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
November 27, 2022
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:8-14
MESSAGE:
“The Gift of Hope”
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CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
Saturday, November 26
9:00 am Advent Decorating - Sanctuary
Sunday, November 27 – Advent Season begins
9:00 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary
11:30 am Christmas from Scratch Practice – Sanctuary
Monday, November 28
6:00 pm Christmas from Scratch Practice – Sanctuary
Tuesday, November 29
9:30 am Ladies Bible Study – Lounge
6:00 pm Christmas from Scratch Practice – Sanctuary
Wednesday, November 30
6:00 pm Christmas from Scratch Practice – Sanctuary
Thursday, December 1
6:30 pm Bell Choir Practice – Bell Choir Room
7:30 pm Choir Practice – Sanctuary
Saturday, December 3
9:00 am Winter Craft Show & Gift Fair – FH
11:00 am Christmas from Scratch Musical – Sanctuary
Sunday, December 4
9:00 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary
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Click on this button to view the full calendar
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Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer | | |
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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There will be no Sunday School on December 11, December 25, and January 1 | |
Children's Sunday School Classes
9:00 AM in Rooms 151, 152, and 155. Children grades PreK (age 4) and up will have class lessons, with singing included as well. Children ages 3-4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care.
Youth Sunday School Class
9:00 AM in the Youth Room 149. Teachers are Pastor Joel and Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 6-12. This week we will begin to explore the Nativity stories in the Gospels.
Vine and Branches Sunday School Class
9:00 AM in Room 154. The class will be studying the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, this fall's series entitled "God's Exceptional Choice."
Lamplighters Sunday School Class
9:00 AM in Room 145. The class is studying Bob Goff's "Dream Big".
Homebuilders Sunday School Class
8:00 AM by conference call, holding class remotely. To join, contact Mike Martin at 717-840-4184 or [email protected] and leave a phone number. The class studies lessons from the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum.
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Children's Ministry Schedule | |
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!
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ADVENT DECORATING THIS SATURDAY 9:00 AM
Anyone willing to lend a hand with Advent and Christmas decorations this season is invited to join us at 9:00 AM Saturday morning, November 26, in the Sanctuary. We'll have several tasks to choose from, and any age and ability is welcome. Thank you in advance for helping to bring light and beauty to our church building this season!
- The Worship Team
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POINSETTIA ORDERS
We will begin taking orders for poinsettias this Sunday. There will be someone at the table outside the sanctuary on the following Sundays: November 27, December 4, and December 11.
You may purchase them “in honor, in memory, or in appreciation of" loved ones if you wish.
The cost is $ 10.00 each for a red 6" poinsettia. You may also email ([email protected]) or call the church office (717) 755-0307 to place your order.
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2022 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
"Simple Gifts" by Kathy Fuller Guisewite
Advent devotional books are available for pick up in the Narthex.
Please take one per household and let it guide you this Advent Season.
Every part of the Christmas story is miraculous. God’s love was made manifest in a lowly barn, in the dark of night, for ordinary people. We need not believe that we must do anything extraordinary to make this season magical. There’s no need to worry about shopping for it or allowing the stresses of life to weigh us down. Perhaps if we practice leaning into the simplicity of the holy story and the sacredness of our ordinary lives, we will find joy and peace.
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Please click on the button to view a letter from
Arden Kile. He would like to share with his church family his personal experience serving as a
volunteer at the food pantry.
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DATES TO REMEMBER:
Sunday November 27 - First Sunday of Advent
Saturday December 3 - "Christmas from Scratch" Children's Musical, 11:00 AM
Christmas Craft Fair 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Fellowship Hall
Sunday December 4 - Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday December 11 - Third Sunday of Advent
Advent Breakfast 9:00 AM, Fellowship Hall
Sunday December 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
Strings Concert 4:00 PM, Sanctuary
Saturday December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00 PM
Sunday December 25 - Christmas Day Worship 10:30 AM
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"Christmas From Scratch" Children's Musical
Saturday December 3
Calling all Christmas lovers!!!
Plan to come out Saturday, December 3 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary to support our church's young peoples as well as CDC children as they bring Christmas to life and do it ALL from scratch!! Share in the journey of our "homeless" cast as they learn the true meaning of Christmas. Watch as they begin with grumpy faces and sing "I don't want Christmas" all the way through to where they wonder if Mary and Joseph felt the same as they do, and eventually learn that all Jesus wants is our hearts. They have worked hard and would love to have a large audience.
