Anabaptist Community Bible: A New Testament Reading Plan

Winter-Spring 2025

We hope you are all devotedly reading scripture these days in the new Anabaptist Community Bible. Our goal as a church this season is to read the entire New Testament together between now and Easter.

A full plan for this reading is attached below and copies can be picked up in the Gathering Area for your use, giving specific assigned portions to read each day, normally 3 chapters. We can do this! Set a time each day to read and keep at it. The book introductions and articles at the back of the Bible are excellent as well. Let us study the Christian scriptures and talk about them together this season, trusting that the Holy Spirit is at work as we seek the mind of Christ.

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, February 8

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

2:00 pm CDC Valentine Dance – Fellowship Hall

Sunday, February 9

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary

Tuesday, February 11

6:30 pm  Leadership Team – Rm 154

Wednesday, February 12 

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

Thursday, February 13

6:30 pm  Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary

7:30 pm  Bell Choir Rehearsal – Bell Choir Room

Friday, February 14

8:30 am  Soup Kitchen – (Casseroles due at church by 8:30)

Sunday, February 16

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

4:00 pm  Youth Group Dodgeball – 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.

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 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 Class

9:00 AM in Room 155. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 7-12.

The class is studying a series on Women of the Bible.

Vine and Branches Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. Teacher Eric Miller. The class is following the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, this season's series entitled "A King Forever and Ever."

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teacher Leonard Stoner. The class will be studying the "Doctrine of Discovery."

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 DATES TO REMEMBER

Sunday, February 9 - SOUPer Bowl Sunday, Bread and Cup Communion

Saturday February 15 - Roller Skate Party 10:30 AM

Sunday February 16 - Service Sunday, Dodgeball begins

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, February 14, 2025

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, February 14, 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! 

_________________________________________________________

Message from Sandi Bowser about our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen:

Dear Church Members,

We are in need of Volunteers, who are willing to prepare baked spaghetti casseroles for the soup kitchen in York city. Presently, we have some very generous people who prepare 1, 2, or 3 casseroles once a month. I, for example, prepare 2 casseroles each month. You know if I can do it, it’s not that difficult.

The recipe is easy, and the foil baking pans are provided for you, the schedule is not difficult. Contact Sandra Bowser for more details, and scheduling (contact information below).

 It is a very rewarding experience. I have to say that 95% of the people are very appreciative. It would be greatly appreciated if you could volunteer your time.

Thank you. Contact information: Sandra Bowser 717-825-7203

YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITY

Youth and School Age Children join us for Dodgeball fun!! Please feel free to invite friends and neighbors as you wish.

On Sundays, February 16th to March 23rd in Fellowship Hall, 4:00 to 5:00pm

Save the Date

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.

Directory Change:

P. 14 - Robert Fitzkee new address:

Country Meadows, 2760 Pine Grove Rd., Rm 215, York, 17403

Gathering Area Quilt

Every month the quilt in the gathering area is changed to another beautiful quilt. The February quilt is named

"Solstice Dawning". These quilts are made by Sid Innerst.



Sid is a very talented quilter and we want to thank her for sharing her beautiful work. As you are walking through the gathering area, please take a moment to enjoy the beauty and details of these quilts. 

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. 

Elizabethtown College’s Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies presents:

“Welcome to ‘America’s Refugee Capital’: An Exploration of the Role of Brethren Identity in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania” by Naomi Kraenbring on

Tues., February 18, 7 pm, in the Young Center’s Bucher Meetinghouse. Kraenbring serves as full-time pastor at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, teaches religious studies and peace studies courses at Elizabethtown College, and is pursuing her PhD from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.

Even though it’s not an exact address, if using GPS, enter 450 Campus Rd, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, which brings you near the entrance of the parking lot. This event is fully accessible from the parking lot and throughout the building. For more information, visit www.etown.edu/youngctr/events or call 717-361-1470.

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

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.