Weekly News
Vol. 10-No. 37 Friday, September 16, 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, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
– Sanctuary: “Telling a Story to make a Point”
– Scripture: Luke 16:1-13
Thoughts on the Word: There are three stories told by Jesus in this part of the Gospel of Luke that we have been studying. The story of the Prodigal Son, The story of the rich man and poor Lazarus, and the story for this week that deals with the shrewd business manager. All three deal with the topic of money and how much value we place on financial security. The main point of all three is for us to get our spiritual priorities straight and that they are of greater importance. “True Riches” are found only in our relationship to God through Jesus Christ and in our relationship with each other as brothers and sisters in the church, the body of Christ in the world.
Next week: Rich but poor Text: Luke 16:19-31
MISSION OFFERING ~ Sunday, September 18, 2016 – “Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27 – The Church of the Brethren “Mission Offering” emphasizes our partnerships with international churches and organizations. It supports Core Ministries like Brethren Volunteer Service, Global Mission and Service, and others that allow us to walk with our brothers and sisters around the world.
2016 SO PA District Conference ~ Friday, September 16, 2016 & Saturday, September 17, 2016, Buffalo Valley COB, 46 Brethren Church Road, Mifflinburg, PA 17844, (570) 966-1183, Jesus said “Follow Me”, Matthew 9:9
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BRETHREN DISASTER RELIEF INFORMATION
➠ LAST CHANCE TO DONATE ~ FUN RUN….. Support the First Church Team on Sat., Sept. 24th as they compete in this event. We have raised $ 1, 100.00 toward our matched amount of $ 1,500.00. This week is the last chance to donate. Only $ 400.00 dollars needed to match funds for a $ 3,000.00 donation! WE HAVE AN ANONYMOUS DONOR WHO WILL MATCH UP TO $1500.00!! ——The BDRA again this year will have a 5K Run. First Church was very successful both with Runners and Donations last year. We hope to repeat that again this year. The congregation will have a chance to sponsor our FCOB Team by donating in the offering on Sundays. You may put your check or money in an envelope (found on the back of the pews), and mark for 5 K RUN and/or BDRA on your check or envelope.
➠The Coin container is almost filled. Put in some change and guess the amount. The winner will be announced and receive a prize!
BDRA COIN PROJECT~ Coins for Others In Need ~ Collection jar in front lobby. We are trying to fill the jar with loose change by September 23rd. Support disaster relief!
➠ NEEDED —
Would you be able to donate a NEW CHILDREN ‘S TOY, GAME, ETC. for the Children ‘s Auction at BDRA by Sunday, Sept. 18th.? This will give everyone an opportunity to help with Disaster Relief. There is a box in the Lobby marked for this. ~ Jolene Zeigler
➠ ATTENTION PIE BAKERS ~ Plan to bake a pie or two or more for the Disaster Relief Auction Bake Goods Table. Most popular pies are peach, ground cherry and wet bottom shoo fly. Your own crust or store bought are acceptable. September. 23 &24 Auction Dates. Let’s ” bake up a storm” for world disaster. – See Jolene Zeigler for details.
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ATTACHMENTS: Calendar of Events, Friends to Remember in Prayer, & Sunday School Schedule
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – September 11, 2016, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – 70
COPIES OF this week’s e-news, September calendar, and August/September Newsline Digest (formerly 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/ You may also contact the church office to request a copy.
2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE WRAP UP DVD is available in the church office. The DVD can be checked out to view and return. Please contact the church office to make sure it is available when you want to sign it out.
You can find the Wrap Up at Annual Conference 2016 news index page at www.brethren.org/ac2016
CHILDREN’S STORY ~ Consider signing up to do Children’s Story. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the narthex with available dates. Any questions, please contact Dan Snook.
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THIS WEEK……………
SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 ~ 46th Annual Dunker Church Service – This annual worship service will be held in the restored Dunker Church at the Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Md. on Sunday, September 18, 3:00 pm. This service will take place on the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam and commemorates the peace witness of the Brethren during the Civil War. Belita Mitchell, pastor at Harrisburg (PA) First Church of the Brethren, will be the preacher. This service is sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic District Church of the Brethren and is open to the public. For more information, please call Eddie Edmonds, 304-267-4135; Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey, 301-733-3565 or Ed Poling, 301-766-9005.
SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2016 – REVIVAL SERVICES, New Fairview Church of the Brethren, Sunday, Sept. 18 through Wed., Sept. 21st. See poster on bulletin board for message titles and contact information for this event.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 – Jeff Bach and David Kenley present “China Friends: New Discoveries for the Church of the Brethren,” a discussion of their research trip to Shanxi Province to trace the activities of Brethren missionaries, on Tues., Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m., at Elizabethtown College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. Bach is director of the Young Center and Kenley is director of the Center for Global Understanding and Peacemaking at the college. For more information, call 717-361-1470 or visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events.
