January 2022 - First Presbyterian Church of York
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January 2022 FPCYORK.ORG
3
5
From The Pastor
Church Family News
C
CONTENTS
26 Stewardship
27 Music Ministry
18 Telling Our Stories 28 Caring Ministry
21 Buildings & Grounds 29 Godly Play
25 Youth & College 30 Sunday School
PASTORS & STAFF DIRECTORY
The staff can be reached by calling the church at 717-843-8041 or by email.
Office Hours: Monday—Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Co-Pastor Ministry Assistant
Cindy Fields……………...ext.221
Rev. C. Kyle Gott ………...ext. 227 office@fpcyork.org
Kyle@fpcyork.org
Financial and Facilities Manger
Co-Pastor Alicia O’Rorey………….ext.229
Rev. Allison Beaulieu ……..ext. 230 Alicia@fpcyork.org
Allison@fpcyork.org
Director of Youth and College Ministries
Director of Music Ministry Delass Johnson………..ext. 232
Christine Kates(Interim)….ext. 236 Delass@fpcyork.org
Christine@fpcyork.org
Caring Ministry Director
Director of Children’s Ministries Marcia Mayfield …..717-848-8869
Stephanie Auker ………….ext.233 marcia@fpcyork.org
Stephanie@fpcyork.org Director of Communications and Media
Kyle Gorin…… ext. 231
Facility Support Supervisor kgorin@fpcyork.org
Miles McLoughlin
miles@fpcyork.org Wendy Smith—Spiritual Formation
SUNDAY IN PERSON AND STREAMING SCHEDULE
8:30 a.m. 9:40-10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Service for the Sunday School Service for the
Lord’s Day Adult Education Lord’s Day
Worship Service
2 October 2021
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FROM YOUR PASTOR
Epiphany and the New Year
The leaves have all fallen, the
longest night of the year has passed us by,
and the cold short days of winter are here.
The wrapping paper has been picked up,
many of the decorations are coming down,
good friends and family have gone or
come home – and we are left with the
promise of Epiphany.
In the Book of Leviticus, the
people of God had an epiphany, as fire
“came from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering”
near the time the Tabernacle was dedicated. When the people saw it,
“they shouted for joy and fell facedown” (Leviticus 9:24). They had an
epiphany.
The Western Church has identified the holy day of Epiphany
(January 6th) with visitors from the East, likely Zoroastrian star gazers,
who came to present gifts to the baby king. They represent, God’s
welcoming of Gentiles into that intimate expression of the family of God
- that wondrous nativity. These visitors where overjoyed at what they
beheld and the text says they too, like the people of God depicted in
Leviticus, fell down before God as they “bowed down and worshipped
him”.
The outward signs of God’s action in the world are not always
something we can see, like stars, or babies, or dreams. Sometimes they
do not come when we feel we need them the most, and sometimes we
don’t have eyes to see them when they do arrive. It is easy to miss God’s
great signs if we are focusing on the deep divisions in society, or on the
deep pain of our losses, or over our legitimate worries about the way the
world is going. In the midst of all of this, let us not forget Epiphany. Let
us not forget that God still shows up faithfully.
FPCYORK.ORG 3
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FROM YOUR PASTOR
As we start a new year, let us together, watch for the signs. We
only need eyes to see them. Let us also remember the most recent ones.
Do we have eyes to see 500 of our neighbors coming to Thanksgiving
dinner with us as a sign of God’s presence? Will we testify about the
fifteen scarves that pastor Allison made by hand and gave to our guests
as being prompted by God? Do we have eyes to see God’s hand in the
192 tags that were taken off the Christmas tree in the Sanctuary, to give
gifts to families through Christmas Hospitality? Can we receive, as a
sign of His inspiration, the Mothers and Baby’s room launched this year?
Do we see the contemporary third service “worship labs” taking place in
Cafe225, completed and dedicated only this last October, as God’s Spirit
moving in us through worship?
And what will we see in 2022? What new creative outreaches or
structures of care will be strengthened or built in 2022? Will we have
eyes to see? In the middle of the cold of winter, let us remember the
faithfulness of God, and that before we realize it we will be taking on
ashes for Lent and those ashes will give way to the Passion and the
Passion will bring us again to the warm light of Resurrection. In the
meantime, we, the church, have Epiphany. In the mean time, we will
look for God to “show up” as we are given eyes to see.
4 October 2021
NCHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Chapel Re-Opening
January 2nd, 2021
On Epiphany Sunday, January 2nd, our 8:30 a.m. service will once again
return to the chapel. Every other pew will be blocked off to maintain a
safe distance. The use of face masks is strongly recommended
regardless of vaccination status. This service will continue to be
livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube from the chapel. We are so
excited to resume worship in the chapel and hope that you can join us!
