SUNDAY SCHEDULE
WORSHIP 10:30 AM
In the Sanctuary and Online
Please See Below for Sunday School Class Information
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THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP
August 9, 2020
SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Matthew 14:22-33
MESSAGE:
"Winds of Doubt”
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The Church Office will be closed on Tues, August 11th and Wed, August 12th
If you have an urgent or immediate need, you may contact Greg Klinedinst or the deacon
assigned to you. For any other matter, please call the church office and leave a message for the church secretary and she will get back to you on Thurs, August 13th. Thank you!
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Contents:
This Week
Sunday School News
Youth Group News
COB Newsline
Online Giving
Upcoming Events
Postponed and Canceled Events
Directory Changes
Notes from the Console
Last Week
Contacting the Pastor
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Walking on Water: An Act of (Little) Faith
This Sunday we consider what God may be speaking to us through the stormy account of Jesus walking on the sea as told in Matthew 14. When Peter left the boat to go to Jesus, was he necessarily doing so out of faith, and if so why did he sink? In what ways might we think we are "stepping out" in faith only to find that we should have stayed in the boat, so to speak? Come and listen, and let the conversation continue beyond Sunday morning. Consider how our community of faith can stay close together during this "stormy" season of life.
Be sure to tune in to the live stream if not attending in person. Emma Stoolmaker and Roy Rollman will be serving as vocalists this week.
Live Stream Continues!
Once again (and always, we hope) our worship service will be presented "live stream" through our YouTube channel. Click the link below shortly before 10:30 AM on Sunday to enter a time of worship with all who will do likewise this weekend.
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The video will be available to view after the worship hour in case you miss the 10:30 time or wish to watch it again.
*Please note: if anyone is unable to view the videos online, we have DVD copies of the services that can be picked up in the church narthex any weekday. Sermon manuscripts are also available upon request. We hope no one is missing out!
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ORDER OF SERVICE
10:30 AM, August 9, 2020
Organ Prelude “Organ Prelude in G Minor”
Welcome and Prayer
Hymn "I sing the mighty power of God"
Children's Time
TIME OF PRAYER
Call to Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the Church
GIFTS AND OFFERING
Invitation to Give
Prayer of Dedication
Scripture Reading: Matthew 14: 22-33
Message: “Winds of Doubt”
Hymn "When the storms of life are raging"
Sending Prayer
Organ Postlude “The Saints Victorious”
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A Word from Pastor Joel
For all of you who have been holding me in prayer and for those who have sent me notes of encouragement, a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been in a great deal of pain ever since the accident, but knowing that you have carried me in prayer has been a tremendous blessing. I will be undergoing surgery next week to repair my collarbone, after which I have been instructed to refrain from work for two weeks as I recover.
I will tell a bit more of my story this Sunday during worship, and look forward to returning several weeks later with renewed strength and further recovery. Worship will continue as always, with guests preachers already in place for August 16 and 23. The church remains alive and well, and I thank you all in advance for continuing to hold me in prayer.
This year continues to challenge us all in many ways, and the upheaval that we are witnessing will not dissipate quickly nor painlessly. I remind us, nevertheless, that Christ is Lord and we belong to him. So stay close - to the way of Jesus and to one another. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God that is in him. Keep the faith, everyone, and thank you again for your many prayers.
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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. All are welcome to join. 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 is planning to meet on Wednesday Evenings at 7:00 pm until
8:00 pm by zoom (video) conference. If you wish to be included and haven't received an email already, please contact Pastor Joel at pastor@yorkfirst.org, and he will forward you the link. (We will not share the login info publicly in an effort to prevent hacking). The class will be led by Patricia Carey, based on a video series by Bob Goff.
Vine & Branches Sunday School Class
The Vine & Branches Class is continuing to meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 10:00 am by zoom (video) conference. If you wish to be included, please contact Pastor Joel at pastor@yorkfirst.org, and he will forward you the link. The class will continue studying the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum, "Many Faces of Wisdom."
Children's Sunday School Class
Children's Sunday School is now planned for 12:00 noon each Sunday via zoom, with a lesson lasting approximately 20 minutes. Parents may of course participate alongside, but the time will be tailored to children. For the zoom link and to be included, please contact Pastor Joel at pastor@yorkfirst.org. Thanks, and we look forward to this special time together!
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Please check out this new Church of the Brethren resource that provides daily devotions for the youth. "Good News! Youth Devotional" has a new and unique offering each day with scripture, commentary, prayers, and questions to consider. |
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For those of you working with our children at church:
After you complete the training please print your certificate and give it to Pastor Joel to keep on file. Thank you so much for helping care for our little ones at church. Thank you!
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We are excited to announce that the
Church's Renovation Project is About to Start!
Please click on the button for
project information.
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Thank you for your support and prayers for this project. |
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Church of the Brethren Denominational News
Denominational news and information is always available by visiting brethren.org
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July/August Church of the Brethren
Newsline Digest
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Click for Friends to Remember in Prayer
and Event Announcements
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Although in-person worship gatherings and events are suspended for a time, the church's ministry continues in many important ways. Please continue to give as you are so led, whether by mail or through online giving. Thank you.
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!!!!!
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SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, August 14, 2020 - Sign up by calling Audrey Ginder,
717-755-6785 to make a casserole for the Soup Kitchen on Friday, August 14, 2020
(10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE contact Audrey to add your name and number of casseroles, so we can let the Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect.
