In Habakkuk 3:17 and 18 we read – “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!”

Habakkuk expresses an amazing attitude of joy in the Lord during loss and failure. Some might call it naïve; a denial of reality. But it shows a depth of relational faith in God any believer in Christ would pray to have. Difficulties, loss, grief, discouragements and uncertainty are not things from which we are immune. Isn’t good to know that even during such times God’s people have experienced joy in their relationship with the Lord through it all?

With new directive from the governor’s office to limit indoor gatherings to 25 people or less, we are experiencing the loss of something that had just returned to us and had sparked a sense of hope for new normal. I want to encourage us to determine within ourselves not to allow this setback to take our joy in Christ!

While we will not be in our building for this Sunday’s worship service, we will be together in worship as Faith Church through our live stream. The service will be formatted just as if we were all present physically together, but we can participate in it from our own homes. I am told that some of First’s folks will be gathering in each other’s homes to watch the livestream together at 10 AM on Sunday! That sounds awesome to me.

You can watch the live stream via YouTube by clicking on this link on Sunday morning:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmSGX-RPkXNSn0xDGKsjZ5Q Once you are on the church’s channel please click subscribe. This link: http://firstonsecond.org/watch takes you to the live stream imbedded in our website.

Click HERE to open the order of worship for Sunday. You can download and print it to refer to as you watch the stream. It has the song and hymn lyrics, scriptures and readings we will use.

I have been enjoying meeting many of you in person over these past 2 weeks, and will continue to be meeting many more of you in other formats such as zoom or over the phone. Please reach out to those who do not have email or internet access and those who may live alone. Ask how they are doing and see if you can help them in some way in Christ’s name. We will be sending monthly or bi-monthly newsletters via the postal system to keep everyone informed about what is happening at First. Those newsletters will also be available on-line. Please do not hesitate to call me for any reason, even simply introducing yourself to me. My cell number is 717-873-6626.

God bless you and keep you in His loving care through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Pastor Steve

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First Lights:

This week’s bottom line for kids in First Lights Children’s Ministry is ‘Knowing Jesus changes the way you see your problems’. I can’t help but think of how the lesson applies to all of us at this point. We are going through some pretty difficult stuff. And there is no getting around it; some of it is just plain hard. But when we are able to see these moments with a new perspective—when we believe that Jesus is with us and that He will never leave us—it gives us hope to see our way through our problems. It doesn’t mean that it’s going to be easy, but it does mean that we won’t be alone.
You can watch our virtual KidMin experiences on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/1stlights
and on our website – https://www.firstlights.org/parentnetwork

Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ. My name is Steven Livermore and I am the newly appointed pastor of First United Methodist Church in Chambersburg. These are times where we are learning to live by our faith. Our faith in the Lord is vitally important now as it always has been for believers. In John 6:28 and 29 Jesus responded to a question. "Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” God's work has always been about faith and our shared faith draws us together in His presence in worship.

I am excited to share First Church's first Sunday back this Sunday, July 5th at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary AND we will be LIVE STREAMING the service on the website in real time. Below is the protocol you are asked to observe for the health and safety of everyone as we gather for worship. Please read it carefully and practice it as we gather.

I look forward to meeting some of you Sunday and, others of you staying home and worshipping with us via live stream, at a later date. Please see my personal video message to all of you below.

God bless you and fill you with faith in Christ!

Pastor Steve

Changes Ahead!

As our Governor has now hit the reset button for Franklin County to move to green on Friday, June 19th, here's some updates for the journey ahead.

Staff and Leadership have been working on a plan of transition. We have decided that while we are eager to engage in worship onsite, as our Pastors are in transition, we are reopening at First UMC on Sunday, July 5th.  A survey will be coming out this coming week and we ask that EVERYONE fills it out to determine what our opening schedule will look like. As social distancing and other protocols are still required, we need a count of how many persons are still going to be worshipping at home online, and how many are ready to be back onsite. Your timely response to the survey will be really helpful.

