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SUNDAY SCHEDULE **In-Person Gatherings are Suspended Until Further Notice Due to Public Health Concerns** 9:00 AM - Sunday School  10:30 AM - Worship, Sanctuary THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP March 29, 2020   SCRIPTURE LESSON: John 11:1-44    MESSAGE: “Let Him Go”

 Contents :  This Week Online Giving  Upcoming Events Directory Change Thank you Birthdays Save the Date Notes from the Console   Last Week Contacting the Pastor

Happening This Week Come and Worship! The Ministry of Jesus Continues... As we continue to walk through this time of "distancing" from each other in person, I invite us to follow all the more closely the journey of our Lord to its end - listening closely to what it will teach us about our situation today. "Do not be afraid" we are reminded, yet we also have the responsibility to "pay attention" to what is happening around us. I encourage you all to carve out an hour on Sunday morning, at a comfortable place in your home, with Bible in hand, and partake of our weekly time of prayer, music, and message. A children's story is included as well - so please worship with your entire family! Click on the "View Worship Video" button below to enter a time of worship with all who will do likewise this weekend. Note that the service has been pre-recorded and will be available to watch starting on Saturday March 28th. View Worship Video - YouTube This week we draw from John 11, the episode in which Jesus confronts the death of his friend Lazarus. I hope it speaks to your life and faith, and I trust that it brings a sense of nearness among this church family as well. It is our intention to present such a worship time each week, led by a few who keep appropriate distancing practices in place. Special thanks to Mike, David, Michele, and Tim for making this possible. The video can be viewed at any time, and it will be made public on our facebook page as of 9:00 AM Sunday morning. Please feel free to comment and share it freely as you wish. I welcome your comments and responses! - Pastor Joel Palm Sunday, Love Feast, and Holy Week Considering the ongoing threat of disease, especially concerning among large gatherings, most vulnerable demographics, and personal contact, we are suspending in-person worship at least through next Sunday ( Palm Sunday) and likely beyond. Sunday worship services will continue online unless further restrictions become necessary. Love Feast will be postponed until a later date, with hope that we can celebrate that blessed remembrance later this year when it does not threaten the health safety of our families. For Holy Week however, and beginning this week, see the announcement below of an opportunity to come, observe, and pray within the church sanctuary - alone but in solidarity with all who are lonely - Stations of the Cross.

Stations of the Cross: A Time for Reflection and Prayer March 30-April 10 During the next two weeks, prior to Easter, you will have an opportunity to focus on the experiences of Jesus Christ which led to his death and triumphant resurrection. The sanctuary will be set up with 16 "stations" where you can individually study visual images of Jesus, read a guided series of meditations, and pause to pray and reflect as you walk the Way of the Cross.   The Sanctuary will be open weekdays from Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 10 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM to further your spiritual journey during this Lenten season. *** This event is safely in accordance with social distancing practices. It is to be experienced alone and at any time or weekday of your choosing within these two weeks. We believe it will be an appropriate and meaningful experience for all who visit. *** Spiritual Enrichment Team:  Barbara Jo Brown, Judy Yingling, Becky Wenger, Pastor Joel Gibbel

The following resources are available on the table in the Gathering Area:  March Church of the Brethren Newsline Digest 2020 Directory, please feel free to pick up a copy Lenten Devotional Guides - "Holy Manna"

Prayer Requests

Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer and Event Announcements

Although in-person worship gatherings and events are largely 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. Updates!  One Great Hour of Sharing and Meat Canning are available for donating at Online Giving. You can also schedule your pledge payment to the Capital Campaign weekly, monthly or as a one time gift.   OLG is 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:  www.acionlinegiving.com/4706 . 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!!!!!

Church Website

Online Giving

Announcement concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations, At least through April 6, and likely beyond, we will not gather here at our building on Sundays for worship together, and any other large group events are canceled or postponed until further notice. UPDATE: Master Planning building project progress is being delayed at the moment as we evaluate our priorities, the needs of those we serve, current economic realities, and government closures which affect necessary permits. Small portions of project work may continue, but the overall bid package for building construction is on hold for now. Expect a letter in the near future with further explanation. We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining “social distance” for the safety and well-being of all. 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 has been severely restricted, and until we know just how widely this virus has spread pastoral visits will be minimal. We have several church members who have volunteered to assist any church members and friends who are in need at this time. If you are deliberately minimizing public contact and are in need of something, let us know and we can perhaps see that groceries or other essentials are delivered to your home. 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. 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). Concerning the spread of COVID-19, here is a good resource with helpful links to other sites as well: http://www.brethren.org/bdm/covid-19.html Be careful to pay attention public health experts, rather than every headline or comment from your neighbor. 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. Stay apart from each other in body but close together in spirit. Take time to study, pray, and appreciate this time of rest that is before us. Talk to each other often, by phone especially. Please stay home and do your part to "flatten the curve." That is how we can best love one another for the time being. God's comfort and peace be with you.

