Weekly News
Vol. 9-No. 3 Friday, January 16, 2015
Karen Bowman, Editor, secretary@yorkfirst.org
Our Vision Statement: “To Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
SUNDAY, January 18, 2015
9:00 am – Sunday School
10:30 am – Worship Service
Sanctuary: “Come and See”
– Scripture: John 1: 43 – 51
Thoughts on the Word: Some things in life go to the core of our being and they just feel right. It may not be logical and there may not be enough information from the worlds point of view to justify a life changing decision and yet, down deep we know it is the right thing to do. God says that he knew us when we were in our mothers wombs. God calls a boy named Samuel to trust and serve him with his life in the middle of the night. God says through Jesus, “Come and see” and in so doing trust me and serve me with the life I gave you and you will be blessed all the days of your life.
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – January 11, 2015, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Total Attendance – 106
COPIES OF this weekly e-news, the monthly tapestry and monthly calender are available to be picked up on the table in the narthex and at YorkFirst.org.
SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES:
Roy Rollman’s father, Harold Rollman passed away January 15th. Please keep Roy, Barbara, and their family in your thoughts and prayers.
Warren Edris passed away Friday, Jan. 2nd. Please keep his wife, Dorothy and the Edris family in your thoughts and prayers.
THANK YOU:
Many thanks to all for your prayers, visits, phone calls and beautiful cards with words of encouragement during and after my surgery and rehabilitation. Also, a special thanks to Pastor Don for his visits and support. Please continue to remember me in your prayers as I continue the healing process at home. – Becky McCracken
Blessings to my church family and many thanks to you for your prayers, cards, calls, and messages of hope and encouragement during Paul’s long battle with cancer and his passing. Very much appreciated by Dottie and family in York and in Arizona.
Free! Free! Free! Available to anyone that can use it. We have 3 pieces of equipment that we would like to see someone get some use out of it. Walker, Bath chair, Potty chair. All are like new and some with the plastic wrap still on it. Contact Steve or Nancy Jones.
Brethren Souper Bowl – We are competing with Bermudian COB. This is a friendly competition for the good of our food pantry.
Here’s how “The Brethren Souper Bowl” works: For scoring purposes “1 Point” is the standard 10 3/4 oz Campbell’s Soup can. Some generics / store brands are 10 1/2 oz and of course there are lots of odd size cans so it takes a little math work on the non-standard cans (add up all the ounces and divide by 10.75). Ramen noodles score at 3 individual servings = “1 Point”. For dollar contributions each dollar = “2 points.” You may give the soup to whatever food pantries/ministries you choose. The coveted “trophy” is an old granite enamelware soup pot. Each year a bronze plaque goes on the pot with the score and the winning church gets the high honor of keeping the kettle for the next year.
COB Disaster Relief Effort in Nigeria We are all aware of the devastation to the Nigerian Church of the Brethren. The loss of life, property and livelihood is incalculable. The needs are incredible. While much must be done immediately to relieve suffering, a crisis framework is being developed for a long term response that is now estimated to cost $11 million. The Southern PA District has challenged all of our congregations to collectively raise $250,000 during the next nine months. To participate in this critical project, the Witness Team is initiating an opportunity for each of us to assist in relieving the suffering of the Nigerian Christians. For the next 4 Sundays, we will be accepting your donations in the narthex. Each week, there will be a special theme related to Disaster Relief. All gifts are gratefully accepted, but this week, a $5 donation will make you a “Life Saver”!
THIS WEEK….
January 20th – Ladies Bible Study – We will begin our new Spring study “Not a Fan”. This study is a 6 week video series with six segments by Kyle Idleman, narrator and teacher. Kyle is a pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Some of us were fortunate enough to hear Kyle narrate “The Christmas Experience”, in our W E Gather time during the Fall with Pastor Don, and it was a great study. “Not a Fan” video series will not only challenge you, but will motivate you and question whether your Christian belief and walk with Christ is as strong as you say it is. So I am looking forward to sharing this new study and challenging all of you in your walk with Christ. Are you a “fan” or a “follower”? That is the question. Please feel free to join us. Newcomers welcomed with love. Dolly Furst will lead this class.
January 20th – 6PM – 8:30 PM – Pizza and Game Night for the Children’s Sunday School Class at Elizabeth Eisenhart’s home.
January 24th – LEADERS RETREAT – Open to all members of York First Church of the Brethren. 8:00 am -12:00 pm with District Executive Bill Waugh sharing and Ministry teams working on goals and direction for the Year ahead. Brother Waugh will be speaking for about an hour and half around the theme of “Becoming a healthy team.” We are excited about the possibilities for spiritual renewal and growth in the body of Christ here at York First. Come and join this important gathering as we seek to glorify God in our ministry and mission.
