Care Support Groups page.
Click here to listen with Media Player to Pastor Paul Haken 's report about the
Visitation Ministry (updated January 2008)
Right-click here to download Pastor Paul Haken's report about the
Visitation Ministry (updated January 2008)
Abba's Children
The purpose of “Abba’s Children” is to be obedient to the instruction of Scripture to care for the fatherless by raising awareness of the needs of children available for adoption, encouraging those with the congregation to respond to this need and providing information of resources available to assist with adoption. This ministry also offers support to families who are raising adopted children or who are in the process of adopting. A partnership has been established with the ABBA Fund to provide financial assistance to those seeking to adopt. For more information, write to Pastor Omar Zook or phone 533-4848.
Adoption Support Group
This group is sponsored by Abba’s Children and meets the last Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in room 40. We are partnering with Edgewater Children’s Services and invite parents who have adopted, are in the process of adopting, or who are providing foster care. Write to Pastor Omar Zook or phone 533-2092, ext. 2010, for more information.
Car Care Clinic
The Car Care Clinic is a service offered by the Deacon Committee to those in our church family whose finances are tight and are unsure whom to trust with the care of their car. The clinics are held two or three times a year at a local garage; dates and registration details are announced in the Sunday bulletin. Volunteer skilled mechanics change oil and oil filters and perform routine lubrication and service checks on each vehicle. If additional repairs are needed, the vehicle owner will be referred to a qualified mechanic and offered an opportunity to discuss financial aid with the Compassion Ministries coordinator. The clinic is free, but donations to the Compassion Ministries Fund are welcome.
Clothing and Food Banks
The clothing bank is available to anyone in need. It is open Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The food bank is available to anyone in the church family and to others who live in the Hershey/Hummelstown area who are in need. The food bank is open on the second Thursday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. To visit the food bank on other days it is necessary to call the church receptionist at 533-4848 to make an appointment. Food and clothing are provided for this ministry by contributions from our church family. When specific food items are needed, they are listed in the Sunday bulletin. Clothing donations can be dropped off in the garage beside Sonrise whenever convenient.
Compassion Ministries Fund
The purpose of the Compassion Ministries Fund (formerly known as the Benevolence Fund) is to provide short-term or emergency assistance to people in need. This fund is maintained by the generous giving of the church family. Special offerings are taken for this fund at the conclusion of communion services. Anyone in need may apply for help by contacting the Compassion Ministries coordinator, but priority is given to members of the church family. Applications are held in strict confidence. The fund is intended to cover necessary living expenses such as rent and utilities, not “luxuries” like cable TV, and recipients may be required to meet with a financial counselor.
Compassion Support Ministry
This ministry links people with people and needs with resources. We match the needs of people in our congregation with skills that people are willing to share in the spirit of Galatians 5:12: "Serve one another in love." To volunteer or to arrange for help around the house, write to Compassion Ministries or phone 533-2092, ext. 2038.
Congregational Health Ministry
The Congregational Health Ministry uses volunteer registered nurses (RNs) from our congregation to establish a caring environment, promote an understanding of the relationship between health and spirituality and extend the grace and mercy of Christ. They do this by providing health education, performing health screening and providing medical and spiritual support for those experiencing health events. Education and screening activities are announced in the Sunday bulletin.
Counseling Ministry
Biblical counseling is provided by the associate pastor for pastoral care and the pastoral care assistant for women. Assistance is given in making referrals to professional Christian resources for longer term and more in-depth help. For more information, write to Craig Koskela or phone 533-2092, ext. 2028.
Deaf Ministry
The purpose of Hands of Praise is to enable those who are deaf or hard of hearing to hear and receive the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. Interpretation for the deaf is offered at the 9 a.m. Sunday worship service and at some special events.
Financial Counseling
Financial counseling is available to individuals in the church having difficulty “making ends meet.” Following review and approval by the Compassion Ministries coordinator, those requesting financial counseling are taken through a program designed to put their finances in order. This includes identifying areas where spending can be reduced, consolidating and eliminating debt and establishing a household budget. Counseling sessions generally run one to two hours every other week, with individual circumstances determining the length of time required to complete the program.
Home Away from Home
This is a ministry to internationals living in Dauphin and Lebanon counties, primarily teaching English as a Second Language. In addition, there are special events for our overseas friends to experience American culture and develop relationships with local families, including meetings with a host family, internationals dinners, picnics and tours to historical sites. Write to Trig Rohrbach , or phone 583-0189, for more information.
King's Corps
This is a group that ministers to adults and older teens who are developmentally disabled. Activities include a weekly Sunday-school class, social activities and other events. For more information, phone Cheryl Mishler at 469-7354.
Shepherding Ministry
The Shepherding Ministry consists of trained lay shepherds who assist men and women in applying biblical principles to recover from spiritual, emotional and relational struggles. These supportive relationships help individuals make healthy, biblical choices in dealing with life’s stresses. The Shepherding Ministry team seeks to accomplish this goal by providing supportive counseling and prayer support. Supervision is provided to the shepherds through occasional team meetings and consultation as needed with the associate pastor for pastoral care or the pastoral care assistant for women. For more information, write to Craig Koskela or phone 533-2092, ext. 2028.
Visitation Ministry
Our church visitation team goes to visit members, friends and families of our congregation who are struggling with various situations. Our goal is to bring encouragement through prayer, Scripture reading and sharing truth about God's salvation. We also offer helpful resources such as cards, books, tracts and pamphlets. It is our hope that people thus ministered to will experience the church as a caring community. Visits are made to hospitals, prisons, retirement and nursing homes and private homes where there are personal crises such as bereavement, loss of work or loss of health. If you would like a visit or know of someone who may benefit from a visit, call the church office at 533-4848, Pastor Paul Haken at 533-2092, ext. 2011, or Evie Zook, assistant to the visitation pastor, at 533-2092, ext. 2034.
