CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, November 11

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

Sunday, November 12

9:00 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary

4:00 pm Youth Group – Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, November 14

9:30 am Ladies Bible Study – Anna Mow Room

6:30 pm Leadership Team – Rm 154

Wednesday, November 15

9:00 am Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

Thursday, November 16

10:00 am Prayer Shawl – Anna Mow Room

10:30 am Witness Team – Multi-Purpose Room

6:30 pm Choir Practice – Sanctuary

Saturday, November 18

9:30 am Mental Health Training – Sanctuary/Gathering Area

Sunday, November 19

9:00 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary

12:00 pm Deacon Meeting – Rm 154

4:00 pm Youth Group – Fellowship Hall

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.

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 Joel Gibbel. This class is for youth in grades 7-12. A series on church membership and our church's core beliefs and practices will continue this Sunday and progress throughout November.

Vine and Branches Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. Teacher Cheryl Weyant. The class is using the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum entitled "God's Law is Love."

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teacher John Anderson. The lesson series is entitled "Where Christians Get It Wrong" with Adam Hamilton. 

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.  

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2024 is just around the corner...

Planning will start in January. The Education Team is looking for some volunteers to be a chair and co chair of this year's VBS. If you are interested in helping or have some questions please see Diane Gibble.  

ADVENT IS FAST APPROACHING AND THAT MEANS IT IS TIME FOR POINSETTIAS AGAIN!

2023 Christmas Poinsettia Orders

Burgundy Color – 6 1/2” pot (5+ blooms), Cost per flower: $10.00

Deadline for Orders is November 26^th

^{We will begin taking orders for poinsettias this Sunday. You may purchase}

^{them “in honor, in memory, or in appreciation” of loved ones. Orders can be received in the offering plates during the worship or in the church office any time. Payment must accompany the order form (unless paying online).}

Flowers will be displayed in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, Dec. 17 and 24 and during the Christmas Eve service on 12/24. Please pick up your flowers no later than the evening of 12/24 after worship. You may also take them before then if

 necessary.

Thank you for your order which will contribute to the beauty of the sanctuary this Advent season! Blessings!  

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, bandaids, 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.

*Donations can be placed in a box in the gathering area starting Sunday Nov. 12th.

Thank you!

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

November 12 - NOAC Celebration Sunday

November 18 - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training 101 (Saturday AM)

November 26 - Baptisms within Worship (Sunday 10:30 AM)

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

December 8 & 9 - Camp Eder Christmas Tree Festival

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training 101



Saturday, November 18^th             9:30-12:00                    Hosted by the Education Team

Georgie Stanley with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing will be leading a Mental

Health and Suicide Prevention Training at our church on Saturday, November 18^th. We are all familiar with Basic First Aid skills. But what if the person in need is struggling with anxiety or suicidal thoughts? Come learn about what you can do to help. We will look at the basic signs and symptoms of different diagnoses, how to spot if someone may be in distress or in need of support, how you can respond in the moment and how to support the person to get the help they may need. 

Please contact Michele Gibbel if you are in need of childcare.  

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

Results for Congregational Forum Slate Ballot

The following individuals were affirmed for the church leadership positions listed below at our Congregational Forum held on October 8. Their terms will begin January 1, 2024. We are grateful for their willingness to serve, and they appreciate your prayerful support.

Leadership Team Chairperson....................................Greg Klinedinst         

Worship Ministry Team...............................................Kim Witkovsky                                         

Education Ministry Team............................................Diane Gibble                                               

Witness Ministry Team.................................................John Anderson/Melanie Miller             

Facility Care Ministry Team........................................Steve Hoover                                            

Fellowship and Hospitality Ministry Team...............Ruoxia Li                                                    

Financial Resources Ministry Team............................Arlene Martin                                           

Annual Conference Delegate.......................................Rebecca Wolf                                            

District Conference Delegate........................................Deb Klinedinst, Dave Witkovsky

Deacons: Deb and Greg Klinedinst, Marty Reigle, Lyn and Ralph Miller,

Melanie and Jeff Miller, Sarah Markey  

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.

Thank you so much for your cards, concern, and prayers during my recent illness. Barbara and I really appreciated all of your support during this time.

~Terry & Barb Wueschinski

A healthy baby girl, Elouise Mae, was born to Brianna and Matt Herbst this Monday October 30. Proud big brothers are Bennett and Finnley, and aunt and uncle Katie and Daniel McEvoy are delighted as well. We give thanks to God for this precious gift of life and celebrate the growth of the Herbst family!

Food Pantry Needs

Our Food Pantry continues to serve people needing food and we have seen an increase in recent months. This past Tuesday we served over 30 people. 

If you would like to donate to the pantry we can always use gift cards to the local grocery stores. I know some people like to give food items, so here is a list of items we can always use.

Thank you for your support of the Food Pantry.

A big thank you to the Food Pantry volunteers who make it all work: Melanie and Jeff Miller, Jeanette Brickner, Sandi Bowser, Cathy Carson,

Arden Kile, John Anderson.

Thank you, Mary Esther Anderson

ITEMS NEEDED



Pancake mix

Pancake syrup

Peanut butter

Grape Jelly or Strawberry Jam

Small cans of tuna or chicken

Instant mashed potatoes

Bottles of cooking oil

Bottles of fruit juice

Crackers-Ritz type or saltines

Canned corn, canned pineapple

Canned baked beans

Small canned hams

Fresh fruit and vegetables -apples, oranges, onions, carrots, potatoes

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

CDC Celebration Sunday

November 5, 2023

SCRIPTURE LESSON:

Psalm 107:1-9

MESSAGE:

“Led by Love”

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.