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FIRST EDITION FEBRUARY 2018FIRST EDITION FEBRUARY 2018FIRST EDITION FEBRUARY 2018FIRST EDITION FEBRUARY 2018

We worship, welcome, witness, teach and serve in the name of Jesus Christ.

First Evangelical Lutheran Church

21 South Bedford Street, Carlisle, PA 17013

Building for Mission Update

At a special meeting on Sunday, January 14, our congregation voted to move forward with the develop-

ment of construction drawings and solicitation of bids for “Phase I” of our master plan, which includes

construction of a two-story addition housing an elevator, open staircase, gathering areas on both levels,

and a new entrance into our sanctuary. Phase I also includes the renovation of main floor restrooms and

the addition of an accessible restroom on the ground floor, replacement of our boiler, and deferred mainte-

nance and reconfiguration of our air conditioning system.

Our architects, Marotta/Main, and

our capital campaign consultant,

the Rev. Renee LiaBraaten, made

presentations to the congregation

the preceding Sunday, January 7.

Copies of the master plan handout

and the feasibility study report

distributed during those presenta-

tions are available in the church

office and High Street narthex.

The Building for Mission Steering

Committee will continue to meet

regularly with Marotta/Main as

they work on construction draw-

ings and submissions to the Car-

lisle Historical and Architectural Review Board and the Borough. In addition, capital campaign teams are

being assembled and will begin meeting in the next few weeks.

We are excited about making our building more welcoming, accessible and functional for the Carlisle

community and all who gather here for worship, musical performances, education, fellowship and care!

Pictured—Don Main and Tim Cryer of Marotta/Main architects presenting

the master plan to the congregation on Sunday, January 7

Interested in helping with the capital campaign? The following teams are being formed and will be get-ting to work in the next few weeks. Please contact John Ward (jsward1104@gmail.com) or Pastor Leber (pastor@firstlutherancarlisle.org) to volunteer or with questions about team responsibilities.

+Leadership Commitment +Prayer +Commitment Sunday Festive

+Communication +Kick-off Brunch (March 11) Coffee Hour

+Young Stewards +Commitment Sunday Worship (April 15) +Beyond the Congregation

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Mark your calendars now for these upcoming events!

Souperbowl of Caring — Sunday, February 4

Dickinson Organ Recital featuring Brian Rotz — Sunday, February 4 — 4 p.m.

2nd Sunday Fellowship — Sunday, February 11 — 11:30 a.m. — hosted by the Property Committee

Book Discussion at Pastor Leber’s Home — Sunday, February 25 — 7 p.m.

Youth Lock-in — Friday, March 2 — 6 p.m. through Saturday, March 3 — 8 a.m.

Mutual Agreement — Fine Arts at First — Sunday, March 18 — 3 p.m.

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday,

February 14. We will offer two worship opportuni-

ties that day:

12:15 p.m. – spoken Holy Communion

with the imposition of ashes

7:00 p.m. – sung Holy Communion

with the imposition of ashes

On Wednesdays during Lent (February 21 & 28

and March 7, 14 & 21), we will gather for a light

soup supper at 6:15 p.m. followed by Lenten Vespers

(evening prayer) at 7 p.m.

New members orientation

All people interested in being received as

new members of First Lutheran are asked

to attend an evening of orientation on

Sunday, March 4, from 6-8 p.m. in room

16. Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran

transferring from another congregation, new

to our denomination, or somewhere in

between, you will find the introduction to our

congregation and review of basic

Lutheranism helpful.

New members will be received at both

services on Sunday, March 18. Please call

the church office at 717-249-3310 to let us

know you will be attending the class and

joining the mission and ministries of First

Lutheran!

THANK YOU CARLISLE C.A.R.E.S. HOST VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS!

Thanks to those who gave up their evenings in January to help First Lutheran host the Carlisle Combined Area Re-

sources for Emergency Shelter (Carlisle C.A.R.E.S.) for men experiencing homelessness: Dave Jones, Babette

Hoch, Roger Williams, Jered and Elaine Hock, Yvonne Karper, Kathy Hall, Karen Longenecker, Bob Baker, Patty Gil-

lingham, Erin McCusker and her husband, Scott Disbrow, Marsha Lorenz, Bill Schirmer, Sarah Niebler, Steve Hogg,

and Ginny Brennan.

