About Bare Memorial

Mission

Making disciples who make a difference.

Vision

By making disciples who make a difference in other’s lives, locally and globally, we strive to connect with future generations so that they will grow and continue God’s work, wherever he leads. darknet markets

Values

  • Connecting to God and others.
  • Growing in the Word of God & applying it to life.
  • Serving God by reaching out to others.

STAFF

Pastor Steve DiBiase

Lead Pastor

scdeebs@gmail.com

Pastor Steve is an ordained pastor in the Churches of God General Conference.  He earned his B.S. in Bible & Pastoral Studies from Lancaster Bible College in 2004, and earned his MA in Theology in 2017 from Liberty University. He has served as a youth pastor and support staff pastor in various Churches of God in the ERCOG, and in other churches outside the conference. Steve produces a podcast, called “The Restored Life,” to reach and teach people about the gospel.  Pastor Steve stated, “I love serving God’s people, meeting them where they are and discipling them.  Even though preaching the Word is extremely important and should be treated that way, helping disciples mature in their faith is what the Lord commanded us to do.” He and his wife, Katie have 4 young daughters, and his family is committed to serving the Lord in full-time ministry.

 

Check out Pastor Steve’s podcast, The Restored Life.

Our Council

The Church Council is the governing body of the church, made up of members in good-standing that are elected by the membership at the annual Congregational Meeting.  All business of the church is transacted by and through the council.  The council acts in accordance with parliamentary customs, the polity of the Churches of God General Conference, and ultimately the spirit and teachings of Christ. 

Council Members 2024

VOTING MEMBERS

  • Dale Brubaker, Council President, Elder (814) 224-5177
  • Joe Mauk,  (814) 931-7413
  • Clair Banks
  • Rita Shaffer, Elder
  • Josh Hampton
  • Rhonda Flaugh

NON-VOTING MEMBERS

  • Pastor Steve DiBiase (717) 446-3173
  • Betty Miles, Treasurer (814) 381-9246
  • Ken Sollenberger, Financial Secretary (814) 614-4897
  • Gloria Smouse, Recording Secretary (814) 224-2434

Our Beliefs

As part of the Churches of God General Conference, we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and our only rule of practice.  We encourage you to seek, ask questions, and discover the truth of God’s Word, for yourself.  Below you will find a summary of what we believe and practice.  This is not intended to be the final word on the faith and practice of the Churches of God — only God’s Word can do that.

We believe in the eternal God. He is three persons but one God.  He is both knowable and unknowable.  God is holy – separated from and opposed to evil, committed to purity and wholeness.  It is His holiness that provides for humanity’s deliverance from the penalty and power of sin.  His work is primarily creation, grace, justice, and mercy.  God wants us to know Him and has revealed Himself to us in various ways.

 

We believe in Jesus Christ and in His pre-existence.  He became incarnate and was truly human and wholly God.  The characteristics of Jesus’ divinity are the very characteristics of God.  He is Savior and Lord.  He died and was resurrected and ascended into heaven.  This same Jesus will come to receive us that we may be with Him forever.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, that He is God and came into the world in a new way at Pentecost.  He can be known and experienced.  He endows the followers of Christ with the “unity of the Spirit.”  His function in the Church, through the work of sanctification, is producing spiritual fruit and dispensing spiritual gifts.

 

We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible authority, the Word of God, our only rule of faith and practice.  God uses the words of men to convey His truth.  The central message of the Scriptures is the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  Proper interpretation of the Bible comes from the Holy Spirit.  The Churches of God does not endorse any particular translation of the Scriptures.  During our Sunday Services, the scripture is read from the New International Version (NIV).

 

We believe in humanity’s importance to God and in our created nature.  Humanity has a sinful nature.  We also have the potential of a new nature in Christ.  We are created free moral agents and are accountable to God for choices made.  We are free to make the decision to accept Christ.  We are no less free to turn away from God and be lost.  God does provide power for living a victorious Christian life.

 

We believe humanity’s salvation is in our regeneration, new birth, when we respond to God’s offer.  Humanity is justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the law, or by works of our own righteousness.  Justification includes remission and restoration, bestowed righteousness of God, and new standing before God.  Sanctification is both instantaneous and progressive.  The believer’s life and character are transformed by consecration to God.  It is the privilege and duty of believers to live holy lives.

 

We believe the Church is God’s called-out people who have specific rights and responsibilities.  The Church enjoys a special kind of fellowship which is rooted in the Christian’s common fellowship with the Father.  The Church should be a servant to God and humanity and apply New Testament principles to its life.

 

Baptism is an ordinance of the Church and is essential for obedience to Christ’s command. Jesus commissioned his followers to go and make disciples of all nations and baptize them (Matthew 28:19).  Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward grace.  It is to be practiced by those who profess faith in Christ and express commitment to follow Him.  We practice baptism by immersion.

 

Feet Washing is a celebration of the Incarnation and reminds us of our calling to be servants.  It is an expression of our love for one another.  It reminds us of our need to minister and to be ministered unto.

 

The Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion, is intended to remind us of Christ’s atoning death.  It is a proclamation of hope.  This ordinance is open to all Christians.

 

We believe in the presentation of children for the Lord’s blessing, setting them apart for the Lord.  Children are a gift from God and part of the covenant community.  Parents are responsible for the spiritual nurture of their children.  The congregation also shares this responsibility.

 

We believe in the Second Coming and ultimate victory of Jesus Christ.  God will bring history to its proper close in His way and time.  The message of end times is one of victory and fulfillment for Christians and the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom.  Until then the mission of God’s people is to be salt and light in the world.  We believe in the bodily resurrection of believers.  We believe judgment will accompany Christ’s return.

Our History

Our church was founded in the spring of 1872 by the East Pennsylvania Eldership.  Up until that time, it had been a part of the Morrison’s Cove and Stonerstown Circuit, which was established shortly after the Elder John Winebrenner, founder of the Churches of God, had delivered a series of sermons at a Camp Meeting at Henrietta in 1849.

The church quickly outgrew their meeting place and a new, larger building was constructed nearby in 1881, only to be destroyed by a fire in 1889.  The church, unhindered by the hardship, built a third structure at what is known as “The Five Points” (intersection of East Main, Spang, and Church Streets).  This building has been enlarged and improved over the years as the church grew and expanded their ministry. 

In 1928, a new Sunday School wing was financed by Mrs. Ella Bare Garver, Mrs. Anna Bare Eldon, and Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Bobb, in honor of their beloved father, Daniel Mathias Bare.  The church has since been known as Bare Memorial Church of God. 

D. M. Bare was a difference maker.  He set the example for us to follow, even many generations later.  We want to help you make a difference — in yourself, in your family, in your friends and coworkers, in our community, in our country, and in the rest of the world.