Sunday, February 18th - FOOD DRIVE COLLECTION

Our Food Pantry continues to serve people needing food. We have seen a big increase in recent weeks. If you would like to donate to our pantry we can always use gift cards to the local grocery stores, or cash. We recently purchased a freezer so we can store more food, especially meat and fruit we receive free or purchase from the York County Food Bank at a very reasonable cost. 



I know some people like to give food items, so here is a list of items we can always use. Bring them to worship and our children will collect them within the service.

Boxes of Cereal, Rice, Pancake mix and Pancake syrup, Peanut butter             

Grape jelly or strawberry jam, Small cans of tuna and or chicken     

Granola bars, Instant mashed potatoes, Bottles of cooking oil

Spaghetti, Elbow macaroni and jars of Spaghetti Sauce

Bottles of fruit juice, Crackers – Ritz type or saltines

Boxes of Mac and Cheese, Mayonnaise, Canned Baked Beans

Fresh fruit and vegetables – apples, oranges, potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery 

Thank you to all who donate and those faithful volunteers who help in the Pantry 

whenever we are open. ~ Mary Esther Anderson

A connected concern and joy to share:

York County Food Bank distributed 2.8 million pounds in 2023. That is 300,000 pounds more than in 2022.  No one should have to choose between paying a heating bill and obtaining food.

The food pantry and York County Good Bank greatly appreciate your support.

Joy: The York Daily Record Christmas fund raising drive raised $18,400 for the York County Food Bank.

The 2024 Church Directory is available to be picked up in the Gathering Area. All church members and friends, please take one.

YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITY

Youth and School Age Children join us for Dodgeball fun!! Please feel free to invite friends and neighbors as you wish.

Sundays at 4:00 pm from Jan. 28 to March 3 in Fellowship Hall

CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS/ACTIVITIE

Saturday, February 17

10:00 am  Facility Care Team

Sunday, February 18

9:00 am  Sunday School

10:30 am  Worship Service – Sanctuary

4:00 pm  Youth Group – Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, February 20

9:30 am Ladies Bible Study – Anna Mow Room

4:00 pm  Food Pantry Open 4:00pm to 5:30 pm

Wednesday, February 21

9:00 am   Staff Meeting – Multi-Purpose Room

Thursday, February 22

6:00 pm    Bell Choir Practice – Bell Choir Room

7:00 pm    Chancel Choir Practice – Anna Mow Room

Saturday, February 24

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

Sunday, February 25

9:00 am    Sunday School

10:30 am   Worship Service – Sanctuary

4:00 pm   Youth Group – Fellowship Hall

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

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 Room 149. Teacher Dave Witkovsky. This class is for youth in grades 7-12. Youth will continue their series in the Shine curriculum.

Vine and Branches Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 154. Teacher Kim Witkovsky. The class is following the "Guide for Biblical Studies" curriculum entitled "Faith that Pleases God."

Lamplighters Sunday School Class

9:00 AM in Room 145. Teacher Beth Anne Bahn. The lesson series is entitled "In the Footsteps of the Savior" with Max Lucado. 

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.  

EASTER FLOWERS

You may order your flowers Feb. 11, 18, 25 and March 3rd.

Purchases can be made in honor, in memory, or in appreciation of whomever you wish. Flowers will be your to take home following the Easter Sunday service on March 31st.

Order forms will be available at the church on Sunday or you may contact the church office to place an order. Orders and payment can be made through online giving (below) as well.

TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

At the last Deacon’s meeting the Deacons signed up to help with transportation for those in the congregation that would need a ride for any reason. It was suggested at that time that we should offer this option to the whole congregation who might want to help in this outreach.

Please sign the sheet in the gathering area as you are inclined to help in this ministry. Thanks!

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

Wednesday, March 6 - Fellowship Meal 6:00 PM

Saturday, March 16 - 30-Hour Famine Event - Youth Group

Wednesday, March 27 - Egg Hunt 5:30 PM

Thursday, March 28 - Love Feast 6:00 PM

OUR DAILY BREAD/SOUP KITCHEN - Friday, March 8, 2024

Sign up by calling Sandi Bowser at 717-825-7203 to make a casserole for Our Daily Bread/Soup Kitchen on Friday, March 8, 2024 (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.

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

Read news updates by clicking the link below

You may also subscribe to receive 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.

KATALLASSO DONATION UPDATE

During our Advent/Christmas Eve offerings, we collected $4,316.15 for the Katallasso Family Health Center. An acknowledgement letter from Executive Director Stephen Kurtz adds his comments: “Wow! Thank you First Church for your generous Advent offering! We are speechless. I love your passion for missions and of bringing the love of Jesus to those who are broken. We’re honored to partner with you. Thank you!”

Thank you for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers during our loss ~ Bev Raney and family

YEAR-END GIVING STATEMENTS are available for pick-up in the gathering area (in envelopes). Please pick up your statement so that we do not need to mail them all. Thank you!

2024 LENTEN DEVOTIONAL

"Through Thick and Thin" by Beth Sollenberger

Lenten devotional books are available for pick up in the gathering area. Please take one per household and let it guide you this Lenten Season.

An important part of the Easter story is the Road to Emmaus, in Luke, when people walked and talked with Jesus and recognized the living Christ standing, striding alongside, or pausing to share supper across the table. This devotional shares stories of God’s presence in everyday people along the journey. It invites you to identify God’s presence in the people you meet along your own journey. Enjoy these stories of how Christ’s love and grace is revealed by those who are with us through thick and thin.

FEBRUARY IS SHARE THE WARMTH MONTH

If you have a blanket to share, or materials for making one, please bring to our church and leave in the Anna Mow room with my name (Cathy) on package. I currently have a long list of those needing a way to stay warm. If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Carson.

Click on button to "Check out" these

new books that are available in

The First Church Library!

Directions for borrowing a book can be found on the countertop to the right after entering through the library door. 

Judy Yingling recently donated books from the personal collection of her late husband, Pastor David Yingling. As most of you remember, Pastor Yingling was formerly a pastor here at York First Church of the Brethren. His books have been processed and are now available in the Adult Section of our library. Please click on the button to see the titles of those books.

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 2024 the gift card sales will support The Lehman Center (Children’s Aid Society), New Community Project, and Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry. 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.

LAST WEEK IN WORSHIP

February 11, 2024

SCRIPTURE LESSON:

John 10:9-10, John 14:1-7

MESSAGE:

“Jesus, The Way”

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.