Weekly News
Vol. 9-No. 7 Friday, February 13, 2015
Karen Bowman, Editor, secretary@yorkfirst.org
Our Vision Statement: “To Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
SUNDAY, February 15, 2015
9:00 am – Sunday School
10:30 am – Worship Service
Sanctuary: “Focus on the Sacred”
– Scripture: Mark 9: 2 -9
Thoughts on the Word: This Sunday we have two seemingly different stories. The Old Testamment story from 2 Kings, which is the story of Elisha and Elijah. How Elisha stayed close to his mentor in the closing moments of Elijah’s life and ministry and was blessed because of it. The second story is from the New Testament about the Transfiguration of Jesus with three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John. There is one thing they have in common that we can learn from that is the grace of attentiveness to the presence and activity of God. We can learn and apply this in our own faith journeys, that God is actively at work around us all the time, everyday, and everywhere we go. Will we have the eyes to see the glory of God?
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – February 8, 2015, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – Total Attendance – 101
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.
THIS WEEK….
FEBRUARY 17, 2015 – Nate Yoder presents “From Conservative Amish Mennonite to Evangelical Anabaptist: A Historical Overview of the Conservative Mennonite Conference” on Tues., Feb. 17, 7:00 p.m., at Elizabethtown College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies. Yoder is professor of church history at Eastern Mennonite Seminary and author of Together in the Work of the Lord: A History of the Conservative Mennonite Conference (Herald Press, 2014). For more information, call 717-361-1470 or visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events.
W.E. GATHER – FEBRUARY 18 TO MARCH 25 – If you were inspired Kyle Idleman at Christmas and Advent, you will also be inspired by him for Lent and Easter through “The Easter Experience”, what if what happened then changes everything now? Make Easter more than a holiday. The Easter Experience is a study with the power to change lives with the message of God’s loving plan for us. Using dramatic story-telling and challenging teaching by Kyle Idleman, the six-episode series brings the passion and resurrection to life. (1) My Life Has a Purpose (2) My Life Can Change (3) My Pain is Understood (4) My Life Has a Plan (5) I Have the Promise of Eternal Life (6) My Hope is Secure
YEAR END STATEMENTS are available for pick up on the table in the narthex.
MEMBERSHIP CLASS to be offered soon. Are you interested in membership at York First? If so, please contact the church office or Pastor Don as soon as possible.
DO YOU SMELL THE CHOCOLATE? Maybe see some hopping towards you? It’s that time of year when the Youth Group will be selling Fitzkee Candies. Please stop by and order your candy on Sunday. All orders are due by March 1. Candy will be delivered on Palm Sunday, March 29 in time for Easter delivery. Thanks again for your support. The Youth Group
LOOKING FORWARD TO EASTER MORNING? April 5th – Plan for the Easter Breakfast during Sunday School hour. Look for signups in the narthex and inSunday School classrooms OR talk to the Beuschleins or LeGrands.
COB Disaster Relief Effort in Nigeria Update:
$1025 in the offering on Sunday, February 8, bringing our total to $2184 donated for the Southern PA District challenge. This Sunday, we ask you to “Have a Heart” and help those suffering in Nigeria.
SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES:
To the family of Arthur Bergey who passed away on Jan. 25th. Please keep Arthur’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
THANK YOU:
A BIG THANK YOU to Dan Snook for the tickets to Bowling for Babies and Laser for Life. We enjoyed our time playing Laser Tag and just having fun with each other. – The Youth Group
WOW! We scored 1640 points with cash donations included! Many thanks to the congregation for all you did to make the Soup-er Bowl a success. We appreciate your support and the support to our Food Pantry. Technically, the Bermudian Youth Group won the challenge with over 7600 points. That’s ok. They had a BIG head start and in the end, the real winners are those in need of the food from our pantry. Just think, there is less than 12 months to next year’s challenge. Start preparing! Thank you again for all you do for us. – The Youth Group
THANK YOU to Pastor Don, and Evan Brickner, for the beautiful service for Mother’s celebration of life. Also, thank you for all of the visits, cards, prayers, phone calls, and words of encouragement that came from our church family during the days she was ill and after she passed away. Knowing that so many people care makes these difficult days easier. – Sid and Charlie Innerst, LaVere and Kathy Roseman and our families
Dear York First Church, Thank you for having me play violin twice this Christmas season. It is always a pleasure to play and give praise with your amazing choir and congregation! Some people asked about more information and videos of my performances, so I would like to share this link so that others may see: www.youtube.com/bedetrick I will be giving three solo “one man show” performances at Brethren Retirement Homes in York, New Oxford, and Lancaster this July, 2015. These performances, as they are fun for all ages and have received much local praise and support! Thank you for your continued fellowship, Ben Detrick
The Southern PA District Office has an opening for an Office Manager. The position is a full-time, 40 hr/week job. This is an at-will position. Salary and benefits will be negotiable dependent on experience. This is an exempt position for purposes of all state and federal labor laws. Desired skills are:
Team player
Able to work unsupervised
Organizational skills
Word Processing
Basic Microsoft Excel
Proficiency with office technology
Secretarial and Writing Skills
Social Media/ Website knowledge preferred.
