SUNDAY SCHEDULE
WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online
Please See Below for Sunday School Class Information
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THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP
August 23, 2020
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Matthew 16:13-20
MESSAGE:
“On Earth as it is in Heaven"
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Contents:
This Week
Sunday School News
Youth Group News
COB Newsline
Online Giving
Upcoming Events
Thank you
Directory Change
Notes from the Console
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
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"On Earth as it is in Heaven"
This Sunday, Pastor Eric Landram will be leading us in worship and giving a message drawn from Matthew 16. I am very grateful for his willingness to serve us in this way and the work of preparation that he has done. Eric serves as Lead Pastor for the Lititz Church of the Brethren - many of whom will be joining us online this week. I am confident that his words will challenge and encourage us in our faith, and I hope you all appreciate his ministry with us.
- Pastor Joel
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.
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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.
*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!
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York First Livestream/YouTube Instructions
Step #3 (optional but helpful): Download the YouTube app to your smartphone.
Step #4: In the Friday e-news, click on the upcoming worship service link. On YouTube, Click the ‘Set Reminder’ button. You will need to be logged into your gmail/youtube account. When we go live on Sunday morning (typically a few minutes before 10:30), you should receive an email notification and a smartphone notification if you have downloaded it to your smartphone and have the notifications set up. Then you can just click the link in the notification to view the live video.
If at any time you have issues accessing the link, please refresh the page or visit our YouTube Channel page.
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ORDER OF SERVICE
10:30 AM, August 23, 2020
Prelude “Musette in D Major”
Welcome and Invocation Prayer
Hymn “Here in this place”
Children's Time
TIME OF PRAYER
Call to Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the Church
GIFTS AND OFFERING
Invitation to Give
“These Things are True of You” Michele Gibbel
Prayer of Dedication
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
Message: "On Earth as it is in Heaven"
Hymn "Fairest Lord Jesus"
Sending Prayer
Postlude “With Praise and Thanksgiving”
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This Week: Gathering
This Sunday once again, our church building will be open for worship attendance. Please view the video below from last week for more information related to expectations and guidelines for our safety, as well as the written portion further below entitled "Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations." This remains a "soft opening" and not any sort of grand return-to-normal, as many parts of this nation struggle with COVID-19 very much at present. Since rates are relatively low in our area, we trust that small gatherings can be done with a high degree of safety.
We encourage staying at home rather than attending in person. Those who wish to attend may do so, so long as guidelines are practiced and we all remain healthy. Thank you all for your patience, concern, and encouragement in recent weeks!
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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 [email protected], 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
8:00 pm by zoom (video) conference. If you wish to be included and haven't received an email already, please contact Pastor Joel at [email protected], 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 Diane Gibble.
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 [email protected], 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 is based on James 3, entitled "Taming the Tongue." We'll discuss how significant our own voice can influence others, for good or for evil.
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 [email protected]. Thanks, and we look forward to this special time together!
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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. |
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For those of you working with our children at church:
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!
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Church of the Brethren Denominational News
Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org
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July/August Church of the Brethren
Newsline Digest
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Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer
and Event Announcements
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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.
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!!!!!
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Peg Crist Celebration of Life Service - Sunday, August 23, 2020 at York First Church of the Brethren. Please join us for a celebration of life service to honor the beautiful life of Peg Crist. We will be gathering to share some of our favorite memories and our stories to laugh, to cry, and remember a wonderful person who is greatly missed. Visitation will be held at 2:00 pm. The service will begin at 3:00 pm followed by a catered buffet and gathering in the Fellowship Hall.
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SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 - Sign up by calling Audrey Ginder,
717-755-6785 to make a casserole for the Soup Kitchen on Friday, Sept. 11, 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!
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Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:
Since video live-streaming is fully functional and COVID-19 cases remain relatively low in our area, we believe that we can responsibly resume worship gatherings, so long as they are small and well-distanced.
That said, staying home remains the safest option, and we commend doing so to prevent spread of contagious disease. Worship will be recorded and live streamed each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM whether anyone is in attendance or not. We remain a committed body of Christ's faithful disciples whether we gather in person or not. We are simply allowing in-person attendance for those who desire to do so. Thank you all in advance for choosing wisely how and where you will worship.