3rd Service Worship Lab
Sunday, January 9th
Brunch: 11:30am
Worship: 12pm
On January 9th, we will have another “Worship Lab” in
Cafe225. Brunch will be served at 11:30am and the service will
begin at 12pm. We will celebrate communion, remembering
Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord together that day. If you are
interested in checking out what we are planning for our third
service, we would love for you to attend. It will be a wonderful time
of contemplation, testimony, and worship with contemporary
forms of art and music.
FPCYORK.ORG 5
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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Sunday, February 6th, 2022
In-person and Zoom
Immediately following the 10:45 Service
A zoom link will be sent the week prior for those who plan on
attending from home. Our Sundial ministry will also be available for
listening only. If you listen from home through Sundial, you won’t be
able to vote.
At this meeting, we will be hearing from various ministry leaders about
the ministries of the church in the 2021 Annual Report, reviewing the
2022 financial plan that Session approved, and voting on the Terms of
Call for our Co-Pastors.
We hope you can join us for this important time as we come together
as a church body.
Civil Rights Pilgrimage
On June 25 - July 2nd, FPC and Logos Academy students, teachers,
th
and administrators will be taking a Civil Rights Pilgrimage. We will be
led by Dr. Todd Allen who is the Vice President of Diversity Affairs
and Professor of Communication at Messiah University. We will visit
Greensboro, NC, Atlanta, GA, Selma, Montgomery, and
Birmingham, AL, and Memphis, TN. This trip will educate us about
the civil rights movement, help us gain a greater self-awareness of our
own personal prejudices and biases, and equip us to work for racial
reconciliation in the York community and beyond. Our hope is that we
will be transformed and inspired to be agents of healing and
ambassadors of peace. If you would like to learn more about the
pilgrimage, please contact Pastor Allison or Susan Dunham.
6 October 2021
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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
FPCYORK.ORG 7
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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
How to Watch Streaming Services
● Go to our Facebook page during streaming times at:
https://www.facebook.com/FPCYork/.
● You can also view live and archived services on Youtube , which is also a
good resource for those without Facebook access. Search for “First
Presbyterian Church of York” to find the church page on Youtube, or go
to the web address:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc4cd1uuqYrdN89sjzYCOSw
● Both links are available on our www.FPCYork.org homepage.
● For those with a “smart TV” or Xfinity, you can use the built in “Youtube”
app and watch our services on your TV.
Please Note: Sundial New Number
Sundial Instructions
Our Sundial Ministry is available each Sunday for both services and Adult
Education. Sundial begins for the 8:30 service and continues through the end
of the 10:45 service.
1) Dial: 1-267-807-9601
2) Wait for the operator to answer and then dial the meeting
ID:301402434#
3) If you receive a busy signal, call:1-716-293-9726
Enter the Dial in Number of: 267-807-9601
Enter Meeting ID Number: 301402434#
In the unlikely event that both of these numbers are busy or do not work
please contact Alicia on her cell phone at 717-683-4398 and she will get
you an additional number for immediate access.
If the dial-in number is long distance for you, please contact Cindy in the
Church Office, and she can work with you, so you are not charged long
distance fees.
8 October 2021
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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Remote Giving
How to transition to EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer)
Electronic Fund transfer is a way of giving on a schedule via your bank to FPC’s
bank. Signing up is simple. Provide the following information to Alicia
O’Rorey; account number, routing number, amount of contribution, date of
withdraw (the 1st ,the 16th, or both).
You may provide this information by;
● Sending in a voided check – write on your check the date of withdrawal and
the amount.
● Email – only if you are comfortable with this. Please triple check your
account numbers for accuracy.
● Calling in – Our voicemail is secure so you can leave all information if no one
answers.
Your contributions will continue until you confirm a stop date. You may make
contributions to anything through EFT including Caring Ministry.
Online Giving
Online Giving gives you the freedom to control your giving on
your schedule and type of payment. Here are instructions:
1) Go to www.fpcyork.org and find the GIVE NOW button at the top right
of the screen. Clicking on this will take you directly to the FPC giving
platform.
2) From here you will select the category to which you would like to give
and enter the amount.
3) Scroll down and select the donation frequency (one time, weekly,
monthly, etc.)
4) Select a start date. Click Continue.
5) Enter your personal information, name, address, account info. It is
suggested to create a password so you can access or edit your giving
information at a later date.
6) Remember to tap the process button.
