“The mission of the West York Church of the Brethren is to love, nurture and build the community of Jesus Christ.”

West York Church of the Brethren 5101 Darlington Road York, PA 17408 Gregory L. Jones, Pastor

The West Yorker

February 2016

The West Yorker

West York Church of the Brethren 5101 Darlington Road

York, PA 17408 Phone: (717) 792-9260

Fax: (717) 792-9799 Prayer Line: (717) 792-8816

E-mail: WestYorkCOB@verizon.net Website: www.westyorkcob.org

Sunday Worship: Sunday School 9:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am

UPCOMING EVENTS: Leadership Team Meeting - February 2

Souper Bowl - February 7

Transfiguration of Our Lord - February 7 Ash Wednesday - February 10

1st Sunday in Lent - February 14

Valentine’s Day - February 14

President’s Day - February 15

Day of Prayer for Children & Youth - February 17

2nd Sunday in Lent - February 21

Bread & Cup Service - February 21

Newsletter Deadline - February 22

3rd Sunday in Lent - February 28

2016

Souper Bowl Sunday

February 7th, 2016

Once again this year we are challenging our congregation to top the total donations of soup we collected last year. We collected 2,576 units last

year. You can bring your donations of soup to the church now through February 7th. The cans we

collect will benefit our Food Pantry and the Harvest of Blessing food pantry in York.

Since 1990, young people have been leading the charge and inspiring others to collect dollars and food in the weeks leading up to the Big Game.

Teaming up with local partners, these groups give 100% of their donations to local charities, changing

the nation’s largest weekend of football into the largest weekend of caring.

Help WYCOB to meet this challenge

and you will also be helping others.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”

Matthew 25:35

In the event of bad weather, please check the Home page of the church website for cancellations. Also check out the church Facebook page. No internet or Facebook? Call Pennie Jacobs or Pastor Greg (cell phone).

UPCOMING WYCOB EVENTS

Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday, March 19th

Love Feast - Sunday, March 20th

Meat Canning - Tuesday, April 5th

Yard Sale/Chicken BBQ - Saturday, April 9th

February 2016 Page 3

Giant gift cards for CAS

Sunday, February 7, 2016 from 9:30 - 10:00 am

in the church narthex. If you are unable to be at church that day, please call Nancy Ausherman.

************** CAS continues to ask Prayer Warriors to pray for:

-Carol and her son as they parent together to provide Mia with a stable home environment. -Peace for the City of York. Pray that young people will turn away from violence. -The churches in the District will open their doors, hear, and support the campaign efforts for CAS. -Children and their families burdened with added stressors and problems during the holiday season.

**************

25 Years! The Children’s Aid Society Annual Auction benefitting The Lehman Center

will be 25 years old at our next auction on

Tuesday, April 26, 2016.

Help us make this a blowout year by getting those things you haven’t used in years out of your attic,

dragging those “what were they thinking?” Christmas presents out of the back of your closet, and donating them to The Lehman Center to be

auctioned. The funds raised by the auction provide services to low income children who are at risk of being abused or who are recovering from

abuse. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Don’t miss this special opportunity to show your support for The Lehman Center by being a sponsor for our 25th anniversary year.

For more information, contact The Lehman Center at 717-845-5771.

DENOMINATIONAL, DISTRICT & COMMUNITY EVENTS

(For more info on denominational events, go to www.brethren.org)

Annual memberships are now being collected for the Friends of Cross Keys Village. Show our church’s support for The Friends. See Nancy Ausherman.

*******

Help is needed from WYCOB with the Brethren Home Monthly Birthday Par-

ty on Monday, March 7th. 2 or 3 people will be needed. Please let Nancy Ausherman know if you can help.

MAN 2 MAN W O R K S H O P 2 0 1 6

Men’s Spiritual Leadership Summit & Breakfast

Saturday, February 27, 2016

8:00 am to 12:00 noon

Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren

(301 Gale St. Mechanisburg, PA 17055)

Guest Speaker: Ron Hostetler Author, Educator, and Speaker

Deeds & Destiny

Understanding the Times and Knowing What to Do

Attributes of a Difference-Maker Man-Up!

$16.00 Registration Fee

REGISTRATION DEADLILNE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13th

Brochure with registration form is available on the narthex table.

Sponsored by The Nurture Commission of Southern PA District Church of the Brethren

Friends of Cross Keys Village-

The Brethren Home Community

Professional Artists Series

Presents

Cormorant’s Fancy

Celtic

Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm

The Nicarry Meetinghouse at The Brethren Home

Presented free of charge

2016 MEAT CANNING PROJECT

The 2016 “Meat Canning Project” is scheduled for TUESDAY, APRIL 5th.

