Health Care Reform

Joel Ario and Dr. John Messmer return with an update on health care reform, and answer questions from the audience.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, December 22, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Medical Missions in Kenya

Dr. Bill & Cinny Parrish spent a week in Kenya on a medical mission trip in September. They discuss what they did and saw while on their trip.

Mental Health Issues at the Holiday Season

Lee Ann Grisolano  discusses issues that frequently arise during the holiday season and strategies to deal with them.

Renovations Update

Rev. Dick Houtz, Pastor at Derry Presbyterian Church, gives a brief history and update on progress to date made by the renovations committee on various projects being considered to improve the church.


This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, November 24, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Neurotheology - What happens in your brain when you pray?

The emerging study of neurotheology or spiritual neuroscience seeks to identify changes in brain activity and physiology that occur during religious or spiritual beliefs and practices. Tim Mosher, MD discusses the techniques that are used to evaluate functional brain activity and reviews studies that seek to determine if there is a physiologic basis for the spiritual brain.

Building and Shaping the Body of Christ: Where Minstry and Leadership Meet

Rev. Dr. David A. Davis, Senior Pastor, Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, New Jersey discusses the role of leadership and different leadership styles in church ministry.

Mental Health Issues

Lee Ann Grisolano, Ph.D., Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Licensed Psychologist and Certified School Psychologist discusses issues involved in recognizing that mental health treatment may be necessary, overcoming the stigma of receiving mental health treatment, and finding a mental health practitioner who is a "good fit."

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, November 3, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Marriage in the Bible

Julia O'Brien, professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary, examines what the Old Testament says about marriage. 

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, October 13, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Child Care Changes at Derry Church

The child care program that began nine years ago looks quite different than the program envisioned by its founders. Rae Hardy discusses the changes that brought Derry Discovery Days to the lively and loving place it is today for children ages one through five and future plans.

Nicaragua Mission Trip Report

Derry member Pete Feil and Bonnie Gordon from Bridges to Community talk about Derry's involvement in building homes and schools near Masaya, Nicaragua.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, September 29, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Paul's Defense of the Gospel, Part 3

Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., ordained Presbyterian minister and Associate Professor, Religious Studies, Gettysburg College, concludes his study of Galatians.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, September 22, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Paul's Defense of the Gospel, Part 2

Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., ordained Presbyterian minister and Associate Professor, Religious Studies, Gettysburg College, continues his study of Galatians in chapter four.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, September 15, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Paul’s Defense of the Gospel, Part I

Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., ordained Presbyterian minister and Associate Professor, Religious Studies, Gettysburg College, continues his study of Galatians.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, September 8, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

An Introduction to the Apostle Paul’s Gospel of Grace (2 of 5)

Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., ordained Presbyterian minister and Associate Professor, Religious Studies, Gettysburg College, continues his study of Galatians with a focus on chapter 2.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, September 1, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free: A Study of Paul's Epistle to the Galatians (1 of 5)

Rev. Charles (Buz) Myers, Ph.D., ordained Presbyterian minister and Associate Professor, Religious Studies, Gettysburg College, gives some background on the New Testament letters of Paul in the first of five lectures he will present on Galatians.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, August 25, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, PA.

Finance & Investing Trivia: Being Good Stewards of Money

Tracy Burke discusses factors contributing to good stewardship of our financial resources

History of ZooAmerica

Pam Whitenack, Director, Hershey Community Archives, presents the history of ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. 

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, August 4, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

International Mission News

Eric and Becky Hinterliter, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission co-workers in Lithuania, talk about their calling to serve at LCC International University.
This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, June 30, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Baseball, Chocolate and Babe Ruth

Fran Strouse of Elizabethtown, PA, talks about the Klein Chocolate Company and its connection to the early days of baseball - when many companies sponsored professional teams.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, June 2, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Introducing the New Children's Hospital

Michelle Smith, RN & Clinical Project Manager presents an update on the ew children's hospital and details of planning and executing the move.

