Weekly News
Vol. 12-No. 52 Friday, December 29, 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, December 31, 2017
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. – Worship Service
– SANCTUARY: “A Light Revealed”
– SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:22-40
Our fundraiser for Heifer International has exceeded it’s goal!! Thank you to all who gave so generously that our Ark is overflowing!!! We will be celebrating our success at a short Celebration Reception immediately after church this Sunday, December 31st. Please plan to attend! A Special Thank You to The Weyant Family for their sale of home-made hot cocoa and gingerbread cookies to benefit Heifer. This was served by Trey and Jack at the Advent Breakfast and raised $86.90. ~ Barbara Jo Brown
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ATTACHMENTS: Calendar of Events, Friends to Remember in Prayer, & Sunday School Schedule
Tax Free Charitable Giving Letter – A copy is also available on the table in the narthex.
ATTENDANCE – December 24, 2017, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – 117
December 24, 2017, 7:00 pm – Christmas Eve Service – 209
COPIES OF this week’s e-news, the January calendar, and December Newsline Digest are available to be picked up on the table in the narthex and at YorkFirst.org
2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES: Please pick up your 2018 offering envelopes in the narthex. If there is no envelopes with your name, please advise the church office and one will be provided.
DO NOT USE your 2017 envelopes after DECEMBER 31
DO NOT USE your 2018 envelopes until JANUARY 1. ~ Thank you
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THANK YOU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Our deepest gratitude for everyone who baked all the cookies for Andrew to take to Lighthouse to celebrate his 42nd birthday. There were 150 cookies! Thank you for those who came to help out at our house and to help put up the donated Christmas tree.
Deepest gratitude, David, Joan, Andrew, and Jonathan Young
We have received blessings in abundance from the congregation of York First as I go through my journey with lymphona. For all the kind words and thoughtful ways you have reached out to me/us, we are so grateful. Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year!
Jim and Judy Deitch
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JANUARY: FROM THE SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT TEAM
The Church of the Brethren has always taken a strong stance for nonresistance or pacifism—we are one of the three historic peace churches, alongside the Mennonites and Quakers. In light of today’s violence in our country and community we would like to share THE TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE . These suggestions are written by Dr. Phillip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. We will begin this month with the first three.
1. DISCONNECT ANGER FROM VIOLENCE. I am convinced that human beings get angry, and that anger at injustice is often justified. There is healthy anger that insists, ‘There has to be a better way!’. I shutter when I hear parents tell children, “You shouldn’t be angry.” Tell them instead, “You’re feelings are OK, you can be angry, but you may not hit or hurt others.”
2. SEE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE LOVE OF VIOLENCE AND VIOLENCE ITSELF. Fascination with brutality, guns and bombs, war and evil must increase the chances for violent behavior. This isn’t proven, but seems likely. Don’t watch violent movies, TV shows, or play violent video games, etc.
3. SEE THE CONNECTON BETWEEN ALL LEVELS OF VIOLENCE. Insults and taunting, humiliation, and shaming are forms of violence. When we treat people badly, it should not surprise us when they seek a way to “get even.” Always follow The Golden Rule.
Start to practice these 3 suggestions this month, and we will offer more suggestions next month. You may not agree with all 10 points, but if only five or six are practiced, improvements in reducing violence will happen. As this New Year begins, let us re-commit to our Brethren roots of non-violence as a spiritual practice, and as a way to live out our faith. As one popular song goes, “ Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, The peace that was meant to be. With God as our father, Brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother, In perfect harmony.”
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LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . .
JANUARY 9, 2018 – Ladies, we are going to start a new Bible Study after the holidays on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. If you are interested in joining us………. we would love to have you. If you know a friend or relative who you would feel would benefit from this study, by all means, please invite her.
Our new study is entitled KINGDOM WOMAN and is a DVD study series by Dr. Tony Evans and his daughter Chrystal Evans Hurst. Now don’t let the title scare you. A Kingdom Woman is not the “perfect woman” as it may sound. But is a study to acquaint or re-enforce your value as a woman who God has created. The world will tell you are valueless. Sometimes your friends will make you feel devalued – and many times today, domestic abuse is one that totally devalues a woman’s self-esteem. But this study wants you to know how valuable you are. Some questions that are asked in this study are: What can you do if you feel devalued? How can you develop hope that brings joy? What will your spiritual legacy be? Do you know your potential?
The cost of the study guide is $8. I will have a sign-up sheet for the book if interested. Money will not be due until January 9.
Please put this study on your prayer list. Many of us need the Word of God to drown out the world’s view of who we are. You are the daughter of a King – You are a Kingdom Woman!!!
Any questions, please see Dolly Furst
JANUARY 12, 2018 ~ 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, January 12, 2018 (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.
JANUARY 12-13, 2018 ~ SOUTHERN PA DISTRICT-WIDE YOUTH ACTIVITY ~ Swim Upstream -Where We Will Begin to Explore Jesus’ Love & What it Means to Live Counter Culturally -for Youth grades 6-12, Contact Pastor Joel for registration information.
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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
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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Eshbach Railroad ~ All are invited to the annual Model Train Show at the home of Theresa & Warren Eshbach, 3885 Lauer Lane, Dover, PA 17315. No admission charge, but contributions received will support Children’s Aid Society.
Call (717) 292-4803 or Email: eshbachmodelrailroad@gmail.com to schedule a visit for:
Friday, Dec. 29th, 2:00/7:00 pm
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JANUARY BIRTHDAYS:
If your birthday is in JANUARY and it is not on the above list or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.
6 Ruby Nicholas
Tom Klinedinst
7 Greg Minnich
9 Jeffrey Yingling
11 Nathan Beuschlein
14 Beth Drawbaugh
Clarence Sauder
15 Ron Horner
Steven Fitzkee
16 Cathy McCracken
18 Melanie Schaefer
19 Greg Bachman
20 Spencer Ginder
Dana Stump
23 Danielle Gibbel
25 Valerie Sauder
27 Larry Gibble
31 Mikel Kile-Flickinger
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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, and his cell number is (717) 271-4888 . 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.
