Pastor’s Sabbatical Begins

Having served over seven years of continuous ministry with our congregation, Pastor Joel will be observing a time of Sabbatical leave from May 24 until August 23 of this year. This was affirmed by our Leadership Team last year and is in accordance with Church of the Brethren Guidelines for Sabbath Rest. Today will be his last Sunday preaching until late August. We wish him God’s blessing and peace as he commits to a time of travel, learning, rest, and renewal for continued ministry upon his return.

A planning team has been hard at work preparing for this season of ministry, and

Kim Witkovsky, who is also an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, has been called to serve as Interim Ministries Coordinator while Pastor Joel is apart from us.

Karen Bowman will continue to serve us in the church office, as always. Please refrain from contacting Pastor Joel with any church-related matters during this time, instead relying on Kim, our church staff, deacons and their caregiving ministry, and other leaders, including Moderator Jay Crist, who will be taking on additional administrative responsibilities in Joel's absence, to serve us.

All members and friends of York First are invited to embrace this time of shared ministry and strengthening relationships together. It is an opportunity for our church’s growth and Pastor Joel’s as well. This is not the time to disconnect and take a "vacation" from church and worship because the pastor is gone - we will continue to have much to celebrate together! You will not want to miss all the wonderful things we have planned for us in these summer months! We are excited and blessed to welcome several guest speakers to our pulpit this summer as well as some of our own folks to share a message of inspiration and hope. Look for lots of special music in worship and fun activities during the week to keep us connected and growing together. Sunday School will continue throughout the summer as always. As we embark on our summer season, let us remember that even when we are apart and always as we gather, God will be with us, loving and caring for us always!

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Sunday, May 25

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary, Rebecca Wolf preaching

Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day

Church Office Closed

Wednesday, May 28

6:30 pm  Women’s Bible Study – Anna Mow Room

Thursday, May 29

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

Saturday, May 31

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

Sunday, June 1

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary, Nancy Jones preaching

Graduate Recognition, Bread and Cup Communion

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

On June 8th at 9:00 am there will be a combined Sunday School class for adults and youth in Room 154. David Radcliff from New Community Project will be sharing during Sunday School and will be giving a message during Worship. Please plan on attending to learn more about how we can be involved in this important ministry.

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.

Vine & Branches Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. The class will be studying the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, this quarter entitled "Costly Sacrifice" by Herb Smith.

Lamplighters Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. We will begin the study by Adam Hamilton entitled "Half Truths" 

"God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle" Teacher: Melanie Miller 

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 June 1 - Graduate Recognition, Bread and Cup Communion

Sunday June 22 to Thursday June 26 -Vacation Bible School

FAMILY SURVEY 

Please mark the trifolds on the wall by the children’s Sunday school classrooms

by June 8th: 



•     Place a heart sticker beside the activity that you liked or was helpful.

•     Place another sticker (not a heart) beside the activity that you didn’t like or was not helpful.

Your feedback is important and will help in designing next year’s trifolds.

Thank you, Diane Gibble 

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, June 13, 2025

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, June 13, 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! 

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.

DONATE USED STAMPS

CKV/TBHC thanks you for your prayers and financial support this past year. Thanks for your used stamps that benefits the residents at the home, please keep them coming! That project goes all year long. Please put your stamps in the box in the Anna Mow Room or drop them in the church office. Thanks again.

God Bless you all. ~ Keyperson, Anna Miller

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.  

LOOK WHO'S

CELEBRATING

THIS MONTH

01 Lauren Poland            

02 Ryan Sauder 

03 Dorothy Lehman  

04 Rebecca Wolf          

05 Jeffrey Gipe       

07 Tanya Dehoff 

07 Suzanne Gray

07 Jonathan Soyke

08 Micah Gibbel          

10 Becky Wenger          

11 Michael Kovacs    

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

12 Shannon (McCracken) Kendig 

12 Michelle Yingling 

12 Deb Martin          

13 Trey Bradfield         

16 Nancy Gipe          

19 Helen (Lehman) Fay          

20 Justin Stehr          

22 Nancy Snyder

22 Benjamin Thomas Miller          

28 Roy Rollman

30 Arden Kile

We would like to thank everyone for the many cards, kind words, prayers and support during the passing of our Mother, Rebecca McCracken. In recent years, Mother missed being in church in person, but she enjoyed participating by livestream, always happy to see everyone, listen to the music, and share in the joys and concerns. We are grateful to Pastor Joel and our church family for your loving care.



                       Sheryl, Tom, Dave and the McCracken Family

TRANSPORTATION OUTREACH

The Deacon team frequently provides transportation for our church family members. Unfortunately, there are times we cannot meet all of the transportation needs. We would like to establish a resource list to be used by the Deacons of church family members who wish to participate in this outreach.

Please sign the sheet in the gathering area if you would like to assist with this outreach. Any questions contact Melanie Miller. Thank you. 

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.

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

Pastor Joel will be observing sabbatical leave from May 24 until August 23 this year. Our church will continue strongly in ministry during this time!

Kim Witkovsky will be the Interim Ministries Coordinator during his absence.

Her hours will be posted in the newsletter weekly. If you need to reach her outside of office hours, she may be reached at witkovskyks@gmail.com

5/26 office closed 

5/27 8-10 am

5/28 12-2 pm

5/29 8:30-10:30 am

5/30 8:30-10:30 am

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.