Weekly News
Vol. 9-No. 41 Friday, October 9, 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, October 11, 2015 9:00 am – Sunday School
10:30 am – Worship Service
Sanctuary: “The Lost Son”
Scripture: Luke 15: 11-32
Thoughts on the Word: How we love a story with a happy ending, don’t we? Does the story of “the Lost Son” have a happy ending? Re-read it for yourself in preparation for this Sunday’s worship. Read it all the way through and spend time in the spiritual discipline of prayer and meditation over the story. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring new insights and applications from this familiar story to you and for the York First Church of the Brethren. We will be focusing on the Son who takes the Father’s money and leaves home in the story. The high point of this portion of the story is that the son who was dead and lost, is alive and found, according verse 24. Keep before you as you study our desire to experience afresh the renewal of God’s love in our congregation and in our lives.
OCTOBER: SPIRITUAL RENEWAL MONTH ~ During the month of October we will be emphasizing Spiritual Renewal. The Sermon series is based on Luke 15: 11-31, the story of the prodigal son.
Last Sunday, October 4, the emphasis was on “The Waiting Father.” This Sunday, October 11, the message is entitled, “The Lost Son.”
Next Sunday, October 18, the emphasis is on the lost, and is entitled “God’s Love for the Lost” and the final message on October 25 is entitled, “The Lost Son and the Dutiful Son.”
And be sure to attend the Positivity Luncheon after church next Sunday, October 18. We want you to share your positive thoughts about York First. After a light lunch, a brief gathering open to everyone will be held. Break-out groups will be invited to share positive things about York First. – Larry Gibble, Renewal Team Communicator
FALL CONGREGATIONAL FORUM WILL BE HELD SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – October 4, 2015, 10:30 a.m. – 95
PRAISE SINGERS ~ The praise singers are off to a great start. The first practice was a great success and the singers are ready to start another season of bringing praise music to York First Church. Our singers this year are Sara and Emma Stoolmaker, Alex and Pam Baldwin, Frank and Sheryl Leaman, and Pat Gibble. This year’s Praise Band members are Keyboards Mike Baldwin, Bass Guitar Ian Fitzhugh, Guitar Danny Godstry and Trap Set Evan Lentz.
The Praise singers are schedule to lead our services the final Sunday of every month September through May. Come and support and worship with the York First Church Praise Singers!
THIS WEEK…….
OCTOBER 10, 2015 – APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL, CAR SHOW, BREAD & BAKE SALE will return to Cross Keys Village-The Brethren Home Community – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the Nicarry Meetinghouse, Healthcare Center and outdoors ~ It’s a fun day of family fun; enjoy apple boiling, entertainment, good food, hayrides, car show, and displays from antique engines, to “Pull” tractors. There is something for all & without the huge crowds or fighting for a parking space. The proceeds benefit The Friends of Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community.
OCTOBER 10, 2015 – A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the Haiti Medical Project (HMP) will be served on Saturday, October 10, 2015, starting at 4:00 pm. The dinner will be in the Fellowship Hall at Black Rock Church of the Brethren, 3864 Glenville Rd., Glenville, PA 17329. The tickets are $15.00 and all proceeds will go to HMP. For reservations, call Paul Boldosser at (717)229-2068 or Carrie Brenton at (717)873-7286. Please indicate your preferences for regular or gluten free spaghetti and regular or meat free sauce. There will be a short video concerning the HMP shown periodically throughout the evening.
OCTOBER 14, 2015 – W.E. GATHER – We will begin at 6 pm with a carry-in supper and then a study time starting at 7 pm. The theme this fall is World Religions. We will start with a look at the faith that we are grafted into, Judaism. Come and share in the conversation as we consider faith and what it means to all the peoples of the earth.
OCTOBER 17, 2015 ~ANNOUNCEMENT FOR BRETHREN CONGREGATIONS A Brethren Heritage Festival will take place at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College during Homecoming on Saturday, October 17 from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. Activities include games, crafts, displays, snacks, quilting and a hymn sing at 4:15. The Elizabethtown College Alumni Peace Fellowship will have a display. Come for a fun time!
OCTOBER 18 – 21, 2015 – Bermudian Church of the Brethren REVIVAL 2015 – Fall Days of Renewal & Spiritual Refreshment beginning, Sunday, Oct. 18th. From Surviving to Thriving with Don & Cathy Morrison, Sunday Morning 8:00 & 10:15 am/ Each Evening 7pm – For more details, please see information on bulletin board.
CHANGE FOR A DAY – is due Sunday, November 1, 2015 ~ Please place your donation in the container in the narthex/church office that is marked “Change for a Day”. Thank you! Keyperson – Anna Miller
NEW AT FIRST CHURCH ~ Free table in Room 156 Bring your give-away items such as extra calendars, coffee mugs, etc. and place them on the free table. Please take items you need from the free table. Any questions, please see John Anderson.