Join us for a small reception in the Narthex after the musical to celebrate the children and the amazing job they did. We know this musical performance will truly make you feel the Christmas spirit and start your holiday season with a bang!!
~Rebecca Wolf, Director
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Winter Craft Show and Gift Fair
All are welcome to attend this new event in our Fellowship Hall on Saturday December 3 from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Expect many vendors with a variety of crafts, gifts, refreshments, plus Santa and face painting for children! The event is free to enter, and proceeds will benefit our Child Development Center. Thank you to the CDC staff for coordinating and hosting this event. It will coincide with our Christmas Musical, so please attend both in one trip!
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TRUCK STOP
MINISTRY COOKIES
BAKERS NEEDED!
♦ DUE IN CHURCH LOUNGE – DECEMBER 6 TH
♦ PLEASE LABEL YOUR CONTAINER IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT RETURNED.
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Christmas & cookies all go together,
Sunshine or rain, no matter the weather.
So, bake those cookies for Christmas now,
Freeze for Truck Stop Ministry’s chow.
Truckers on the road all night,
Need a lift and something bright.
So, bake those cookies because the clock is ticking,
Bring to the church lounge for the truckers picking,
And know the job of giving something so small,
Is a job that is BIG and appreciated by ALL!
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OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, December 9, 2022
Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, December 9, 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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JOIN US IN
CELEBRATING
THE KING
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” ~ John 1:5-11
Come and join us for an evening of family festive fun! The woods will be illuminated with lots and lots of Christmas lights, warm fires, hot cocoa and children activities will be happening each night. This is a beautiful festival you most certainly will not want to miss!
Friday & Saturday, December 9 & 10, 5pm - 9pm
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● Christmas Lights & Music
● Hay Rides - Friday & Saturday Night 5-8pm
● Tree Decorating Contest
● Delicious Turkey Dinner & Soup (per donation)
● Luminary Garden (honoring our loved ones)
● Decorated Trees
● Warm Drinks and Lots of Cookies (free)
● Bake Sale
● Kid's Activities
● Cozy Fires
● Live Music
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Click on button below to view the Sponsorship Form for the Christmas Tree Festival
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Church of the Brethren Denominational News | |
2022 Annual Conference Wrap-Up DVD is available to borrow in the church office. There will be a sign up sheet in the office to take the DVD.
You may want to contact the church office to make sure the DVD is available for pick up.
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Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org | |
Click on the button for current
Church of Brethren News
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ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING THIS SEASON WILL SUPPORT HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
How Heifer International Began: In 1944, Dan West began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War. He’d seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family. His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.
In coming weeks there will be more information about Heifer International history.
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LOOK WHO'S
CELEBRATING
THIS MONTH
02 Melinda Carlson
04 Haley Grace Yingling
04 Paige Noelle Yingling
07 Brynleigh McCracken
08 Todd Plymire
10 Barbara Rollman
12 Bob Stoolmaker
12 Tim Beckwith
14 Peggy Metzger
14 Christina Deitch
14 Kelly Boogher
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If your birthday is in DECEMBER and is
not on the list below or is listed
incorrectly, please call the church office.
15 Dave Bradfield, Sr.
16 Brad Shenk
17 Jon Beuschlein
17 Linda Min
18 Eric Brickner
18 Julie Ilyes
21 Lindsey McCracken
23 Dave McCracken
24 Matthew Klinedinst
26 Emma Stoolmaker
29 Stephen M. Hoover
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NEEDED!
A few people are needed to help with our coffee service on Sunday mornings. It is very easy to do because it is pre-measured. We could use your help. You may have noticed how much our church family appreciates it. If you can help please call, message, or email me, Jayne Baldwin (717) 676-1957.
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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.
If you’d like to support this program, please see Becky Wenger before/after worship service OR mail your check (paid to York First Church) to 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408 and your cards will be mailed to you.
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The Education Team would like to share free monthly video links from Teepa Snow. Hoping you will get a chance to watch them and learn something that may be helpful when dealing with those you come in contact with who have dementia.
Teepa Snow’s care strategies and techniques look at what is known about brain function and changes that happen with various conditions and integrate that information with therapeutic approaches. November's link is:
Your noticing changes- Dementia 101-Difference between Forgetfulness and Alzheimer's visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJk02XI_sRA
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SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 2:38-39
MESSAGE:
“Water and the Spirit”
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This is the video from
CDC Sunday, October 23, 2022
There were issues recording the video
on that day but we are now happy
that the video is available for viewing.
Please take time to view this special service.
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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. Some 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. | |
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
[email protected]. 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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