Please plan to attend the Advent Breakfast 

December 3rd at 9:00 AM Sunday school hour

Our meal will be potluck style as in the past. Even if you did not sign up on the sheet last Sunday, please come and bring a dish to share if you are able.

Set up will be Saturday the 2nd at 5:30 PM. Volunteers are welcome to assist.

Lets all kick off the Christmas Season with fellowship and full bellies!

Advent Theme this year is "It Takes a Village"

The Education Team and Worship Team would like to collect items for Homeless bags to be put together at the Advent Breakfast on Sunday morning December 3.

Items to be donated are:

Tooth brushes, tooth paste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, comb/brush, socks any size, band-aids, plastic gal. and quart size bags, individually wrapped snacks, pencils and paper, wash cloths, deodorant, razors, hand warmers, gloves hats, chewing gum, and med. to large cloth bags to put the items in.

Children and Adults are welcome to make a card to put in the bags that morning or make it ahead of time and bring with your donations.

After the bags are put together we will take them to the sanctuary to be blessed during worship.

As soon as worship is over we would love for every family to take a filled bag and keep it in their car until they see someone who could use it. May we be a village to someone who needs to see God's love in action.

*Last-minute donations can be brought to the breakfast this Sunday. Thank you!

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, December 2

9:00 am Church Decorating - Sanctuary

5:30 pm Advent Breakfast Setup - Fellowship Hall

Sunday, December 3

9:00 am  Advent Breakfast - Fellowship Hall

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary

Monday, December 4

6:45 pm Worship Team – Anna Mow Room

Tuesday, December 5

9:30 am  Ladies Bible Study – Anna Mow Room

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

Wednesday, December 6

9:00 am  Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

Thursday, December 7

5:45 pm  Bell Choir Practice – Bell Choir Room

6:30 pm Choir Practice – Sanctuary

Friday, December 8

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

Saturday, December 9

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

Sunday, December 10

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.

2023 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

"All Things New" by Kevin Kessler

Advent devotional books are available for pick up in the gathering area. Please take one per household and let it guide you this Advent Season.

Advent is a season of the church year in which we are reminded that God listens. Pleas and prayers were answered when God arrived among us in Jesus, the name which means God is my help. The daily scripture readings in this devotional offer a glimpse of humanity’s desire for change, for a new identity. As you hear the yearning of people in these readings, perhaps you will connect at a very deep and personal level. You may be reminded of your desire for renewal, restoration, redemption, revival. May you find your new identity in the encounters you have with the One who came to us in the flesh, who lived and loved among us, who resides with us still.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

December 2 - Church Decorating, 9:00 AM Sanctuary and Gathering Area

December 3 - Advent Breakfast (Sunday 9:00 AM)

December 8&9 - Camp Eder Christmas Tree Festival

December 14 - CDC Christmas Craft Night, Fellowship Hall

December 17 - Christmas Cantata (Sunday 10:30 AM Worship)

December 20 - Longest Night Service, Chapel (Wednesday 3:00 PM)

December 24 - Morning Worship 10:30 AM and Christmas Eve Service 7:00 PM

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, December 8, 2023

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, December 8, 2023 (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!

CAMP EDER

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

December 8th and 9th, 5 - 9 PM

Come join us for an evening of family festive fun! The Woods will be illuminated with lots and lots of Christmas lights, warm fires, hot cocoa and children activities will be happening each night. This is beautiful festival you most certainly will not want to miss!

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life,

and this life is in his son." - John 1:5 - 11

• Christmas Lights & Music

• Hay Rides - Friday and Saturday Night 5-9 PM

• Tree Decorating Contest

• Delicious Turkey Dinner & Soup (per donation)

• Luminary Garden (honoring our loved ones)

• Decorated Trees

• Warm Drinks and Lots of Cookies (free)

• Bake Sale

• Kid's Activities

• Cozy Fires & S'mores

• Live Music

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

Read news updates by clicking the link below

You may also subscribe to receive 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.

Click on 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) before selecting a new one. Please sign and leave the white card in the blue flowerpot. When finished reading your book(s), return the book(s) to the multilevel shelf labeled “Book Return”.

Cross Keys Village/The Brethren Home Community thanks you for your prayers, financial support this past year. Thanks for your used stamps that benefits the residents at the home, keep them coming! That project goes all year long. Thanks again. God Bless you all. Key person, Anna Miller

 LOOK WHO'S

CELEBRATING

THIS MONTH

02 Melinda Carlson

04  Haley Grace Yingling

04  Paige Noelle Yingling

07  Brynleigh McCracken

08  Todd Plymire

10  Barbara Rollman

12  Bob Stoolmaker

12  Tim Beckwith

14 Peggy Metzger

14  Christina Deitch

14 Kelly Boogher

If your birthday is in DECEMBER and is not on the list below or is listed incorrectly, please contact the church office.

15  Dave Bradfield, Sr

16  Brad Shenk

17  Jon Beuschlein

17  Linda Min

18  Eric Brickner

18  Julie Ilyes

21  Lindsey McCracken

23  Dave McCracken

24  Matthew Klinedinst

26  Emma Stoolmaker

29  Stephen M. Hoover

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 2023 the gift card sales will support The Lehman Center (Children’s Aid Society), New Community Project, and Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry. 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.

If you’d like to support this program, please see Becky Wenger before/after worship service OR mail your check (paid to York First Church) to 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408 and your cards will be mailed to you.

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

November 26, 2023

SCRIPTURE LESSON:

Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 4:1-7

Colossians 3:12-17

MESSAGE:

“Raised with Christ”

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.