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.
In Traditional Worship Today:
Diaconal Minister of Music - Linda Peppernick
Acolyte - Rachel Gotwald
Reader - Max Bistline
The centerpiece flowers are placed to the glory of God and in loving memory of Paul and Ruby Byers who both passed away in the month of January by Dianne and Chuck Salter and Paula and Sam Hepfer.
The centerpiece flowers placed in honor of Stephanie's birthday by her mother, Judy Paes.
To place flowers contact Bette Renshaw (717-263-3660)
MINISTRY UPDATES
Children's Ministry
Pray with us and/or for us (see below) Tuesdays at 2:52pm!
Kids Konnect -Wednesdays this Winter! 6pm-8pm.
2022-2023 Parent Information Packet (Digital)
Prayer Partner January Focus: Thank God for being a God who desires to know us and to be known. Ask God to build a foundation of curiosity that will lead your prayer partner to seek answers to their questions and never to stop searching for what’s true.
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth meets regularly at the church on Wednesdays from 6-8pm.
First Church Boys Basketball plays Grandpoint
When: Tuesday January 17th
Time: 8:15 PM
Where: Gym II at the Rec Center
Illuminate Annual HS Retreat at Mt. Asbury is scheduled for February 17-19! We encourage all HS students to sign up and join us for this unique, restful, faith-building experience. If interested, please contact Collin, or sign up in our youth room before February 3.
Hungry Hearts
Hungry Hearts needs a team to move shelving, tables, and chairs.
Hungry Hearts needs plastic bags for the food pantry.
Women Connect
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT) says:
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
This is the scripture we will focus on in January as we ASK God to help us be creative in our planning. “Creativity is not restricted to the arts or crafting. Creativity happens as the Creator of all things, living in and through me, makes all things new.” – from Lectio 365 devotion.
WE WANT YOUR CREATIVE IDEAS FOR 2023!
Saturday, January 21, 2023, 9 – 10:30 AM
Connect Café & Lobby - Music & Refreshments served.
Team Haiti/Missions
Thank you to everyone who helped us raise $400.00 for UMCOR through the Knit and Crochet Marketplace sale.
We were also able to donate items to the nursing home, Joyful for Jesus, and the church clothing ministry. God bless 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.
Q & A for discernment on disaffiliation will be held on TODAY January 15th at 2:00 PM in the Family Life Center.
A 2nd FAQ sheet is available for pick up today which is focused on reason to continue with the UMC.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
**NEW
ATTENTION SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES/ORGANIZATIONS!
IT IS NOW TIME TO AUDIT YOUR 2022 RECORDS!
Please turn in your checking account/bank statements to Stacey in the Church Office as soon as possible. If you bring them when Stacey is not in the office, they can be placed in the mailbox outside Stacey’s office.
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.
Q & A for discernment on disaffiliation will be held on Sunday, January 15th at 2:00 PM in the Family Life Center. A Frequently Asked Questions document will be made available prior to the Q&A session.
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.
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.
Prayers for Healing
Don Nolder (recovering in rehab)
Gideon Hill (isolating at home)
Declan Parris
John Parson has been moved to skilled care
Bobbi Snyder
Jenny Barnes
Carol Crow
Luke Vulgamott in York hospital after fall at home
Jan Horst
Gary Gettle
Linda Leidig
Glennis Parris
Helen Rice
Dottie Vidal
Dave Decker
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
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.
WINTER WEATHER POLICY
Weekday Policy:
Whenever Chambersburg Area Schools close
for inclement weather, all activities at FUMC will also be cancelled.
If they have a 2 hr delay the church office will have a 2 hr delay.
If they get out early the church office
will close early and all activities for the evening will be cancelled.
Sunday Policy:
Please use one of the following methods to check on cancellations:
B.) The church’s Facebook page
(Email church notices to pastor4fumc@gmail.com by Wednesday)