SUNDAY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:00 AM
Please See Below for Sunday School Class Information

WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP:
October 3, 2021

SCRIPTURE LESSON:
John 2:1-11

MESSAGE:
“Water into Wine"
Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer
Click for Weekly Calendar of Events
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
Homebuilders Sunday School Class
The Homebuilders Class is continuing to meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM by conference call, planning to remain holding class remotely for the time being. To be included, contact Mike Martin either by calling 717-840-4184 or by emailing Caretaker@TwinBrookFarm.com, leaving the phone number at which you would like to be called. You will receive a phone call in the vicinity of 9:00 am. The class continues to examine lessons from the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum.

Lamplighters Sunday School Class
The Lamplighters Class has resumed meeting Sunday mornings in-person at 9:00 AM in their classroom, Room 145. The class is studying “The Essential Commandment: A Disciple’s Guide to Loving God and Others” by Greg Ogden in collaboration with Compelling Vision. Beth Anne Bahn is teaching.

Vine & Branches Sunday School Class
The Vine & Branches Class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM, in-person, in the room near the Gathering Area. This week we will begin a new series, engaging with Richard Rohr's "The Universal Christ" - exploring a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God's constant, unfolding work in the world. In response to an expressed desire to focus our study on the inner life of faith, this series will invite us to contemplate how God's love liberates and permeates all of life. Come and join us this season as we engage with this exciting material. Pastor Joel will be leading.

Children's Sunday School Class
Children's Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM each Sunday, in-person, in the classrooms just past the nursery. Children grades PreK and up will have class lessons, with singing mid-hour as well. Children ages 4 and younger are welcome to attend nursery care, which may include a brief lesson in addition to playtime. All children are welcome!

Children - please remember to bring along notes which name things that get you down or hold you back, as a follow-up to last week's children's story within worship. Expect to use them this week!
Children's Ministry Schedule
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!!!!!
Upcoming Events
CHURCH EVENTS / DATES TO REMEMBER:

October 10 - Congregational Forum - Following Worship, Sanctuary
October 24 - CDC Recognition Sunday - Sunday School Hour and Worship
October 27 - Trick or Trunk - Wednesday Evening, Parking Lot
OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, October 8, 2021
Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for
Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, October 8, 2021 (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! 
CONGREGATIONAL FORUM following Worship - October 10, 2021 (Sunday)
All church members should plan to attend, as this is our semi-annual meeting in which we receive reports, approve our budget, and affirm leaders. Livestream video will be available, but in-person attendance is preferred. Thank you.
The forum booklet and treasurer's reports are available for pick in the Narthex, and an email went out on September 27 with packet information. A slate ballot for calling leaders will be forthcoming. Feel free to contact the church office if you desire a printed copy.
PRAYER SHAWL ministry will be meet on Thursday, Oct. 21st in the church lounge from 1:00 to 2:00 pm.
Going forward prayer shawl will meet
monthly on every third Thursday.
Anyone with interest is welcome to attend.
Church of the Brethren Denominational News
Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org
Copies of the Annual Conference
Wrap Up are available for pick up
in the Church Lounge
Southern PA District Announcement: Carolyn Jones has announced that she will be resigning from her position as Office Manager for the District on December 2 of this year. The District would prefer to fill this position with someone who is familiar with the Church of the Brethren but will be advertising the position on job sites as well. If someone from the congregation is interested in applying or wants more info, they may call the district office 717-778-2264. Please share this opportunity with anyone you know who may be interested. 
Church of the Brethren - Newsline Digest
September 2021
A special thank you for those who volunteered with hosting District Conference, especially Diane Gibble, site coordinator, Dolly Furst, food service coordinator, and Tim Beckwith, A/V leader. District leadership was very pleased with everything, especially our hospitality and facility, and they were grateful for all that was prepared for the weekend.
LOOK WHO'S
CELEBRATING
THIS MONTH



01 Diane Gibble
02 Christopher Logue
07 Rick Ault
07 Jarret Stehr
08 Winnie Fickes
11 John Anderson
14 Terry Wueschinski
14 Marty Reigle
15 Marcus Carey
15 Michael Carey

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


17 Anna Elise Stoolmaker
19 Helen Stoner
21 Jared Beuschlein
21 Jasmine LeGrand
21 Marjorie Schardt
23 Barry Stehr
24 Benjamin Gennarelli-LeGrand
25 David Gibble
28 Pat Gibble
29 Dylan Sauder
31 Vesta Statler
Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:

The church Leadership Team has approved updated policy on face coverings for our gatherings: following with CDC guidance, masks are now optional for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. For those not vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask indoors. We are on the honor system and are trusting all attendees to respect this policy. All are welcome, as always, and we hope for further updates moving forward.

Staying home remains the safest option, yet we commend and affirm in-person gatherings as the ideal. Worship will be live streamed on our YouTube channel and recorded each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM indefinitely, but it is not intended to "replace" physical attendance long-term. So long as you are comfortable being near others, please plan to join our services of worship, classes, and other events.

Some Sunday School classes will resume meeting in-person this summer, others will not. Check the class information above for weekly updates. Several elements of worship will remain adjusted such as staggered seating, avoiding handshake greetings, and face coverings worn within the building. Please know that all of these measures are for our collective wellness.

We have every intention of continuing to provide worship, teaching, and encouragement while maintaining “physical distance” for the safety and well-being of the vulnerable among us. The pastor and secretary continue to be available and in the office most of the week. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, although Pastor Joel is now fully vaccinated and open to home visits as requested.

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. Thank you to all who have given generously! We have been able to maintain our many outreach commitments thus far this year, and for that we give thanks!

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). **Note that you do not even need a facebook account of you own to view the church's page there. If you do have a facebook account, please "like" our church's page to view updates there. The more you "like" and "comment" and "share" our content, the better it "travels" and will be seen by others. Do your part to freely spread our messages of ministry during this time. Thank you!!**

Concerning the spread of COVID-19, here is a good resource with helpful links to other sites as well: https://covid19.brethren.org/ Be careful to pay attention to public health experts, rather than every news headline or comment from your neighbors. 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. Please do your part to prevent the spread of contagious disease, as a holy expression of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
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 2021 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.

I plan to attend our in-person worship services and will have the gift cards available for your purchase before or after the service.  However, if you will not be attending our in-person worship services, I will continue to send cards in the mail if you want to support this outreach ministry. Send your check to Becky Wenger, 3011 Bedford Pl, York, PA 17408. The Giant or Weis cards will be mailed to you. Make your check out to York First Church.

Thank you for supporting this program - Becky Wenger, Cash for Causes representative
LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP


SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 4:11-16

MESSAGE:
“A Culture of Calling"

CONTACTING THE PASTOR
Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to noon, and usually well into the afternoon as well. 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 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”