CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Sunday, August 3

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:30 am   Worship Service – Sanctuary, Youth Lead Worship

Following Worship - Lemonade on the Lawn

Tuesday, August 5

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

Wednesday, August 6

9:30 am   Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

1:00 pm   Witness Ministry Team – Anna Mow Room

6:00 pm   Pizza/Game Night – Gathering Space

Friday, August 8

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

Saturday, August 9

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

Sunday, August 10

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:15-10:30 am Brief Congregational Forum – Sanctuary

10:30 am   Worship Service – Sanctuary, Ken Gibble preaching

Prayer Shawl Ministry will not be meeting the month of August

Special Congregational Forum

Sunday, August 10^th, 10:15 am

The Leadership Team (LT) and Gifts Discernment Team (GDT) need your suggestions of people’s names to help fill the open positions on the upcoming slate of the church’s leadership positions and Ministry Teams for the Fall Congregational Forum on

November 2. There will be a brief Congregational Forum held on Sunday morning, August 10^th, at 10:15 am, just before the regular 10:30 am worship service.

A form will be given to each church member when entering the sanctuary on August 10. That form will have all the Ministry Teams listed with a brief description of the function of each Team and the names of the current members of each team. This is being done so you can see who will be on the respective Ministry Teams for the coming year. Most Teams will need at least one or two new members. There will be blank spaces for you to fill in the names of people you would like to suggest that would be a good match for a Team, based on the individual’s gifts, skills, experience and talents. After the completed forms are collected, they will be submitted to the GDT, who will begin the process of contacting the people listed to see if they are willing to serve on the Team. If the people say yes, the final slate will be submitted at the November Congregational Forum for the church membership to vote on.

Please plan to be present at the 10:15 am Special Congregational Forum on Sunday, August 10^th so you can help with identifying and suggesting names of members and friends to serve as leadership in our congregation. Copies of the page listing the Ministry Teams with descriptions and their current members will be available in the Gathering Space or church office for pick up if you are unable to be present on August 10. Copies of the previously mentioned forms are attached to this article and hard copies will also be available in the Gathering Space or church office for pick up if you are unable to be present on August 10. Please submit them to the church office no later than

Wed., August 13. Thank you!

Jay Crist, Moderator

Summer Worship and Fellowship Events at York First COB!

This summer the Worship and the Fellowship and Hospitality Teams are once again “teaming up” to sponsor some fun events to help us stay connected and throughout the summer months and to build relationships as we enjoy each other’s company! Below is what the month of August looks like going forward:

Sunday, August 3 – Youth leading worship: FaithX and National Junior High Conference experiences and Lemonade on the Lawn after worship  

Wednesday, August 6 6-8 p.m. Pizza/Game Night in the Gathering Space – Share a pizza plus extras supper with others! Bring your favorite game(s) and favorite snack (s) to share and join us for a fun evening! Casual atmosphere for all ages – indoor and outdoor activities!

Sunday, August 10 10:15-10:30 a.m. Brief Congregational Forum- to share potential names for church leadership (watch for ENews article to explain more); guest preacher is Ken Gibble

Wednesday, August 13 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch Bunch - location TBA Come join with others from York First COB for an informal time of lunch and fellowship together; no reservation needed, just show up if you want to eat and enjoy each other’s company! Each person is responsible for their own meal payment. Contact your deacon or the church office if you need a ride. Please join us! 

Saturday, August 16 6-8 p.m. Outdoor Hymn Sing and Peach Festival – Back by popular demand! Come join us to sing your favorite hymns in the back courtyard followed by some sweet treats in the Gathering Space – no cost and all are welcome! Contact your deacon or the church office if you need transportation. 

Sunday, August 17 Worship – Guest preacher is Walt Wiltschek; Blessing of the Backpacks and Special Third Sunday Offering: monetary donations and school supplies for our Child Development Center (CDC) and Stony Brook Elementary

Wednesday, August 20 6-8 p.m.–Pizza/Game Night: bring a snack & game to share!

Sunday, August 24 – Welcome Back Sunday and Lemonade on the Lawn following worship: Welcome back from summer vacation and back to school and a very special welcome back to Pastor Joel who will be returning from his sabbatical and back in the pulpit once again!  

Click on this button to view the full calendar

Contacting the Interim Ministries Coordinator

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

Kim Witkovsky is serving as the Interim Ministries Coordinator during Joel's absence.

Her hours will be posted in the newsletter and bulletin weekly. Please feel free to contact her at (814) 599-7055 (mobile) with texts or calls or by email at witkovskyks@gmail.com

If you would like a visit from Kim, please contact her directly or call the church office.

Office Hours This Week – Mon, Wed, Thurs 8:30 am – 10:30 am

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 Classes

9:00 AM in Room 155. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. Youth grades 7-12 are welcome.

Vine & Branches Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. The class is studying the "Wired Word" - a news curriculum that guides us with scripture, prayer and news information and how our faith calls us to respond in the Way of Jesus the Christ.

Lamplighters Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. We will begin a 5 week session from Max Lucado,

“Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World.”

