Christmas cantata: “The Heart of Christmas”

The Chancel Choir has started rehearsing the Christmas cantata, “The Heart of Christmas” to be presented Sunday, December 18.

All singers are welcome to join us Wednesday evenings at 8:00 in the choir room.

 

In Today's Service:

Diaconal Minister of Music - Linda Peppernick

Scripture Reader - Doug Harbach

Acolyte -  Landyn Stottelmyer

A centerpiece has been given to the glory of God and in honor of Granddaughter Gwen's 18th birthday. Given by Judy Paes.

A centerpiece has been given to the glory of God and in memory of Sandy Mills by the Hungry Hearts ministry.

 

Please contact Bette Renshaw (717-263-3660) to place flowers. There is an opening for altar flowers on November 27.

 

Today's 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!

Kids Konnect Wednesdays 6pm-8pm (early drop off 6-6:30p / late pickup 7:30-8p)

2022-2023 Parent Information Packet (Digital)

Prayer Partners: Pray for kids this month as they discover what having 'Grit' has to do with God's character.

Trunk or Treat - A Minion Tailgating Party! October 27, 2022 5pm. Sign up to participate in this fun outreach event - not just to kids, but to the entire downtown community! We will also accept any candy donations for the event. Help us to reach out to the parents and adults in the community!

Visit First Lights.org for more

Youth Group

Illuminate Youth meets regularly at the church on Wednesdays from 6-8pm through December 14.  On Saturday, October 29 we will have our annual Fall Party at the Byers home from 4:30-9:30pm. There will be Capture the Flag, Pumpkin Rolling, Food, Games, a Bonfire, and more! Sign up is not required but recommended -- please contact Collin for additional information.

FUMC Boys Basketball Team, grades 9-12!  Practice starts Monday, October 3 from 7 to 8:30 and will be the same time every Monday. Games begin in early January.  Parents, please contact Bob Byers (717-816-6976).  No experience necessary.

Visit Illuminate.org for more

Hungry Hearts

We need a team to tear down Hungry Hearts on Thursday and to set up for Sunday service. This is a big ask -Huge! It's also a big need of the church. 

Visit Hungry Hearts

Team Haiti/Missions

Donation Breakfast for our Haiti Missions

You are invited to a delicious pancake breakfast on Sunday, October 23rd.  Stop in anytime between 8:15- 10:30 a.m.  The menu will include blueberry, chocolate chip and plain pancakes, sausage and homemade baked oatmeal. There will be orange juice, milk, tea and coffee to drink.   A free will offering will be collected for our School of Hope and orphanage in Petit Goave, Haiti.  Please come and enjoy fellowship with new and old friends while supporting this worthy cause.

Cookie Dough  and Coffee Sale

All profits go to support our Missions in Petit Goave, Haiti. Order forms are  available next to the service bulletins and the welcome center.  Place your name and phone number on the yellow envelope.  Place your completed order form along with your money or check in the envelope.  You can drop off the order form in the glass cookie jar at the welcome center.  All orders are due by Sunday October 30th.  Pick up for your order will be on Saturday, November 19th.

Mission Central is gathering baby kit supplies: cloth diapers, onesies, infant wash cloths, sleepers, diaper pins, sweaters, jackets, receiving blankets  We are also collecting warm kit supplies: heavy blankets, sleeping bags, hand towels, wash cloths, bath soap, tooth brush, toothpaste, comb, composition notebook, pen, socks, gloves, hat, prayer shawl.

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 Nov. 20 at 3:00 pm  in the Family Life Center.

Visit Pastoral Care Ministries

Women Connect
 UPCOMING HAPPENINGS in Women Connect

October 14-16, 2022 - Women's Retreat @ Mt. Asbury Retreat Center

A note to Women Connect:

September 5, 2022,  Dear FUMC Women Connect, Your many kindnesses towards the John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church have been recorded in our hearts and in heaven.  Your love abounds and we praise God for its richness.  The flowers bestowed on our oldest member brought such joy!  Your financial expression was placed in the John Wesley Church Ministry of Kindness and through you, lives are being enriched and anxieties are being relieved.  Thank you for your radical hospitality and your extravagant generosity!

I carry each of you in my heart! May the Peace of Christ be with you!  Lovingly, Renata

Bicentennial Events

November 13th - Homecoming Sunday

One United Service in the Sanctuary at 10am followed by luncheon.

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!

Help Please! Assistance is 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.  Please talk to Pastor Steve or Dan Renshaw as this is a big need right now at the church.

 

Prayers for Healing

Gideon Hill

Harold Angle

David Kauffman (Joan Kauffman's husband)

Ed & Karen's son-in-law Mark

Jenny Barnes

Jina Zook who needs a kidney transplant

Margie Stamm - medical procedure soon

Kirk Paul - Chambersburg Hospital

Prayers for Our World

Recovery from Hurricane Ian.

Clean water for Jackson, Mississippi.

Clean air and water for every child of God.

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

Grief Share

Loss of a Spouse

Trunk or Treat (October 27)

Women's Retreat this weekend

Discipleship Pathway

Prayers needed for these members with long term concerns:

Dick Jenkins

Don Nolder

Shirley Jones

Mary Butts

Linda Leidig

Lucille Lower

Vicki Leisher

Deb Ewing

Connie Love

Jane Pensinger

Barb Armstrong

Susie Bulger

Kathy Beaston

Don Ardery

Ron Diehl

Wayne Gettel

Steve Hessong

Dottie Vidil

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 left with nothing after Hurricane Ian.

Families struggling with reconciliation and forgiveness.

Peace for those dealing with anxiety.

Faith for those who struggle to believe in what they cannot see.

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Posted in Being the Church.