LOOKING FOR A FEW "FUN" 😊 PEOPLE! Do you enjoy helping at social events? First Church has different social events throughout the year, and help is needed to decorate, prepare food for set up, give ideas and just enjoy the camaraderie of those who attend. If this paints a picture of what you enjoy, then we need YOU on our Fellowship & Hospitality Team . Our committee holds 2- 3 events a year. Easter and Advent breakfast are two of the big events we share with the church by providing either a cooked or continental style breakfast for all members and visitors. Other events planned, but not definite, are a game day with snacks along with other events decided by the committee. We meet about 4 - 5 times a year to make decisions for events. If you feel you would like to join us for some fun on our team, we would love to have you.  Please email Dolly Furst for any other information or questions.

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY A family of Ukrainian immigrants - the Burlaka family - has recently been resettled in our neighborhood through Church World Service - refugees fleeing persecution and close relatives to others whom our church has served in the past and who worship with us on occasion. They are in need of beds, clothes, towels, a small desk, and perhaps a used vehicle. Prospects for employment and housing are also need that they will have going forward, as well as transportation to ESL classes in the near future. If you have interest in helping or can donate items, please talk to John Anderson, Witness Team chairperson, or Pastor Joel. We have committed to helping this family and they deeply appreciate any support we can offer. Thank you.

Upcoming Events  *** All Events are subject to change given the current situation. Forthcoming newsletters will offer more information as it becomes available. ***

Soup Kitchen - Friday April 10, 2020 - Sign up in the Narthex or by calling the church office to make a casserole or to work at the Soup Kitchen on Friday, April 10, 2020 (10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE add your name and number of casseroles, to the SIGN-UP sheet, so we can let the Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect.

Southern PA District COB 2020 District Women's Spring Luncheon Sat., April 25, 2020, 9:00 am . Held at Hanover Church of the Brethren, 601 Wilson Ave., Hanover, PA 17331. Isiah 43: 18-19 God is Doing a New Thing! ~ Session One will focus on what God is doing to revitalize, renew, restore, redeem and renovate ME. Session Two will focus on celebrating the ways God is renewing the CHURCH. Featured Speaker: Leah J. Hileman Brochure/Registration Form is posted on the bulletin board. Registration deadline: April 15th

DIRECTORY CHANGE P. 17 - John & Ruby Minnich Address corrected to read: 3470 Carlisle Road, DOVER, PA 17315

Thank you for your prayers, cards, and flowers. I am now at home. It was all greatly appreciated. - John Minnich To My Church Family, You all helped to make my surprise 80 th Birthday a really big surprise! Jodi and Jeff did a super job of disguising it and you all were so much a part. I love you all and the cards, notes, visits made a very reminiscent evening. Friends from cradle nursery long before we knew we would grow up treasured friends, grade school, Jr. High, and the six girlfriends forever from William Penn High School, nursing school friends, Central church family friends forever, seminary friends, neighbors and grandchildren and Gavin to be born in May. Who could ask for more blessings than this. Much love, hugs, and thank you again, Judy Yingling Stay safe and a virtual hug to all!

01 Jolene Zeigler 04 Louise Stremmel 04 Jaewoo Kim 06 Richard Brown 08 Meriam Copenheaver  08 Mark Minnich 09 Mike Martin 11 Nancy Jones 12 Vivian Fitzkee 12 Jacob Taylor

If your birthday is in  APRIL it is not on the below list or is listed incorrectly, please call the church office.    14 Sara Stoolmaker 15 Brad Nicholas 15 Christopher Striebig 19  Emily (Drawbaugh) Dietrich  19 Joel Baldwin 20  Frank Leaman 22  Ken Gordon 23  Greg Metzger 28  Julia Sweigard 29  Trish Ryan (Martin) 30  Mary Esther Anderson

Save the Date

EASTER EGG HUNT, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2020 *** This event may be suspended or dramatically adjusted to accommodate distancing. No meal will be provided. ***

2020 CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY *** Photo Directory for April 27-28 has been postponed, dates to be determined ***

CELEBRATION LUNCH - SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2020 The York First CoB Capital Campaign would like to invite you to the Celebration Lunch on Sunday, May 17 th immediately following the morning service. More information to follow.

