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.
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.
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.
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.
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.