The work hours will be from 6 am to 12 noon with lunch & transportation provided. (Ted Schmittel will be serving lunch) Please see Bill Fulmele for additional

details.

February 2016 Page 4

March Newsletter Deadline for articles for the

MarchNewsletter is

February 22, 2016

Thank you.

February Special Offering Our special offering for February is

“Stewards”

This offering will go to the

Property & Grounds Ministry Team

Please use the brown envelopes in the narthex.

Through the Eyes of John

A study on the gospel of John

Join us for this continuing sermon series.

MESSENGER MAGAZINE Messenger, the magazine of the Church of the

Brethren, is now ready for you to read and learn about the Church of the Brethren. If you want a

subscription, it is $14.50 for 1 year or $27.60 for 2 years. Make your check payable to WYCOB

and give to Barb in the church office by February 7, 2016. Any questions, see Darlis

Parker, Messenger Representative.

Your help is needed for the annual Easter Egg Hunt (3/19/16)

We are again collecting donations of wrapped candy, quarters, and small prizes to fill the plastic eggs. This year, we do not need any plastic eggs, just the filler

items. All items in any quantity would be greatly appreciated.

Please place your donations in the box marked “Easter Egg Hunt,” in the narthex no later than

Sunday, March 13, 2016. We will be having a snack time after the hunt- if you would be willing to donate a healthy snack or drink, please list your name and snack/drink you’ll be donating

on the sign-up sheet in the narthex. If you have any questions- please contact one of us. Thank you. Blessings, Linda Fulmele & Deona Schmittel

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 19, 2016

10:00 am Come one ……Come all

All children (ages birth-12) are invited to

participate in the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 19th.

Those interested in joining in the fun, please bring a basket and meet in the sanctuary at 10:00 am. (Registration begins at 9:30 am)

The 2016 WYCOB Yard Sale/Chicken BBQ

is scheduled for SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH. Your donations will assist

many individuals in need. Please begin gathering those “once loved items”.

Clothing donations can be placed in the middle room in the kitchen hallway. Other

items can be placed in the garage at the office. More information to follow. Please

see Larry & Beth Marshall or Bill Fulmele for more information.

February 2016 Page 5

If you would like to receive your newsletter by email rather than a printed copy,

please contact Barb in the church office.

THE NEWSLETTER CAN NOW BE VIEWED ON THE CHURCH WEBSITE! Let Barb know if you no longer need a print-ed copy of the newsletter.

Announcements We will now be running the announcements

on a power point prior to the worship service and after. If you have an

announcement you would like to add to the power point, please contact the church

office no later than Thursday each week.

If you have an announcement you would like to make in church during the worship service, please talk to the Worship Leader

prior to the service.

To receive a text message alerting you to special updates and announcements concerning the West York Church, text @westyork to (717)842-4542 or @westyork to 81010. If you have questions, talk to Pastor Greg.

Adult Sunday School class - NEW! A Guide For Biblical Studies: Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings: Exploring the traditions related to four special commemorations celebrated by the Jews: Passover, the Feast of Weeks, the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Booths. (Tom Whitcraft) “Seeking Amazing Grace” Adult class - Study of 1 and 2 Peter (Larry Marshall) Monday Morning Bible Study - NEW STUDY Book of Matthew (Janet Jones) Care and Share Women’s Group - NEW STUDY “Overcoming Fear” (Judith Wallace)

Bible Study Companion

If anyone would like copies of

the monthly

Bible Study Companion

for 2016, please contact Barb

in the church office.

The Child Education Center

The Child Education Center is selling Thirty One Bags as a fundraiser from now through February 19th. Packets with a cat-alog and order sheet are on the narthex ta-

ble. Any questions, see Lois Hinson, Pat Eutzy, Pennie Jacobs or Nicole Grove.

Thanks for your support of our preschool. ************

We are accepting applications for the

2016-2017 school year. Classes will be

held Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday &

Thursday. Applications are available

through the church office.

Choir & Praise Team Rehearsals Choir - 6:30 pm Praise Team - 7:30 pm

If you enjoy singing, we would ask you to prayerfully consider joining the Choir and/or the Praise Team. For more information, contact our

Director of Music, Beth Marshall.

All voices welcome!!

