Weekly News
Vol. 9-No. 4 Friday, January 23, 2014
Karen Bowman, Editor, secretary@yorkfirst.org

Our Vision Statement: “To Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”

SUNDAY, January 25, 2015
9:00 am – Sunday School
10:30 am – Worship Service
Sanctuary: “Trust This Good News”
– Scripture: Mark 1: 14 – 20

Thoughts on the Word: Last week we talked about the “Call of God” on our lives and how we respond to that call. This week I am going to continue by talking about the message that those who are called, have to share. The text for this week calls us to not only answer God’s call but to also share the message of the grace we, ourselves have received. In so doing, we find that God is the great equalizer and a refuge for everyone. Neither sin nor perfection, poverty nor riches, mourning nor rejoicing, can separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus and in our lives as his followers. In the Old Testament text from Jonah, even the Ninivites find forgiveness much to Jonah’s dislike. The Psalmist reminds us that true comfort does not come from earthly riches and wealth. God’s love is the gift that equalizes the powerful and powerless alike, when we find our rest in God alone. God’s realm of love and peace come to us through fishermen and tax collectors and not just from the religious and political leaders. God’s grace is the great leveler, it really does make us all one!

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – January 18, 2014, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Total Attendance – 114

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:

Family of Sheldon Markel on the passing of his mother.

Roy Rollman’s father, Harold Rollman passed away January 15th. Please keep Roy, Barbara, and their family in your thoughts and prayers.

THANK YOU:

Thank you to everyone who expressed their sympathies in cards and prayers upon the death of my father. We will miss him, but he lived a good, long life, for which we are thankful. – Roy and Barbara Rollman

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

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.

First Church is participating with the Eastern Branch of the YMCA by offering ” Daffodils For Hope ” for your purchase on Sunday, January 25, February 1 and February 8. This is a Free 12-week program that ministers to cancer patients, caregivers and cancer survivors by encouraging them to regain their physical, emotional and spiritual strength. If you would like to share in this ministry, see Arden Kile in the narthex before or after the Worship Service.

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 24th – LEADERS RETREAT – (Snow date Jan. 31, 2015) 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.

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!

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.

LOOKING AHEAD….

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.

FEBRUARY 13 – 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, February 13, 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.

FEBRUARY 15 – YORK COUNTY JR HONORS CHOIR will perform at 3:00 here at First Church. Greg and Marie Bachman will be hosting this event. Please come and support Emma and Sara Stoolmaker as they will participate at the honors choir performance.
York County Junior Honors Choir is comprised of 100 select singers in grades 7, 8 and 9 from the many school districts of York County. Under the direction of Mrs. Donna Knott, the group has been selected to perform at the Naval Academy Chapel, Eastern Division ACDA Conferences in Philadelphia and Baltimore, PMEA and Pennsylvania ACDA Conferences, and invited to sing for the Music Education Department of Penn State University. The group has traveled to and hosted public school choral programs throughout the state. A highlight was singing in Heinz Chapel on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. They have participated in choral workshops with such conductors as Dr. Anthony Leach, director of Penn State’s “Essence of Joy,” and Dr. Chris Kiver, director of the Penn State Glee Club, as well as Dr. Lon Beery from Rochester, NY, Christine Jordanoff from Duquesne University, and Adlai Binger from Albright University. They have also sung with the White Rose Barbershop Chorus and the University of Pittsburgh Men’s Glee Club. They have performed with the York Symphony Orchestra and in numerous venues around York County. Most recently, Junior Honors Choir joined with Senior Honors Choir for a combined Holiday Concert in December. The choir travels annually to various elementary schools in York County to promote choral education.
In addition to Junior Honors Choir, the 40-member Synergy Vocal Ensemble is available to sing in smaller venues and in special situations when the full choir is not appropriate. The Ensemble has performed with the David Benoit Jazz Quartet and as part of “Christmas with The Celts.”
Our students have learned to make beautiful music in a non-competitive environment, and they have come to value the new friendships, self-esteem and camaraderie that are the philosophic hallmarks of York County Junior Honors Choir.
York County Honors Choirs is organized and maintained by a volunteer advisory board that is responsible for managing the choirs’ operations, fundraising, and marketing efforts. York County businesses, grants, and private patrons support the group financially.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS:
If your birthday is in FEBRUARY and it is not on the above list or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.
2 Lori Beuschlein
Christopher Jon Baldwin
4 Christina Snook
6 Becca Miller
8 Sidney Innerst
10 Darrell Gipe
11 Anne Ault
14 Patricia Carey
16 Barry Hollinger
17 Joshua Kovacs
18 Doris Plymire
21 Judy Yingling
22 Becky McCracken
23 Pat Trimmer
Justin Drawbaugh
25 Ruth Schmidt
26 Mike Baldwin
Jayne Baldwin
Sandy Yeager
27 Owen Statler

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.