Weekly News
Vol. 9-No. 19 Friday, May 8, 2015
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, May 10, 2015 ~ MOTHER’S DAY
9:00 am – Sunday School
10:30 am – Worship Service
Sanctuary: “That My Joy Might Remain in You”
– Scripture: John 15: 9 – 17

Thoughts on the Word: Joy! What brings us the greatest joy in our lives? The correct answer to any question is always Jesus. But this week, with Mother’s Day being this Sunday, we can expand the answer to say that it is the love we receive through God from Jesus and from all those we know and love in life and who know and love us as well. The greatest expression of love occurred on Easter, when Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again for our salvation. Our text for this Sunday from John 15:9-17 tells us that we love God and remain true to Jesus only as we love one another. Doing this simple act brings us the greatest joy we can ever know in life. Our mothers may just be one of the greatest examples of love we will ever know and as such they bring us lifes great joys as well.

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – May 3, 2015, 10:30 a.m. – 117

Parent-child dedication service is being scheduled for Sunday, May 31st during morning worship. If you are interested in having your child dedicated to the Lord please let Pastor Don as soon as possible. This will be a very special time of celebrating the precious gift of life that God has given, and the challenge of raising children that requires the presence of God in the family and the needed support of the faith community.

First Church is beginning an effort aimed at strengthening marriages. To start, we are establishing a new couples small group called “Two to One” . This is meant to be for couples intending to be married and those married for short or long times. Our purpose is to develop friendships and support among couples as well as learn about ways to strengthen the marriage relationships we have. We are pretty excited about this and hope we can communicate that excitement to everyone! Our first meeting is set for Friday, June 5 at 7PM at Carol and Ken Gordon’s house- 1250 Gardenia Drive, Windsor, PA. We’ll add more information between now and then, but hope to see you. Questions/comments/suggestions can be directed to Carol and Ken

THIS WEEK….

BABY BOTTLE BOMMERANG IS “ON” – Starting May 10, Mother’s Day. Pick up baby bottles in narthex (lobby), fill bottles with change, and return to church office by June 21, Father’s Day. Funds will help young families at Human Life Services of York.

MAY 13, 2015 – New Windsor Work Day – SERRV will take place on Wednesday, May 13TH. We will travel to New Windsor, MD by church van, leaving the church parking lot at 7:15 a.m. Working in the SERRV warehouse, we will unpack, inspect and repack items that have come from cottage industries around the world. Our lunch is provided and we will be able to visit the Gift Shop. The van will return to First Church by 5:00 p.m. Please sign the list in the narthex to reserve a seat. We hope you will join us. For more info, call Helen Stoner

MAY 14, 2015 – OWLS NEWS – Come along! Join the OWLS (Older, Wiser Loving SENIORS) on Thursday May 14 at NOON in the Homebuilders Classroom 154 for lunch and an interesting and entertaining program presented by the York Little Theatre Readers! Bring your bag lunch. DRINKS AND DESSERT will be provided by Anna Miller. PLEASE SIGN UP BY MAY 11 so we know how many to prepare for.

MAY 16, 2015 – 2015 ANNUAL CAMP EDER BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT – Held at Mountain View Golf Course, 4099 Bullfrog Road, Fairfield, PA 17320, Proceeds Benefit the 2015 Camp Eder Summer Camp Program. $ 75. per person/ $ 300. per four-person team. See bulletin board for additional information, the registration form and the sponsorship form OR contact Kathy Kovacs, 717-309-0678

MAY 17, 2015 – Vital Passions Holy Practices Spiritual Gifts – For church leaders (board & deacon body members & others) Workshop Leader: Jonathan Shively, Congregational Ministries Executive – Examine your Congregation’s Mission Vitality ~ A workshop to look at how we, as Leaders, assess our congregant’s Spiritual Gifts & their passions for Christ and His Church at the Bermudian Church of the Brethren, 12:45 – 4:00 pm, Lunch served at 12:00 Noon (free will)

LADIES BIBLE STUDY LUNCHEON – TUESDAY, MAY 19. CHANGED FROM DOLLY’S HOUSE TO: JEFF’S CRABS AND SEAFOOD, 2813 E. Prospect Rd., Suite #1, York, PA 17402 (Mt Rose Ave.) — in small shopping plaza called East Prospect Plaza – across from “Sweet Willows Creamery” – you will love his food! DELICIOUS.
If you do not know where Jeff’s Crabs and Seafood is located – please meet at the church at 11:30 and we will carpool over. Otherwise, If driving direct – Lunch at 12 noon.
If you are not signed up, please either e-mail Dolly Furst. I need a head count for the restaurant in order to serve us better.

