SUNDAY SCHEDULE
**In-person gatherings remain suspended through July 5**
Effective July 12:
WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online
Please see below for online class
and worship offerings
|
|
THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP
June 21, 2020
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Matthew 9:9-13,18-26
MESSAGE:
"I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice"
|
|
|
Contents
:
This Week
Sunday School News
Youth Group News
COB Newsline
Online Giving
Upcoming Events
Postponed and Canceled Events
Thank you
Notes from the Console
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
|
|
Jesus Calling, Jesus Healing
This week in worship we will draw from Matthew 9, in which Jesus called an unlikely disciple, was accused of associating with sinners, healed a suffering woman, and raised a girl from the dead. How do these all of these events connect, and what do they speak to us today? Does God reach out to all people in the same way?
Various needs exist among us, and Jesus revealed himself to be concerned with many including health, community, vocation, faith, and concern for life after death. None of these ought to be ignored or discounted by the church. All are within the work and mission of Christ, as we will see.
Click below to enter a time of worship with all who will do likewise this weekend. Note that the service has been
pre-recorded and can be watched anytime, but I encourage you all to deliberately set aside time on Sunday morning to do so.
|
The video will be made public on our
facebook page on Sunday morning as early as 8:00 AM. Please feel free to comment on and share it freely as you wish. I welcome conversation and responses! These online services stand as an opportunity to broaden the reach of our ministry, so I hope you're not shy about passing them along to friends and family who may appreciate our ministry. Thank you!
- Pastor Joel
*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 narthex any weekday. Sermon manuscripts are also available upon request. We hope no one is missing out!
***Coming Soon: Live Streaming and Gathering*** Beginning next week on June 28 (assuming everything functions well) we will begin offering worship services "live" on YouTube at 10:30 on Sunday mornings, after which the recorded video may be viewed anytime.
Such a setup will allow us to resume in-person worship gatherings - for those willing and eager to do so - while providing the opportunity to worship via video concurrently at home for anyone who believes that to be the most responsible choice.
At this point a tentative date on which we plan to resume in-person gathering has been set for Sunday
July 12th. More information will be provided related to expectations and guidelines for our safety, and we intend to have a church-wide online conversation on Sunday
July 28 to discuss the re-opening. Thank you all for your patience, concern, and encouragement in recent weeks!
|
|
Secretary’s Office Hours
from June 23rd through August 21st will be 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
|
|
Sunday School News
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.
All are welcome to join.
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
The Lamplighters Class is planning to meet on Sunday mornings from
11:00 am
until noon by zoom (video) conference. If you wish to be included and haven't received an email already, please contact Pastor Joel at
pastor@yorkfirst.org
, and he will forward you the link. (We will not share the login info publicly in an effort to prevent hacking). The class will be led by Patricia Carey, beginning a video series by Bob Goff.
Vine & Branches Sunday School Class
The Vine & Branches Class is continuing to meet on Sunday mornings from
9:00 am
to 10:00 am by zoom (video) conference. If you wish to be included, please contact Pastor Joel at
pastor@yorkfirst.org
, and he will forward you the link. The class will begin studying the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, "Many Faces of Wisdom" - this week's lesson based on Proverbs 8.
Children's Sunday School Class
Children's Sunday School is now planned for
10:30 am
each Sunday morning via zoom, with a lesson lasting approximately 20 minutes. Parents may of course participate alongside, but the time will be tailored to children. For the zoom link and to be included, please contact Pastor Joel at
pastor@yorkfirst.org
. Thanks, and we look forward to this special time together!
Click on the video below for a special story in advance of this week's lesson:
|
|
Due to health concerns and restrictions on gatherings, the Church of the Brethren Summer Youth Workcamps have been canceled. Our Youth had planned to attend one during the month of July, so this is sad news for many. Please click on the button to view the cancellation announcement:
|
|
On a brighter note, please check out this new Church of the Brethren resource that provides daily devotions for the youth. "Good News! Youth Devotional" has a new and unique offering each day with scripture, commentary, prayers, and questions to consider.
|
|
For those of you working with our children at church:
After you complete the training please print your certificate and give it to Pastor Joel to keep on file. Thank you so much for helping care for our little ones at church. Thank you!
|
|
Church of the Brethren Denominational News
Denominational news and information is always available by visiting
brethren.org
|
|
June Church of the Brethren
Newsline Digest
|
|
|
Church of the Brethren Annual Conference will not be held this summer
|
|
|
DENOMINATIONAL
WORSHIP GATHERING
"New World Coming!"