February 2016 Page 6

The Crutch

I overheard a comment this morning that took me back to my teenage years. I spent 6 months in a cast back in 1977. I walked on crutches the whole time. I had to learn how to walk up and down stairs with crutches. I had to learn how to carry my books at school while using crutches. I had to discover a unique way of carrying my lunch tray while using crutches. Although I could hardly wait for the day I could put them down, the doctor explained why I needed to use them. Many tendons, nerves, veins, and arteries had been cut in the accident, and I ran the risk of tearing things apart if I did not depend on these crutch-es.

I was reminded of this period in my life because I overheard someone claim that Jesus is a crutch. This whole idea of Jesus being a crutch can be heard in a statement once made by Jesse Ventura. “Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers.” Many people view religion as something for the weak minded. The intelligent and wise among us see the faithful as simple-minded fools. "There is no polite way to suggest to someone that they have devoted their life to a folly" (Daniel Dennet). I could go on. The world seems filled with people who view Christians as weak-minded fools; individuals who have been duped into believing a myth. We need God because we are too weak to face life on our own. We need Jesus because we don't have the guts to take responsibility for our actions. Jesus is a crutch.

These people remind me of the woman at the well. We meet her in John 4. At one point in the conversation, Jesus says to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:12-14). In other words, Jesus offers to help a person whose life is a wreck. No matter what they do, they remain "thirsty". He offers to become a "crutch" - to support those who cannot deal with their burden on their own. In sarcasm, she replies, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw” (John 4:15). Jesus seemed like a crutch. She didn't need Him to fix her. She didn't need His help to live a healthy life. Jesus seemed like a fool until He pointed out just how "sick" she truly was. Reminding her of her many broken relationships, Jesus says that if she was so good at living on her own, then why did her relationships fail so often (John 4:16).

Like this woman, many today defiantly reject Jesus or God. They drag themselves emotionally and spiritually through life, damaging their heart and soul. Rather than admit their weakness, they stand on wobbly legs, broken and bleeding, crying out "There's nothing wrong with me. I don't need a crutch". And they call me the weak one. They call me simple-

minded. They call me the fool.

Maybe they are right. Maybe I am the fool. Maybe I am weak. Maybe I should admit this with no shame.

To deny that Jesus is supporting me and strengthening me is to claim that I can do all these things on my own. If I need no crutch, then I confess there is no wound. To need no crutch is to admit I need no help. But that would be a lie.

I am, like many of you, a person who suffers from a debilitating wound. I am a man filled with sin. And no amount of effort on my own will remove that sin from my life. I might try to be good - to walk on my own - but because of the wound of sin, I WILL fall again. I WILL stumble. I would be a fool to deny my weakness. I would be a fool to ignore the wound of sin that has debilitated my heart. I would be a fool to ignore the many times in my life when sin causes me to fall.

I am weak. I am a weary soul who is burdened by sin. I need help. If that makes me a simple-minded fool, then so be it. I admit that I need a crutch.

On the other hand, if you don't need one, if you don't need any help and are doing just fine on your own, Hallelujah! Good for you! But please don't judge me for being a broken and busted soul who can carry his burden no further. I am a weary soul who is heavy-laden with sin. Maybe you are not, but I am, and I need help. I need a crutch.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Pastor Greg

February 2016 Page 7

Ah, February...many thoughts turn to Love, Hearts, and Flowers. Whether it's in the form of a cute card for a child, a

thoughtful note for a dear friend, or flowers and chocolate for a Sweetheart, February has become synonymous with thoughts of love.

But in addition to the sentiment associated with February and Valentine's Day, it's important to remember not just our

"sweet" hearts, but also our "physical" hearts. Those hearts that pump 70-80 times a minute, 24 hours a day, year after year. In order to stay healthy and enjoy time with those we love, our own hearts need a little TLC. Even if you

have no personal or family history of heart disease it is important to live a "heart healthy" lifestyle.

Here are some tips for loving and caring for the heart God entrusted to you.

1. Eat a diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium. Taking the time to read food labels will help you understand what foods you should avoid or eat in small quantities. Saturated Fats are found in prepared foods and

animal products including meats, milk, butter and eggs. Limit your red meat intake, choose lean cuts of chicken and turkey, and eat more soy protein and fish, including salmon, tuna and sardines (high in cholesterol lowering ome-

ga-3 fatty acids). In prepared foods, avoid products made with transfats and hydrogenated vegetable oils. One

great way to reduce your cholesterol is to increase your fiber intake with more fruits, vegetables, beans and whole-grain foods. Try to consume 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Keep an eye on sodium too. Sodium is found

in many foods like processed meats, canned soup, eggs and bread. Make a conscious effort to consume only 2 grams or less of sodium per day (1/3 of a teaspoon).

