INVITE

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Week of October 23, 2016

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United Methodist

First Church

NEW TO FIRST CHURCH? - Steps to find your way: (Step 1) MEET FIRST CHURCH SUNDAY, October 23rd right after worship

Join one of our pastors for a few minutes getting to know First Church and learning about the ministries most relevant for you. Children are welcome! After 8:00 a.m. service, First Evangelical Center—Room 206 After 9:30 a.m. service, First Evangelical Center—Room 206 After 11:00 a.m. service, Christian Life Center—back of Stryker Hall After 11:00 a.m. service, North Campus—in the lounge

(Step 2) A DISCIPLE’S PATH 6 week group This group will guide you onto a path of growing discipleship and connection at First Church. It is also the membership group if you would like to join at any time. Led by Pastor D.G. Giordano, 7:00-8:00p.m. Mondays beginning November 7th in the North Campus, Room 212/213. Sign-up on the Communication Card. Childcare is not available for this class.

PLEASE GATHER YOUR NAME TAG(S) Please feel free to gather your nametag(s) and keep it with you, to wear to church on Sundays, as you desire. We will be removing the name tag tables after worship on Sunday morning, October 30th, so please take yours prior to then, if you wish to have it to wear. Those serving in our Welcoming and Hospitality Ministries are still encouraged to wear their nametags on Sunday mornings, so that our guests will know to whom they can direct questions, and receive needed information. We will have limited space to store Welcome Ministries name tags after October 30th. Everyone else is encouraged to take your nametags home and then bring & wear them on Sundays, if you desire.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:00 am—Traditional

604 Market St.

9:30 am—Blended

604 Market St.

11:00 am—Contemporary

601 Market St.

11:00 am—Contemporary

1157 Market St.

(live streamed message)

4:30 pm—Celebrate Recovery

604 Market St.

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

5:00 pm—601 Market St.

Night meal, fellowship,

music, brief message,

small groups (kids, youth & adults)

First Church 604 Market St.

Williamsport, PA 17701

570-322-3572

fumc2@comcast.net

Check us out at

www.firstchurch.cc

Donate

PRAYER WARRIORS NEEDED Prayer warriors are needed during each Sunday morning worship service on the following dates: November 6th, November 13th and November 20th. Please sign-up on the back of the communication card with the date and worship time you are willing to serve as a prayer warrior.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR Children's Choir will sing "Good Good Father" on Sunday, October 23rd at 9:30 a.m. ALL children 3 years through 5th grade will start in the First Evangelical Center (FEC), Sanctuary - Sunday School will begin late! Children's Choir will meet in the FEC, Lobby at 9:25 a.m. and will process during the first hymn. ALL children are invit-ed to the front of the church for the Children's Moment and fol-lowing that, volunteers will walk the children VIA Ross Street to Sunday School. Nursery for kids under 3 will be on a regular sched-ule.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Family Movie Night

at North Campus Saturday, November 19th

6:00 p.m. All are invited.

Watch the Newsletter for more information in a couple of weeks.

SEND TEACH

LUKE BIBLE INTENSIVE Join Pastor Janet on Wednesday’s from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Sanctu-ary, First Evangelical Center. Bring a Bible and a notebook. Join us each week or when you are able. The scheduled topics are: October 26: Eating in Luke, Part 2 November 2: Parables November 9: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus November 16: The next chapter: The Luke/Acts Journey

GRAND FRIENDS Join us for Grand Friends as we meet for a catered lunch and pro-gram on Tuesday, October 25th @ 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the First Evangelical Center. The meal (Meat Loaf with sides, des-sert and a beverage) will cost $9.00 (payable the day of the luncheon to First Church). The Oc-tober program will be presented by Aaron Russell on the Transform Mission Week project. Please RSVP by October 23rd to Karen Fisher at 570-337-0665.

MONTHLY CHRISTIAN BOOK GROUP Join us on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Donna Johnson (1701 Clarion Dr.) for the November Book – This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. No reservation needed. Come one, come every time!!!! Great discussion, good fellowship. “COME AND SEE”.

FROM THE FIRST CHURCH STEPHEN MINISTRY TEAM WHY do we pray with others? God invites his people to draw close to him and to share their concerns with him through prayer. In James 5:16, we are urged to “Pray for one another.” We also pray together because Jesus promises us in Matthew 18: 19-20, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” In Christian Caregiving: A Way of Life, Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk shares: “What a powerful incentive to pray together! When you pray with an-other, God is the third party in a caring relationship, actively con-cerned for you and the person for whom you are praying. In prayer God has promised to listen to you attentively, to understand your needs, and to answer your re-quests.” Let us follow God's call to care for one another through pray-er. Amen!

SECOND MILE GIVING The Second Mile Giving for Octo-ber is Helping Hand. This fund is to provide emergency assistance to those experiencing economic crisis or difficulty. Please make checks payable to “First Church” with “Helping Hand” in the memo line.