July 1, 2020
(Wednesday)
8:00 PM Eastern
A worship bulletin will be
|
|
The service will feature the preaching of
Kayla Alphonse and Paul Mundey, with a wide array of music, including selections by Jacob Crouse, Janelle Flory Schrock and Kendra Flory, the Keister Sisters,
Shawn Kirchner, Nancy Faus Mullen, and Josh Tindall. Two of the hymns of the denominational virtual choir will be offered: ‘Move in Our Midst,’ and ‘I See A New World Coming.’
|
|
|
|
|
Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer
and Event Announcements
|
|
Although in-person worship gatherings and events are suspended for a time, the church's ministry continues in many important ways. Please continue to give as you are so led, whether by mail or through online giving. Thank you.
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!!!!!
|
|
The Lehman Center Auction will be held (virtual) this year.
Bidding will begin June 27 and end on June 30th at 9 pm.
Some items will close earlier in the evening.
On June 29th from 4 to 7:00 pm there will be a preview of
auction items at New Fairview COB. Masks are required.
There will be Themed Baskets, Art/ Jewelry, Gift Cards, Sports Memorabilia, Food and items will be show cased live on the web site through out the evening on June 30th.
Item pick up will be July 2nd 11-1 and 5-8 pm and July 3rd 10-12. At that time food will be available for take out. You do not need to have purchased anything to come and buy food.
We will miss seeing you all in person however this year the auction will look a little different. If you are not able to bid feel and you would like to donate. You can mail a check to CAS and memo TLC Auction Donation.
The Lehman Center is now open and servicing the vulnerable children in our community. Keep them in your prayers as they try to navigate this new norm.
|
|
SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, July 10, 2020
-
Sign up
by calling Audrey Ginder, 717-755-6785
to make a casserole for the Soup Kitchen on Friday, July 10, 2020 (10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE contact Audrey to add your name and number of casseroles, so we can let the Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect. Thank you!
|
|
Great News!
VBS is Happening!
August 2-7, 2020
Join us
ONLINE
for 3 days of VBS Fun! Invite your Friends, Family & Neighbors to join you at
your house
for this awesome time of worship, play, and fun! You pick the days. You pick the time. We give you the materials you need to make this a meaningful and fun experience. Stay tuned for more details coming in July.
|
|
Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:
For the remainder of this month, we will
not gather here at our building on Sundays for worship together, and any other large group events are canceled or postponed until further notice.
Leadership Team, at its recent meeting, received a report from the appointed COVID reopening team with the proposed date of
July 12th to being gathering for worship once again. This will depend on functionality of video live streaming as well as the continued low rates of viral disease in our community.
No Sunday School classes will resume until a later date, and several elements of worship will be adjusted such as seating arrangements, not passing of offering plates, and perhaps restricted singing. Handshake greetings should be avoided and masks worn in common areas such as hallways. More will be explained later, but know that these are all for our collective wellness.
Expect to attend an all-church Zoom (video conference) meeting on June 28th, time to be determined.
We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining “physical distance” 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, so
please feel free to call or email as you wish. We discourage in-person visits, however. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, and pastoral visits will be minimal.
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. This disease is real and a genuine threat to the lives of many.
Thank you all for understanding and for your faithful participation in our life together. Stay apart from each other in body but close together in spirit.
Talk to each other often, by phone especially. Please stay home and do your part to prevent the spread of contagious disease. That is how we can best love one another for the time being. God's comfort and peace be with you.
|
|
BABY ANNOUNCEMENT
We are pleased to announce that a healthy baby boy was born to Steven and Katelynn Crissman. Simeon Harold Crissman was born on June 6, and his big sister Lydia is very excited about this already!
The Crissman family has been attending our church for much of the past year, and we offer them our congratulations and prayers as we praise God for this precious new life.
|
|
Babies...Babies...Babies
We are so excited to welcome 3 new little ones into our church family. While providing meals is a traditional way to celebrate with new families and help with these early days of transition, we realize these are not usual times. Therefore, we invite you to shower the families with gift cards to local restaurants that can be used for takeout. All addresses can be found in the 2020 church directory.
Directory Change for Steven & Katelynn Crissman
: Their address is corrected to read:
1342 E. Prospect St., York PA 17403
Congratulations again to our growing families. We are so excited to celebrate this gift of life with you.
Seth Michael Beckwith, son of Tim & Brittney Beckwith
Briella Ann Hamill, daughter of Patrick & Sarah Hamill
Simeon Harold Crissman, son of Steven & Katelynn Crissman
|
|
Postponed and Canceled Events
|
|
OWLS NEWS
Due to COVID-19 circumstances, the OWLS will NOT meet in June.
The next scheduled meeting may take place in September.
|
|
Postponed Until 2021
Cross Keys Village, The Brethren Home Community
60th Annual Chicken BBQ, Car Show, & Auction
scheduled for Sat., August 8th
|
|
Brethren Disaster Relief Auction Event in Lebanon scheduled for
late September is canceled over pandemic concerns!