Thanks also to the church staff who provide assistance and support during our Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. shelter month,

especially our sexton, John Shughart!

We are also grateful for the Thrivent Action Team dollars ($500) made available through the efforts of Patty Gilling-

ham and Darlene Ramond for the purchase of items needed by Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. guests.

Social Ministry Committee

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NURSERY (10:30 A.M.):

2/4 Darlene Ramond and Robin Orner

2/11 Kathy Hall and Jeri Fitzsimons

2/18 Cindy Allgyer and Alecia Staley

2/25 Nancy Ingram and Darlene Ramond

ACOLYTES (10:30 A.M.):

2/4 Ian Galbraith

2/11 Michael Raphael

2/18 Ben Galbraith

2/25 EmmaRose Harty

ASSISTING MINISTERS:

(8 A.M.) (10:30 A.M.)

2/4 MaryGrace Harty 2/4 MaryGrace Harty

2/11 Terri Myers 2/11 Sarah Niebler

2/18 Sandy Kohler 2/18 Caryn Carr

2/25 Jacqueline Cook 2/25 Taylor Miller

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS

(10:30 A.M.):

2/4 EmmaRose Harty and Elise Erickson

2/11 Sandy Kohler and Sam Orner

2/18 Michelle Fisher and Sarah Niebler

2/25 Hope Miller and Janet Jacobs

LECTORS:

(8 A.M.) (10:30 A.M.)

2/4 EmmaRose Harty 2/4 Ainslee Martin and Michael Raphael

2/11 Rich Wood 2/11 Sandy Jumper

2/18 Lisa Newton 2/18 Jay Chestnut

2/25 Terri Myers 2/25 Kathy Hall

GREETERS (10:30 A.M.):

2/4 Josh Staley and EmmaRose Harty

2/11 Lori and Steve Hogg

2/18 Nancy Ingram and Ann Jordan

2/25 David and Elaine Haag

FLOWER DISTRIBUTION

(10:30 A.M.):

2/4 Babette Hoch

2/11 Nancy Baish

2/18 Cindy Allgyer

2/25 Terri Myers

Ash Wednesday (7 P.M.):

2/14 Karen Hollen and Kathy Hall

Ash Wednesday (7 P.M.):

2/14 Robin Orner

Ash Wednesday (7 P.M.):

2/14 Josh Staley

Ash Wednesday (7 P.M.):

2/14 Chuck Martin

Lenten Evening Prayer (7 P.M.):

2/21 Hope Miller

2/28 Sarah Niebler Please see page 4 for additional

worship volunteers.

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COMMUNION SETUP/CLEANUP:

(8 A.M.) (10:30 A.M.)

2/4 Lisa Newton 2/4 Kathy Brunie and Lois Quigley

2/11 Monica Frederick 2/11 Yvonne Karper and Kathy Hall

2/18 Terri Myers 2/18 Cindy Allgyer and Robin Orner

2/25 Lisa Newton 2/25 Norma Greider and Elaine Hock

USHERS & YOUTH USHERS (10:30 A.M.):

February Head Usher: Don Osborne

2/4 Michael Raphael, Ben Galbraith, Alecia Staley

2/11 Ruth Osborne, Alecia Staley, Megan White (youth)

2/18 Kathy Brunie, Blanche Drumheiser, Matt Drumheiser,

Ian Galbraith (youth)

2/25 David Jones, Cindy Markle, Jered Hock

USHER/GREETER (8 A.M.):

2/4 Robin Orner

2/11 Sam Simmons

2/18 Sandy Jumper

2/25 Roger Williams

BREAD BAKERS:

(8 A.M. & 10:30 A.M.)

2/4 Cindy Jones

2/11 Pastor Leber

2/18 Robin Orner

2/25 Sarah Niebler

Ash Wednesday (7 P.M.):

2/14 Roger Williams, Ethel Simmons, Cindy Allgyer

Ash Wednesday (7 P.M.):

2/14 Ruth Osborne and Ginny Brennan

Things are heating up!

