First News First - First Evangelical Lutheran Church
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
First News First
Volume 53, Issue 1 January 2021
Christmas Eve Worship
Christmas Eve Worship for families with young children will
be posted on facebook and our website (www.FELCC.org) on
December 24 at 1:00 p.m. Traditional Worship will be posted
at 4:00 p.m. You may watch them at the traditional times or
when it is convenient for you. Worship with families is
traditionally at 5:30 p.m. and candlelight at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Worship
Join us on Christmas morning for worship on
facebook or on our website www.felcc.org .
The traditional time of worship is 9:30 a.m.
The service will be posted prior to that.
Christmas Eve Zoom
Gathering
Join us for a Zoom gathering prior
to worship to say Merry Christmas
to all on December 24 from 6:30 to
7:00 p.m. Pop in as you are able.
Go to www.zoom.us . Then click on
“join a meeting.” Type in this id
number: 867 0905 2421 . Type in
this password: Christmas . See
you then!
THE 2020 CHRISTMAS STORY
by Pastor Jane Nicholson
It will indeed be a one of a kind Christmas this year.
Think of the stories you will be able to tell your children
and grandchildren.
“I remember in 2020 when the pandemic was so bad that
our church closed for in person worship and we attended
online instead. On Christmas Eve, we gathered together
on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. We greeted everyone from church.
A few members even had a glass of wine in hand to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
Then we worshiped together online. When we worshiped in person, we were unable to
sing because of covid and having to wear masks, but in our own homes, we sang the
Christmas Carols to our hearts content, praising God with song and prayer. In the old
days we used to put our offering in this metal plate at church. But during covid, your
ma and I even started to give our offering electronically. This was something new for
us. We had shopped online before, but now we were even giving to God online! My how
the world changed us that year.
It was tough not being together with family and friends because of the coronavirus. But
people were getting sick and some even dying all around the nation and world. We had
heard that a vaccine was on the horizon, but most people were not able to get it prior to
Christmas. So we just stayed safe and stayed home. We realized that year – that no
matter where we are, God comes to us at Christmas.
Oh, don’t get me wrong…we missed going to The Nutcracker production, and the
Christmas parties and lunches. We missed hugging one another. Your ma and I went
for nighttime walks through the neighborhood. People had more lights and decorations
out that year than we have ever seen before or since. The pandemic gave us a chance to
slow down and realize what is truly important in our lives. And at Christmas that year
– we called our friends and family and told them how much we loved them and what a
blessing from God they were in our lives.
Ma baked an awful lot and I put on a bunch of weight that year. But boy, was it
delicious. You know that iced cake you love so much – it was during the pandemic that
your grandmother created the recipe. I think she just wanted to buy me new pants for
Christmas, so she made me a size larger with all of her baking so she had an excuse to
buy them for me. (online, of course!) I truly believe we made the most of our time
together. And I treasure these memories I am sharing with you.
During that year – we came to realize how important God is in our lives. We talked to
him daily. And on Christmas Day we could not have any family with us for the meal,
but we had Jesus as the special guest at our table. We are forever grateful that God
watched over us and was with us through it all. That is what Christmas is all about.
God coming to us in a new way.”
So that’s my story of Christmas 2020. Now let’s go enjoy some of that iced cake
and egg nog!
2WELCA
Quilters are
The need for backpack items continues,
back working
on Wednesdays even if school is not open for in-person
from 9-11:30. attendance on a regular basis. The
suggested items for the month of
We are looking for new or used
January are graham or animal crackers, light
plain twin sheets for the
backing of quilts. Please call popcorn, whole grain cereal, granola bars, and
Jean Reed if you are able to individual cereal boxes.. Thank you for your help in
contribute these. providing extra meals for the elementary students in
the Chambersburg area.
Even though the Women of the ELCA at First have not been meeting formally,
the projects supported by our offerings are still viable and necessary. Please
consider making regular contributions to the organization so that these projects
may continue. Make out checks to Women of the ELCA, place them in the
offering plate, mail them to the church, or to the Treasurer, Bonnie McKenrick.
STEWARDSHIP
The Special
THE FIVE LEVELS OF GIVING
Offering for the
TIP” level – those who tip the Lord the way they month of
would tip a waiter or waitress (but not 15%, a lot January is
less)
designated for
“ENTERTAINMENT” level – those who give only Lutheran World
when they come to church – just as they give for a Hunger. People
movie or sporting event – by performance.
all over the United States, and all
“EMOTIONAL” level – those who give if they over the world, are suffering from
approve of what’s going on. They refuse to give food insufficiency during the
when they disagree or their feelings are hurt. pandemic. Food kitchens, homeless
“PROMISE” level – those who pledge but don’t shelters, meals on wheels programs,
keep their promises. and distributions points are all in
“BIBILICAL” level – those who give need of funds to supply the needs of
systematically and proportionately and know the many people. Give as you are able to
joy of giving to the Lord in gratitude for all His help locally and through Lutheran
Blessings. World Hunger. Thank You!
3NEIGHBORHOOD TASK TEAM
Sharing God’s love in our community
IDEAS WELCOME
The Neighborhood Task Team would welcome any ideas that you may
have of ways that we can connect with and serve our neighbors. Please
join us for any of our events. You do not have to be a member of the Task
Team to volunteer at an event. Come and get to know our neighbors!
Contact Mary Gotwald or Nancy Fricke.
The bright red box out front is a distribution for personal care items
for our neighbors. When you are out shopping please remember to
purchase a few items to share with our neighbors.
Helpful items include: shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and brushes,
toilet paper, tissues, soap, dish detergent, laundry detergent, Band-
Aids, etc.
