SUNDAY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM
Please See Below for Sunday School Class Information

WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP:
November 21, 2021

SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Psalm 132:1-18

MESSAGE:
“My Resting Place”

Listening Assistance Devices are here for those worshiping in person!  

You may use your own smartphone and download the iPhone app here or the Android app here and bring your own headphones. Please note, you need to be connected to the church wifi (SimplePeace2gether) to listen. You may also see the AV person in the back right corner for a device as well.  
Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer
Click for Weekly Calendar of Events
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 Class
Children's Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM each Sunday, in-person, in the classrooms just past the nursery. Children grades PreK and up will have class lessons, with singing mid-hour as well. Children ages 4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care, which may include a brief lesson in addition to playtime. All children are welcome!

*********
Adult Sunday School Classes will be combined on November 21
Come to the Sanctuary at 9:00 AM for our "Jesus in the Neighborhood" Presentation
Coffee and refreshments will be provided. Come and learn more about how several prominent organizations serve neighbors in need and how we can both support them and serve alongside them with our own ministry and witness work. Thank you to the Spiritual Enrichment Team for planning and implementing this program series.

Presenter is as follows:
November 21: LifePath Christian Ministries
Children's Ministry Schedule
ALIGNING WITH GOD'S PURPOSE
A Process of Discovery and Growth

A big thank you to all who attended the event on Sunday November 7th at 4PM, in which we worked on a congregational timeline with Pastor Greg Davidson Laszakovits, our facilitator and consultant working in cooperation with the VITAL Team. In case you were not able to attend, a recording is available below. We had a lovely time together, and there was a great deal of opportunity for sharing from all participants!

The next step in this process involves Greg entering further conversation with many of us through interviews, opportunities to share one-on-one your experiences with our congregation, where it excels, and where we stand to grow. Please sign up for a time slot in the Gathering Area for your chance to share, and some of you may expect a phone call requesting time for an interview. Be assured that this is important and necessary next step in our process, and we hope to hear from very many of you!

Here are upcoming dates for interviews. Please be prepared to sign up for a 30-minute spot within the following blocks:
Sunday November 21, 4-7PM
Wednesday December 1, 8-11AM
Monday December 6, 10AM-5PM
Tuesday December 7, 5-9PM
Thursday December 9, 10AM-5PM
2021 ADVENT DEVOTIONALS

“Do Not Be Afraid” by Angela Finet

In the Gospel of Luke, angels proclaimed, Do not be afraid, to Zechariah, to Mary, and to the shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. As we revisit these timeless texts, may the words that envelope this holy story reassure us in times of anxiety and darkness. Emmanuel. God with us.
The advent books are available for pick up in the Narthex.
Please take one per household and let it guide you this Advent Season.
POINSETTIA ORDERS

Jolene Zeigler will begin taking orders for poinsettias this Sunday and next. Please reserve your quickly if you would like to do so. You may purchase them “in honor, in memory, or in appreciation of ” someone if you wish. The cost is $ 12.00 each for a red 6" poinsettia. You may also email or call the church office to place your order.
YORK FIRST COB SHIRTS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE

There are a limited number of York First Church of the Brethren burgundy shirts available for purchase at $20/ea. They are polo style burgundy, wrinkle free shirts. We have ladies sizes, small, medium, large and x-large and four men’s large shirts available. Deb Klinedinst will have the shirts available this Sunday and if you need to contact Deb email her at dlkgdk@comcast.net

LADIES BIBLE STUDY & CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

Nov. 23 - No Class
Nov. 30 - Cookies for Truck Stop Ministry & short lesson - Lounge
Dec. 7 - Christmas Luncheon together - The Blue Heron, 3320 E. Market St.
Dec. 14 - Bible Study - the last on the study of Esther
Dec 21 - No Class - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! See you all after the new year. 
Online Giving
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!!!!!
Upcoming Events
UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS / DATES TO REMEMBER:

November 27 - Advent Decorating - Saturday 9:00 AM

December 5 - Advent Breakfast - Sunday 9:00 AM
December 12 - Caroling Outdoors following Sunday worship
December 12 - Dallastown High School Choral Ensemble - Sunday 3:00 PM, Sanctuary
December 19 - Choir Cantata during Sunday worship
December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Friday 7:00 PM
VOLUNTEER TO DECORATE FOR ADVENT SEASON
Saturday, November 27 - 9:00 AM

Advent is fast approaching and it is time to decorate the
narthex and sanctuary for the Christmas season.

