Today! One United Service at 10am!
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!
Save the Date! Dads Group Starting!
Dads Group is designed to help our church create intentional discipleship relationships where dads can be real and encourage one another as they raise families. Where they can journey together and challenge one another in their walks with Jesus.
Dads Group will be meeting on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 9:00-10:30 a.m., beginning on January 14th and running through June. Discussions will be based around John El-dredge’s The Way of the Wild Heart. We hope you will be able to join us!
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
Pray with us and/or for us (see below) Tuesdays at 2:52pm!
2022-2023 Parent Information Packet (Digital)
Prayer Partner December Focus: Thank God for putting a plan into action to make a way for us to have a relationship with God now and forever! Thank God for being a God who can do anything, yet still chose to send a Savior in such a humble and unexpected way! Thank God for the unending love that is communicated through the gift of Jesus. Ask God to help kids remember that Jesus is the greatest gift, better than any physical gift they could ever receive. Thank God for the excitement of the season and that we DO get to celebrate with gifts and fun traditions.
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.
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.
Women Connect
Team Haiti/Missions
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. Proceeds will support UMCOR. Thank You.
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 coming soon.
Stephen Ministry is here to walk with you through difficult journeys.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Weekday Welcome Desk Help Needed. We have a need Tuesday –Thursday, from 9 o’clock to noon, please contact Stacey at 717-263-8491 or office4fumc@gmail.com.
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.
A Special Church Conference will be held on Sunday, January 29th at 2:00 PM in the FLC for voting regarding First Church remaining in, or disaffiliating from, the United Methodist Denomination. The Susquehanna Annua l Conference stipulates: only professing members present may speak and vote. Voting will be bypaper ballot. The voting results will be announced at the end of the church conference. A 2/3 vote is required to disaffiliate. Pastor Steve is available to discuss and answer any questions and address concerns you have about this process. Feel free to call his cell, 717-873-6626 or email him at pastor4fumc@gmail.com. He is also happy to meet with you in person.
Praying Together
A series of meetings for discerning prayer will begin on Wednesday, January 4th. The schedule will be:
Sundays at 10:15 AM for those not in a class
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
Thursdays at 12 noon.
It is hoped this schedule gives everyone an opportunity to pray with other people for discernment. The meetings are solely for praying for God's leading First Church. Other meetings are being planned for further discussions and questions.
Prayers for Healing
Don Nolder (recovering in rehab)
Gideon Hill (isolating at home)
Declan Parris
Dave Decker
John Parson has been moved to skilled care
Bobbi Snyder
Jenny Barnes
Carol Crow
Luke Vulgamott in York hospital after fall at home
Betty Upperman's granddaughter
Jina Zook
Jan Horst
Gary Gettle
Tye(3yrs)
Sue
Lea
Prayers for Our World
Relief for those dealing with severe weather - cold, snow, flooding, power outages.
Clean air and water for every child of God.
For an end to the invasion of Ukraine.
Wisdom for all government leaders.
God's intervention in the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
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
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
For Judy Paes and her daughter's family at the passing of her son-in-law.
Wisdom, strength and comfort for in-home caregivers.
Families struggling with grief and loss.
Families struggling with housing and financial issues.
Families struggling with reconciliation and forgiveness.
Peace for those dealing with anxiety.
Faith for those who struggle to believe in what they cannot see.