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SUNDAY SCHEDULE

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM

Classes for All Ages (see below)

 

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

In the Sanctuary and Online

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

March 19, 2023

 

SCRIPTURE LESSON:

John 9:1-11,35-41


MESSAGE:

“Blindness and Sight”

Contents:



This Week


Prayer Requests

and Calendar


Sunday School News


Children's Ministry Schedule


Online Giving


Upcoming Events


COB News


Last Week


Contacting the Pastor 

Happening This Week

The Effect of Jesus:

Sight to the Blind, Blindness to Those Who See


This week in worship we will confront a very important account in Jesus' ministry, in which he demonstrated the work of God by bringing "sight to the blind" - yet there is much more to the story than that. Our lesson this week concerns religious judgment and insistence on one's own way when we are overconfident in our understandings of right and wrong, lawfulness and sin. Be assured that Jesus is on the side of mercy, not accusation. God prefers ones who are willing to learn to those who already claim to know the truth. May we always be open to a changed mind and a move loving way forward. Come and see!

We are now well within the season of Lent, a time for recalling our mortality and our need for redemption Please join us each week for our sacred time of worship - an opportunity for fellowship, teaching, prayer, and song. Centered in Christ, we are committed to love, share, and serve as God so leads us.

Live Stream Worship

Our worship services are available via YouTube for those who wish to join that way. Click the link above to join us at 10:30 AM Sunday or anytime afterward. DVD copies of the services are also available.


Click here to view the bulletin for this Sunday.

This Sunday's Bulletin

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES


Sunday, March 19

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

12:00 pm  Deacon Meeting – Rm 154

6:00 pm  Viewing for Julia Sweigard – Etzweiler Funeral Home

        

Monday, March 20

10:00 am Viewing for Julia Sweigard – Etzweiler Funeral Home

   11:00 am  Funeral Service for Julia Sweigard – Etzweiler Funeral Home

                    

Tuesday, March 21  

9:30 am  Ladies Bible Study – Anna Mow Room

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


Thursday, March 23

6:30 pm  Bell Choir Practice – Bell Choir Room

7:30 pm  Choir Practice – Sanctuary


Sunday, March 26

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

Church Calendar


Click on this button to view the full calendar

Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer

Prayer Requests

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.

Sunday School News

Children's Sunday School Classes

9:00 AM in Rooms 151, 152, and 155. Children grades PreK (age 4) and up will have class lessons, with singing included as well. Children ages 3-4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care.

 Youth Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in the Youth Room 149. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 6-12. The class is studying a series called "Love of God, Neighbor, and Enemy."



Vine and Branches Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. Teachers Ralph and Lyn Miller. The class is studying the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, this spring's series entitled "Jesus Calls Us."

 

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teacher Leonard Stoner. The class is continuing a series studying Biblical history.


Homebuilders Sunday School Class

Mondays - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM by conference call. To join, contact Mike Martin at

717-840-4184 or [email protected] and leave a phone number. The class studies lessons from the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum. 

Children's Ministry Schedule

Calling New Sunday School Teachers


Are you seeking a way to connect with the children and youth of our congregation?

Do you wish to share your love of Jesus with others?

Would you like to support and work with the already dedicated Sunday School teachers? If so, please consider being a Sunday School teacher. Curriculum is provided.

Current age groups are Pre-K to 2nd grade; 3rd-5th grade; 6th-12th grade.

Training can be provided. Please contact Michele Gibbel if you’re interested. Thank you  

EASTER FLOWERS


Sunday, March 19th will be the last day to order for Easter Flowers!

Tulips assorted varieties and Daffodils $10 each.

Gerbera Daisy assorted colors are $7.00 each.


Purchases can be made in honor, in memory, or in appreciation of whomever you wish. Flowers will be your to take home following the Easter Sunday service on April 9th. Order forms will be available at the church on Sunday or you may contact the church office to place an order. Orders and payment can be made through online giving (below) as well.

Easter Cantata Coming Soon


Calling all those who LOVE to sing or play an instrument!!!

We will be presenting an Easter cantata this year on Sunday April 16 during our weekly worship service. For those participating, we will have a final dress rehearsal Saturday April 15 at 9:00 am.

 

Rehearsals will be Thursdays from 7:30-8:00 pm.


You do NOT have to be the best singer in the world to sing to the Glory of God.

We invite anyone who enjoys singing! If you are willing to participant,

please contact Rebecca Wolf [email protected] 

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.

Church Website
Online Giving

2023 DIRECTORY is now available for pick up in the gathering area.

Upcoming Events

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER


Wednesday April 5 - Egg Hunt

Wednesday April 5 - Camp Eder April Senior Day

Thursday April 6 - Love Feast

Sunday April 9 - Easter Sunday, Easter Breakfast

Sunday April 16 - Easter Cantata in Worship, Congregational Forum

Saturday April 22 - District Women's Spring Luncheon

CAMP EDER

CLEAN UP DAY

MARCH 25, 2023

To register,

Call (717)642-8256

BVS at 75

In honor of Brethren Volunteer Service’s 75 Anniversary, the

Carlisle First Church of the Brethren announces a special program

on BVS on Sunday, March 26th from 2-4 pm.




The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Carlisle First Church of the Brethren. Doug Miller is the Pastor of the Carlisle First Church of the Brethren. 

Please contact Burr Beard at 717-462-0393 or Pastor Doug at 717-870-1263

BVS 75th Event Flyer

Please click on the button

for the Easter Egg registration form.


Registration Form


APRIL SENIOR DAY

WEDNESDAY APRIL 5TH

Camp Eder - 914 Mount Hope Road, Fairfield, PA 17320

 


9:30 am - CHECK IN/Light Breakfast

 

10:00 am - History of a Milkman - Jay Crist York County milkman and antique milk delivery vehicle collector will share the history of milk home delivery and the vehicles that made it possible. He has spent the last 20 years collecting and restoring milk trucks and wagons. His most current project is a 1936 Divco S Stand/Drive Ice Truck.

