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.
Dinner Church Thursday Evenings at 5pm!
Worship Today:
Diaconal Minister of Music - Linda Peppernick
Reader- Gideon Hill
Flowers - The altar flowers for this Sunday are in memory of J. Arthur "Art" St. Clair and George G. Wenger whose birthdays were Sept. 1 and Sept. 11 respectively from Jenny and Joe Kohler.
The centerpiece, given by the Robison Family, is in memory of Tom Robison.
SUNDAY 10
9:00am Traditional Worship Service
10:00am Haitian Church Service
10:00am New Member Class
10:00am Sunday School
11:00am Contemporary Worship Service
MONDAY 11
1pm Greif Share
6:30pm Adult Mission Team Meeting
TUESDAY 12
12pm Staff Meeting
2:00pm New Horizons String Orchestra Practice
WEDNESDAY 13
6:30am Men's Bible Study
1:00pm Pastor's Study
5:30pm Homecoming Parade
7pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY 14
9:00am Food Pantry
1:00 pm New Horizons Band Practice
5:00pm Dinner Church
SATURDAY 16
9:00am Women Connect
Adult Mission Trip
Adult Mission Trip planning meeting will take place here on September 11th at 6:30.
The Mission trip will be to Kentucky to clean up following flooding.
The group leaves Sunday morning, January 7th and returns on the 13th.
Bible Studies
Pastor’s Bible Study of the book of James. We will meet every Wednesday at 1:00 and 6:00 PM in the Alda Bower Sunday School Classroom.
Men’s Bible Study meets every Wednesday in the church lobby at 6:30 AM and concludes by 8:00 AM and is open to all the men in the church. This week will be studying Luke 20:20 and following.
MINISTRY UPDATES
Children's Ministry
First Arts & Crafts Swap - A new WHOLE CHURCH & Parent Connection for the 2023 2024 School year! Check it out!
Old Marker/Crayon Discard Drive - Helping to motivate kids to declutter! Winner collects the most and gets to spin to win our wheel of prizes!
Kids Konnect (First Lights K-5th grade Wednesday Night Program 2023-2024)
- Let's Kick off Konnect on the right foot! Just for fun, we are putting a new spin on kickball with tons of kicking inspired activities, games and tournaments. At our Konnect Kick off, kids and parents will have the chance to compete in a variety of station-based mini-games and activities, as well as a few all-play games with their teams. We are not pulling your leg when we say a fun and silly night together can really help us kick off the best year of ministry ever! So, no more dragging our feet! Let's kick it on October 4 at 6pm!
Praise & Play (Little Lights Wednesday Night Program 2023-2024)
- Open House September 20, 6pm-6:30pm
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth meet Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM.
College Students Group
We have 10 members attending college this year. We would love to connect each of them with another member who will pray for them as well as send occasional notes and/or texts to let them know we're thinking of them and praying for them. If you are willing to do this, please contact Beth Stahl (bethstahl27@gmail.com or 717-375-8011).
Hungry Hearts
If you can help tear down and sweep up the floors after the meal on Thursday at 6:00 PM or anytime that is convenient for you, contact Pastor Steve at 717-873-6626.
Clothing Ministry—We are looking for Volunteers to take the lead in the clothing ministry. Carol Fish has been serving for more than a decade, and while wanting to continue helping would like to pass the reins off to one, or ideally two leaders, to share the responsibility. If you are interested, please speak to Pastor Steve.
Women Connect
UPCOMING HAPPENINGS in Women Connect:
Next Meeting: September 16, 2023 9am-10:30am
Images From God Journaling Workshop
Lead by Dawn Hamsher in the Connect Cafe
Dawn returns to share her new book, offering a new way to enhance your devotions. Sandy James will join us in our music time.
Women's Retreat is October 20-22!
Team Haiti/Missions
School of Hope scholarships are due for the first semester and we need your help! The cost per semester per scholar-ship at the School of Hope is $140.00. The cost for support for an orphan at Kaendra’s place is also $140.00. There’s also an offering plate at the door to help pay for school uniforms for the children. Your support is really appreciated!