First Church CDC is in NEED of child care substitutes. Flexible hours, we will paid for clearances. Contact Sharon 757-6390 or email 1stchurchcdc@gmail.com
ALTAR FLOWERS – You may donate altar flowers and the cost is $ 27.00. Please see the sign up on the chart on the bulletin board for available dates.
SPONSOR BULLETINS – You may sponsor bulletin covers throughout the year. If you are purchasing bulletins, you will need to purchase a 150 bulletins. If you are sponsoring a bulletin, you will need to donate $20.00. You should make the check payable to the church and give the check to Patricia Carey.
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS ~ Canned fruit (large sizes), pancake mix, pancake syrup, jelly/jam, beef stew, canned ham/spam, soup
THANKS…….
Thank you to Charlie Innerst for the beautiful work on two new, sturdy air return grills recently installed in the fellowship hall. What a great improvement! ~ The Facility Care Team
First Church “You Rock! ” was what the organizer of the 5K run said last weekend. The total our congregation gave was $2,112.87. The Lamplighters made it their BDRA project, and an anonymous donor matched up to $1,000.00. THANK YOU, First Church. You really do “rock!”
ALL VOLUNTEERS AND HELPERS DURING BDRA: Thank You All So Very Much for all your time and effort. So many helped in so many ways — working at the baked goods and produce stands, information booth, donating items for the auctions and baked goods, the theme baskets, the share a meal, the quilts for the quilt auction, the runners in the 5K run and the people who gave money for it, the setting up and the tearing down. All who attended the auction and contributed in any way. SPECIAL THANKS to Jayne and Mike Baldwin for all their hard work before and during the auction and behind the scenes. Everyone’s help was much appreciated and helped to make the weekend a Success!!
CONGRATULATIONS…..
York First had 12 runners in the 5K race and three of them brought home medals! They were Sarah Kovacs, Josh Kovacs, and Pastor Don Hubbell.
To Erika Bergmann who is celebrating her 95th birthday today. If you wish to send Ericka a birthday card please send to this address: Erika Bergmann, Rest Haven, 1050 S George St, Rm 767, York, PA 17403
Marriage Thought for the Day: Depending on what we read or to whom we listen, we’ll find many “keys” to a good marriage. Different “keys” will be meaningful to some couples but not meaningful to others. We’ll write these with the hope that every once in a while one will strike a chord! This week, the quote below is from Becoming One , by Greg Laurie
These days, it’s too easy to be resigned to an “okay” marriage. If we’re not ecstatic all the time, we tend to eventually accept it. That seems like a good thing- but not if it causes you to stop lighting the sparks in your marriage! As Christians, some of us are so committed to our vow of “until death do us part” that we survive on sheer grit, rather than on any ongoing attempt to make our marriage wonderful, life-giving, and fulfilling. Why do we do this? I think it just feels safer sometimes to avoid getting our hopes up for a happy married life. But you know what? God never tells us to be safe. In fact, the Christian life is all about risks. I say, step out right now and declare that you are going to have a joy-filled marriage. Pray it every day. Do everything possible to make it happen. Love your spouse selflessly, actively and intimately. Seek the Lord first in everything. Chase after God’s best- in your marriage, and in your life.
LOOKING AHEAD…….
OCTOBER 21, 2015 – New Windsor Work Day – Wednesday, October 21ST – I tried to choose a cool day for us to work in SERRV. (These 90’s can’t go on forever.) Since we didn’t go this summer, hopefully we will have a good group in the fall. Marvin Gibble will meet us in the church parking lot at 7:15 a.m. to drive us to New Windsor. Please reserve a seat by signing the list in the narthex. After lunch, the gift shop will be open for us to start our Christmas shopping. We will return to the church by 5:00 p.m. If you have questions, call Helen Stoner (624-3398).
OCTOBER 22, 2015 – Valerie Weaver-Zercher presents “Collecting Data While You Pass the Jell-O Salad: Researching Amish Fiction at Potlucks and Reunions” on Thurs., Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., at Elizabethtown College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. Weaver-Zercher is managing editor of trade books for Herald Press and the author of Thrill of the Chaste: The Allure of Amish Romance Novels. For more information, call 717-361-1470 or visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events
OCTOBER 27, 2015, Tuesday ~ Trick or Trunk ~Don’t get Spooked! – Rain or Shine! 5:30 to 7:00pm/York First Church Parking Lot and Fellowship Hall.
This is a church sponsored community event. WE NEED A LOT OF HELP!! Decorate a car, work in the kitchen, park cars, donate candy, donate money, or dress in a costume. We are planning for a large crowd so we will need a lot of volunteers.
Sign-up sheets are posted in the Lobby.
NOVEMBER 13, 2015 – The “Grand Illusions” Jewelry Sale will be held Friday, Nov. 13th, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – This is a favorite as most items are only $ 6.00, this also includes scarves, wallets, and watches. Come to Cross Keys Village ~ The Brethren Home Community, Nicarry Meetinghouse. It’s the perfect time to pick up early Christmas presents! The proceeds will benefit The Friends of Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community
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.