2. Do 30 minutes of daily exercise to get your heart rate up. Simply make exercise a part of your daily routine.

Find an activity that fits your lifestyle and take the time to do it. If you are busy, the good news is that the 30

minutes does not have to be consecutive. You can do three 10 minute spurts (or two 15 minute spurts) of activity that get your heart rate up. You might do short and brisk walks two to three times a day. The exercise doesn't have

to be something that wears you out or gives you muscle cramps...just enough to raise your heart rate. If it's been a while since you did any kind of exercise, please check with your doctor.

3. Stop smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Smokers have about a 70 percent higher death

rate from coronary artery disease than do nonsmokers. When you want to quit smoking, help is available. When you quit, your heart will begin to rejuvenate. Think about it. It will make you and your loved ones healthier and happier

at the same time. Also, do your best to avoid secondhand smoke.

4. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at normal levels. If you do all three of the above, your blood pressure and cholesterol levels will probably be in a healthy range. A good blood pressure is around 120/80 mm Hg

and a good total cholesterol should be 200 mg/DL or lower. To keep them in check, be sure to have these levels

measured regularly, and take medications from your doctor when necessary.

5. Keep your stress levels under control. Don’t ignore it when you’re feeling stressed for more than a day. To keep your ticker healthy, it’s important to assess your stress level every so often. Ideas for stress reduction include

everything from listening to music to having a regular exercise routine to taking the time to read your Bible and pray. Whatever you do, find what works for you. Doctors are even finding that laughter eases blood flow and

reduces our stress, so try bringing some levity into your daily life. Another way to keep stress in check for the long

term is to have a good network of friends with whom you can talk. Finally, be sure to separate your family time from work time. This can do wonders.

Yes, February is the month of hearts, flowers and love. Remember to love your heart.

Be Well!

Page 8 February 2016

The Wellness Corner … by Judith Wallace, MSN, RN Faith Community Nurse

February 2016 Page 9

Serving our Congregation in February

Acolytes

7 Alana Grove 14 Ben Grove 21 Quinten Noll 28 Carley McDowell

Greeters 7 Ted & Deona Schmittel 14 Karen Phillips 21 Brenda Myers 28 Dave & Reda Miller

Nursery Caregiver 7 Shawna Grove 14 Ted & Deona Schmittel 21 Don & Donna Ausherman 28 Pat Eutzy Sound Board Operator

7 Ron Buser 14 Bill Fulmele 21 Ed Jacobs 28 Sean Grove/Ed Jacobs

Power Point Operator 7 Bill Zumbrum 14 Bill McDowell 21 Mariah Schmittel 28 Landon Eshbach

Worship Leader 7 Beth Marshall 14 Tom Whitcraft 21 Darlis Parker 28 Bill Fulmele

Children’s Church Worship Leaders 7 Steve & Nicole Grove 14 Linda Fulmele, Genie & Shawna Grove 21 Linda Fulmele, Genie & Shawna Grove 28 Linda Fulmele, Genie & Shawna Grove

February

3 Kathleen Lloyd

Jane Miller 6 Pastor Greg Jones

8 Lois Hinson

Kevin Hoover 10 Emily Marshall 13 Lisa Manganello

14 Dawson Eshbach Levi Keefer Merl Keefer, Jr. 17 Bill Fulmele

22 Cindy Heist Bob & Mary Wildasin

24 Robert Eshbach

Larry & Beth Marshall 25 Brielle Bricker 27 Bryan & Julee Bricker 28 Ryan Heist

POWER POINT

February 2016 Page 10

For pastoral emergencies: Pastor Greg may be contacted through the church office at 792-9260 or his home number 717-308-7499. If Pastor Greg is not available please contact Pennie Jacobs (292-4159 or 586-4646).

Ted and Julie Smoker and their family are in Guatemala to do mission work with the K’ekchi

farmers. If you would like to stay in contact, please go to their website www.tedsmoker.com

or email them at jasmoker@gmail.com.

Dear WYCOB, Thank you so much for the care package that was sent to me at school. It was definitely a light in my week and made finals week a little more bearable! Everything was delicious! Love, Kayla Smith

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Thank you to my “Secret Friend” for my Hope, Love, Joy, Peace Angels. They are beautiful. Mary Jane Hoff

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ A special thank you to all those who shared their musical talents with us during Advent

and Christmas. Thanks to Janet Jones, Judith Wallace, Linda Zumbrum, Adult

Choir, Praise Team, Tom Whitcraft, Susan Parente, Children’s Choir, Nathan & Levi Keefer, Ruth & Jake Hershey and Sean Grove. The beautiful music was such a special addition to the worship services.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Thank you for the fruit basket I received at Thanksgiving. Also, thank you to everyone for all the cards and gifts my family and I received for Christmas. I am very grateful to serve as your church secretary. May you all have a blessed New Year!

