Sunday April 3, 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 celebrates our 200th Anniversary!

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.

 

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. This week is John Dymond.

 

 

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. This is a musical expression of the Passion of Christ and has John 3:16 as its theme.  We welcome all to come worship with us and experience anew the love of Christ’s sacrifice for us.

 

Sunrise 6:30am at Memorial Park

Traditional 9:00am in Sanctuary

Contemporary 11:00am in Family Life Center

 

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.

The Lenten Offering for 2022 will be given to UMCOR to Support Refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

 

Lenten Sermon Series

begins Sunday and is based on this Daily Bible Reading Plan.

MINISTRY UPDATES

Children's Ministry

The kids want to contribute to the Lenten offering by doing a Carwash Fundraiser.

Bring your car to the church on April 9th (weather permitting) from 10am to 12pm and the kids will clean all the winter gunk off and get your vehicle set for spring road trips!

Visit First Lights.org for more

Youth Group

Illuminate Youth Ministry meets on Wednesdays from 6-8 pm, and on Sundays at 10am.

If you'd like more information, please contact Collin @xcultureyouth@gmail.com

 

Visit Illuminate.org for more

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.

Visit Hungry Hearts

Team Haiti/Missions

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.

Help with recovery in Ukraine and Louisiana by donating the following items and placing them in the bins in the lobby and outside the sanctuary:

  • Hand towels
  • Wash cloths
  • Combs
  • Nail files or Clippers
  • Bath size soap
  • Toothbrushes (single packages)
  • Adhesive bandages (3/4" and 1")
  • One gallon zip lock bags
  • Cleaning items
  • School supplies
  • New blankets
  • Winter coats

 

 

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.

Meets Mon. March 28 at 1:00 pm and at 7:00 pm. (same presentation)
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.

Visit Pastoral Care Ministries

Women Connect

Women Connect now has a private Facebook Group! All women in the church are invited to join!

Sisters in Christ...Connect
Pastor Layne Vizthum and some sisters of Park Avenue United Methodist Church, our "sister church", will join us as we will all share stories of faith and history, Saturday, April 23rd at 9 oclock in the Cafe and lobby area.

You are invited to an upcoming “Men 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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Card Shower is being held for Connie Love for her 80th birthday on April 17th. Cards should be sent by Easter to 920 Parkside Ct., Chambersburg, Pa 17201. Many thanks for being part of this special day!

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).

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Prayers for Healing

Don Nolder

Cindy Robinson

Bill Butts

Sherrill Kessingerer

Emmett Kessingerer

Nessie King

Thelma Pierce

Jeff Brookens

Erma Collins

Reed deSalis

Deb Ewing

For one who fell and has shoulder and arm injuries

Prayers for Upcoming Medical Procedures/Hospitalization
Prayers for Our World

Protection for military in eastern Europe.

For the protection and safety of the people in Ukraine.

For an end to the invasion of Ukraine.

For meaningful productive 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.

Comfort and strength for Mary Butts.

Wisdom, strength and comfort for in-home caregivers.

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.

 

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