Weekly News
Vol. 9-No. 48 Friday, November 27, 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, NOVEMBER 29, 2015
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
– Sanctuary: “Anticipation?”
– Scripture: Luke 21:25-36
Thoughts on the Word: Our theme for the Advent season this year is “Living in the light of God’s promise.” Sometimes the first Sunday in Advent feels a little like Chicken Little running around proclaiming: “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” The Gospel lesson for the first Sunday usually focuses on the prophecies or apocalyptic signs that make for a surprising and gloomy start to what is supposed to be such a joyous time in a world that needs some good news. But it is also a time of waiting and looking, and hoping. A time of being alert and believing in the fulfillment of God’s promises. The coming of the One who can make all things right. So let’s be alert and keep watch and live in the light of God’s promise!
NOVEMBER 29, 2015 – Please join us on November 29th at 8:30 AM for the Advent Breakfast and combined Sunday School class in the fellowship hall. Set up for the Advent Breakfast will be on Saturday morning, November 28th. Tables and chairs will be set up beginning at 9:00 AM on the 28th, so if you are available, please join Scott, the custodian, in the fellowship hall at 9:00 am. Those who have agreed to host/decorate tables should come to the fellowship hall between 10:00 AM and NOON on Saturday. We look forward to seeing you there! If you have a gift for Destiney, Dylan or Liyana, please bring the unwrapped gift to the breakfast and place it in the large box just inside the fellowship hall door. Thanks so much for adding Christmas joy for this family! May Advent be a special season of JOY for you! The Advent Committee
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS ARE HERE~ Pick up your copy of the Brethren Press’s Advent devotional “In the Fullness of Time” at the Advent Breakfast on Sunday, November 29th or in the narthex. This devotional provides a scripture reading and short meditation for each day of Advent through Epiphany. God chose the exact moment to send his son, Jesus, into the world. As it says in Galatians 4: 4-5, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children”. What a miracle that God chose to come into the world in the body of a baby, as we all did. The writer challenges us to honor bodies, our own body and those around us, especially those in need. This year’s daily devotional guide is written by Anita Hooley Yoder, a graduate of Bethany Seminary and a writer for the Shine Sunday School curriculum. She lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Please only take one copy per family, as our supply is limited.
NOVEMBER 29, 2015 – INGATHERING – Two thousand years after Jesus fed the hungry people there are still people who need to be fed. On Sunday, November 29th we will hold our annual Ingathering for our food pantry. There are many ongoing needs. A variety of canned goods including vegetables and soup, fruits, peanut butter and jelly, and meats including spam, beef stew and tuna will be greatly appreciated. Non-perishable dry goods including cereal, rice, and pasta (and sauce) of all varieties are certainly most welcome. Financial donations (Designate for Food Pantry) are also appreciated Thank you, The Food Pantry Witness Team
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ATTACHMENT: Calendar of Events, Friends to Remember in Prayer, & Sunday School Schedule
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – November 22, 2015, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Total Attendance – 116
COPIES OF this week’s e-news, December calendar, and December Mission and Ministry newsletter are available to be picked up on the table in the narthex and at YorkFirst.org
Copies of the pastor’s sermons will be available on our website at http://yorkfirst.org/sermons.SHTML You may also contact the church office to request a copy.
First Church of the Brethren calendars and pens will be available in the narthex. Please feel free to pick up your calendar and pen (one of each per family please). – Hospitality Ministry Team
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THIS WEEK…………….
NOVEMBER 28, 2015 – Cross Keys Village-The Brethren Home Community Event ~ Christmas Bazaar held in the Nicarry Meetinghouse on Saturday, November 28, 2015, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Crafters from the Cross Keys Village community will offer their works for sale just in time for holiday gift shopping. Many of the items available will be Christmas-related. Woodwork, fiber arts, textiles and many more crafts will be available at most reasonable prices. Proceeds benefit residents at Cross Keys Village.
