Gary William Metzenbacher, 71, of Lancaster Ohio passed away on October 11, 2024. Beloved son of William and Joyce Metzenbacher. Gary was born on May 30, 1953 in Waterford, PA where he grew up and attended Fort LeBoeuf High School. He was a graduate of Taylor University in Upland, Indiana and had a Bachelors’ degree in Biblical Literature; a Master of Arts in Theology from Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland Oregon; Master of Library Science from Indiana University and a Doctor of Divinity from Cornell University.
Gary was ordained an elder in the Community Christian Association of America in 1976 and served as a pastor to many churches: Arcadia Bible Church; Washington Valley, Cambridge Springs, PA, Collins View Church, Portland, Or; Valley View Church; Street Mission, Portland OR; Rometown Church, Spartanburg, PA; and New Creation MCC, Columbus, Ohio. He was also employed as library director for Western Evangelical Seminary, as library director at Circleville Bible College, and more recently by Columbus City Schools where he spent 20+ years working mostly as a teacher-librarian at East High School –Go Tigers!
Gary had a heart for the disenfranchised and quietly advocated for their rights. He enjoyed movies, his four-legged babies, spending time with family and friends, studying the Word, taking workshops and having intellectually stimulating conversations.
He leaves behind his sister Julie (Rob) and nieces and nephews: Emilie (Will), Jordan, Jeffry, and Spencer (Elizabeth); brother-in-law Steve; great nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Cynthia, brother Jeff and nephew Ryan. Gary will be deeply missed by those who were blessed to know him. His voice was silenced much too soon.
Arrangements: No services or calling hours at this time. As an expression of sympathy and remembrance, the family suggests book donations to your favorite school library.
We are a Virtual Community worshiping and meeting online.
Join our virtual community on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/NewCreation78
Please take note of our new mailing address:
New Creation MCC, PO Box 7303, Columbus Ohio 43207
This is part of our New Creation as an out-of-the-box Church of new ways. Keep watching here and on our Facebook page as we discern our new direction.
Join us Sunday on Facebook for virtual worship 10:30 AM
We have moved to online worship, and are exploring other options (community get together, meetings studies or prayers groups out in the community or homes, openness to new ideas places and forms) the building will not be open
Following the example of Jesus, New Creation MCC is a living model of acceptance and welcome, built on faith instead of fear; hope instead of judgment, love instead of rejection.
MCC Core Values
Inclusion
Love is our greatest moral value and resisting exclusion is a primary focus of our ministry. We want to continue to be conduits of faith where everyone is included in the family of God and where all parts of our being are welcomed at God’s table.
Community
Offering a safe and open community for people to worship, learn, and grow in their faith is our deep desire. We are committed to equipping ourselves and each other to do the work that God has called us to do in the world.
Spiritual Transformation
Providing a message of liberation from the oppressive religious environment of our day or to those experiencing God for the first time is what guides our ministry. We believe that when people are invited to experience God through the life and ministry of Christ, lives will be transformed.
Justice
Working to talk less and do more, we are committed to resisting the structures that oppress people and standing with those who suffer under the weight of oppressive systems, being guided always by our commitment to Global Human Rights.
Worship virtually with us on Facebook, we will not be meeting in person as we discover what is our next New Creation.
Join us on Facebook Sundays at 10:30AM ET USA
We will be posting our service recordings for viewing on-demand any time. See the link in our Main Menu>>