Engaging the Missing Generation

Many people go missing from church near the end of high school and only a fraction eventually return. Why is this happening, and what must the church do to receive and engage the mainstream of young adults? Alison and Dan Siewert, Evangelists for Carlisle Presbytery and leaders of New Church Ministry, discuss the spiritual perspective of the missing generation and what the New Ministry has been doing and learning as it seeks to create a new space for Christian community among young adults.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, May 12, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Health Care Reform: What's Next?

Joel Ario and Dr. John Messmer discuss what's next in Health Care Reform. As we move toward the full implementation of health reform with the opening of exchange marketplaces in 2014, many questions remain about what will be different and what will be the same. This lecture provides the latest updates on the changing health care landscape

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, May 5, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Faith and Economic Policy (4 of 4)

Lee Barrett, Professor of Systematic Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary, examines the religious basis of several different proposals concerning national economic policy, seeking to determine how each one is rooted in some core Christian values. This week's focus: three minor theories and a recap on the entire series.  Week 4 of 4.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, April 28, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Faith and Economic Policy (3 of 4)

Lee Barrett, Professor of Systematic Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary, examines the religious basis of several different proposals concerning national economic policy, seeking to determine how each one is rooted in some core Christian values. This week's focus: Christian Economic Realism and the works of Reinhold Neibuhr.  Week 3 of 4.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, April 21, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Faith and Economic Policy (2 of 4)

Lee Barrett, Professor of Systematic Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary, examines the religious basis of several different proposals concerning national economic policy, seeking to determine how each one is rooted in some core Christian values. This week's focus: the economic policies of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  Week 2 of 4.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, April 14, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Faith and Economic Policy (1 of 4)

Lee Barrett, Professor of Systematic Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary, examines the religious basis of several different proposals concerning national economic policy, seeking to determine how each one is rooted in some core Christian values. This week's focus: Christian Liberalism and Paul Ryan.  Week 1 of 4.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, April 7, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey. 

The Holy Land in Biblical Perspective (3 of 3)

Dr. Julia O'Brien, Old Testament Professor at Lancaster Theological Seminary, continues her series on what the Bible says about who belongs in the Holy Land.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, March 17, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey. 

The Holy Land In Biblical Perspective (2 of 3)

Dr. Julia O'Brien, Old Testament Professor at Lancaster Theological Seminary, continues her series on what the Bible says about who belongs in the Holy Land.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, March 10, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey. 

The Holy Land In Biblical Perspective (1 of 3)

What DOES the Bible say about who belongs in the Holy Land? These classes will explore different ways of answering the question and consider the diversity of perspectives we find in the Bible.

Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute

Dr. Thomas P. Loughran, Jr. discusses the Penn State Cancer Institute, it's design, research and updates.

A Window into Hershey's History

Pam Whitenack, Director, Hershey Community Archives, discusses the value of oral histories and reads some excerpts, providing insight into Milton S. Hershey, working at the chocolate factory, the early days of Hersheypark, the founding of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the Four Diamonds Fund, and the pastorate of Rev. Ira Reed, former pastor of Derry Church.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, February 10, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Milton Hershey School

Jim McMahon, Director of Archives, Milton Hershey School and Mike Kinney discuss the Milton Hershey School's history, mission and updates.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, February 3, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey. 

Krislund Camp Update

Harold Nightwine discusses building and camp improvement updates at Camp Krislund.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, January 27, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey. 

Family Promise

Krissy Marshall, executive director of Family Promise, discusses the problem of homelessness and how the Family Promise ministry helps families with housing, meals, and training.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, January 20, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Hershey Food Bank

Derry member and Hershey Food Bank board member Tom Kitzmiller presents the history, current operations and future plans for the Hershey Food Bank and Community Outreach.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, January 13, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.

Community Checkup Center

Derry members Joel Ario, Gretchen Ballard and Roger Mecum present the history, mission and future plans for the Community Checkup Center, a health clinic that cares for uninsured and underinsured women and children in south Harrisburg.

This lecture was presented on Sunday morning, January 6, 2013 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey.