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CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

7:00 PM, December 24, 2022 


A Service of Lessons and Carols


SCRIPTURE LESSONS:

Isaiah 9:2,6-7, Luke 1:26-38

Luke 2:1-10


CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP

10:30 AM, December 25, 2022


SCRIPTURE LESSON:

 John 1:1-14

                         

MESSAGE:

“The Light of All People”

Contents:



This Week


Prayer Requests

and Calendar


Sunday School News


Children's Ministry Schedule


Online Giving


Upcoming Events


COB News


Thank you


Last Week


Contacting the Pastor 

Happening This Week

Jesus Christ is Born!

God's Greatest Gift, the Light of the World


The Celebration before us needs little explanation or introduction... Christmas is here, and we intend to worship Christ the newborn king as a church gathered and united in our love and devotion to the Lord.


Our Christmas Eve Service will begin at 7:00 PM , with pre-service music beginning shortly after 6:30 PM on Saturday. The service will feature scripture lessons, carols, anthems, children's time, offering, and candle-lighting. Appropriate for all ages, families big and small will worship together in remembrance of our dear savior's birth.


On Sunday morning, we will worship at 10:30 AM, complete with a message based on John 1, a unique but important telling about the meaning of "Christmas" much different than the one we read on Christmas Eve!


Come and worship with us, as we join our voices and spirits in celebration of the God who has come to us and dwells among us always. All are welcome.


* Note: Those who ordered poinsettias which now decorate our sanctuary, please leave them until Christmas morning if you are able, then take them home to enjoy. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

SUNDAY SERVICE DECEMBER 25, 2022

Live Stream Worship

Our worship services are available via YouTube for those who wish to join that way. Click the links below shortly before the services begin to join in: 6:45 PM on Saturday and 10:30 AM on Sunday or anytime afterward.  DVD copies of the services are also available.

Click here to view the bulletins for the Christmas Eve Service and this Sunday's Christmas Day Service.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
This Sunday's Bulletin - Christmas Day

OUR CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING THIS YEAR WILL SUPPORT HEIFER INTERNATIONAL



Please make checks payable to York First Church of the Brethren, noting Heifer or Christmas Eve Offering, or you may give online at http://osvhub.com/york-first/funds and select Christmas Eve Offering


How Heifer International Began:


In 1944, Dan West began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War.


He’d seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family. 


His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.



These days, Heifer International generally provides animals to participating families through local channels in the countries we serve. But early on, the organization shipped livestock from the United States to other countries. During their travels, these animals were cared for by "seagoing cowboys": ranchers and farmers who aided Heifer in its mission by lending their expertise in animal husbandry and agriculture.

There will be no Sunday School on December 25 and January 1

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES


Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve

7:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Sanctuary


Sunday, December 25 – Christmas Day

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary


Monday, December 26

Church Office Closed


Thursday, December 29

7:30 pm Choir Practice – Sanctuary


Sunday, January 1 – New Year’s Day

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary

Church Calendar


Click on this button to view the full calendar

Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer

Prayer Requests

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.

Children's Ministry Schedule

2023 OFFERING ENVELOPES

Are available for pickup on the counter in the narthex.

 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING

1.   Some envelope numbers have changed for 2023.

2.  If you are using Online Giving, your envelope number is in the 200 range, and you will not receive a box of envelopes. See the listing located with the boxes of envelopes.

3.   TO ASSURE CORRECT RECORDING OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS, DO NOT use your old (2022) envelopes after DECEMBER 31, 2022.                                                                 

DO NOT use your new (2023) envelopes before JANUARY 1, 2023.

4.   If you would like to receive envelopes, please inform the church secretary and she will see that they are provided.

Thank you

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!


NOTE: Online giving can be used for regular weekly or monthly offerings, special offerings (e.g. Christmas Eve), and capital campaign contributions, as well as many other specific outreach ministries that we sponsor.

Church Website
Online Giving
Upcoming Events

DATES TO REMEMBER



Saturday December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00 PM

Sunday December 25 - Christmas Day Worship 10:30 AM

Sunday January 8 - Bread and Cup Communion 10:30 AM


LADIES BIBLE STUDY


WILL BEGIN MEETING AGAIN ON JANUARY 10, 2023

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, January 13, 2023

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, January 13, 2023 (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! 

CAMP EDER WINTER CAMP 2023

JANUARY 27TH - 29TH

For Grades 1st - 12th & Shining Stars Campers


Arrive 7:00 PM Friday - Pickup 2:00 PM Sunday

Grab your sleds and strap on your snow boots and join us for a weekend of winter fun at Camp Eder!

Click below to register online or

contact Camp Eder at campeder@campeder.org or (717) 642-8256

Online Registration
Church of the Brethren Denominational News

Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org

December issue of the Southern PA District Newsletter

Click on the button for current

Church of Brethren News

COB Newsline

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 2022 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’d like to support this program, please see Becky Wenger before/after worship service OR mail your check (paid to York First Church) to 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408 and your cards will be mailed to you.

The Education Team would like to share free monthly video links from Teepa Snow. Hoping you will get a chance to watch them and learn something that may be helpful when dealing with those you come in contact with who have dementia.

Teepa Snow’s care strategies and techniques look at what is known about brain function and changes that happen with various conditions and integrate that information with therapeutic approaches. December's link is:

The GEMS characteristics focus on ability instead of loss and are an invaluable tool to assist with changing abilities that impact relationships and expectations.  https://youtu.be/Z6UVjp_y8HY

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP



SCRIPTURE LESSON:

Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25


MESSAGE:

“The Gift of Love”


HOLIDAY CONCERT

FOR JOANNA


Sunday December 18, 2022


If you were not able to join us in person, please enjoy this beautiful concert featuring Christine Wuhrman, Becca Miller, and friends.

CONTACTING THE PASTOR

Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Some 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 contact the church if you desire a visit or to request prayer.

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”