Several years ago, we had to take the large gas range

in the Festal Hall kitchen out of service due to sig-

nificant safety concerns. After moving the range out

of the kitchen in December, we discovered a second

functional 220 volt line/outlet in the wall. (The 220

volt line we knew was there had been rerouted to

serve the dishwasher on the other side of the kitch-

en years ago.) Because a new kitchen is not included

in Phase I of our current master plan, the Property

Committee purchased a residential electric stove to

provide some basic warming/cooking capacity

kitchen.

Pictured is our electrician running wire from a wall outlet to the

hood to be installed above the range.

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Drumheiser, Phillip ........................ 2/2

White, Megan ................................ 2/4

Burke, Jane ................................... 2/5

Yocum, Frankie ............................. 2/6

Baish, Amy .................................... 2/7

Shughart, Joseph ........................ 2/10

Baish, Nancy ............................... 2/11

Chestnut, Donna ......................... 2/11

Weaver, Aaron ............................ 2/12

Wood, Richard ............................ 2/12

Slusser, Benjamin ....................... 2/16

Slusser, Megan ........................... 2/17

Baker, Robert .............................. 2/18

Jumper, Benjamin ....................... 2/20

Seibert, Charles .......................... 2/23

Drumheiser, Blanche ................... 2/24

Houtz, Roxanna .......................... 2/24

Ingram, Nancy ............................. 2/24

Leber, Lisa................................... 2/24

Lorenz, Richard ........................... 2/24

Asten, Rex ................................... 2/25

Kratzer, Lisa ................................ 2/26

Johnston, John ............................ 2/28

Vovakis, James ........................... 2/28

February9.....................Bill&MaryAnnSchirmer(61years)

February3...................................PhilipVanOrden

February16................................................JillShank

February19.....................................MerrittReitzel

WITH OUR MEMBERS

DEATH

January 2, 2018

Caden Jay Cozort

Caden was born and died on

January 2, 2018

� Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.

I would like to convey my sincere thanks

to Pastor Leber subsequent to my recent

surgery at John Hopkins Hospital and the

many members who prayed for my recov-

ery. Also to the Prayer Shawl Committee

for the beautiful shawl and to Taylor Mil-

ler for his help taking me to Baltimore for

my follow-up visit.

Jim Brantner

BAPTISMS

January 2, 2018

Caden Jay Cozort

(at Harrisburg Hospital)

January 7, 2018

Eloise Jane Slusser Phineas James Slusser

children of Kyle and Megan Slusser

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Week of: Attendance Offering

Nov. 27 — Dec. 3 139 $9,492.00

Dec. 4 — 10 136 $4,333.50

Dec. 11 — 17 146 $16,470.50

Dec. 25 — 31 109 $3,954.00

Dec. 18 — 24 121 $9,235.00

Dear First Lutherans,

Greetings to all with great appreciation for

your continued care. Last fall I enjoyed a visit from

Pastor Lorenz. Although I attend Sunday services

and receive weekly communion here at “The Cross-

ings,” it’s just not the same as one’s home church.

Thank you to Kathy Hall for the beautiful al-

tar flowers and anyone else who brought them re-

cently. (My memory for names is not so good any-

more.) A big thank you to Nancy Ingram for the box

of Christmas cookies. Each one was delicious. Of

course they were all made by our congregation’s la-

dies.

With love in our Lord,

Sandy Tomassone

Attendance and OfferingAttendance and OfferingAttendance and OfferingAttendance and Offering

The first meeng of the 2018 Council was held January 9, a week early so that final preparaons

could be made for the January 14 congregaonal meeng. All members were present.

Because of the early date of the meeng, end-of-year 2017 financial reports were understanda-

bly not yet ready. Upon their preparaon, they will be circulated to council members.

Members shared in discussion of the Building for Mission proposal. It was noted that proposed

Phase I contains essenal first steps for becoming more inving and accessible (including a more

“open” entrance, addional handicapped restroom facilies, and an elevator). Hopefully, other envisioned improve-

ments will follow a2er the necessary first steps are completed.

Council voted to take to the congregaon on January 14 the proposal of approving construcon drawings for Phase I

and solicing contractor bids, with the cost of these stages of the project not to exceed $91,000. A2er bids are re-

ceived, a second congregaonal meeng will be held, “with the intent to proceed with the award of construcon con-

tracts.”