Join us for his fun program and take a stroll down memory lane.

 

12:00 pm - LUNCH - Baked Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Salad, Rolls, Chocolate Chip Cookies & Chocolate Milk

 

1:00 PM - AFTERNOON PROGRAM -

Check out a restored Milk Truck that Jay brought!

 

COST: $ 20. Per Person

RSVP by calling 717-642-8256 or Email: [email protected]



Ladies of the Church - You are invited to the

District Women's Spring Luncheon promoted by

the Southern Pennsylvania District

Church of the Brethren

This is a women’s conference being held at our church.

Saturday, April 22, 2023, 9:00 am


Featured Speaker: Ruoxia Li

Ruoxia was born and grew up in Schouyangm the location of another past Brethren mission post in Shanxi Province, China. She met her husband, Eric Miller, in Beijing and moved to the United States in 2005, where she earned her masters degree in Theology. Ruoxia and Eric are members of York First Church of the Brethren.


Please click on the button for the brochure/registration form for this event.

This information will also be posted on our bulletin board.

Registration Deadline: April 15, 2023, No refunds after deadline date.

Brochure/Registration Form

WE NEED MANY GOOD MEN – As announced by Pastor Joel last week in worship service, York First is hosting The Southern District of the church of the Brethren’ women’s conference.



We need 6 men to set up tables and chairs on 4-21-23 5:30 to 6:30 PM.


On 4-22-23 we need the following:

•4 men to work as greeters at the two main entrances.

•4 men to set up food and drink, serve food clean up between 7:30 and 11:30 AM

in The Gathering Area.

•5 men set up, serve lunch and clean up in the kitchen and fellowship hall

between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM.

•6 men to tear down tables and clean up from1 PM to 3 PM.


Please all men in the congregation check your calendars and see if you 

can help in any or all these times.

 

See a sign-up sheet in the gathering area to sign up and let us know how much you can help support this effort.



The 32nd Annual Auction Benefiting The Lehman Center is Tuesday, April 25th at New Fairview COB. The food and auction preview starts at 12:00. The live auction starts at 5:00.  


If you have any new or like new items you would like to donate please let Diane Gibble know (717-668-1252). We are also looking for craft/ art work items.

Deadline to collect items is April 12th. 


Thank you for your continued support of the Lehman Center.

We are looking for volunteers. If you would like to help in any way

please contact Diane Gibble at dmgibble1001@

gmail.com



Thank you for being willing to share God's love with His precious children.

York First Yard Sale will be held Saturday, June 10 

in our Fellowship Hall, so it's not too early to start thinking about spring cleaning.  


COLLECTIONS BEGINS APRIL 10. Please contact

Kathy Kovacs if you have items you would like to drop at the church. 

We are looking for home decor, gardening, tools, sports, kitchen and miscellaneous items. 


We are requesting NO CLOTHING, NO TV'S AND NO COMPUTERS.  

 

Any large item such as furniture can be brought in June 7, 8 or 9 to the

Fellowship Hall.  Any questions, see Kathy Kovacs or call 717- 309-0678

Church of the Brethren Denominational News

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

December issue of the Southern PA District Newsletter

Click on the button for current

Church of Brethren News

COB Newsline

The Friends of Cross Keys Village, The Brethren Home Community


Become a Friend in 2023!


The purpose of the Friends of Cross Keys Village is to benefit the lives of residents and team members of Cross Keys Village-the Brethren Home Community.

To accomplish this objective, funds are raised through an Annual Membership Drive, donations, and various fundraising events throughout the year. Membership in the Friends of Cross Keys Village is open to all residents and friends of Cross Keys Village.

Funds raised by the Friends are principally used to support: Good Samaritan Fund, Brethren Home Educational Assistance Program, Professional Artist Series.

 

Becoming a member or renewing your membership gives you the satisfaction of helping others!


The membership form is also available on the bulletin board in the narthex.

Membership Form

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.

The Education Team would like to share free monthly video links from Teepa Snow. Hoping you will get a chance to watch them and learn something that may be helpful when dealing with those you come in contact with who have dementia.

Teepa Snow’s care strategies and techniques look at what is known about brain function and changes that happen with various conditions and integrate that information with therapeutic approaches. March link is:

Filling the day with meaning: https://youtu.be/7Ek04qjT-xQ

The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College presents a seminar and a lecture about a recently completed project, Documents of Brotherly Love: Dutch Mennonite Aid to Swiss Anabaptists, that makes primary sources related to 18th-century Anabaptist faith, life, and migration available to English-speaking readers. The seminar, on Tues., March 28, 2:00-4:30 p.m., includes presentations by John L. Ruth, Edsel Burdge Jr., and Lydia Penner. That evening at 7:00 p.m., Lydia Penner presents “Dilemmas of Generosity: Dutch Mennonite Aid to Fellow Believers.” Penner discusses the ways Dutch Mennonites helped Swiss Anabaptists who were facing a hostile political and religious climate and how they had to limit their aid when the demand became too great. Both events, held at the Young Center, are free of charge and open to the public. Use GPS address 450 Campus Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, for the parking lot at the Young Center with no stairs and a fully accessible building. For more information, visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events or call 717-361-1470.

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

March 5, 2023


SCRIPTURE LESSON:

Luke 19:1-10

 

MESSAGE:

“The Power of a Reset”


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.

If you need to reach the pastor outside of office hours, his home phone number is

(717) 318-5442, and his mobile number is (717) 271-4888. You can also email him at

[email protected]. 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”