Weekly News
Vol. 12-No. 44 Friday, November 3, 2017
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, November 5, 2017
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
– SANCTUARY: “Jesus Uncut: The Solid Rock”
– SCRIPTURE: Matthew 7:24-29
FALL CONGREGATIONAL FORUM WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017
Packets are available to be picked up on the table in the Narthex. There are three sections. The forum booklet, the affirmation of slate, and the treasurer’s report.
TIME CHANGE – November 5, 2017
FALL BACK!!! –
Daylight savings time ends Sunday, Nov. 5th
TURN CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR!
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THANK YOU FROM PASTOR JOEL:
I wish to thank the many members who attended my service of ordination on October 15th at Lititz. It was very meaningful to me to have you there, and to see such a demonstration of support on behalf of the York First congregation. As I begin my service as pastor, I am already sensing the warmth of your welcome for me and my family. While we have experienced a bittersweet transition to life here in York, we walk forward with great hope in the potential for this community of faith.
Thanks be to God for the gift of a calling to ministry, and thanks be to God for your support and encouragement. I pray that we continue to seek the mind and heart of Christ as we walk forward together. Thanks and blessing, Pastor Joel
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LAST DAY ~ ‘CHANGE FOR A DAY’~ The Friends of CKV-TBHC ‘change for a day’ is due Sunday, November 5, 2017 ~ Please place your donation in the container in the church narthex that is marked “Change for a Day”. Thank you! Keyperson – Anna Miller
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Upcoming events regarding Joel Gibbel and Bob Krouse:
November 5 – Bob’s last Sunday preaching; Congregational Forum; Joel will be attending church and the CF
November 12 – Joel’s first Sunday preaching
November 19 – Transfer of membership for Joel and Michele Gibbel during worship service
Installation service for Joel Gibbel during worship service
Informal gathering in the narthex to welcome Joel, Michele, Micah and Danielle
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ATTACHMENTS: Calendar of Events, Friends to Remember in Prayer, & Sunday School Schedule
We pray for Rowan Neff each week. Her name has been on our prayer list. Rowan has been named the St. Jude’s Calendar Child of the Month for December, 2018. Please read the attached story about Rowan.
ATTENDANCE – October 29, 2017, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – 102
COPIES OF this week’s e-news, the November calendar, and November Newsline Digest are available to be picked up on the table in the narthex and at YorkFirst.org
REMINDER – STATEMENTS are available for pick up on the narrow table in the narthex.
AV TEAM is looking for people, male or female, to join the AV team. If interested, please contact Tim Beckwith or Patricia Carey, Worship Team Chair.\\\\
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THIS WEEK. . . . . . . . . . . .
NOVEMBER 4 & 5, 2017 ~ SPIRITUAL RENEWAL WEEKEND at Hanover Church of the Brethren, 601 Wilson Avenue, Hanover, PA 17331, featuring guest speaker Rev. Leah J. Hileman. See poster on bulletin board for schedule of events.
NOVEMBER 9, 2017 ~ OWLS NEWS ~ On Thursday November 9 the OWLS welcome DON RYAN to our gathering at noon in the Homebuilder’s classroom 154. Don is the WHISTLE CAROLER who plays the steam whistle on Christmas Eve at midnight. Join us to find out more about this interesting Christmas tradition. The Millers will provide drinks and dessert, so just bring your bag lunch and come along for an enjoyable and informative afternoon. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex by November 5 so we know how many to prepare for. Upcoming events: December 14 – Annual Christmas Tea
NOVEMBER 10, 2017 ~ 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, November 10, 2017 (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.
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COOKIE BAKERS NEEDED ~ First Church cookie bakers are needed to put their talent to work because we are again packing homemade cookies for the truckers which will be handed out to them during the month of December at the Carlisle Truck stops. The Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry chaplains will do so. The goal for our church is to pack at least 200 bags with about 6 cookies in each bag. That calls for ALOT of cookies!! We usually exceed our goal so I am expecting the same this year, friends. Please put your freshly baked homemade cookies in the church lounge on the table on Sunday, December 3. They definitely MUST be there by 9:30 AM Tuesday morning, December 5. The Ladies Bible Study group will pack them in the decorated bags that morning. Thank you so much for helping to brighten a trucker’s day! ~ Elizabeth Eisenhart
Our CASH FOR CAUSES program was started in mid-2011. In a little over 6 years we have sold $200,000 worth of Giant & Weis gift cards. The proceeds of these sales ***$10,000*** have been distributed to: Children’s Aid Society, Camp Eder, and New Life for Girls.
