CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, June 28

10:00 am  Food Pantry Open 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Sunday, June 29

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary, Christy Waltersdorff preaching

Monday, June 30

1:00 pm  Constitution Committee – Multi-Purpose Room

Tuesday, July 1

4:00 pm  Food Pantry Open 4:00pm to 5:30pm

5:00 pm  Worship Design Team - Rebecca's W. home

Wednesday, July 2

9:30 am  Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

6:00 pm   Pizza/Game Night – Gathering Space

Friday, July 4

Church Office Closed

Sunday, July 6

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am Annual Conference Worship Service – Sanctuary

After Worship Lemonade on the Lawn 

Summer Fun Events at York First COB – JULY

This summer the Worship and the Fellowship and Hospitality Teams are once again “teaming up” to sponsor some fun events to help us stay connected and throughout the summer months and to build relationships as we enjoy each other’s company! Below is what the month of July holds in store for those who join in for the fun and fellowship…

Wednesday, July 2 6-8 p.m. Pizza/Game Night in the Gathering Space – This month pizza and sides will greet you as a fun supper option! Bring your favorite game(s) and favorite snack(s) to share and join us for a fun evening! Casual atmosphere for all ages – indoor and outdoor activities!

Sunday, July 6 Annual Conference Worship and Lemonade on the Lawn

Wednesday, July 9 11:30-1 p.m. Lunch Bunch (restaurant to be announced) - Come join with others from York First COB for an informal time of food, fun and fellowship together; no reservation needed, just show up if you want to eat and enjoy each other’s company! Each person is responsible for their own meal payment. Please let us know if you need a ride! Share your restaurant ideas with Kim!

Wednesday, July 16 6-8 p.m. Pizza/Game Night in the Gathering Space

Friday, July 25 6-8 p.m. Christmas in July – Caroling/Cookies/White Elephant Gifts (more details to follow in a separate article/announcement)

Wednesday, July 30 11:30-1 p.m. Lunch Bunch - restaurant to be announced

Click on this button to view the full calendar

Contacting the Interim Ministries Coordinator

Pastor Joel is observing sabbatical leave from May 24 until August 23 this summer. Our church will continue strongly in ministry during this time!

Kim Witkovsky is serving as the Interim Ministries Coordinator during his absence.

Her hours will be posted in the newsletter and bulletin weekly. If you need to reach her outside of office hours, she may be reached at (814) 599-7055 or witkovskyks@gmail.com

If you would like a visit from Kim, please contact her directly or call the church office.

Weekly office hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 8:30-10:30am, Wed. 11:30am-1:30pm

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.

In addition to this prayer request list contained within each Friday's e-newsletter, we also have a "prayer chain" email list. We occasionally send immediate prayer requests to those who have opted in to receive the prayer chain and are committed to praying for each concern as they come. If you would like to be added to the prayer chain list, please notify the church office by email at secretary@yorkfirst.org or by phone (717) 755-0307. If you have a prayer request and desire it to be sent to this group, feel free to contact the church office anytime. Thank you!

Sunday School News

Children's Sunday School Classes

9:00 AM in Rooms 151, 152, and 153. Children grades PreK (age 4) and up will have class lessons. Children ages 3-4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care.

Youth Sunday School Classes

9:00 AM in Room 155. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. Youth grades 7-12 are welcome.

Vine & Branches Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. The class is studying the "Wired Word" - a news curriculum that guides us with scripture, prayer and news information and how our faith calls us to respond in the Way of Jesus the Christ.

Lamplighters Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. We will be doing a recap of the study

by Adam Hamilton entitled "Half Truths". 

Homebuilders Class

Mondays - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM by conference call. To join, contact Mike Martin at

717-840-4184 or Caretaker@TwinBrookFarm.com and leave a phone number. The class studies lessons from the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum.  

Upcoming Events

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:

Wednesday July 2 - Pizza/Game Night 6:00 PM

Sunday July 6 - Lemonade on the Lawn after Worship

Wednesday July 9 - Lunch Bunch - Location TBD 11:30 AM

Wednesday, July 16 - Pizza/Game Night 6:00 PM

Friday, July 25 - Christmas in July - More details to follow 6:00 PM

Wednesday, July 30 - Lunch Bunch - Location TBD 11:30 AM

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, July 11, 2025

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for

Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, July 11, 2025 (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 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! 

Summer Fun Events at York First COB – LOOK what happened in JUNE!

This summer the Worship and the Fellowship and Hospitality Teams are once again

“teaming up” to sponsor some fun events to help us stay connected and throughout the summer months and to build relationships as we enjoy each other’s company! Below are a few words of joy and gratitude for those who participated in our June events.