Second, Leadership will be making the decision on when to activate the keycards and open access to the building.

Third, many of our groups are already meeting face to face.However, due to the need to make sure that areas are sanitized, we ask that you still connect with the church office if you are planning on using a room at the church for any purpose. This ensures that every area is sanitized and should we have an exposure to covid19, we will be able to contact others who may have used the room, or been present.

So let's all celebrate and stay healthy! Exile is just about over and we can soon enjoy the physical bonds of fellowship.

As we transition (again!), let me just offer a word of gratitude to the staff and leadership of First UMC who have done a tremendous job in challenging circumstances. I know that many of you have been very grateful for the worship experiences. The staff has worked very hard to keep us connected in this season. Please be sure to thank them and give them encouragement! And please be patient and supportive of the protocols which will be in place to keep us safe on this journey.  Thanks!

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Our mission in Haiti is still very much in operation. This coming Thursday, June 18th we will have our next Haitian MIssion Update for donors and anyone who is interested online.  Everyone is welcome to come and hear the latest updates on Haiti. Pastor Steve has been working with us on this and all other ministries of the church, and the mission in Haiti will continue. If you want to join us to find out the latest news in Haiti contact us for the invitation.

Thanks for your support of our kids in Haiti!
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Transition News

Rev. Steve Livermore has been in and among us for the past couple months, meeting one on one with Leadership Team and staff, and spending time with Pastor Cathy learning the ministries of First UMC. Pastor Cathy's last service is Sunday, June 21st, and she will be offering online communion. Pastor Steve will be starting in the building! with you on Sunday, July 5th. Please keep both the Livermore and Boileau families in prayer as we transition families, homes, ministries, in the added challenges of the pandemic. SPRC will be in contact with more info on plans to welcome the Livermore family.

From now until July 1, if you have a pastoral need please contact Gail Vaughn or one of our retired pastors.  Once Pastor Steve begins on July 1, he will be using the same email as Pastor Cathy (pastor4fumc@gmail.com) and will be receiving calls at the office on extension 210.

Thanks for being a supportive presence to both pastors on this journey!

Greetings, FUMC Family,

As we prepare for Pastor Cathy's departure, we wanted to alert you of an opportunity to participate in a "drive-by farewell" celebration for the Boileau family on June 14th. Please read the details below carefully so that we can ensure a safe, meaningful event for all in a timely fashion.

On Sunday, June 14th, Staff-Parish is inviting FUMC attendees to participate in a "drive-by farewell" located at the church at 2:00 p.m. We would like for cars to begin arriving at 1:30 p.m. so that ushers can organize cars, allowing the celebration to begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. As you arrive, please park in the church parking lots. Cars will be directed by ushers, one at a time in an efficient manner, to drive under the canopy from the direction of the alley. As each car passes through the canopy area, you will have the opportunity to say a brief goodbye to Pastor Cathy and Mike and leave a card or gift with them as you wish. Cars will exit the area onto Washington Street. As one car leaves, ushers will direct the next car to pull up, allowing for a continuous flow.

We hope that you will join us in this farewell celebration. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we work through this transition in creative ways in order to keep everyone safe. If you are unable to attend the "drive-by farewell" and still wish to extend a good-bye to Pastor Cathy and Mike, you are welcome to send a card to the church via mail and we will ensure that the cards get forwarded to the Boileau family.

Blessings,
Staff-Parish Committee

Women’s Connect

In April, Women’s Connect gathered online for tea. 17 women joined in a Zoom meeting for scripture, worship, prayer, fellowship, and tea! We are planning another virtual Zoom gathering for Saturday, May 16, from 9:30-10:30 am. We will be sending an email invite with a link to join closer to the date. Looking forward to “seeing” everyone on Zoom until we can safely meet in person again. The theme will be: “Portrait of a Godly Lady”

If you would like an invite to their next function, email Robin Barrick raad04@comcast.net or Paula Hepfer at sphepfer@yahoo.com.

