Pastor Joel will not be available from December 25th through January 1st.

If you have an urgent need please contact your deacon or call the church office. The church office will be closed on December 25th and January 1st.

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Sunday, December 24 – Christmas Eve

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary

7:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Sanctuary

(Music beginning at 6:30 pm)

*Special Offering for Katallasso Health Center*

Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day

Church Office Closed

Thursday, December 28

6:30 pm Choir Practice – Sanctuary

Saturday, December 30

10:00 am  Food Pantry Open 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Sunday, December 31

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

Click on this button to view the full calendar

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 Classes

9:00 AM in Rooms 151, 152, and 155. Children grades PreK (age 4) and up will have class lessons, with singing included as well. Children ages 3-4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care.

Youth Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 149. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 7-12. Youth will continue their series in the Shine curriculum.

Vine and Branches Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. Teacher Eric Miller. The class is using the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum entitled "Faith that Pleases God." This week's lesson will consider the

faith of Elizabeth and Mary as told in Luke 1.

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teacher Beth Anne Bahn. The lesson series is entitled "Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph" with Adam Hamilton. 

Homebuilders Class

Mondays - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM by conference call. To join, contact Mike Martin at

717-840-4184 or Caretaker@TwinBrookFarm.com and leave a phone number. The class studies lessons from the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum.  

RESULTS OF SPECIAL AFFIRMATION - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

A special Congregational Forum was held on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

The results of the Special Affirmation are as follows:

Cheryl Weyant Alternate District Conference Delegate for District conference 2024. Unanimous affirmed 54 Ballots.



Kim Witkovsky Deacon for years 2024 through 2026.

53 Affirmed with one abstension.

NEW MEETING DATES FOR CONGREGATIONAL FORUM

2024 Congregational Forums will be held on May 5, and November 3.

In ensuing years the Congregational Forum will be on the

first Sundays of May and November.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

December 24 - Morning Worship 10:30 AM and Christmas Eve Service 7:00 PM

January 7 - Epiphany Sunday, Leadership Consecration, Bread and Cup Communion

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, January 12, 2024

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, January 12, 2024 (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!

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

Read news updates by clicking the link below

You may also subscribe to receive Newsline via email if you wish

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, and capital campaign contributions, as well as many other specific outreach ministries that we sponsor.

2024 OFFERING ENVELOPES

Are available for pickup on the counter in the gathering area.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Some envelope numbers have changed for 2024.

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 (2023) envelopes after DECEMBER 31, 2023.

DO NOT use your new (2024) envelopes before JANUARY 1, 2024.



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

I feel so blessed to be part of our 1st Church family. Thank you so much for your prayers, calls, cards, and help.

With a grateful heart ~ Pat Trimmer

I just wanted to thank you everyone for their support and prayers for my family this year. It is greatly appreciated. I wish you all a Merry Christmas! ~ Karen Bowman

LOOK WHO'S

CELEBRATING

THIS MONTH

07  Greg Minnich

09  Jeffrey Yingling        

11  Nathan Beuschlein

14  Beth Drawbaugh

14  Clarence Sauder

15  Ron Horner

15  Steven Fitzkee

16  Cathy McCracken

16  Tanner Ferro    

If your birthday is in JANUARY and is

not on the list below or is listed incorrectly,

please contact the church office.

18  Melanie Schaefer

19  Luke Miller   

20  Spencer Ginder

20  Dana Stump

23  Danielle Gibbel

23  Beth Anne Bahn

25  Jeff Miller

25  Valerie Sauder

Click on button to

“Check out” these books that are new to

The First Church Library!

Directions for borrowing a book can be found on the countertop to the right after entering through the library door. We kindly ask that you take a maximum of two (2) books at one time and return at least one (1) before selecting a new one. Please sign and leave the white card in the blue flowerpot. When finished reading your book(s), return the book(s) to the multilevel shelf labeled “Book Return”.

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 2023 the gift card sales will support The Lehman Center (Children’s Aid Society), New Community Project, and Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry. 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.

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

December 17, 2023

SCRIPTURE LESSON:

Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11, Matthew 5:14-16

MESSAGE:

“Choir Cantata: City on a Hill” 



If you need to reach the pastor outside of office hours, 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.