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SUNDAY SCHEDULE **In-person gatherings remain suspended through July 5** Effective July 12: WORSHIP 10:30 AM In the Sanctuary and Online Please see below for online class and worship offerings THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP July 5, 2020   SCRIPTURE LESSON: 2 Kings 2:1-13a Romans 12:1-2    MESSAGE: "Change is Hard"

 Contents :  This Week Sunday School News Youth Group News COB Newsline Online Giving Upcoming Events Postponed and Canceled Events Birthdays Notes from the Console Last Week Contacting the Pastor

Happening This Week Change is Hard This week in worship we will hear from a guest preacher, pastor Angela Finet, surveying the account in 2 Kings 2:1-13, in which the prophet Elijah handed down his mantle to Elisha who was to follow him. It is a message of encouragement and challenge all at once, reminding us how God works to raise up persons of each generation for service in ministry and to speak for God. Let us embrace whatever ways God may be at work among us, trusting that new life will spring from even the most difficult of times. Live Stream Continues! Once again (and always, we hope) our worship service will be presented "live stream" through our YouTube channel. Click the link below shortly before 10:30 AM on Sunday to enter a time of worship with all who will do likewise this weekend. This live streaming service will continue indefinitely, even after we resume in-person gatherings. The video will be available to view after the worship hour in case you miss the 10:30 time or wish to watch it again. I hope and pray that our new equipment functions well and you're all able to participate in worship from home. A special word of thank go to Tim Beckwith for his tremendous donation of time and energy into improving our A/V system this season! *Please note: if anyone is unable to view the videos online, we have DVD copies of the services that can be picked up in the church narthex any weekday. Sermon manuscripts are also available upon request. We hope no one is missing out! ***Coming Soon: Gathering*** Our proposed date on which we plan to resume in-person gathering has been set for next Sunday July 12th. Please see below for more information related to expectations and guidelines for our safety. Thank you all for your patience, concern, and encouragement in recent weeks!

Church Office is closed today, Friday, July 3rd, in observance of Independence Day.

Sunday School News Homebuilders Sunday School Class The Homebuilders Class is continuing to meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 10:00 am by conference call. All are welcome to join. To be included, contact Mike Martin either by calling 717-840-4184 or by emailing Caretaker@TwinBrookFarm.com , leaving the phone number at which you would like to be called. You will receive a phone call in the vicinity of 9:00 am. The class continues to examine lessons from the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum. Lamplighters Sunday School Class The Lamplighters Class is planning to meet on Wednesday Evenings at 7 :00 pm until noon by zoom (video) conference. If you wish to be included and haven't received an email already, please contact Pastor Joel at pastor@yorkfirst.org , and he will forward you the link. (We will not share the login info publicly in an effort to prevent hacking). The class will be led by Patricia Carey, beginning a video series by Bob Goff. Vine & Branches Sunday School Class The Vine & Branches Class is continuing to meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 10:00 am by zoom (video) conference. If you wish to be included, please contact Pastor Joel at pastor@yorkfirst.org , and he will forward you the link. The class will begin studying the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, "Many Faces of Wisdom" - this week's lesson based on Matthew 11. Children's Sunday School Class Children's Sunday School is now planned for 12:00 noon each Sunday via zoom, with a lesson lasting approximately 20 minutes. Parents may of course participate alongside, but the time will be tailored to children. For the zoom link and to be included, please contact Pastor Joel at pastor@yorkfirst.org . Thanks, and we look forward to this special time together! Click on the video below for a special story in advance of this week's lesson:

Youth Group News

Due to health concerns and restrictions on gatherings, the Church of the Brethren Summer Youth Workcamps have been canceled. Our Youth had planned to attend one during the month of July, so this is sad news for many. Please click on the button to view the cancellation announcement:

Workcamp Cancellations

On a brighter note, please check out this new Church of the Brethren resource that provides daily devotions for the youth. "Good News! Youth Devotional" has a new and unique offering each day with scripture, commentary, prayers, and questions to consider.