Thank you so much for your support of this Witness program.
With the holidays approaching, please consider purchasing these cards for your food shopping needs. You could also purchase them for our Food Pantry ingathering.
See me on Sunday morning.~ Carole Bradfield
“O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. How faithful are thy branches…”
This familiar song rings true for our Christmas Tree Festival, an event at Camp Eder which will be held this year on December 8, 9, and 10.
HELP decorate our Christmas tree for Camp Eder right here at First Church. Our theme this year for the Christmas Tree Festival is “Noah’s Ark”.
A table will be set up in the narthex with paints and brushes for you to create your own style and color to a particular animal you wish to see on the Christmas Tree. No art ability is needed. Just your own touch of love to the paint and something wonderful will appear.
These beautiful creative ornaments will be displayed on our tree at the Christmas Tree Festival.
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A SUGGESTION FROM THE SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT TEAM ABOUT HOW TO HAVE A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LORD
NOVEMBER – HEIFER SERVICE OPPORTUNITY ~ As followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to participate in the work of Heifer by committing ourselves to prayer and generous giving of our time and resources. Paul admonished the Corinthian Christians to be faithful in service to Christ just as a runner is participating in a race or as a boxer is engaged in a fight. We as Christians are called by Christ to be continually engaged in acts of service to do His work of evangelizing and responding to the needs of the hungry and the suffering. Paul reminded the followers of Christ that all who participate faithfully in ministry on Christ’s behalf, are promised crowns of rejoicing (1 Cor. 9:25-27).
Jesus is our perfect example. He said: “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day, for the night comes when no man can work” (John 9:4). And at the end of His ministry He told His Father, “I have finished the work which you gave Me to do” (John 17:4).
If in our service for God’s kingdom our motive is pure and our labor is for God’s glory, we will be rewarded far beyond what we are presently able to imagine. When Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the message of salvation and heal the sick and cleanse the lepers, He added that whoever gives a cup of cold water to a little one will in no wise loose his reward (Matt. 10:42).
So you are at this time encouraged to allow God to use you and bless you in the ministry of Heifer. Step up to the plate with anticipation and joy! The ball of opportunity is already on its way! ~ Frank Leaman
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THANK YOU. . . . . . . . .
We would like to thank the congregation for their cards, prayers, and concern during Bob’s surgery and recovery. Your support is greatly appreciated! Bob & Viv Fitzkee
Ron and Gail Rutland want to thank everyone for their cards, prayers, and continued support as Ron recovers from surgery. The power of prayer continues to sustain us!!
A big THANK YOU to all who participated in our Trick or Trunk event! The weather was perfect and we had a record number of trunks!! Several CDC parents/grandparents and community members decorated their cars and handed out treats.
Just like Miss Karen, the popcorn lady, they come because they love it!
What a wonderful way to minister to our church family, CDC and community!
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LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . .
NOVEMBER 29, 2017 ~ Camp Eder Senior Day: It’s the Holiday- Musical Guest Kerry White & Afternoon Holiday Activities – 9:30 Meet and greet with continental breakfast, 10:00 Morning Program (Holiday themed crafts), 12:00 Lunch, 1:00 Afternoon program ~ Register online campeder@campeder.org or call (717) 642-8256. See information on bulletin board and if you have any questions, please contact Kathy Kovacs.
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CAMP EDER ~ LIFE OUTDOORS ~ LIFESKILLS WORKSHOP, Free and open to the public RSVP @ 717-642-8256, Workshops will fill fast. Please R.S.V.P. – Register online now
First Thursday of every month. 6:30p – 8p at Camp Eder
December 7, 2017 – Rockclimbing ‘gravity is a myth’
January 4, 2018 – Knit & Crochet ‘woven together’
February 1, 2018 – Terrariums ‘warm in Winter’
March 1, 2018 – Outdoor Survival Skills ‘no problems’
April 5, 2018 – Beekeeping ‘bee ready for Spring’
Come hang out & learn the basics of some awesome life skills.
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CONTACTING THE PASTOR: Pastor Joel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday—Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Afternoons and evenings are set aside for visiting those in need, for meetings, and for other pastoral duties. Pastor Joel is also available for Pastoral Counseling by appointment. If you need to reach the pastor outside of office hours, his home phone number is (717) 318-5442. You can also email him at Pastor@yorkfirst.org. By the way, HIPA laws prevent the hospital from contacting the pastor when you are admitted, so you will need to let hospital staff know that you would like the hospital to contact your pastor.
