Victory in Jesus!

by Mrs. Lucille Kennedy
 
Greetings from a charter member of C.A.B.C.!
 
During this season of life that we call Lent (Springtime), our hearts and thoughts turn to the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from death and the tomb. These forty days, for many, have become a period of time for fasting and prayer as we remember what Jesus has done for us when He died to redeem us from our sins. Our Sovereign God (the all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, all-the-time God) would not leave His Son, Jesus, in the tomb, and so with thankful hearts we rejoice as we celebrate His resurrection at Easter time.
 
Jesus taught many things to many people while he was here. He gave us a new commandment to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He taught us how to pray, how to live, and how to die (Matthew 5, 6, 7). He also said He would come back again and He gave us signs to be aware of His coming (Matthew 24, 25). Jesus also said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19).
 
So then, knowing that we have such a wonderful Savior and Lord, we can be assured that as we go through each troubling event in our lives, He will walk with us through each rough valley and carry us through every dark storm. Then He has promised one day to come again as King of Kings and take us to be with Him for Eternity! How can we not be rejoicing that Jesus lives?
 
He lives, TODAY!
 
Our Father, may our hearts rejoice, our minds remember,
and our lives respond to your abiding care, NOW!
In the loving, living name of Jesus,
Amen

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Our Mission

by Pastor Todd Witmer
 
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1, 2)
 
The list of ways the COVID pandemic has impacted our lives in 2020 is longer than most of us want to consider. One unexpected benefit, however, has been the development of new, creative ways to share the events of CABC. A recent project is producing a virtual “Getting to Know CABC” class. We started with interviews of people who were involved at the beginning. Thus far we have videos of conversations with Lucille Kennedy and Pastor Bob and Janet Coddington, who participated in the initial home Bible study group. Pastors Ralph Eib, David Dunn, and Bob Coddington were recorded on a Zoom gathering as well. All of these interactions are being edited and we are working to make them available for everyone.
 
Through the process of this project, I have been able to view the video from Mrs. Kennedy and the above scripture passage came to mind. The writer of Hebrews 12 is referring to the great cloud of Old Testament characters just described in chapter 11. I am reminded that each of us, as followers of Christ, will see additional faces in that group. We stand on the shoulders of faithful servants who preceded us. Many of us had praying parents and grandparents. People we may never know committed time, money, and rooms in their homes to bring the message of Jesus to their neighbors. The ministry of CABC was born out of just such a group. Who are the faces you see in that great cloud? Have you thanked God for their presence in your life and the role they played in pointing you to Him? In this Lenten season is there someone you want to thank?
 
At the end of the conversation with Mrs. Kennedy, I asked her to share any advice for those attending CABC today from those beginning years. Her words, “Keep your mind on the purpose,” echo with the words from Hebrews 12 above, “fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Regardless of the circumstances that challenge our plans (and there were many described by those early CABC pioneers), a clear purpose will keep us moving in His direction. As Mrs. Kennedy shared, “We were there to bring people to Jesus.”
 
We continue that mission today.

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A Letter from Pastor Todd

Dear CABC Family,
 
As we begin 2021, Lori and I find ourselves on the edge of a new chapter of life. We have been vividly reminded of the precious, fleeting nature of life in the past few years, walking with our parents through end of life and welcoming grandchildren at the very same time.
 
In order to take some time to spend with our children and grandchildren, I will be retiring from my position as your Senior Pastor as Lori finishes her school year. Sunday, June 6, 2021 will be my last Sunday as “Pastor Todd”.
 
This has been a very tough decision. I have been in this position for nearly 14 years, and Lori and I have called CABC home for 25 years. It has been a privilege to serve with you all – seeking to proclaim and live out the message of Christ’s Good News to our community.
 
A fellow servant,
Todd Witmer

Pastor Todd announced his retirement on Sunday, February 7. He gives a few more words of explanation and description within this video if you would like to watch and listen. 
 
We as CABC leadership are grateful for both Pastor Todd and Lori and all their service, dedication, and love given to this church body and the Body of Christ as a whole. We are excited for them as they start this new chapter of their life together and wish them, and their growing family, God’s great blessings!

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A Simple Christmas

The first Christmas didn’t have any glitz or glamor. No big wreath or Christmas tree. No presents. No family feast. Just a little wooden manger and the lights of a few candles as decorations. But that first Christmas brought hope. It brought joy and amazement, wonder and curiosity. It brought glory and praise to God. It was so simple, but so profound.

Christmas is not the same this year. But nor should it be. Christmas shouldn’t be just a tradition we carry out every year because the calendar says so. We shouldn’t stress and groan and overwhelm ourselves (and others) with to-do lists, shopping lists, a must-haves. Christmas should be a time each year to pause and remember that God loves us so much that He left His throne, His glory and all His power to become a child that would become a man who was to suffer and die for us – rebellious, faithless, sinners.

