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
November 22, 2020
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Ephesians 1:15-23
MESSAGE:
“All in All”
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Contents:
This Week
Sunday School News
Youth Group News
Upcoming Events
COB Newsline
Online Giving
Notes from the Console
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
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"I have heard of your faith..."
This week in worship we will mark the conclusion of the present "church year" as we look forward to the start of Advent next Sunday, November 29. Our scripture lesson offers a prayer of thanks and encouragement alongside a word of praise for the church's continuing growth in hope and wisdom that is from God. What does it mean to have gained a reputation, such that others would come to "have heard of your faith"? What is our reputation today, and how might we be reminded of our calling as God's people?
As Ephesians 1 states, we the church are Christ's body, "the fullness of him who fills all in all." As we enter the winter season that lies ahead, I call us to remember who the true authority for us must be: Jesus, who is not merely "Lord of spiritual affairs" but is the head over all things. He is the measure of what is most real and has shown us what is good. May we become fully aware of his presence and power, no matter the temporary challenges we face. Come and join with the whole church in worship, either in person or online.
~ Pastor Joel
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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 Sunday. |
The video will be available to view after the worship hour in case you miss the 10:30 AM 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 lounge any weekday. Sermon manuscripts are also available upon request. We hope no one is missing out!
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ORDER OF SERVICE
10:30 AM, November 22, 2020
Prelude "'My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker' and
'Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow'"
Welcome And Announcements
Invocation Prayer
Hymn “God of the earth, the sky, the sea”
Children's Time
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Call to Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
GIFTS AND OFFERING
Offering Invitation
Offertory "Give Thanks"
Prayer of Blessing
RECEIVING GOD'S WORD
Scripture Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Message “All in All”
Song of Response “The church’s one foundation”
Sending Prayer
Postlude "We Gather Together"
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ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKS are available to be picked up in the Lounge.
"Give Light" by James Benedict
Light and darkness are used in the Bible to describe the coming of the Messiah, God's redeeming work through Jesus Christ. These images reveal Jesus as the "true light" that came into the world, shining in us and through us. This light gives hope and brings life.
Please take one and use it this Advent Season
Advent Decorating Note:
Volunteers are no longer needed for Saturday, November 28 to assist with decorations. Due to construction progress, decorating will be staggered and sufficient volunteers are already scheduled. Thank you to all who are serving us behind the scenes!
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David Diehl Memorial Fund
Our beloved choir director David Diehl passed away this Thursday, November 12, and his family has decided to wait until a later time to hold a memorial service, due to the pandemic. For now, the church is planning gifts in honor and memory of David's 20-plus years of Music Leadership.
Gifts suggested include the following:
- Junior and Youth Symphony Scholarships
- First Church Music Instrumentalists Fund
(David maintained this fund over the years as his contribution to First Church)
- A tree in David's honor as part of the landscaping plans being developed
If you want to show your appreciation for David's service to First Church, you can make a tax-deductible contribution to the church. Designate the David Diehl Fund and indicate where you want to direct your contribution. You may mail it to the church office or drop in the church offering plate.
The church has also set up a link to the church’s on-line giving website where contributions can be sent to the church in honor and memory of David. The church will acknowledge the gifts and forward them as a group to the Junior and/or Youth Symphony in David’s memory.
From there you will see the option to donate to David’s fund.
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Photo Directory Update
Thank you to all who had photos taken last month! You should have received your prints by now. A few updates as we move forward with directory design:
- If you were not able to sit for photos last month, there is still a chance to be included in the directory! See below for options:
- You may arrange to have someone take your photo and submit the digital file to the church - we will then forward it to the directory production company for inclusion. It may be professionally done or simply a photo taken in your home. Please try to provide a clean and neutral-color backdrop for the photo. Email the photo to [email protected]
- You may be able to re-use the photo from our directory produced 6 years ago. Contact the church office and request this if you like.
- The directory design will take weeks or perhaps even months to complete, so there is still time to get in it. If anyone has some quality digital photos of the building, sanctuary, or from recent church events, please send them to [email protected] and we may be able to include them within the opening pages. Thank you!
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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 meets 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. This week the class will continue a series on "Hearing God" led by Pastor Joel.
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, entitled "Sharing Love." This week the lesson explores Acts 4-5, in which we learn how the earliest church shared their resources, with a few tragic exceptions. Come and join us!
