YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITY

Youth and School Age Children join us for Dodgeball fun!

Please feel free to invite friends and neighbors as you wish.

Sunday at 4:00 pm from Oct 13 to Nov 17 in Fellowship Hall

ALL CHURCH CAMPFIRE/COOKOUT 5:00 PM - Area Outside the Gym

October 13th from 5:00 to 7:00 right after dodgeball.

We will cook hotdogs over the fire and roast marshmallows for smores. This is a free event everyone is welcome!

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, October 12

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

Sunday, October 13

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:30 am   Worship Service – Sanctuary

4:00 pm   Youth Group -Dodgeball – Fellowship Hall

5:00 pm   Campfire/Cookout – Outside Grass Area

Tuesday, October 15

       2:00 pm   Prayer Shawl – Anna Mow Room

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

Wednesday, October 16

9:00 am   Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

Thursday, October 17

6:30 pm   Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary

Sunday, October 20

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

4:00 pm  Youth Group -Dodgeball – Fellowship Hall

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 155. 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 149. 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 Kim Witkovsky. The class is following the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum entitled "Worship in the Covenant Community."

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teacher Deb Klinedinst. The class will be studying the series "Undistracted" by Bob Goff. 

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 DATES TO REMEMBER

Sunday, October 13 - Youth Group/Dodgeball, 4:00 PM

 followed by Campfire/Cookout, 5:00 PM

Saturday, October 19 - Camp Eder Annual Fall Fest 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday, October 30 - Trick or Trunk Event 5:30 PM

Sunday, November 3 - Congregational Forum 11:00 AM

Camp Eder Needs You

Our 46^th Annual Fall Fest is camp’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The proceeds go to our camp’s monthly expenses, summer camps, programs throughout the year and most importantly camp scholarships (for those children whose families cannot afford to send them to camp to hear Gods’ word.)

Camp Eder Fall Fest Auction is being held at Camp Eder on Sat., Oct. 19, 2024, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Silent Auctions: 10:00-10:45 & 11:00-11:45, Live Auction: 12:00 Noon

Turkey & Pork Lunch: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Food Court: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Fall Fest is quickly approaching and we need your help to make it a success. Your attendance and donations to the auction are two of the best ways to help raise $$ for camp. We will again we accepting donations for gently used or new items as well as basket donations to be sold at the silent and/or live auction, (see your church office for a basket suggestion list with ideas.) If you are a designer of furniture, art work, quilts, wood products, etc., or know someone that is, please consider donating one of your creations. Please drop off all donations at Camp Eder before Thursday, October 17^th.  

If you need to have any items picked up, please call me.

Thank you for your support, Deona Schmittel (717) 451-3797

Disaster Relief Collection October 20

On Sunday October 20, in place of our usual Food Pantry Collection each 3^rd Sunday of the month, we will be collecting Hygiene Kits and Monetary Donations for Disaster Relief in light of recent hurricanes. Funds given for Disaster Ministries will be given to Hurricane Response through the Emergency Disaster Fund of the Church of the Brethren.

If you wish to donate hygiene kits, here is a description. Please prepare entire kits yourself for us to collect.

• One hand towel measuring approximately 15" x 28" to 16" x 32" (no fingertip, bath, dish towel or micro-fiber)
• One washcloth
• One wide-tooth comb removed from the package, must be sturdy with at least 6 inches of teeth
• One fingernail or toenail clipper removed from the package (either one is acceptable)
• One bath-size bar of soap in the original package
• One toothbrush in the original package
• Ten standard size Band-Aids

All items need to fit inside a one-gallon Ziploc type bag. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal before boxing.

Do NOT add any extra items or toothpaste. A tube of extended expiration date toothpaste will be added to each hygiene kit just prior to its final journey.

TRICK OR TRUNK EVENT - Wed., Oct. 30, 2024

5:30 to 7:00 PM

Volunteers to decorate trunk s and help in others ways are requested. Donations of Halloween candy for the Trick or Trunk are needed as well. Sign-up sheets and a donation box will be in the Gathering Area starting this Sunday. We expect to see as many as 400 children!! 

Camp Eder November Senior Day

Wednesday, November 6th

9:30 am Check In/Breakfast

10:00 am Chris Ivey

Join us for a special juggling routine by Chris Ivey. Chris has two decades of professional performing experience that is brought to life in an amazing show! This show is sure to leave you laughing, amazed, and cheering loudly from the edge of your seats.

12:00 pm Lunch - Turkey, Mashed potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, and Apple Crisp

1:00 pm Depart

Cost $ 20 per person, RSVP by Oct. 23rd by calling (717) 642-8256.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP GROUP for women of ALL ages will begin meeting mornings together once a month.

