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 - Terri Stevens

Acolyte - Ryan Eckert

The altar flowers are placed to the glory of God and in loving memory of Earl and Mary Kean. Given by Jed and Susie Detrich, Shirley Jones and families.

Please contact Bette Renshaw (717-263-3660) to place flowers

Our Bicentennial Spotlights will resume on November 20, 2022!

November 13, 2022 is Homecoming Sunday

There will be one worship service at 10am followed by a luncheon.

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).

Donations can be made in person, by mail or through online giving.

Traditional

Contemporary

 

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 Partner November Focus: Fear is contagious, especially when it comes to kids. Pray for God’s protection around your partner as they may be facing things that are frightening or scary. Ask God to give them courage to help them be brave in the presence of others who are fearful.

Visit First Lights.org for more

Youth Group

Illuminate Youth meets regularly at the church on Wednesdays from 6-8pm through December 14.

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

Women Connect
 UPCOMING HAPPENINGS in Women Connect

November 19

Team Haiti/Missions

Cookie Dough  and Coffee Sale

Pick up for your order will be on Saturday, November 19th.

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 in 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! Candy left over from your Halloween celebrations can be donated for use in the Joyful for Jesus gift baskets. Also consider purchasing Kisses or Miniatures that you find on sale now. You may drop off the candy and other donations for Joyful for Jesus at the big red tub in the church lobby near the information desk. If you want to be a volunteer in this project in any way, the Joyful for Jesus signup sheet will be at the Connect Center table or contact Susie Kunkle directly. Your help is needed especially on Sundays December 4 and 11 for preparing the gifts, Thursday, December 15 for setting up for the event, and Friday, December 16 for assisting with hospitality, gift giving and cleanup.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Parking lot  - Please do not park in the lot across from the side of the church by Smith alley (the stone parking lot next to the garage) from Noon, October 30th to November 13th.  This area is being paved.

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.

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

David Kauffman

Jenny Barnes

Jina Zook

Dianne Salter

Deb Bard - medical procedure 11/7
Gary Gettle - medical procedure 11/14
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

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

Ed Wentz's Daughter and Son-in-law

Prayers of Comfort, Peace and Condolence
Comfort and peace for the Abam Diehl family as he has entered the Church Triumphant.
Comfort and peace for the Harold Angle family as he has entered the Church Triumphant.
Comfort and peace for Bob and Bobby Snyder as their son Bryan has entered the Church Triumphant.

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.