ADVENT DECORATING

Saturday, November 30th - 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon

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 30, 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! 

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, November 30

9:00 am Advent Decorating – Sanctuary/Gathering Area

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

Sunday, December 1

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

Tuesday, December 3

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

Wednesday, December 4

9:00 am Staff Meeting – Multi-purpose Room

Thursday, December 5

6:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary

7:30 pm  Bell Choir Rehearsal – Bell Choir Room

Sunday, December 8

9:00 am  Advent Breakfast – Fellowship Hall

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

Click on this button to view the full calendar

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 Class

9:00 AM in Room 155. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 7-12.

The class is studying a series on Women of the Bible.

Vine and Branches Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. Teacher Joel Gibbel. The class is following the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, this season's series entitled "A King Forever and Ever."

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teachers Pat Carey and Deb Klinedinst. This Sunday, we will begin an Advent curriculum "Down to Earth" by Mike Slaughter.



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.  

2024 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL "Sing Gloria!" by Laura Stone

Advent devotional books are available for pick up in the gathering area. Please take one per household and let it guide you this Advent Season.

The season of Advent takes us through an ancient story that connects us with what is universal across time, even our own. We read words from thousands of years ago and we hear in them our own stories. We sing songs from decades, even centuries ago, and they vibrate the deepest and holiest parts of ourselves right now. Join in this journey through the old scriptures, the old songs, and find something new.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER



Saturday, November 30 - Advent Decorating 9 AM

Sunday, December 8 - Advent Breakfast 9 AM

Friday & Saturday, December 13 & 14 - Camp Eder Christmas Tree Festival

Sunday December 15 - Sunday School Presentation on NCP Learning Tour

Christmas Caroling 3 PM

Sunday, December 22 - Christmas Cantata within Worship

Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Even Candlelight Service 7 PM

ADVENT BREAKFAST

Sunday, December 8th, 9:00 am

Please plan to attend the Advent Breakfast

December 8th at 9:00 AM Sunday school hour.

Our meal will be potluck style as in the past.

Lets all kick off the Christmas Season with fellowship and full bellies!

Sign-up sheets are available in the gathering area.

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, December 13, 2024

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, December 13, 2024 (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!

CAMP EDER CHRISTMAS

TREE FESTIVAL

December 13th & 14th

5pm-9pm

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE KING 

> Christmas Lights & Music

> Hay Rides -Friday & Saturday Night 5-9pm

> Tree Decorating Contest (you vote)

> Delicious Turkey Dinner & Soup

(per donation)

> Luminary Garden (honoring our loved ones)

We will be lighting luminaries to honor our loved ones. Luminaries are $5 each and one dedicated person per luminary.

> Decorated Trees

> Warm Drinks & Lots of Cookies (free)

> Bake Sale

> Kid's Activities

> Cozy Fires

DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE

Have some fun decorating a tree at Camp Eder. Everyone is invited to compete in the tree decorating contest. Voting will be during the Christmas Tree Festival December 13-14. The Christmas Tree Festival is a great opportunity to get involved with Camp Eder and our surrounding community.

Trees are limited, so you will want to sign up soon.

Please fill out the form and we will get back to you on your assigned tree. Trees are assigned on first come first serve basis and we must receive your Christmas tree sponsor form to reserve your tree. 

Sunday, December 15th - New Community Project Presentation

On Sunday December 15, Dianne and Barry Hollinger will present a report about their trip to Nepal with new Community Project last year during the Sunday School hour, 9:00 AM in Room 154. All are welcome to come and learn more about the concerns for environmental justice and empowerment of women there, and how NCP is working to make a difference. Join us!

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

Read news updates by clicking the link below

You may also subscribe to receive Newsline via email if you wish

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.

2024 OFFERING ENVELOPES

 Are available for pickup on the counter in the gathering area.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Some envelope numbers have changed for 2025.

2. If you are using Online Giving, your envelope number is in the 200 range, and you will not receive a box of envelopes. See the listing located with the boxes of envelopes.

3. TO ASSURE CORRECT RECORDING OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS:

DO NOT use your old (2024) envelopes after DECEMBER 31, 2024.

DO NOT use your new (2025) envelopes before JANUARY 1, 2025.

4. If you would like to receive envelopes, please inform the church secretary and she will see that they are provided. Thank you!

“Check out” these books that are new to The First Church Library! Directions for

borrowing a book can be found on the countertop to the right after entering

through the library door.

We kindly ask that you take a maximum of two (2) books at one time and return at least one (1) book before selecting a new one.

Click on button to "Check out" these new books that are available in The First Church Library!



Thank you for my birthday cards and phone calls for my 90th birthday. May God Bless You! ~ Dolores Mann

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

If your birthday is in DECEMBER

and is not on the list below or is listed

incorrectly, please contact the church office.

15 Dave Bradfield, Sr 

17 Jon Beuschlein

17 Linda Min

18 Eric Brickner

18 Julie Ilyes

21 Lindsey McCracken

23 Dave McCracken

24 Matthew Klinedinst

26 Emma Stoolmaker

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 2024 the gift card sales will support The Lehman Center (Children’s Aid Society), New Community Project, and Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry. 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 of the Brethren) to 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408 and your cards will be mailed to you.

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

If you need to reach the pastor outside of office hours, 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 contact the church if you desire a visit or to request prayer.