FPCYORK.ORG 9
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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Following Jesus Everywhere – Answering God’s Call to
Care for the Homeless
In the very best of times, York has a significantly increasing
number of individuals who have no home. Caring organizations like
LifePath Christian Ministries, Bell Family Shelter, and YWCA York
Access Shelter have been providing lodging to many of them for years.
However, the COVID -19 pandemic has led to an increase in the
number of homeless individuals at the same time that the number of
beds available has decreased, as agencies have had to find ways to
house people safely in limited space.
This is why the York County Coalition on Homelessness
(YCCOH) and its community partners (Children’s Aid Society-
YorkCARES, LifePath, & Friends and Neighbors of PA, Inc.) are asking
York City Churches to consider partnering with them to provide
overflow shelter for the homeless on dangerously cold nights. This
program is called “Code Blue” and was operated out of Asbury United
Methodist Church last year. Asbury provided the space and volunteers
to assist two paid staff persons in getting the individuals screened and
checked in, fed, and bedded down. Our church’s similar proximity to
the city core makes us a desirable candidate for providing this same
service.
In September, Eric M. Chase made a presentation to Session
on behalf of YorkCARES and the “Code Blue” Emergency Shelter
(CBES). He provided the details about how this program works and its
success in other towns like Gettysburg and Carlisle with churches
there. After much discussion and prayer, Session voted to provide
Code Blue Emergency Shelter for York City’s homeless this year in the
month of February at FPC.
10 October 2021N
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
There are many details to share,
and the cold months are drawing near;
but for now we are asking our members
to prayerfully consider becoming
volunteers in this ministry. There are
many roles to be filled, but right now we need individuals who feel
called to serve the homeless of York to come forward to help organize
this effort. For more information about volunteering to serve please
contact the church office.
Flower Ministry
Every Sunday the altar flowers are divided and delivered to our
shut-ins and/or members on our Letters of Concern list. This
ministry was previously placed on hold due to Covid. We have
recently restarted this ministry and are looking for weekly
flower sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring flowers
please fill out the form below or email the office. The cost to
sponsor flowers per week is $40.
Name of Sponsor
Reason for Sponsoring
Sunday Requested
FPCYORK.ORG 11N
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Community Thanksgiving Dinner Wrap-up
For those of you who love facts and figures, here is a short list of the
Thanksgiving take-out event by the numbers:
188 pounds of cooked turkey
3 cases of green beans
6 cases of potatoes
16 pans of stuffing (made from over 50 loaves of Panera bread
plus more…)
Add to that candy bags, applesauce and cranberry cups, 500 rolls
and mini pumpkin pies
All of that equals 516 meals handed out
(Unfortunately, approximately 100 people were turned away.)
I have spent a lot of time processing this. This is the most amount of
food we (this team) have ever done. When the last trays were being
emptied from the ovens, I had to go back to all the walk-in freezers and
refrigerators just to make sure we were out. Indeed, they were empty.
The only thing remaining was some blocks of butter. (Cue the scene in
the “Grinch” story where you see the empty refrigerator with only one
crumb left too small for a mouse).
Two main thoughts went through my head: First, our aim was 500
meals and we accomplished that - no food was wasted on our end. The
second, 100 people were turned away??” That realization made me
sad. We never want to see anyone hungry or disappointed.
12 October 2021N
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
All those numbers aside, as I prayed about this and processed, the
number One kept coming back to me.
We serve One God. This One, amazing God makes it possible to
minister to one person or 500. One God took this one church and
touched hearts regarding the importance of our neighbors. Many
members in this one church donated the money to purchase all the
food listed above. Many members volunteered that weekend to make
the food, sort the coats, set up tables, cover the stations, and fill the
bags and boxes with food. One smile, one gentle hand on a shoulder,
one person praying over the volunteers, one kind face finding coats for
one cold child of God…..
Jesus teaches us in Luke 15:4 that the Good Shepherd always goes to
find the one lost sheep. Every sheep is important to him. You, church,
take on that same shepherd role when you touch one soul at a time
through a kind word, a warm jacket, or a hot meal. You are a church
who understands what it means to give to the “least of these” - our
neighbors near and far. As pastor Nicki Gumbel writes: “Faith is made
visible in love. Love is practical. Hospitality is an act of love”. That is
exactly why you all began cooking these meals in the first place.
Because of the faith you have in the One and Only all powerful,
Creator and Redeemer God, you are able to be the hands and feet of
Jesus.
You, church, fed and clothed many people on November 21, 2021 and
we know that by your love and through the love of our Holy Father,
you will do it again. You will keep reaching out and touching one
person at a time in the name of Jesus!