As soon as the box is filled, it is soon emptied. It seems that our
neighbors depend on this assistance from us. Thank you for being a
part of sharing with our neighbors.
Worship
WORSHIP ONLINE
First Lutheran will continue with online
worship only at least through January 10.
We hope you will join us each Sunday on
facebook (First Evangelical Lutheran
Church) or on our website (www.felcc.org)
You may weekly find the announcements
and prayer list on the website. While on the homepage, scroll
down underneath the worship videos and click on “Bulletin” If you
need assistance, please contact Theo at theo.felcc@gmail.com
At Worship on January 10 we will be celebrating the Baptism of our Lord and
remembering those baptized in 2020.
4Announcements
ANNUAL MEETING We are scheduled to
have our congregational annual meeting on
Sunday, January 24 following worship. The
council will be meeting on January 11 to
assess the status of the pandemic and
determine our return to in-person worship
as well as how we will handle the annual
meeting. Our main order of business is to
accept the submitted reports and approve the budget for 2021. Please stay tuned
for further information closer to the date of the scheduled meeting.
HOLIDAY CLOSING Due to recovery
from surgery, regular office hours will not be
kept from December 24 through January 1.
Please leave a message or send an e-mail
and we will be in touch with you. If you
have a pastoral emergency during the
Christmas Season, please call Pastor
Nicholson at home. 717-753-3940. Thank
you to the volunteers who staffed the church
office earlier in December. You are greatly
appreciated.
END OF YEAR GIVING FOR 2020
Contributions you wish to have credited to 2020 must be
received in the church office NO LATER THAN
December 28, 2020. Any contributions that are received
after December 28th will be credited to 2021. Any
questions, please contact Carol McCoy at 717-263-0739.
5Announcements
ANNUAL REPORTS are due to the church office by
January 4 from the Congregation President, staff, and
committees.
YOU ARE NEVER ALONE by Max Lucado.
Each of us longs for someone who will meet
us in the midst of life’s messes. We want
believe in a living, loving, miracle-working
God who won’t think twice about stepping
into the thorny thickets of our world and
lifting us up. In this study of the gospel of
John, we discover that Jesus is right here
with us and cares about every aspect of our
life. Pastor Nicholson will be leading this
Bible Study on Thursday nights via Zoom.
The group will view a video clip and then reflect together. The study
will begin on January 28 and run through March 4 from 6:30 to 8:00
p.m. If you would like to participate in this group, please contact the
church office so we are able to order a study guide for you.
PANDEMIC FATIGUE Are you feeling mentally and emotionally
exhausted from all the disruptions to life brought on by the pandemic?
Are you facing isolation, loneliness, anxiety, grief, health issues,
financial strain or job loss? Please know you don’t have to face these
things alone. If you or someone you care about is experiencing
difficulties like these, our Stephen Ministers are ready to listen, care,
encourage, and be there to offer support. A Stephen Minister will meet
with you privately—by phone or video chat—to focus on you and your
needs. It’s free and completely confidential, and it offers real care,
comfort, and hope. To learn more, please contact Stephen Ministry
Leader, Linda Beaver at 717-264-0737 or
lbeaver@spiritrustlutheran.org
6HELPING HANDS
Council
Deacon Freda Dorand,
Jeff Dorand
Barb Evans
Christine Burkholder 1/1 Lori Palmer 1/20
Tim Gotwald
Warren Heintzelman James Feight 1/4 Zachary Peters 1/21
Tom Kriner
Marilyn Yaukey 1/6 Garry Shatzer 1/22
Mary Beth McGraw-Warne
Pastor Jane Nicholson Celena Casseday 1/7 Nancy Fricke 1/23
Joyce Ray
Tedd Sloan Matthew Coy 1/7 George Hammond 1/23
Gerry Wilson
Rose Wilson Norman Waltrick 1/8 Megan Yaukey 1/23
Treasurer: Sally Herritt Ethan Yaukey 1/9 Carolyn Shatzer 1/24
Faye Ulrich 1/11 Janet Friend 1/25
February
Newsletter Rosemarie Wilson 1/12 Susan Wingert 1/29
Deadline is Jeffrey Lensbower 1/15 Julie Paul 1/30
January 15
Amanda Rankin 1/18 Barbara Vinson 1/30
TRANSPORTATION
Tanya Nitterhouse 1/19 Jim Brown 1/31
Need a Ride?
Our church provides transportation to Kathleen Getaz 1/20 Karin Woods 1/31
church on Sundays! We don’t want to
miss anyone who would like to join
us! Please call if you need a ride.
Church office: 717-264-2015 PRAYER CHAIN
May we include you in our
HOSPITALIZATION prayers? Do you have a prayer
need that we can help you with?
If so, please call our prayer–
chain group leader:
If someone you know from our church
is hospitalized please
Marcia Hunt @
contact Pastor Nicholson 717-263-0781
to let her know by calling Names are kept on the prayer
717-264-2015 ext.4 or email chain for 1 month. After that
flcpastor@outlook.com. If this is an month, please contact the office
emergency—feel free to again if you would like to have a
contact Pastor Nicholson at home
717-753-3940.
name on for another month.
7FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
NON-PROFIT
43 W. Washington Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201 ORG.
E-mail: felccoffice@gmail.com U.S. POSTAGE
Website: www.felcc.org
PAID
@FirstEvangelicalLutheranChurch
CHAMBERSBURG, PA.
@felccyouth PERMIT NO. 137
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Church Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CHURCH OFFICE 717-264-2015
Parish Administrator ext. 1
Director of Faith Formation ext. 2 DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE DO NOT DELAY
Director of Music ext. 3
Pastor ext. 4
8You can also read