Youth Daily Devotions

For those of you working with our children at church: Please take this Child Abuse prevention Training at www.Ilookoutforchildabuse.com . After you complete the training please print your certificate and give it to Pastor Joel to keep on file. Thank you so much for helping care for our little ones at church. Thank you!

Church of the Brethren Denominational News Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org

June Church of the Brethren Newsline Digest

Newsline Digest

Church of the Brethren Annual Conference Please click to view the full Virtual Service

Annual Conf. Virtual Service

Prayer Requests

Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer and Event Announcements

Although in-person worship gatherings and events are suspended for a time, the church's ministry continues in many important ways. Please continue to give as you are so led, whether by mail or through online giving. Thank you. 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:  www.acionlinegiving.com/4706 . 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!!!!!

Church Website

Online Giving

Upcoming Events

SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, July 10, 2020 -  Sign up by calling Audrey Ginder, 717-755-6785 to make a casserole for the Soup Kitchen on Friday, July 10, 2020 (10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE contact Audrey to add your name and number of casseroles, so we can let the Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect. Thank you!

Great News! VBS is Happening! August 2-7, 2020 Join us ONLINE for 3 days of VBS Fun! Invite your Friends, Family & Neighbors to join you at your house for this awesome time of worship, play, and fun! You pick the days. You pick the time. We give you the materials you need to make this a meaningful and fun experience. Stay tuned for more details coming in July.

Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations: Our Church's Leadership Team, at its recent meeting, received a report from the appointed COVID reopening team with the proposed date of July 12th to being gathering for worship once again. This will depend on functionality of video live streaming as well as the continued low rates of viral disease in our community. No Sunday School classes will resume until a later date, and several elements of worship will be adjusted such as seating arrangements, no passing of offering plates, and perhaps restricted singing. Handshake greetings should be avoided and masks must be worn within the building. More will be explained later, but know that these are all for our collective wellness. We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining “physical distance” for the safety and well-being of the vulnerable among us. The pastor and secretary continue to be available and in the office most of the week, so please feel free to call or email as you wish. We discourage in-person visits, however. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, and pastoral visits will be minimal. Please recognize that your church will require funds to continue basic operation of property and facility, fulfill pledged outreach giving, and maintain staff who will continue to minister whether in-person gatherings happen or not. Online giving is a simple and easy way to support your church and those it serves during this time, and it is accessible through our church website www.yorkfirst.org. Mailing your gifts and offerings to the church office is also welcome. Thank you to all who have given generously! We have been able to maintain our many outreach commitments thus far this year, and for that we give thanks! Look for other announcements on our website and facebook page , and as always you may read current and/or recent newsletters through our website for other updates (and past sermons if you have spare time). **Note that you do not even need a facebook account of you own to view the church's page there. If you do have a facebook account, please "like" our church's page to view updates there. The more you "like" and "comment" and "share" our content, the better it "travels" and will be seen by others. Do your part to freely spread our messages of ministry during this time. Thank you!!** Concerning the spread of COVID-19, here is a good resource with helpful links to other sites as well: https://covid19.brethren.org/ Be careful to pay attention to public health experts, rather than every news headline or comment from your neighbors. We must act responsibly for the well-being of all, not merely ourselves. This disease is real and a genuine threat to the lives of many. Thank you all for understanding and for your faithful participation in our life together. Stay apart from each other in body but close together in spirit. Talk to each other often, by phone especially. Please stay home and do your part to prevent the spread of contagious disease. That is how we can best love one another for the time being. God's comfort and peace be with you.