In other ma6ers, Council noted the commi6ee assignments of its members.

Yvonne Karper was appointed as a member of the Audit Commi6ee for a three-year term.

An arrangement was approved with South Jersey Energy for a 36-month contract for providing electricity at a lesser

cost than we have been paying the present provider.

Council members agreed to make available to Capital Area Head Start an addional room, Room 11 (the former crib

nursery), if their budget for the 2018-2019 school year allows it. Head Start hopes to expand its program to include

more children.

In response to a queson, it was noted that our congregaon does accept gi2s of stock. Looking forward to the pro-

posed Building for Mission project, it was felt that, with markets at current high levels, certain members may wish to

consider such gi2s.

We recently discovered that St. Jude’s

Ranch for Children is no longer accepting

old greeting cards. Because of this, we

are no longer collecting old Christmas

cards. Thanks to all of you who have sup-

ported this card recycling program in the

past.

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Fri., Feb. 2 — 4-7 p.m. — Russo Wedding Recepon — Mar�n Luther Room

Sat., Feb. 3 — 3-4 p.m. — Tai Chi — Festal Hall

Sun., Feb. 4 — 9:30 a.m. — Of Lands and Seasons Ensemble Rehearsal

10 a.m. — Youth Choir

11:40 a.m. — Cherub Choir

4 p.m. — Dickinson Organ Recital featuring Brian Rotz

Mon., Feb. 5 — 3:30-5:30 p.m. — YWCA A2erschool Homework Club begins (Mondays-Thursdays)

Tues., Feb. 6 — 5 p.m.— Personnel Commi6ee

6 p.m. — MLK Commemoraon Commi6ee

Wed., Feb. 7 — 9:30 a.m. — WELCA Bible Study

6:30 p.m. —Worship & Music Commi6ee

Thurs., Feb 8 — 6 p.m. — Stewardship Commi6ee

Sat., Feb. 10 — 3-4 p.m. — Tai Chi — Festal Hall

Sun., Feb. 11 — 10:10 a.m. — Cherub Choir

11:30 a.m. — 2nd Sunday Fellowship — Mar�n Luther Room

Tues., Feb. 13 — 9:30-11 a.m. — LWR Quilng Group

6:30 p.m. — Chrisan Educaon Commi6ee

Wed., Feb. 14 — 8:30 a.m. — FL Volunteers at Project SHARE Distribuon

9:30 a.m. — WELCA Lenten Bible Study

12:15 a.m. & 7 p.m. — Ash Wednesday worship

Sat., Feb. 17 — 7:30 a.m. — Men’s Huddle — Momma Spriggs

3-4 p.m. — Tai Chi — Festal Hall

Mon., Feb. 19 — Office Closed — President’s Day

6:30 p.m. — Building for Mission Steering Commi6ee

Tues., Feb. 20 — 6:30 p.m. — Congregaon Council

Wed., Feb. 21 — 9:30 a.m. — WELCA Lenten Bible Study

5:30 p.m. — Property Commi6ee

6:15 p.m. — Soup Supper

7 p.m. — Lenten Evening Prayer

Sat., Feb. 24 — 3-4 p.m. — Tai Chi — Festal Hall

Sun., Feb. 25 — 7 p.m. — Book Discussion at Pastor Leber’s

Tues., Feb. 27 — 9:30-11 a.m. — LWR Quilng Group

6:30 p.m. — Evangelism Commi6ee

Wed., Feb. 28 — 9:30 a.m. — WELCA Lenten Bible Study

6:15 p.m. — Soup Supper

7 p.m. — Lenten Evening Prayer

� Handbell Choir –

Thursdays, 6–6:45 p.m.

� Chancel Choir –

Thursdays, 7–8:30 p.m.

Staff meetings are

held every Tuesday

at 2 p.m.

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Two recent experiences reaffirmed my joy in living in the world of

church music. I’m wring to you soon a2er the Marn Luther King

service we hosted at First Lutheran. Even though the music was in a

completely different style from music we make regularly on a Sun-

day morning, I loved the energy and force of the choir from Steel-

ton. They were completely engaged in what they were doing and an

embodiment of joyful giving. Another was the simple act of singing

a hymn together a2er the men’s retreat held here last Saturday. People may hold very differ-

ent views and may bring very different talents to the table, but hymn singing creates its own

kind of unified community, even if for only a short moment.

