Sunday December 12, 2021
9am Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
10am Sunday School All Ages
11am Contemporary Service in the Family Life Center (FLC)
Covid in Franklin County
As of November 29th, the rate of positive tests is still elevated at 15.5% in Franklin County. Our vaccination rate has not changed much with only 39.5% of the people in Franklin County being fully vaccinated. By comparison, Philadelphia County has a 4.9% positive rate with 59% fully vaccinated. Montgomery County has a rate of 7.5% with 57% fully vaccinated. In contrast, York County has a rate of 20.2% with 50.1% fully vaccinated. Of note, there has been a lot of resistance to masking and social distancing there. Also, a word about the omicron variant of the virus. Early reports from South Africa indicate that this mutation may well be more contagious but the severity of the illness may be relatively mild. In addition, the vaccinations already administered may not be as effective. Again, it is very early and as more data becomes available, I will pass it on. Until then, take the necessary precautions, get your flu shot and be vaccinated for covid.
Grace and Peace, Dr. Hurley
COVID19 Protocol Update
Last Sunday, December the 5th in the FLC, the room had been divided by the movable wall. Because of the limitations this created the room will NOT be divided going forward so we can assure healthy social distancing.
To learn more about the COVID19 vaccines, please visit Facts vs. Fiction: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy by Dr. Hurley.
First Church leadership asks that congregants wear masks while inside the building per CDC recommendation.
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 Service this week:
Pastor - Steven M. Livermore
Organist - Diaconal Minister—Linda Peppernick
Reader - Linda Peppernick
Advent Wreath - Stottlemyer Family
The altar flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of parents Mary and Roy Hays by Evie Hays Gray.
The Centerpiece is given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Anna Mae Ile who would have celebrated her birthday on December 15 by John Ile and family.
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.
Our Sunday Children's programming begins at 10am. Children ages 4yrs through 5th grade will meet on the 2nd floor.
The infant/toddler room is open for Infants - 3 years and nursing mothers on Sundays.
It is staffed with volunteers during the 10am SS hour.
There is a designated family area in the FLC for families with little ones at the 11am service.
Please note that there will be no Sunday School on December 19, 26 and January 2, 2022.
If you would like to volunteer in this important ministry, please email Brianna.
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth Ministry meets on Wednesdays from 6-8 pm, and on Sundays at 10am. Join us this Wednesday for our Christmas Party, which will be the last time we meet until January!
Hungry Hearts
Egg Cartons -We have more than enough and no more room to store egg cartons for HH so, please stop bringing them to the church. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
Hungry Heart's Clothing MissionThe Clothing Mission has remained open since last January. From January until June, we asked our customers to fill out request forms and the ladies did their best to fill those orders. Since June, customers have been making appointments to shop for themselves on Thursday afternoons. During that entire time the ladies have been meeting on Thursday to size and sort donations. When the elevator quit in August, several of our volunteers were unable to continue because they couldn't manage the stairs. We also found that without the elevators we weren't physically able to move donations downstairs. With the help of some special young men from our congregation we were able to move all our stored winter clothes from the NAPA building to the basement and continue to meet the needs of our community.
With the elevator still out of order and our stored clothing already on display, we need to ask for donations of winter clothing, blankets, and housewares. The catch is that we can only accept donations if you are willing to carry them to the basement. The bins are in the Faith and Fellowship Sunday School classroom and items can also be left on tables in that room. If you are unsure of where to leave donations please talk to Carel Fish on Sunday and I will be glad to give you the short tour of the basement. You can also call me for info. (717 264 4354). Please only donate items that can be used at this time (winter clothing) and that you are able to carry to the basement. Thanks to you all for making this mission possible as it greatly benefits our neighbors.
Team Haiti
Sponsors are Needed for Haitian Children at Kaendra's Place orphanage. School of Hope tuition sponsorships at $140 a semester or $280 for the school year. Fall semester tuition is due now. Talk to Pastor Steve or mail haiti4fumc@gmail.com for more information.
Pastoral Care Ministries
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.
Stephen Ministry is here to walk with you through difficult journeys. If you need someone to listen and to care, call Gail at 717-263-8491 ext. 207 for more information. Also, please take a moment to read this wonderful testimony from Bill Holland entitled The Story of Rosemary's Bible.
Women Connect
Women Connect now has a private Facebook Group! All women in the church are invited to join!
Join us Saturday December 18 at 9am in the Connect Café for a cup of Christmas tea and special music by Mark Miller, classical guitar.
Christmas Eve Service Times
4:00 Informal in the FLC; 7:00 Family in the Sanctuary and 9:00 Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary.
Sunday December 26, 2021
One combined service at 10 o’clock in the FLC.
Sunday January 2, 2021
One combined service at 10 o'clock in the Sanctuary.
Joyful for Jesus (formerly Joyful Jingle) gift shop will be giving out Christmas gifts this year by partnering with Hungry Hearts food distribution on Thursday, December 16th and 23rd 9 o’clock to noon. Since there are several community programs focused on gifts for children, we focus on gifts for adults in our community that may not otherwise get Christmas gifts. We are asking the church family for donations of men’s slippers, men’s gloves, women’s slipper socks, gift baskets and small kitchen appliances. Also, wrapping paper and gift bags. Sunday, December 12th you can bring completed baskets and other items to the Family Life Center, after the service and join in the fun of making gift baskets. Several small appliances can be purchased from Kohl’s Black Friday Deals November 21-26 with mail-in rebates for final cost of less than $5 for Toastmasters and Hamilton Beach. https://blackfriday.com/ads/black-friday/kohls?page=10 Thank you for shining the joy of Jesus to our community. Question? See Susie Kunkle or call 717-352-2562.