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Postponed and Canceled Events

Postponed Until 2021 Cross Keys Village, The Brethren Home Community 60th Annual Chicken BBQ, Car Show, & Auction scheduled for Sat., August 8th

Brethren Disaster Relief Auction Event in Lebanon scheduled for late September is canceled over pandemic concerns! This year's Lebanon Expo Brethren Disaster Relief Auction that has been a tradition since 1977 has been canceled because of the coronavirus crisis. The BDRA association determined the health concerns due to COVID-19 complicated the ongoing planning and volunteer coordination for the two-day event set to begin Sept. 25.    Event if current restrictions were lifted for opening of the Auction, it would be extremely difficult to have complete assurance that all volunteers, vendors and supporters would attend.   While the entire Board of Directors was heartbroken to make the decision, they feel it is a safer and more conscientious decision to take this year to continue fund raiding efforts with the Church of the Brethren (COB) organizations in central Pennsylvania. While this is sad news for the COB denomination and the Brethren Disaster Relief Ministry (the recipient of the Auction proceeds to rebuild disaster damaged areas), the Board of Directors look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.  ~ BDRA Board of Directors

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 2020 the gift card sales will support The Lehman Center (Children’s Aid Society), New Community Project, Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry, and LifePath Christian Ministries (formerly York Rescue Mission). 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 would like to support this outreach program while we are not meeting as a congregation during the Covid-19 pandemic, you can send your check to Becky Wenger, 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408. The Giant or Weis cards will be mailed to you.  Make your check out to York First Church.   Thank you for supporting this program. ~ Becky Wenger, Cash for Causes representative

If your birthday is in  JULY it is not on the below list or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.

01    Kathy Kovacs 02    Doug Martin 03    Jeanette Brickner 07    Dave Bradfield II 11    Jay Crist 13    Robert Sharp II 15    Bill Bernhardt 17    Deb Klinedinst 18    Betty Lynn Bernhardt 22    Sheryl Leaman 25    Erin Ferro 26    Beth Brickner 30    Sally Bingaman 31    Jill Wueschinski 31  Bethany Taylor

"Notes from the Console," Article 50, By Mike Frock   The Prelude this week is ‘Aria Tertia with Six Variations in F Major P.195’ from “Hexachordum Apollinis” by Johann Pachelbel. My interpretation of this piece is that there should be a consistent beat throughout the piece. The aria and each variation last about one minute, for a total duration of about seven minutes.   The Postlude this week is an arrangement of the hymn tune DUKE STREET (#49 “From all that dwell below the sky” and #319 “Jesus Shall Reign” in the Brethren Hymnal) by John Hatton and arranged by Benton Price.    I want to take the opportunity to express my thankfulness for Tim Beckwith and all the time that he spends working on A/V issues, in addition to everything else that he does for the church.  Tim has one of those jobs where it is easy to get blamed when something goes wrong and does not get enough credit when things go well.  And he takes on this responsibility as a volunteer.  Few, if any, people in the church see the amount of time he invests.  He comes in, usually in the evenings, and troubleshoots issues, researches solutions, and makes practice/trial recordings.  Over the last few months, he has spent much time, in person and on the phone, with Shawn Fife, the man who installed the sound system.  Tim has also now prepared step-by-step instructions for others helping with A/V to follow.  Recording the organ presents a set of new challenges not present when recording singers and speakers.  Namely, the organ has a much lower range than the human voice, and the organ speakers are far away from any of the microphones.  Tim always checks the organ levels before we begin recording and goes out of his way to ask me afterwards what I thought of the recordings.  Without Tim’s persistence, the recordings would not sound nearly as good as they do.   I also want to thank the anonymous person who dropped off Christmas cards for my mom and the many three-ring binders.  I will certainly put those to good use.  Lastly, I just wanted to let everyone know that the show that I was scheduled to play at the end of March, “Songs for a New World” at DreamWrights Community Theatre, has been rescheduled for September 11 th , 12 th , and 13 th .  It is hard to imagine what could happen in the next two months, but hopefully the show will happen. 

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 10:40-42 Message: "Welcome Rewards" 

CONTACTING THE PASTOR Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday - Thursday from 9:00 AM to noon. Afternoons and evenings are often 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 home phone number is (717)318-5442, and his cell 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 let hospital staff know that you would like the hospital to contact your pastor.

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”