Thank you!
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Peg Crist Celebration of Life Service - Sunday, August 23, 2020 - Please join us for a celebration of life service to honor the beautiful life of Peg Crist. We will be gathering to share some of our favorite memories and our stories to laugh, to cry, and remember a wonderful person who is greatly missed. This will be held at York First Church of the Brethren on Sunday, August 23rd, at 3:00 pm followed by a catered buffet and gathering in the Fellowship Hall.
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Concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and church operations:
Since video live-streaming is fully functional and COVID-19 cases remain relatively low in our area, we believe that we can responsibly resume worship gatherings, so long as they are small and well-distanced.
That said, staying home remains the safest option, and we commend doing so to prevent spread of contagious disease. Worship will be recorded and live streamed each Sunday morning at 10:30 AM whether anyone is in attendance or not. We remain a committed body of Christ's faithful disciples whether we gather in person or not. We are simply allowing in-person attendance for those who desire to do so. Thank you all in advance for choosing wisely how and where you will worship.
No Sunday School classes will resume until a later date, and several elements of worship will be adjusted such as seating arrangements, no passing of offering plates, and restricted singing. Handshake greetings should be avoided and masks must be worn within the building. Sanctuary windows and doors will be open, so expect warm and humid conditions. 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, so please feel free to call or email as you wish. We discourage in-person visits, however. Visitation to nursing homes and hospitals continues to be restricted, and pastoral visits will be minimal.
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. This disease is real and a genuine threat to the lives of many.
Thank you all for understanding and for your faithful participation in our life together. Stay apart from each other in body but close together in spirit. Talk to each other often, by phone especially. Please stay home and do your part to prevent the spread of contagious disease. That is how we can best love one another for the time being. God's comfort and peace be with you.
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Postponed and Canceled Events |
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Brethren Disaster Relief Auction Event in Lebanon scheduled for
late September is canceled over pandemic concerns!
This year's Lebanon Expo Brethren Disaster Relief Auction that has been a tradition since 1977 has been canceled because of the coronavirus crisis. The BDRA association determined the health concerns due to COVID-19 complicated the ongoing planning and volunteer coordination for the two-day event set to begin Sept. 25.
Event if current restrictions were lifted for opening of the Auction, it would be extremely difficult to have complete assurance that all volunteers, vendors and supporters would attend.
While the entire Board of Directors was heartbroken to make the decision, they feel it is a safer and more conscientious decision to take this year to continue fund raiding efforts with the Church of the Brethren (COB) organizations in central Pennsylvania. While this is sad news for the COB denomination and the Brethren Disaster Relief Ministry (the recipient of the Auction proceeds to rebuild disaster damaged areas), the Board of Directors look forward to seeing everyone in 2021. ~ BDRA Board of Directors
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Directory Changes
P. 12 - Robert & Sally Bingaman: Remove email address for Sally as it is no longer valid
P. 20 - Leonard and Helen Stoner: Change their email address to lstoner38.ls@gmail.com
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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 2020 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.
Beginning July 12, 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
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"Notes from the Console," Article 55, By Mike Frock
The Postlude this week is “The Saints Victorious” by George Blake. The Prelude this week is “Organ Prelude in G Minor” by Greg Bachman. The first half of the prelude is in the form of a fugue. The subject (theme) is eight measures long and is played four times. First, the piece begins in two voices/parts where the subject is played in the pedal line and the right hand plays a counterpoint on the Swell. Then the subject is repeated by the left hand on the Great while the pedal part continues underneath. Next marks the first time all three voices are heard together. The subject is moved to the right hand on the Great, while the left hand moves to the Swell, and the pedal continues underneath. Finally, the subject is stated again by the right hand on the Great, but this time it is imitated at the fifth. This means that the entire subject, instead of beginning on a G, is transposed up a fifth and now begins on a D. At the same time, the left hand crosses over the right hand and plays a much higher counterpoint on the Swell.
After these four iterations of the subject, the music drastically changes texture and style to where the left-hand, playing on the Swell, and the pedal play block chords and the right hand plays a new melody line on the Great. This section is more reminiscent of the 20th-Century French organ school. Next there is a two-measure interlude where the pedal drops out and only the hands play. After this short interlude, the subject returns, again played in the pedal line, but this time with both hands playing chords on the Swell. As the music nears the end, there are seven large block chords. In the last six measures, there is one last partial statement of the subject. The first four notes are played in the right hand on the Swell, and the next five notes are played on the pedals. This last partial statement is a clear example of augmentation, which is when the notes of the subject are lengthened (usually, and in this case, doubled). Lastly, the piece ends on what is called a Picardy Third. In this case, the piece is in G Minor, but the piece ends on a G Major chord. This was a common technique throughout the Baroque Era.
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Scripture Lesson:
Matthew 12:1-14
MESSAGE:
"Becoming the
Inside-Out Church"
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Pastor Joel Gibbel can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday - Thursday from 9:00 AM to noon. Afternoons and evenings are often set aside for visiting those in need, for meetings, and for other pastoral duties. Pastor Joel is also available for Pastoral Counseling by appointment. |
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If you need to reach the pastor outside of office hours, his home phone number is
(717)318-5442, and his cell 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.
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Our Mission Statement:
“People dedicated to Spiritual Growth, Loving Relationship, and Sacrificial Service”
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Our Vision Statement:
“To become a community of committed Christians who Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
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