CONGREGATIONAL FORUM - SUNDAY MAY 4, 2025

On Sunday May 4, our Youth-led worship will begin at 10:00 AM. Immediately following the worship service, at 11:00 AM, our Congregational Forum will take place. This is a meeting for all church members to attend, and we will be looking to see you all there. Reports from leaders are the primary items of business, and we expect the meeting to last close to one hour. A meal will be provided following the meeting, which will serve as a fundraiser for our Youth Group!

The Congregational Forum Booklet and Treasurer's Report are available for pick up in the gathering area. Please take one per family and review them in advance of the meeting. 

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Friday, April 18

9:00 am  Prayer Labyrinth (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) – Fellowship Hall

7:00 pm Good Friday Gathering – Fellowship Hall

Saturday, April 19

9:00 am Prayer Labyrinth (9:00 am to 12:00 noon) - Fellowship Hall

Sunday, April 20 – Easter Sunday

8:40 am Morning Watch Service - Outdoors behind Fellowship Hall

9:00 am Easter Breakfast - Fellowship Hall

10:15 am Hymn Sing - Sanctuary

10:30 am Worship Service – Sanctuary

Wednesday, April 23

6:30 pm   Women's Bible Study - Anna Mow Room

Thursday, April 24

6:30 pm  Chancel Choir Practice - Sanctuary

7:30 pm   Bell Choir Rehearsal – Bell Choir Room

Saturday, April 26

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

Sunday, April 27

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.

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

Classes will not meet this Sunday.

Please come to our Easter Breakfast

at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

All are welcome!

Upcoming Events

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:

Friday April 18 - Prayer Labyrinth - 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Friday April 18 - Good Friday Gathering, 7:00 PM

Saturday April 19 - Prayer Labyrinth - 9:00 AM to 12:00 NOON

Sunday April 20 - Easter Sunday: Morning Watch 8:40 AM

Breakfast 9:00 AM, Worship 10:30 AM

Saturday May 3 - Church Work Day

Sunday May 4 - Youth Sunday and Congregational Forum

Sunday May 11 - Receiving New Members

Sunday May 18 - Music Celebration Sunday

WALKING THE PRAYER LABYRINTH

FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 18 & 19

Our prayer labyrinth experience will be available in the Fellowship Hall with ideas to provide focus beginning at 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on Friday, April 18th and 9:00 am - 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 19th. May this provide us with one more resource to strengthen us as we walk through this season of Lent.

Walking the Prayer Labyrinth: A Devotional Opportunity The prayer labyrinth is a unique approach to prayer that dates back thousands of years. Labyrinths are found in some of the great cathedrals of Europe and in recent decades have become very popular in a variety of settings in the United States as well. While there are a number of different versions of labyrinths, the version we are using for Holy Week is known as the Chartres Labyrinth styled after the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France. It is made up of 10 “circuits” or loops that wind slowly to the center. The flow of the prayer labyrinth is an experience of walking from the entrance at your own pace until reaching the center as an experience of prayerful centering, followed by remaining in the center if desired, and then moving back out as a way of taking this new founded centeredness back out into your daily life. You can walk with a prayer in mind, a prayerful thought, a question for God, or other means of focusing in the moment.

The Lehman Center Auxiliary Presents

34th ANNUAL AUCTION benefiting

Children's Aid Society - The Lehman Center

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 5:00 PM

Location: New Fairview Church,

1873 New Fairview Church Rd., York, Pa 17403

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Auction, where we aim to make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it the most.



• Silent Auction including

Art Collectibles, Theme Baskets, Gift Certificates, Autographed Sports Items

• Live Auction Featuring 

New Merchandise, Household goods, Handmade items, Unique items

• Delicious food starting at 12:00 pm

(Includes homemade soups, Bar-b-que, homemade pies)

Live Auction & Virtual available – Some of our items will be available “Virtually” prior to the Live Auction starting Saturday, April 26^th til Monday, April 28^th!

Visit our website for the Auction catalog at www.cassd.org/casauction.html

CHURCH WORK DAY, SATURDAY, MAY 3RD

The Facilities Care Team is planning a work day around the church

on Saturday, May 3 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. More information will be provided.



CAMP EDER & SOPA DISTRICT - MEN'S OUTDOORSMAN DAY, MAY 3RD ONLY

Devotional Theme: Provide and Protect, Genesis 2:15

8:30 am to 3:00 pm, $50 Lunch Included! Clay Shooting and Fishing

Join us on May 3rd for a day filled with Adventure! Together, we'll delve into the world of clay shooting, mastering gun safety protocols and honing our skills to become proficient clay target shooters.

Secure your spot by registering on the Camp Eder website by clicking on the button below or by contacting the camp office via phone at 717-642-8256.

Lodging also available at additional cost (contact camp office)

*If you would like to help sponsor this event by donating ammo or financially please contact Denny Turner at (717) 829-1166.

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, May 9, 2025

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, May 9, 2025 (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! 

CAMP EDER GOLF OUTING

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Carroll Valley Golf Course, Liberty Mountain,

78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA

7:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:00 am Shotgun Start (Four Player Scramble Format)

1:00 Lunch at Camp Eder

Please click on button for registration and sponsorship form.

(Information can also be found on the bulletin board)

Save the Date

JOIN US FOR VBS 2025

SAVE THE DATE!

Location: York First COB

Dates: June 22-26^th 2025

Time: 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Ages: 4 yrs to 5^th grade

We need volunteers to make VBS 2025 a success! There are many tasks to do before, during, and after VBS. Prayerfully consider how you can support the children of our congregation and the local community. This year’s director is Diane Gibble and can be reached by dmgibble1001@gmail.com phone 717-668-1252. Below is a list of volunteer opportunities. Thank you!

▪ Crew Leaders – stays with children at stations

▪ Drama participant 

▪ Snack leader

▪ Registration volunteers

▪ Nurse on call

▪ Decorate Saturday June 21st 9:00am 

▪ Tear down Sunday June 29th after worship 

▪ Photographer

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

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

02       Emily Vuono 

02       Briella Hamill  

08       Eric Jones 

13       Carole Bradfield

13       Dale Paules

16       Paige Striebig 

18       Jean Lauver

18       Amie Dietrich   

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

21       Stephen Carey

25       Malakai Wolf

26       Doris Markel

26       Rick Boogher            

27       Brenda Harlacher                  

28       Shea Martin

28       Cheryl Weyant 

Gathering Area Quilt

Every month the quilt in the gathering area is changed to another beautiful quilt. The April quilt is named

"The Wooden Cross". 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. 

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

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.