Weekly News
Vol. 9-No. 45 Friday, November 6, 2015
Karen Bowman, Editor, secretary@yorkfirst.org
Our Vision Statement: “To become a community of committed Christians who Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
Our Mission Statement: “People dedicated to Spiritual Growth, Loving Relationship, and Sacrificial Service”
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015
Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
Sanctuary: “Watching the Crowd”
Scripture: Mark 12:38-44
Thoughts on the Word: Our text for this week takes us to the familiar story of the “Widows mite,” as it has been called, found in Mark 12: 38-44. Throughout his ministry, Jesus called attention to those on the margins of society, those who had previously gone unnoticed, the poor, the blind, the lame, the beggars, the lepers, military personnel, and the widows. These are the same people we find on the margins of our society today. Those who still are excluded, those who society looks down on or simply ignores. A widow, living in poverty created by the institution charged with her care is the main character in this week’s text. Her faithfulness is a challenge to those of us who are so blessed and yet find it hard to give. Come with fresh eyes to this familiar story this week.
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Pastor Don will be on vacation the week of November 9th to 15th. In case of an emergency, you may contact Melinda Carlson at Home – 717-792-9511 or Cell – 717-891-4699 OR Frank Leaman at Home – 717-741-3762or Cell – 717-891-4989
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH – YOUTH SUNDAY
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ATTACHMENT: Calendar of Events, Friends to Remember in Prayer, & Sunday School Schedule and Judy Deitch First COB-Lehman Center Letter
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – November 1, 2015, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Total Attendance – 111
COPIES OF this week’s e-news, November calendar, and November Mission and Ministry newsletter are available to be picked up on the table in the narthex and at YorkFirst.org
Copies of the pastor’s sermons will be available on our website at http://yorkfirst.org/sermons.SHTML You may also contact the church office to request a copy.
On November 8, First Church of the Brethren calendars and pens will be available in the narthex. Please feel free to pick up your calendar and pen (one of each per family please). – Hospitality Ministry Team
REMINDER – STATEMENTS are available for pick up on the narrow table in the narthex.
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THIS WEEK…………….
NOVEMBER 7, 2015 – Children’s Aid Society Annual Dinner– This year the annual Children’s Aid Society fundraising dinner will be held on Sat., Nov. 7th. This annual dinner alternates its location between the three CAS centers and this year The Lehman Center in York will be hosting the dinner at New Fairview Church of the Brethren. This dinner is an occasion to celebrate special friends, share the joy of another year of service to children, and to raise funds to support the CAS mission. Funds from the annual dinner support services to children in crisis. Because CAS serves children without regard for their family’s income level, they rely on charitable gifts to support the costs of services for low income children. Additional information about the dinner can be found on the Children’s Aid Society website at www.cassd.org or by calling 717-624-4461
NOVEMBER 7 & 8, 2015 – Spiritual Renewal Weekend – All “ize” on God: Gifted with Promise for a Purpose, featuring guest speaker Belita Mitchell at Hanover Church of the Brethren, 601 Wilson Avenue, Hanover, PA. Sat. Nov. 7th – 6:15 pm Ice Cream Social in Fellowship Hall, 7:00 pm Worship:”Filled with the Power” and Sunday Nov. 8th – 10:30 am Worship “ We Have this Treasure”, 12:00 Noon Carry-in Fellowship Meal, 6:30 pm Hymn Sing, 7:00 Worship: “Serving from the Overflow” – refreshments in Fellowship Hall following the Service. See flyer on bulletin board for additional information.
NOVEMBER 11, 2015 – Camp Eder Senior Citizen’s Day – Wednesday, Nov. 11th : 9: 30 am – Continental breakfast bar & fellowship, 10:00 am – Christmas Craft or Brethren History Presentation by Leah Hileman, 12:00 pm – Lunch: Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Peas, Roll, & Salad, 1:00 pm – Leah Hileman Performance, Only $ 15/person (includes food & program) Reserve your spot by November 9th. If any questions, please contact Kathy Kovacs and see poster on the bulletin board for complete details.
NOVEMBER 12, 2015 – OWLS NEWS – THANKSGIVING HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND MEMORIES will be the theme for the OWLS gathering on Thursday November 12. Join us at noon in the Homebuilders Classroom 154 for lunch. Bring your bag lunch and any thoughts about Thanksgiving that you would like to share. Dessert & Beverages will be provided. PLEASE SIGNUP BY NOVEMBER 8 so we know how many to prepare for. Upcoming events: December 10 – Annual Christmas Tea
NOVEMBER 13, 2015 – SOUP KITCHEN – PLEASE BRING CASSEROLES TO CHURCH BY 8:30 AMON FRIDAY.
