CONGREGATIONAL FORUM - SUNDAY MAY 4, 2025

On Sunday May 4, our Youth-led worship will begin at 10:00 AM. Immediately following the worship service, at 11:00 AM, our Congregational Forum will take place. This is a meeting for all church members to attend, and we will be looking to see you all there. Reports from leaders are the primary items of business, and we expect the meeting to last close to one hour. A meal will be provided following the meeting, which will serve as a fundraiser for our Youth Group!

The Congregational Forum Booklet and Treasurer's Report are available for pick up in the gathering area. Please take one per family and review them in advance of the meeting. 

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, May 3

11:00 am  Celebration of Life Service for Rebecca McCracken - Sanctuary

Followed by lunch reception in the Fellowship Hall

Sunday, May 4

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:00 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

11:00 am Congregational Forum – Sanctuary

12:00 pm Youth Fundraiser Lunch - Gathering Area

Tuesday, May 6

4:00 pm  Food Pantry Open 4:00 to 5:30 pm

6:45 pm  Worship Team – Anna Mow Room

Wednesday, May 7

9:00 am   Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

Thursday, May 8

1:00 pm  Sabbatical Planning Team – Multi-Purpose Room

6:30 pm  Chancel Choir Practice - Sanctuary

7:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal – Bell Choir Room

Friday, May 9

8:30 am   Soup Kitchen – (Casseroles due at church by 8:30)

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 

Click on this button to view the full calendar

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. The Youth will be preparing for leading worship this week!

Vine & Branches Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. Teacher Eric Miller. 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. The class will be discussing and bringing suggestions for future curriculum and upcoming studies.

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.  

Upcoming Events

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:

Sunday May 4 - Youth Sunday and Congregational Forum

Worship 10:00, Forum 11:00, Lunch 12:00

Sunday May 11 - Receiving New Members in Worship

Sunday May 18 - Music and Worship Celebration Sunday

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, May 9, 2025

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, May 9, 2025 (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! 

_______________________________________________________________

Message from Sandi Bowser about our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen:

Dear Church Members,

We are in need of Volunteers, who are willing to prepare baked spaghetti casseroles for the soup kitchen in York city. Presently, we have some very generous people who prepare 1, 2, or 3 casseroles once a month. I, for example, prepare 2 casseroles each month. You know if I can do it, it’s not that difficult.

The recipe is easy, and the foil baking pans are provided for you, the schedule is not difficult. Contact Sandra Bowser for more details, and scheduling (contact information below).

 It is a very rewarding experience. I have to say that 95% of the people are very appreciative. It would be greatly appreciated if you could volunteer your time.

Thank you. Contact information: Sandra Bowser 717-825-7203

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.

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.  

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 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.

DIRECTORY CHANGE:

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

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

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.