MISSION ITEMS NEEDED Local Food Pantry— coffee, tea (regular), powdered milk, sugar canned milk. Shepherd of the Streets— gel shaving cream (both men and women’s), disposal ra-zors (both men & women’s), toilet paper. Donations for these mis-sions may be left in the baskets at the following locations: Christian Life Center - the Market Street entrance; First Evangelical Center - the Ross Street entrance; North Campus - Lounge.

CLEAN, GENTLY USED WINTER COATS NEEDED Once again we are collecting clean, gently used winter coats and jackets for our friends at First Night. Coats and jackets can be dropped off at the church office (during normal office hours) or if necessary, they can be picked up. If you need someone to come to get a coat or if you have any ques-tions, please call Aaron Russell at 570-506-1356 or Nancy Somers at 570-419-3039.

CHRISTMAS SOCK TIME Once again it is time for our "Christmas Socks for Nursing Home Shut-Ins", a project of the Church Women United of Ly-coming County. Our United Meth-odist Women are filling socks for the county nursing facilities. The cost to fill one sock is $3.00. If you would like to assist with this pro-ject, please give $3.00 or more to Barb Harbach by November 13th. Our goal is to fill at least 100 socks this year - won't you please help us achieve this goal?

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. . . . Looking for great volunteers to help with the Moppets program! Moppets are infants through pre-school-age children whose moms are attending MOPS. To function fully we need 10-12 volunteers each meeting. Our meetings are the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the North Campus. If in-terested in knowing more, please contact Kelby Hodge at 717-825-8089. Safe Sanctuary clearances must be completed before volun-teering.

CHILDREN/YOUTH

CARE PACKAGES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS & SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN First Church will once again be sending care packages to current First Church students and military personnel. If you would like your college student or serviceman/ woman to receive a package, please email their complete ad-dress to Barb Wallace at bgwallace6@gmail.com or call the church office by Nov. 14.

DONATIONS FOR CARE PACKAGES We will be collecting donations, Oct. 16-Nov. 13 for college stu-dent and military personnel care packages. Suggested donations include individual wrapped pack-ages of granola bars, chips, crack-ers, popcorn, oatmeal, cookies, candy, hot cocoa & ramen noo-dles. Donations toward the pur-chase of food or postage are also welcome. Collection boxes will be placed in the cloak room of the FEC, entrance way of CLC and the lounge of the NC. Email Barb Wal-lace at bgwallace6@gmail.com with any questions.

Updated First Church Directories are now available at the Information Centers or in the church office.

DIR. OF TECH. MINISTRIES First Church - Williamsport is seek-ing a full-time Director of Tech-nical Ministries to oversee audio, visual, lighting, and livestream needs of a multi-campus ministry. This position involves supervising both paid staff and volunteers. Professional experience and a commitment to Christ-centered, team-based ministry is required. For a job description and employ-ment application, contact the church office at office@firstchurch.cc.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Ralph and his parents search through garbage pits for objects of value that they will sell. As Ralph entered his school room one day he saw colored boxes. Each child in his class received a shoebox filled with special gifts. Ralph found a scarf which he tried to trade with someone; no one would trade so he took it home and put it away. Many years later his family immigrated to Buffalo, NY where he proudly wears his wool scarf now. God has always known Ralph’s needs. To read more OCC stories check this web-site. www.samaritan’spurse.org/operation-christmas-child/shoebox-stories. Such heartwarm-ing tales of Christ coming into the hearts of the world’s children by way of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Please remember to return your shoeboxes before November 6th.

FUSE* C.6-8 [RE]TREAT The fuse* C.6-8 [re]treat is No-vember 4-6th at Wes-ley Forest Camp. Stu-dents in 6-8th grades and CYF students are encouraged to register for this weekend away experience. We will seek to learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in interactive devotional times, games, and activities; all in the wonder of God’s creation. Boys and girls sleep in separate cabins, are accommodated on bunk beds, and hot meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. Cost is only $50 per person – and registra-tion is required on or before Octo-ber 23rd by using the registration cards found at information centers and in the fuse*box student minis-try center. Please contact Josh Tobias, Director of Student Minis-tries, with questions or for more information. jtobias@comcast.net or 570.322.3572 x124 #socktober fuse* student ministries is partner-ing with Curtin Intermediate School to be a collection point for their annual #SOCKTOBER! De-spite a national decrease in people living in unsheltered buildings, in-cluding the street, cars and aban-

