~ 2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH ~
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TO GROW THRU WORSHIP
In-person Sunday morning worship: We begin with prayer in the sanctuary at 9:15 AM. Education Hour (classes for all) is at 9:30 AM. Worship is at 10:45 AM. After worship, we gather for conversation and light refreshments in Fellowship Hall. Videos of the services and worship bulletins are available on the “Worship” page of this website, on the church Facebook page & on YouTube (“Sunday on the Square”).
TO GROW THRU EDUCATION
Sunday mornings, all ages are invited to participate in Sunday school as we begin a new church year on September 10th.
- An Adult Class meets in the Gathering Room (behind the sanctuary).
TO GROW THRU SUPPORT OF LOCAL MISSION PROGRAMS
AUGUST 2023: Donations were received and forwarded to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance agency for their use in directly aiding people impacted by recent devastating wildfires in Hawaii.
JULY 2023: The Deacons’ conducted a “Drive for School Supplies” in support of “Carlisle 4 Kids,” netting a large amount of supplies for use by the youth of our community.
JUNE 2023: On Father’s Day, the annual “Dinner for Dads” project netted $1,175 to support the local mission of the Deacons to prepare and serve meals at the Salvation Army and Community CARES.
MAY 2023: On Mother’s Day, the Presbyterian Women hosted “Blanket Sunday” — where all donations given in honor or memory of a loved one went to Church World Service for their purchase of blankets for use worldwide in times of tragedy.
APRIL 2023: On Palm Sunday, the annual PC (USA) “One Great Hour of Sharing” offering was received.
MARCH 2023: $1,604 was donated to (and “matched”) Project SHARE from the 5-part Wednesday Noon Lenten Concerts/Soup Luncheon series.
FEBRUARY 2023: The Deacons led the “Souper-Bowl of Caring” collection to benefit Project SHARE. Soup and/or cash were donated.
Numerous local and worldwide missions are supported regularly throughout the year. Thanks to all!
TO GROW THRU GIVING
First Presbyterian Church has partnered with The Presbyterian Foundation to provide an online giving option. The Presbyterian Mission Exchange is a component of the Foundation, and provides the secure transfer and maintenance of data and funds for churches enrolled in their program. You may use your credit or debit cards to make regular recurring donations to the church on a weekly, monthly, or annual schedule. You may also arrange electronic fund transfers (EFT) directly from your bank account. The online giving option is offered as a convenience for those who prefer to reduce their paper burden, and provides a means of giving used by many other charities. However, paper checks or cash will still be gratefully accepted. Currently, there are two funds listed: General Fund and Capital Campaign. Eventually, specific funds such as “One Great Hour of Sharing” and “Christmas Joy” offerings will be added.
The Church profile page and the secure link receiving the contributions reside on the Presbyterian Mission Exchange system. First Presbyterian has established a secure account at the Mission Exchange in which all funds will be held until withdrawn at the request of the church. This account is similar to the local bank accounts that our church currently uses. The church may access the system at any time to review the giving history and account balances, and to withdraw funds. The Mission Exchange charges a small service fee of 2.598% + $.026 for credit or debit card contributions. For example, a donation of $100 will incur a fee of $2.858, and the church will receive $97.14. Some churches find that their donors add a few dollars to their contribution to offset this fee for processing the account. Regardless of whether your contribution is by paper check, cash, or online, your gift to First Presbyterian Church is always appreciated and gratefully received.
TO GROW THRU PRAYER
The Prayer Community meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month, after worship.
TO GROW THRU SINGING
The Adult Choir rehearses Wednesdays at 7 PM (except June thru August), and offers anthems in worship September thru May. During summer months, a variety of local musicians provide special music.
TO GROW THRU PARTICIPATION IN SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Dining with the Deacons: Monthly fellowship / “get to know you better” dinners are held at area restaurants (rides available). Dates/locations vary.
Men’s Breakfast: Monthly men’s breakfasts are held locally on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 8 AM. Current location is Kimberly’s Cafe (W. High St.).
Faith Circle: Women’s Circle meetings are held in Fellowship Hall at 2 PM on the 4th Monday of each month (except June thru August).
TO GROW THROUGH COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Books for Babies: This program has been revived, following a shut-down during COVID. 82 packets containing handmade baby hats, baby books & literature on the importance of reading to babies, were donated to Carlisle Area Family Life Center since Jan 1st. Books are purchased for this project by the sale of new & used books. Thousands of these gifts have been made to hospitals/organizations to date.
Project SHARE: Volunteers assist with monthly food collection (First Church supplies soup) and distribution, as well as with crop-gleaning during summer months. Special donations are made throughout the year also, to include donations from the annual Lenten Concerts/Luncheon series. Call (717) 249-7773 or visit http://www.projectsharepa.net for more info on their activities.
Samaritan Fellowship: Volunteers participate in this Carlisle-based group which assists community persons in need. Call (717) 243-3338 for more info.
S.P.Y. (Summer Program for Youth): Volunteer & monetary support is given to this community-supported event — a summer program for youth in the community.
Community CARES: Clothing drives and volunteer hours support this local organization which serves the area’s persons in need. For more info, call (717) 249-1009. The Deacons/Friends provide breakfast to CARES clients periodically.
The Salvation Army: Deacons & Friends participate in The Salvation Army’s evening meal program (“My Brother’s Table”) — typically preparing the meal and serving it three times per year. Serving dates in 2022 were: Feb. 6, June 26 & Sep. 18. Donations from the congregation help purchase food items used in this local ministry.
Meeting House Springs Cemetery: The cemetery is located west of Carlisle. Several photos of it are available in the “Photos” section of this website. A cemetery history book was completed in 2009, titled Here Lyes the Body: The Story of Meeting House Springs, authored by First Church member Richard L. Tritt. Contact the church office at fpcarl@pa.net or 717-243-4612.
Mission Trips: The Presbytery of Carlisle makes annual trips to Honduras to work on a variety of building projects.
Blanket Sunday: Each year on Mother’s Day, donations are made in honor or memory of loved ones. They go to Church World Service for their use in providing blankets to people impacted by disasters world-wide.
Presbyterian Women’s Special Offerings. Two special PC (USA) annual offerings help those in need worldwide — the fall PW Thank Offering and the spring PW Birthday Offering.
Dinner for Dads: Each year on Father’s Day, donations are made in honor or memory of loved ones to support the Deacons’ local missions of providing meals at The Salvation Army (“My Brother’s Table”) and at Community CARES.
Lend-a-Hand Mission Trips: This ministry of the Presbytery of Carlisle consists of volunteers who travel to sites ravished by disaster to help with rebuilding efforts. Learn more and get a schedule of trips at www.lendahand.net; or call 877-211-0700.
Community Outreach thru Farmers on the Square — A farmers’ market is held on the church campus on Wednesdays — Spring/Summer (3-7 PM); Fall/Winter (2-5 PM).