We will have a different event each month. Event and date will be announced by email and in ENEWS.. We welcome ALL who wish to attend.  

Our first event will be held at Camp Eder "Senior Day" Wednesday, November 6. Begins at 9:30 a.m with check-in/breakfast. 10 am Chris Ivey, special juggler. The show will have you laughing, amazed and cheering loudly. 12 pm lunch will be served. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and apple crisp for dessert. 1 pm depart for home. 

If you wish to attend this event, please email Kim Witkovsky at witkovskyks@gmail.com or call 814-599-7055 to reserve your spot. Reservation deadline is October 23rd.  

As a group we can car pool from church or you can drive separately. 

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

Worship Ministry Team

October 2024

“Our pastors and ministers are an inspiration, because their lives are reflections of the One they serve, the gift they are, the truth they share, the love they demonstrate are all received with an appreciation only the heart can know.”  

For the past 30 years, the month of October has been observed in faith communities as Pastor Appreciation Month. Focus on the Family, a global Christian organization, named and began emphasizing Pastor Appreciation Month in 1994, reminding congregations that it was biblical and proper to honor their pastor staff and pastoral families throughout the year, but suggesting that they set aside the month of October for a special, tangible tribute, a specific time of year when congregations and faith communities could support and celebrate their ministries. 

Focus on the Family believes that the concept of pastor appreciation started with the Apostle Paul as he was establishing the first Christian churches. In 1 Timothy 5:17 he wrote, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching”. And, in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, he said, “Respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”

Pastor Appreciation Month is a special time congregations set aside each year to honor their pastors and pastoral families for the hard work, sacrificial dedication and multiple blessings provided by these special people. Pastor Joel, Michele, Micah and Danielle are marking their seventh year in ministry with us we want to say thank you and offer our gratitude, support and encouragement for their ongoing presence and leadership among us. And we look forward to many more years of ministry together!

The Leadership Team will be expressing their gratitude and appreciation with a card and gift. During the month of October, the Worship Ministry Team encourages Sunday School classes, ministry teams, families and individuals to extend to Joel and his family your love and support in creative and generous ways – surprise them with flowers, cards, notes, homemade gifts/cards, texts, emails, gift cards, handshakes and hugs! And we encourage you to continue sharing your appreciation throughout the year - for holidays and birthdays, in good times and difficult ones, just to let them know you care!   

To Pastor Joel and your precious family we say, “Because of you, we are here today. You’ve taught with your words. You’ve led with your actions. And you have made a difference for so many.” We extend our deep appreciation to you and call forth blessings upon you as you continue your ministry among us (for a very long time)! 

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.

Denny Bahn and Maverick Rosenzweig's families

would like to surprise them with a card shower.

Denny Bahn

He will be celebrating his 70^th birthday on October 26^th.

His address is: Denny Bahn – Room 4B,

2400 Kingston Court, York, PA 17402

Maverick Rosenzweig

His birthday is October 21st

His address is: 3151 Cometlight Dr., York, PA 17402

A grateful thank-you for the many lovely birthday cards I received from members of First Church. A special thanks for the very kind words that were included. It seems I have joined a special group at First Church - The Ninety’s Club! ~ Winnie Fickes



Gathering Area Quilt

Every month the quilt in the gathering area is changed to another beautiful quilt. The October quilt is named "Stellar". These quilts are made by Sid Innerst. Sid selected a quilt design that features butterflies fluttering up and down and all around.

Sid is a very talented quilter and we wanted to thank her for sharing her beautiful work. As you are walking through the gathering area, please take a moment to enjoy the beauty and details of these quilts. 

Lehman Center "Wish List"

Items for donation to the Lehman Center are being collected in the basket in the Gathering Area. Due to changes in the food pantry operations, these must be collected separately from food pantry supplies.

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

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.

The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies and the School of Arts and Humanities at Elizabethtown College presents:

“Celebrating the Music of Ephrata with Ephrata Cloister Chorus”

Mon., Oct. 21, 7:00 p.m., in Leffler Chapel and Performance Center. 

Opening the program, Etown College Archivist Rachel Grove Rohrbaugh will describe conservation work on two rare Ephrata music manuscript books housed at the College. Both books were created by hand at the Cloister in the mid-eighteenth century and contain beautiful examples of Pennsylvania German Fraktur. Continuing the program, Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform four pieces composed at Ephrata and found in the Ephrata Cloister’s 1739 hymnal, Zionitischer Weyrauchs- Hügel. Also included is music composed at the Lititz Moravian community; selections from the Shaker community of Mt. Lebanon, NY; music of William Billings; African American Spiritual hymnody; and contemporary sacred anthems. For details visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events or call 717-361-1470.

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.