Barb Sloat ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Thanks from Me! Just a little line or two to bring my warmest thanks to you! Thank you to my Secret Friend for my Love, Joy, Peace, Hope jingle balls. Romaine Andrews

Prayer Requests If you have a prayer request you would like to share with the church, please fill out a prayer card (found in the narthex) and give it to Pastor Greg or the Worship Leader. You may also call Barb in the church office.

DAY OF PRAYER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Wednesday, February 17th is our monthly Day of Prayer for our Children and Youth. Please find time during this day to pray for our Church’s Ministry to

Children and Youth.

Thank you to everyone who donated items for the

Mitten Tree. We collected 46 pair of gloves, 31 hats, 17 scarves, and 4 pair of socks. These items will be

donated to The Nicarry Center in New Oxford.

To the West York Church of the Brethren Children’s Church who raised $48. by Feeding the Gorilla and donated the money to Children’s Aid Society - Thank You! Your thoughtful gift helps us provide therapy and crisis nursery services for children who are facing great diiculties in their lives. Thanks to you children have a safe place to talk to someone who cares. We greatly appreciate that you thought of others this Christmas season and reached out your hands to lift them up. Sincerely yours, Jan Zeigler - Interim Executive Director

February 2016 Page 11

DISTRICT

The SO PA District Board meets on a regular basis throughout the year, and visitors are

welcome to attend these meetings and bring their joys and concerns of their home

congregations. If you would like to see firsthand how the Board conducts the business

of the District, plan to attend the meetings listed below, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

March 12 - West Shore COB

May 14 - Free Spring COB

July 16 - West York COB

October 8 - Black Rock COB

Women’s Retreat “Come to the Banquet” February 4th & 5th - Tree of Peace Lodge

Gather with friends and enjoy the comical musings of Karen Dillon as she brings a lighthearted approach to

accepting food and ourselves...as God intended. Registration: $89, includes lodging, meals & Program

Register online: www.campeder.org/registration Register by phone: 717-642-8256 Register by email: campeder@campeder.org

More information on poster hanging in the narthex. ***********

Camp Eder Senior Day Wednesday, February 17th - 9:30 am

Alan Patterson singing love songs of the ear-ly 1900’s (10 am)

Elva Hurst’s Chalk Art - 1 pm Lunch: Lasagna, salad, broccoli, dessert

(Cost: $17 per person) RSVP: 717-642-8256; email: campeder@campeder.org

See poster hanging in the narthex. ***********

Mount Hope Maple Madness Saturdays, February 27th & March 5th Pancake Breakfasts, Maple Sugaring Tours

Local Art & Craft Vendors See the poster hanging in the narthex.

***********

2016 Camp Eder Program & Activity Schedule Copies on the narthex table.

2016 Southern PA

DISTRICT YOUTH EVENT

March 4th-5th - 7 pm

Mechanicsburg COB (301 Gale St. Mechanicsburg PA)

$15 per person

Come join us for a night of fun and fellowship! An overnight event filled with games

(battle ball, ga ga ball, board games/card games) Worship and plenty of time to meet new friends!

Check out the poster hanging in the narthex to find out how to sign up and what to bring.

COMMUNITY CANTATA PALM SUNDAY 6

Behold The Lamb

Mar h , 6 at : p

Mark ou ale dar a d pla to ate d the e u e i al hoir a tata at

Saint Paul Lutheran Church Tri it Road . This hoir is ade up of a si gers fro difere t

de o i aio s fro arou d our o u it i ludi g e ers of WYCOB .

Behold the La is a usi al a d arrai e jour e that u ders ores the sig ii a t pri e that Jesus paid for our freedo a d sal aio .

It le ds origi al elodies ith i eless h s to reate a o pelli g orship e perie e a d dra ai re i der of God’s rele tless lo e a d gra e. There ould e o eter a to egi

our alk through Hol Week tha to e perie e this a tata for ourself!

The harp prelude egi s at : p .

Upcoming Southern PA District Events

Women’s Spring Luncheon

Saturday, April 23rd at Shippensburg COB

(Brochure/Registration form on narthex table)

Women’s Camp at Camp Eder June 13 & 14 Speaker—Leah Hileman

(More information to come)