Sunday, December 15th - New Community Project Presentation

On Sunday December 15, Dianne and Barry Hollinger will present a report about their trip to Nepal with new Community Project last year during the Sunday School hour, 9:00 AM in Room 154. All are welcome to come and learn more about the concerns for environmental justice and empowerment of women there, and how NCP is working to make a difference. Join us!

CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND FELLOWSHIP SUPPER

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Caroling 3-5 pm

Fellowship Meal 5-7 pm

We are inviting all to join us December 15 for singing Christmas carols followed

by a meal together!

Please click on the button for complete details for these events.

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

5:45 p.m. - Chapel



This is a worship service scheduled around the winter solstice (the longest night of the calendar year) which always occurs around December 21st every year. It offers a time of reflection and remembrance, of silence, song and scripture to calm and lift up our spirits in the midst of the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. It can transform the darkness and heaviness in our souls to joy and freedom as we celebrate the true “Light of the World” in Jesus Christ. 

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined.” Isaiah 9:2 (NRSVUE)

Please click on buttton

for complete details.

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, December 14

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

Sunday, December 15

9:00 am   Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

12:00 pm  Deacon’s Meeting – Anna Mow Room

3:00 pm   Christmas Caroling

5:00 pm   Fellowship Supper – Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, December 17

4:00 pm   Food Pantry Open – 4:00 to 5:30 pm

6:00 pm   CDC Ministry Team – Anna Mow Room

6:45 pm   Worship Design Team – Multi-Purpose Room

Wednesday, December 18

9:00 am   Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

5:30 pm   CDC – Crafts with Santa – Fellowship Hall

5:45 pm   Longest Night Service – Chapel

Thursday, December 19

10:00 am  Prayer Shawl – Anna Mow Room

6:00 pm  Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary

7:30 pm  Bell Choir Rehearsal – Bell Choir Room

Saturday, December 21

9:00 am  Cantata Dress Rehearsal – Sanctuary

Sunday, December 22

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service with Christmas Cantata – 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.

In addition to this prayer request list contained within each Friday's e-newsletter, we also have a "prayer chain" email list. We occasionally send immediate prayer requests to those who have opted in to receive the prayer chain and are committed to praying for each concern as they come. If you would like to be added to the prayer chain list, please notify the church office by email at secretary@yorkfirst.org or by phone (717) 755-0307. If you have a prayer request and desire it to be sent to this group, feel free to contact the church office anytime. Thank you!

Sunday School News

Children's Sunday School Classes

9:00 AM in Rooms 151, 152, and 153. Children grades PreK (age 4) and up will have class lessons. Children ages 3-4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care.

Youth Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 155. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 7-12.

The class is studying a series on Women of the Bible.

**Combined Adult Sunday School Class**

9:00 AM in Room 154. Speakers Dianne and Barry Hollinger, sharing about their experience in Nepal last year on a learning tour with New Community Project. Come and join in, all are welcome!



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.  

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER



Sunday December 15 - Sunday School Presentation on NCP Learning Tour,

Christmas Caroling 3 PM, Fellowship Supper 5 PM

Wednesday, December 18 - Longest Night Service 5:45 PM

Sunday, December 22 - Christmas Cantata within Worship

Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Even Candlelight Service 7 PM

January 24 - 26 - Camp Eder Winter Camp 2025

Winter Camp

2025

January 24th-26th

For Grades 1-12 &

Shining Stars Campers

Pack your snow suit and strap your sled to the car because winter camp 2025 is right around the corner.

Register for a weekend

full of great food, camp games, new and old

friends, and a closer relationship with God. 



To register go to: www.campeder.org/winter-camp

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 2025.

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 (2024) envelopes after DECEMBER 31, 2024.

DO NOT use your new (2025) envelopes before JANUARY 1, 2025.

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

Thank you for all the expressions of love and care that have come to me during my recovery. Helen Stoner               

“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) book before selecting a new one.



Click on button to "Check out" these new books that are available in The First Church Library!

Lehman Center "Wish List"

Items for donation to the Lehman Center are being collected in the basket in the Gathering Area. Due to changes in the food pantry operations, these must be collected separately from food pantry supplies.

Here are some items that are needed at

Lehman Center:

Instant pudding (chocolate, banana)

Instant jello (orange, blue, green, grape, cherry)

Can fruit (pears, pineapples, fruit cocktail)

Applesauce (individual or jar)

Can vegetables (lima beans, peas, green beans)

Baby food - all stages

Baby snacks

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 2024 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 of the Brethren) to 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408 and your cards will be mailed to you.

Gathering Area Quilt

Every month the quilt in the gathering area is changed to another beautiful quilt. The December quilt is named "Tidings of Great Joy". These quilts are made by 

Sid Innerst.



Sid is a very talented quilter and we want to thank her for sharing her beautiful work. As you are walking through the gathering area, please take a moment to enjoy the beauty and details of these quilts. 

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

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.