DECEMBER 5, 2015 & DECEMBER 12, 2015 –JOY, A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION with The National Christian Choir, Kathy Bowman, Director/ 170 Auditioned Voices, Full Orchestra, 5th Annual Children’s Christmas Choir. Sat., Dec. 5th, 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm at Immanuel’s Church, Silver Spring, MD 20905 AND Sat., Dec. 12th, 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm at Hempfield High School, Landisville, PA 17538. Order tickets online at www.NationalChristianChoir.org or by phone at 301-670-6331 or toll free 800-599-4710. By mail: P O Box 1600, Germantown, MD 20875, General Admission: $ 20, Director’s Circle: $ 25, Children (12 & Under): $ 12, Call for Group Rates
DECEMBER 6, 2015 – HERSHEY HANDBELL ENSEMBLE ~ Christmas Concert, Sunday, Dec. 6th at 3:00 pm, Black Rock Church of the Brethren, 3864 Glenville Road, Free Will Offering – Reception Following, blackrockchurch.org, 717-637-6170 – hersheyhandbellensemble.org 717-298-7071
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POINSETTIAS – It’s time to think Christmas at First Church. Orders for Poinsettias will be taken Sunday, Nov. 29 and Sunday, Dec. 6 in the narthex. The cost for red or pink will be
$ 10.00 each for five plus blooms. Flowers can be placed in memory or in honor of someone. Linda Horner will be in the narthex between Sunday School and church and after church to take your order. Orders may also be placed through the church office.
CASH FOR CAUSES – December>>>Christmas>>>Gift Giving>>>FOOD
Purchase Giant &/or Weis Gift Cards for those extra grocery purchases and gift giving alternatives.
You can also buy some for our Food Pantry.
See me in church. I will have (limited) $10 and $25 cards available as well as
$50 and $100 denominations. ~ Carole Bradfield
FOR ALL TEAM CHAIRS: For the 2016 Directory, please provide all the information for your team – Chair, Vice-Chair, and all members by December 7, 2015 – Thank you, Pastor Don
Do you know that First Church has a prayer chain? The prayer chain gives you the opportunity to request prayer for friends, family or yourself. The information is passed on to the people on the chain who later, pray for the need that was requested. It workes via email and is available for all members and friends of the church. If you are not on the prayer chain, but would like to be (and you have an email address), please contact either Larry Gibble or Tim Beckwith and ask them to add you to the prayer chain.
If you do not have email but would like to be part of a telephone prayer chain, please contact Mary Esther Anderson.
GREAT APPLE-DELICIOUS IDEA!
Are you scrambling for a small gift idea? Well, your problem is solved. Pints and half-pints of delicious HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER in decorative jars, make a nice basket or bag item for a friend, a family member, your dog groomer, hairdresser, doctor or whomever you care to share with. Decorate a basket or small bag and place a few homemade items along with a pint or half-pint of APPLE BUTTER from Camp Eder. Pints $6 and half-pints only $3. Sugar-free available too. Call or see Kathy Kovacs if you would like to purchase. Makes a great inexpensive gift idea.
Women’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study- There is a change for the dates of November 24, December 1, 8, and 15. No study on November 24th. On the dates of Dec. 1, 8, and 15 we will explore a video and lessons on Sent: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas. We will finish this study on January 12 and 19. Our study of Paul will begin on January 26. On December 15 we will end our year with a group luncheon at a restaurant. Please join us for these sessions of love and joy. Blessings Dolly and Pat
LAST WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY IN THE LOUNGE WILL BE DECEMBER 8TH. We will meet again on January 12, 2016.
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ADVENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
December 6 – Nutmeg and Ginger – Sanctuary at 3:00 pm- Nutmeg and Ginger is a small musical ensemble dedicated to the recreation of Medieval/Renaissance Music.
December 13 – 9:00 am – Intergenerational Sunday School Time – Join us at the Fellowship Hall on December 13thfrom 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM for a special puppet program. It will be presented by the Yadah Ministries of Christ American Baptist Church from Spring Grove. Light refreshments will be served. 7:00 pm- Annual Dallastown Choir & Strings Concert and Jubilee Ringers Bell Choir from First Church
December 20 – 10:30 am – Chancel Choir Cantata- “Festival of Lessons and Carols” by Hal Hopson – Morning Worship Service
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services – 7:00 pm – Family Service
December 27 – Jared Bueschlein will be preaching. Guest Pianist: Stephen Carey
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SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES…….