Men’s Bible Study – 6:30 am Wednesdays on Zoom

Our Wednesday morning Men’s Group continues to meet at 6:30 a.m. A time of men joining together for bible study, conversation, and prayer. Guys, if you want to plug in email John Hostetler at johnhostetler20@gmail.com.

Grief Share

Our ministry to those who have experienced loss continues to meet online on Mondays. If you are interested in joining, please contact Gail Vaughn at parishvisitorfumc@gmail.com.

Need A Pastoral Call? Have a Hospitalization? Need Prayer?

As staff is only in the building on a rotating basis, if you or anyone in your family is sick or not doing well, please contact us at parishvisitorfumc@gmail.com. If you would like to be included in the daily prayer list, please call me at 717-860-9307. Thanks for helping us stay connected!

Gail Vaughn

Director of Congregational Care

Exciting News From Our Youth Ministry

Every Wednesday night up to 100+ people gather online to watch Illuminate YouTube videos, and 20+ youth break into live sessions and zoom small groups. We are meeting every Friday on zoom from 7-9 with the youth for games, a devotional, and connecting!

Celebrating Our Graduates Sunday, May 31

To all our graduates (high school and college), we know this has been a difficult spring for you with many ups and downs! Not the senior semester we were hoping for! Nonetheless, First UMC wants to celebrate with you! (so that part is not missing!)What we need from you:

Picture or Video (with following information in the video) of graduating student to Collin Moyer at xcultureyouth@gmail.com by Wednesday, May 27th (It would be great to have them send me a video recording themselves sharing the following information, but if they just send a picture and text, that would be okay)

2. Full Name

3. Where are you graduating from

4. (If applicable) Degree and Major

5. Current plan for next year

6. Who would you like to thank

Blessings and love on your journey!

Hungry Hearts – Shine!

Our community ministry continues to be a much needed and appreciated way of walking with our neighbors. We are currently giving about 500 grocery bags worth of food a week, when one considers the additional food given through our food bank and vendors. A recent study revealed 41% of American households are currently reporting difficulty paying utilities, rent, or food. We continue to hear stories from persons new to Hungry Hearts, saying they had jobs but now are laid off.

Recently, Hungry Hearts partnered with a company, who usually supplies the school systems with pizzas and now is left with thousands of pizza. Hungry Hearts was able to partner with and purchase a number of pizzas, which were joyfully received by our guests, and help a small business as well. Our Thursday night meals are given out with no leftovers – averaging about 130 every Thursday night. We also, through generous donations, have been able to continue the grab and go breakfasts Sunday morning at 10 am which offer 100 breakfasts to our neighbors, and support a local restaurant.

First Lights Children’s Ministry Live at 6 pm Every Wednesday on Facebook.

We continue to stay connected through:

Connecting to kids old school style through the mail!

2:52 prayer group – every Tuesday at 2:52 pm First Lights kids, family, and team will be praying related to COVID-19 2:52 because that is the verse for elementary kids Luke 2:52.

Addy and Owen Brubaker are leaving encouraging messages for postman and other essential workers on the bottom of her driveway and at her front door.

Visit firstlights.org for more information on everything Children’s Ministry related.

Want to Be Safe and Still Make Your Vote Count?

As a poll worker I have a vested interest in voting in the Primary on June 2. I encourage you to vote but wonder if a mail-in ballot is something you might want to consider. There is concern over protective gear for poll workers so the more that use the mail- in the fewer contacts that will be made. You can ask for a ballot on-line at votespa.com/mailballot. The choice of a mail-in or absentee ballot is given. You need no excuses to vote by mail-in ballot. You will need your driver’s license number. You can also call 1-877-votespa (option 3). It’s a time when we have our minds on so much else but we all know this is important. May 26th is the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot and it must be in by June 2.

