SUNDAY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM
(In-person classes are not meeting this week - please see below)
WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online
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THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP
January 16, 2022
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Genesis 16:1-6,15
Genesis 17:1-5,15-21
Genesis 21:2-3,8-21
MESSAGE:
“A Child of Promise”
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Contents:
This Week
Prayer Requests
and Calendar
Sunday School News
Children's Ministry Schedule
Online Giving
Upcoming Events
COB News
Thank you
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
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Promised Child(ren):
Human Drama and the Hospitality of God
In Sunday worship this week, we continue a series exploring some of the earliest ancestors of our faith, beginning with God calling Abraham and progressing through his first descendants - this week recalling the birth of his two sons. We will advance through Genesis and into Exodus over the course of the coming months. We'll consider the importance of our listening and faithfulness to God, but more so the willingness of God to guide and offer a way for us, despite our many shortcomings and circumstances.
Please join us in worship this Sunday as always, where we'll be paying close attention to what we stand to learn from the stories of our spiritual ancestors as well as the challenges that arise from their shortcomings. Let's commit to learn together how the Bible serves to enrich our faith and points us toward something higher than the ways of this world.
Special Announcement from Leadership Team:
**Please note: Due to very high rates of illness in our community, we encourage all worship attendees to wear face coverings during our time together. Further, we encourage staying at home and worshiping with us online if you are willing and able. New covid case rates locally continue to be exceptionally high at the moment, and we prefer that no one take unnecessary health risks. In-person Sunday School classes will be suspended this week once again. We hope to re-gather within a few weeks and will evaluate as we go. Thank you all for understanding.**
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Live Stream Worship
Although some of us will gather in person, our worship services will 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, January 16, 2022
Gathering Music “On the Blue Ridge”
Welcome And Announcements
Responsive Call to Worship
Invocation Prayer
Hymn “My Shepherd will supply my need”
Children's Time
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Call to Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Anthem - Jesus Medley:
“There's Something About That Name”
“Jesus, Name Above All Names”
“Fairest Lord Jesus”
“More Precious Than Silver”
GIFTS AND OFFERING
Offering Invitation
Offertory “I Sing the Might Power of God with Almighty”
Offering Response “Praise God from whom”
Offering Prayer
Hymn “They that wait upon the Lord”
RECEIVING GOD'S WORD
Scripture Lesson: Genesis 16: 1-6, 15
Genesis 17: 1-5,15-21, Genesis 21: 2-3,8-21
Message: “A Child of Promise”
Hymn of Response “Bless’d be the tie that binds”
Sending Prayer
Choral Benediction “When You Rise Up”
Music for the Journey “Appalachian Sunrise”
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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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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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**All In-Person Classes are Temporarily Suspended**
This week, January 16, due to high rates of covid cases in our area, we will not gather for Sunday School. We believe it is wise at this time to not meet in face-to-face, as some of our teachers have been directly affected and we do not wish to put any families at risk. The Homebuilders class will still meet by phone as they do each week.
If anyone would like a chance to discuss the scriptures surrounding our sermon this week with Pastor Joel in a virtual setting, please email him pastor@yorkfirst.org
A group Bible Study via zoom might be a nice way to make up for a missed Sunday School class these weeks and further allow us to engage with the text, allowing it to challenge and speak to us more clearly. Please reach out if interested!
We remain excited to begin a new youth class as well as an adult membership class in the near future, so please ay attention to upcoming e-newsletters and emails. Thank you all for your understanding and patience as we navigate these uncertain times.
Children's Sunday School Class
(Not meeting this week) Children's Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM each Sunday, in-person, in the classrooms just past the nursery. Children grades PreK and up will have class lessons, with singing mid-hour 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!
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Homebuilders Sunday School Class
The Homebuilders Class is continuing to meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 AM to 10:00 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 9:00 am. The class continues to examine lessons from the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum.
Lamplighters Sunday School Class
(Not meeting this week) The Lamplighters Class meets Sunday mornings in-person at 9:00 AM in their classroom, 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.
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*Jr and Sr High Youth Sunday School Class*
This class will hopefully begin in a few weeks, meeting at 9:00 AM in the Youth Room
Teachers are David Witkovsky, John and Diane Gibble, and Deb Klinedinst.
We hope to see you there!
Upcoming youth events:
Camp Eder Winter Camp January 28–30. Sign up through Camp Eder campeder.org
District Youth Retreat the weekend of March 18-20.
Let an adviser know if you are interested.