LADIES BIBLE STUDY will continue to meet once a month on the following dates noted below during the summer months and we will continue our study “Traveling Light” with Max Lucado.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 – Lesson #7 – “It’s a Jungle Out There”
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 – Lesson #8 – “A Heavenly Exchange”
Tuesday, August 11, 2015 – Lesson #9 “Get Over Yourself”
BEGIN NEW YEAR –
September 15, 2015 – Lesson #10 “I will Lead You Home”

YARD SALE – GARAGE IS NOT FULL YET FOLKS – so let’s get your good-unused merchandise to us. We want to fill that garage, so Kathy Kovacs and Jeanette Brickner have something to do besides walk around the garage and look out the window for freedom! They are like the wandering Egyptians in the desert looking for Pastor Don to part the Red Sea. So please, let’s get that good stuff into the church before June 13 for our annual yard sale so we can help to free Kathy and Jeanette from the slavery of pricing.

And don’t forget to sign up to help, or bring donated food items and baked goods. We need your help to make this as successful as last year. Sign up paper posted in the Narthex. Don’t forget, we will again have chicken corn soup for take out and lunch. If you wish take out – please bring your own containers as we have NONE! First come First Served. When it’s gone – it’s gone!

SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES:
To Bev Raney and her family on the loss of her mother, Anna Lehman who passed away on May 5, 2015. Her service will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015 at Noon at Eberly Funeral Home, 104 W. Main St., Dallastown, PA 17313, Please keep Bev Raney and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

THANK YOU:
Thank you for all the prayers and cards. I get stronger every day. I don’t have to return to Hershey until the end of June. That is when I will have the repair surgery. Anita Jacobs

DIRECTORY CHANGE: Effective April 21, 2015 ~ New address and phone number is: Ruth E. Schmidt, 610 Harmony Dr., Apt. 202, New Oxford, PA 17350, Phone # 717-624-4021

SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES:
To Gail Wynn and her family on the death of her brother, Paul S. Gipe, Jr. on April 14, 2015. Please keep Gail and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you notes received from our Ministry Partners:
Thank you for your ongoing financial support towards the Outdoor Ministry of Camp Eder. It is through your help that lives are touched and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is share with all who visit our “home in the hills”.
Alan Patterson, Camp Director
$247.90 proceeds from sale of grocery cards

Thank you for your support of the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren. It is through your generosity that ministries grow and lives are changed.
Stanley J. Noffsinger, General Secretary
$1208 Witness Commitment

Thank you for your generous support of the Nigeria Crisis Response. With this gift, you are walking in solidarity with Nigerian people who have been left homeless, hungry and in mourning….please pray for peace in Nigeria. Your prayers serve as a lifeline of grace to comfort and strengthen our Nigerian sisters and brothers during this painful crisis.
Nigeria Crisis Response Team: Carl Hill, Roxane Hill, Roy Winter, Jay Wittmeyer
$3062.00 designated funds and fundraisers

Your generous donation to the Church World Service Blankets+ program tells people in crisis, “You’re not alone. Someone cares.”
Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO
$50 designated funds

Thank you for your generous support of this vital ministry that continues to touch lives for Christ.
Chaplain Dan Lehigh, Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, Inc.
$25.00 designated funds

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month so your gift to support our services for children who are in danger of being abused or who have been abused is very timely. The cycle of abuse is a terrible blight in our communities. With your help we can stop it one child at a time. Thank you for helping us.
Jan Zeigler, Interim Executive Director, Children’s Aid Society
$247.95, proceeds from sale of grocery cards

Thank you so much for your contribution that is so vital in keeping this ministry moving forward. God bless you!
New Life for Girls, Inc.
$247.90, proceeds from sale of grocery car

LOOKING AHEAD…….

MAY 22-24, 2015 – Young Adult Conference 2015 ~ “You Shall Go out with Joy: Transforming the World’s Thorns into Joyful Action!” (Isaiah 55: 12 – 13) – Event held at Camp Swatara in Bethel, PA and all young adults are welcome! (Ages 18-35). The cost is $125 ($150 after April 30) – First Church pays ½ the cost. Register online at www.brethren.org/yac

MAY 22 – 24, CAMP EDER – Wilderness First Aid Class – Saturday, May 23rd – Sunday, May 24th, Presented by Solo – International Leader in Wilderness Medicine – A great day out in the woods can turn badly very quickly. SOLO, an inter-national leader in wilderness medicine, presents a class intended to equip you with skills to mitigate risks associated with outdoor pursuits. Topics presented include cold/heat injuries, soft tissue injuries, head/neck/spine injuries, and much more. The class includes practical scenarios, classroom lecture, and written tests. See flyer on the bulletin board for more information. Contact Camp Eder at (717) 642-8256 or Davis Swift (DSwift@CampEder.org)

MAY 27, 2015 – SENIOR CITIZEN’S DAY – Camp Eder – 10:00 am Summit Search & Rescue – Jim & Terri Heck will present an educational, interactive and fun Program on mantrailing blood-hound teams who are utilized to locate missing persons and for criminal investigations. 12:00 Lunch ~ Menu: Grilled Pork Chops, Pasta Salad, Baked Potato, Corn, Dessert, 1:00 pm Roz Santay, Susan & Dane Wagle, & Sue & Jim Welsh – Enjoy the musical talents of these long time friends who perform locally at the Pippinfest, campgrounds and Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church. They play guitar, box drum, harmonica, & electric bass. “The Women’s Trio” specialty is blending their beautiful voices in three part harmony. $ 15/Person (covers all food and activities) See flyer on bulletin board or contact Kathy Kovacs

