Sunday September 26, 2021
9:00am - Worship at Memorial Park Bandshell
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.
From our York District Superintendent, Rev. Cathy Boileau:
On Wednesday, October 6th, at 6:00 p.m., I will be hosting a zoom chat with Dr. Jim Hurley, who is a member of First UMC in Chambersburg, but also Chairperson of the Board of Health for the Chambersburg Borough, a professor at Wilson College, a well-respected surgeon, and a committed disciple of Jesus Christ. Dr. Hurley will be sharing about immunology and the creation of the vaccine, how it came to be, put to rest some of the myths about the vaccine, and share information about why we should be tuned in to the Delta strain. If you or someone you love needs good solid information about vaccines, practices at church, or other information on covid, please encourage them to join us. We will be closing the meeting with a time of prayer for our health professionals and the defeat of covid. Anyone is welcome. Here is the link.
Meeting ID: 873 2160 5853
Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Let us lift up our healthcare workers in prayer, find practical ways to encourage, and most importantly, find a way to lessen the spread of covid, so we might give our frontline workers what they most want, rest for body, soul and spirit, and not another life lost to covid.
Grace and peace,
Cathy
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:
Pastor - Steven M. Livermore
Organist/Choir Director- Diaconal Minister of Music: Linda A. Peppernick
Reader—Bob Foor
Today’s Flowers are placed this morning to the glory of God and in memory of my husband Bill, sister Helen Shoemaker and nephew Larry Shoemaker. In honor of my daughter and son-in-law Cheryl and Ed Houser, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren by Delores Roher.
MINISTRY UPDATES
Children's Ministry
Pray with us Tuesdays at 2:52pm.
Worship Bulletins for kids to engage them with the service are available at the welcome tables.
'Fear Not!' October Schedule coming soon!
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
Show Them You Care! When you see people who are sad, lonely, or grief-stricken, don't just tell them you care! SHOW THEM! Ask how they are, listen to what they have to say, share the love of Jesus. And if their need is great, encourage them to consider Stephen Ministry as a way to receive the transforming love and care of Jesus. Show them you care, and you can make a real difference in their life. Then suggest they contact Gail at 717 263-8491 who will be able to help find a Stephen Minister to walk with them.
GriefShare group meets Mondays 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 Form can be downloaded below:
You are invited to attend a welcoming event for our new Bishops.
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi & Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball began Episcopal oversight of the Susquehanna Conference September 1. Both Bishops are excited to begin this new assignment. For the Bishops to begin to become acquainted with the Susquehanna Conference and our seven districts. All clergy and laity are invited to attend one of the district gatherings. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi will be in person at York District’s gathering on October 3rd at 3:00 PM at Messiah Church, 1300 North Beaver Street, York.
These gatherings will not be livestreamed. However, there will be a video of the gathering on the website after all have concluded.
Because of the increase in the COVID variant, all participants will be expected to wear masks and social distance as much as possible.
To register for this or another of the gatherings please go here.
Here is the schedule of locations and dates. If you cannot attend your district’s gathering, feel free to register to attend another one, but the York gathering is October 3.
These district gatherings plan to be a wonderful introduction to the Susquehanna Conference for our bishops. Please plan to attend.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Important Note regarding upcoming events:
If you are planning a church event, please 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-Practice is held Wednesday nights at 7:00. All singers welcomed! Contact Diaconal Minister Linda Peppernick at lindapeppernick@embarqmail.com
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? 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 in the company of their parents. All adults welcome!
“Wednesday Bible Study” @ 6:30 PM, Begins September 22nd and every Wednesday after in the Preschool Classroom (Apple Place). We will be studying the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah lived and wrote in a dark time. Studying the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah, you will get a glimpse of what it is like to have a personal relationship with God, for God and a human to be together and you will discover how you can grow in your own personal relationship to God. This study will also stream on Zoom. Study guides are available to pick up at the Welcome Center or you can download a copy here.
If you are interested in taking a Stop the Bleed Class please sign up HERE!
The annual Veterans, spouses and family picnic will be held TOMORROW -Saturday September 25 at Green Township Memorial Park. Plan on eating at 12:30p.m. Provided will be fried chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls condiments and place settings. Each family is asked to bring their own drinks and a dish to share by last names: A-H, salad or fruit; I-Q, side dish (baked beans, macaroni and cheese, etc.); R-Z, desserts So that we order the proper amount of food, please respond by September 20 how many from your family will be attending. You may contact Doug Davis @717 372-7373 or e-mail dougdavis0034yahoo.com or Ray Kauffman 717 64-6688 or raykauffman35@outlook.com
Blood Drive Monday, October 4, beginning at 2pm in the FLC
Homecoming is October 6th. Currently, the parade is scheduled for 6:00 PM. You are invited to view the parade from the parsonage front lawn at 925 East McKinley Street.
World Communion Sunday will be celebrated next Sunday October 3rd as a blended joint service at 10:00 AM at the park.
First UMC Church Conference Sunday, November 21st at 5:00 PM. Our District Superintendent will be with us to conduct the meeting. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending.
PRAYER, PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)
We lift our prayers to the Lord!
Healing prayers for Matthew who is very ill.
Continue praying for the people of Haiti & Afghanistan.
Pray for our government leaders.
Pray for all those who have been affected by rain & flooding.
Prayers for Norine Selby (Glenn & Natalie Aylesworth’s daughter).
Healing for Dave & Joan Kauffman.
Bev Rensch – comfort and peace – at her home.
Betty Naugle – healing.
Pray for those who are coming to GriefShare.
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.
Healing for those with Covid.
Safety and protection for school children and those working in school systems.
Healing prayer for Jeff Brookens – medical concerns.
Pray for the Women's Retreat in October - those planning the retreat and the ladies attending.
Pray for First Lights -Connecting the light of the church to the heart of families to ignite the faith of the next generation.
Pray for Illuminate Youth Ministry.
Pray for Hungry Hearts Ministry.
Prayers for those facing life struggles -
Linda Leidig
Kathy Beaston
Barb Armstrong
Peggy
Deb Ewing
Shirley Jones
Evelyn Jones
Praise and Thanksgiving
We praise God for His protection; especially for Pastor Gener, who is home from Haiti.