SUNDAY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM
Please See Below for Sunday School Class Information
WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online
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THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP:
August 1, 2021
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Daniel 7:1-14
MESSAGE:
“Apocalypse”
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Contents:
This Week
Prayer Requests
Sunday School News
Children's Ministry Schedule
Opportunities To Serve
Online Giving
Upcoming Events
COB News
Birthdays
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
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A Revealing Vision:
Devouring Beasts and an Everlasting Kingdom
This week in worship we continue our series from the book of Daniel with a dramatic "apocalyptic" vision as told in chapter 7. What may appear to be an amazing yet confusing foretelling of future events is best understood as an affirmation of God's promise to outlast and exceed any-and-all earthly powers, using imagery of a coming "Son of Man" to do so.
While the promise remains that one day God alone will fully rule among us and restore all things through Christ, the temptation remains to try to predict exactly how and when this will come about. The guidance we receive from scripture can even fuel this desire, but a more mature reading of it does not. Ideally, it inspires us to faith and action here and now rather than leading us to simply "wait around" - leaving little room for social concern or personal growth.
Come and consider together how even the stories of apocalyptic "foretelling" in our scriptures are not an invitation to speculate about future events but to trust in God's ways and the savior whom God has already sent.
We will also share a brief introduction to VBS, a week of ministry with children which begins on Sunday evening, focusing on the wonders of our "Great Big Beautiful World!" Please join us for this time of worship.
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Live Stream Continues
Although many of us are gathering in person, our worship services will be presented "live stream" through for those who wish to join that way. Please subscribe to the channel it 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, August 1, 2021
Prelude “Agnus Dei”
Welcome And Announcements
Responsive Call to Worship
Invocation Prayer
Hymn “For the beauty of the earth”
Children’s Time
Special Music “Kumbaya” Malakai Wolf
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Call to Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
GIFTS AND OFFERING
Offering Invitation
Offertory “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”
Malakai Wolf
Offering Response “Praise God from whom”
Offering Prayer
RECEIVING GOD'S WORD
Scripture Lesson: Daniel 7:1-14
Message: “Apocalypse”
Hymn of Response “How wondrous great”
Sending Prayer
Postlude "Postlude"
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Memorial Service for Carol Gordon
This Saturday, July 31 at 10:00 AM, we will host a Memorial Service for Carol Gordon in our Sanctuary. All are welcome to attend in person. Pastor Bob Krouse, who is presently serving as interim pastor for the Codorus Church of the Brethren, will be officiating. A luncheon will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall.
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Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer
Additions and updates are welcome by contacting the church office
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
August 1-5, 2021 6:00-8:00 PM
(Sunday – Thursday Evenings)
Ages 4 - 5th grade
Come join us for Vacation Bible School. We will play games, make crafts, sing songs, and have a ton of fun all while discovering how we can celebrate and care for God’s creation. Thursday evening your whole family is invited to join in the fun too! Following dinner and worship, we’ll participate in an interactive exotic animal show with Adventure in Fun! VBS is going to be great. We look forward to seeing you!
Register by completing the form found here:
Paper copies are available in the gathering area. Return it to the church office when complete. Freely share it with your friends and family as well!
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Please view the video here that describes this year's VBS offering project:
New Community Project
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CHANGE IN SET UP TIME FOR DECORATING
VBS set up decorating persons please note the time for set up has changed to
July 31 at 1:00. This is due to a funeral in the church sanctuary in the morning. I hope everyone can still come and help. If you have any questions please let Diane Gibble know.
Please help defray the cost of VBS! In the gathering area there's a basket. Inside the basket there are green papers giving costs for VBS expenses. Choose a green paper with an amount that will best suit your budget. We need help paying for VBS supplies, entertainment and the meal on Thursday. Checks can be written to York First COB and in the memo note it's for VBS. Thank you for supporting this outreach in our community.
