In Today's Traditional Service:
Organist - Diaconal Minister - Linda Peppernick
Scripture Reader - Linda Peppernick
The altar flowers are place to the glory of God and in memory of J. Arthur (Art) St. Clair and Harold G. Wenger whose birthdays were September 1 and September 11, respectively. Given by Joe and Janice Kohler.
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
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!
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 and/or for us (see below) Tuesdays at 2:52pm!
2022-2023 Parent Information Packet (Digital)
Prayer Wall for First Lights Kids in lobby. If you like, take a card as a reminder to pray for the child on the card for the entirety of this year. We will support and encourage you in praying with reminders, prompts and more! It's going to be a prayer-full year!
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth Ministry is back to meeting regularly on Wednesday nights from 6-8pm! All students in grades 6-12 are welcome. Please contact Collin if you have any questions!
On September 28, the youth will be having new event called an "ArTee ParTee" at the Bistline home from 6-8pm! We will distribute the annual youth group tee shirts and have some other creative (and messy) activities that will tie into our theme for the year in youth group. Anyone 6th-12th grade can join!
FUMC is starting a boys youth basketball team! Starting in the first week of October we will begin practices for boys in grades 9 thru 12. Games begin in early January. Parents, please contact Bob Byers (717-816-6976) if your child would like to play. No experience necessary.
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 will soon begin in Haiti. The cost per semester for School of Hope scholarships is $140.00. The cost for support for orphans is also $140.00. We will have a Haiti Mission update later this month.
Thank you for your continued support.
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.
Surviving the Holidays
Women Connect
Women of all ages are welcomed and appreciated. Join us Saturday, Sept 17, 9-10:30 in Church Cafe Area. Together we will grow and share “Fruits of the Spirit.” Sharing, Singing and snacks!
October 14-16, 2022 - Women's Retreat @ Mt. Asbury Retreat Center
Registration forms at the Next Steps Counter. Deadline to register is October 2.
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
Donation Breakfast
In the FLC -Sunday, October 23, 8:15-10:30 for School of Hope and Kaendra's Place in Haiti.
Church Conference
Church Conference will be November 1, 2022 in the FLC from 6:30-8:30pm.
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.
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 meets for weekly rehearsals on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the choir room. All singers are welcome!
Volunteers are needed to set up/take down for Hungry Hearts' Thursday ministry. There is flexibility regarding the days and hours to come in and do the set up and take down. Talk to Pastor Steve or Dan Renshaw.
The Annual Veterans Picnic will be held Saturday September 17, 12:00-4:00, meal at 1p.m. at Green Township Park . All Veterans and family members are invited. Contact raykauffman35@outlook.com.
Prayers for Healing
John Parsons - Chambersburg Hospital
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
Travis Buffington - had a kidney transplant and is waiting for the kidney to start functioning.
Those struggling with Covid.
Prayers for Our World
Clean water for Jackson, Mississippi.
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
Trunk or Treat (October 27)
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
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.