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 - Landen Bistline
Acolyte - Rachel Gotwald
The altar flowers are placed to the glory of God by Cheryl Houser in loving memory of her Mother, Delores Roher who passed away in February and whose birthday would have been October 26, and of her Dad, Charles "Bill" Roher, her cousin Larry Shoemaker, and her Aunt, Helen Shoemaker.
The centerpiece has been given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Myrtle Bulger and in honor of Brenda Wright Riddle by the Wright family.
Please contact Bette Renshaw (717-263-3660) to place flowers
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
Next gathering - November 19
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.
Joyful for Jesus (previously known as “Joyful Jingle Shop”) is part of FUMC’s mission ministry to our neighbors/friends who would otherwise receive little or no Christmas gifts. At this time the Missions Committee is asking you to consider how you might help this year. Volunteers are needed to shop, donate, prepare/wrap the gifts and then to provide Christmas snacks, hospitality and fellowship at the event to distribute the gifts on December 16th.
If you desire to be a volunteer or to donate in any way to this special outreach activity, please contact Susie Kunkle or Michelle Brubaker. Please mark your calendar for Sundays December 4 and 11 (immediately after the 11 am worship service) to be part of the group that will assemble the gift baskets for our neighbors/friends. Thank you for all your awesome generosity in the past and now!
Continue to Connect, Ignite and Shine for Jesus!
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!
Lisa McNair will be at Carlisle UMC (333 S. Spring Garden Street, Carlisle) on Sunday, November 13th from 5:00-6:00pm for a discussion on her newly released book Dear Denise. Her sister Denise was one of four little girls who were killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham in 1963. Books will be available for purchase ($20 hardcover). Signing will also be available. If you are interested in attending contact Pastor Steve at 717-873-6626 or pastor4fumc@gmil.com for transportation.
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
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)
Joyful for Jesus
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
The family and friends of Kirk Paul who has entered the Church Triumph.
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.