Thank you, FPC!
It is an honor to serve alongside of you.
In Christ,
Katie B (with your “Incredibles” dinner team: Holli, Susan and
Stephanie)
FPCYORK.ORG 13N
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
COVID Safety Measures In Place
In an effort to keep all of us safe, we are highly recommending the
wearing of face coverings regardless of vaccination status whenever
you are inside the church. We also recommend maintaining physical
distance whenever you can.
Finally, please remember that many of us have different levels of
comfort in group settings. To that end, we want to remind all group
and ministry leaders to provide a hybrid option for meetings and
events whenever you can so everyone can participate in God’s work at
the church.
Operation Christmas Child
Anyone still wishing to send an Operation
Christmas Child shoebox of gifts, school
supplies and hygiene items to a boy or girl in
a developing country - write a check to FPC
for $34.00 and get it to Cindy in the Church
Office by Wednesday, January 5, 2022. On
the memo line of your check - write "OCC-
2021"
The check will cover $25.00 for the contents of the Shoebox as well as
the $9. international shipping to get the shoebox to it's foreign country
destination.
Operation Christmas Child FPC-York volunteers will deliver your filled
shoebox to the regional international shipping Center by mid January
2022.
Gift Cards
Weis and Giant gift cards will be available for sale in the Gathering
Place from 9:30-10:30 am. The cards will be sold the first and third
Sundays of each month. Please bring a check or cash to pay for your
cards. At no cost to you, 5% of each sale goes to the Caring Ministry.
14 October 2021N
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
The Stephen Ministry will hold its monthly meeting in
person on Wednesday, January 5th. All meetings will
continue to be held on the first Wednesday of the
month, and will start at 7 p.m.
Lunch Bunch Schedule for January
2nd - Red Lobster
9th - Olive Garden
16th - Shangri-la
23rd - Red Lobster
30th - Crimson Grill
Letters of Concern
Letters of Concern are once again available for the congregation to
sign. Please stop by the table outside of the Sanctuary (near the Gather-
ing Place) and sign your name to these letters. This is one way we can
express our love and concern for the members of our church.
Spiritual Practice for January:
Spiritual practices continue to be available for you on the website and
in the Prayer Room. For January, the spiritual practice will be the
Examen prayer. As we enter into a new year, let us look back, look
around, look within, and look ahead. Let us pause to notice where God
was in the past year so we can follow the light of Christ into the new
year.
FPCYORK.ORG 15N
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Created To Create
“Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when
you grow up” – Pablo Picasso
Have you ever wanted to grow as a creative person? We believe
that every single person has a creative voice. This class will help
all of us to grow creatively and share our creative life
together. Designed for those just finding their creative voice and
for those wanting to grow further, this time is designed to help us
practice creativity as a spiritual practice. Please call or email the
office if you are interested or have questions. See all the details
below.
Where: Cafe225 (Zoom Available)
When: Wednesdays, January 12th - March 30th
6pm - 7pm (Hybrid Meeting)
Materials Needed:
The Bible
The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron
A Journal or Notebook
Purpose:
1. To honor God by “surprising” God with our creative
expressions
2. To help facilitate a creative break-through for the
participants.
3. To create a spiritually safe place to practice creativity as a
spiritual formation exercise.
Approach:
Form: Hybrid/In-Person (creative shares will need to be in-person
unless vetted)
Mechanics: We will first begin with prayer and reflection on a
Psalm or other poetic biblical literature. We will then take up a
study of the Artists’s Way book and work through each
chapter. We will then have a time to share what we created that
week, or any other creative expressions that would be life-giving
to share.
16 October 2021N
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Develop Spiritual and Creative Safety: What is most critical to
creative break-through is to establish a sense of safety among the
group and within ourselves. We have to learn how to turn off our
“internal critic” which judges art, or creative expressions before
their completion, or before the growth of the artist has taken place.
Practicing and Playing: This class is not designed with a product
in mind as much as learning to creatively play. It is designed to
awaken artists, who will find fulfillment and joy in worshipping God
by growing creatively. This is not about the product, this is about
the process of encountering God and the truth of our
lives. Creativity must be practiced. Creativity can take the form of
art, music, crafts, or creating new software or business systems. It
can all become holy and received as a gift from God!
Finding Healing: When we create we learn to heal. Creative
expressions give symbolic expression to that which is deep and
invisible. This is a vulnerable process, and requires the practice of
listening and the courage to participate. You are free to just
observe, or to share. But the hope and the goal is that as we give
our hearts and minds to God, we will find healing by developing
creative practices.
