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SUNDAY SCHEDULE


SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM

Classes for All Ages


WORSHIP 10:30 AM

In the Sanctuary and Online



THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

March 17, 2024


SCRIPTURE LESSON:

Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 12:20-33

MESSAGE:

“We Wish to See Jesus”

Contents:



This Week


Prayer Requests

and Calendar


Sunday School News


Children's Ministry Schedule


Upcoming Events


COB News


Online Giving


Thank you


Last Week


Contacting the Pastor 

Happening This Week

This Sunday we welcome guest preacher Rev. Warren Eshbach. Warren is a retired Church of the Brethren minister having served as pastor, Southern PA District Executive, and Dean of the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center. He has also served as professor at Gettysburg Seminary. He is a member of the Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren and husband to Theresa. 



His sermon will center around the Jesus that we wish to see and the actual Jesus which may or may not meet our expectations.

Live Stream Worship

Our worship services are available via YouTube for those who wish to join that way. Click the link above shortly before the service begin to join in 10:30 AM on 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

Sunday, March 17th - FOOD DRIVE COLLECTION


Our Food Pantry continues to serve people needing food. We have seen a big increase in recent weeks. If you would like to donate to our pantry we can always use gift cards to the local grocery stores, or cash.


I know some people like to give food items, so here is a list of items we can always use. Bring them to worship and our children will collect them within the service.

Boxes of Cereal, Rice, Pancake mix and Pancake syrup, Peanut butter Grape jelly or strawberry jam, Small cans of tuna and or chicken Granola bars, Instant mashed potatoes, Bottles of cooking oil Spaghetti, Elbow macaroni and jars of Spaghetti Sauce Bottles of fruit juice, Crackers – Ritz type or saltines Boxes of Mac and Cheese, Mayonnaise, Canned Baked Beans Fresh fruit and vegetables – apples, oranges, potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery


Thank you to all who donate and those faithful volunteers who help in the Pantry whenever we are open. ~ Mary Esther Anderson 

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES


Sunday, March 17

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary


Monday, March 18

6:45 pm   Worship Design Team – Multi-Purpose Room


Tuesday, March 19

9:30 am  Ladies Bible Study – Anna Mow Room

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

6:00 pm  CDC Board – Anna Mow Room


Wednesday, March 20

9:00 am Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

       

Thursday, March 21

10:00 am Prayer Shawl – Anna Mow Room

6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice – Bell Choir Room

7:00 pm Chancel Choir Practice – Anna Mow Room


Saturday, March 23

 10:00 am  Youth Group-30 hour Famine Event – Sanctuary, FH

            

Sunday, March 24 – Palm Sunday

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.

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

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 Room 149. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 7-12. Youth will be looking at the subject of restorative justice in class this week.

 

Vine and Branches Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. The class is following the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum entitled "Examining Our Faith."

 

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teacher Beth Anne Bahn. For the remainder of Lent, Lamplighters will be studying Max Lucado’s book, “And the Angels Were Silent.”

 

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.  

Children's Ministry Schedule
Upcoming Events

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER


Saturday, March 23 - 30-Hour Famine Event - Youth Group

Wednesday, March 27 - Egg Hunt 5:00 PM

Thursday, March 28 - Love Feast 6:00 PM

Sunday, March 31 - Easter Sunday

Saturday, April 20 - 2024 District Women's Spring Luncheon






Click on this

button

to register.

Easter Egg Registration 

CAMP EDER Men's Outdoorsman Day

Saturday, April 6th

Devotional Theme: Meeting God in the Great Outdoors


This event is co-sponsored with the SOPA Nurture Commission.

Join us for a day filled with adventure. We'll delve into the world of Clay Shooting and tranquility of fishing under the mentorship of Seth Brickner.

Please click on button for registration information.

Outdoorsman Day Flyer

A FREE COURSE ON DEMENTIA 

WILL BE GIVEN AT

YORK FIRST COB

Sat., April 6th from 9am to 12:00pm


Snacks will be provided. 

Kimberly Korge, BSEd., CDP, CDSGF will be the presenter.


Kimberly Korge, Memory Support Coordinator at Cross Keys Village has worked as part of the memory care team since 2016. Her favorite part of working in memory care is that every day is different and there is always something to learn! Currently she is a graduate student at the University of Missouri, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus in Gerontology.

Title:

Embracing Challenges in Memory Support

Course Objectives:

· Understand what dementia is and how it differs from Alzheimer’s disease

· Discuss tips to manage difficult situations/conversations with individuals

impacted by a neurocognitive disorder

· Discuss tips of how to effectively communicate with individuals impacted by a neurocognitive disorder



Topics to be included but not limited to:

· Types of Dementia

· Parts of the brain

· Changes in behavior

· Changes in communication

· Handling difficult situations

· Navigating family dynamics

YARD SALE ITEMS NEEDED!


HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Time is near,

Bring those treasures from far and near.

YARD SALE! YARD SALE! coming in June,

Join us, for it will be soon.

Items needed brought into the church,

That buyers have fun as they go on a search.

YARD SALE! YARD SALE! coming here,

SO, HELP US OUT for another year. 


We will start collecting items on April 8th. Please drop off after church on Sundays or before noon throughout the week. If you are unable to bring in items, we will pick up. NO CLOTHING, Computers/equipment or TV’s.

Call Kathy Kovacs with any questions 717-309-0678


CAMP EDER APRIL SENIOR DAY

Wednesday, April 10th




9:30 am - Check in/Breakfast

10:00 am - Elva Hurst will be presenting a live chalk talk her thems is "New Spring/Easter celebrating the splendor of spring and sharing the story of Easter in chalk, music and story with special blacklight effects.

