Weekly News
Vol. 10-No. 48 Friday, December 2, 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, DECEMBER 4, 2016
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
– Sanctuary: “Extravagant Hope”
– Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10
DECEMBER 4TH, The Dallastown Strings and Choral Ensembles with Jubilee Ringers from York First at 7:00 pm.
Thoughts on the Word: Our text for this week takes us to the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah. In the 11th chapter of his writing we find words that to this very day inspire and challenge us to live lives of hope and expectation. “From the roots of a bulky rotted stump, a branch emerges! The extravagant hope of Israel will come from a shoot, a branch. The branch will have wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord, justice and equity, righteousness and faithfulness. That’s some branch! Or more accurately, that’s some hope!” Beth Scibienski wrote these thoughtful words. As we approach the celebration of the birth of our Lord, there is extravagant hope for us as individuals and as a community of faith, the church.
Next week: “Floating in water” Text: Isaiah 35:1-10
DECEMBER 11TH, Pastor Retirement Luncheon following the service.
__________________________________________________________________________________
ATTACHMENTS: Calendar of Events, Friends to Remember in Prayer, & Sunday School Schedule.
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – November 27, 2016, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – 115
COPIES OF this week’s e-news, December calendar, and December 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.
__________________________________________________________________________________
ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS~ December 4th and December 11th – Taking orders in the narthex between Sunday School and church and after church. Cost: $ 10.00, cash or check. Orders may also be placed through the church office.
ADVENT PROGRAMS SCHEDULED:
December 18th, a Cantata, “A Noel Celebration”, will be presented by the Chancel Choir at 10:30 am. The cantata will be directed by David Diehl and accompanied by a string ensemble and by Michael Baldwin.
December 24th, a Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. Carols, special music, the spoken word, and candle lighting will be featured.
Sunday, December 25th, at 10:30 am, will be a Christmas Day Celebration Service featuring carols and readings. There is no Sunday School scheduled.
Sunday, January 1st, at 10:30 am, a New Year’s Day Service is being planned by the Youth of the church. There is no Sunday School scheduled.
2017 DIRECTORY INFORMATION
There is a copy of the member’s pages of this year’s directory on the table in the narthex. PLEASE review and make any necessary changes on this copy.
We hope to have the most accurate information to print the 2017 directory.
2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES are available for you to pick up in the narthex.
NOTE: Many numbers have changed since 2016.
Do NOT use your 2016 envelopes after December 31, 2016, and do NOT use the 2017 envelopes before January 1, 2017 to assure that the contributions are credited to the correct contributor.
__________________________________________________________________________________
THIS WEEK……………
OWLS CHRISTMAS TEA ~ Get into the HOLIDAY SEASON! JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TEA on Thursday December 8 at noon in the OWLS TEA ROOM (aka the Homebuilders classroom 154). Everyone is invited. Dolly Furst will provide her delicious Cream of Crab and Chicken Corn Soup, and Chicken Salad Sandwiches. Of course there will be tea and cookies, Christmas decorations and music, and the program will feature a showing of the story of the inspiration behind the writing of “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” by Charles Dickens, using music and drama.
Ø Seating is limited so sign up now on the sign-up sheet in the narthex. The last chance to sign up is Sunday December 4.
DECEMBER 9, 2016 ~ SOUP KITCHEN – PLEASE BRING CASSEROLES TO CHURCH BY 8:30 AM ON FRIDAY.
Sign up in the narthex to make a casserole or to work at the Soup Kitchen on Friday, December 9, 2016 (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.
DECEMBER 9, 10, & 11, 2016 ~ Camp Eder 6th Annual Christmas Tree Festival – On Friday, Dec. 9th, Sat., Dec. 10th, and Sunday, Dec. 11th 5:00 pm -8:30 pm. Activities: Horse-drawn carriage rides! Thousands of Christmas Lights, Tree Decorating Contest (you vote!), Live Music featuring local artists, Luminary Garden honoring our loved ones, Warm refreshments & lots of cookies (free), Turkey Dinners, soup & sandwiches (per donation), Cookie Sale, Bake Table, and other Christmas items, Children’s Activity Cabin including story readings, cozy fires & friendly neighbors. Candlelit services each night at 8:00 pm.
Join us for Saturday Brunch on Sat., Oct. 10th from 9am -12pm. In addition to great food, you’ll have the opportunity to craft a unique Nativity, learn to fold napkins to look like a Christmas Tree, and make a special card to send our military serving over seas.
Please help us fill the trucks! In the spirit of giving, the folks at Camp Eder ask that you bring any amount of the following items for local families in need:
Ø Canned and other non-perishable food items (will go to the Fairfield Food Pantry)
Ø Gently used Children’s clothing and brand new children’s socks or undergarments (must be packaged, and will go to God’s Closet at the Children’s Aid Society in New Oxford)
_________________________________________________________________________________
Holiday Season Witness Opportunities:
LEHMAN CENTER FAMILY
Please bring items to church by December 4. Items may be placed in the box in the narthex under the sign-up sheet or taken to the office marked for “Lehman Center Family”. Cash or checks can be designated and placed in offering envelopes. Gift cards are great!
CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING
This year the Christmas Eve offering will be given to Church World Service to support the needs of refugee resettlement including, shelter, food and supplies.
CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY
Capital Campaign
To date we have donations of $5,250 for the CAS campaign. Witness will match up to $10,000!
_________________________________________________________________________________
Special Offering for Deacon’s Fund -December 11, 2016
What is the Deacon’s Fund?
The easiest way to describe this fund is to call it a benevolent fund. A fund to benefit any member or friend of York First Church of the Brethren. In the past this fund has helped pay rents, utilities, and airplane tickets for bereaved family members.
Currently our fund is at $900.
During this season of giving, please give as you can to this very important part of our Church’s mission.
_______________________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU……………
The Beckwiths would like to thank all who volunteered their time and talents to help make the start of Advent such a special time. Your time was much appreciated.
_______________________________________________________________________________
LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . .
DECEMBER 18, 2016 (For Book Order) ~ Women’s Bible Study – BEGINNING Tues., Jan. 10th, we will begin a new series of studies. We will explore the lessons in the book, Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg. The book explores awakening God’s fierce love, escaping fear, discovering freedom from the past and becoming more winsome, cheerful, and thankful leading us to become a more joy-filled child of God – every day. Please join us by calling or contacting Pat Trimmer at (717) 292-2960. PS: Orders for the book should not be later than December 18.
_______________________________________________________________________________
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS:
If your birthday is in DECEMBER and it is not on the above list or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.
2 Melinda Carlson
Larry Logue
4 Ron Gray
Haley Grace Yingling
Paige Noelle Yingling
7 Brynleigh McCracken
8 Todd Plymire
10 Barbara Rollman
12 Bob Stoolmaker
Tim Beckwith
14 Peggy Metzger
Christina Deitch
Kelly Boogher
15 Dave Bradfield, Sr
16 Brad Shenk
17 Jon Beuschlein
Linda Min
18 Eric Brickner
Julie Ilyes
Lilah Margrett Jan
19 Walter Bachman
21 Lindsay McCracken
23 Dave McCracken
24 Matthew Klinedinst
26 Emma Stoolmaker
_______________________________________________________________________________
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.
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
