Website Home Connect Visit Us Contact Us

SUNDAY SCHEDULE **In-Person Gatherings Remain Suspended Until Further Notice Due to Public Health Concerns** 9:00 AM - Sunday School  10:30 AM - Worship, Sanctuary THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP April 26, 2020   SCRIPTURE LESSON: Luke 24:13-35    MESSAGE: "The Road and the Table"

 Contents :  This Week Sunday School News COB Newsline Online Giving Upcoming Events Postponed and Canceled Events Thank You Birthdays Save the Date Notes from the Console Last Week Contacting the Pastor

Happening This Week Easter Season: Keep on Walking This week in worship we will recall the account of Jesus walking with two disciples on the day of his resurrection. The disciples were somehow blind to his identity, however, and they could only hear him speak rather than see who he really was. It is a lesson the significance of "Bible study" alongside "Table fellowship" as vehicles to truly recognizing the seemingly elusive face of God in Christ. Are we paying attention to God speaking to us, and how so? Is scripture alone sufficient to show us the fullness of God's ways? How might we respond to Christ walking among us? Join in our worship as we consider such things. Click on 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 beginning Saturday morning, 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! View Worship Video - YouTube

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. 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. Meetings are often more social than study-driven, and children are often present as well. Children's Sunday School Class This week we plan to incorporate a children's Sunday School lesson in the above video conference, planning for 9:45 am as a start time. 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!

Church of the Brethren Denominational News

April Church of the Brethren Newsline Digest

Newsline Digest

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. 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

For those of you working with our children at church: Please take this Child Abuse prevention Training at www.Ilookoutforchildabuse.com. 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!

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. 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. We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining “physical 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: https://covid19.brethren.org/information/ 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.

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. ***

Soup Kitchen - Friday, May 8, 2020 - Sign up by calling Audrey Ginder, 717-755-6785 to make a casserole for the Soup Kitchen on Friday, May 8, 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!

Postponed and Canceled Events

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.

YARD SALE CANCELED FOR THIS YEAR YARD SALE CHANGES: Unfortunately due to COVID 19 - we must cancel our beloved Yard Sale. So all incoming household items, clothing and other items you wished to drop off at the church - can no longer be accepted this year.  Here is hoping this nasty bug flies away and we can return to our regularly scheduled Yard Sale NEXT YEAR! In the meantime, if you have been able to clean out this year, set aside your items for next Spring. Otherwise, if you are unable, we understand. We will, however, be having some fund raisers throughout the year to benefit the youth. Monies raised will help to offset not having our yard sale this year. Watch for future announcements. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Kovacs at 717-309-0678.

Thank you for all of the cards, emails, well wishes and prayers over the past couple of weeks! We are excited to introduce Seth to our church family soon! Thanks! Tim, Brittney and Seth Beckwith

If your birthday is in  MAY it is not on the below list or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.

02  Emily Vuono 03  John Minnich 08  Eric Jones 13  Dale Paules 13  Carole Bradfield 13 Ruthanna Bowser 14  Jean Carson 15  Barbara Jo Brown 16  Paige Striebig 18  Jean Lauver 18 Amie Dietrich 21  Stephen Carey 26  Doris Markel 26  Rick Boogher 27  Brenda Harlacher 28  Shea Martin

Save the Date

The Lehman Center Benefit Auction benefiting Children's Aid Society has been changed to Tuesday June 30th,2020.  The location is the same- York County 4-H Center, 771 Stoverstown Road, York PA. Diane Gibble is collecting items for the auction. Please let her know if you have anything to donate. Thank you!

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 40, By Mike Frock   From Purcell to Pinball Wizard   The Postlude this week is “Celebration” by James Denton.  The book from which this comes recommends this piece for either Easter or a general Sunday.  So, in keeping with the Easter season spirit, this week seems like an appropriate time for this piece.  The Prelude this week is a two-for-one deal.  The Prelude is two short pieces by Henry Purcell.  The first is a very easy “Air in D Minor” (catalogue number ZT. 676), and the second is a harder “Trumpet Tune in C Major,” sometimes called “The Cibell,” (catalogue number ZT. 678).  Wikipedia says, “A cibell, alternatively spelled cebell, is a gavotte-like musical piece in duple meter, predominantly heard in Baroque music,” and gives this piece as an example.   What makes the second piece harder is not the notes themselves, but the elaborate use of ornaments (also called embellishments).  The most common ornament today is the trill, and occasionally I will run across a mordent or a turn.  However, during the Baroque, ornaments were used ubiquitously.  E.g. In this 46-measure piece, there are only six measures which do not have an ornament.  In addition, there are some ornament symbols which I had never seen before.  I knew that Bach had created his own Table of Ornaments which showed the thirteen different ornaments symbols he used (i.e. shorthand) and how they were to be played (i.e. longhand).  It was not until this piece that I ran across these unusual symbols and learned that Purcell had also created his own Table of Ornaments with had seven different symbols and how they were supposed to be played.  This piece uses six of those ornaments, five of which I had never seen before. My Facebook post from April 5 th  shows both composers' tables.   Purcell (1659-1695) was an English composer during the Baroque Era.  Purcell’s music was the quintessential definition of English Baroque music, and he remains one of the country’s most famous composers.  Purcell became the copyist at Westminster Abbey in 1676, before becoming the Abbey’s organist in 1679.  He was also appointed the organist at the Chapel Royal in 1682.  He is buried inside the Westminster Abbey next to the organ.  His music has had long-lasting and wide-ranging influence from composers as diverse as Benjamin Britten to The Who’s Pete Townsend who credits Purcell’s use of suspensions as inspiration for the introduction to “Pinball Wizard.”

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

Scripture Lesson:  Psalm 16:1-11, Acts 2:22-32 Message: "The Path of Life"

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”