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We are a United Methodist Church located in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. We are a welcoming community in the love and power of Jesus Christ. ALL Sunday Services are canceled on January 25, 2026. Please join us at 6:00 PM on tonight, Saturday, January 24 to worship. IMG_3742 IMG_3742 1/24 "Our mission is to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! We're glad to have you come by to check out our website. We are a Bible-believing congregation that loves the Lord and has a heart for missions. We are excited to share with you the love of Christ and power of the Gospel. May the Lord richly bless you. Sunday Morning Worship Live Stream Order of Worship Online Giving There are options to give your tithes and offering electronically: You can click the link to the right and it will take you to the online giving page; You can go to the menu bar above and choose the online giving button; or You can scan our Church's new QR code to the right and that will take you to the online giving page. Online Giving Worship Service Videos Archive Clicking the link above, you will go to the LiveStream page. You will see a block similar to this in the upper left corner of the video window. If you click the down arrow, you will be able to access previous weeks' messages. THROUGH the BIBLE in a YEAR - New for 2026 Next year we will be reading the @YouVersion Bible App plan 'Eat this Book: One Year Bible with Daily Psalm'. You can check out the plan at: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/206 . If you would like to be part of the church's join reading group, email the pastor at pastor@havenfirstumc.org and he will send you an invitation.

Are you going through a difficult time? Are you worried, sick, lonely, down-and-out? For over two thousand years, Christians around the world have depended on Jesus to help them get through the tough times. This CD will explain how to live a victorious life now and throughout eternity by relying on the power of Jesus Christ.

This page will share stories/testimonies from church family on how they came to and/or their relationship with their Lord & Savior. MY FAITH STORIES My Faith Stories is a Discipleship Council initiative. Each Story contains a situation, an event, its impact, an "experiencing God" relevant Bible reference and are contributed primarily by members of our congregation. The stories are "mapped" into one of the five steps in the FUMC Discipleship Plan: "Experience God," "Follow the Lord Jesus," "Share Life Together," "Serve the Body of Christ" and "Invest in Others." Click on the Story Title of interest. This opens a link to the full text of the Story that can be read on-line or downloaded for later. If you have any questions or have Faith Stories to share, contact the church office or any member of the Discipleship Council to discuss further. Experience God "My story about the Goodness of God " ~ Sevenia "God heard my prayer, my plea" ~ Ann "prayer moves mountains" ~ Nigel "God makes a way ," when we trust Him ~ Liz "God showed me I had to take a step and then another step..." Ted "This book (Experiencing God) has changed my expectations and understanding of serving God." ~ Karen "My grief helped me minister to those who are grieving " ~ Lynne Follow the Lord Jesus "My faith gave me the Strength to 'pull up my roots'... to Save my son's life" ~ Wanda "Would I be able to make other Obligations , if I started to Tithe ?" ~ Suzie "God has opened many doors during my life" ~ Brian "..... this insensitive joking burned me in my heart ." ~ Dave Share Life Together "I was Flying High , as far as the secular world was concerned" ~ Bill "I discovered a Big Void in my life." ~ Connie "Why Me Lord? " ~ JoAnn "how a Small group actually changed my life " ~ Eydie "I joined a small group and began experiencing the intense love God makes available to all of us." ~ Gary "I Heard God's Voice " ~ Doug Serve the Body of Christ "Having faith and trusting in God has Produced Results I never expected" ~ John "I never knew I had a Food Ministry , until one of our church members asked me about it" ~ Jean "we were strangers, and they took us in" ~ Dwight "My church family covered me with prayer " ~ Julie "God is the reason I've made it this far." ~ Bonnie Invest in Others "Attending church and having a strong faith in God, helps Heal the Scars from being Bullied as a teenager" ~ Randy "Never give up on God's assignments for you." ~ Joanne "I believe, and have always felt, each church member should bring their own personal Bible, perhaps with notes, to church or to study sessions." ~ Mike

This page has links to different Bible Reading Plans (i.e., read the Bible in a year). BIBLE READING PLAN To grow in faith, there is no substitute for spending time in God's Word. It's not just a matter of growing either. It's a matter of daily spiritual sustenance. We pray to God, "Give us this day our daily bread," but the Word of God also says, "People shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." This is how Jesus countered the temptation of the Devil. In other words, partaking of the Word of God every day is as important as eating our daily food. It's spiritual nourishment. You need it to stay healthy in the Spirit. This brochure contains a Bible-reading plan that will enable you to read through the entire Bible in a year. It requires about 15-30 minutes a day, depending on your reading speed, reading about 3-4 chapters per day. There is really no "right" way to read through the Bible, so this plan is just one systematic suggestion of how to do it. If you have a smart phone, you can download a Bible App like "YouVersion," and you can set it up to listen to audio recordings of the Scriptures while you drive. You will be amazed at the way God talks to you as you make this type of Bible study a regular part of your devotional life. I have found over and over this to be true: what I read in a particular day's Bible-reading devotions matches and applies to what is going on in my life. God speaks to us through his word. Click here to access the Bible Reading Plan for 2023 Click here to access the Bible Reading Plan for 2020 Click here to access the Bible Reading Plan used in 2019

The Discipleship Council's 2021 Small Group Plan was developed based on the June 23, 2019 FUMC Discipleship Plan and approved on March 23, 2021. If you have any questions on the 2021 Small Group Plan, contact the church office or any member of the Discipleship Council to discuss further. 2021 SMALL GROUP PLAN visual overview of the FUMC discipleship process