doned buildings, this number has increased in Pennsylvania in 2015 by 38 percent. According to the American Rescue Workers, as of February 2015, there were nearly 60 men, women and children living without shelter in Williamsport. Furthermore, the U.S. Census Bu-reau states that 29.99 percent of the citizens in Williamsport are living in poverty, a rate higher than that of Allentown, Philadelphia, Erie and Pittsburgh. You can help by bringing new socks to be donat-ed during the month of October. They will be collected outside of the fuse*box student ministry cen-ter in the FEC OR give them to fuse* students (6th-12th grades) to be dropped off. We will make sure they get to Curtin, and included in their #socktober efforts! BOWER LEAGUE BASKETBALL SIGN-UPS ARE HERE!!!! If interested and you want to play please pick up a registration form at any one of our three infor-mation centers at First Church (must meet minimum church attendance requirements to partic-ipate). Simply fill out the registra-tion form and hand it to myself or you can drop it off at the church office. All registration forms are due by November 9th. Any ques-tions or concerns please contact Sean Walker by phone (570-505-2505) or by email at shizz3333@gmail.com.

Sermon Outline Humble Power: Distorted Power = Idolatry

Genesis 3:1-7

I. God intended the world to function in power.

II. Humble power that is both creative and relational.

benefits.

III. is the biblical name for the human capacity for

creative power run amok.

IV. “Crafty” in Hebrew—Arum--is a play on the Hebrew word for

--Arummim.

V. can also mean “clever, cunning, and shrewd”.

VI. Idols our devotion to God as the source of our

power to devotion of a created thing for our power.

VII. True life apart from God is within our grasp.

VIII. Idolatry results from a curious of power and powerlessness.

IX. Idols present the idea that we will have life and be LIKE God, but this

very mindset is what us from God.

X. When we embrace God’s humble power that is when we

.

Life Reflection: For what purposes are we using the humble power God has given us? For flourishing? Or for creating idols? Where are we seeking to be like God by playing the role of God--thinking, we shall not surely die? As individu-als? And as a church? What idols are currently stealing our power and life? In humble power can we surrender them to Christ so that we might flourish?

Scripture Reflection: Genesis 3:4-5 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Pastor’s Page Hurricane Matthew and the United Methodist Church

First Church,

As many of you know, Hurricane Matthew left a trail of destruction in its path a few weeks ago. In addition to the sheer physical devastation that it left, it also took the lives of over 1000 individuals.

As the people of God, there are a variety of ways that we can respond to offer help. Of course one of the primary things that we can do is to pray. We pray for God’s presence in the midst of so much pain. We pray for hope for those affected by the hurricane. We pray for provision for those in need. We pray for recovery.

In addition to praying, another significant thing we can do is to give--either to First Church or to UMCOR--the United Methodist Committee On Relief--directly. One of my greatest joys of the United Methodist Church is that thanks to our collective giving as a connectional system our church is ALREADY responding to the needs of those affected by Hurricane Matthew. In fact, the United Methodist Church was on the ground immediately to serve those most in need in the wake of the storm.

This quick and needed response can happen because we pay shares of ministry. Our shares of ministry not only allow for mission around our world, but also for disaster response teams to be immediately deployed to wherever they are needed in the world. Thus by faithfully giving to First Church, and helping First Church offer its full shares of ministry to the wid-er denomination every member of First Church is actually already making a difference for those affected by Hurricane Matthew.

If you desire to give an extra gift beyond your regular giving to help the Hurricane victims, please place it in the weekly offering and designate it for UMCOR and Hurricane Matthew. We will then send any donations given directly to UMCOR for hurricane relief.

It should give us great joy to know that whenever large-scale disasters happen anywhere in the world the United Methodist Church is always able to respond immediately because of UMCOR and our shares of ministry. It is a great example of the power of unity and working together.

For me personally, this is one of my favorite components of the United Methodist Church. Let’s keep working together to tangibly offer God’s love wherever it may be most needed.

In Christ, Pastor Matt

We’re on the Web! www.firstchurch.cc and

FIRST CHURCH 604 Market St.

Williamsport, PA 17701 Phone: 570-322-3572

Weekly Worship Attendance for week ending October 16, 2016:

TOTAL — 781

Sunday, October 23 Meet First Church After 8:00 service, room 206 near the lounge After 9:30 service, room 206 near the lounge After 11:00 CLC service, back corner of Stryker Hall After 11:00 NC service, in the lounge 8:00 a.m.-Worship (MC, FEC-Sanctuary) 9:30 a.m.-Worship (MC, FEC-Sanctuary) 9:30 a.m.-Children’s Sunday School (MC, CLC-1st floor) 9:30 a.m.-d-fuse* student ministries (MC, FEC-fuse*box) 9:30 a.m.-Sermon Talk (MC, FEC-201) 11:00 a.m.-Contemporary Worship (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) 11:00 a.m.-Contemporary Worship (NC) 4:00 p.m.-Open Gym (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) 4:30 p.m.-Celebrate Recovery (MC, FEC-Sanctuary) 6:00 p.m.-fuse* (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall/Kitchen) 6:30 p.m.-Divorce Care (MC, FEC-104) 6:30 p.m.-Women’s Small Group (Somers) (MC, FEC-201)

NC = NORTH CAMPUS (1157 Market St.)