FPCYORK.ORG 17TELLING OUR STORIES
This is a series of interviews focusing on seniors 90+ who have
wonderful stories of faith to share with the congregation.
Do you remember your fourth grade school teacher? Pastor
Allison remembers her teacher from Indian Rock Elementary School in
the York Suburban School District. Her teacher was our own Natalie
Pucillo, now residing in a beautiful apartment at Normandie Ridge.
Natalie (AKA –“Lee”) is a sweet, pleasant, 93 year old, retired
teacher who sparkles with love and caring for others. Lee exercises in
the Normandie Ridge swimming pool and attends their weekly church
service and Bible Study. Though she is losing her hearing and eyesight,
she readily communicates a genuine thankfulness for life, her family, her
friends, and those folks around her.
It would have been wonderful to be an elementary student in
her classroom! One just knows as they speak with Lee, that she is a good
story teller and knows how to keep your attention. What a wonderful
attribute for a teacher of young minds!
Lee was born on February 9, 1928 in Braddock, PA to Daniel
Wilson Schrecengost and Vera Marie McDonnell Schrecengost. She
describes her parents as hard workers, especially her mother, who was
left a widow when Lee was only four. Lee had one sibling, Norma, who
was four years older than her and whom Lee admired… “Though the
feelings weren’t always mutual,” tells Lee with a twinkle in her eye and a
grin on her face.
She then related this story: One Saturday night, Norma and her
best friend Thelma had to take Natalie along on their Saturday night
stroll through town.
18 October 2021Well, she finally got her request granted, and Natalie’s mother
made the older girls take her along on their Saturday night walk.
However, Norma made Natalie walk four feet behind her the whole
night!
Natalie had many good stories to tell from her time growing up.
At one point, she lived in Swissvale and there she became a member of
the Girl Scouts. For her initiation, she was sent on a “snipe hunt”.
Instead of finding snipe she found blisters on her feet from walking so
long.
Going to Washington D.C. in sixth grade is a fond memory for
Lee. She remembers seeing the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, and
walking to the top of the Washington Monument. Years later she took
the trip again – this time not as a student, but as a sixth grade teacher.
She taught collectively for 24 years in the York Suburban School District
beginning at Valley View Elementary in the sixth grade and then
transferring to Indian Rock to teach fourth grade. Lee felt an important
part of teaching was having consistency.
As a student herself, Lee liked math and was greatly influenced
by her algebra teacher Harriet Kelly, (whose brother was Gene Kelly).
She also liked science. Natalie was a good student who graduated
fourth in her class at Braddock High School. Her college years came later
in her life, as she had to go to work after high school. She went to
college in the late 60’s and earned a BS in Elementary Education and
later a Master’s Equivalency from Pennsylvania State University.
Growing up, Natalie attended a Lutheran Church in Braddock.
She remembers singing in church. She sang so loudly that she
embarrassed her sister, Norma. Lee later joined the Luther League and
taught Sunday School.
FPCYORK.ORG 19When asked what her earliest understanding of God was,
Natalie quickly recited the following prayer poem:
“God is my help in every need.
God does my ever hunger feed.
He walks with me and guides my way.
Every moment of the day.
God is my health, I can’t be sick
God is my strength. I’m failing quick.
God is my all. I have no fear
For Christ the Lord is with me here.”
“My mother taught me that when I was very young and I never
forgot it.” When asked if she still sensed God in her life, she quickly
answered, “I don’t know what I’d do without Him!”
In 1958, Lee and her husband moved to York with their young
son, Jeffrey Lobach. Soon after moving to York, her second son, David,
was born. It was while she was in the hospital with David that Rev.
Ernest Campbell came to visit her. Since they were new in town, and
had not yet established a new church home, Rev. Campbell invited
them to First Presbyterian Church. The rest is history. Lee liked Rev.
Campbell very much and they started attending regularly and joined the
church. Lee taught Sunday School and was active in the church
community.
Natalie’s best moments in her life were when her sons were
born. She loves her family and speaks of them highly. She has two sons,
Jeffery and David, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Her daughter-in-law, Cindy, married to Jeffery is her right hand gal. Of
Cindy, Natalie says, “That Cindy has more energy than anyone I know.
She takes care of my mail and plants, and pays my bills. She keeps track
of my doctor appointments and transports me to them.” Natalie greatly
appreciates the love and joy she receives from her family. She says that
they like to tease her. To explain that statement Natalie says, “My one
son (Jeffery) is a lawyer and the other son, (David) is a doctor. They like
to tease me and tell me that David is going to declare me insane, and
Jeffery will make it legal.” Natalie Pucillo is certainly one of God’s gifts
to us. With positive determination and a family to support her, Natalie
says, God is my life,” and she means it!
