SUNDAY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM
Please See Below for Sunday School Class Information
WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online
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THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP:
November 7, 2021
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
John 9:1-11,33-41
MESSAGE:
"Blindness into Sight"
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TIME CHANGE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2021
Reminder: Turn clocks back one hour on Saturday Night
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Contents:
This Week
Prayer Requests
and Calendar
Sunday School News
Children's Ministry Schedule
Online Giving
Upcoming Events
COB News
Directory Changes
Thank you
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
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Jesus in the Neighborhood:
Children's Aid Society Presentation
This Sunday at 9:00 AM we kick off our November series of presentations from local service agencies that care for those in need among us, an initiative of the Spiritual Enrichment Team. This week we will welcome Eric Chase, Director of Children's Aid Society, a ministry of the Southern PA District Church of the Brethren and an organization our church has supported for many years. A recording may be available afterward, but please come in person to be part of this series!
The Signs of Jesus:
A Man Born Blind, A Sign of Sight
This week in worship at 10:30 AM we continue with series of messages focusing on the "signs" that Jesus performed within the Gospel according to John. The event of Jesus performing an act of healing toward a blind man is an interesting one, and the conversations that follow are equally revealing. While the disciples and religious leaders seems fixated on the presence of sin, Jesus showed much more interest in healing and sending those he met. This lesson remains important for us today.
The children's choir will be singing this week as well, and a special piano duet will be featured as our anthem. Please join us this week for worship, as it is the central practice as a church that keeps our attention on God and holds us together as a body of faith.
Aligning with God's Purpose:
A Congregational Timeline Exercise
This Sunday at 4:00 PM we are hosting an important event in the life of our church. See below for more information. It will be live streamed but we prefer that everyone attend in-person. Dinner is included, child care is provided, and the session will last only 1 hour - the extra hour we gain due to time change! Please be sure to come and help us build together.
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Live Stream Worship
Although many of us are gathering in person, our worship services will be presented "live stream" through for those who wish to join that way. Please subscribe to the channel it if you haven't already for simpler access to previous videos. Click the link below shortly before the service begins at 10:30 AM on Sunday to join with us in worship.
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The video will be available to view after the worship hour in case you miss the 10:30 AM time or wish to watch it again.
*Please note: if anyone is unable to view the videos online, we have DVD copies of the services that can be picked up in the church lounge any weekday. Sermon manuscripts are also available upon request.
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ORDER OF SERVICE
10:30 AM, November 7, 2021
Prelude “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”
Welcome And Announcements
Responsive Call to Worship
Invocation Prayer
Hymn “This is my Father’s world”
Song “Creation Sings” - Children's choir
Children's Time
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Call to Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Anthem “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”
Piano duet
GIFTS AND OFFERING
Offering Invitation
Offertory “Abide with Me”
Offering Response “Praise God from whom”
Offering Prayer
RECEIVING GOD'S WORD
Scripture Lesson: John 9:1-11,33-41
Message: “Blindness into Sight”
Hymn of Response “Amazing Grace”
Sending Prayer
Postlude “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
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ALIGNING WITH GOD'S PURPOSE:
A Process of Discovery and Growth begins November 7th, 4 PM
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Please plan to join us this Sunday November 7th at 4:00 PM in the Sanctuary for something "extra." This will be a time of fun, fellowship, and a meaningful exercise of constructing our congregational timeline, the first step in a process of discovery, skill building, and vision casting as a congregation. The video above, as shown in recent weeks prior to worship, gives an introduction as to what we might expect. Pastor Greg Davidson Laszakovits will be serving as our facilitator and consultant.
Come prepared to discuss key moments in the life of our church and their impact on us then and now. What themes can we identify that could either be holding us back or might propel us forward? Please know that your attendance is important - whether you are a long-time member or a newcomer to this congregation. All voices are necessary and useful to this exploration.
Following this session, Pastor Greg will begin a series of interviews with many church members and - together with other research and trend analysis - provide a report to our church in another special gathering, likely in January. Skill-building and equipping for growth and vision will follow as well. Be assured that this process is being entered with much prayer and preparation.
Dinner (pizza!) will be included free of charge, and child care (with bounce house!) will be provided during this event. We expect all active church participants to be there! We look forward to seeing you then, and we thank you in advance for your participation.
~ The VITAL Team
A live stream link is provided below for those who truly cannot leave home to attend. Those of you who are able, please come in person - we all appreciate your presence there!
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Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer |
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Click for Weekly Calendar of Events |
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Additions and updates for prayer list or calendar of events are welcome by contacting the church office.