Sign up in the narthex to make a casserole or to work at the Soup Kitchen on Friday, November 13, 2015,(10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE add your name and number of casseroles, to the SIGN UP sheet, so we can let the Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect.
NOVEMBER 13, 2015 – The “Grand Illusions” Jewelry Sale will be held Friday, Nov. 13th, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – This is a favorite as most items are only $ 6.00, this also includes scarves, wallets, and watches. Come to Cross Keys Village ~ The Brethren Home Community, Nicarry Meetinghouse. It’s the perfect time to pick up early Christmas presents! The proceeds will benefit The Friends of Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community
NOVEMBER 14, 2015 – The 2015 Founders Club Dinner, Sat., Nov. 14th, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Cross Keys Village-the Brethren Home Community ~The shooting of 10 innocent Amish schoolgirls at Nickel Mines, Pa., in 2006 shocked the world and then taught an amazing lesson in the forgiveness shown by the Amish. No one was more affected by that forgiveness than Marie Monville, wife of the killer. The author of “One Light Still Shines” is our guest speaker for the 2015 Founders Club Dinner, which is open to those who join the Founders Club by supporting its annual project. To find out more about the dinner and the Founders Club, call the Brethren Home Foundation at 717-624-5208.
NOVEMBER 14, 2015 – Christmas Craft Show, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Hanover COB, 601 Wilson Ave., Hanover, PA ~ Featuring: Our famous homemade soups, various homemade baked goods – Vendors include: Tupperware; Origami Owl; Chair Massages; Jewelry; Candles; Paintings; Scentsy; Christmas items; and much more!
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APPLES, APPLES AND LOTS OF APPLES! So, what do you do with all those apples? Of course…WE MADE DELICIOUS, HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER. Lots of hands were involved in this large project at Camp Eder on October 17. PINTS – $6 and Half-PINTS – $3 … AND we did not forget those who cannot have sugar in their diet. SUGAR FREE APPLE BUTTER AVAILABLE TOO.
~ See Kathy Kovacs in the Narthex either in the beginning or end of service for your APPLE BUTTER TREAT! Can’t you just taste your toast tomorrow morning for breakfast? YUM!
CASH FOR CAUSES
November>>>Thanksgiving>>>FOOD
Purchase Giant &/or Weis cards for those extra grocery purchases;
and don’t forget our Food Pantry needs restocking.
See me in church to buy your cards. ~ Carole Bradfield
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ADVENT INFORMATION:
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29th – Advent is fast approaching! The annual ADVENT BREAKFAST will be held on the first Sunday of Advent, November 29th. In the next few weeks, sign up sheets will be posted, so please pray about how you can help. Thanks!
JOY! JOY! JOY! The theme for our Advent breakfast on November 29th is JOY! Bill Waugh will be teaching a combined Sunday School class in the fellowship hall following the breakfast. His topic will be JOY! Advent is a season of JOY as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and the wonderful gift God gave us on Christmas Day. In addition to receiving JOY, our hope is that our congregation will help spread JOY this season by sponsoring a family at the Lehman Center. Below is a letter from the Lehman Center telling us about the family they have chosen for us to sponsor and the items they could use. Please keep Destiney (single mom), Dylan (5 year old boy) and Liyana (3 year old girl) in your prayers this holiday season and consider purchasing an item or more to help this precious family. Items needed will be posted on the bulletin board in the narthex, so pick up a “tree” with the listed item or choose from the letter below. Please bring your unwrapped gifts to the Advent breakfast
Sign up sheets for breakfast items and table sponsors will be posted in the narthex area, too, so please sign up to bring a casserole, baked oatmeal, fruit or fruit salad, juice, muffins, donuts and/or bread. We look forward to seeing you at the breakfast. Your presence will add to the JOY of the season!- Please see attachment (Judy Deitch First COB)
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SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES…….
To the family of Erika Bergmann. Erika passed away on October 31, 2015. Please keep her children, Jutta and Klaus and the Bergmann family in your thoughts and prayers.
To the family of Betty Arnold. Betty passed away on October 24, 2015. Please keep her son David and the Arnold family in your thoughts and prayers.
If you would like to send cards her son’s name and address is David & Wendy Arnold, 869 Nightlight Dr., York, PA 17402 and her sister is Faye & David Gotwalt, 3277 E. Berlin Rd, York, PA 17408
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THANKS…….