20 October 2021B&GBUILDINGS & GROUNDS
Christmas Historic Holiday Tour
York Twinning Association hosts a holiday tour of local churches. The
tour is January 9th from 2-6pm. The tour is expected to bring in 500
visitors through the Sanctuary and grounds. If you are interested in
purchasing tickets to this event, they are $20 each and can be
purchased at the church office.
NEW CHILLER
After years of discussion and even planning, the chiller on Queen Street
is scheduled to be replaced. The efficiency level of the current chiller
during the summer was at 50%, which was thankfully doable due to
Covid having most of the building unoccupied. This quickly made for the
decision that replacement was a must for 2022. After a full bidding
process we have selected a contractor and have ordered a chiller. With
manufacturing delays we do not have a set date for install but it is
expected to be installed by Easter.
The Reaching Higher Campaign raised funds that were unused for the
chiller replacement. Using the remaining funds from that campaign, 50%
of the total replacement costs will be covered. The remaining 50% is
covered by Buildings and Grounds 2021 and 2022 budget.
FPCYORK.ORG 21B&G BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
Buildings and Grounds News
The grounds team has spent the past year sprucing up the yard. Dozens
of truck loads of debris has been hauled away, 27 yards of mulch hauled
in, hundreds of annual flowers planted, and well over one hundred
hours of manpower have been volunteered to get the yard looking as
nice as it is. A sincere thank you to all who have helped in 2021!
During the numerous hours of clean up, the crew noticed a large
amount of work that needed to be tended to. That list includes; tree
trimming, removal of dead or dying shrubs, plants, and small trees,
mulch bed reductions, and gutter work. With all of the removal, a
replanting plan was also created. For safety reasons, long term
maintenance requirements, and aesthetics, the team has worked to
come up with a plan to rework the landscaping. As of the end of
December the gutters have been cleaned out and the final work is
scheduled to be done. Additional work is as follows:
1. Remove shrubs that are unhealthy, dead, or ill placed to make room
for a new landscaping plan.
2. Trim larger trees to reduce falling branches, remove limbs from
buildings and over street.
3. Remove 5 pine trees on the Queen Street side of yard. 2 trees are
dying, 1 has to be removed for the new chiller install, and 2 pine
trees will be removed in order to add usable yard space and
improve visuals of the church from the street.
Steps 1-3 will be completed by late winter. The scheduled work date for
this January and February.
4. Reduce mulch bed areas to limit the amount of coverage each year.
Reductions will be replanting to grass where we can, and adding a
stone base around building foundations to assist with drainage and
add some visual appeal.
5. Replant areas that have had plants/shrubs removed.
Steps 4 & 5 – will be completed early spring
22 October 2021B&G
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
1. 2.
3.
5.
4.
FPCYORK.ORG 23B&G BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
Highlights of this plan are:
The Memorial Garden will get a complete overall. Additional benches
will be added for services in the garden, and the entire area will be
replanted with a cohesive landscaping plan that will be less cluttered
and give green all year round. Additionally, new landscaping lights
will be added to the garden.
The front gate at Queen and Market will be turned into a perennial
garden that will bloom most of the year to help brighten the day of
those walking by.
The areas around the front benches in front of the Sanctuary will be
replanted to give a clean year round look that requires less
maintenance hours.
New shrubs will go in around the new chiller and at the doors of the
Gathering Place.
The side of the BMH facing the parking lot will also get a face lift
adding stones for walkways to the doors and shrubs to accent the
building.
The front of the Chapel and the fountain area will get new shrubs
and perennials to improve the first impression view visitors get when
entering the church.
24 October 2021B&GBUILDINGS & GROUNDS
Additional add on’s are also being considered as funds allow:
Landscape lighting for the entire grounds is under review. Landscape
lighting works as both as outdoor security lighting and adds beauty to
the building and grounds during night hours.
Brick Pathway has plans to be extended at the Sanctuary Market
Street doors to avoid a bottle neck. Before extending the team is
reviewing replacing the entire pathway as the current one is uneven
and narrow which makes it difficult to traverse.
New and/or remodeled outdoor yard signs
Every Sunday in January a member of buildings and grounds will be
available after the 10:45 service to answer questions and/or give a tour
around the grounds to visually see the work scope. Meet Bob Weikert or
Rob Anderson at the Market Street doors in the Sanctuary. Any
questions may be directed to Bob Weikert at 717-891-7985 or Alicia in
the office.