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL MEAL HELP NEEDED: Vacation Bible School is fast approaching and on Thursday evening, August 5, we provide a family meal in the Fellowship Hall. Help is needed to prep and serve this meal. If you would be interested in providing a few hours that evening to help in the kitchen to serve and help out, please let me know. You would need to be in the kitchen by 3:00 PM on August 5. The meal is served promptly at 6 pm. Clean up about 1 hour. Contact me either on email at furstdol@aol.com or call 717-244-8218 for further details. MEN OR TEENS WELCOME!
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Church Staff Update: Mike Frock Resignation
With regret, the Worship Team has received and accepted a letter of resignation from our Organist Mike Frock. Mike has served in this position for three years, and we have appreciated his music ministry very much. We wish Mike well in his future endeavors and will be working to fill the position in the near future.
Mike's last Sunday with us will be September 5, and he will have several weeks off between now and then. Feel free to express your appreciation to Mike for his service to our church these recent years, his music having been an extremely important part of each service of worship.
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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
The Lamplighters Class has resumed meeting Sunday mornings in-person at 9:00 AM in their classroom, Room 145. Upcoming lesson series to be determined.
Vine & Branches Sunday School Class
The Vine & Branches Class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM, in-person. Pastor Joel will be teaching, and the class will be following the Adult version of the Shine Curriculum entitled "Seeking Justice Together," incorporating the same scriptures and themes that the children will be studying. The class is meeting in the new multi-purpose room adjacent to the sanctuary.
Children's Sunday School Class
Children's Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM each Sunday, in-person, in the classroom beside the nursery. The class will include children Pre-K through 6th grade. The children will be following the Shine Curriculum entitled "Seeking Justice Together" during the summer season. Children ages 4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care, which may include a brief lesson as well.
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Children's Ministry Schedule |
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Nursery Care Attendants Needed!
As more people begin returning for in-person worship, we look forward to reopening the nursery. However, we need your help! We need at least 2, maybe even 3, adults to staff the nursery safely for both Sunday School and Worship. Please contact Michele Gibbel mgibbel@yahoo.com (717)318-5442 to have your name added to the volunteer list. Background checks and covid vaccinations are required. We look forward to seeing our little ones return soon. Thank you!
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Southern PA District Conference will be held here at York First Church
Saturday September 18, 2021
This is an opportunity for us to extend the hand of hospitality to those in our district that will be attending the conference. The conference begins with a live-streamed (online-only) worship service on Friday evening (9/17) and then a full day of in-person gathering on Saturday (9/18). Times we need volunteers will vary, and we’ve listed the range of times so you can determine how this might fit into your schedule for both Friday and Saturday or for any portion of those days.
We will need help in the following areas:
➤ Food service either help in kitchen or serving. Light breakfast, full lunch. See Dolly Furst
➤ Parking/traffic – directing visitors where to park and enter. Saturday from 7-9 AM and 3-4 PM
➤ Internal direction – directing visitors within the church. Throughout the day
➤ Set-up in fellowship hall and balcony. Friday evening from 6-9 PM and Saturday from 3-5 PM
Please sign up at the new gathering area in the narthex. If you are not planning to come to church and would like to volunteer, please call Karen in the church office 717-755-0307 or email secretary@yorkfirst.org and she will sign you up.
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Hospitality Servers Needed for Conference
- Do you enjoy prepping and serving food?
- Socializing and enjoying different events at the church?
We are looking for individuals who enjoy food preparation and serving others.
Many hands are necessary to help prepare and share a light breakfast with coffee, lunch, and an afternoon snack for approximately 150 people who will be attending. This will be an all-day event. Basically, helping to set-up and serve will be needed. If you are able to help all day or just one hour, or any time you can serve, would be appreciated.
If you think, you would be interested, please see or call Dolly Furst at
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Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen - 331 South George Street, York
Sandi Bowser, Chairperson
Greetings Everyone,
In the past year Audrey Ginder asked me to become Chairperson for the Soup Kitchen Committee. I said yes. At first, the position involved taking calls from members who make the casseroles and deliver them to the freezer in the church kitchen. I soon began making two casseroles myself, which should tell you making them is not difficult. On the Sunday or Monday before the 2nd Friday, I transfer the casseroles to the refrigerator. Then on that 2nd Friday Dan Snook takes them to the Soup Kitchen. I would like to add 2 or 3 more cooks to this. Call if you’re interested please.