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Please mark your calendars to reserve these dates: October 28, 29 and 30. First Church has reserved Tree of Peace Lodge at Camp Eder for a fall retreat. Carol and Ken Gordon will be our leaders. Autumn is especially beautiful in the woods where our camp is situated and this will be a weekend filled with fellowship and other good things. We will be placing registration papers on the bulletin boards as September approaches. –Spiritual Enrichment
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THANK YOU…………..
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! First Church is truly blessed! I believe our congregation appreciated the variety of vocalists and instrumentalists this summer just ended. There were vocal solos and duets, a singer with guitar accompaniment, brass with piano accompaniment, violin, and piano. And of course, many were backed up by our very capable keyboardist, Mike Baldwin. Greg Bachman also accompanied a duet. We had the opportunity to share the musical renditions of Ann and Brian Moul, Emma Stoolmaker, Jay Gibble and Lisa Mattia, Ben Detrick, Keith Grimm, Jackie LeGrand and Hannah Taylor, Caroline Wolfe, Cathy Carson, Julie Poland and Morgan Orndorff. Thank you! Thank you for sharing your talents with our First Church congregation. And thanks to whoever made all of the arrangements! – Larry Gibble – from the back pew in the sanctuary.
THANK YOU to everyone that helped set up/tear down, cooked food, provided entertainment and enjoyed the church picnic last Sunday. Special thanks to Jayne and Mike Baldwin, Sid and Charlie Innerst and Brittney Beckwith. If you have any suggestions on that event or thoughts on future events, please contact a Fellowship Team member. Thank you! Tim Beckwith, Fellowship Team Chair.
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CONGRATULATIONS…………
To Sam & Alicia Weyant on their wedding. Congratulations and Best Wishes!!
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SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES………….
To Terry & Sandy Yeager on the passing of Terry’s sister, Joyce. Please keep Terry, Sandy, and their family in your thoughts and prayers.
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LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . .
SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 ~ Camp Eder Senior Day, Wed., Sept. 28th, Morning: Hymn Sing in Chapel/Orchard Tour, Lunch: Pork loin, mashed potatoes, carrots, salad, bread, apple pie, Afternoon: Shaver’s Creek Birds of Prey
OCTOBER 1, 2016 ~ Fall Fundraising Banquet – Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry : Featuring “The Vine Street Boys” on Saturday, Oct. 1st, at New Fairview Church of the Brethren, 1873 New Fairview Church Rd., York, PA 17403, There is a silent auction, full-course dinner, ministry update, and door prizes. See flyer on bulletin board. Contact Glen & Anna Miller for tickets. Tickets are available until September 17th. (No ticket sales at the door.)
OCTOBER 2, 2016 ~ COMBINED SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS ON OCTOBER 2 – David Stauffer, a member of the Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren, will be presenting “The Church of the Brethren at Work” during a combined Sunday Class at
9:00 AM on October 2. He will be talking about the variety of ministries, projects, and programs of the Church of the Brethren. David will also be preaching on October 2 about the unity and purpose of the church. His sermon is based upon Ephesians 4:1-16 and is entitled
“In Mission Together.” David will be joining us for Love Feast as well.
OCTOBER 5, 2016 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2, 2016 ~ W.E. GATHER ~ “I love to tell the story” this favorite hymn, number 398 in our hymnal, will be our theme for this fall’s WE Gather. You might guess from the title that the theme will be sharing stories from our faith journeys. Starting on Wednesday evening, October 5th, 19th, 26th , and November 2nd. We will meet each Wednesday evening for a carry in supper starting at 6 and then a time of sharing starting at 7. We are looking for persons who are willing to share their faith stories. So look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex and pick a date. We have people signed up but we welcome more! Suggested Guidelines for sharing faith stories based on Hymn # 398 – “I Love to Tell the Story” 1) Satisfies my Longing (Jesus and his glory) 2) Some have never heard (the message of salvation) 3) For those who know it best (the old story made new because of God’s love). Start now thinking about how God has blessed you and been faithful to you in your journey through life.
NOVEMBER 12, 2016 ~ CHURCH GAME NIGHT, SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12TH at 6:30 pm in the Gym presented by the Fellowship Team. Bring your favorite board/card/etc. game to share! Dessert & drinks provided! Questions? Please contact a Fellowship Team member, Sid Innerst, Jayne Baldwin or Tim Beckwith
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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