Wow!!! What an awesome surprise I had last Sunday morning when my wonderful church family celebrated my years of working with the children at First Church!! I was overwhelmed with all the things that were done to say thank you to me. I especially want to thank the Christian Ed Team for all the work they did for this special event. I have loved reading all the many cards and notes I received and am still receiving in the mail. It was especially touching to me that you invited my family to also surprise me! It was my pleasure and calling to reach out and work with the children of our church. I treasure all those years and the many rich loving relationships I have developed with them. Again than you so very much and God bless you. ~ Elizabeth
Thank you from Vivian and Pastor Don for the gift and cards from the congregation. The special blessing your support brings to us means a great deal to us in the work we do on behalf of Christ and his church. Blessings in Jesus name, Pastor Don and Vivian.
What a successful “Trick or Trunk” we had on Tuesday! The weather held and a good time was had by all those who attended. The decorated cars were amazing. Thanks to the kitchen crew, car decorators, candy providers and for your prayers that made the evening a success ~
Jayne & Mike Baldwin
THANK YOU NOTES RECEIVED FROM OUR MINISTRY PARTNERS:
I am always amazed by the numbers of lives that are touched each year by Children’s Aid Society. Last year we helped 586 children and 3,296 adults. We provided 38,217 hours of therapy, support groups, family advocacy, and crisis nursery care. But as impressive as these numbers are they don’t begin to tell how we have changed lives…………..We have been able to help them because of the concern of others like the congregation of York First Church of the Brethren.
You are a blessing to the children and families we help and you are a blessing to our mission. Thank you.
Jan Zeigler, Interim Executive Director ~ $200, Witness Commitment
Thank you for your support of the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren. It is through your generosity that ministries grow and lives are changed……..It is a blessing to partner with you to carry the light of Christ into the world, and to boldly share the love of Jesus with neighbors down the street and around the world. Stanley J. Noffsinger, General Secretary ~ $1208, Witness Commitment (Sept) – $1208, Witness Commitment (Oct)
The Brethren Home Foundation gratefully acknowledges your generous gift. Don Wilkinson ~ $200, Good Samaritan Fund, Witness Commitment
Thank you for your ongoing financial support towards the Outdoor Ministry of Camp Eder……I am grateful also for your prayers as our Camp Eder Family continues to share the love of Jesus Christ throughout the year.
Alan Patterson, Camp Director ~ $200, Witness Commitment – $115, proceeds from sale of grocery cards
Thank you for your gift. We are so blessed by your generosity….. God bless you.
New Life for Girls ~ $115, proceeds from sale of grocery cards
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CORRECTION TO NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY LIST:
25 Laura (Thomas) Lash
27 Michelle Sauder
29 Tammy Stehr
Luke Baldwin
30 Chad Eisenhart
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LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . .
NOVEMBER 17, 2015 – Conrad L. Kanagy, professor of sociology at Elizabethtown College, presents “Anabaptists around the World” on Tues., Nov. 17, 7:00 p.m., at Elizabethtown College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. Kanagy will report on the preliminary findings from the Global Anabaptist Profile, a study of twenty-two Mennonite groups from eighteen countries. For more information, call 717-361-1470 or visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events.
NOVEMBER 24, 2015 – Women’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study- Starting Tuesday, Nov. 24th, we will be starting a new series of study. We will be using the book, To Live is Christ – The Life and Ministry of Paul by Beth Moore. It is not necessary that you buy the book but, you may desire to do so. If you would like to see the book first, see Pat Trimmer. Hopefully we can look forward to seeing some new faces.
NOVEMBER 28, 2015 – Cross Keys Village-The Brethren Home Community Event ~ Christmas Bazaar held in the Nicarry Meetinghouse on Saturday, November 28, 2015, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Crafters from the Cross Keys Village community will offer their works for sale just in time for holiday gift shopping. Many of the items available will be Christmas-related. Woodwork, fiber arts, textiles and many more crafts will be available at most reasonable prices. Proceeds benefit residents at Cross Keys Village.
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Contacting the Pastor: Pastor Don can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday—Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The pastor rese rves afternoons and evenings for visitation, meetings, and other pastoral-related activities. If you need to reach a Pastor Don outside of office hours, please call him at home at 792-4090, or cell phone 818-6266, and leave a message on his home answering machine. He will return your call at his earliest opportunity. If you would specifically like a pastoral visit, please contact the pastor. HIPA laws prevent the hospital from contacting the pastor when you are admitted. You MUST specifically note to hospital staff that you would like the hospital to contact your pastor.