The Office Manager supports the District Executive, District Board and Commissions as needed. This position entails often being the first “face” of the District when answering the phone, greeting visitors to the office and communicating with various members and agencies of the District. This position requires a combination of management and secretarial skills. Time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks are also essential. Because the office deals with sensitive issues, confidentiality is a must.
Interested persons should send their resumes and references to Bill Waugh, District Executive by email at bwaugh@brethren.org by February 13, 2015. (This information is posted on the Bulletin Board)
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) LOOKING AHEAD….
FEBRUARY 25, 2015 – CAMP EDER SENIOR CITIZEN’S DAY – Glenda Shetter will present a lecture and demonstration of Quilts used as codes on the Underground Railroad to assist slaves on their journey North to gain their freedom. Also, Leah J. Hileman, Singer, Songwriter, and Recording Artist will present a fabulous musical program combining nostalgic favorites, hymns about the love of God and a few original love songs. Schedule: 9:30 am – Meet and Greet/Continental Breakfast, 10:00 am – Morning Activities, 12:00 Noon-Lunch, 1:00 pm – Afternoon program. For more information, see the flyer on the bulletin board or contact Kathy Kovacs. SAVE DATES FOR THESE OTHER CAMP EDER EVENTS: Feb. 28th & March 7th – Mount Hope Maple Madness, March 13 – 15thr – Scrapbook Retreat (More information to follow)
FEBRUARY 28TH & MARCH 7th (Two Saturdays) – Mount Hope Maple Madness, Festival of Fun sponsored by Strawberry Hill and Camp Eder and will be held at Camp Eder. Pancake Breakfasts – 7:30 – 11:30 am, Warm up with indoor arts and crafts vendors, music, sugaring supplies, gifts and fun! Maple Sugar Programs 9:00 – 3:00 pm – No reservations necessary! See flyer on bulletin board for prices and package prices or contact Kathy Kovacs.
MARCH 13 – 15th – Scrapbook Retreat- Join us at Camp Eder as we gather for another wonderful weekend of Scrapbooking and relaxation. Hostess, Jen Coale will be with us as we work late into each night making memories that will last a life time. Arrive on Friday anytime after 6pm. Head home on Sundayafter lunch. Two nights lodging and five meals included in one low price of $ 125/person. See flyer on the bulletin board how to register or contact Kathy Kovacs.
MARCH 27 & 28, 2015 – NEW FAIRVIEW COB will be holding their Annual Spring Yard Sale/Bake Sale (Fellowship Hall) on Friday – March 27, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday – March 28 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. There will be a variety of yard sale/ bake sale items available. The proceeds will benefit the New Fairview Women’s Ministries. Call Ruth Chronister at 858-2350 for more details.
APRIL 18, 2015, Saturday at 3:00 PM – The Friends of Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community presents “OPERATION HELPING HANDS” A Fundraising Event Featuring “The National Christian Choir”
New Oxford High School Auditorium – All seats assigned. Ticket Prices: VIP seats $ 100. Helping Hand seats $ 25. www.crosskeysvillage.org/friends and click on Purchase Tickets button or Phone 717-270-2112
APRIL 25, 2105 – WOMEN’S SPRING LUNCHEON – BERMUDIAN COB (The Gathering Place), Guest Speaker: Ruth West (Praise Unlimited) – The Bermudian 2015 Spring Luncheon Committee is excited to announce that Ruth West will be this year’s speaker. As some of you may remember from Ruth’s previous District speaking engagements, her style combines practical insights and ideas with inspiration, encouragement and wit. SAVE THE DATE and watch for more details as they become available.
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)
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.