Although the committee is dedicated to the removal of the trees and
shrubs for maintenance and safety issues, and is excited about a full
grounds over-haul, it is being mindful of expenses. Be sure to check
next month’s Newsletter with ways to give to the project.
youth and college
The Youth and College ministry will be traveling this summer, 2022, to
Puerto Rico with Praying Pelican Ministries for our summer mission trip.
We will travel June 11-17. We currently have 6 seats remaining for
participants. If you or any student that you know would be interested,
please contact Delass at the Church Office.
Delass Johnson,
Director of Youth and College Ministry
FPCYORK.ORG 25PER CAPITA - two words that are confusing for many of us in the
Presbyterian Church.
Let’s try and put this concept into perspective. When you were
growing up and you were in a scout troop or a club, it might mean
weekly meetings and also weekly dues. Money that was used to
support the troop or club, also went toward the larger organization,
like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.
Today, many of you are members of community groups like Rotary and
Lions. Again, you have annual dues that are used locally and to
support the national and worldwide organization.
By being in relationship to other sister congregations in the
Presbyterian Church (USA), we share a common ministry and mission.
As we have in our local church, these other levels also have
administrative costs similar to our own, e.g. providing salaries for staff,
leasing office space. The Presbytery also partners with Sessions
offering congregational visits and support to pastors and churches in
times of growth and crisis.
What else does this money do?
It is how Presbyterians are trained to become better Ruling Elders,
Teaching Elders, and Deacons.
It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the wider church
through serving on committees, commissions, and General
Assembly.
It is how Presbyterians discern God’s call to service and preserve
our heritage.
It is how the Synod funds innovative initiatives within our
Presbytery and Synod as a whole.
26 October 2021Another way of looking at per capita is as our “fair share”. Each church
is given a Presbytery approved figure for a per member apportionment.
This contribution is a demonstration of what makes us a connection
church and not in the strictly congregational model. The basic figure is
multiplied by our church membership. What we send to the Presbytery
is split 3 ways: the Presbytery (churches in York, Lancaster, and Chester
Counties), the Synod (PA and parts of WV, a little of Ohio), and the
General Assembly (the national body).
This year the per member contribution for the 2022 fair share per
capita apportionment is $34.78. Too hard to remember? Round it to
$35.00...the extra 22 cents will go into the pot to help! Session pledges
to pay our total amount. Your donation to help cover this cost helps in
the overall budget at FPC because there will be more money to cover
the costs of items where we have fallen short.
Please remember to make this part of your contribution. This potion of
your pledge does make a difference. Thank you for sharing and
participating in the 2022 per capita apportionment.
FREE Jazz Vespers
First Presbyterian Church of York
Join percussionist and arranger, Jeff Stabley, Tim Warfield, Mac White,
Bob Meashey, Kirk Reese, Steve Meashey, and other renowned
musicians, as they present the sweet, soulful sounds of Jazz, Gospel,
and Standards at our annual, and ever popular, Jazz Vespers
concert. Guest vocalist Diane Wilson will join in, as the ensemble pays
tribute to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program is FREE and
open to the public. A freewill offering will be taken to support the
Abendmusik Concert Series.
Something new this year.
The Jazz Vespers will be presented twice!
Date: Saturday, January 15th, 2022
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Face masks are required for this event.
FPCYORK.ORG 27CM CARING MINISTRY
Update from the Caring Ministry Director,
Marcia Mayfield
The presents have been opened, the ornaments are safely
packed away and the melodies of the carols are fading in the distance.
But the love and the gifts are still being felt. It has been another
blessed year at the Caring Ministry. We live in tough times and God
continues to bless the FPC family to bless others. You wouldn’t believe
the number of times I’ve heard people say in amazement and surprise,
“You all really care about me” It brings joy to my heart because there
are a lot of people who help but not as many that care. Thank you so
much to all of you that have given to the Caring Ministry.
We ended the year with joy and gladness and by sharing the
love of Christ. For Christmas Hospitality we served approximately 200
children and 70 families. We delivered 108 Christmas gifts to the
Delphia House Senior Apartments. We also helped 5 young people in
their early 20’s secure jobs and temporary housing as well as providing
gifts for a mother and her 3 children that escaped a domestic violence
situation. This month was amazing but tough, as I listened to the father
that lost his son to suicide. The year of 2021 was hopeful but also hard
as we watched entire families have to go to several different shelters
after the loss of jobs and consequently their homes. There have been
times when we could tangibly help and other times when we could only
pray. But I have seen the flicker of hope and God’s love as the Caring
Ministry staff and volunteers served. Matt 5:16 says “in the same way,
let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good
deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. To God be the Glory!
