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SUNDAY SCHEDULE **In-Person Gatherings are Suspended Until Further Notice Due to Public Health Concerns** 9:00 AM - Sunday School  10:30 AM - Worship, Sanctuary THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP April 12, 2020   SCRIPTURE LESSON: Matthew 28:1-10    MESSAGE: “He Is Not Here”

 Contents :  This Week COB Newsline Online Giving  Upcoming Events Save the Date Notes from the Console   Last Week  Contacting the Pastor

Happening This Week Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Glory to God and great joy to us all this season. While it may seem bittersweet to be apart from our church family during this highest of holidays, let us remember that the emptiness of the church building merely imitates the emptiness of Christ's tomb. The true community of God is sent into the world to continue Jesus' work, even at home! As we continue to walk through this time of "distancing" from each other in person, I invite us to follow all the more closely the journey of our Lord to its end - listening for what it will teach us about our situation today and beyond. I encourage you all to reserve an hour both Friday evening and Sunday morning, at a comfortable place in your home, with Bible in hand, and participate in our most sacred times of worship through prayer, music, scripture, and message. Simply click on the videos below to enter a time of worship with all who will do likewise this weekend. Note that the services have been pre-recorded and can be watched anytime, but I encourage you to use them very intentionally and at the appropriate days and times. Come and see... Good Friday Service Easter Sunday Service This week we both remember the death and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, on Easter drawing from Matthew 28, the "empty tomb" scene in which two women meet the risen Jesus for the first time. It is our intention to present such a worship time each week, led by a few who keep appropriate distancing practices in place. Special thanks to Mike Frock, Pam Baldwin, Michele Gibbel, Dave McCracken, and Dave Witkovsky for making this possible. Thanks to the rest of you for staying home so that we all stay well! A children's Sunday School lesson has been created as well this week - thanks to Diane Gibble. Gather your children and click below to view it together! The videos can be viewed at any time, and they will be made public on our facebook page at appropriate times. Please feel free to comment and share them freely as you wish. I welcome your comments and responses! - Pastor Joel Children's Sunday School Video

Church of the Brethren Denominational News View the Website for Love Feast Recordings and Other Information

April Church of the Brethren Newsline Digest

Newsline Digest

Newsline Special for April 2, 2020 A Call to Prayer and Fasting

Newsline Special

Prayer Requests

Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer and Event Announcements

Although in-person worship gatherings and events are largely 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. Special Request - Deacon Fund Several significant needs have arisen among our church members for home repairs or rent assistance that the Deacon Fund wishes to cover. However, the fund has become depleted recently and is in need of contributions. If anyone wishes to contribute to this fund, in addition to usual giving, please do so at this time. You are assured that it will go directly to people in need during the present crisis. 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:  www.acionlinegiving.com/4706 . 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!!!!!

Church Website

Online Giving

Announcement concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations, Until further notice, 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. UPDATE: Master Planning building project progress is being delayed at the moment as we evaluate our priorities, the needs of those we serve, current economic realities, and government closures which affect necessary permits. Small portions of project work may continue, but the overall bid package for building construction is on hold for now. Expect a letter in the near future with further explanation. We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining “social distance” for the safety and well-being of all. 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 has been severely restricted, and until we know just how widely this virus has spread pastoral visits will be minimal. We have several church members who have volunteered to assist any church members and friends who are in need at this time. If you are deliberately minimizing public contact and are in need of something, let us know and we can perhaps see that groceries or other essentials are delivered to your home. 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. 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: http://www.brethren.org/bdm/covid-19.html Be careful to pay attention public health experts, rather than every 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. Stay apart from each other in body but close together in spirit. Take time to study, pray, and appreciate this time of rest that is before us. Talk to each other often, by phone especially. Please stay home and do your part to "flatten the curve." That is how we can best love one another for the time being. God's comfort and peace be with you.

We rejoice that new life has come among us! Seth Michael Beckwith was born to Brittney and Tim Beckwith at 9:30 PM on Monday April 6. Mother and baby are healthy and happy! Thanks be to God and many congratulations to all. While they they kindly request no visitors due to well-known public health concerns. Nevertheless, feel free to shower them with notes and emails and hold them in prayer as they enter a new phase of life together as a family of three!

YARD SALE COLLECTION DATE CHANGE:     Due to COVID-19 - the date for bringing goods into the church for the Yard sale has changed from April 13 to April 27.    Please stay tuned to the e-news for possible changes later. If you know of someone who may be planning to bring items and doesn't get the e-news by mail or website, please share this message. Help us to help others by sharing during this trying time.

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY A family of Ukrainian immigrants - the Burlaka family - has recently been resettled in our neighborhood through Church World Service - refugees fleeing persecution and close relatives to others whom our church has served in the past and who worship with us on occasion. They are in need of beds, clothes, towels, a small desk, and perhaps a used vehicle. Prospects for employment and housing are also need that they will have going forward, as well as transportation to ESL classes in the near future. If you have interest in helping or can donate items, please talk to John Anderson, Witness Team chairperson, or Pastor Joel. We have committed to helping this family and they deeply appreciate any support we can offer. Thank you.