DIRECTORY CHANGES:
Irene Rauhauser has move to Kelly Manor. Her address is: 750 Kelly Drive, Room 253, York, PA 17404. Her phone number remains the same.
Winnie Fickes’ new address is: 110 Standlake Way, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Lindsey McCracken – Lindsey graduated from Penn State on December 20 with a B.S. in Forensic Science and a minor in Biology. She started a six-month internship at the Defense Forensic Science Center in Forest Park (Atlanta) GA on January 5, and is in the process of applying for graduate programs in Pathology. Her current address, until June, is: 1925 Waycrest Dr SW, Apt 3206, Atlanta, GA 30331-8613
Thank you notes received from our Ministry Partners:
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. Your gifts help support the work of partnerships in Haiti, Nigeria, South Sudan, and many other places around the world. Your faithful giving undergirds service-focused ministries and opportunities for faith formation. Your generous contributions empower ministries that speak peace and extend Jesus’ table through dynamic programs and ministries of the COB. Thank you for helping to continue the work of Jesus.
Stanley J. Noffsinger, General Secretary
$1208 Witness Commitment, $75 Nigeria Compassion Fund
Thank you for your continued support of Children’s Aid Society. From the six month old playing in the crisis nursery to the troubled teenager in a therapy session, each child that we help relies on your kindness. Every day that we can give children a safe, caring place to heal from the damage they have experienced is because of the concern of others like you.
Jan Zeigler, Interim Executive Director
$200 Witness Commitment
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 shared with all who visit our “home in the hills”. I have been truly blessed by the amount of support and encouragement that Camp Eder has received from the congregations and individuals of this District.
Alan Patterson, Camp Director
$200 Witness Commitment
For more than 150 years, we have been doing the work of Jesus here at the Brethren Home Community ….Undoubtedly, our friends at the York First Church of the Brethren have been a significant partner in sustaining the ministry to the precious elderly folks who live here. You have helped to provide the necessary resources that enable us to continue this vital work and for that we are indeed most grateful.
Don Wilkinson, Director of Gift Planning
$400 Good Samaritan Fund
LOOKING AHEAD….
CAMP EDER EVENTS: Brochures are posted on the bulletin board. If you have any questions or you want more information about these events, please contact Kathy Kovacs.
January 28, 2015: Senior Citizen’s Day – $15/person covers all food and activities – 9:30 Meet and Greet, 10:00 Morning Activities (Bingo-non cash prizes), 12:00 Lunch (Glazed baked ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, green beans, salad, dessert)
1:00 Afternoon program – Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve Naturalist, Carole Simon, will present an educational pro-gram on songbirds and raptors from the area. Come hone your skills in identifying birds by sight & sound. If you have binoculars, feel free to bring them.
January 30 to February 1st – Winter Camp 2015 – Who: All Youth! (1st-12th Grade), What: Winter Camp brings peer groups together for a weekend of laughter, adventure and spiritual growth. When: Arrive Friday, January 30th at 7:00pm Depart Sunday, February 1st at 2:00pm (Families are invited to join us for lunch on Sunday February 1st, at 1:00pm) Cost: $85.00 includes Friday-Sunday lodging, 3 meals on Saturday, and 2 meals Sunday. Join us for a weekend of fun, adventure, and spiritual growth!
Things to Bring: A Friend!, Warm Clothing/Winter Gear (We will be outside!), Bible, Pen, Paper, Sleeping bag and pillow, towel and washcloth, toiletries, sled(s), and SMILES!
NEW WINDSOR WORK DAY – Wednesday, February 11, 2015
It is time to return to New Windsor to assist in the SERRV program. On Wednesday, February 11th (weather permitting), we will board the bus in the church parking lot at 7:15 a.m. to travel to New Windsor for a day of work and fellowship, including lunch and shopping in the gift shop. Shipments from many countries are waiting to be unpacked, priced and packed for sale in gift shops around the country and through the catalog sales. We always have a fun day. Please join us. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex for you to reserve a seat on the bus. If you have questions, call Helen Stoner
FEBRUARY 12 – OWLS NEWS – The OWLS (Older, Wiser Loving SENIORS) will gather in the Homebuilder’s Classroom 154 on Thursday February 12 at NOON for lunch, games, conversation, and to PLAN ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR. Please plan to attend and bring your ideas so the committee can plan for the remainder of 2015! Bring your bag lunch. DRINKS AND DESSERT will be provided! PLEASE SIGN UP BY FEBRUARY 8 so we know how many to prepare for.
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.
