SUNDAY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM
Classes for All Ages (see below)
WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online
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THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP
April 3, 2022
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Exodus 7-10
MESSAGE:
“Let My People Go”
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Contents:
This Week
Prayer Requests
and Calendar
Sunday School News
Children's Ministry Schedule
Online Giving
Upcoming Events
COB News
Birthdays
Birth Announcement
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
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Plagues and Power: Empire Uncreated
In Sunday worship this week we continue our journey through the season of Lent, encountering the plagues visited on Egypt as told in Exodus 7-10. Here we find a cosmic battle that seems to be helpless to change the mind and heart of Pharaoh, who despite the overwhelming signs that come upon his people, refused to liberate God's people.
Come and hear this quite shocking account from the scriptures as we consider together its meaning for those longing to be set free and for those who receive this story in light of the coming of Christ Jesus, whose story stands in continuity with that of Moses but goes further and reveals more fully the will and work of God.
Please come and join us as we worship together this week, seeking to encounter God through song, prayer, and spoken word. All are welcome!
Congregational Forum
Immediately following worship, our Spring Congregational Forum will take place. This is a meeting for all church members to attend, as it happens only twice per year. Attendance will be in-person only and we will be looking to see you all there. Reports from leaders are the primary items of business, and we expect the meeting to last no more than one hour. Packets of information are available in the Gathering Area.
Update on Gatherings
Our community health situation is in a very good place right now, and we encourage in-person attendance for both Sunday School and Worship. We are meant to be together, and we pray that the church would unify and grow this season. Face coverings are optional for all.
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Live Stream Worship
Although many of us will gather in person, our worship services will be continue to be presented "live stream" through YouTube for those who wish to join that way. Please subscribe to the channel 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, April 3, 2022
Gathering Music “O God Beyond All Praising” - Part I
Welcome And Announcements
Call to Worship
Unison Prayer
Hymn “We gather together”
Children's Time
Choir Anthem “Moses, Now Your People Are Free”
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Call to Prayer
Joy and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Song “Go Light Your World”
GIFTS AND OFFERING
Offering Invitation
Offertory “How Can I Keep from Singing”
Offering Response “Praise God from whom”
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn “When Israel was in Egypt’s land”
RECEIVING GOD'S WORD
Scripture Lesson: Exodus 7-10
Message: “Let My People Go”
Hymn of Response “For the healing of the nations”
Sending Prayer
Music for the Journey “O God Beyond All Praising”- Part II
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Listening Assistance Devices are here for those worshiping in person!
Anyone is welcome to visit the AV booth each Sunday and request a hearing-assistance device for use during worship. You may also use your own smartphone and download the iPhone app here or the Android app here and bring your own headphones. Please note, you need to be connected to the church wifi (SimplePeace2gether) to listen.
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SPRING CONGREGATIONAL FORUM
Following worship this Sunday, April 3rd, the Spring Congregational Forum
will be held - all church members are encouraged to attend.
Congregational Forum Packets are available for pick in the gathering area.
There are two sections: Forum Booklet and Treasurer's Report
The packets share about the work of our many ministry teams and staff, noting all that our church has been at work on in recent months. Thank you for your attention and attendance.
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Dear members and friends of First Church of the Brethren York
The Leadership Team based on feedback from our Staff Relations team decided to somehow rate the performance of Pastor Joel. Pastor Joel has asked for a direction the church would like to direct his energies. So, the Leadership Team went on a fishing expedition to find documents that we could use to evaluate Pastor Joel but also get feedback on your opinion on the church’s functions and programs.
This week you will find copies of the recommended survey in the Welcome center. Please take these with you and fill them out as completely as you can. If you have any questions, please direct them to any Leadership Team members as found in the 2022 Church directory. Please return these to the church office by May 1, 2022. Thank you. Your opinion is important. Please make sure you place your name on these surveys. If names are not on these, we will not consider them for the complete results.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
God bless,
Your Leadership Team
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Free Tour of the New Food Pantry
Join us on Sunday, April 3rd for a tour of the Food Pantry in the garage of the old Parsonage / Infant Center. Mary Esther and John Anderson will be giving tours between Sunday School and Church. We are grateful for the Grant from the Rotary Club York-East that provided the funds to purchase more shelving, rolling carts, a bulletin board, sandwich board sign and other items that have turned a garage into a Pantry. The Pantry will be open for customers on Saturday April 9 and April 23 from 9:00 am to 12 noon and on Tuesday April 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
If you have volunteered to help in the Food Pantry, please come to see the new space. If you are just interested in seeing what it looks like, please drop by too. There are still plenty of opportunities for volunteers and we look forward to seeing you in the pantry on Sunday.