MAIN CAMPUS

CLC = Christian Life Center (601 Market St.)

FEC = First Evangelical Center (604 Market St.)

Saturday, October 29 7:00 a.m.-Men’s Group (Wegman’s) 9:00 a.m.-3D Conference Event (MC, FEC-Entire Bldg; MC-CLC-Stryker Hall/Kitchen)

Friday, October 28 6:00 a.m.-Prayer Time (NC-Sanctuary) 7:30 a.m.-FNS (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 5:30 p.m.-Open Gym (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall)

Thursday, October 27 6:00 a.m.-Men’s Bible Study (Marzo) (NC-Fellowship Room) 7:30 a.m.-FNS (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 9:15 a.m.-MOPS (NC-Entire Bldg.) 6:30 p.m.-Bell Choir (MC, FEC-104) 7:00 p.m.-CLC Praise Band (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall/Stage) 7:00 p.m.-NC Praise Band (NC-Sanctuary)

CYCLE OF PRAYER: October 23-29 Benjamin, Michelle, Alec, Deryk & Gray-son Kulp; Richard, Tammy, Joey & An-thony LaCerra; Robert LaCerra; Matt, Jenn, Alex, Josh & Zach Lake; Shirley Lambert; Ben Landon; Doug & Bessie Lane; Brian, Erin & Amy Langer; Don, Deb & Krista Leathers; Jeff LeCrone; Liz Lehman; Pam Lewis; Courtney, Alexan-der, Jackson & Evelyn Linn; Josh Lisson; Nathan Litz; Marsha Lloyd; Sharon Long; Joe & Flicka Losch; Pete, Missy, Abby & Jake Loudenslager; Roberta Loud-enslager; Peg Lowmiller; Ray & Susanne Lukas; Mike, Melissa, Elizabeth, Nathan & Madelyn Lundy; Christopher, Anne, Nelson & Eleanor Macdonald; Ken & Lynne Maietta; Howard & Loraine Man-ley; Steve, April & Andrew Manley; Sheena & Darren Mansfield; Dave & Kathy Marcello; Michael, Bethany & Genevieve Marcello; Mitch & Elizabeth Marcello.

Wednesday, October 26 6:00 a.m.-Early Morning Men’s Group (MC, FEC-102) 7:30 a.m.-FNS (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 11:00 a.m.-The Flock (MC, FEC-102) FIRST NIGHT FALL SCHEDULE 5:00 p.m. Dinner (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) Fresh Express (MC, FEC-Fellowship Hall) 5:15 p.m.-Wed. Night Worship Experience (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) 5:45 p.m. Wednesday Children’s Choir & Small Groups (MC, CLC-106, 108, 109/110, 124, 132/133) 6:00 p.m. Bible Intensive (MC, FEC-Sanctuary) Bible Study—Romans (MC, FEC-Lead Pastor’s Office) D-fuse* (MC, FEC-fuse*box) First Friends Bible Study (MC, FEC-Fellowship Hall/101/Kitchen)Marriage Matters (MC, FEC-102) Men of God (NC-Wesley Hall) Sister’s In Christ (MC, FEC-201) Women’s Small Group (Netzley/Vierra) (NC-216) 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir (MC, FEC-104) Monday, October 24

7:30 a.m.-FNS (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 1:15 p.m.-Joyful Hearts (NC-Fellowship Room) 5:00 p.m.-Men of Integrity (1508 Elmira St.) 5:30 p.m.-Open Gym (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall) 5:30 p.m.-GIFT Women’s Group (NC-Fellowship Room) 6:45 p.m.-Women’s Step Study (NC-214) 7:00 p.m.-Women of Faith (1508 Elmira St.)

Tuesday, October 25 7:30 a.m.-FNS (MC, CLC-Entire Bldg.) 10:30 a.m.-Daughter’s of Grace (MC, FEC-101) 10:30 a.m.-Truth Seekers (MC, FEC-102) 12:00 p.m.-Contemporary Music Meeting (MC, FEC-202) 12:15 p.m.-Jewel’s Women’s Small Group (MC, FEC-102) 12:15 p.m.-Grand Friends (MC, FEC-Fellowship Hall) 2:15 p.m.-Worship Design Team (MC, FEC-Fellowship Hall/102) 6:30 p.m.-Kingdom Seekers (MC, FEC-206) 7:00 p.m.-First Place for Health (MC, FEC-201) 7:00 p.m.-Mending the Soul Support Group (NC-212/213) 7:00 p.m.-Volleyball/Bible Study (MC, CLC-Stryker Hall)