Officiating Today's Traditional Service:
Organist - Diaconal Minister - Linda Peppernick
Scripture Reader - Linda Peppernick
The altar flowers placed to the glory of God and in loving memory of John H. Harmon who's birthday would have been August 30. Given by Bonnie Harmon and family.
Please contact Bette Renshaw (717-263-3660) to place flowers. There are openings for altar flowers on September 4 and 25.
Worship Schedule
9am Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
10am Sunday School/Classes/Groups Infant-Adult
11am Contemporary Service in the Family Life Center (FLC)
This Week's Member Spotlight
Mission Outreach through the Years
Check out the new display in the case at the entrance of the Family Life Center. Pictures depict our many Mission outreach activities through the years. Also look for another historic quilt in the hallway display case.
Multi-Generation Families of First Church?
Extensive research has been done to identify First Church families that have been a part of our church for four or more generations. Sixteen families have qualified with four, five, six and even seven generations of continuance membership/attendance. Some families have two or three ancestral lines of First Church connections.
A booklet is being prepared with all the names and dates for these sixteen families which include 24 different family lines. All families will be recognized during the Home Coming celebration on Nov. 13.
All sixteen families have been contacted by Joyce Horst. There is still time to include your family, if you think you might qualify. Contact Joyce Horst or Marie Agostinelli to do the research. We don’t want to miss anyone.
The Café is open. Stop by for some refreshments!
We are in need of a class or group to set up the Café on the 4th Sunday of the month. If your class or group can serve in this way, please contact Suzanne Everly.
Did you know that if you can’t make your preferred Sunday morning service, you can come Thursday Night for a brief but meaningful service and stay for a delicious dinner?
At First Church you can!
It's called Dinner Church and you are welcome to join us every week to connect with God through worship and with our community through food and conversation!
NEW 6 WEEK BIBLE STUDY!
Begins Sunday August 28, 2022
Meets at 10 o’clock in the ministry resource room at the end of the staff hallway. It is a study of God's Kingdom from Genesis to Revelation: Guiding Light And Warmth, Satisfying food And Water, Loving relationships with God And Others, Purposeful work And Rest.
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.
MINISTRY UPDATES
Children's Ministry
Pray with us Tuesdays at 2:52pm!
2022-2023 Parent Information Packet (Digital)
August 28 - Promotion/Kickoff Sunday at 10am
Elementary (2nd Floor)
- Family Photo Spot.
- 6th Grade Memory Video.
- Lots of tasty treats!
- A fun, balloon-themed lesson that encourages kids to think intentionally about how they can grow mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially this year.
- Bible Presentations.
- Activity stations.
- Promotion Prizes
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth Ministry meets on Wednesdays from 6-8 pm, and on Sundays at 10am.
Confirmation Classes are being offered this year for any student in 7th-12th grade interested in participating and joining the church. Classes begin on September 11 and will run through May 21. If interested, please contact Collin -- xcultureyouth@gmail.com
Hungry Hearts
We need a team to tear down Hungry Hearts on Thursday and to set up for Sunday service.
Team Haiti/Missions
The school year has begun in Chambersburg and will soon begin in Haiti. This is a request and a reminder for your continued support of the school children and orphans. The cost per semester per scholarship is $140.00. The cost for support for an orphan is also $140.00. We recently sent $2000.00 to the mission for school uniforms for the students.
A lot has been accomplished in the past year. The School of Hope is in a new bigger building with improved facilities including a kitchen which we have helped to build. A new orphanage has also been constructed and is near completion as we wait for construction material to be available for the fabrication of the metal doors. Gener will return to the States once those doors are made and in-stalled. When Gener returns we will have a Haiti Mission Supporters meeting to bring everyone up to date on details of both the ministry and the current political, economic and social situation in the country.
Thank you for your continued support during a time of unprecedent-ed suffering and violence in Haiti. I doubt we will ever really know how much that support has meant in the lives of those the Lord is blessing through this ministry.