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THE FOLLOWING ITEMS CAN BE PICKED UP IN THE NARTHEX
- 2022 CHURCH DIRECTORY (In the wall holder)
- PASTOR AND CONGREGATIONAL EVALUATION FORM
- CONGREGATIONAL FORUM PACKET AND TREASURER'S REPORT
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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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**Adult Membership Class**
Meeting Sundays at 9:00 AM in Room 154
Pastor Joel is teaching a series that is an invitation into the Christian faith as well as summary of beliefs and practices of the Church of the Brethren. This week we'll discuss the systems of church structure, ministry, agencies, and leadership in the Church of the Brethren. All are welcome.
Children's Sunday School Classes
Children's Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM each Sunday in the classrooms just past the nursery. Children grades PreK and up will have class lessons, with singing included as well. Children ages 3-4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care, which may include a brief lesson in addition to playtime. All children are welcome!
*Note: Masks now are optional in the nursery and children's Sunday school. The church Child Development Center has dropped the mask mandate per CDC recommendations.
Jr and Sr High Youth Sunday School Class
Meeting Sundays at 9:00 AM in the Youth Room 149
Teachers are David Witkovsky, John and Diane Gibble, and Deb Klinedinst.
The class will begin a study of the Bible, where it came from, what it is, how it is organized, and how to become more comfortable using it. This class is for youth in grades 6-12. We hope to see you there!
Homebuilders Sunday School Class
The Homebuilders Class is continuing to meet on Sunday mornings from 8:00 AM to
9:00 AM by conference call, planning to remain holding class remotely for the time being. To be included, contact Mike Martin either by calling 717-840-4184 or by emailing Caretaker@TwinBrookFarm.com, leaving the phone number at which you would like to be called. You will receive a phone call in the vicinity of 8:00 am. The class continues to examine lessons from the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum.
Lamplighters Sunday School Class
The Lamplighters Class will meet Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in Room 145. The class is studying “The Essential Commandment: A Disciple’s Guide to Loving God and Others” by Greg Ogden in collaboration with Compelling Vision. Beth Anne Bahn will be teaching. Zoom option is available, if interested contact Beth Anne.
Vine and Branches Sunday School Class
The Vine & Branches Class will meet Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the multi-purpose room by the sanctuary. The class may be studying the "Guide for Biblical Studies" lesson material.
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Children's Ministry Schedule |
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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 EVENTS / DATES TO REMEMBER:
April 3 - Congregational Forum - Following Worship
April 10 - Love Feast - Following Worship
April 13 - Egg Hunt - 5:30-6:30 PM
April 15 - Good Friday Service - 7:00 PM
April 17 - Easter Sunday - Early Service, Breakfast, Worship
April 26 - Lehman Center 31st Annual Auction
June 11 - Yard Sale
July 31 - August 4 - Vacation Bible School
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The Weyant Family is participating as the team "Kiwi & Co" in the York Autism Walkathon and Expo on April 2nd at Peoples Bank Park to raise money for the nonprofit Autism York, which provides free opportunities for Autistic people of all ages and their families to connect, develop, and enjoy sensory safe and non-judgmental activities regardless of income. They also help with special needs education and finding avenues of aid for individuals on the spectrum that may need it.
This is the Weyant family’s first year participating in the Walkathon and fundraising in honor of their daughter, Eliza Mae, who is on the lower functioning end of the spectrum and nonverbal.
Donations are being collected online until the day of the Expo. Thank you for your support!
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OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, April 8, 2022
Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for
Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, April 8, 2022 (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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SPRING PLANT SALE
BY PRE-ORDER ONLY! Orders due by April 8.
Pickup Friday, April 29th between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
Please click on buttons to view the flyer and order form.
Forms are also posted on the church bulletin board.
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Our church's Easter Egg Hunt is happening on Wednesday, April 13 from 5:00-6:30 PM. If any church members wish to volunteer, please contact Michele Gibbel and/or sign up in the Gathering Area. Opportunities to support the event by donation will be available on Sunday morning in the Gathering Area. We look forward to a big community-focused event. Thanks to all who are making it happen! |
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Walking the Prayer Labyrinth: A Devotional Opportunity
April 14-16 in the Fellowship Hall
The prayer labyrinth is a unique approach to prayer that dates back thousands of years. Labyrinths are found in some of the great cathedrals of Europe and in recent decades have become very popular in a variety of settings in the United States as well. While there are a number of different versions of labyrinths, the version we are using for Holy Week is known as the Chartres Labyrinth styled after the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France. It is made up of 10 “circuits” or loops that wind slowly to the center. The flow of the prayer labyrinth is an experience of walking from the entrance at your own pace until reaching the center as an experience of prayerful centering, followed by remaining in the center if desired, and then moving back out as a way of taking this new founded centeredness back out into your daily life.
