Weekly News
Vol. 10-No. 2 Friday, January 15, 2016
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, January 17, 2016
9:00 am – Sunday School
10:30 am – Worship Service
Sanctuary: “Living a Life of Greatness”
Scripture: Nehemiah 5:14-19
Thoughts on the Word: Just what is it about a person, any person, that makes their life note worthy in the pages of history? Would we even remember the Old Testament leader, Nehemiah if he had acted like any other of king, governor, or leader? His name might be a footnote in the pages of the Bible, but he does some things that sets him apart from the rest. Nehemiah, and many other people, down through history have achieved greatness, not by brute force and political power but rather by being faithful to Godly direction and being a servant to those whom God calls them to serve. Nehemiah responded to the burden God placed on his heart, will we respond to the burden God is placing on our hearts today?
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – January 10, 2016, 10:30 a.m. – 94
THIS WEEK….
JANUARY 19, 2016 – Carol Gordon and Pat Gibble are going to be starting a small prayer group that will begin on Tuesday, January 19 at 1:00PM and will meet weekly. The agenda will be simply prayer for our church and the congregation and for concerns God has laid on our hearts. Please feel welcome to join us. You can contact Pat at 717-755-0019 if you have questions. The sessions will be about 30 minutes in length.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24TH – The Fellowship Team (Sid Innerst, Jayne Baldwin and Tim Beckwith) would like to invite you to the ALL-CHURCH BIRTHDAY LUNCH after worship on Sunday, January 24th! Please see the sign-up sheets posted if you would be willing to host/provide decorations for a birthday month, bring a food item or attend the lunch. If you have questions please see Tim or Sid. Looking forward to celebrating everyone’s birthday with fellowship, fun and a few games!
Please note: Table decorating volunteers do not need to provide a cake, that will be taken care of. If you cannot attend on Saturday 23rd from 7:30 pm – 9 pm to decorate the table but willing to provide decorations, please contact Tim at timothy.a.beckwith@gmail.com to assist you. Thank you!
THANK YOU…..
A most sincere “Thank you” to all church members that helped with infant center painting project. Many hands helped move items back and forth. It was much appreciated by CDC Staff. The painting looks great and was much needed.
SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES:
To Evelyn Chronister on the passing of her daughter, Judy Kyle. Judy passed away on January 12, 2016. Please keep Evelyn, Judy’s husband, children and family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you notes received from our Ministry Partners:
The recent gift from your congregation, representing the completion of your annual allocation to Bethany, allows for continued connections within and beyond the walls of Bethany Seminary. I send you thanks both for choosing to make Bethany one of your outreach recipients for 2015 and for continuing to keep Bethany as a first thought in theological education for the Church of the Brethren and the world.
Monica Rice, Coordinator of Congregational Relations
$200 Witness Commitment
Thank you for your ongoing financial support towards the Outdoor Ministry of Camp Eder. It is through your help that lives are touched and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is shared with all who visit our “home in the hills”.
Alan Patterson, Camp Director
$200 Witness Commitment
Thank you for helping the Lehman Center fight child abuse….whether your gift means that we will save money because we don’t have to buy supplies or your donation provides a needed item to a family, you have helped us in our mission. You have kept a child safe, comforted a child who has been hurt, and helped a parent be strong. Thank you for making our community a better place for children to grow up and for families to live.
Jan Zeigler, Interim Executive Director
Christmas gifts for family
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
$2420, Witness Commitment
The Brethren Home Foundation gratefully acknowledges your generous gift.
Don Wilkinson
$200, Good Samaritan Fund, Witness Commitment
I am writing to say thanks to you and the York First congregation for your faithful giving to the Lord and the Southern PA District. We deeply appreciate the $17,260.00 received as you support your District Financial Ministries Allocation.
I am grateful when I see the amounts given by each of our 44 congregations and I realize this is sacrificial giving on so many levels. This past year as well as supporting the on-going work of the District, we raised much more than our challenge goal for Nigeria. In this giving, I see the hearts of true disciples sharing out of their love for Christ.
Rev. Dr. William A. Waugh, District Executive
LOOKING AHEAD…….
JANUARY 26, 2016 – Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study – Starting Tuesday, January 26, we will begin a study of The Life and Ministry of Paul based on the book by Beth Moore. You need not purchase the book but a journal or notebook will be helpful in following along in our study. All are welcome to join us for this time of study, prayer, and fellowship in the lounge at 9:30 on Tuesday mornings. We look forward to seeing you. Any questions, contact Pat Trimmer
JANUARY 29-31, 2016 – Camp Eder WINTER CAMP 2016 – Grab your sleds and come join us for a weekend filled with fun activities and adventure as we explore camp in the winter! Grades 1st – 12th. – Registration fee $ 95.00. See the bulletin board for the registration form or register online at www.campeder.org or contact Mike Kovacs at mkovacs@campeder.org (717) 642-8256. See Kathy Kovacs at 309-0678 with any questions or additional information.
FEBRUARY 5 -6, 2016 – Camp Eder WOMEN’S RETREAT; “Come to the Banquet” with Karen Dillon. Camp Eder, Tree of Peace Lodge. Gather with friends and enjoy the comical musings from Karen Dillon – wife, mother, teacher, book editor, cancer survivor – as she brings a lighthearted approach to accepting food and ourselves….as God intended. Embark on a journey through 4 meals designed to inspire, encourage, and celebrate. See poster on bulletin board. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Kovacs at 309-0678.
FEBRUARY 27, 2016 ~ MAN 2 MAN Workshop 2016 – 8:00 am -12:00 noon-Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren, 301 Gale St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, $ 16.00 Registration Fee~ Men’s Spiritual Leadership Summit and Breakfast, DEEDS & DESTINY, Understanding the Times and Knowing What to Do. Attributes of a Decision-maker. Man UP! Guest Speaker: Ron Hostetler-Author, Educator, and Speaker – Sponsored by: Southern Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren (See Bulletin for registration information and more details)
CAMP EDER UPCOMING EVENTS ~ more details for these events to follow:
February 17 – Senior Day: Elva Hurst (Chalk Artist)
February 27 – Mount Hope Maple Madness
March 5 – Mount Hope Maple Madness
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 reserves 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.
Weather Related *CHURCH CANCELLATIONS
A. Cancellations will be announced through our church phone system.
Please use the following process:
1. Call the church office at 755-0307.
2. When answering machine message begins, press 6
3. A recorded message will indicate the status of church services/activities.
B. Cancellations will be announced on the church’s web site at www.yorkfirst.org, and when possible, emails will be sent to all online mailing list members and added to our Facebook page and Twitter, and in that 1, 2, 3, 4 order. *Weather related cancellations will not be announced on radio or TV.