We are inviting anyone who would be willing to have
fun and share your decorating skills join us on
Saturday., November 27th at 9:00 AM.
COOKIE BAKERS NEEDED

First Church cookie bakers are needed to put their talent to work because we are again packing homemade cookies for the truckers which will be handed out to them during the month of December at the Carlisle Truck stops. The Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry chaplains will do so.

Please put your freshly baked homemade cookies on the table in the church lounge by Monday, November 29th. They definitely MUST be there by 9:30 AM Tuesday morning, November 30th. The Ladies Bible Study group will pack them in the decorated bags that morning.
Thank you so much for helping to brighten a truck driver's day!  
OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, December 10, 2021
Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for
Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, December 10, 2021 (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! 

JOIN US IN
CELEBRATING
THE KING


Come and join us for an evening of family festive fun at Camp Eder! 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 a beautiful festival you most certainly will not want to miss!
Friday & Saturday, December 10 & 11, 5pm-9pm
● Christmas Lights & Music
● Hay Rides Friday & Saturday Night 5-8pm
● 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    
● Live Music

Click on button below to view
the Sponsorship Form for the
Christmas Tree Festival
Church of the Brethren Denominational News
Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org
Church of the Brethren
Newsline Digest - November 2021


You can help shape the future of the church!



Each member of the Church of the Brethren is invited to recommend possible nominees for the 2022 Annual Conference ballot. As you pray about this, who comes to mind? Whom will the Lord prompt you to nominate? We encourage you to talk with the person you are planning to nominate, to gauge their interest, but more importantly to talk with them about the gifts and skills you see in them, to encourage them to prayerfully consider the call, and to encourage them to fill out the information following your nomination. The nomination isn't complete until they have responded.

Go to: www.brethren.org/ac/nominations to make your nomination or for more information.
The “Request for Nominations” document (PDF - click below) will help clarify position that need to be filled. We need nominees from every part of the church. Submit all nominations by December 1, 2021. The earlier, the better!
Thanks for all who saved used stamps this past year and placed them in the stamp box in the lounge at church. The Brethren Home Community at Cross Keys is still using them to buy needed supplies for residents at the home.
Keep them coming in. Thank you! ~ Keyperson, Anna Miller
DIRECTORY CHANGES

P. 16 - Jackie LeGrand - New email address: jakilegrand50@gmail.com

LOOK WHO'S
CELEBRATING
THIS MONTH


02  Melinda Carlson
02  Larry Logue
04  Haley Grace Yingling
04  Paige Noelle Yingling
07  Brynleigh McCracken
08  Todd Plymire
10  Barbara Rollman
12  Bob Stoolmaker
12  Tim Beckwith
14  Peggy Metzger
14  Christina Deitch
14  Kelly Boogher 

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


15  Dave Bradfield, Sr 
16  Brad Shenk
17  Jon Beuschlein
17  Linda Min
18  Eric Brickner
18  Julie Ilyes
21  Lindsey McCracken
23  Dave McCracken
24  Matthew Klinedinst
26  Emma Stoolmaker
29  Stephen M. Hoover 
Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:

The church Leadership Team has approved updated policy on face coverings for our gatherings: following with CDC guidance, masks are now optional for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. For those not vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask indoors. We are on the honor system and are trusting all attendees to respect this policy. All are welcome, as always, and we hope for further updates moving forward.

Staying home remains the safest option, yet we commend and affirm in-person gatherings as the ideal. Worship will be live streamed on our YouTube channel and recorded each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM indefinitely, but it is not intended to "replace" physical attendance long-term. So long as you are comfortable being near others, please plan to join our services of worship, classes, and other events.

Most Sunday School classes have resumed meeting in person. Check the class information above for weekly updates.

We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining some “physical distancing” 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. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, although Pastor Joel is open to home visits as requested.

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.

Thank you all for understanding and for your faithful participation in our life together. Please do your part to prevent the spread of contagious disease, as a holy expression of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
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 2021 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.

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
LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP


SCRIPTURE LESSON:
John 11:17-27,38-44

MESSAGE:
“Raising the Dead”




Jesus in the Neighborhood

York County Food Bank Presentation



CONTACTING THE PASTOR
Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to noon, and usually well into the afternoon as well. Afternoons and evenings may be 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 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 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”