York First Church of the Brethren Weekly Newsletter, Vol.10, No.6

Weekly News
Vol. 10-No. 6 Friday, February 12, 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, February 14, 2016 “HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY”
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
– Sanctuary: “The Father’s Love”
– Scripture: Luke 15: 11-31

Thoughts on the Word: This Sunday we re-visit the Renewal theme text for our congregation from Luke’s gospel, chapter 15, verses 11-31. With Sunday being Valentine’s Day, I thought about the love that is seen in the story. The thought occurred to me that the obvious person to look was the waiting father. He demonstrates what I am calling “extreme love” in the story. He waits hoping to see his son return and in verse 20 he does see him. He runs to him in an act of encouragement and welcomes him home with an embrace that says, “you are still my son.” He kisses him and that seals it for the returning son. Extreme love that God, our heavenly Father has for us is seen in just the same way. God waits and longs for us to turn to him and be restore to the family. Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you.

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.

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – January 31, 2016, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – 84

THIS WEEK….

FEBRUARY 17, 2016 – W.E. GATHER – Began Feb. 10th and continues through March 16th. We will begin at 6 pm with a carry-in supper and then a study time starting at 7 pm. The subject is: Survey of Isaiah, the evangelical prophet include; themes, impending judgment, coming of the Messiah, and establishment of Messiah’s Kingdom

FEBRUARY 17, 2016 – CAMP EDER SENIOR DAY, Wed., Feb. 17th, 9:30 am Welcome and Breakfast Bar, 10:00 Morning Program – Alan Patterson singing love songs of early 1900’s, 12:00 Lunch – Lasagna, salad, garlic bread, broccoli, & dessert, 1:00 Afternoon Program – Elva’s Chalk Art – Cost: $17 per person. Reserve your spot by Feb. 12th by calling 717-642-8256 or emailing campeder@campeder.org See flyer on bulletin board or contact Kathy Kovacs with any questions.

FEBRUARY 17, 2016 – NEW WINDSOR WORK DAY ~ A work day in SERRV is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17TH. An email from SERRV indicated that they are looking for workers to process items for the gift shop and catalog sales. Our volunteer hours assist the program in a meaningful way. We will meet in the church parking lot at 7:15 a.m. and Marvin Gibble will drive us to New Windsor. Lunch is provided by SERRV and time in the gift shop is allowed for shopping. We return to First Church by 5:00 p.m. Hope you can join us. Sign the sheet in the narthex. If you have questions, call Helen Stoner, 624-3398.

FEBRUARY 18, 2016 – BAKE SALE at Nicarry Meeting House CKV-TBHC on Thursday, Feb. 18th,from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

DIRECTORY CHANGE:

Judy Yingling’s new address: 41 Camelot Arms, York, PA 17406

MESSENGER RENEWAL: REMINDER – This Sunday, February 14, is your LAST Sunday to renew your MESSENGER subscription.

LENTEN DEVOTIONALS ~ There is still time to pick up your copy of the Brethren Press Lenten devotional ” Let us also go” by Chris Bowman. These daily devotions for Ash Wednesday through Easter help us turn our lives over to God’s purpose. We travel with Jesus to Jerusalem as he prepares for Good Friday and we experience the transforming power of the resurrection. Pick up your copy in the Narthex on the table under the bulletin board.

REMINDER…SIMPLY PRAYER – A small prayer group will meet every Tuesday in the Lounge at 1:00 (except for every 2nd Tues. of the month we will meet at 2:00) Anyone is welcome to join us in prayer. The sessions will be about 30 minutes in length. You can contact Pat Gibble if you have questions.

SPIRITUAL RENEWAL: Last Friday, the question was asked, “How many of the four outward spiritual disciplines can you name?” The answer is (and they all start with the letter…); Simplicity, Solitude, Submission and Service.
Simplicity means to be so focused on Christ that all else is secondary.
Solitude. The Christian life calls for taking time apart, at least to pause in order to be still and know God.
Submission is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get our own way.
Service calls on us to model the way of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve.
So added to the four inward spiritual disciplines we mentioned previously (Meditation, Prayer, Fasting and Study) we now have 8 of the 12 spiritual disciplines.
We look forward to our 2nd Spiritual Renewal Congregational Luncheon. It will be held NEXT SUNDAY, February 21st following worship (snow date is the 28th). The youth will be preparing lunch for us and we want to extend the invitation to everyone to stay and be a part of this uplifting event in the life or our church. The emphasis will be on “Spiritual Appreciation.” We pray that you will choose to be a part of this Spiritual Appreciation luncheon experience. –The Spiritual Renewal Team

REMINDER – YEAR END STATEMENTS are available for pick up on the table in the narthex.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP…..Men Mentoring or Fellowshipping other Men….Growth and Study through Topics: *The Armor of God *Fruits of the Spirit *Men of Honor *Dad’s of Destiny or Grand Dads or Uncles *Support/Adopting/Mentoring of Youth of the Church *Other Suggestions….Possible Missions at Local Nursing Homes – “African Missions” – “Men’s Missions” &….New Life Tribes…. Helping at Habitat for Humanity … Outings of Interest that promote Growth and Friendship within and without the FCOB!!
Contact Brian LeGrand. ~ Brian LeGrand, Spiritual Enrichment Team Member

BHA Position Opening: Opening for Brethren Housing Association Executive Director – This position focuses on providing strategic direction and vision consistent with BHA – a mission. You may contact BHA at BHA_Search@dasherinc.com. See letter on bulletin board.

LOOKING AHEAD…….

FEBRUARY 23, 2016 – Christine Nelson-Tuttle presents “Assessing Vaccination Receptivity in the Old Order Amish in Cattaraugus County, N.Y.” on Tues., Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., at Elizabethtown College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. Nelson-Tuttle is an associate professor of nursing at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. For more information, call 717-361-1470 or visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events.

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)

FEBRUARY 27 AND MARCH 5, 2016 – Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve’s Camp Eder Mount Hope Maple Madness! Saturdays: Feb 27th and March 5th. Pancake Breakfast 7:30 – 11:30 am, Maple Sugaring Tours 9 am – 12 pm (last tour begins at 12pm) Tree to Table: learn the origins of maple sugaring and today’s tricks of the trade (and practice tapping a tree!) with a 90-minute tour. Perfect Pancakes for drizzling with real maple syrup, plus sausage, eggs, and more! Local Art & Craft Vendors showcase a variety of homemade goods. Pennsylvania Maple Syrup available for purchase while supplies last. “Sweet Deal” Package Best Price: Breakfast & a Tour $ 12. Adult, $ 7 Child (under 3 Free) **Visit StrawberryHill.org for single admission fees. See flyer on bulletin board or contact Kathy Kovacs with any questions

MARCH 4 & 5, 2016 – District Youth Event – Held at Mechanicsburg COB, 301 Gale St. Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, 7:00 PM on Friday, March 4th and Saturday, March 5th, $ 15.00 per person – Come join us for a night of fun and fellowship! This will be an overnight event filled with games, worship, and plenty of time to meet new friends! What to Bring: sleeping bag & pillow, card games, board games, snacks to share. Sign up online: www.campeder.org, (717) 642-8256, or email: campeder@campeder.org

MARCH 13TH through 16th, 2016 – REVIVAL SERVICES – New Fairview Church of the Brethren with Pastor Stafford Frederick of the Summerdean Church of the Brethren. See bulletin board for the schedule and message titles for these days. For More Information call 755-3836.

SAVE THE DATE ~ 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.

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.