So yes, may your Christmas be different this year. May you forget about the shopping list and focus instead on the gift of Christ Jesus. Instead of big parties and gatherings may you seek quiet and calm moments to read His Word and His story. Instead of sharing presents, share God’s hope and love and joy this year with those who need it most.

We pray your Christmas will be simple, but fully filled with God’s never-ending love, peace and hope.
 
 
 
We also invite you to join us for a simple Christmas service at CABC on Friday, December 24. You can learn more about service times and more on our Christmas page

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Annual Report 2019-2020

Amidst a worldwide pandemic, stay-at-home-orders, and everything else that happened this spring, our ministries here at CABC still sought opportunities to know and grow in the knowledge of Christ. In doing so, we have compiled our annually presented Annual Report with highlights and stats from each ministry here at CABC showcasing the goodness of our God! Take a read and get to know more yourself…
 
 
 

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Dear Class of 2020…

 
YOU DID IT!
 
Congratulations to all graduates and fellow Class of 2020 celebrators! We assume, for many, this is not how you pictured your senior year to look. Instead of senior class trips, proms, last-chance hang outs with friends, graduation parties, college prepping or post-college job interviews… many of us are still stuck at home. But, that doesn’t mean this time has been wasted.
 
You graduated! You have spent the last (insert number here) years learning, growing, working and striving to achieve your hopes, goals and dreams. For some of you, it was hard. For others… it was really hard. But you all are now here, together, and have completed a great achievement!
 
You now face a new stage of your life: Will you go to college? A tech school? Enter the workforce? Travel abroad (after Covid-19 of course)? There is no right and wrong choice (though if you weren’t very good at science in high school we’d encourage you to think some more before becoming a science major in college).
 
The most important choice you make, however, is if you will continue to allow God to speak into your life. Will you listen to His guiding and follow his direction? Will you pray to Him for clarity and help when you don’t know what to do? And will you continue to tell others about His goodness and faithfulness wherever He leads you?
 
There is no iPhone app, GPS device, road map or manual to show you all the steps and turns you need to make in your journey. But there is a Good Book that will help you find all the answers you need. It is our hope and prayer that you will carry that with you wherever you go, and trust in the God who walks alongside you.
 
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
 
Join us as we pray for each of these graduates: for their future, their hopes, their dreams and their aspirations; and for God’s word to guide their steps along the way. 
 
 
High School Graduates
 
Christopher Abdel-Malak
Graduating from: Spring Grove Area High School
Date of Graduation: May 29, 2020
Future goals or plans: I am majoring in Mid-Level Education teaching mathematics at York College
 
Murphy Altland
Graduating from: Spring Grove Area High School
Date of Graduation: May 29, 2020
Future goals or plans: To attend Millersville University and major in Technology and Engineering Education
 
Joshua Bloom, Jr.
Graduating from: Gilpin County High School
Date of Graduation: May 13, 2020
Future goals or plans: Welding school
 
Saige Cotterman
Graduating from: York County School of Technology
Date of Graduation: May 11, 2020
Future goals or plans: To travel, live on the beach and go to school to be a Marine Biologist. I would love to study sharks in their natural habitats.
 
Trevor James
Graduating from: Spring Grove Area High School
Date of Graduation: May 29, 2020
Future goals or plans: To join the Air Force ROTC program at Penn State and major in Architectural Engineering
 
Gage Johnson
Graduating from: New Oxford Senior High School
Date of Graduation: May 28, 2020
Future goals or plans: To find a job or apprenticeship as a CNC operator and programmer
 
Sophia Kline
Graduating from: Spring Grove Area High School
Date of Graduation: May 29, 2020
Future goals or plans: To attend York College of Pennsylvania and major in Accounting
 
Cassidy Meyering
Graduating from: Spring Grove Area High School
Date of Graduation: May 29, 2020
Future goals or plans: To attend nursing school at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
 
Elizabeth Miller
Graduating from: Dallastown Area High School
Date of Graduation: June 2, 2020
Future goals or plans: Enter the workforce
 
Kayla Moul
Graduating from: Spring Grove Area High School
Date of Graduation: May 29, 2020
Future goals or plans: To attend HACC in the fall
 
Jonathan Wyrick
Graduating from: Spring Grove Area High School
Date of Graduation: May 29, 2020
Future goals or plans: I plan to go to Messiah College to earn a bachelor’s degree in Engineering 
 
 
College Graduates
 
Jon Schumacher 
Graduating from: West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Date of Graduation: May 8, 2020
Future goals or plans: I am hoping to secure a job in public relations and/or marketing with the hopes of forging my career in that field.
 
Amy Trump
Graduating from: Southern New Hampshire University
Date of Graduation: May 8, 2020
Future goals or plans: To be the Vice President for Human Resources
 
 
Congratulations, Class of 2020!
 

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