MAY 31, 2015 – PRAISE AND WORSHIP – Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren will be hosting a benefit event to raise funds for EYN. Come for an evening of Praise and Worship led by the Madison Avenue Praise Team and Friends on Sunday, May 31, 7:00 p.m. at Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren. We will lift our voices to praise our Lord and Savior, and we will join together in prayer and giving generously in a free will offering for our Brothers and Sisters in Nigeria

JUNE 6, 2015 “Sip Back and Enjoy” Camp Eder’s 3rd Tea-Lightful Celebration, Camp Eder Geigley Lodge, 914 Mt. Hope Road Fairfield, PA 17320, Saturday, June 6, 2015, 12:00-3:00 pm, Fee: $35.00/person, Ladies & Gentlemen ages 12 & up welcome to attend! Includes: Afternoon Tea Inspirational Speaker – Sharon Weisser. Live music performed by Celtic Harpist, Sharon Knowles Come join us for a delightful, Tea celebration at Camp Eder. Please bring your own tea cup. Enjoy fellowship, encouraging Biblical message, and uplifting music. The Tea will consist of several delectable homemade courses: salad, scones, savory, and a sweet course. Three different types of tea will be served throughout the afternoon. Program will include poetry reading, health benefits of tea, vendors and door prizes. Giftware and tea merchandise, honey tasting & homemade soaps will be available to purchase from Tea Merchant, Mary Miller Myers from “An Early Elegance”, Kay Deardorff from “Shady Rest Apiaries, LLC” and Tiffanie Strickland from “Backwood Goods”. Limited seating available, please RSVP with payment, no later than May 15th. See flyer on bulletin board and contact Kathy Kovacs, (717) 309-0678 with any questions or for additional information.

JUNE 7, 2015 – TEACHER APPRECIATION BREAKFAST – 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. The Christian Education Ministry Team would like to thank those individuals who have shared their time and talents to benefit the Sunday School Program at York First church during the past year. To show our appreciation, we would like to invite all Sunday school teachers, children’s church, and Nursery Care Providers, to a Breakfast held in their honor. We would like members of the Sunday School Classes to help provide the food such as casseroles, fruit, breads, and muffins. Sign-up sheets will be placed in your rooms. Thank you! Questions: see Nancy Gipe or Vivian Hubbell

JUNE 8 & 9, 2015 – 67th Annual Women’s Camp Retreat ~ In the Presence of Joy. In Your presence there is fullness of Joy – Psalm 16:11 Deadline to register is May 18, 2015. Our guest Speaker, Wanda Gallimore is an adult Bible Teacher with many years of experience, teaching God’s word with a passion for simply loving the Word of God as it is presented in His Story. She has taught “Through the Bible in One Year” five times and portions of Scripture many times. Besides teaching, she is a public speaker, a Bible Study leader, the author of two books and a travel blogger. See bulletin board for flyer and registration form. Contact Kathy Kovacs

SAVE THE DATE ~ JULY 3, 2015 ~ An appreciation concert by the EYN Women’s Fellowship Choir scheduled for Friday, July 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicarry Meetinghouse on the campus of CKV-TBHC. All are invited and encouraged to attend. The EYN women are here in the US; they also will attend and perform at our Annual Conference in Tampa, FL. More details to follow.

Information on the bus trip to the Annual Conference July 11-15, Tampa, Florida This is to inform you that I will be hosting an Elite Coach to the July 11 – 15 Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida this summer. People have been inquiring about this possibility.
With a minimum of 35 participants, the cost will be $789 per person double occupancy and that is all inclusive, conference lodging, enroute lodging, ,transportation and driver gratuity. It does not include meals (except breakfasts along the way) while traveling or at conference.
Since reservations for lodging open in late February, I cannot assure A.C. lodging, but I have requested and am assured that our conference stay will be at the Marriott Hotel which is across the street from the convention center. This trip of approximately 1100 miles will take two and one-half days with stops along the way. We will leave July 9 from Brethren Village at 7:30 a.m., pick up people along the way and return on July 17 around 6 p.m. We will take appropriate breaks but it will not be much of a sightseeing tour. We hope to stop at one or two interesting sites along the way. The minimum participants will be 35 persons to stay within the above price. Happy New Year and God bless! Earl K. Ziegler (See letter on the bulletin board) VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – July 19 – 23, 2015, 6:00 – 8:30, children ages 4 – 5th grade The theme this year is: EVEREST: Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power. Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of ways, so if we haven’t contacted you yet and you would like to help, please contact Carol Gordon @ momfornine@aol.com or Judy Deitch @ judy@deitchgroup.com and we will find a spot for you. Supplies are always needed and you can help with your donations. Sign-up sheets will soon be posted. You can sponsor a child, provide Everest Sing & Play Music CDs, sponsor a science project, purchase snack items… There are so many ways to help.

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.