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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Plans are being made for several youth group gatherings this fall. While we are not planning to resume in-person Sunday School this season, the Education Team is planning for times of both learning and service. Please pay attention to future newsletters for more information! |
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COOKIE BAKERS NEEDED - The Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry
REMINDER - Homemade Cookies Needed
Bring your homemade cookies to the lounge on Sunday morning, November 29, and place on the table. If needed, John Anderson is willing to pick up your cookies. Please contact John at (717) 848-1065 or (717) 880-9980.
Thank you for sharing the love of Christ with others.
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SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, Dec. 11, 2020
Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for the Soup Kitchen on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 (10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE contact Sandi to add your name and number of casseroles, so we can let the Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect. Due to renovations, the pans are now located in the church lounge. Thank you!
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JOIN US IN
CELEBRATING
THE KING AT
CAMP EDER
● Christmas Lights & Music ● Hay Rides Fri. & Sat. Night 5-9 pm ● Decorated Trees
● Tree Decorating Contest ● Delicious Turkey Dinner & Soup (per donation)
● Luminary Garden (honoring our loved ones) ● Bakes Sale ● Cozy Fires
● Warm Drinks and lots of cookies (free) ● Kid's Activities ● Live Music
GIVING JOYFULLY This time of year can be very difficult for families. Please bring any amount of the following items for local families in need: Small bags of rice, oatmeal, applesauce, and cereals. All donations will go to Fairfield families in need via
Fairfield Mennonite Church Food Pantry.
HONOR A LOVED ONE. DEDICATE A LUMINARY.
On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 & 12, Camp Eder will hold our annual Christmas Tree Festival. In addition to our holiday lights, we will be lighting luminaries to honor our loved ones. Luminaries are $5 each and one dedicated person per luminary. Please print and fill out the form below and return with payment.
DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE
Have some fun decorating a tree at Camp Eder. Everyone is invited to compete in the tree decorating contest. Voting will be during the Christmas Tree Festival December 11-12. The Christmas Tree Festival is a great opportunity to get involved with Camp Eder and our surrounding community. Trees are limited, so you will want to sign up soon.
Please fill out the following information and we will get back to you on your assigned tree. Trees are assigned on first come first serve basis and we must receive your Christmas tree sponsor form to reserve your tree.
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RENOVATIONS IN PROGRESS
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16, 2020
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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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November 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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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 in person 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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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.
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 70, By Mike Frock
Is Music Theory Racist? Part 8
This Sunday, November 22nd, is the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The music this Sunday is in keeping with the Thanksgiving recognition. The Prelude is an interesting piece I found by Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703). Originally, Bach titled the piece as an arrangement of the hymn “Nun lob mein Seel den Herrn” or “My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker.” The book in which I found the piece calls it “‘My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker’ and ‘Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow.’” The two hymns begin with the same notes, but they have different meters and hence different rhythms. The Bach arrangement is a fughetta which uses the first few notes of the hymns as the subject. In my opinion (and the book editor’s opinion), considering the meter and rhythm, the way that Bach uses the subject is closer to the “Praise God” hymn than the “My Soul” hymn. However, I might just be biased because I am more familiar with “Praise God” than “My Soul,” which is more popular in the Lutheran denomination. I will play a verse of “Praise God,” then a verse of “My Soul,” and then the arrangement. You can make you own decision. The Offertory is “Give Thanks” by Henry Smith. The Postlude is an arrangement of the hymn “We Gather Together” (#17 in the Brethren Hymnal), harmonized by Edward Kremser and arranged by Franklin Ritter.
I previously discussed Adam Neely’s YouTube video which was published on September 7th. Then I discussed Alex Ross’ New Yorker article published on September 14th. The third publication to come out was an article titled “How Beethoven’s 5th Symphony Put the Classism in Classical Music,” written by Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding, and published on September 16th on the Vox website. What drew more attention was the publication of a fourth article written in direct response to the third. This article was titled “Canceling Beethoven Is the Latest Woke Madness for the Classical-Music World,” written by Jonathan Tobin, and published in the September 17th issue of the New York Post. In Tobin’s article he claimed that the Vox article stated that people were trying to cancel Beethoven. However, that was a completely inaccurate interpretation of what was written in the Vox article. Furthermore, this was quite an incendiary article in which it seemed that Tobin was adding an unnecessary layer of politics into the discussion.
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Scripture Lesson:
Matthew 25:14-30
Message:
“Trading or Hiding?”
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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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