To the family of Gail Wynn. Gail passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. Please keep her son, Randall and the rest of the Wynn family in your thoughts and prayers.
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THANKS…….
THANK YOU casserole makers. I am very thankful to all who take the time to make casseroles for Our Daily Bread soup kitchen each month. I also appreciate those who help serve. Keep up the good work. There are a lot of thankful people you are feeding.
Thanks Dan, for delivering the casseroles each month.
THANK YOU to Pastor Don, Melinda, and Deacons for all the visits and phone calls, and also for all the cards I received. I really appreciated it!.- Elmer Allison
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LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . .
DECEMBER 8, 2015 – TRUCK STOP COOKIE DISTRIBUTION – It’s that time again for COOKIES, COOKIES, COOKIES! Please have the cookies at the church on Monday, December 7th. The Ladies Bible has started working on the project already so please start thinking what kind of cookie you would like to donate. We will be bagging and delivering them on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. The less fancy cookies pack the best but whatever you make are greatly appreciated. TIP: when making peanut blossom cookies for packing, put the Hershey’s Kiss on upside down. Thanks in advance, any questions call Frank Leaman 741-3762.
DECEMBER 10, 2015 ~ OWLS NEWS -OWLS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TEA. This is always the highlight of the year! Sign up now to be assured a seat, and join us on Thursday December 10 at noon. The tea room, aka the Homebuilders classroom 154, will be decorated for Christmas. The food, provided by Dolly and Suzanne, will be delicious as always. The program will be a DVD of a chalk talk by Elva Hurst, titled “The Story of Christmas in Chalk”. You may have seen and heard Elva at one of her presentations at Camp Eder. We look forward to seeing her Christmas Story DVD. PLEASE SIGNUP BY DECEMBER 6 so we know how many to prepare for.
DECEMBER 11, 2015 – 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, December 11, 2015, (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.
DECEMBER 11, 12, & 13, 2015 – Camp Eder’s 5th Annual Celebration of the Birth of Christ & Christmas Tree Festival – Friday, Dec. 11th, Sat., Dec. 12th, & Sunday, Dec. 13th – 5:00 – 8:30 pm – Christmas Tree Festival is free to attend and focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas Tree Festival features a Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, cookies & hot beverages, Christmas Carols shared at the Campfire, and a moving candle-lit reading of the Nativity story. Come and experience Camp Eder covered in Christmas Lights, vote on your favorite Christmas tree, and worship at one of the Candlelight services. See Kathy Kovacs for more information.
DECEMBER 13, 2015 – York First Church of the Brethren invites children, youth, and their parents/grandparents to a Sunday School Christmas Party! Join us at the Fellowship Hall on December 13thfrom 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM for a special puppet program. It will be presented by the Yadah Ministries of Christ American Baptist Church from Spring Grove. Light refreshments will be served. Please consider bringing a donation for our food pantry. Items most needed are peanut butter, jelly, cereal, soup, canned fruit, and macaroni and cheese. We hope you can join us for a morning of holiday fun as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday! Everyone in the Church is invited to attend this event.
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS:
If your birthday is in DECEMBER and it is not on the above list or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office
2 Melinda Carlson
Larry Logue
4 Ron Gray
Haley Grace Yingling
Paige Noelle Yingling
7 Brynleigh McCracken
8 Todd Plymire
10 Barbara Rollman
12 Bob Stoolmaker
Tim Beckwith
14 Peggy Metzger
Christina Deitch
Kelly Boogher
15 Dave Bradfield, Sr
16 Brad Shenk
17 Jon Beuschlein
Linda Min
18 Eric Brickner
Julie Ilyes
Lilah Margrett Jan
19 Walter Bachman
21 Lindsay McCracken
23 Dave McCracken
24 Matthew Klinedinst
26 Emma Stoolmaker
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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 rese rves 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.
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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.