You can walk with a prayer in mind, a prayerful thought, a question for God, or other means of focusing in the moment. Our prayer labyrinth experience will be available in the Fellowship Hall with ideas to provide focus beginning at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 14 through noon on Saturday, April 16. There will also be two special sessions available on Thursday at 6:00 pm or Friday at 6:00 pm in which Dave Witkovsky will give some history and prayer resources prior to walking the labyrinth. May this provide us with one more resource to strengthen us as we walk through this season of Lent.
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Good Friday Service at York First Church of the Brethren
Friday, April 15, 2022 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary
“Witness at the Cross”
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the Christian holy day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday. On Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins
(1 John 1:10). Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so Good.
Amy-Jill Levine, in her book “Witness at the Cross” helps us understand the perspective of Christ’s crucifixion from those who were witnesses to this horrible event. She writes, “Each saw something different. Each needed something from Jesus, and in turn, he needed them as well, for that is what it means to so love the world (John 3:16). Each witness presents a distinct picture of the death of Jesus.” A few of the individuals that the author brings to life in her writing are the bystanders, a holy leader, the two men crucified with Jesus, the centurion, the beloved disciple John, the women at the cross and Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. What was it like for them?
Our Good Friday service will begin at 7 pm. We will gather in the sanctuary as we remember, lament and worship together through scripture, song, silence and prayer. We will hear from some of the witnesses of the cross and experience the events of the day through their eyes. Together we will grieve the loss of our Savior as we prepare for what is yet to come!
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Easter Morning Watch at York First Church of the Brethren
Sunday, April 17, 2022 8:40 am behind the Fellowship Hall
In 1773, America's first Sunrise Service — an Easter Mass held early enough for congregants to witness the dawn's first rays together — was held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, organized by the Moravians. The service is held to mark the empty tomb that greeted Mary and the other women as dawn broke on Easter morning. The ritual celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, which speaks to Christianity’s most fundamental belief: The Lord has risen, defeating death and bringing salvation and eternal life to everyone who puts their faith in him. The agony of the cross is replaced by the ecstasy of the Resurrection.
We will gather behind the Fellowship Hall outside (inside if inclement weather) at 8:40 a.m. to remember and celebrate the discovery of the empty tomb by the early morning witnesses to this miraculous event. We will come together for a brief time of scripture, story and song. Seating will be provided but you are welcome to bring along your own lawn chair as well. Following the service, all are invited to our annual Easter Breakfast at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
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The Friends of CKV are having a Sub Sale.
The subs will be prepared by R & K Subs in Palmyra.
Orders are due by Friday, April 15th.
Pick up on Friday, April 29th.
Please click on the button for complete details and the order form.
Forms are also posted on the church bulletin board.
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WE'RE BACK!
YARD SALE WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022 AND....we are in the planning stages and will begin to collect good, used items on Monday, April 18.
NO CLOTHING or ELECTRONICS will be accepted this year. This is your chance to clean out all those left over things from the past two years, and make someone else happy.
See Kathy Kovacs with questions.
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APRIL SENIOR DAY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20TH
Cost: $ 18 per person, RSVP by calling 717-642-8256 or
Email: mkovacs@campeder.org
9:30 am Gathering/Morning Program - Join us as we make various chocolate clusters, peanut butter balls, and chocolate dipped pretzels.
12:00 pm Lunch Baked Chicken, Rolls Broccoli, Brownies and Ice Cream
1:00 pm Afternoon Program - Trail Mix Creations
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Southern PA District Church of the Brethren 2022 District Women's Spring Luncheon
Saturday, April 23, 2022, 9:00 a.m.
Hanover Church of the Brethren, 601 Wilson Ave., Hanover, PA 17331
God is Doing a New Thing! Isaiah 43: 18-19
Featured Speaker: Leah J. Hileman
Session One will focus on what God is doing to revitalize, renew, restore, redeem and renovate ME.
Session Two will focus on celebrating the ways God is renewing the CHURCH.
Please click on tab to view full brochure for this event.
Brochures are also posted on the bulletin board in the narthex area.
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The Lehman Center Auxiliary Presents: 31st Annual Auction
Benefiting: Children's Aid Society, The Lehman Center
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Location: New Fairview Church of the Brethren
1873 New Fairview Church Rd., York, Pa
Auction Preview & Food 12:00 pm
Live Auction 5:00 pm includes Art Collectibles, Sports Items, New Merchandise
Silent Auction including Art Collectibles, Theme Baskets, Gift Certificates
Kitchen will be open & serving: Homemade Soup, Bar-B-Que, Homemade Pies
For more information call 717-845-5771 or at www.cassd.org
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have artwork or any items to donate to
the auction please contact Diane Gibble.
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2022 VOLUNTEER WOOD CUTTING DAY - APRIL 30TH, 8:00 AM
We need your Help!
Call or email to register for free (lunch provided)!