Upcoming Events  *** All Events are subject to change given the current situation. Forthcoming newsletters will offer more information as it becomes available. ***

Southern PA District COB - 2020 District Women's Spring Luncheon Sat., April 25, 2020, 9:00 am . This luncheon has been cancelled.

2020 CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY *** Photo Directory for April 27-28 has been postponed , dates to be determined ***

CELEBRATION LUNCH - SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2020 The York First CoB Capital Campaign would like to invite you to the Celebration Lunch on Sunday, May 17 th immediately following the morning service. More information to follow.  This luncheon has been postponed. More details will follow.

Save the Date

29th Annual Auction benefiting Children's Aid Society has been rescheduled for June 30, 2020

Volunteers Needed Vacation Bible School June 14-18, 2020 Sunday – Thursday Evenings 6:00 to 8:00 We need help with registration, decorating, nursery care, and group leaders. Please contact Diane Gibble if you are able to help!

SUGGESTIONS FROM THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE “Catch the Spirit, Build for the Future” has been chosen as the theme for our Capital Fund Campaign. Campaign visits are ongoing, and we hope you will prayerfully consider making a pledge to support our church's future. As the campaign advances, we want to share with you two tax saving options that may be available to you as you consider your pledge to the campaign. These options are qualified charitable distributions and donation of appreciated securities. Qualified Charitable Distribution If you are age 70½ or older, IRS rules require you to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) each year from your tax-deferred IRA’s. This additional taxable income may push you into a higher tax bracket and may also reduce your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions. For example, your taxable income helps determine the amount of your Social Security benefits that are subject to taxes. Keeping your taxable income level lower may also help reduce your potential exposure to higher Medicare premiums. To eliminate or reduce the impact of RMD income, you may want to consider making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from an IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. Amounts distributed as a QCD can be counted toward satisfying your RMD for the year and can also be excluded from your taxable income. This is not the case with a regular withdrawal from an IRA, even if you use the money to make a charitable contribution later on. In this scenario, the withdrawal would be counted as taxable income. You must be at least 70½ years old at the time you request a QCD. If you process a distribution prior to reaching age 70½, the distribution will be treated as taxable income. Funds must be transferred directly from your IRA custodian to the qualified charity. This is accomplished by requesting your IRA custodian issue a check from your IRA payable to the charity. You can then request that the check be mailed to the charity, or forward the check to the charity yourself. Donation of Appreciated Securities With the stock market setting all-time record highs, many investors are holding securities in their taxable accounts that have appreciated in value. Appreciated securities are investments that have increased in value from the time they were purchased, and can take the form of publicly traded stock, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), closely held stock, or mutual funds. For example, if a stock was purchased for $30 per share and sold for $50 per share, the stock has appreciated by $20 per share. When appreciated stock is sold, the owner generally realizes capital gains equal to the appreciation and may be liable for either short-term or long-term capital gains taxes. With a charitable gift of appreciated securities, the donation you make and the deduction you get are greater than they would be if you were to sell the shares and donate the cash proceeds instead. That is because when you donate shares, you avoid paying the capital gains tax. The church will receive the full market value of the securities donated. We encourage you to take advantage of these tax saving measures as you consider giving.

"Notes from the Console," Article 38, By Mike Frock The Cornet For the Good Friday service, the Prelude is an arrangement of the hymn “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted” arranged by Richard Wienhorst, and the Postlude is a piece titled “Cross of Sorrow” by Esther S. Higgins. For the Easter service, the Prelude is a piece titled “Alleluia! Christ Is Risen” by Benton Price, the Offertory is “Easter Morn” by Esther Higgins, and the Postlude is an arrangement of “Low in the Grave” by Robert Lowry and arranged by Lani Smith. This last piece also quotes a short fragment of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” at the end. On February 16 th I played a piece called “Voluntary 1 in G Major” by Maurice Greene (1696-1755). In my February 14 th article I wrote in part: “The second movement is played on the Cornet. In organ-world this word is pronounced “Cor-nay” and has nothing to do with the trumpet-like brass instrument. There is a lot that can be said about the Cornet, so it may get its own paragraph or article sometime.” Well, I used the Cornet again on the Good Friday prelude. In the prelude the Cornet is played on the Swell (topmost) manual, and a single flute stop is played on the Great (middle) manual.   There are certain organ registrations that became so popular that over time they became standardized, given names, and sometimes given their own stop button on the organ, instead of pulling multiple stops. Common organ registration names include the Grand Jeu, Plein Jeu, and the Cornet (also called the Jeu de Tierce). The word “Jeu” is French and more commonly translates as “game,” but in music translates as “a stop or register on the organ.” The Cornet is a historically important registration because it was widely used in Baroque organ music. The Cornet stop is what is called a “mixture stop,” or sometimes a “compound stop,” meaning that when you pull the stop, the one stop activates multiple ranks of pipes. Our organ does not have this one stop, but the sound can be replicated by drawing five individual stops. While the five stops pulled are all flute stops, the overall sound does not necessarily sound like a flute because of the nature of some of the individual stops. The sound is more nasally/reedy, and the stop gets its name from the Renaissance instrument the cornett, again having nothing to do with the modern trumpet-like brass instrument.

LAST SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

Scripture Lesson:  Psalm 118:19-29, Matthew 21:1-11 Message:   “Who Is This?”

CONTACTING THE PASTOR 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”