ABOUT US

Statement of Purpose

"To develop Spirit empowered believers committed to holy living through faith in Jesus Christ by prayer, evangelism, discipleship and worship in the Air Hill Community and beyond."

"Air Hill Breezes"
Oct 2010
by: Pastor Ron
                                             “Sticky Church”

“The Church” What does this term mean to you?
Here’s what “Wikipedia” has to say about Church. Christian Church and church (Greek kyriakon (κυριακόν), "thing belonging to the Lord"; also ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) (Latinized as ecclesia, "assembly") are used to denote both a Christian association of people and a place of worship. In the New Testament the term ἐκκλησία (church or assembly) is used for local communities and in a universal sense to mean all believers.
It is this assembly portion that I choose to address: For some, church is a part of family tradition with deep meaning. Thoughts of warm friendships and closeness with God quickly come to mind. Family upbringing and the influence of close friends have all played a part in shaping our viewpoint of the local church. Some have been shaped by church life since childhood. Bible stories, Sunday school, being raised in a church going family, close friendships with others of a similar lifestyle all weigh heavily in shaping our opinion of church and the people in it!
However; for those who have been raised in families that were not church going, who didn’t have the biblical upbringing, or the understanding of what it means to have caring people around them, and having the relationship of Christ living in and through them…..their view of church can be quite different. For them; Church, can take on a mystical or intimidating impression which leaves one with feelings that are cold and distant. This can lead to misunderstandings that result in fear, feelings of rejection, and feelings of unworthiness. Navigating through all this baggage can make ones journey in finding God, a difficult one. Not knowing God, who He is, or what he has in store for your life combined with the complications of friends, family and acquaintances in the same type of circumstances creates a tangled web that Satan enjoys to see.
“Church” is intended to be an extension of Christ on earth. “Church” like honey should be naturally sticky, and sweet to taste. In Acts 2: 46+47 “Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
As the people of God’s Church live out the fruit of the spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Church will become sticky. The warmth and acceptance that some of us understand will be transferred to those who have not had the same privilege…..and people will stick.

A Sticky Church!!!       It’s what we’re called to be!

Pastor Ron


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Air Hill Breezes August 2010
Pastor Ron

"Summertime"

        As I feel the warm air flowing over my face and the presence of the sun on my back, I acknowledge that yes; it is summertime once again. Summer is a time for cookouts, picnics, horseshoes and vacations. It is also a time to work the fields, the gardens and the job sites. Summer is a time where there is not only a seasonal change, but a break in routine from the remainder of the year in numerous ways. For some the pace quickens and a new urgency sets in with many things to do and goals to accomplish. Plans are made, dates are set, schedules are rearranged and off we go with fresh determination in quest. For others, it is a time of rest from the business of the other nine or ten months of the year, and becomes a time to catch ones breath, to relax and reflect…..all the while knowing this present season will not last.
    Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 Says “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to give away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That every man may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it, so men will revere him.” 
      Regardless if this is a season of work or rest, a season of sorrow or laughter, a season of tearing down or building up, a season of searching or contentment. Our ultimate calling and purpose is to know God; however, sometimes we need to do what Psalm 46:10 says “Be Still and Know that I am God”.
As the song goes…….”He’s got the whole world in His hands”…….that includes you.

Give God just a little extra time and attention, and see what happens!

Pastor Ron


 

Church History

The River Brethren church (Brethren in Christ) had its origin in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the late eighteenth century. The new denomination grew out of the Pietist movement of the same period and the spiritual awakening which influenced the German immigrants living along the Susquehana River prompted these people to start anew. They organized the group of spiritual believers who would become known as Brethren in Christ by the mid-nineteenth century.

It was not long until some of this group emmigrated to other areas including Franklin County, Pennsylvania. By 1825 enough people had moved to the area or joined the group so that they established a new administrative unit or District as it was then known. The membership within the District elected their own leaders (bishop, ministers and deacons.) Rev. Christian Lesher was elected bishop and served his local District and brotherhood well for many years. In another forty years there were enough members to establish a second District in the county and the areas were designated as the South Franklin and North Franklin District. Rev. Aaron C. Wingert served as the first bishop in the newly created North Franklin District which included Air Hill.

Most of the members were farmers or were employed in agricultural related industries and they practiced the house-church concept of worship for nearly one hundred years. Individual families would volunteer to host the monthly worship service in their home or barn. The idea of building and worshiping in meetinghouses caught on slowly but with talking, planning, and raising money, the North Franklin District built its first meetinghouse (Air Hill) in the summer and fall of 1881 on the site adjacent to the Kryder Cemetery. The architectural style was patterned after the houses and barns found on their homesteads. The Air Hill church, for a time also known as Brechbill Meetinghouse, was a 40' x 60' limestone and brick structure. It was completed and the first service was conducted on November 13, 1881. The total cost of the meetinghouse was $3,241.26. By this time Rev. Martin H. Oberholser was serving as the bishop and John Gayman, Martin Oberholser and Henry Wingert were elected to serve as trustees.

The twentieth century was a time of change and growth at Air Hill. The congregation was interested in providing religious instruction for children, youth and adults which impacted them for the rest of the century. The Sunday School was started in 1906, first as a part-time program which operated weekly from April through September, and then expanded to nine months of the year and, in 1932, to twelve months.

The first major renovation of the meetinghouse in 1950 was seen, in part as necessary to accommodate the Christian education ministry of the church. Ten years later the education building and parsonage were added to provide space for the expanding ministry which included a ministry for youth, and a summer vacation Bible school. A children and youth club program was added a little later. Also a part of the 1960 building program was a small meeting room for the Junior Sunday School which was also used to host social activities. The administrative structure of the denomination encouraged a change from a bivocational minister to a salaried minister which created a need for the parsonage.

The last building program of the century was a two-phase program which involved the relocation of the parsonage and the addition of a multi-purpose building. The first phase, a multi-purpose building, was designed to accommodate a variety of athletic activities along with a kitchen which could adequately host congregational fellowship meals. This phase was completed in May, 1987. The second phase was the building of a new and larger sanctuary, additional classroom space and the renovation of the original building into a nursery, offices, library etc. This project was completed September, 1990.

Changes inaugurated in the twentieth century had wide ranging effects on these pious people. However, our congregation continues to search the scriptures as we endeavor to live the Christian life within our society.

Church History provided by Avery Zook (2002)