~ 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 11th.
- The Combined Youth Class meets upstairs in the Koinonia Youth Room, using the “Feasting on the Word” PC(USA) curriculum. Teachers include: Barb Crum, Katie Crum, Lynne Hofferica and Joe Shane.
- The Adult Class meets in the Gathering Room (behind the sanctuary). The current class is a study of the tabernacle, led by Rev. Bill Beck.
TO GROW THRU SUPPORT OF LOCAL MISSION PROGRAMS
MARCH 2023: $1,604 was donated to (and “Matched” for Project SHARE) during the 5-part Lenten Concerts/Soup Luncheon series.
FEBRUARY 2023, DEACON-LED ACTIVITY: “Souper-Bowl of Caring” – to benefit Project SHARE. Soup and/or cash were donated.
DECEMBER 2022, DEACON-LED ACTIVITY:
— An “Angel Tree” (gifts from the congregation to children, thru Community CARES)
— Ringing of Salvation Army’s kettle bells
— Baking/donating cookies to Carlisle Truck Stop Ministry (276 bags!)
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 September thru May. During summer months, a variety of local musicians provide special music during worship.
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 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 is being revived, following a shut-down during COVID. 65 hats were recently donated, along with literature on the importance of reading to babies, to Carlisle Area Family Life Center. Books are purchased for this project by the sale of new & gently used books, which is ongoing in Fellowship Hall. Thousands of these gifts have been made 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 Wednesday Noontime 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 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 also 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 are made by the congregation to purchase food items used in this 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 (and also around the Square) on Wednesdays — Spring/Summer (3-7 PM); Fall/Winter (2-5 PM).