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 restricted singing. Handshake greetings should be avoided and masks must be worn within the building. Sanctuary windows and doors will be open, so expect warm and humid conditions. Please know that all of these measures are 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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Prayer Shawl Coordinator Needed
After 15 years as leader of the Prayer Shawl Ministry it is time for new leadership. The ministry has made approximately three hundred and fifty shawls and numerous hats and scarfs.
I continue to believe this is a meaningful outreach of First Church.
We have willing knitters, but need someone with new ideas to oversee this program. I am willing to meet with and help anyone that may have questions when considering the coordinating position.
I am very thankful for the many, past and present, members of this group that have faithfully given of their time, talent and prayers.
God Bless, Barb Wueschinski - 717-792-9860
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Embroidered Cotton Face Masks
Now Available through
Brethren Press
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Three styles to choose from:
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- For the Glory of God and My Neighbor's Good
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Save 20% on purchases of 10 or more
Click on button for additional information
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Thank you for the cards and get well wishes after my knee replacement surgery. Thank you to everyone! Ed Sweigard
Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers as both Joel and Danielle recover at home from surgery. The cards, calls, meals, food, and special treats are greatly appreciated. We are thankful to be part of such a generous and thoughtful congregation.
Blessings & Peace, Pastor Joel, Michele, Micah & Danielle
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Directory Change
P. 16 - Rebecca McCracken
Add phone numbers: Home (717) 741-4955 and Cell (717) 332-0510
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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.
Beginning July 12, I plan to attend our in-person worship services and will have the gift cards available for your purchase before or after the service. However, if you will not be attending our in-person worship services, I will continue to send cards in the mail if you want to support this outreach ministry. 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
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"Notes from the Console," Article 57, By Mike Frock
Bach Family Tree: Part 2
This week the organ, and/or the organ speakers, developed a low-frequency humming sound. While the organ still plays fine, that hum is always there and it would be annoying to listen to that hum, even if the organ was only turned on while being played. The organ repairman has been contacted, but he is out of town until next week. I think this is probably a very minor issue, but in the meantime, this Sunday’s service will be played entirely on piano. The Postlude this week is “With Praise and Thanksgiving” by Lani Smith. The Prelude is “Musette in D Major” BWV Anh. 126 by J.S. Bach. This is a very accessible and short but charming little piece for the piano. All of Bach’s works are catalogued with a BWV number. But what is “Anh.”? Anh. is an abbreviation for the German word “anhang” which means “appendix.” In Bach’s BWV catalogue, there are 1,128 “regular” pieces and then another 208 pieces labeled as BWV Anh. These 208 pieces are an “appendix” to the regular body of work and are given the Anh. designation usually because of doubtful authenticity.
Here are some more notes on the very large and very complicated Bach family tree. I recommend looking up my Facebook post from August 19th, or going to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bach_family, both of which show a partial Bach family tree and the relations of all the people mentioned in this article. J.S. Bach’s father had a first cousin named Johann Michael Bach (J.S Bach’s first cousin once removed). Johann Michael had a daughter named Maria Barbara Bach who would be J.S. Bach’s second cousin. J.S. Bach married his second cousin (who did not have to change her last name!) as his first wife. This also made Johann Michael both J.S. Bach's first cousin once removed and his father-in-law. Together Johann Sebastian and Maria Barbara had sons Wilhelm Friedemann Bach and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. CPE Bach had a son (J.S. Bach’s grandson) also named Johann Sebastian Bach (1748-1778) who became a painter. When first wife Maria died, J.S. Bach remarried Anna Magdalena Wilcke (of Anna Magdalena Notebook fame), and together they had sons Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach and Johann Christian Bach. JCF Bach had a son (another of J.S. Bach’s grandsons) named Wilhelm Friedrich Ernst Bach, which must have also been confusing with his half-uncle Wilhelm Friedemann Bach.
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Scripture Lesson:
Matthew 15:10-20 & 21-28
MESSAGE:
"Deep and Enduring Faith"
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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. |
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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.
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Our Mission Statement:
“People dedicated to Spiritual Growth, Loving Relationship, and Sacrificial Service”
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Our Vision Statement:
“To become a community of committed Christians who Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
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