SUNDAY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM
Please See Below for Sunday School Class Information
WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online
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THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP:
July 4, 2021
Worship via video from
Annual Conference
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Revelation 21:1-6
MESSAGE:
"See! God’s Future Filled with Promise"
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Contents:
This Week
Prayer Requests
Sunday School News
Children's Ministry Schedule
Opportunities To Serve
Online Giving
Upcoming Events
COB News
Directory Change
Thank you
Birthdays
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
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God's Adventurous Future:
Filled with a Promise
This week in worship we will gather in our sanctuary as usual, but the service will be led via video from the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, which is entirely online this year. Pastor Patrick Starkey, chair of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board, will be preaching the message, drawing from Revelation 21. Many other participants will guide us with prayer, song, and spoken word. Come expecting to not just watch but participate in this service!
Note that a special music piece that was composed and arranged by Greg Bachman will be featured as Gathering Music for the service. Greg will offer some words of introduction at the start when we gather at 10:30 AM.
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Live Stream Continues
Although many of us are gathering in person, our worship services will be presented "live stream" through for those who wish to join that way. Please subscribe to the channel it if you haven't already for simpler access to previous videos. Click the link below shortly before the service begins at 10:30 AM on Sunday to join with us in worship.
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The video will be available to view after the worship hour in case you miss the 10:30 AM time or wish to watch it again.
*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 lounge any weekday. Sermon manuscripts are also available upon request. We hope no one is missing out!
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Note that the Annual Conference is a virtual/online this year June 30-July 4. Pastor Joel will be serving as our church's delegate this year. All are welcome to attend evening worship services which are open to anyone, registered or not. Please be in prayer for our whole church body, that God would guide us and inspire us throughout this gathering. brethren.org/ac
Please click on the button to view Annual Conference Services. Note that worship will be each evening at 8:00 Wednesday June 30 through Saturday July 3.
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ORDER OF SERVICE
10:30 AM, July 4, 2021
Worship via video from Annual Conference
Gathering Music "Move in Our Midst" AC Virtual Choir
"All Things New" Gregory Bachman
Welcome
Prelude "Holy Manna" arr. Wilbur Held
Call to Worship
Invocation
Hymn "Come we that love the Lord"
Scripture Reading: Revelation 21:1-6
Hymn "New Earth, Heavens New"
The Invitation to Give
Core Ministries, Church of the Brethren
An offering for the mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren. Through your generous gifts to our Core Ministries, you strengthen and expand our work with international mission and Brethren Volunteer Service. You support the training of fearless and compassionate disciples through youth and young adult ministries, intercultural ministries, and Discipleship Ministry events and initiatives. You invest in local missions and evangelism, leadership formation for vital congregations, and the ongoing work to plant new congregations and renew established ones. Your offering is part of another way of living, the Jesus way, that witnesses to the world through faith, hope, and love. Thank you for partnering in this life-changing work for the glory of God and our neighbor’s good.
To give click here:
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Our Prayer
Prayer Response "View the Present"
Sermon: See! God’s Future Filled with Promise
Choral Anthem: "Total Praise"
Blessing Statement
Service of Consecration
Postlude "Don’t Stop" Fleetwood Mac
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Update to Mask Policy:
The church Leadership Team has approved updated policy on face coverings for our gatherings: following with CDC guidance, masks are now optional for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. For those not vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask indoors. We are on the honor system and are trusting all attendees to respect this policy. All are welcome, as always, and we hope for further updates moving forward.
Attendance Folders are back in each pew:
Please remember to fill out the attendance sheets in your pew to help us get the total attendance for each week.
Prayer request slips are also included in this booklet. Fill out and give the usher when instructed.
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Church Office will be closed Monday, July 5th for Independence Day |
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Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer
Additions and updates are welcome by contacting the church office
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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, planning to remain holding class remotely at least through the end of June. 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.
Lamplighters Sunday School Class
The Lamplighters Class meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM by zoom (video) conference, continuing to meet via zoom through July 7. If you wish to be included and haven't received an email already, please contact Pastor Joel at pastor@yorkfirst.org, and he will forward you the link. The class lesson this week will continue a series entitled "The Color of Compromise" by Jemar Tisby, studying connections between the church and racism. Deb Klinedinst will be leading discussion.
*Beginning on July 11, the class will resume meeting in-person, Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Vine & Branches Sunday School Class
The Vine & Branches Class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM, in-person. Pastor Joel will be teaching, and the class will be following the Adult version of the Shine Curriculum entitled "Seeking Justice Together," incorporating the same scriptures and themes that the children will be studying. The class will temporarily be meeting in the new multi-purpose room adjacent to the sanctuary.
Children's Sunday School Class
Children's Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM each Sunday, in-person, in the classroom beside the nursery. The class will include children Pre-K through 6th grade. The children will be following the Shine Curriculum entitled "Seeking Justice Together" during the summer season. Children ages 4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care, which may include a brief lesson as well.