Mt. Asbury Retreat Center in Newville is hosting their 2nd annual drive thru Christmas Lights Show! This event takes place every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening from November 26 to December 19. ILLUMINATE YOUTH is volunteering at this great event, and we invite you to join us in helping!
Here are the ways you could join us and support this ministry:
- Help at the Lights Show on December 11, and December 18.
- Bake Cookies for the event
- Donate to raise money for the Retreat Center
If you are interested in helping in any of these ways, or would like more information about the Lights Show, please contact Collin .
Join us December 23rd at 4:30pm for cookies, cocoa and caroling! We will meet in the lobby and share some cookies and cocoa and then we will sing Christmas Carols outside the FLC as the community comes for their Thursday night meal. Dress warm and bring some cookies to share!
This event is organized by kids ministry, but we welcome everyone who enjoys singing, cocoa and cookies to come! The more the merrier!
Card-Making Class
With the increased price of greeting cards...how would you like to make your own and be able to say “I made this especially with you in mind”.
I would like to get a small (6-8 people) group together once a month on the second Tuesday to get creative and make cards and sometimes little gifts. I will have everything cut out with samples you can copy or do your own thing! There are NO wrong ways....we can always come up with a fix.
I am proposing our first gathering on January 11, 2022 at 10 a.m. We will be meeting in the Alda Bower Sunday School room. You would be making 2 cards (1 birthday; 1 get well/thinking of you) with envelopes. I'm asking for a small fee of $10.00 to cover supplies. If you are interested, please contact Judy Paes at 717-753-3104 (h) or 813-220-6773 (c) no later than December 30th so I can prepare. If I do not answer, please leave a message; and I will get back to you.
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!
Please contact the church about hospitalizations as we no longer are contacted when parishioners are hospitalized.
Photos will be taken in the Lobby on Sundays, beginning today through the 26th. Lifetouch Photography has ceased their church directory operations so we will produce our own “in house” with some of our own fine photographers. The directory will be available on line and through our own Church Center app as well as in print at a later date. Each person/family will be sent digital copies. Help us make this a success by having your photo taken!
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:
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 and meets every Wednesday 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.
Elevator Update -We have been told it will be 10 weeks from the time the parts are ordered until work begins which is the end of January or the beginning of February. The bulk of funds has come from endowment and a CD, leaving $20,000 to be raised. To date contributions of $10,310 have been received. Thanks for giving as we fund the remaining $9,690 needed.
Friendly reminder that if you need to take tables out of the FLC please return them by Wednesday night so they are available for Thursday morning food distribution.
Refugee Resettlement: Please contact Clint Bolte (717) 267-2157 to volunteer with helps for the family. Donations can be sent to Congregation of the Sons of Israel, 209 East King Street, Chambersburg 17201—memo “refugee resettlement”.
YMCA Sam’s Club Christmas Party is December 21st – Thanks to everyone who donated teddy bears stored on top of the church family mailboxes. We still need sign-up of 3 or 4 dozen baked cookies for the party placed in the church kitchen Sunday December 19th.. Monetary donations toward the cost of the meal of pizza, apples, soda and M&Ms can be given to Susie Kunkle. 717-352-2562.
Prayer and Study Group
FUMC Prayer & Study Group-
You are invited to join us on a new journey toward intimacy with God. We will be studying different prayer techniques and spiritual rhythms. We will meet on Zoom December 14th at 6:30 here.
Meeting ID: 869 2125 5975 Passcode: 7yWCpF
We use Padlet to post our comments & experiences All the group information will be on Padlet. The link is https://padlet.com/lindsayzubal/18h7uvhpvekgim5k. If you have any questions email Lindsay
Advent Study - In the early church, Advent was a season of fasting and prayer, similar to the season of Lent. It was a time of stillness and preparation, in anticipation of the birth of Christ. The Advent wreath is a simple practice of this anticipation, the light gradually building toward the arrival of the Light of the World on Christmas Day. The four Advent candles—Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace— also build on each other. Hope remains that Love will come for us, causing Joy to spread and Peace to fill our lives. Please consider joining us as we explore practices to make room for more hope, love, joy, and peace in our lives this Advent season. We will begin as a full group in the FLC at 10:00 a.m. before splitting into smaller groups for discussion. All are welcome!
Prayers for Healing
Sarah Baker
Brad Lucus
Lucille Lowe
Paul Bridgegam
Janet Johnston
Mike Zubal
Prayers for Our World
The people of Haiti.
The people of Afghanistan.
Government leaders of all nations.
For all those who take the gospel to a broken world in need of healing.
For those who are grieving this holiday season - from our neighborhood in Chambersburg to a small village in Nepal.
Prayers for Church Ministries, Events and Special projects
Surviving the Holidays this Sunday 12/12 @ 3:30pm FLC.
Stephen Ministry
First Lights Children's Ministry -Connecting the light of the church to the heart of families to ignite the faith of the next generation.
Illuminate Youth Ministry
Hungry Hearts Ministry
Prayers for the pandemic
Healing for those with Covid.
Safety and protection for school children and those working in school systems.
Safety and protection for health care workers and those working in vulnerable places.
Wise choices regarding vaccination.
Prayers needed for these members:
Linda Leidig
Kathy Beaston
Barb Armstrong
Deb Ewing
Shirley Jones
Evelyn Jones
Susie Bulger
Betty Naugle
Praise and Thanksgiving!
We celebrate the coming of Jesus this Advent Season.