12:00 pm - Lunch Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls w/butter, salad, mix of Lemon and Chocolate Ship Cookies with Ice Cream

1:00 pm - Depart


RSVP by 4/3 (We will only be taking the first 100 registrations.)

Cost: $ 20. per person

RSVP by calling 717-642-8256


Camp Eder, 914 Mount Hope Road, Fairfield, PA 17320 www.campeder.org

2024 DISTRICT WOMEN'S SPRING LUNCHEON


Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9AM

West Shore Church of the Brethren, 6921 Wertzville Road, Enola, PA 17025


Guest speaker: Kirsten Harris Keys, Kirsten serves as the Public Relations Coordinator for the Harrisburg City School District, which serves more than 6,500 children and families. She attends the Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church of Harrisburg where she gladly serves God and others. Kirsten is Married to Pastor Thomas Keys. She is active in health and wellness ministry, community outreach, women's ministry initiatives, and the ministry of encouragement.


Click on button for brochure and registration

This information will also be posted on the bulletin board.


Special Note:

If you already took a brochure from the bulletin board, we were notified of errors in that brochure. Please be aware of these revisions OR take a corrected brochure that has been placed on the bulletin board.

1) Errors in the directions, which should be from I-81, both South and North

2) In the District Prayer & Praise date, which should be Sunday, June 9.

Brochure/Registration
Church of the Brethren Denominational News

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

Church of the Brethren News
Southern PA District Newsletter

THE SPRING MEETING OF THE FRIENDS 

Saturday, March 23, 2024

9:00 AM- Lite-Fare Bagel Bar with Fresh Fruit

10:00 AM- Business Meeting, Nicarry Meetinghouse



Please RSVP by March 15th to Hospitality Chairman, Teresa Richards  at  717-624-6697

or email: trichards347@gmail.com

This is a member-only event, if you are not presently a member of The Friends please contact the Membership Chairman for a membership form.

Debra McBeth, 1754 Shoemaker Drive, New Oxford, PA 17350, Phone 978-979-2270

2024 MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT VOLUNTEER MEAT CANNING SIGN-UP


For the 46th year, the Mid-Atlantic and SO PA Districts are co-sponsoring a Meat Canning project which previously has enjoyed a generous response and enthusiastic support. The project is scheduled for April 1 - 4, 2024 at the Christian Aid Ministries facility.


The 2024 Meat Canning goal is to can approximately 17,000 pounds of chicken in 4 days of processing. The Mid-Atlantic District and the SO PA District congregations are asking for congregations who are willing to prepare a meal for approximately 30 people for lunch with a light snack.



Please see the sign-up sheets on the counter in the gathering area and on the bulletin board. The deadline to sign up is March 25th. If you have any questions, please contact John Anderson.

UPPER ROOM ISSUES:


We are experiencing issues with the Upper Room devotionals.  They delivered a few to the church; however, the members didn't get them delivered to their homes.

Please know we are working with the company to resolve this issue. ~Diane Gibble

TRANSPORTATION NEEDS


At the last Deacon’s meeting the Deacons signed up to help with transportation for those in the congregation that would need a ride for any reason. It was suggested at that time that we should offer this option to the whole congregation who might want to help in this outreach.


Please sign the sheet in the gathering area as you are inclined to help in this ministry. Thanks!

Greetings from Sandi Bowser, chair-person of the dedicated members and friends who monthly prepare spaghetti casseroles for the Soup Kitchen also know as Our Daily Bread at 331 S. George St.


Lately some of these volunteers have had difficulty finding room for their casseroles in the freezer of the church kitchen.


After a little investigating, we have discovered that the majority of items taking up space in the freezer were leftovers from various church events, probably forgotten.

I will be reserving the top shelf and half of the second shelf of the freezer for the 10 to 16 casseroles our committee members prepare.


On the Sunday before the second Friday of each month, I move the casseroles from the freezer to the refrigerator in the church kitchen to thaw.



On the second Friday the thawed casseroles are delivered to Our Daily Bread where 3 volunteers and I serve the people who come.

Thank you for reading this. Sandi

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



Bernadette Snook is home and recovering from her surgery. Thanks for all the prayers and cards. ~ Bernadette and Dan



The 2024 Church Directory is available to be picked up in the

Gathering Area. All church members and friends, please take one.

Lehman Center "Wish List"



Items for donation to the Lehman

Center are being collected in the

basket in the Gathering Area.

Due to changes in the food

pantry operations, these must be

collected separately from food

pantry supplies.

Here are some items that are needed at Lehman Center:



Instant pudding (chocolate, banana)

Instant jello (orange, blue, green, grape, cherry)

Can fruit (pears, pineapples, fruit cocktail)

Applesauce (individual or jar)

Can vegetables (lima beans, peas, green beans)

Baby food - all stages

Baby snacks

We collected 107 glasses for Katallasso Family Health Center so far.  

The box will be in the gathering space for the month of March if anyone has glasses they wish to donate.

Thank you so much to everyone who donated.


DIRECTORY CHANGE:


P. 19 - Sandy Yeager

New address is 3525 Canby St., Room 241, Harrisburg, PA 17109

Phone number remains the same (717) 818-0317


Her daughter said she would like phone calls, cards or notes, or even visits from time to time.

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 2024 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



March 10, 2024


SCRIPTURE LESSON:

Matthew 6:5-15

MESSAGE:

“In Secret: Prayer”

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 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.

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”