Sunday March 27, 2022
In Traditional Service this week:
Pastor - Steven M. Livermore
Organist - Diaconal Minister - Linda Peppernick
Scripture Reader - Terri Stevens
If you would like to place altar flowers please contact Vikki Eckert at 419 632 4653.
FUMC Living History: The year 2022 marks the 200th Anniversary of First United Methodist Church. As part of our year-long celebration, we are sharing the faith stories of some of our oldest members. In the spotlight this week: Vicki Leisher.
Palm Sunday 9:00am and 11:00am with palms.
Maundy Thursday 7:00pm Holy Communion.
Good Friday 7:00pm Cantata “Love Divine” by Joel Raney.
Easter:
Sunrise 6:30am at Memorial Park.
Traditional 9:00am Sanctuary.
Contemporary 11:00am Family Life Center.
FUMC 200th Anniversary!
As we begin celebrating our church’s 200th anniversary, we will be displaying artifacts from our church history. This month, we are displaying items from Sunday School. Many are displayed in the case beside the entrance to the Family Life Center. Included in the display are memories from cradle roll and up. Please take a few minutes to view these wonderful items that are a part of our church history.
In conjunction with the Bicentennial of the First United Brethren/First Evangelical United Brethren/First United Methodist Church, we would like to recognize families with four or more generations of First Church continual/current membership/attendance. If you think you qualify, please contact Joyce Horst (717-375-2345 or jlhorst1@comcast.net) with ancestor/current family names. Old Membership records are available to help identify your ancestors.
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).
Great News!
Mail Service is up to only missing a day or two a week. We feel confident that tithes and offerings mailed to the church will arrive here safely. If you wish to send your contributions via mail, you are welcome to do so.
Contemporary.
Lenten Sermon Series
begins Sunday and is based on this Daily Bible Reading Plan.
MINISTRY UPDATES
Children's Ministry
Pray with us on Tuesdays at 2:52pm.
Wednesday nights from 6pm-7pm!
We will not meet Wednesday night March 30th.
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth Ministry meets on Wednesdays from 6-8 pm (we will not meet on March 30th), and on Sundays at 10am.
If you'd like more information, please contact Collin @xcultureyouth@gmail.com
Hungry Hearts
'Egg-cellent' job bringing in egg cartons! Keep up the 'egg-cellent' work!
Items Needed!
We will be collecting household supplies for the month of February for distribution during Hungry Heart's food pantry and clothing appointments in March. The items we are interested in are:
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Bleach
- All purpose Cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Hand Soap
- Dish Soap
Hungry Heart's 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 -Help and encouragement after the death of a loved one - is a special weekly (13) seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life. We know it hurts and we want to help. It starts: Monday April 4, @1:00 - 3:00 pm here in room 131 - You may register by calling 717-263-8491.
Stephen Ministry is here to walk with you through difficult journeys.
What You Will Hear:
1. Practical advice from others who’ve been there, 2. What to expect in your grief, 3. How to cope with life without your spouse. 4. Why it won’t always hurt this much.
There will be a video and discussion time.
Family and friends are welcome too.
Women Connect
Women Connect now has a private Facebook Group! All women in the church are invited to join!
May the sun shine warm upon your faceThe rains fall soft upon your fieldsAnd until we meet again (on Saturday),May God hold you in the palm of His hand. – Irish Blessing
New Year: New Studies!
Sunday Morning Study: Christianity is not about following a set of rules, but about following a Person. Jesus came into our world, lived a life of perfection, died to pay the price of our sin, and rose again to show us the way of resurrection life. And He offers us a brief but challenging invitation—“Follow Me.” If you are interested in seeking a greater understanding of what it means to follow Jesus and being supported in a daily practice of the Scripture reading, prayer, and simplicity that He modeled during his life, please consider joining us. We will be meeting on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. beginning on January 9th. You can check the study out at Firm Foundation Study.
Weekly Evening Bible Study begins Wednesday, January 12th at 6:30 PM. This study is online only. We will be studying the book of Matthew. Printed guides will be available at the Welcome Center the previous Sunday.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ALL PRAYER REQUESTS OR PRAYER RELATED MATTERS SHOULD BE SENT TO PRAYERS4FUMC@GMAIL.COM
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!
Sunday 9AM Greeters are needed at the Welcome Desk. Please feel free to contact Suzanne Everly for details.
Please contact the church about hospitalizations as we no longer are contacted when parishioners are hospitalized.
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).
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!
Weekly Bible Study is online via Zoom and begins Wednesday, January 12th at 6:30 PM. We will be studying the book of Matthew. Books will be available at the Welcome Center Sunday the 9th and online.
Wednesday Men’s Bible Study meets every week at 6:30 am in the FLC lobby.
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”.