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Children's Ministry Schedule |
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Nursery Care Attendants Needed!
As more people begin returning for in-person worship, we look forward to reopening the nursery. However, we need your help! We need at least 2, maybe even 3, adults to staff the nursery safely for both Sunday School and Worship. Please contact Michele Gibbel mgibbel@yahoo.com (717)318-5442 to have your name added to the volunteer list. Background checks and covid vaccinations are required. We look forward to seeing our little ones return soon. Thank you!
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All Church Inter-Generational Work Day is being scheduled for
Saturday, July 10 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon
All are invited to join a group of volunteers at church run by Roy Rollman. Jobs to do will be pressure washing, trimming bushes, pulling weeds, moving chairs, moving items from one room to another throughout the building, dusting, wiping down the pews, hymn racks, window washing and any other task he deems necessary. Bring any tools/ equipment you may have such pressure washer, bush trimmers, gloves for weeding, etc.... Snacks/drinks will be provided for volunteers.
In addition, a group of 5 or 6 people will be organizing and sorting through donations for Lehman Center families at 21 Church Street in Seven Valleys.
Sign up sheet will be at church or you can sign up by emailing Diane Gibble at dmgibble1001@gmail.com. Diane would like to know the number of people coming and which place you wish to work. Thank you!
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Camp Eder needs your help! – On June 21st, a violent storm passed through the camp property, taking down many trees. One of them landed on the Heckman Pavilion. The Camp is planning a work day to help clear up the downed trees on Saturday, July 10th at 8:30am. A lunch will be provided. We are looking for people skilled with chain saws, wood chippers, roof workers (on the pavilion), and people to load up and haul the cut wood. We praise the Lord that all the children were together and in a safe place when the storm came through, and also that despite the number of trees that came down, only one building suffered significant damage. Please consider coming out to help our SOPA “home in the hills” on this work day. Call/text or email Denny Turner at 717-829-1166 or de.turn02@gmail.com for additional details.
We thank you!
Camp Eder Staff and Board of Directors
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Southern PA District Conference will be held here at York First Church
Saturday September 18, 2021
This is an opportunity for us to extend the hand of hospitality to those in our district that will be attending the conference. The conference begins with a live-streamed (online-only) worship service on Friday evening (9/17) and then a full day of in-person gathering on Saturday (9/18). Times we need volunteers will vary, and we’ve listed the range of times so you can determine how this might fit into your schedule for both Friday and Saturday or for any portion of those days.
We will need help in the following areas:
➤ Food service either help in kitchen or serving. Light breakfast, full lunch. See Dolly Furst
➤ Parking/traffic – directing visitors where to park and enter. Saturday from 7-9 AM and 3-4 PM
➤ Internal direction – directing visitors within the church. Throughout the day
➤ Set-up in fellowship hall and balcony. Friday evening from 6-9 PM and Saturday from 3-5 PM
Please sign up at the new gathering area in the narthex. If you are not planning to come to church and would like to volunteer, please call Karen in the church office 717-755-0307 or email secretary@yorkfirst.org and she will sign you up.
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Hospitality Servers Needed for Conference
- Do you enjoy prepping and serving food?
- Socializing and enjoying different events at the church?
We are looking for individuals who enjoy food preparation and serving others.
Many hands are necessary to help prepare and share a light breakfast with coffee, lunch, and an afternoon snack for approximately 150 people who will be attending. This will be an all-day event. Basically, helping to set-up and serve will be needed. If you are able to help all day or just one hour, or any time you can serve, would be appreciated.
If you think, you would be interested, please see or call Dolly Furst at
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FOOD PANTRY NEED
The Food Pantry is in need of funding due to recent additional Witness Team requests for aid. We can use monetary donations so we can purchase the items needed. We can always use canned meat (tuna, ham, beef), cereal, pasta sauce, canned vegetables, oatmeal and soup if you prefer to donate food.
Thank you for your continued support of our Food Pantry. - Witness Team
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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!!!!!
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SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, July 9, 2021
Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for the Soup Kitchen on Friday, July 9, 2021 (10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE contact Sandi to add your name and number of casseroles, so we can let the Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect. The pans are located in the church lounge. Thank you!
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Vacation Bible School
Aug 1-5 2021
Sunday – Thursday Evenings 6:00 - 8:00
Ages 4 - 5th grade
Thursday entertainment:
Adventures in Fun Exotic Animal Reptile Show
Volunteers are still needed in the nursery for the volunteers' children 0-3 and 5 more people are needed to be group leaders that take the children from station to station.
If you are interested in volunteering
please let Diane Gibble know.
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Please help defray the cost of VBS! In the gathering area there's a basket. Inside the basket there are green papers giving costs for VBS expenses. Choose a green paper with an amount that will best suit your budget. We need help paying for VBS supplies, entertainment and the meal on Thursday. Checks can be written to York First COB and in the memo note it's for VBS. Thank you for supporting this outreach in our community.