Mission Central needs:
women's briefs, laundry detergent, dental floss, toothpaste, deodorant, shoes, small personal size shampoo and conditioner, children's scissors, school supplies and rulers Kids underwear, Kids socks, Kids summer shoes, Kids slippers, Mens underwear, Women's underwear, toothbrushes (single packs), Kids shampoo, hairbrushes, Kids summer clothes (all sizes of kids' items)
Pastoral Care Ministries
A 13-week GriefShare Support group will start at First Church Monday, September 11, 2023, at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. For more information or to register, call Gail at 717-263-8491 ext. 207.
How will GriefShare help you? When a loved one dies, it can feel like you’re alone. Few people understand how painful and isolating your grief can be. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer by yourself. At GriefShare, you’ll find a safe, comforting place where you can talk with others about your grief. You’ll find support, direction, and guidance on how to make it through.
Music & Worship
A Message from Ministry Staff
Exciting things are happening here at FUMC this fall! We know that there are many reasons why someone may not be able to participate as an active member of the church, but we would like to encourage you to join us in new adventures and experiences as this season of ministry begins.
Our ministry staff is dedicated to serving the individual needs of each one of our members and you are no exception. If you would like to meet with one of us to discuss your current situation and needs for spiritual growth and guidance, we would love to visit with you. You can contact us at 717-263-8491 to arrange a meeting with a member of our ministry team to help you determine how FUMC can best address your spiritual needs or to pray with you.
We have many opportunities for members to grow spiritually outside of our regular services that you may not be aware of. There is individual discipleship or alternative group studies in lieu of attending more traditional services and classes. Very often, lifestyle changes can inhibit regular church participation, so we want you to know that we work to provide options you may not have considered that can reconnect you with your family of faith.
We are deeply committed to your spiritual growth and if that means finding alternatives that will better suit you at this time, we can help.
We look forward to hearing from you soon and will be keeping you in prayer. Above all, we encourage you to seek God’s guidance and direction in your journey of faith, and in so doing, we pray that He will lead you to deeper connection with Him and with our church family.
FUMC PRAYER LIST
Prayers for Healing
Don Nolder who is now at Shook Home in Hospice Care.
Gideon Hill
Gary Gettle
Glennis Parris
Dottie Vidal
Dick Jenkins
Deb Ewing
Karen Brennan
Dave Kauffman
Joan Kauffman
Brianna Renshaw - epilepsy
Lori Kelsey
Dave Waskfield - healing of CA
Bryan (Bev Barnes' son [recovery from heart surgery])
Josh (battling bone CA)
Bill Holland
Donna Thomas
Paul Collins
Erma Collins
Leslie Gotwald
Mike Preisler
Geri Rosental
Alan Hassler
Jim Wright
Linda Peppernick
Delores Burkhart's daughter-in law, Karen
Connie Love -at Chambers Point – in hospice care
Bob Thomas– Village Square
Chris Preisler
Wayne Gettel in rehab
Kathy Paul
Lindsay Baker
Delores Burkhart
Janet Shultz Wood (Dick Jenkins sister-in-law)
Chuck Salter
Pastor Steve's Father-in-law
Sharri Ewing -diagnosis of breast Cancer
Jen Vaughn
Sherrill Kessinger - Chambersburg Hospital
Prayers for Church Ministries, Events and Special projects
First Lights Children's Ministry
Illuminate Youth Ministry
Hungry Hearts Ministry
Pray for the Chambersburg Area School District Network Issues
Pray for the Chambersburg students and teachers
Pray for those attending Grief Share starting September 11 at 1:00 pm
Pray for those attending the Illuminate Youth Kick Off September 6 at 6pm
Prayers needed for these members with long term concerns:
Dick Jenkins
Shirley Jones
Mary Butts
Lucille Lower
Vicki Leisher
Jane Pensinger
Barb Armstrong
Susie Bulger
Kathy Beaston
Don Ardery
Mary Diehl
Wayne Gettel
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.
HOUSEKEEPING ANNOUNCEMENTS
**NEW** Thursday Morning Receptionist needed at the welcome center - 9:00 AM to Noon. Contact Stacey at the office.
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.
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.