Weekly News
Vol. 10-No. 14 Friday, April 8, 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, APRIL 10, 2016 – SPRING CONGREGATIONAL FORUM following worship service. Packets are available to be picked up on the table in the Narthex. There are two sections. The forum booklet and the treasurer report.
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
– Sanctuary: “Do you Love Me?”
– Scripture: John 21: 1-19
Thoughts on the Word: In the Gospel of John, the 21st chapter, we read where Jesus commissions Peter, not once but three times with the question, “Do you love me?” I take that question very personal when I read this passage. This text has deep meaning for me and my call to ministry. After having a vision of Jesus standing in front of me with sheep all around him, and then asking me to feed his sheep, I received “the call” from my home church in Frederick MD. to the ministry. What may not seem obvious to you is that up until this point in my life I was not very literate in the Bible. Oh yes I had grown up going to Sunday School and attending church, but for some reason very few if any Bible passages really sunk in for me. I have spent the last 40 some years now trying to understand and make sense of those words, “Do you love me” for my own faith journey. The best I can do is to see in them Jesus’ call, not only for me, but for all of his followers to be servants, and in so doing lead the world to God’s kingdom of peace and love.
Next weeks message: “I and the Father are One” Text: John 10:22-30 & Isaiah 50:4-9
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CHURCH OFFICE will be closed tomorrow, Friday, April 8th. Secretary will not be available and Pastor Don has his regular day off.
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ATTACHMENTS: Calendar of Events, Friends to Remember in Prayer, & Sunday School Schedule
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – April 3, 2016, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – 80
COPIES OF this week’s e-news, April calendar, and April Newsline Digest (formerly Mission and Ministry newsletter) are available to be picked up on the table in the narthex and at YorkFirst.org
2016 DIRECTORY IS AVAILABLE ON THE TABLE IN THE NARTHEX
Copies of the pastor’s sermons will be available on our website at http://yorkfirst.org/sermons/ You may also contact the church office to request a copy.
CHURCH YOUTUBE ~ The church now has a YouTube channel and has begun promoting the videos! Check out our Welcome Video on the church website or subscribe to the channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpyLQ1buN5bdQZPb4I-og5w
York First has a new website design! Visit http://yorkfirst.org/ now! If the old website design appears, please hit the refresh button. The new website design is “mobile friendly” meaning that it will adjust to the screen of your computer, tablet or smartphone.
If you have any questions or suggestions about the new design, please contact Tim Beckwith at timothy.a.beckwith@gmail.com or 717-304-6405.
A video showing the ministry of the Children’s Aid Society will be shown in the sanctuary every Sunday between Sunday School and Worship during the month of April. Please plan to view it at your convenience. The Leadership Team has made a decision to match the contributions made by members up to $ 10,000.00 total. There are informative contribution packets in the Narthex and we encourage you to pick one up and use it for your gift.
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On Sunday, April 24 at 9 am there will be a combined Sunday School session for all adults & youth in the Fellowship Hall. Mike Kovacs will be there speaking about all the great things that are being planned for Camp Eder for both old & young. Plan to be there.
ITEMS BEING ACCEPTED NOW FOR THE JUNE 11 YARD SALE – All proceeds benefit the “Youth” of First Church. When cleaning out your basements, attics, closets or garage, and you have boxes that may have been stored for a while, please check them before bringing them into the church. The items should be clean, and in fairly nice shape. PLEASE NO BROKEN ITEMS. We thank you, in advance, for your donations as it helps our youth attend summer conference. Any questions, please call Kathy Kovacs.
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THIS WEEK……………
APRIL 9, 2016 – YOU’RE INVITED !!! The Lamplighters Class invites you to join us on Saturday April 9 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall for an evening of FUN & ENTERTAINMENT, presented by the Reader’s Theatre Troupe of YLT (York Little Theatre).
The troupe of 8 to 10 professional performers will entertain you with humorous skits and readings from various shows, movies, radio and television, etc. (Remember “Who’s on First?”)