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National Older Adult Conference (NOAC)
September 6-10, 2021
The 2021 NOAC Planning Team is hard at work making plans for the first online National Older Adult Conference. Although we wish we could be together in person at Lake Junaluska in September, we are grateful for the technology that allows us to gather “virtually.” One of the benefits of holding NOAC online is that those who have been unable to travel to Lake Junaluska for NOAC due to finances, health, or schedule conflicts, may be able to participate online this year.
Online registration is now open at www.brethren.org/NOAC. Cost per person is $100 and per couple is $150. Paper registration forms are available upon request by calling: 1-800-323-8039 ext. 303. The registration fee will provide access to all sessions, worship services, workshops, and recorded archives. We hope each person/couple who plans to attend will register and pay the fee so that we can continue to provide a meaningful experience for all.
NOAC 2021 will begin on Monday, September 6 at 7 p.m. with announcements, NOAC News and worship. It will end on Friday, September 10 at 9 a.m. with worship.
There are opportunities for giving- we will have a Virtual “Fundraising Walk around the Lake” which will raise funds for the Emergency Disaster Fund and assist congregations which have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. We are also raising funds to provide books for the Lake Junaluska Elementary School. Donations may be made through Brethren Press. Watch for more information about these giving opportunities.
We are on Facebook at “Church of the Brethren NOAC.” We also have a webpage at www.brethren.org/NOAC to view the daily schedule and additional information. Both are updated on a regular basis.
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Church of the Brethren Denominational News
Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org
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Church of the Brethren - Newsline Digest
July/August 2021
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UPPER ROOM NOTIFICATION
The July/August subscriptions will be delayed. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Thank you, Carole Bradfield
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DIRECTORY CHANGE
P. 15 - Arden & Bernetta Kile - New Address & Phone Number:
2314 Marlborough Drive, York, PA 17403, Home Phone: 717-428-6654
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Thanks to the church family and friends for the Birthday cards you recently showered me with, it was a "Surprise". I enjoyed the cards and wishes for a Happy Birthday. I appreciated them.
Thanks to all for your kindness. God Bless you. ~ Anna Miller
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LOOK WHO'S
CELEBRATING
THIS MONTH
01 Kathy Kovacs
02 Doug Martin
03 Jeanette Brickner
07 Dave Bradfield II
11 Jay Crist
13 Robert Sharp II
15 Bill Bernhardt
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If your birthday is in JULY and is not on the list below or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.
17 Deb Klinedinst
18 Betty Lynn Bernhardt
22 Sheryl Leaman
25 Erin Ferro
26 Beth Brickner
30 Sally Bingaman
31 Jill Wueschinski
31 Bethany Taylor
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Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:
The church Leadership Team has approved updated policy on face coverings for our gatherings: following with CDC guidance, masks are now optional for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. For those not vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask indoors. We are on the honor system and are trusting all attendees to respect this policy. All are welcome, as always, and we hope for further updates moving forward.
Staying home remains the safest option, yet we commend and affirm in-person gatherings as the ideal. Worship will be live streamed on our YouTube channel and recorded each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM indefinitely, but it is not intended to "replace" physical attendance long-term. So long as you are comfortable being near others, please plan to join our services of worship, classes, and other events.
Some Sunday School classes will resume meeting in-person this summer, others will not. Check the class information above for weekly updates. Several elements of worship will remain adjusted such as staggered seating, avoiding handshake greetings, and face coverings worn within the building. Please know that all of these measures are for our collective wellness.
We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining “physical distance” for the safety and well-being of the vulnerable among us. The pastor and secretary continue to be available and in the office most of the week. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, although Pastor Joel is now fully vaccinated and open to home visits as requested.
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. Thank you to all who have given generously! We have been able to maintain our many outreach commitments thus far this year, and for that we give thanks!
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/ Be careful to pay attention to public health experts, rather than every news 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. Please do your part to prevent the spread of contagious disease, as a holy expression of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
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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 2021 the gift card sales will support The Lehman Center (Children’s Aid Society), New Community Project, Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, and LifePath Christian Ministries (formerly York Rescue Mission). 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.
I plan to attend our in-person worship services and will have the gift cards available for your purchase before or after the service. However, if you will not be attending our in-person worship services, I will continue to send cards in the mail if you want to support this outreach ministry. Send your check to Becky Wenger, 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408. The Giant or Weis cards will be mailed to you. Make your check out to York First Church.
Thank you for supporting this program - Becky Wenger, Cash for Causes representative
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SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Daniel 3:1-6,12-28
MESSAGE:
“Faithful Resistance”
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Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to noon, and usually well into the afternoon as well. 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. |
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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
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.
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Our Mission Statement:
“People dedicated to Spiritual Growth, Loving Relationship, and Sacrificial Service”
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Our Vision Statement:
“To become a community of committed Christians who Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
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