Mission Central is in need of Women's briefs, feminine hygiene items, hand and foot warmers, dental floss, toothpaste, deodorant (men's and women's), small personal size shampoo and conditioner, new blankets, medical wound care supplies, school rulers, children's scissors, and all sizes of shoes.
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. New Session Starts: Sept. 12 - Nov. 28 1:00 - 3:00 pm in the Alda Bower Classroom.
Stephen Ministry is here to walk with you through difficult journeys.
Loss of a Spouse will meet Monday August 29 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in room 131. Feel free to bring a friend or family member with you. If you have questions, call Gail at 717-263.-8491ext. 207.
Surviving the Holidays
Women Connect
Bicentennial Events
September 18th - 10 o’clock blended worship service with Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball and our conference superintendent, Rev. Cathy Boileau. A reception will follow in the FLC.
November 13th - Homecoming Sunday.
Women's Retreat
Mt. Asbury Retreat Center - October 14-16, 2022
Men's Retreat
Mt. Asbury Retreat Center - October 28 & 29, 2022
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.
Post-High/Young Adult Sunday School Class meets weekly on Sundays at 10:00! The class will meet in the lounge and will be led by Young Adults. Post-High young adults in their late-teens or in their 20’s are welcome as we read through the book “The Ninefold Path of Jesus: Hidden Wisdom of the Beatitudes”
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”.
The Chancel Choir will begin weekly rehearsals on Wednesday, August 31 at 7:00 pm in the choir room. All singers are welcome!
Endowment Fund Status June 30, 2022
The total amount of principal (market value) in the Endowment fund is $1,264,678. This is a decrease of $134,520 from year end 2021 ($1,399,198). As you know we cannot spend the principal amount. We can only spend the interest earned. The amount available (interest earned) is $203,946. This was an increase of $5,568. The total amount available by category is as follows:
General $93,658 Music $45,565 Facilities $15,125 Missions $7,765 Scholarships $41,833
Last year we spent $41,270 to support projects. We purchased sound equipment and supported the Haiti Orphanage. The Fund paid $29,500 towards the repair of the elevator and supported pastor salaries for Sierra Leone. So far this year we spent $6,500 for a roof for our Haitian Orphanage. Contributions so far this year are $3, 634.
Past year contributions were,
2018 - $9,926
2019 - $17,282
2020 - $14,341
2021 - $5,338.
Please consider giving to the Endowment Fund. The Fund is very
important to support future church projects.
Thank you. Dave Stevens
Note: The Endowment Fund is separate from the operating/general church budget and the Trustees budget. Endowment usually supports items for which funds would not be available, or are outside the normal purview of the general church and trustee budgets.
Missions – Extend ministries including local, national and international activities.
Scholarship – To provide opportunities for students from FUMC to enter Ordained, Diaconal or Christian Education.
Music – To provide support for continuing and expanding the music program.
Facilities – To maintain and improve the physical condition and beauty of the church building, parsonage, and other properties.
General – To provide support income to be used in the general operation of the church: Salaries, supplies, educational, office equipment, etc., when needed.
Prayers for Healing
Gideon Hill
Joan Hill
Vickie Leisher
Deb Ewing
Paula Hepfer
Evert Slocum
Dottie Vidil
Ed & Karen's son-in-law Mark
Don Ardery
Ron Diehl
Wayne Gettel
Steve Hessong
Jenny Barnes
Those struggling with Covid.
Prayers for Missions
For Haiti.
Prayers for Our World
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 - heat, drought, floods.
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
Start of a new school year
Grief Share
Loss of a Spouse
Prayers needed for these members with long term concerns:
Dick Jenkins
Don Nolder
Shirley Jones
Mary Butts
Linda Leidig
Lucille Lower
Connie Love
Jane Pensinger
Barb Armstrong
Susie Bulger
Kathy Beaston
Prayers of Comfort, Peace and Condolence
For Judy Paes' son-in-law, Fred Kraemer, for relief from pain due to his pancreatic cancer.
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.
Families and a new school year.