Sunday September 5, 2021
9:00am - Worship in the FLC (change due to weather forecast)
10:00am - Sunday School
11am - Traditional service in sanctuary
COVID19 Protocol Update
Because Franklin county has moved into the High category of COVID transmission, First Church leadership asks that congregants wear masks while inside the building per CDC recommendation. This is recommended NOT mandated. We understand that individuals have varied feelings on masks.
We are also again encouraging social distancing in the sanctuary and in the FLC.
Watch our services on youtube at 12pm!
We also have a dedicated phone number so you can listen to latest recorded service at 717-899-4JOY (4569).
We are asking folks not to mail donations through the US Postal service. Please hand-deliver them to the church, because we are having issues with receiving mail. We also have online giving available as well. Thank you for blessing us!
In Traditional Worship September 5, 2021:
Pastor - Steven M. Livermore
Organist - Diaconal Minister of Music: Linda A. Peppernick
Reader - Penny Buckus
Soloist - Doug Harbach
Flowers are placed this morning to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Sharon Hoover who would have celebrated her birthday today. Given by Bobbi and Steve Gillespie.
MINISTRY UPDATES
Children's Ministry
Pray with us Tuesdays at 2:52pm.
Stay tuned with First Lights as we make Sundays Fundays in September!
Worship Bulletins for kids to engage them with the service are available at the welcome tables.
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth Ministry will be meeting in backyards this September on Wednesday nights. A full schedule is on the events page at illuminateyouth.org.
Hungry Hearts
Team Haiti
Please remember the needs of the orphans whom we support year-round. If you would like to support the work of constructing the new orphanage, please write your check out to “FUMC Haiti Mission” and write “Orphanage Construction” in the memo. School of Hope scholarships begin again in September.
Haitian Earth Quake - UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief is working with partners in Haiti on how to best meet the immediate needs of survivors following last Saturday’s devastating earthquake. You can help by making a gift to the work of international disaster response by going on line here: https://umcmission.org/advance-project/982450/ or by writing a check to “First UMC” and writing “Haiti Quake Relief” in the memo or using an envelope and addressing it “Haiti Quake Relief” and put it in the offering plate.
Pastoral Care Ministries
Stephen Ministers...
C reate an
A tmosphere of Acceptance
R eassurance (of God’s love) and
E ncouragement.
Are you in need of …
Someone who cares? Someone who supports? Someone who listens? Someone who shares faith?
Please come and ask! Know that we will confidentially care for you as long as you need us! Believe that God is with you! Allow Him to bring you hope! He will help you rise above the difficult circumstances of our lives!
Call Gail at 717 263-8491 Ext 207
GriefShare will start September 13th, 2021 at 1:00 PM. For more information or to register for the seminar contact Gail at 717-263-8491 ext. 207
Women Connect
Ladies, feeling the need for a little room to breathe in your life? Mark your calendars now for our annual Women’s Retreat that will be held on October 15th-17th at the Mt. Asbury Retreat Center in Newville, PA. Registration coming soon.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Important Note regarding upcoming events:
Anyone planning any church events please make sure you contact Stacey in the church office so that we can coordinate all events in the church and are not overlapping ministries. Thank you!
Chancel Choir- rehearsal will begin Wednesday, September 8th at 7:30 pm in the choir room. All singers are welcome to come and join us.
Post-High School Connections - First Church Friends: I am looking for people to connect with our post high age young adults. Check-in texts, notes, and emails are a great way to let them know they're a part of the family even when they may not be able to attend regularly. If you're willing to friend one of our post high young adults, please contact Beth Stahl (stahlfamily2000@gmail.com or 717-375-8011).
200th Anniversary – 2022 will mark the 200th Anniversary of the birth of First Church. We are looking for interested individuals to be part of the committee planning our celebrations. Please contact Pastor Steve at pastor4fumc@gmail.com if you would like to help.
Evening Bible Studies We are planning evening study opportunities for the fall. To date these classes are being planned:
Intergenerational Study - Interested in making connections between faith and real life? In building intergenerational relationships within the church? Please consider joining this discussion-based Bible study at 5:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month. Study is designed for youth Grade 7 or higher and adults of all ages. All are welcome!
“Pastor’s Bible Study” @ 6:30, September 22nd, meeting every Wednesday evening in the Preschool Classroom (Apple Place). Topic TBD.
If you are interested in taking a Stop the Bleed Class please contact Dr. James Hurley at jehtwo@comcast.net.
World Communion and Ministry Fair Celebration:
October 3rd at 10:00 AM at the park. Communion service followed by a continental breakfast and Fair highlighting the various ministries of First UMC. This is an opportunity for the total church to gather one more time around the Lord’s and to learn more about the various ministries of First Church.
Alter flowers in sanctuary
If you would like to place flowers in the sanctuary for worship, please call Vikki Eckert at 419 632 4653 or email her at
veckert7997@gmail.com.
PRAYER, PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)
Lord, hear our prayers...
Pray for Pastor Genre and that the shipment he is waiting for comes soon.
Pray for our government leader.
Pray for all those who have been affected by Ida.
Pray for students, teachers, support staff, bus drivers and all who are involved in education.
Healing for Norine Selby (Glenn & Natalie Aylesworth’s daughter).
Healing for Ron Shatzer.
Wisdom for Sam.
Healing for Dave Kauffman.
Healing for Bev Rensch.
Healing for John Parson.
Healing for Joan Kauffman.
Pray for those who will be coming to GriefShare 9/13.
Pray for those dealing with fire in the west.
Pray for water shortage in the west.
Pray for Stephen Ministry.
Continued prayers for Postal Service
Pray for those making decisions on how we should care for each other and ourselves during increase of Covid.
Pray for the Women's Retreat in October - those planning the retreat and the ladies coming.
Prayers for those facing life struggles -
- John & Bunny Parson
- Larry & Avis Guise
- Al & Linda Lojacono
- Jay & Betty Upperman
- Bill & Mary Butts
- Jack & Bette Bowers
- Dean & Carol Crow
- Paul & Erma Collins
- Bill & Thelma Peerce
- Kirk & Kathy Paul
- Chuck & Dianne Salter
Praise and Thanksgiving
We praise God for who He is and what He has done for us!