And now it is 2022 and our theme will be to Pursue. We will
pursue with intention, hope, and love. In the words of Walt Disney, “All
of our dreams will come true if we have the courage to pursue.”
28 October 2021CM CARING MINISTRY
SPONSOR THE TRUCK
Food costs for the Pantry average about $500 each month. Caring
Ministry gets pantry items from the Central Penn Food Bank (CPFB)
each month. We are looking for families to sponsor the truck.
Sponsorships can range from
$25-$500
Our sponsor for December: CPFB Truck
Joe and Sharon Snoke Destination:
In honor of
Matt, Amanda, and Sam Dubbs
Godly play stories continue to be told during the Sunday school hour.
They are also available on the church website for you to view. For the
month of January, these are the stories that will be told in Sunday
School and uploaded on the website:
January 2: Visitors From the East
January 9: One Hundred Sheep
January 16: Ten Coins
January 23: Two Sons and Their Father
January 30: The Widow and the Judge
FPCYORK.ORG 29C EChristian Adult Education
More to Sundays at FPC
Sunday Evening Prayer & Fellowship
7:00 PM via Zoom video conference-call
Join us every Sunday, online or over the phone, for a 30-minute
interactive service of Evening Prayer based on the liturgy from the
Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, plus a brief time of fellowship
and catching up. You'll have the opportunity to share your own prayer
requests, and we'll reflect briefly on a passage of Scripture together--but
there's no pressure to share anything if you don't want to.
● To join Sunday Evening Prayer from a computer, tablet, or
smartphone, go to this web address: https://zoom.us/j/182994919
(Meeting ID = 182994919)
● To join Sunday Evening Prayer by telephone, dial 1-929-205-6099.
When asked for the meeting ID number, enter 182 994 919.
Sunday School Hour Bible Study
9:40 AM via Livestream & Sundial
Tune in between worship services, grab your Bible,
and join us for an adult Sunday School class led by Pastor Allison, Pastor
Kyle, Stephanie Borger, Byron Borger, and other guest panelists.
You can watch the livestream on the church's Facebook page or YouTube
channel, or you can call the Sundial number to listen by telephone.
(Instructions to dial in can be found on page 6.)
We also invite you to participate in the conversation by typing your
thoughts and questions in the Facebook comment section. Our panelists
will bring comments from those at home into the conversation in real
time!
Homebuilders Bible Study Class
Homebuilders will continue to meet in Cafe225 during the Adult Ed
hour.
30 October 2021CE
Christian Adult Education
Pathfinder’s Bible Study
The Pathfinder’s Bible study group is continuing its
study on the book of Mark using the resource Living
the Questions in Mark. The Bible study meets on the
first and third Wednesdays from 1:00-2:30 in room
208 at the church. Everyone participating is asked to
wear a mask and social distancing will be practiced.
Contact Wendy Smith if you are interested in joining
the group! All are welcome!
Mothers Bible Study
Mothers’ Bible Study resumed on September 14, with in-person
meetings every Tuesday from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., in Cafe225 (old parlor)
and remote attendance via Zoom. The group is studying Liturgy of the
Ordinary – Sacred Practices in Everyday Life, by Tish Harrison Warren -
Anglican Priest, wife, and mother whose take on our everyday lives
guides us to see God’s presence in all that we do. Each of the eleven
chapters stands on its own, making it easy for newcomers to join the
study at any time. The questions at the back of the book help us apply
Tish’s insights to our individual lives.
If you are looking to grow in understanding of God’s Word as it informs
and shapes the life of women of faith, or are seeking fellowship and
prayer support, prayerfully consider joining Mothers’ Bible
Study. Contact Katie Berkebile at kandyklb@gmail.com for the link to
join the meeting via Zoom and/or to learn how to obtain a copy of the
book. Come join us! All are welcome!
Wednesday Night Bible Study
7:00-8:30 PM via Zoom video conference-call
Everyone is invited to join us each Wednesday, online or over the phone,
for this weekly study. New participants are welcome any time! We are
currently doing a book study on The Gospel of John.
● To join Wednesday Night Bible Study from a computer, tablet, or
smartphone, go to this web address: https://zoom.us/
j/391609730 (Meeting ID = 391609730)
● To join Wednesday Night Bible Study by telephone, dial 1-929-205-
6099. When asked for the meeting ID number, enter 391 609 730
FPCYORK.ORG 3132
NONPROFIT ORG.
First Presbyterian Church of York U.S. POSTAGE
225 East Market Street PAID
YORK, PA
York, PA 17403 PERMIT NO. 1397
www.fpcyork.org
October 2021
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