Choir is something that regularly feeds me, too. Singers (or ringers) engage in music, some fa-

miliar and some new. There is a partnership. The conductor brings a vision for the music and

some possible ways to get there. The choir members feed the conductor’s energy and the

process keeps going back and forth. The final result isn’t as important as the process. Some-

mes the vision changes as choir parcipants bring new elements into the process.

A friend of mine shared an arcle with me about some of the benefits of parcipang in a

choir. I’d be happy to share it with anyone who’d like to read it. The author hypothesized that

music parcipaon is a cost-effecve way to promote health, independence, and well-being.

This parcular study showed improvement in cognive funcon, lower body strength, and

emoonal well-being for those who parcipated in a choir. Some were experiencing a choir

for the first me.

There is a place for you in our choirs here at First Lutheran Church. Talk to a current choir

member or talk to me directly. We’d be happy to welcome you!

Andy Hoke

CLEAN UP, FIX UP, PAINT UP!

First Lutheran’s Property Committee hopes to undertake a “freshening up” of Festal Hall. So

far our initial goal is to see if we can remove the ancient wallpaper and paint the walls in a

more attractive and pleasing color. Would you like to join us in this endeavor? If you think

you'd like to participate just let Rich Wood, the Property Committee Chair, know of your in-

terest. He can be reached in person, by phone (301-412-2986) or email

(rick_wood60@yahoo.com). We won't be starting immediately but it would be great to have

a group we can call on when we do.

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ADULT FORUM

Our current Adult Forum series, a discussion of the book entitled The Good Funeral:

Death, Grief and The Community of Care led by Pastor Leber, will conclude on February

11.

Our Lenten study will begin on February 18 with a video and book series entitled Creed:

What Christians Believe and Why by Adam Hamilton. In this six-week study of the

Apostles’ Creed, Adam Hamilton will explore not only what Christians believe, but also why they believe it

and why it matters. The High School Class will be joining the Adult Forum for this series, which will be led by

Hope Miller.

We welcome all adults Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in room 16. Please join us!

Our next book discussion is scheduled for Sunday, February 25!

We will be gathering at 7 p.m. to discuss “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, the founder

of the Equal Justice Initiative. All you need to do is buy the book (available from Ama-

zon and other retailers), read it, and show up at Pastor Leber’s house (1010 Dale Place,

Carlisle) at the appointed hour. Join us for conversation and refreshments!

You can help at Project SHARE!

First Lutheran members volunteer at Project

SHARE each month on the Wednesday morning of

distribution week, starting at 8:30 a.m. The dates for

2018 are (all Wednesdays):

February 14 August 15

March 14 September 19

April 18 October 17

May 16 November 14

June 20 December 12

July 18

Please help us support this important food ministry

in our community. If you are interested in helping,

simply show up on one of our workdays at the Pro-

ject SHARE warehouse (5 N. Orange Street) or con-

tact Taylor Miller for more information: (717) 448-

5363 or taylormiller@comcast.net

Do you have local or global ministries you

would like the Social Ministry Committee

to consider supporting? Please share your

ideas with any one of our committee mem-

bers: Lisa Kratzer, Cindy Jones, Darlene Ra-

mond, Ruth Osborne, Taylor Miller, Yvonne

Karper, Terri Myers, Robin Orner, Charlotte

Ulrich, Sam Simmons, Sue Simmons, Nancy

Swartz or Ginny Brennan. Thank you!

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Bible Study — The WELCA bible study group will meet on Wednesday, February 7, in room 16 at

9:30 a.m. The group will meet on Wednesdays, February 21 & 28, and March 7, 14 & 21 for its Lenten

bible study, which will be from Return from Exile, a daily devotion by Jonathan Boehne. We invite all

women to join us in this Lenten study.