This year's Lebanon Expo Brethren Disaster Relief Auction that has been a tradition since 1977 has been canceled because of the coronavirus crisis. The BDRA association determined the health concerns due to COVID-19 complicated the ongoing planning and volunteer coordination for the two-day event set to begin Sept. 25.
Event if current restrictions were lifted for opening of the Auction, it would be extremely difficult to have complete assurance that all volunteers, vendors and supporters would attend.
While the entire Board of Directors was heartbroken to make the decision, they feel it is a safer and more conscientious decision to take this year to continue fund raiding efforts with the Church of the Brethren (COB) organizations in central Pennsylvania. While this is sad news for the COB denomination and the Brethren Disaster Relief Ministry (the recipient of the Auction proceeds to rebuild disaster damaged areas), the Board of Directors look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.
~
BDRA Board of Directors
|
|
Congratulations to Christopher Jon (CJ) Baldwin who graduated from Dallastown High School 2020! Since he was not able to have a regular graduation due to COVID-19 we would like to shower him with cards.
Please send cards to: CJ Baldwin, 2665 Vireo Road, York PA 17403.
|
|
GRADUATE RECOGNITION
Although we can’t be together to celebrate our traditional Graduate Recognition we’d like to honor those that have graduated in the past year. Please forward a brief bio of your graduate to us by June 23
rd for recognition in the newsletter. We want to celebrate the accomplishments and this milestone of those in your family that have worked hard to graduate. Remember, don’t be bashful, share your well-earned success so that we can celebrate with you!
|
|
GRADUATION THANK YOU:
Thank you to everyone who thought of me graduating during these strange times! I especially enjoyed seeing everyone who came by my house last Saturday with their decorated cars, signs and encouraging words. It was a total surprise! All the cards and letters I have received have brightened up my graduating experience! I know I’ll do great at Juniata College thanks to all of your support.
Sara 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 2020 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 would like to support this outreach program while we are not meeting as a congregation during the Covid-19 pandemic, you can 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
|
|
"Notes from the Console," Article 48, By Mike Frock
Introduction to Organ Pipes; Part 1: Flue Pipes
The Prelude this week is ‘Aria Secunda with Five Variations in E Minor P. 194’ from “Hexachordum Apollinis” by Johann Pachelbel. My interpretation of this piece is that there should be a consistent beat throughout the piece. The aria and each variation last about eighty-five to ninety seconds, for a total duration of a little less than nine minutes. The Offertory this week is “The Faithful Shepherd” by Stewart Landon, and the Postlude is an arrangement of the hymn “Fight the Good Fight” by William Boyd and arranged by Roger C. Wilson.
Organ pipes are usually made from metal or wood, and they are usually in the shape of a cylinder, cone, or rectangular prism, although other shapes are used, e.g. triangular prism. If made of metal, lead or a lead alloy is generally used, although other metals have been used, e.g. aluminum, brass, or copper. Metal pipes are usually cylindrical or conical. If made of wood, a hardwood is generally used, at least around the mouth of the pipe. Wooden pipes are generally rectangular prisms.
There are two main types of organ pipes: flue pipes and reed pipes. When you picture an organ pipe in your mind, you are probably picturing a flue pipe. Flue pipes can be made of metal or wood and are generally quieter than reed pipes.
In a flue pipe, air is pushed through the bottom of the pipe and across the mouth of the pipe to produce the sound. This type of opening is called a fipple and is the same way in which a recorder produces sound. Flue pipes cover three family of sounds: Principals/Diapasons (quintessential organ sounds), Flutes, and Strings. They also cover some hybrids sounds which are a combination of two or more families, e.g. Principal-Strings, and/or Flute-Strings. Metal flue pipes are usually tuned by adjusting what is called a tuning sleeve or tuning collar which is a movable ring of metal around the top of the pipe. This changes the length of the pipe and, therefore, the pitch.
There are a couple different ways wooden pipes are tuned. Lastly, flue-style pipes are used for what are known as façade pipes or dummy pipes. These are the pipes that one might see spread across the front of a sanctuary. These do not produce any sound and are for decoration only. Sometimes these pipes are painted or engraved for even further ornament.
|
|
Scripture Lesson:
Matthew 7:21-29
Message:
"As One with Authority"
|
|
|
|
|
Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday - Thursday from 9:00 AM to noon. Afternoons and evenings are often 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 cell 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.
|
|
Our Mission Statement:
“People dedicated to Spiritual Growth, Loving Relationship, and Sacrificial Service”
|
|
Our Vision Statement:
“To become a community of committed Christians who Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
