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
Reader - Ben Schellhase
Acolyte - Gabriel Cieza
The flowers are placed to the glory of God and in memory of my Veteran brothers Robert and Nelson Schwartz. Given by Joan Schwartz Eby.
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 6pm-8pm.
Toddler Teas for Little Lights on 2nd Saturdays! 9am.
2022-2023 Parent Information Packet (Digital)
Prayer Partner April Focus: We live in a “me-centered” world, where people act as if the world revolves around them. It can be hard to figure out how to be humble throughout the different circumstances we face. Thankfully, we don’t have to figure this out on our own. When Jesus was on earth, He gave us the ultimate example of humility. Jesus is God, and He put that aside for us. Through His life and death, Jesus also showed us how to serve others and put them first. Pray that you would be able to model what it looks like to put others ahead of yourself and pray the same for your prayer partner.
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth meets regularly at the church on Wednesdays from 6-8pm.
Hungry Hearts
If you can help tear down after the meal on Thursday at 6:00 PM or Friday Morning, contact Pastor Steve at 717-873-6626.
Women Connect
UPCOMING HAPPENINGS in Women Connect:
April 15, 2023 – Save the Date, We’re Having A TEA! 9-11am in the Family Life Center.
“You Are My Cup of Tea” Steeped in God’s Love.
Invite a friend and join us for scones, tea sandwiches, and dessert, served with tea, and a wonderful morning of fellowship! Registration is required to attend. Donations are welcome at the tea tables that day and benefit the Women Connect Ministry and Outreach. Sign-ups and more information coming soon!
Team Haiti/Missions
Mission Central needs:
Crayons - 24 count box; Colored pencils or markers - 10 or 12 count box; Pencils - sharpened or unsharpened; Pocket folders; Packs of notebook paper; 1 subject notebooks; Pencil sharpeners; Washcloths; 1 gallon zip-lock bags.
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 March 6, 2023 at 1pm until 3pm in Alda Bower.
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!
Lenten Study - The Prodigal God
Wednesdays
1:00 PM and 6:00 PM
Hope Sunday School Classroom
Now through April 5th
Thank you, Dave Wright!
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee, on behalf of the congregation, expresses it’s gratitude for the years of service that Dave Wright has given First Church as our Weekend Custodian. Dave’s continuing training as a mortician requires extra time in an internship position which necessitates his resignation. We pray God’s blessings on Dave in this new phase of his career.
Holy Week and Easter Sunday Services
Palm Sunday
April 2nd
9:00am and 11:00am
Palms and Communion
Maundy Thursday
April 6
7:00pm
The Lord's Supper
Good Friday
April 7
7:00pm
Tenebrae Service
Easter Sunday
April 9
6:30am Sunrise at Memorial Park Band Shell
7:30 - 9:45am Easter Morning Breakfast in the FLC
9:00am Resurrection Celebration in the Sanctuary
11:00am Resurrection Celebration in the FLC
ANNOUNCEMENTS
**New!
From Deanna Nolder:
We are so grateful to this congregation for all the support you have given us during these last 4 months since Don’s stroke. Your prayers have uplifted us and brought healing and hope , your cards and visits have brightened so many days, and your offers of help have been amazing. We are deeply touched! Don will come HOME on March 31. Praise God!
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Thanks is expressed to Network Ministries and the men’s basketball team for cleaning the chairs in the FLC. They did this as an expression of gratitude to First Church for allowing them to use the FLC for basketball practices.
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Safe Sanctuary Monitor Needed - We need an additional Monitor/Romer on Sunday mornings to walk the halls during Sunday School hour as part of our Safe Sanctuaries ministry. If you are Safe Sanctuaries trained, or willing to be and have secured your clearances or are willing to secure them and serve, please contact Pastor Steve at pastor4fumc@gmail.com or 717-873-6626.
Service Opportunity. We are looking for church members who would be able to unlock the church Sunday mornings around 8:15 and then lock up following the 11 o’clock service. This can be two people. If you can assist with this please contact Pastor Steve (pastor4fumc@ gmail.com) or the church office.
Weekday Welcome Desk Help Needed -If you can provide coverage at the welcome desk on Mondays OR be a backup when we have a need Tuesday –Thursday, from 9 AM to noon, 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.
Prayers for Healing
Please pray for Lori Kelsey - Ron and Mary Diehl's daughter - she was in a hit and run accident. Keep Ron, Mary and Carla in prayer also.
Don Nolder
Gideon Hill
John Parson
Jenny Barnes
Carol Crow
Luke Vulgamott
Gary Gettle
Linda Leidig
Glennis Parris
Dottie Vidal
Dave Decker
Jane Pensinger
Dick Jenkins
Bob Thomas
Deb Ewing
Sherrill Kessinger
Scott Tarner
Bill Holland - medical procedure 3/28
Karen Brennon - medical procedures
Brandy Ashley - medical procedure 4/12
Dave Kauffman - medical procedure 4/10
Brianna Renshaw - healing
Dave Waskfield - healing of CA
Bob Glass - Chambersburg Hospital
Carol Wallace - continued healing
For one who was in the hospital this week
Prayers for Our World
Disaster relief for Turkey and Syria after Earthquakes.
Humanitarian aid to all people in Syria and Turkey who need help.
Relief for those dealing with severe weather - cold, snow, flooding, power outages.
Clean air and water for every child of God.
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
First Lights Children's Ministry
Illuminate Youth Ministry
Hungry Hearts Ministry
Grief Share and Grief Share Participants
Mission Experience June 2023
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
Mary Diehl
Wayne Gettel
Dottie Vidil
Linda Lojacono
Prayers of Comfort, Peace and Condolence
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.