Just as important - Jim, Manager of the Soup Kitchen, called and stated that he would like 4 volunteer servers again starting Friday, July 9th, at 10:30. If 16 to 20 people would volunteer, I could prepare a schedule (I would check with these volunteers of course) whereby each person might only need to volunteer once every 4 to 5 months on the second Friday.
Please call me at 717-825-7203. Thank you so much! Sandi Bowser
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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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OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, August 13, 2021
Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for
Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, August 13, 2021 (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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SAVE THE DATE! CAPITAL CAMPAIGN LUNCHEON
Catch the Spirit, Build the Future
Let's Celebrate with lunch.
Sunday, August 29th, 12:00 (following the service), Fellowship Hall
All food will be provided and everyone is invited.
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National Older Adult Conference (NOAC)
September 6-10, 2021
The 2021 NOAC Planning Team is hard at work making plans for the first online National Older Adult Conference. Although we wish we could be together in person at Lake Junaluska in September, we are grateful for the technology that allows us to gather “virtually.” One of the benefits of holding NOAC online is that those who have been unable to travel to Lake Junaluska for NOAC due to finances, health, or schedule conflicts, may be able to participate online this year.
Online registration is now open at www.brethren.org/NOAC. Cost per person is $100 and per couple is $150. Paper registration forms are available upon request by calling: 1-800-323-8039 ext. 303. The registration fee will provide access to all sessions, worship services, workshops, and recorded archives. We hope each person/couple who plans to attend will register and pay the fee so that we can continue to provide a meaningful experience for all.
NOAC 2021 will begin on Monday, September 6 at 7 p.m. with announcements, NOAC News and worship. It will end on Friday, September 10 at 9 a.m. with worship.
There are opportunities for giving- we will have a Virtual “Fundraising Walk around the Lake” which will raise funds for the Emergency Disaster Fund and assist congregations which have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. We are also raising funds to provide books for the Lake Junaluska Elementary School. Donations may be made through Brethren Press. Watch for more information about these giving opportunities.
We are on Facebook at “Church of the Brethren NOAC.” We also have a webpage at www.brethren.org/NOAC to view the daily schedule and additional information. Both are updated on a regular basis.
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SAVE THE DATE
BRETHREN DISASTER RELIEF AUCTION
September 24 & 25, 2021
The auction is live again! More information to follow in upcoming weeks.
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Church of the Brethren Denominational News
Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org
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Church of the Brethren - Newsline Digest
July/August 2021
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LOOK WHO'S
CELEBRATING
THIS MONTH
04 Sarah Hamill
06 Violet Chronister
08 Margaret Eck
09 Bev Raney
10 Linda Wisner
11 Kyleigh Ferro
14 Donna Sharp
15 Pastor Joel Gibbel
18 Julie Poland
19 Robert Sharp
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If your birthday is in AUGUST and is not on the list below or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.
21 Bob Bingaman
21 Betty Bortner
22 Dennis Wisner
22 Eric Zimmerman
25 Judy Deitch
25 Abby Dierdorf
26 Allison Poland
26 Sandra Dell
27 Stephanie Stoolmaker
28 Betty Crowe
28 Tom McCracken
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Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:
The church Leadership Team has approved updated policy on face coverings for our gatherings: following with CDC guidance, masks are now optional for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. For those not vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask indoors. 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. So long as you are comfortable being near others, please plan to join our services of worship, classes, and other events.
Some Sunday School classes will resume meeting in-person this summer, others will not. Check the class information above for weekly updates. Several elements of worship will remain adjusted such as staggered seating, avoiding handshake greetings, and face coverings worn within the building. Please know that all of these measures are for our collective wellness.
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. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, although Pastor Joel is now fully vaccinated and 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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SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Daniel 6
MESSAGE:
“May God Deliver You”
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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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