‌	Volunteers Needed Vacation Bible School June 14-18, 2020 Sunday – Thursday Evenings 6:00 to 8:00 We need help with registration, decorating, nursery care, and group leaders. Please contact Diane Gibble if you are able to help!

SUGGESTIONS FROM THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE “Catch the Spirit, Build for the Future” has been chosen as the theme for our Capital Fund Campaign. Campaign visits are ongoing, and we hope you will prayerfully consider making a pledge to support our church's future. As the campaign advances, we want to share with you two tax saving options that may be available to you as you consider your pledge to the campaign. These options are qualified charitable distributions and donation of appreciated securities. Qualified Charitable Distribution If you are age 70½ or older, IRS rules require you to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) each year from your tax-deferred IRA’s. This additional taxable income may push you into a higher tax bracket and may also reduce your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions. For example, your taxable income helps determine the amount of your Social Security benefits that are subject to taxes. Keeping your taxable income level lower may also help reduce your potential exposure to higher Medicare premiums. To eliminate or reduce the impact of RMD income, you may want to consider making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from an IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. Amounts distributed as a QCD can be counted toward satisfying your RMD for the year and can also be excluded from your taxable income. This is not the case with a regular withdrawal from an IRA, even if you use the money to make a charitable contribution later on. In this scenario, the withdrawal would be counted as taxable income. You must be at least 70½ years old at the time you request a QCD. If you process a distribution prior to reaching age 70½, the distribution will be treated as taxable income. Funds must be transferred directly from your IRA custodian to the qualified charity. This is accomplished by requesting your IRA custodian issue a check from your IRA payable to the charity. You can then request that the check be mailed to the charity, or forward the check to the charity yourself. Donation of Appreciated Securities With the stock market setting all-time record highs, many investors are holding securities in their taxable accounts that have appreciated in value. Appreciated securities are investments that have increased in value from the time they were purchased, and can take the form of publicly traded stock, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), closely held stock, or mutual funds. For example, if a stock was purchased for $30 per share and sold for $50 per share, the stock has appreciated by $20 per share. When appreciated stock is sold, the owner generally realizes capital gains equal to the appreciation and may be liable for either short-term or long-term capital gains taxes. With a charitable gift of appreciated securities, the donation you make and the deduction you get are greater than they would be if you were to sell the shares and donate the cash proceeds instead. That is because when you donate shares, you avoid paying the capital gains tax. The church will receive the full market value of the securities donated. We encourage you to take advantage of these tax saving measures as you consider giving.

"Notes from the Console," Article 36, By Mike Frock What is a Fugue? The Prelude this week is “Fugue in D Major” (catalogue number P.153) by Johann Pachelbel. The Postlude this week is “With Majesty and Pomp” by John E. Boalt. Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was a German composer and organist. His name is remembered to history for his “Canon in D,” or commonly just called “Pachelbel’s Canon.” Pachelbel was from the middle Baroque Era and was influenced by the likes of Girolamo Frescobaldi and Johann Kerll. He composed a lot of both sacred and secular works and is remembered for his chorale preludes, fugues, and toccatas, as well as some other individual works.    I have played several of Bach’s fugues, and now I am playing a fugue by Pachelbel. I was asked what a fugue is. A “fugue” is a type of compositional technique which uses counterpoint. In the piece there are multiple different lines of music going on at the same time. These lines of music are called “voices” even though in organ/instrumental music there are no human voices/words/vocal music happening. There can be anywhere from two up to six or more different voices. The fugue features a “subject” which is a recurring musical theme. The subject is introduced in one voice at the beginning of the piece. Then the subject is introduced in another voice, and another voice. After the first iteration of the subject, the subject is often repeated at different pitches, a process called “imitation.”    For context I suggest going to YouTube and looking up the clip titled “Fugue for Tinhorns - Guys and Dolls (1955).” If you watch the video clip from the movie you can easily see what is happening in addition to hearing what is happening. The first guy who starts singing starts by singing the subject at 0:13. As the first guy keeps singing, the second guy comes in with the subject at 0:32. Those two guys keep singing and the third guy comes in with the subject at 0:38. Try not to focus on the words. Each of the three guys sings different lyrics, but the words are irrelevant to the form of the piece of music. The point is that they are all singing the same melody, i.e. the subject, at different times. They each sing the subject three times (nine repetitions total) before the ending coda. The fugue I will be playing has three voices, and the subject is repeated eleven times. 

LAST SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

Scripture Lesson: John 9:1-41 Message:   “Now I See”

CONTACTING THE PASTOR 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.

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.

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”