An Adult Work Camp is being planned by Cindy Shoemaker at Central Presbyterian for this spring or summer to take place at Bowling Green, Kentucky in response to recent tornado damage. First Church’s coordinator for this camp is Greg Stouffer. If you are interested in finding out more information, contact him at Gregs5456@gmail.com or 717-658-2351.
Organ Update
Incorporated in the contract are console preparations for options/voices we may want to add to our organ. We will share the list of options, and their individual costs next month. Anyone wishing to donate a voice or effect option to the glory of God, in memory or in honor of someone, please contact Linda Peppernick: lindapeppernick@embarqmail.com 717-360-6425.
Elevator Update
Repairs will begin the end of March. Thank you for your patience during this time.
Check Out The Library Books!
Featuring books to help you live in Lent and prepare for Easter!
The Glory of the Cross: Reflections for Lent from the Gospel of John by Tim Chester
The Cross by Max Lucado
Kneeling in Jerusalem by Ann Weems
God is On the Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Final Walk of Jesus by Max Lucado
The Angels Were Silent: The Final Week of Jesus by Max Lucado
Six Hours One Friday; Living the Power of the Cross by Max Lucado
You are invited to an upcoming “Men’s Connect” event!
Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 9 am to 11 am Location: Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church, Chambersburg, PA
Description: An informal gathering of the men of FUMC with the main purpose of reconnecting our friendships and strengthening our brotherhood after 2 years of restricted fellowship. This will be done with the backdrop of celebrating FUMC’s 200th Anniversary.
What to expect: 1. Fun activities and roundtable discussions to discover and relearn some of the history of FUMC, the Chambersburg area, and the world. 2. Sharing of some amazing personal stories and testimonies. 3. A chance to give thanks and praise to our Great God with song and prayer. 4. A time to chat and laugh with guys of all ages.
Light refreshments will include coffee, juice, doughnuts and coffee cake. You are welcome to bring your children and male friends/neighbors who may have an interest in this fun, interesting, informative and praise-filled 2-hour event. No RSVP required. Casual attire.
Contact persons: John Hostetler 717 504-9022 Leslie Gotwald 717 331-0975 Collin Moyer 215 527-8660
New Member's Class
Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 9 am to 11 am Location: Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church, Chambersburg, PA
A class for new adult members of FUMC will be held Sunday mornings at 10 during Sunday School on May 1,8,15 and 22. The class will meet in the Resource Room (134). If you are interested in being part of the class and joining the church please contact pastor Steve via text (7178736626) or email - slivermore@susumc.org.
25 Minute Weekly Prayer Meeting on Zoom every Thursday at 7:00 PM
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 use Padlet to post our comments & experiences. Email Lindsay Zubal at lindsayzubal@gmail.com for information. Our next meeting will be April 5, 2022 at 6:30pm-8pm.
ALL PRAYER REQUESTS OR PRAYER RELATED MATTERS SHOULD BE SENT TO PRAYERS4FUMC@GMAIL.COM
Prayers for Healing
Don Nolder Sherrill Kessingerer Emmett Kessingerer Nessie King Thelma Pierce Jeff Brookens Erma Collins Reed deSalis Deb Ewing Emily - Bob & Becky Foor's daughter - complications following surgery.Prayers for Upcoming Medical Procedures/Hospitalization
Sherrill Kessingerer - medical procedure 3/31Prayers for Our World
Protection for Alan Fish as he is being sent to Poland.
For the protection and safety of the people in Ukraine.
For an end to the attack on Ukraine.
For meaningful lasting peace talks.
Wisdom for government leaders.
God's intervention in the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
For the children and babies in Ukraine.
Relief for those dealing with severe weather.
Healing for our divided country, nations, and leaders.
All Military and Law Enforcement and First Responders and Essential Workers.
Prayers for Church Ministries, Events and Special projects
Stephen Ministry
First Lights Children's Ministry
Illuminate Youth Ministry
Hungry Hearts Ministry
200th Anniversary Celebration
Summer Jam
Mission Experience
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.
Renewal and restoration for health care workers.
Wisdom for leaders, doctors and parents.
An end to the pandemic and all COVID variants.
Prayers needed for these members with long term concerns:
John & Bunny Parson
Larry & Avis Guise
Al & Linda Lojacono
Bill & Mary Butts
Jack & Bette Bowers
Paul & Erma Collins
Bill & Thelma Peerce
Kirk & Kathy Paul
Chuck & Dianne Salter
Dave & Joan Kauffman
Ron & Mary Diehl
Sarah & Barry Baker
Prayers of Comfort, Peace and Condolence
Comfort and peace for Carol Crow and family.
Families struggling with grief and loss.
Families struggling with housing and financial issues.
Families struggling with reconciliation and forgiveness.
Peace for those dealing with anxiety.
Faith for those who struggle to believe in what they cannot see.
A family looking for in-home companionship for husband and wife during evenings and weekends.