IN THIS ISSUE: LCPN SLATES DINNER DISTRIBUTION page 4
Hempfield
DECEMBER 18, 2019
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXV • NO 41
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Westgate Baptist Church,
CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
Grace Church Lancaster, 911 Rohrerstown Road, Lancaster, will offer Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. Attendees will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. The familyfriendly service will take them back to the first Christmas through music and meditations shared by children and adults. For more information, readers may call 717-397-9991, email pastor Scott Becker at scott@gracelanc.org or visit www.facebook.com/GraceChurch LancasterPa. To register for the event, readers may visit www.gracelanc.org.
SOCIAL EVENT
will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 321 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster, from 7 to 10 p.m. The event is a group social dance for people of all ages with Caroline Barnes calling with the band Sleigh for Four. A workshop for new dancers will be held at 6:15 p.m. There is no need to bring a partner, as partners are exchanged after each dance. Admission fees will be discounted for students, with free admission for youths age 15 and under. For more information, call 717-951-4317 or visit www.lancastercontra.org.
Annual Volleyball Tournament Set pg 2
Brass Group Will Perform Concert pg 9
Mosaic Completed At St. Leo The Great Open Houses Planned For Jan. 26 And 28 It was four years in the making, but a ceremony on Dec. 6 capped the celebration of the 50th anniversary of St. Leo the Great Catholic School that began in 2015. During the event, the Very Rev. Peter Hahn, pastor of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, pronounced a blessing on a mosaic that was recently completed in the school’s lobby. Art teacher Kathryn Hemlick designed the mosaic, known as the Seven Sacrament Mosaic, and oversaw its construction, investing more than 600 hours in the project. With the help of more than 350 students, 14,000 pieces of glass were carefully set in place, with the final image depicting the efficacious signs of the Catholic Church. The efficacious signs represent the
seven sacraments that are believed to be the lifeforce of God, reaching down and offering the gift of grace, said school principal Christine McLean. “The mosaic art form signifies that God can transform brokenness into beauty. Now that is worth celebrating,” she added. About 50 people, including students in second, seventh, and eighth grades, attended the blessing of the mosaic. Students’ parents also attended, and McLean reported that one parent, visibly moved by the artwork, said, “As soon as you come into our parish school and see this mosaic hit you, you see our identity. God is a merciful God who wants to affect our lives in a personal and powerful way.” Hemlick was also touched by the event and expressed her gratitude for the support of the school community. “This really was a highlight of my life’s
The Very Rev. Peter Hahn (second from left) blessed the Seven Sacrament Mosaic located in the lobby of St. Leo the Great Catholic School in a ceremony on Dec. 6. work, but it also was a team effort from the students and families; our pastor,
Seniors Welcome At Annual Christmas Meal By Chelsea Peifer
The Columbia-Lancaster Christmas Ladies will host the annual free Christmas lunch for seniors age 55 and older on Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25, at the Columbia Borough Fire Department, 10th and Manor streets, Columbia. More than 125 senior citizens from throughout Lancaster and York counties attended last year’s Christmas meal. For Helen Bechtold and Sis Luzader, known to attendees as the Columbia-Lancaster Christmas Ladies, the vision for the meal is ultimately to ensure that no one spends Christmas alone.
Doors will open at 10 a.m. for a time of socializing and sharing coffee, tea, punch, and snacks. Lunch will be served at noon and will include ham and turkey, filling, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and dessert. Individuals age 55 and older who do not have other plans for Christmas Day are invited to attend. Organizers emphasize that the event is for seniors only. Reservations are required, and interested individuals may sign up by calling Bechtold at 717-397-2267 or Luzader at 717-684-0128 by Friday, Dec. 20. Anyone interested in making a financial contribution toward the meal or See Christmas Meal pg 5
The Columbia-Lancaster Christmas Ladies, Helen Bechtold (left) and Sis Luzader (not pictured), invite seniors age 55 and older who do not have plans for Christmas Day to a free meal at the Columbia Borough Fire Department.
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The Lancaster Contra Dance
Hempfield Hosts Super Wednesday pg 4
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Father Hahn; Principal McLean; and so many others,” she said. See St. Leo The Great pg 5
Sweet Pea Project Launches Book Drive Sweet Pea Project recently launched the “this is ten” book drive, which will continue through Tuesday, Dec. 31. The collection is being held in honor of the 10th birthday of Max, son of Sweet Pea Project board secretary Nicole Vasquez. Vasquez said that, when Max was stillborn a decade ago, she received a book that had been donated in memory of Madeline, daughter of Sweet Pea Project founder and president Stephanie Cole. This gift connected her to the Sweet Pea Project and began her service to the organization. Since Vasquez was connected to the organization through the gift of a book, organizers thought it would be fitting to honor Max’s 10th birthday and a decade of his mother’s service to the community through the Sweet Pea Project by collecting books. See Sweet Pea Project pg 3
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2235 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, will present a free Christmas concert featuring the Lancaster Brass Quintet on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. The concert will feature sacred and secular Christmas music. The community is invited to attend. A freewill offering will be received. For additional details, readers may visit www.wgbaptistlanc.org.