Special note for all Ministry Teams: Please notify the church office with any upcoming meetings or events for your team so we can add these dates to the calendar.
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Children's Sunday School Class
Children's Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM each Sunday, in-person, in the classrooms just past the nursery. Children grades PreK and up will have class lessons, with singing mid-hour as well. Children ages 4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care, which may include a brief lesson in addition to playtime. All children are welcome!
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Adult Sunday School Classes will be combined on November 7, 14, and 21
Come to the Sanctuary at 9:00 AM each week for our "Jesus in the Neighborhood" Presentation Series
Coffee and refreshments will be provided each week. Come and learn more about how several prominent organizations serve neighbors in need and how we can both support them and serve alongside them with our own ministry and witness work. Thank you to the Spiritual Enrichment Team for planning and implementing this program series.
Presenters are as follows:
November 7: Children's Aid Society
November 14: York County Food Bank
November 21: LifePath Christian Ministries
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Children's Ministry Schedule |
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YORK FIRST COB SHIRTS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE
There are a limited number of York First Church of the Brethren burgundy shirts available for purchase at $20/ea. They are polo style burgundy, wrinkle free shirts. We have ladies sizes, small, medium, large and x-large and four men’s large shirts available. Deb Klinedinst will have the shirts available this Sunday and if you need to contact Deb email her at dlkgdk@comcast.net
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For assistance setting up your account,
call Donor Support at: 800-348-2886 – Option 2 – Online Giving Questions? Contact Sheryl Leaman - Thank you for your support!!!!!
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UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS / DATES TO REMEMBER:
November 6 - Celebration of Life Service for Linda Horner - Saturday 2:00 PM, Sanctuary
*All are welcome to attend this service of remembrance and celebration of Linda's life and faith. The service will begin promptly at 2 PM in the Sanctuary, with time to greet the family beginning at 1 PM and a light meal reception immediately following in the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Joel will be officiating the service. Committal will be private.
November 7 - "Aligning With God's Purpose" Event - Sunday 4:00 PM, Sanctuary
November 10 - Senior Day at Camp Eder - Wednesday 9:30 AM
November 13 - Museum of the Bible Trip - Saturday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
November 27 - Advent Decorating - Saturday 9:00 AM
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CAMP EDER SENIOR DAY - Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Cost: $ 18.00 per person,
RSVP by calling 717-642-8256 or email: mkovacs@campeder.org
9:30 am Gathering/Morning Program: Thanksgiving Crafts and Party Favors followed by Thanksgiving Themed Games and Activities
12:00 pm Lunch: Turkey/Pulled Pork, Mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, apple crisp
1:00 pm Afternoon Program: Christmas Crafts and Party Favors Followed by Christmas Themed Games and Activities
Camp Eder, 914 Mount Hope Road, Fairfield, PA 17320, www.campeder.org
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OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, November 12, 2021
Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for
Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, November 12, 2021 (10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE contact Sandi to add your name and number of casseroles, so we can let
Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect.
The pans are located in the church lounge. Thank you!
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PLEASE JOIN US ON A TRIP TO THE MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE located in Washington, D.C.
Saturday, November 13th
The Museum of the Bible is an innovative, global, educational institution whose purpose is to invite all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible. This museum aims to be among the most technologically advanced and engaging museums in the world. Showcasing rare and fascinating artifacts spanning 4,000 years of history, the museum offers visitors an immersive and personalized experience with the Bible and its ongoing impact on the world around us.
A cost of $20 per person (due November 7th) will include admission to the museum and transportation on the church micro-bus. Food will be on your own. Deadline to sign up is this Sunday, November 7th. We will need at least 10 participants to make this trip happen, and space will be limited to what the church vehicles can hold.
Sign up in the Gathering Area, or by calling or emailing the church office
~ The Spiritual Enrichment Team
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Church of the Brethren Denominational News |
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Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org
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Church of the Brethren
Newsline Digest - November 2021
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You can help shape the future of the church!
Each member of the Church of the Brethren is invited to recommend possible nominees for the 2022 Annual Conference ballot. As you pray about this, who comes to mind? Whom will the Lord prompt you to nominate? We encourage you to talk with the person you are planning to nominate, to gauge their interest, but more importantly to talk with them about the gifts and skills you see in them, to encourage them to prayerfully consider the call, and to encourage them to fill out the information following your nomination. The nomination isn't complete until they have responded.
The “Request for Nominations” document (PDF - click below) will help clarify position that need to be filled. We need nominees from every part of the church. Submit all nominations by December 1, 2021. The earlier, the better!
