Christmas cantata: “The Heart of Christmas”

The Chancel Choir will perform the Christmas Cantata on December 18, 2022 at 10am in a combined worship service.

In Today's Service:

Diaconal Minister of Music - Linda Peppernick

Reader—Olivia Keller

The altar flowers are placed to the glory of God and  in loving memory of Nancy Bowser who would have celebrated a birthday on November 19 by Kim and Jerry Overcash and family.

The centerpiece is placed to the glory of God in loving memory of David Thomas Wright, son on Dave and Shirley Wright.

There is an opening for alter flowers on Sunday December 11, 2022. Please contact Bette Renshaw (717-263-3660) by December 1 to place flowers on that date.

Bicentennial Spotlight

Copies of the “200th Anniversary” booklet and the “Celebrating Families with Four or More Generations of Membership/Attendance” booklet are available at the “Next Steps” area of the main foyer.  Help yourself if you did not get one last week.

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!

CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR YMCA’S SAM’S PROGRAM KIDS

FUMC has had the privilege to support the Chambersburg YMCA for several decades as they outreach to underprivileged kids, 1st through 7th grade. Keeping with this longstanding mission opportunity, we have been asked to provide volunteer help, food and gift items for the 2022 Sam’s Program Christmas Party.

We have sufficient teddy bears for gifts this year but please continue to bring in new teddy bears now and throughout the new year. Just place them on top of the mailboxes near the sanctuary so we are sure to have plenty for next year. If you would like to volunteer to serve at the event, or to donate money for the meal or homemade cookies for dessert, please contact Susie Kunkle 717-352-2562 or use the Sign-Up Sheet for Sam’s Program Christmas Party located at the Connect Center in the FUMC lobby. The party is on Tuesday, December 13th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm (children in Sam’s Program meet each Tuesday at the “Y” during the school year for physical activities, fellowship, mentoring and Christian education). This Christmas event is only a few weeks away so mark it on your calendar and tell us how you can help! Thank you!

 

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.

MINISTRY UPDATES

Children's Ministry

Family Worship FAQs

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

Saturday, November 19: 9:00am "Thankful Hearts" Snack, Music, Lesson - 10:00 Preparing For Advent led by Denise Lucas. If you would like to make a wreath or an arrangement contact dsalter@susumc.org, so that we have adequate supplies.

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

TODAY and December 4th @ 2:00 PM - Discussion on current denominational issues and the future of the UMC and First Church.  Your attendance is vital to making informed decisions regarding First Church!

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.

THE OLD KNIT, CROCHET MARKETPLACE will be open Sundays starting November 27th in between church services and after services until Christmas.  Come do some Christmas shopping with us.

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.

Prayers for Healing

Don Nolder - in CCU with hemorrhagic stroke

Tye- 2 1/2 year old boy in hospital with metabolic crisis

Gideon Hill

David Kauffman

Jenny Barnes

Jina Zook

Dianne Salter

Deb Bard

Gary Gettle - medical procedure 11/14
Keegan Parris
Jan Horst

Tristan - heart surgery 11/16
Gary Gettle - surgery went well
Mary - recovering for pneumonia
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

Grief Share

Surviving the Holidays

Joyful for Jesus

The future of the denomination and FUMC.
Praise for the 200 years God has blessed FUMC!
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

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.