Christmas candlelight service set at Harbaugh Church

The Waynesboro Historical Society invites everyone to attend its annual Christmas Candlelight Service on Sunday, November 28, at 3:00 p.m., at historic Harbaugh Church, in Midvale near Waynesboro.

Music will be provided by the Rouzerville United Methodist Church Youth Handbell Choir, directed by Pam Hind Rowland and accompanied on piano by Lucille Sprankle. Members of the handbell choir include Andrew Coyne, Jenna Cruickshanks, Jessica Gahan, Rylee Knepper, Hannah Knepper, Bryan Layman, Max Rush, Anniken Slemmer and Maria Slemmer.  

The service also features musical highlights by “7 Mile Road,” a contemporary Christian band from Gettysburg.

This year, two guest ministers return to lead the non-denominational service, the Rev. Louis Nyiri & the Rev. Candace Veon-Nyiri, both from Gettysburg Presbyterian Church.

Originally from State College, Pa., the Rev. Louis Nyiri earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Penn State University. He graduated in 1996 from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree and became an ordained Presbyterian minister the same year. He has served the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church since that time.

Nyiri is an associate pastor serving in many capacities. He oversees a vibrant youth ministry and has accompanied over 500 young people on various mission trips throughout his ministry. He also works with the Board of Deacons, Men’s Ministry, evangelism teams, Stephens Ministry, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and many other ministries.

Candace Veon-Nyiri is from western Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Grove City College, a master’s degree in gifted education from the University of Arkansas, a master’s level teaching certificate from Westminster College, and a master of divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where she serves on the board of directors.

After graduating from seminary, Veon-Nyiri served as chaplain at Hershey Medical Center. She became an ordained Presbyterian minister in 2006, and served as associate pastor for Contemporary Worship and Small Group Ministries at Gettysburg Presbyterian Church for several years.

The Nyiris and their son Alexander, live in Gettsyburg, Pennsylvania.

The public should be aware there are no restroom facilities at Harbaugh Church. For more information, call the historical society at (717) 762-1747.