Event To Include Book Signing

Past Salem Hellers Evangelical Reformed Church bazaars have included a variety of vendors selling homemade and home-based business items. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 concerns, the event is returning with about 20 vendors, plus George Cooper, author of the recently published book "Joseph of Nazareth: A Story of Uncommon Love and Faith," will be there to autograph the story.

The 2022 holiday bazaar will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 2555 Horseshoe Road, Lancaster.

According to Deb Burns, one of the organizers of the bazaar, among the many crafters will be those who sell jewelry, dog scarves, crocheted items, wood crafts, handmade note cards and greeting cards, wreaths, painted gourds, candles, handmade ornaments, and repurposed wine bottles. Home-based business vendors will sell Avon products, items from Pampered Chef, children's books, Discovery Toys, Tupperware, and brand-name bags. Each of the vendors will donate an item for the Chinese auction. Winners of the Chinese auction will be announced at 2 p.m.

Organizers plan to offer both breakfast and lunch foods for purchase. Individual breakfast casseroles made with potatoes, egg, ham or bacon, and cheese, along with coffee, will be sold for breakfast. Hot dogs and chicken corn soup will be offered for lunch. Chicken corn soup will be sold by the bowl to eat at the bazaar or by the quart to take out. A variety of baked goods will be available as well.

Cooper explained that his book, about Joseph, earthly father of Jesus, was written in the first person because the Scripture records no words for Joseph. "It's his voice speaking and the kind of person I think he was," said Cooper, who was inspired to write about the carpenter 40 years ago by a teenage girl who referred to Joseph as a "wimp." "That got me started," recalled Cooper. "I didn't believe that, but I didn't have any (proof) to say differently." What began as an attempt to write a short story grew into 228 pages published in 2021. "The more I researched and read the Scripture and considered what kind of person (Joseph) was, the more alive he became," said Cooper. "I imagine he was quiet but very strong." Cooper also noted that he admired Joseph's treatment of Mary when he discovered that she was pregnant. "He cared for her," said Cooper, who added, "(Joseph's) faith shines through it all. He knows who Jesus is, but he knows no one would believe it."

Burns reported that the mission committee members hope the sale will raise $2,000 for local organizations such as Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services as well as international ones such as JAARS Inc., a ministry associated with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Readers who have questions about the event may call 717-951-9717 for additional information.