Phone: 717-642-8256, Email: campeder @campeder.org
Bring your chain saws, gloves, and safety goggles as we clean up the forest and split lots of wood for Camp. Ask about other equipment that you might bring.
We'll also need to prepare lunch for our lumberjacks. Lunch will be served at noon.
Camp Eder, 914 Mount Hope Rd., Fairfield, PA 17320, www.campeder.org
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2022 CAMP EDER GOLF OUTING
Friday, May 6, 2022
Carroll Valley Golf Course at Liberty Mountain
78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA 17320
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Click on the button for the Registration and Sponsorship Form - Also posted on the bulletin board. |
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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 - April 2022
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From Brethren Disaster Ministries:
UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Donate to the Church of the Brethren response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine and neighboring countries by giving online at www.brethren.org/give-ukraine-crisis or by sending a check to Emergency Disaster Fund, 1451 Dundee Ave, Elgin, Il 60120, with Ukraine Crisis in the memo line.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a massive displacement of people both inside Ukraine and across the borders into neighboring countries. As of March 10, UNHCR estimates that more than 1.8 million are displaced within the country. It reports that more than 2.3 million refugees have crossed Ukraine's land borders, with an estimate that up to 4 million will eventually flee the country. Responding to this crisis will be a massive, multi-year effort.
Brethren Disaster Ministries is working with partners to determine the best avenues of support, including immediate assistance as well as a longer-term response. An initial Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grant of $10,000 has been given to CORUS International (which includes long-time partners IMA World Health and Lutheran World Relief) to provide assistance to refugees and send assistance to Ukraine through partners already on the ground. Other partners are likely to include Church World Service, ACT Alliance, and European Baptist relief agencies.
Thank you for caring and supporting this effort! Please click the following link to read more and consider donating if you are so led.
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LOOK WHO'S
CELEBRATING
THIS MONTH
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1 Jolene Zeigler
4 Louise Stremmel
4 Jaewoo Kim
6 Richard Brown
6 Seth Beckwith
8 Mark Minnich
9 Mike Martin
11 Nancy Jones
12 Vivian Fitzkee
12 Jacob Taylor
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If your birthday is in APRIL
and is not on the list below or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.
14 Sara Stoolmaker
15 Brad Nicholas
15 Christopher Striebig
19 Emily (Drawbaugh) Dietrich
19 Joel Baldwin
20 Frank Leaman
28 Julia Sweigard
29 Trish (Martin) Ryan
30 Mary Esther Anderson
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Baby Announcement!
We are delighted to report that Katie and Daniel McEvoy welcomed a newborn son into the world this week. Lucas McEvoy was born Wednesday, March 30 and is doing very well. Mother Katie is being evaluated for an irregular heartbeat, so prayers for her are appreciated. Proud siblings are Liam, Lily, and Landon. Let us rejoice and welcome young Lucas into our church family! Thanks be to God for this wonderful gift of new life.
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Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:
Given the recent very low rates of covid in our region, the church Leadership Team's policy on face coverings for our gatherings has been updated: following with CDC guidance, masks are optional for all attendees. So long as local case rates are low, we believe that we can gather safely and worship fully as usual.
Worship will be live streamed on our YouTube channel and recorded each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM indefinitely for those who are unable to be present, but it is not intended to replace physical attendance long-term.
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 conditions may change in the future, 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 2022 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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Lehman Center "Wish List"
Due to changes in the food pantry, here are some items that are needed at Lehman Center.
Instant pudding (chocolate, banana)
Instant jello (orange, blue, green, grape, cherry)
Can fruit (pears, pineapples, fruit cocktail)
Applesauce (individual or jar)
Can vegetables (lima beans, peas, green beans)
Baby food - all stages
Baby snacks
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Elizabethtown College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies presents the 2022 Kreider Lecture, “The Unknown Story of Naming the Brethren in Christ”, by Jonathan R. Stayer on Tues, April 5 at 7 pm, in the Bucher Meetinghouse at the Young Center or via Zoom.
Since the early twentieth century, the Brethren in Christ—formerly known as the River Brethren—have claimed that they adopted their current denominational name during the American Civil War when the United States government required them to register or go on record as a Peace Church in response to the draft. The conscription laws did not include such a requirement, nor has contemporary documentation of such action by the church been found. So what really happened and how did the Brethren in Christ get their name? Join a retired state government archivist on a fascinating romp through church sources, government records, newspapers and historical accounts as he unravels the true story. For details and the link for Zoom visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events
Jonathan R. Stayer was supervisor of reference services at the Pennsylvania State Archives when he retired in 2019 after 35 years of employment. He is vice president of the South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (SCPGS) and serves on the boards of the York County History Center and the Friends of Camp Security. Stayer volunteers at both the State Archives and the History Center.
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SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Exodus 6:1-12, 7:1-6
MESSAGE:
“Covenant and Obedience”
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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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