Submitted by Deanna Nolder

Need a creative outlet? Recipe for Chalk Paint

1 cup water, 1 cup cornstarch, food color Go paint a message of hope! Submitted by an anonymous fan of sidewalk art ? Send pics of your creations to pastor4fumc@gmail.com and we’ll post them!

Looking Ahead

Many of you have been asking what is happening with the pastoral transition due to the pandemic. The answer is: we are moving ahead. Pastor Cathy has been meeting online with the Cabinet and Bishop Park, and is spending about 2 days a week in Cabinet/district meetings. While our actual move date from the parsonage is not yet known, Pastor Cathy will be starting part-time in the York District office in June, and part-time here in Chambersburg. Which means, May will be the last month of meetings for administrative teams with Pastor Cathy. Staff will continue to meet with Pastor Cathy as needed in June.

In the meantime, Pastor Steve has been joining us for various online meetings, and is meeting one on one with leadership and staff. He has already visited the Men’s Wednesday bible study, and talks regularly with Pastor Cathy.

Pastor Cathy’s last Sunday will be June 21, Pastor Steve’s first Sunday will be the first Sunday in July.

We also realize that as Franklin County is still in the red zone, it will most likely not be possible to have a full church goodbye celebration for Pastor Cathy before she leaves for her new assignment. Pastor Cathy and SPRC will be working on how to best care for our goodbyes in ways that are helpful and keep us all safe.

In the meantime, staff, Leadership Team and the Corona Response Team are all working hard on what it will be like to be the church when our county moves into first yellow, then green zones. Stay tuned for further details!

Finances

Due to the hard work of staff, leadership and a special thanks to Ryan Stouffer, First UMC has received a provisional approval to receive a PPP loan for the specific purpose of assisting with the salaries of our staff who continue to work hard during this pandemic. We are not certain at this time, however, as to whether or not we will qualify for the loan forgiveness program. We will keep you informed.

While the PPP would certainly be a blessing, and ease some of the financial challenges of keeping our giving strong in this time while we are apart, it would only cover salaries for a very short time. With or without the additional funding, the financial health of First UMC is dependent on the giving of its fellowship. The month of April showed a return to about 80% of our regular giving. The last two weeks in March were about 40% of our regular giving.

We thank everyone for making the extra effort of mailing in your offerings, or moving to online giving. The good news is because of the staff’s presence online and the sharing of what is happening in Hungry Hearts, we have also received multiple gifts from the Chambersburg community towards the food ministry. With the increased demands on our Hungry Hearts budget, we are grateful that God is connecting people to First UMC and our ministry through our digital presence.

Greetings, beloved of God.

This week we will be hosting a FB Watch party for worship at 10:00 am. Come watch with us online through Facebook and be able to share comments, pictures, and worship with each other via text. At First UMC Facebook page.

We know that some of you have been having difficulty viewing worship on Youtube. We check and double-check our videos on Saturday, so the links are definitely working. We've added additional links to try and if you still have difficulty, it most likely is the internet, which is greatly overtaxed with all churches worshipping online. You can: try again in a few minutes, sign off the internet and log back on, clear your browser history and try again. I’ve hit that grey screen and was able to get back into the worship videos just a few minutes later.

Ring Those Bells!

On Sunday, May 3rd, at 7 p.m. the Mayors Association of Pennsylvania invites all residents and houses of worship in the commonwealth to ring bells for 3 minutes. The first minute is intended to honor all hometown heroes; those working in health care, pharmacies, grocery stores, first responders, medical teams, and all who are putting their lives on the line to offering lifesaving services in the COVID19 pandemic. The second minute is to support all local, state, and national leaders who are laboring to help guide the nation through these difficult times. The third minute is to rally as citizens of the commonwealth and work together to defeat the COVID19 virus. First UMC’s bells will be ringing! Step outside, and if you have a bell, ring it!

Watch for another email coming out early next week!

Stay well!

Pastor Cathy