This is an evening you won’t want to miss, so, invite your friends and family, and join us in the fellowship hall on SATURDAY APRIL 9 at 7:00 pm.
The Lamplighters will be providing refreshments!!
APRIL 9, 2016 – Leadership Team/Renewal Team Retreat – The Leadership Team and Renewal Team will be attending a retreat at church on Saturday, April 9th from 9 AM to 3 PM. We are looking forward to working together and learning from our leader, Doreen Lecheler. Please pray for us as we prepare our hearts and minds for the day. If you have any thoughts or insights to share with the LT/RT prior to the retreat, or at any other time during the year, please contact any member of these teams. Thank you! Judy Deitch, Leadership Team Chair
APRIL 9, 2016 – West York Church of the Brethren – Yard Sale, Soup & Bake Sale, & Chicken BBQ, Sat, April 9th, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm – Tickets for Chicken BBQ are now on sale for $ 8.50 each (which includes the chicken, baked potato, roll & butter) Pick up for chicken BBQ is 11 am to 1 pm. Call Merl Keefer for Chicken BBQ tickets at 717-292-4084. Proceeds benefit local families in need. Thank you!
APRIL 14, 2016 – OWLS NEWS – Join us as the OWLS gather in the Homebuilders Classroom 154 at noon on Thursday April 14. We’ll play BINGO! Bring a $1.00 wrapped gift as a prize! Also bring your bag lunch. Nadine will be providing drinks and dessert. PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SIGNUP SHEET IN THE NARTHEX BY SUNDAY APRIL 10 so we know how many to prepare for! Upcoming on May 12 – A tour of the 2016 EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL
APRIL 14, 2016 – “Previously Read” Book Sale – Come to the Nicarry Meetinghouse at Cross Keys Village on Thursday, April 14 to find books, books and more books. Get an early start on summer reading material for the whole family. The sale will be held from 8 AM until 7:00 PM. Proceeds benefit “The Friends” of Cross Keys Village, the Brethren Home Community.
APRIL 14-17, 2016 ~You are invited to attend Revival/Evangelistic Services at New Freedom Church of the Brethren, 15660 Country Club Rd., New Freedom, PA, Thursday, April 14 to Sunday April 17, Brother James Myer Evangelist, 254 Keener Road, Lititz, PA. Everyone is welcome.
APRIL 15-17, 2016 – Spring Scrapbook Retreat at Camp Eder – Arrive on Friday anytime after 6:00 pm, head home on Sunday after lunch. Two nights of lodging and five meals included! $85/Geigley Lodge or $125/Tree of Peace Lodge, Register online at www.campeder.org or email at campeder.org with your name and lodging preference. For more information or any questions, contact Kathy Kovacs.
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THANK YOU…..
Egg Hunt A Success ~ A hearty THANK YOU to all the folks who helped to make the Easter Egg hunt successful again this year. Everyone including 60 children, 51 parents and grandparents, as well as many helpers, all had a great time. Thanks to those who volunteered to stuff and hide the eggs, shop for novelties or stuffed animals, cook and serve the meal, lead the crafts, and set up and tear down furniture. Also, we were grateful to those who donated items or money. You were much appreciated, First Church folks. ~ Nancy Gipe
I want to thank everyone for all the prayers, cards and visits during recovery from my surgery. It was completely successful and I was released from my surgeon last week. However, complete recovery will take some time. First Church and it’s people have become an enduring source of comfort for me. Your kindness shows we are all walking in our Savior’s footsteps. ~Terry Yeager
Thank you for the cards and prayers during my recovery. It was greatly appreciated. ~ Peg Eck
THANK YOU! To everyone who attended the Easter Breakfast, it was a great time to enjoy each others company! Thank you to everyone that helped set up and tear down the event as well! If you have ideas for a future Fellowship event, please see a team member.
