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SUNDAY SCHEDULE


SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM

Classes for All Ages


WORSHIP 10:30 AM

In the Sanctuary and Online



THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

May 11, 2025


SCRIPTURE LESSON:

John 10:23-28, Exodus 1:13-21


MESSAGE:

“Midwives of Justice”

Contents:



This Week


Prayer Requests

and Calendar


Sunday School News


Children's Ministry Schedule


Upcoming Events


Save the Date


COB News


Online Giving


Directory Change


Last Week


Contacting the Pastor 

Happening This Week

Mother's Day:

Remembering Shiphrah and Puah


This Sunday in worship, as some of the younger youth of our church serve as worship leaders, we will celebrate Mother's Day and recall the witness of several brave women who chose to do Gods' will despite pressure to destroy life. All women will receive a carnation this Sunday!


We will also receive new members into our church this Sunday, so please plan to be present with us and welcome them into our church family.


Join us as we continue to grow in faith together as the risen Christ lives and works among us. Sunday School classes meet at 9:00 AM and Worship begins at 10:30 AM as usual.

Sunday Morning Worship

Live Stream Worship

Our worship services are available via YouTube for those who wish to join that way. Click the image above shortly before the service begin to join in 10:30 AM on Sunday or anytime afterward. DVD copies of the services are also available.

Click here to view the bulletin for this Sunday

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

                                   

Saturday, May 10

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


Sunday, May 11

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:30 am   Worship Service – Sanctuary

       

Tuesday, May 13

6:30 pm   Leadership Team – Rm 154

       

Wednesday, May 14

6:30 pm   Women’s Bible Study – Anna Mow Room


Thursday, May 15

6:30 pm   Chancel Choir Practice – Sanctuary

7:30 pm   Bell Choir Rehearsal – Bell Choir Room


Sunday, May 18

9:00 am    Sunday School

10:30 am   Worship Service – Sanctuary

12:00 pm   Deacons Meeting – Anna Mow Room


Click on this button to view the full calendar



Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer

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 Classes

9:00 AM in Room 155. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. Children grades 7-12 are welcome.


Vine & Branches Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. Teacher Joel Gibbel. The class will be resuming the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, this quarter entitled "Costly Sacrifice" by Herb Smith.

 

Lamplighters Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teacher Cathy Carson.

Cathy will be sharing about the work of Bill Shore: Feeding the Hungry

 

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.  

Children's Ministry Schedule

Upcoming Events

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:


Sunday May 11 - Receiving New Members in Worship, Mother's Day

Sunday May 18 - Music and Worship Celebration Sunday

CAMP EDER GOLF OUTING

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Carroll Valley Golf Course, Liberty Mountain,

78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA


7:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Shotgun Start (Four Player Scramble Format)

1:00 Lunch at Camp Eder


Please click on button for registration and sponsorship form.

(Information can also be found on the bulletin board)

Southern PA District Church of the Brethren

Women's Camp at Camp Eder

June 2 & 3, 2025

Registration begins at 8:45 AM

Retreat begins at 9:30 AM


Our speaker, Judy Cline, is Operational Director of the Capital Area Pregnancy Center in Camp Hill, PA. Several baby layettes (laundry baskets) will be provided to collect the listed items. You're welcome to bring one or more items from the list, or to donated cash for for purchasing items for the baby layettes to be donated to the Capital Area Pregnancy Center. Those who enjoy knitting or crocheting, take not of the need for baby caps, booties, sweaters and baby blankets (one of each per layette). For more info contact Beth Nonemaker, Nurture Chair (cell phone) 223-488-0038.


Please click on button for the information/registration form.

Church of the Brethren Denominational News

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

Read news updates by clicking the link below

Please subscribe to receive COB Newsline via email if you wish

Online Giving

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.

ANNUAL YARD SALE - CANCELED

 

With much thought and prayer, Kathy Kovacs, with the help of the Witness team, has decided that it would be in her best interest to postpone this year’s yard sale. With her upcoming rehabilitation, lifting and carrying items will be almost impossible. She is asking those who might have items for the sale to be able to store them until next year. If unable to store, please feel free to donate to your favorite charity. 

She would like to thank everyone for their continued support in this very worthwhile project during this time.  

TRANSPORTATION OUTREACH

 

The Deacon team frequently provides transportation for our church family members. Unfortunately, there are times we cannot meet all of the transportation needs. We would like to establish a resource list to be used by the Deacons of church family members who wish to participate in this outreach.

 

Please sign the sheet in the gathering area if you would like to assist with this outreach. Any questions contact Melanie Miller. Thank you. 


DIRECTORY CHANGE:


P. 13 - Jeanette Brickner: Correct cell phone # is (717) 495-8989

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



Click on the button to

“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.



Gathering Area Quilt


 

Every month the quilt in the gathering area is changed to another beautiful quilt. The May quilt is named

"Amazing Grace". These quilts are made by Sid Innerst.





Sid is a very talented quilter and we want 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. 

Beginning in January 2025, Patricia Carey will be the Witness Team appointment for the Cash for Causes program. Please see Patricia before or after worship to purchase your Giant or Weis gift cards. Patricia will be at the table under the bulletin board in the

gathering area.


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.

 

Since 2011, through the Cash for Causes program, the church has received 5% of sales to support various COB and local ministries. In 2024 the gift card sales supported The Lehman Center, New Community Project and the Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry with each receiving $233.08.    

For 2025, the Witness Team will review past giving and determine which agencies we will support this year. 

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP


YOUTH SUNDAY

May 4, 2025


SCRIPTURE LESSON:

Romans 12:4-8


MESSAGE:

"Embodying Our Gifts"




Click on the image to view the service.

CONTACTING THE PASTOR

Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached in the church office most weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Some 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.


** Pastor Joel will be taking sabbatical leave from May 24 until August 23 this year. Our church will continue strongly in ministry during this time! **

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.

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”