Saturday, June 14 6-8 p.m. Outdoor Hymn Sing and Strawberry Festival – Between 25 and 30 folks participated in our “indoor” hymn sing in the Chapel (due to ‘iffy’ weather) and delicious strawberry extravaganza in the Gathering Space! Thank you to John Gibble and Becca Miller for their expert, energetic and creative leadership in the hymn sing! We are always grateful for colorful display of decorations and delicious treats donated by the Fellowship and Hospitality (F & H) Team! 

Sunday, June 15 Father’s Day – Lemonade on the Lawn after Worship – The “Lawn” transformed into the Gathering Space again due to inclement weather but the fellowship and tasty treats were just as yummy as ever! Thanks again F & H Team! What a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday together!    

Wednesday, June 18 6-8 p.m. Game Night in the Gathering Space – We had 6 fun-loving folks join us for our first Game Night and we did have fun! Our ages ranged from 10 to 80+ and we actually taught each other some new tricks! The snacks were magical – they disappeared before our eyes!  

Sunday, June 22 – Thursday, June 26 6-8 p.m. Vacation Bible School (VBS) – “Waves of Wonder” based on Psalm 93:4 - We celebrate that there were 32 children registered for VBS this year and plenty of volunteers. The evenings consisted of songs and scripture, skits and snacks and of course, lots of fun! Thursday evening’s closing program included worship and a family fair! Thanks to all the children, families, volunteers and our great director, Diane Gibble! 

Wednesday, June 25 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch Bunch at East York Isaacs – 6 of us met for lunch and enjoyed delicious food and delightful fellowship together! We may consider returning to Isaacs or try another restaurant in July – we are open to suggestions (please let Kim know your ideas). We spontaneously celebrated Roy Rollman’s birthday, reminisced about drive-in theaters, shared about our families and heard a bit about the Gibbel family travels out west! 

SABBACTICAL NEWS:

In the Footsteps of Paul

A group of 34 individuals — including Bethany alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students — traveled to Greece May 24 - June 2, 2025, to take part in an educational trip led by Dr. Dan Ulrich, Wieand professor of New Testament studies. The trip included group bus travel and some shared meals. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to gain insights into the writings of Paul and the geography and history of Greece. Beyond its educational aspects, the trip also provided good opportunities for fellowship among old and new friends.

Click on the button to view the full article.

Church of the Brethren News

Southern PA District/Denomination

Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org

Read news updates by clicking the link below

Please subscribe to receive COB Newsline via email if you wish

The Witness Ministry Team has decided to support a special offering on the third Sunday of each month for the rest of the calendar year. The odd months (July, Sept.and Nov.) offerings and food donations will be designated for our very own Food Pantry (more info to come). During the even months, special offerings will be given to the following causes: August - school supplies for our Child Development Center (CDC) and Stony Brook Elementary; October - Deacon Ministry Fund (to assist those among us who need a little extra help); December - Heifer International (maybe we can buy a water buffalo or an ark!) Thank you for your ongoing support of these efforts of outreach and witness for our church, community and the world! 

Online Giving is safe, easy, and convenient. Sign up by going to our church website at: www.yorkfirst.org and click on the Online Giving Link or go directly to the Online Giving website at: http://www.osvhub.com/york-first/funds.

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!

NOTE: Online giving can be used for regular weekly or monthly offerings, special offerings, and capital campaign contributions, as well as many other specific outreach ministries that we sponsor.

LOOK WHO'S

CELEBRATING

THIS MONTH

01 Kathy Kovacs

02 Doug Martin 

03 Jeanette Brickner  

07 Dave Bradfield II

11 Jay Crist

13 Robert Sharp II

15 Bill Bernhardt

If your birthday is in JULY and is not on the list below or is listed incorrectly, please contact the church office.



17 Deb Klinedinst

22 Sheryl Leaman

22 Dave Witkovsky

25 Erin Ferro

26 Beth Brickner

30 Sally Bingaman

31 Jill Wueschinski

DIRECTORY CHANGE

Page 17 - Jack Myers

New Address: 1775 Powder Mill Rd, Rm 602, York PA 17403

Remove Email Address. Phone number remains the same.

Beginning in January 2025, Patricia Carey will be the Witness Team appointment for the Cash for Causes program. Please see Patricia before or after worship to purchase your Giant or Weis gift cards. Patricia will be at the table under the bulletin board in the

Gathering Space.

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.

Since 2011, through the Cash for Causes program, the church has received 5% of sales to support various COB and local ministries. In 2024 the gift card sales supported The Lehman Center, New Community Project and the Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry with each receiving $233.08. For 2025, the Witness Team will review past giving and determine which agencies we will support this year. 

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP