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SUNDAY SCHEDULE


SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM

Classes for All Ages


WORSHIP 10:30 AM

In the Sanctuary and Online



THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

June 22, 2025


SCRIPTURE LESSONS:

Psalm 23, Matthew 14:22-33 

 

MESSAGE:

"It's me! Don't be afraid!"  

Contents:



This Week


Prayer Requests

and Calendar


Sunday School News


Children's Ministry Schedule


Upcoming Events


COB News


Online Giving


Birthdays


Directory Change


Last Week


Contacting the Pastor 

Happening This Week

Sunday Morning Worship

Welcome to York First Church of the Brethren! This week and next we welcome home Rev. Christy Waltersdorff! This Sunday, June 22, she will be preaching on the Matthew 14:22-33 passage from the paraphrase of The Message by Eugene Peterson and the title of her message will be "It's me! Don't be afraid!"

 

The call, "Do not be afraid" is found 68 times in the Bible. It is spoken by God and by Jesus to frail human beings. How do we deal with the things that make us afraid? Is our faith strong enough to guide us in these turbulent times? Come and join us for worship and, for some of us, a time of reunion as we look forward to the return of one of our very own and long-time friend, Christy!

 

We are doubly blessed to have Christy return the following Sunday, June 29, for our Vacation Bible School (VBS) Celebration! She will be preaching on the theme of VBS – Waves of Wonder. Her sermon title will be “The Wonder of Water” which will focus on the biblical texts of Psalm 93:4 and John 13:1-5. Her summary states: Water is life. We could not survive without it. In the Bible we find that water not only nurtures our bodies – it replenishes our souls.  

 

“Christy Waltersdorff is a familiar face to many at York First. A native of York, she served as our Youth Director in 1983-1986 when she left to attend Princeton Theological Seminary. After working hard for her Master of Divinity degree, she served as associate pastor at the Westminster, MD congregation for five and half years. She retired January 1, 2025 after serving as pastor of the York Center, IL congregation for 29 years where she lives in York township with her husband, Marty and their two dogs and two cats. Christy is the coordinator of the 2025 COB National Older Adult Conference.” – Christy 

Live Stream Worship

Our worship services are available via YouTube for those who wish to join that way. Click the image above shortly before the service begin to join in 10:30 AM on Sunday or anytime afterward. DVD copies of the services are also available.

Click here to view the bulletin for this Sunday

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES


Sunday, June 22

9:00 am Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary, Christy Waltersdorff preaching

12:00 pm Deacon Ministry Team Meeting - Anna Mow Room

6:00 pm  VBS – Sanct., FH, SS Classrooms


Monday, June 23

6:00 pm  VBS – Sanct., FH, SS Classrooms


Tuesday, June 24

6:00 pm VBS – Sanct., FH, SS Classrooms

  

Wednesday, June 25

11:30 am   Lunch Bunch at East York Isaacs

6:00 pm  VBS – Sanct., FH, SS Classrooms

         

Thursday, June 26

1:00 pm  Sabbatical Planning Team - Multi-Purpose Room

6:00 pm  VBS – Sanct., FH, SS Classrooms


Saturday, June 28

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

           

Sunday, June 29

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary, Christy Waltersdorff preaching

Summer Fun Events at York First COB!

This summer the Worship and the Fellowship and Hospitality Teams are once again “teaming up” to sponsor some fun events to help us stay connected and throughout the summer months and to build relationships as we enjoy each other’s company!


Sunday, June 22 – Thursday, June 26 6-8 p.m. Vacation Bible School (VBS) – For children ages 4 through 5th grade; families, church members and friends are invited to the closing program Thursday evening; more info to come from the Education Team


Wednesday, June 25 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch Bunch at East York Isaacs – Come join with others from York First COB for an informal time of lunch and fellowship together; no reservation needed, just show up if you want to eat and enjoy each other’s company! Each person is responsible for their own meal payment. Let us know if you need a ride!


Click on this button to view the full calendar

Contacting the Interim Ministries Coordinator


Pastor Joel is observing sabbatical leave from May 24 until August 23 this summer. Our church will continue strongly in ministry during this time!


Kim Witkovsky is serving as the Interim Ministries Coordinator during his absence.

Her hours will be posted in the newsletter and bulletin weekly. If you need to reach her outside of office hours, she may be reached at (814) 599-7055 or witkovskyks@gmail.com

If you would like a visit from Kim, please contact her directly or call the church office.


Weekly office hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 8:30-10:30am, Wed. 11:30am-1:30pm


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.



Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer

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 Classes

9:00 AM in Room 155. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. Youth grades 7-12 are welcome.

 

Vine & Branches Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. The class is studying the "Wired Word" - a news curriculum that guides us with scripture, prayer and news information and how our faith calls us to respond in the Way of Jesus the Christ.

 

Lamplighters Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. We are continuing the study by Adam Hamilton

entitled "Half Truths". "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves" Teacher: Pat Carey  

 

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.  

Children's Ministry Schedule

Upcoming Events

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:


Sunday, June 22 – Thursday, June 26 - Vacation Bible School (VBS) 6-8 pm

Wednesday, June 25 - Lunch Bunch at East York Isaacs 11:30 am–1 pm

Ken is a gifted musician who creates an experience that is not only interactive but truly unique. His heart is full for music, connection, and relationships. Sponsored by James & Elaine Gibbel, David & Pam Reist, Susanne Schaudel and Anonymous. Ken has performed at many Church of the Brethren events, like Annual Conference, NOAC and National Youth Conference. 

Ken Medema Concert on Sunday, June 29th at 7pm in Mt. Gretna.

The Lamplighters Class is organizing a group to attend this free concert.


We will be leaving from here at church at 5:15pm.

There is a sign up sheet in the Gathering Space.

The church van holds 14 passengers + the driver (1st come, 1st served).

The remainder will carpool. The concert is free with a good-will offering being collected.

Contact Ralph Miller or Beth Anne Bahn with questions or to sign up no later than 6/22. 

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, July 11, 2025

 

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for

Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, July 11, 2025 (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 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! 

Hello Everyone,

This is Sandi Bowser of the Soup Kitchen Volunteers. We are a friendly and giving group. We make Spaghetti Casseroles each month and/or serve the food to the people who enter the Soup Kitchen/Daily Bread the 2nd Friday of each month from 10:30 to 12:00. Members of this congregation prepare the casseroles and place them in the freezer of the church kitchen.

On the Sunday morning before the 2nd Friday I move the casseroles to the fridge in the kitchen to thaw. On the 2nd Friday of each month between 8-8:30 a church member takes the thawed casseroles to the Soup Kitchen at 331 S. George St.

At 10:30 three helpers and I prepare to begin serving at 11:00. The person guiding us and her helper are friendly and run a tight ship. It’s a pleasure working with them and serving the people who appear. 99.5 percent are very appreciative.                                             

Join us now and then. I believe you will enjoy being with us.

Sincerely, Sandi (717) 825-7203

Church of the Brethren News

Southern PA District/Denomination

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

Read news updates by clicking the link below

Please subscribe to receive COB Newsline via email if you wish

The Witness Ministry Team has decided to support a special offering on the third Sunday of each month for the rest of the calendar year. The odd months (July, Sept.and Nov.) offerings and food donations will be designated for our very own Food Pantry (more info to come). During the even months, special offerings will be given to the following causes: August - school supplies for our Child Development Center (CDC) and Stony Brook Elementary; October - Deacon Ministry Fund (to assist those among us who need a little extra help); December - Heifer International (maybe we can buy a water buffalo or an ark!) Thank you for your ongoing support of these efforts of outreach and witness for our church, community and the world! 

Camp Counselors Needed!


Camp Eder is looking for male and female camp counselors for summer camp this year. 

Hours will be Sunday, 2 PM until Friday morning. 

The dates of camp are June 15-20, June 22-27, July 6-11, July 13-18, and July 20-25. 

For further information please reach out to Jonathan Bream, jbream@campeder.org or

call 717-642-8256.

It's summer again and Camp Eder is full of great camps and campers! The following children and youth from York First COB are attending these camps: 


June 22: Micah Gibbel and Liam McEvoy - Wet and Wild Camp

July 13: Danielle Gibbel and Joanna Miller - Puddle Jumpers

July 13: Lilly McEvoy - Dream It, Build It Camp

July 13: Landon McEvoy - Kids' Camp


Please hold them in prayer and consider sending them a note or card as encouragement! They will really appreciate your attention and care! 

Camp Eder, 914 Mt Hope Rd, Fairfield, PA 17320

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

LOOK WHO'S

CELEBRATING

THIS MONTH


01 Kathy Kovacs

02 Doug Martin 

03 Jeanette Brickner  

07 Dave Bradfield II

11 Jay Crist

13 Robert Sharp II

15 Bill Bernhardt

If your birthday is in JULY and is not on the list below or is listed incorrectly, please contact the church office.



17 Deb Klinedinst

22 Sheryl Leaman

22 Dave Witkovsky

25 Erin Ferro

26 Beth Brickner

30 Sally Bingaman

31 Jill Wueschinski


DIRECTORY CHANGE


Page 17 - Jack Myers

New Address: 1775 Powder Mill Rd, Rm 602, York PA 17403

Remove Email Address. Phone number remains the same.

Beginning in January 2025, Patricia Carey will be the Witness Team appointment for the Cash for Causes program. Please see Patricia before or after worship to purchase your Giant or Weis gift cards. Patricia will be at the table under the bulletin board in the

gathering area.


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.

 

Since 2011, through the Cash for Causes program, the church has received 5% of sales to support various COB and local ministries. In 2024 the gift card sales supported The Lehman Center, New Community Project and the Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry with each receiving $233.08.    

For 2025, the Witness Team will review past giving and determine which agencies we will support this year. 

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP


June 15, 2025


SCRIPTURE LESSONS:

Romans 8:14-17, 1 John 3:1-2

Mark 10:13-16


MESSAGE:

“Jesus as a Guide to Fatherhood?”

Preacher: Ali Toms



Click on the image to view the service.

 
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”