Thank You — Sincere “thank yous” to all those who donated items for and purchased items from our

gift table at the ‘Round-the-Tree Carol Sing, and to those who gave towards the gift for Domestic

Violence. It is through your donations that we are able to help more charities. Also, thank you to all

who donated to Thankoffering Sunday. We were able to send $392.00 to the Women of the ELCA

organization for its outreach ministries.

Because of your generosity in giving time, talent and monetary donations, our WELCA group was able

to give over $2,800.00 to local charities and those in need, which is in addition to what the church gives

as a whole. Thank you… thank you!

Items Needed — The Prayer Shawl Committee is always in need of yarn for the shawls, scarves and

mittens that its members knit or crochet. For more information or to find out what type of yarn is

preferred, contact June Egolf at 717-243-6284 or knjegolf@gmail.com.

The quilters are also always in need of cotton and cotton-blend material for the top of the quilts and

dark colored sheets for the backs. Please, no religious or patriotic patterns. For questions on the

materials or to join the group, please contact Mary Ann Schirmer at 717-243-1110.

Mark Your Calendars! — Lenten Studies — see above

Mother/Daughter/Women Banquet — Wednesday, May 2 — 6:30 p.m.

Spring Rummage/Bake Sale — Thursday, May 10, at 9 a.m. for setup; Friday, May 11, from 8 a.m.–

4 p.m. for the sale, Saturday, May 12, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. for the sale and cleanup. A light lunch is provided.

Items may be brought to the church on Tuesdays and Sunday mornings.

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

Sunday, February 4

You are invited to join with our youth in their annual “Souper Bowl of Caring” food drive to benefit

Project SHARE. Youth representatives will be in the narthex following both services on Sunday,

February 4, to collect donations of canned goods and monetary donations. (You can even vote for your

favorite Super Bowl team by placing your donations in the appropriate container!) Help us to help our

neighbors with this nation-wide hunger-fighting campaign.

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Beginning Friday, March 2, at Beginning Friday, March 2, at Beginning Friday, March 2, at Beginning Friday, March 2, at

6 p.m. through Saturday, 6 p.m. through Saturday, 6 p.m. through Saturday, 6 p.m. through Saturday,

March 3, at 8 a.m.March 3, at 8 a.m.March 3, at 8 a.m.March 3, at 8 a.m.

Supper and breakfast will be provided. Supper and breakfast will be provided. Supper and breakfast will be provided. Supper and breakfast will be provided.

Please bring a snack to share.Please bring a snack to share.Please bring a snack to share.Please bring a snack to share.

Please contact the church office if you plan to Please contact the church office if you plan to Please contact the church office if you plan to Please contact the church office if you plan to

attend or have questions.attend or have questions.attend or have questions.attend or have questions.

For youth in For youth in For youth in For youth in

grades 6 grades 6 grades 6 grades 6 ———— 12!12!12!12!

From Our Archives

BUILDING FOR MISSION

This thick organizational manual (only two pages are shown here) came to First Lutheran when the congregation was considering construction of what would become our now 50+ year old classroom addition. A penciled annotation dates its receipt to around June 29, 1959. Among its many sections was this one asking questions about community and church membership, questions still relevant today.

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label

Check out our website!

www.firstlutherancarlisle.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

21 South Bedford Street

Carlisle, PA 17013

717-249-3310

717-249-2941 fax

The Reverend Lisa M. Leber — pastor@firstlutherancarlisle.org - (717) 462-6138

The Reverend Richard Lorenz — (717) 249-3310

Andy Hoke — musician@firstlutherancarlisle.org - (717) 462-6140

Erin McCusker — busadmin@firstlutherancarlisle.org - (717) 701-8318

Robin Orner — secretary@firstlutherancarlisle.org - (717) 249-3310

John Shughart, Jr. — (717) 249-3310

Jered Hock — president@firstlutherancarlisle.org

First Edition FEBRUARY 2018

Sunday Worship:

8 & 10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion

9:15 a.m. – Sunday Church School

Pastor Leber’s sermons are posted on our

website — so if you miss a Sunday or

would like to share a sermon with a friend,

visit www.firstlutherancarlisle.org and click

on the “Worship” tab and then “Sermons.”

Church Office Hours:

Monday — Friday

8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Closed for lunch — 12:15-12:45 p.m.

Newsletter articles are due by the 15th of each month.