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DIRECTORY CHANGES
P. 11 - Updated Child Development Center information:
P. 12 - Carman Banzaca-Foxwell - New email address is: Director@1stchurchcdc.org
P. 13 - Jay Crist - New email address is: jaycrist711@gmail.com
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A big Thank You to all the volunteers and contributors to the Trick or Trunk Event on Wednesday October 27. The effort of many volunteers made the event a big success!
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Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:
The church Leadership Team has approved updated policy on face coverings for our gatherings: following with CDC guidance, masks are now optional for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. For those not vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask indoors. We are on the honor system and are trusting all attendees to respect this policy. All are welcome, as always, and we hope for further updates moving forward.
Staying home remains the safest option, yet we commend and affirm in-person gatherings as the ideal. Worship will be live streamed on our YouTube channel and recorded each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM indefinitely, but it is not intended to "replace" physical attendance long-term. So long as you are comfortable being near others, please plan to join our services of worship, classes, and other events.
Most Sunday School classes have resumed meeting in person. Check the class information above for weekly updates.
We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining some “physical distancing” for the safety and well-being of the vulnerable among us. The pastor and secretary continue to be available and in the office most of the week. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, although Pastor Joel is open to home visits as requested.
Please recognize that your church will require funds to continue basic operation of property and facility, fulfill pledged outreach giving, and maintain staff who will continue to minister whether in-person gatherings happen or not. Online giving is a simple and easy way to support your church and those it serves during this time, and it is accessible through our church website www.yorkfirst.org. Mailing your gifts and offerings to the church office is also welcome. Thank you to all who have given generously! We have been able to maintain our many outreach commitments thus far this year, and for that we give thanks!
Look for other announcements on our website and facebook page, and as always you may read current and/or recent newsletters through our website for other updates (and past sermons if you have spare time). **Note that you do not even need a facebook account of you own to view the church's page there. If you do have a facebook account, please "like" our church's page to view updates there. The more you "like" and "comment" and "share" our content, the better it "travels" and will be seen by others. Do your part to freely spread our messages of ministry during this time. Thank you!!**
Concerning the spread of COVID-19, here is a good resource with helpful links to other sites as well: https://covid19.brethren.org/ Be careful to pay attention to public health experts, rather than every news headline or comment from your neighbors. We must act responsibly for the well-being of all, not merely ourselves.
Thank you all for understanding and for your faithful participation in our life together. Please do your part to prevent the spread of contagious disease, as a holy expression of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
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Since 2011 our Witness Team has sponsored the Cash for Causes program by selling Giant & Weis gift cards. The church receives 5% of sales to support various ministries. For 2021 the gift card sales will support The Lehman Center (Children’s Aid Society), New Community Project, Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, and LifePath Christian Ministries (formerly York Rescue Mission). You may purchase the cards in amounts of $100, $50, $25, or $10. The cards make great gifts, especially at holidays. Consider donating cards to the Food Pantry or using them yourself any time you shop at Giant or Weis.
I plan to attend our in-person worship services and will have the gift cards available for your purchase before or after the service. However, if you will not be attending our in-person worship services, I will continue to send cards in the mail if you want to support this outreach ministry. Send your check to Becky Wenger, 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408. The Giant or Weis cards will be mailed to you. Make your check out to York First Church.
Thank you for supporting this program - Becky Wenger, Cash for Causes representative
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The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College presents “Seeking Religious Toleration: Anabaptist Communication Networks and Migration in the Seventeenth Century,” by Rose Beiler on Tues., Nov.16, 7:00 p.m., in the Bucher Meetinghouse and via Zoom. Beiler is an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. She is currently working on a book titled Communication Networks and the Dynamics of Migration, 1630-1730 and a companion digital project, PRINT—People, Religion, Information Networks, and Travel. For details and the livestream link, visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events or call 717-361-1470.
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SCRIPTURE LESSON:
John 6:16-35
MESSAGE:
“Walking on the Sea”
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Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to noon, and usually well into the afternoon as well. Afternoons and evenings may be set aside for visiting those in need, for meetings, and for other pastoral duties. Pastor Joel is also available for pastoral counseling by appointment. |
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If you need to reach the pastor outside of office hours, his home phone number is
(717) 318-5442, and his mobile number is (717) 271-4888 . You can also email him at
pastor@yorkfirst.org. Note that laws prevent hospitals from contacting a pastor without your permission when you are admitted, so you will need to let hospital staff know that you would like the hospital to contact your pastor.
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Our Mission Statement:
“People dedicated to Spiritual Growth, Loving Relationship, and Sacrificial Service”
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Our Vision Statement:
“To become a community of committed Christians who Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
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