CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Saturday, November 26

9:00 am Advent Decorating - Sanctuary

Sunday, November 27 – Advent Season begins

9:00 am Sunday School

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary

11:30 am Christmas from Scratch Practice – Sanctuary

Monday, November 28

6:00 pm Christmas from Scratch Practice – Sanctuary

Tuesday, November 29

9:30 am Ladies Bible Study – Lounge

6:00 pm Christmas from Scratch Practice – Sanctuary

Wednesday, November 30

   6:00 pm Christmas from Scratch Practice – Sanctuary

Thursday, December 1

6:30 pm Bell Choir Practice – Bell Choir Room

7:30 pm Choir Practice – Sanctuary

Saturday, December 3

9:00 am Winter Craft Show & Gift Fair – FH

11:00 am Christmas from Scratch Musical – Sanctuary

Sunday, December 4

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.

There will be no Sunday School on December 11, December 25, and January 1

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 the Youth Room 149. Teachers are Pastor Joel and Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 6-12. This week we will begin to explore the Nativity stories in the Gospels.

Vine and Branches Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. The class will be studying the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, this fall's series entitled "God's Exceptional Choice."

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. The class is studying Bob Goff's "Dream Big".

Homebuilders Sunday School Class

8:00 AM by conference call, holding class remotely. 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. 

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!

ADVENT DECORATING THIS SATURDAY 9:00 AM

Anyone willing to lend a hand with Advent and Christmas decorations this season is invited to join us at 9:00 AM Saturday morning, November 26, in the Sanctuary. We'll have several tasks to choose from, and any age and ability is welcome. Thank you in advance for helping to bring light and beauty to our church building this season!

- The Worship Team

POINSETTIA ORDERS

We will begin taking orders for poinsettias this Sunday. There will be someone at the table outside the sanctuary on the following Sundays: November 27, December 4, and December 11.

You may purchase them “in honor, in memory, or in appreciation of" loved ones if you wish.

The cost is $ 10.00 each for a red 6" poinsettia. You may also email (secretary@yorkfirst.org) or call the church office (717) 755-0307 to place your order. 

2022 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

"Simple Gifts" by Kathy Fuller Guisewite

Advent devotional books are available for pick up in the Narthex.

Please take one per household and let it guide you this Advent Season.

Every part of the Christmas story is miraculous. God’s love was made manifest in a lowly barn, in the dark of night, for ordinary people. We need not believe that we must do anything extraordinary to make this season magical. There’s no need to worry about shopping for it or allowing the stresses of life to weigh us down. Perhaps if we practice leaning into the simplicity of the holy story and the sacredness of our ordinary lives, we will find joy and peace.

Please click on the button to view a letter from

Arden Kile. He would like to share with his church family his personal experience serving as a

volunteer at the food pantry.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Sunday November 27 - First Sunday of Advent

Saturday December 3 - "Christmas from Scratch" Children's Musical, 11:00 AM

Christmas Craft Fair 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Fellowship Hall

Sunday December 4 - Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday December 11 - Third Sunday of Advent

Advent Breakfast 9:00 AM, Fellowship Hall

Sunday December 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Strings Concert 4:00 PM, Sanctuary

Saturday December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00 PM

Sunday December 25 - Christmas Day Worship 10:30 AM

"Christmas From Scratch" Children's Musical

Saturday December 3

Calling all Christmas lovers!!!

Plan to come out Saturday, December 3 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary to support our church's young peoples as well as CDC children as they bring Christmas to life and do it ALL from scratch!! Share in the journey of our "homeless" cast as they learn the true meaning of Christmas. Watch as they begin with grumpy faces and sing "I don't want Christmas" all the way through to where they wonder if Mary and Joseph felt the same as they do, and eventually learn that all Jesus wants is our hearts. They have worked hard and would love to have a large audience. 

Join us for a small reception in the Narthex after the musical to celebrate the children and the amazing job they did. We know this musical performance will truly make you feel the Christmas spirit and start your holiday season with a bang!!

~Rebecca Wolf, Director

Winter Craft Show and Gift Fair

All are welcome to attend this new event in our Fellowship Hall on Saturday December 3 from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Expect many vendors with a variety of crafts, gifts, refreshments, plus Santa and face painting for children! The event is free to enter, and proceeds will benefit our Child Development Center. Thank you to the CDC staff for coordinating and hosting this event. It will coincide with our Christmas Musical, so please attend both in one trip!

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, December 9, 2022

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, December 9, 2022 (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! 

JOIN US IN

CELEBRATING

THE KING

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” ~ John 1:5-11

Come and join us for an evening of family festive fun! The woods will be illuminated with lots and lots of Christmas lights, warm fires, hot cocoa and children activities will be happening each night. This is a beautiful festival you most certainly will not want to miss!

Friday & Saturday, December 9 & 10, 5pm - 9pm

2022 Annual Conference Wrap-Up DVD is available to borrow in the church office. There will be a sign up sheet in the office to take the DVD.

You may want to contact the church office to make sure the DVD is available for pick up.

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

Click on the button for current

Church of Brethren News

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING THIS SEASON WILL SUPPORT HEIFER INTERNATIONAL



How Heifer International Began: In 1944, Dan West began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War. He’d seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family. His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.

In coming weeks there will be more information about Heifer International history. 

LOOK WHO'S

CELEBRATING

THIS MONTH

02       Melinda Carlson

04       Haley Grace Yingling

04       Paige Noelle Yingling

07       Brynleigh McCracken

08       Todd Plymire

10       Barbara Rollman

12       Bob Stoolmaker

12       Tim Beckwith

14       Peggy Metzger

14       Christina Deitch

14       Kelly Boogher

If your birthday is in DECEMBER and is

not on the list below or is listed

incorrectly, please call the church office.

15       Dave Bradfield, Sr. 

16       Brad Shenk

17       Jon Beuschlein

17       Linda Min

18       Eric Brickner

18       Julie Ilyes

21       Lindsey McCracken

23       Dave McCracken

24       Matthew Klinedinst

26       Emma Stoolmaker

29       Stephen M. Hoover

NEEDED!

A few people are needed to help with our coffee service on Sunday mornings. It is very easy to do because it is pre-measured. We could use your help. You may have noticed how much our church family appreciates it. If you can help please call, message, or email me, Jayne Baldwin (717) 676-1957.

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 2022 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.

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.

The Education Team would like to share free monthly video links from Teepa Snow. Hoping you will get a chance to watch them and learn something that may be helpful when dealing with those you come in contact with who have dementia.

Teepa Snow’s care strategies and techniques look at what is known about brain function and changes that happen with various conditions and integrate that information with therapeutic approaches. November's link is:

Your noticing changes- Dementia 101-Difference between Forgetfulness and Alzheimer's visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJk02XI_sRA

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

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.