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 Bulletin
Diaconal Minister of Music - Linda Peppernick
Reader - Linda Peppernick
Advent Wreath - Ted, Amanda, Landen, Max and Natalie Bistline
FLOWERS—The two poinsettias on the altar are in honor of the Hope Class and in loving memory of those members who have gone on before us.
The centerpiece is in loving memory of Sam Gillespie who would have celebrated a birthday on December 16. It is from Steve and Bobbie Gillespie.
Traditional Service Order of Worship
10am One Morning Service- Cantata “Sing Joy to All the World!” incorporates original melodies with familiar carols and will be performed by the Chancel Choir
5pm Service in the Family Life Center
Candlelight Service, Christmas Music, Family Photo Booth, Christmas Message
8pm Service in the Sanctuary
Candlelight Service, Christmas Carols, Organ Music, Photo Booth, Christmas Message
Joyful for Jesus!
This year's project was awesome as our elves shared donated gifts, home-made cookies and time in one-with-one personal spoken prayers with over 60 Hungry Hearts folks in need. Prayers focused toward health and provision. Everyone selected a personal gift and was also offered a blanket, hats, gloves, scarves and anything from The Sock Box. Serving God with and for so many was truely mountaintop God love. Much thanks and joy for all who chose to serve God in this way. It was a pleasure organizing donations and serving alongside each of you who are Joyful for Jesus!
Bible Studies
Pastor’s Bible Study: ADVENT STUDY will be held on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM in the Alda Bower classroom beginning November 29 through December 20. Books are available for pick up at the welcome desk.
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
2023-2024 First Lights Permission Form
- Wednesday night programming for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Parents can sign in children in the lobby at 6pm and pick children up at 7pm in the lobby. Normal Program resumes January 10, 2024.
- We will be meeting for Advent 2023 [December 6, December 13, December 20]. December 13 is our special Caroling Caravan. It will be from 6pm-8pm.
- Little Lights are invited to join us Wednesday nights during Advent from 6-7PM in the preschool room for a service-oriented Advent activity. We'll learn about advent and prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus with each other and our community.
Youth Group
Illuminate Youth meet Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM.
- December 20 -- The youth group is having our annual Christmas party from 6-8pm! All students are welcome to join for a light dinner, an ugly sweater competition, a goofy gift exchange, and other fun and fellowship! Sign up is not necessary.
- Mission Trip -- The youth are heading to Philadelphia on June 23-29, 2024 with the Philadelphia Project. All students in high school are able to join. We would be seeking other adults to join as well who might be willing to participate with us and drive through the week. If you'd like more information, please contact Collin. The sign-up and deposit deadline is December 31.
- December 31 -- There will be a donation lunch following the combined 10am service to raise funds for our mission trip. All students are welcome to help prepare and serve this meal, even if you aren't attending the trip.
- January 5-6 -- Our annual lock-in is the first weekend in January! All youth are invited to join for one of our favorite events of the year. We provide pizza and snacks, go glow bowling and Nellie Fox, play gym games at any hour of the night, and more! The cost is $15, and students must sign up by December 31.
Basketball It’s time for the FUMC boys' youth basketball team to start practicing for the new season. Practice will start Monday October 9th from 7:00 till 8:30 for boys in grades 9 thru 12. Games begin in early January. Parents, please contact Bob Byers (717-816-6976) if your child would like to play. No experience necessary.
College Students Group
College Students
Pray for college students as they prepare and take final exams and wrap up the semester.
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.
Women Connect
UPCOMING HAPPENINGS
January 20th 2024, 9am
'Pieces of a New Year'
_______________________
WIN Wish List - Win Victim Services is in need of an infant car seat, wood platform bed frames, and consumable items. There is a list of current needs clipped to a box marked "WIN donations" by the welcome desk. You are invited to take a picture of the list or visit their site: http://winservices.org. If you purchase items from the website, please mark the quantity purchased. Monetary donations can be given to Pam Reed. Collected money will be used to purchase a car seat first. Donations of items can be placed in the box or given to Pam.
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:
Hats and gloves, and new and gently used blankets, deodorant, shampoo, and body wash.
Adult Mission Trip The Mission trip will be to Kentucky to clean up following flooding. The group leaves Sunday morning, January 7th and returns on the 13th.
Adult Work Camp......Donations Needed There is a sign-up sheet with a list of items needed. It is located at the Welcome Desk when entering. Listed below are some of the items that are needed.
- 1-2 lbs of Deli Ham, Deli Turkey or Bologna
- 5 lbs Apples or Oranges
- 24 count of bottled drinking Water (16 oz size)
- 24 pack or larger of Chip / Pretzel Snack Packs
- 1 box Lance Cheese / PeanutButter Crackers
If possible, please sign the sign-up sheet. If not, we will still accept your donation. Please put items in kitchen and marked *Adult Work Camp on them. Please place cold items in refrigerator. We need all items by Tuesday, January 2nd,2024. If you want to make a donation, please make check out to: FUMC- Adult Work Camp.
Your help and prayers would be greatly appreciated. If you should have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 717-352-7446.
Christmas Party for the YMCA’s Sam Program Kids.
Tuesday, December 19th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. We are looking for homemade cookies to be placed in the church kitchen by noon December 19th and marked for “Sam’s Kids.” Also, monetary donations toward the pizza meal. See Susie Kunkle 717-352-2562 or John Hostetler or use the Sign-Up Sheet for Sam’s Program Christmas Party located at the Information Desk in the Lobby.
Pastoral Care Ministries
A 13-week GriefShare Support group will resume in the spring. For more information, call Gail at 717-263-8491 ext. 207.
Music & Worship
The Chancel Choir invites all who would like to sing the Christmas cantata with us to come to rehearsal Wednesdays at 7:45 pm in the choir room. “Joy to All the World” by Lloyd Larson will be presented Sunday, December 24 at 10:00 am.
FUMC PRAYER LIST
Prayers for Healing
Gideon Hill
Gary Gettle
Dottie Vidal
Dick Jenkins
Deb Ewing
Karen Brennan
Dave Kauffman
Joan Kauffman
Brianna Renshaw
Lori Kelsey
Doris Bitner
Judy Glass
Paul Collins
Erma Collins
Leslie Gotwald
Jim Wright
Linda Peppernick
Delores Burkhart's daughter-in law, Karen
Chris Preisler
Wayne Gettel [is home]
Kathy Paul in Chambersburg Hospital
Delores Burkhart
Janet Shultz Wood (Dick Jenkins sister-in-law)
Chuck Salter in rehab
Sharri Ewing
Sherrill Kessinger recovering at home
Emmitt Kessinger recovering at home
Jackie Rock in rehab
Ray Kauffman
Georgia Kauffman
June Maring
Marie Agostinelli
Pam Shatzer
Denzil Heckman - medical procedure
Cindy Robison
Prayers for Israel
Peace of Israel, Palestinians and the Jewish people.
Prayers for Church Ministries, Events and Special projects
First Lights Children's Ministry
Illuminate Youth Ministry
Hungry Hearts Ministry
Our love to shine at Christmas Services, and that that love will shine so bright it leads others to Jesus and carries over into the new year and beyond.
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
Sarah Baker
Bob Thomas
Ann, friend of Glennis Parris
Glennis Parris
Bill Holland
Mike Preisler
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
2023 YEAR END GIVING: All contributions MUST be received in person or postmarked by December 31st in order to receive credit for the year 2023. Thank you!
Scam Emails Please do not respond to any emails asking you for Urgent help or gift cards which proport to be from the pastor or a staff member. This is always a scam.
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.