**Adult Membership Class**
This class will hopefully begin in a few weeks, meeting Sundays at 9:00 AM in the Homebuilders classroom
Pastor Joel will be teaching a series that is an invitation into the Christina faith as well as a summary of beliefs and practices of the Church of the Brethren. Any new attendees, prospective members, interested learners, or existing members are welcome to attend. Adults of all ages are invited. Please let Pastor Joel know if you plan to be part of this series pastor@yorkfirst.org, and expect emails from him with more information.
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Children's Ministry Schedule |
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2022 DIRECTORY
We need your help to update our 2022 church directory!
Please click on the tab to review your information:
Name, address, phone number, email, etc.
If you have any corrections, please email them to the
by phone (717) 755-0307
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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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2022 OFFERING ENVELOPES
Are available for pickup on the counter in the narthex.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
- Many envelope numbers have changed for 2022.
- If you are using Online Giving, your envelope number may now be in the 200 range, and you will not receive a box of envelopes. See the listing located with the boxes of envelopes.
- DO NOT use your old (2021) envelopes after DECEMBER 31, 2021
DO NOT use your new (2022) envelopes before JANUARY 1, 2022.
If you don't have envelopes and would like to have them, please contact Karen in the church office.
Thank you
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UPCOMING EVENTS / DATES TO REMEMBER:
January 28-30 - Winter Camp, Camp Eder
February 19 - Man2Man Men's Spiritual Leadership Summit, Mechanicsburg CoB
March 18-20 - District Youth Retreat, Camp Eder
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Camp Eder Winter Camp 2022 - January 28-30
Winter Camp 2022 is just around the corner!
Join us for an action packed weekend full of camp fun and friends.
Drop off will be 7pm on Friday with pick up at 2pm on Sunday.
The Church will cover 80% of the registration expense!
Winter Camp 2022 is going to be a blast!
Please click on the button for the flier to view information and registration information or visit campeder.org.
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Men's Spiritual Leadership Summit
Saturday - February 19, 2022
Unity and What it Means for the Church
Guest Speaker: David Sollenberger 2022 Church of the Brethren Annual Conf. Moderator
Location:Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren, 301 Gale St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Registration Deadline: Monday, February 1, 2022
Click on the button below to view the brochure and information.
This information will be posted on the bulletin board in Narthex area.
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Ladies Bible Study is being postponed until March 8th
due to Covid and inclement weather of January and February.
Stay safe until we meet again.
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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 - Jan./Feb. 2022
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Thank you for the cards and prayers for my recovery from knee surgery. I really appreciated everything. ~Tammy Stehr
Thank you for your prayers, cards and phone calls that meant so much thorough my past health issues. Your kindness and concern was very much appreciated.~Terry Wueschinski
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Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:
The church Leadership Team's policy on face coverings for our gatherings: following with CDC guidance, masks are optional for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, however we encourage all attendees to wear face coverings when near others. We are on the honor system and are trusting all attendees to respect this policy. All are welcome, as always, and we hope for further updates moving forward.
Staying home remains the safest option, yet we commend and affirm in-person gatherings as the ideal. Worship will be live streamed on our YouTube channel and recorded each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM indefinitely, but it is not intended to "replace" physical attendance long-term.
We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining some “physical distancing” for the safety and well-being of the vulnerable among us. The pastor and secretary continue to be available and in the office most of the week. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, although Pastor Joel is open to home visits as requested.
Please recognize that your church will require funds to continue basic operation of property and facility, fulfill pledged outreach giving, and maintain staff who will continue to minister whether in-person gatherings happen or not. Online giving is a simple and easy way to support your church and those it serves during this time, and it is accessible through our church website www.yorkfirst.org. Mailing your gifts and offerings to the church office is also welcome. Thank you to all who have given generously! We have been able to maintain our many outreach commitments thus far this year, and for that we give thanks!
Look for other announcements on our website and facebook page, and as always you may read current and/or recent newsletters through our website for other updates (and past sermons if you have spare time). **Note that you do not even need a facebook account of you own to view the church's page there. If you do have a facebook account, please "like" our church's page to view updates there. The more you "like" and "comment" and "share" our content, the better it "travels" and will be seen by others. Do your part to freely spread our messages of ministry during this time. Thank you!!**
Concerning the spread of COVID-19, here is a good resource with helpful links to other sites as well: https://covid19.brethren.org/ Be careful to pay attention to public health experts, rather than every news headline or comment from your neighbors. We must act responsibly for the well-being of all, not merely ourselves.
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 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 2021 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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January is Sanctity of Human Life month.
Please pray for the safety of unborn babies.
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SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Genesis 12:1-9, 12:10-20
Genesis 15:1-6, 15:12-15
MESSAGE:
“A Journey Begins”
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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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