Session 5: August 3 – Meditate on These Things

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:

Wednesday, August 6 Pizza/Game Night in the Gathering Space 6:00 PM

Wednesday, August 13 Lunch Bunch - location TBA 11:30 AM

Saturday, August 16 Outdoor Hymn Sing and Peach Festival 6:00 PM

Sunday, August 17 During Worship - Blessing of the Backpacks

Wednesday, August 20 Pizza/Game Night in the Gathering Space 6:00 PM

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, August 8, 2025

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for

Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, August 8, 2025 (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 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! 

Come one, Come All to the

Annual Car Show and Chicken BBQ

Saturday, August 9, 2025

10:30 - 1:00 pm

(Forms also available on the bulletin board)

Much work has gone into preparing this fun event for all of us so be sure to come by

and enjoy the music, food trucks, and conversation with friends and guests alike!

Special thanks to Larry and Cindy and their teams!!

Cindy Goodling 717-887-3432 and Larry Rohrbach 717-880-3058

Last chance to preorder your Chicken dinner is July 29th. You don’t want to miss out on this delicious treat. For $13 you will receive half a chicken, baked potato, applesauce and a roll.. Your meal can be picked up outside of Nicarry between 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM. If you are unable to pick it up it can be delivered. Just note that on your order form. Use this link to order online or to access the forms:

https://www.crosskeysvillage.org/chicken/

Pre-ordering will help us determine the number of chicken dinners more accurately. Will be available 10:30 am until Sold-Out

While picking up your chicken, make sure to come by the Classic Car Show going on in the parking lot. Drop by and stroll through the rows of beautifully appointed classic and antique cars. You will have a wonderful time trading stories with the car owners. Then, before you leave, MAKE SURE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE CAR! Some lucky car owner will receive a prize for the

Villager Pick!!

SUPPORTING THE STUDENTS – August 17

To support the academic success of neighborhood children, we will be collecting school supplies during worship for the Stony Brook Elementary School (K-3).

Please consider bringing the following school supplies to support the students and teachers: backpacks, lunchboxes, black dry erase markers, #2 pencils, crayons, pink erasers, glue sticks, play-doh, cardstock, good quality tissues, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, headphones, plastic water bottles, individually packaged nut-free & or gluten free snacks

Thank you, Education Team & Witness Team 

Church of the Brethren News

Southern PA District/Denomination

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

2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE - WRAP UP DVD

The Wrap Up DVD is available in the church office. The DVD can be checked out to view and return. Please contact the church office to make sure it is available when you want to sign it out. There is also a printout of the Wrap Up on the table in the Gathering Space. Please feel free to take a copy!

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 to all who contributed to the

Vacation Bible School Offering Project to

Heifer International for clean water. 

We raised $2145.51!

The Facility Care Team would like to extend their deep gratitude for all who turned out this past Saturday, 7/19, for the all church work day. About a dozen men and women from York First congregation and a few from Christs Disciples church participated in a variety of tasks inside the church building and outside on the grounds. We accomplished many projects and spread lots and lots of mulch, compliments of the CDC! Thanks again for all your hard work and warm fellowship. We hope to schedule another workday in the coming months with many more projects for all ages! Watch the Enews! 

LOOK WHO'S

CELEBRATING

THIS MONTH

04  Sarah (Kovacs) Hamill

06  Violet Chronister

08  Margaret Eck

09  Bev Raney

10  Linda Wisner

11  Kyleigh Ferro

15  Pastor Joel Gibbel

18  Julie Poland

19  Jessica Jasitt

19  Robert Sharp

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

21  Bob Bingaman

21  Betty Bortner

22  Dennis Wisner

25  Judy Deitch

25  Abby Dierdorf

26  Allison Poland

26  Sandra Dell

27  Stephanie Stoolmaker+

28  Betty Crowe

28  Tom McCracken

Gathering Area Quilt

Every month the quilt in the gathering area is changed to another beautiful quilt. The August quilt is named "Baby Turtle March". 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. 

Look closely at the tiny turtles you can easily see in the pictures. But see what other tiny creatures you can see in the actual stitching - turtles, starfish and maybe even an octopus or jellyfish! Enjoy!

August Gathering Space Bulletin Board was

designed by Jayne Baldwin

Jayne wanted to share

"The Sunflower Prayer" poem

which inspired her design.

The Sunflower Prayer

Plant me like a sunflower, Lord,

deep in the fold of your will.

Forge my faith in soil’s darkness,

sprout hope up as I wait still.

Grow me like a sunflower, Lord, leaning close toward your light. Extend bright rays of direction, keep me warm in your sight.

Adorn me like a sunflower, Lord, humbly wearing a righteous crown. Stack petals of mercy and grace, golden forgiveness in Christ I’ve found.

Use me like a sunflower, Lord, to offer nourishment and cheer. Harvest the Spirit’s fruits within me, encourage others you are drawing near.

Surround me like a sunflower, Lord, in a field of believers ripe with faith. Bring us together for a troubled world, display your love through our bouquet.



Thank you, Lord, for creating endearing reminders of your Word. Looking up, away from the earth’s concerns, my gaze meets yours, and joy like a mighty sunflower stirs.

~by Jamie Trunnel ©2020, ascripturedlife.com

Patricia Carey is 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 Space.

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