– The Fellowship Team (Sid Innerst, Jayne Baldwin and Tim Beckwith)
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DIRECTORY CHANGE:
P. 20 – Betty Crowe – Betty’s new address is 18328 Prettyboy Dam Road, Parkton, MD 21120
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CONDOLENCES:
To the family of Alan Patterson. Alan, age 38, was called into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, April 2. Alan worked as a Counselor and Program Director for Camp Inspiration Hills, Burbank, Ohio, Youth Leader at Elm Street Church of the Brethren and was currently Executive Camp Director for Camp Eder, Fairfield, PA. Alan was an ordained minister through the Church of the Brethren
Information for Alan Patterson Funeral Services
Along with the info for the service in Ohio, CAMP EDER WILL HOLD A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT CAMP ON SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH AT 4PM. Tentative plans are to hold it in the chapel on the hill. Please share this info with your congregations.
The viewing will be Friday April 8, 2016, 2:00 – 4:00, 6:00 – 8:00, Chiles Funeral Home, 828 Bellefontaine Avenue, Lima, Ohio 45801, Phone (419) 228-5474, Funeral Service will be Saturday, April 9, 2016, County Line Church of Brethren, 4227 N Hardin Road, Harrod Ohio 45850 Phone 419-649-5364, Time: 11:00 am. There is a visitation one hour prior to the service. A meal will follow the service.
To Elmer Allison on the passing of his daughter, Georgeann. Please keep Elmer and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
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LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . .
APRIL 20, 2016 – SENIOR DAY AT CAMP EDER – 9:30 am Gathering/Morning Program “Tulip Time in Holland” Brad Nicholas shares his beautiful photos of his trip to see the famous tulips of Keikenhoff Gardens. 12:00 pm Lunch, 1:00 pm Afternoon Program, Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center and Friends. Cost $ 17.00 per person, Please RSVP by April 15th. Call 717-642-8256 or email campeder@campeder.org OR contact Kathy Kovacs.
APRIL 21, 2016 – Elizabethtown College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies presents two honors student lectures on Thursday, April 21 7:30 p.m. Annemarie Hartzell, a senior at Elizabethtown College, will present “Men of War, Men of Peace: Brethren Ideologies and the Civil War.” And Quinton Meil, a senior at Temple University, will present “Amish and Criminal Law: The English Response to Amish Crime and Its Implications on Due Process.” For more information, call 717-361-1470 or visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events.
APRIL 23, 2016 – Southern PA District COB 2016 District Women’s Spring Luncheon, Saturday Morning, April 23rd, Registration begins at 8:00 am. Guest speaker Jill Hastings. See pamphlets on the table in the narthex. Registration Deadline TODAY: April 8, 2016
APRIL 26, 2016 ~ THE 25TH ANNUAL AUCTION BENEFITTING THE LEHMAN CENTER will be held Tuesday, April 26th at the York County 4-H Center, 771 Stoverstown, Rd., York PA. Doors will open for auction preview, silent auction and food an Noon. Live Auction begins at 5:00 pm.
MAY 7, 2016 – CAMP EDER SPRING FLING & YARD SALE – Sat., May 7th, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm – Huge Rummage Sale featuring clothes, furniture, books, housewares, and much, much more! Free Hayrides, Site/Building Tours, Picnic @ noon (per donation). All proceeds benefit Christian summer camp for kids!
MAY 14, 2016 – CARLISLE TRUCK STOP MINISTRY, INC 2016 SPRING DINNER CONCERT – Featuring Mercy’s Vessel. On Sat. May 14th at 5:30 pm held at First United Presbyterian Church, 111 West Big Spring Ave., Newville, PA 17241. Cost $ 12.00/ticket, Ticket Deadline: May 2, 2016. If you have any questions, please see Glenn & Anna Miller
JUNE 13 & 14, 2016 – 68th Women’s Camp Retreat – Southern PA District COB ~ Monday, June 13th and Tuesday, June 14th. Retreat Leader: Leah Hileman. Registration deadline: Monday, May 16, 2016. See pamphlet and registration form on the bulletin board. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Kovacs.
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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 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.
Contacting the Youth Director, Garrett Page: His phone number is (614) 400-9533 or by email at: nykgarrettpage@yahoo.com