This will provide information on Sunday School classes and/or Small Groups that meet on a Sunday morning or throughout the week. SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES (updated 2/21/21) FUMC promotes participation in Small Groups as a way to meet other Christians, participate in shared interests, support each other's needs, and build lasting friendships in a one-on-one setting with limited attendance. During the COVID-19 environment, we need the support of others and the ability to communicate with those of common interest. In the current environment, our Groups are in-person, virtual (highlighted in this listing), or blended (in-person and virtual). If you would like to start a new Small Group, please contact the church office at 570.385.3941 for more information. If you have an interest in joining one of the Groups below, contact the leader through the contact form below. LIFE IN ACTION GROUPS RECOMMENDED READINGS The books listed below have been reviewed by the Discipleship Council and are recommended for the Life in Action Groups to use as a guide in their mission to create disciples in response to Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19a. These books are generally available at www.christianbook.com and through other providers. Discipleship Plan Components Component 1 - Experience God "A Firm Foundation" by Wesleyan Covenant Association Hope and Vision for a new Methodist Future "Alpha Course" by Nicky Gumbel Creating space to explore life, faith, and meaning "Healing" by Francis MacNutt Provides a context within which to understand healing Component 2 - Follow the Lord Jesus Daily Devotions Component 3 - Share Life Together "The Class Meeting" by Kevin M. Watson A fresh new guide to the theory and practice of the Wesley class meeting "The Band Meeting" by Kevin M. Watson & Scott Kisker Demonstrates that the band meeting is not merely another church program Component 4 - Serve the Body of Christ "Healing" by Francis MacNutt Provides a context within which to understand healing Component 5 - Invest in Others "The Starfish Movement" by Dan Grider Shows how to fully engage with the original Movement that Jesus launched (suggested reading for leaders of Small Groups) "Crucial Conversations" by Dan Grider Draws our attention to those defining moments that literally shape our lives, our relationships, and our world

This is the page that will provide information on where to find our live-stream services and how to request copies of past messages from the archives. MESSAGES Streamed Recordings Beginning March 22, 2020, CFC started to live-stream the worship services. These streamed services can be found through the website , through our Facebook page , on YouTube , or Vimeo . Podcasts We offer an archived library of podcasts from our regular weekly and holiday services prior to March 22, 2020, in two formats: (1) contains just the scripture and message or (2) if your preference is to listen to the entire worship service (announcements, music, prayers, etc.), please contact the Church Office at 570.385.3941 or send an email to office@havenfirstumc.org to request a copy of the service on CD. Our prayer is that each of these messages will touch and bless each of you in some way.

Description of the symbolization of the mural. MURAL OF THE LORD'S SUPPER AND CROSSES This Lord’s Supper Mural is given to the glory of God in loving memory of Charles C. Reading and Charles I. Reading. There is an ancient proverb that shares the insight “A picture tells a thousand words.” The beauty of this Lord’s Supper Mural is that it tells the story of salvation in a way that is beyond the power of words to express. Truth is conveyed not only by wisdom and intellect, but by the heart expressed in art. The sacraments have been called “sermons in action.” A famous layperson once said: “I would rather see a sermon than just hear one.” The Lord’s Supper is at the heart of our Christian faith. Here we see the love of God in action. This Lord’s Supper Mural depicting Jesus Christ our Lord and the twelve disciples tells the grand story of salvation and the divine—human encounter in a very dramatic way. The cross tells the marvelous message of God’s love entering the human struggle to liberate us from the paralyzing powers of sin and death. It should be noted that our Lord gathered his disciples at a TABLE rather than an altar. The table is a place where the warmth of friendship and the bond of true intimacy with the host can take place. JESUS IS ALWAYS THE HOST , as the large Christ cross demonstrates in a vivid way. The LARGE CHRIST CROSS is a vivid reminder that Jesus Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. The cross is the only authentic sign of love in our fallen world. The cross is a powerful reminder of how far humanity will go in hate. However, it represents how far Christ will go to demonstrate his love for us. The other TWELVE CROSSES demonstrate how the message of the cross lives on in the lives of the twelve disciples and the cultures they impacted with the gospel. The story continues on. It cannot be stopped. The message continues to call people of every age, race, class, gender, and color to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The LORD’S SUPPER TABLE reminds us that God continues to invite us to commune with him and to develop an intimate relationship with him through the Lord’s Supper. It further reminds us that we are a community of faith where all worldly distinctions face and we are a true family of believers. The BREAD AND CHALICE represent the ongoing nourishment and nurture that God provides for those who love and serve him and the strength and courage needed to follow the example of Christ. The SPOTLIGHTS remind us that Jesus Christ is the true light of the world and that we should at all times keep our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. The one true light has entered human history and the powers of darkness are unable to extinguish the light. The MONEYBAG reminds us of the tragic consequences of listening to anything except God’s word and will. Only God can meet the deepest needs and longings of the human spirit. However, all the crosses together remind us that there is more grace in God than sin in us. God is faithful to his covenant that he established and sealed with his own death and shed blood. There is no sin he cannot forgive and no person he will ever cast out. This is the good news of the gospel that God has called us to share and proclaim each day until he comes again. May all who view this Lord’s Supper Mural be renewed by the good news of the gospel that all of human life can be released from the bondage of sin and death and then be refreshed by the living bread and the cup of salvation. May the words of Charles Wesley inspire us each time we commune at a Lord's Supper observance: How happy are Thy servants Lord, Who thus remember Thee! What tongue can tell our sweet accord, Our perfect harmony? Who Thy mysterious Supper share, Here at Thy Table fed, Many, and yet but one we are, One undivided Bread. One with the Living Bread Divine, Which now by faith we eat; Our hearts, and minds, and spirits join, And all in Jesus meet. So dear the tie where souls agree In Jesu's dying love; Then only can it closer be, When all are join'd above. Amen. To learn more about the crosses depicted in the mural, click here to view a Legend for the Lord's Supper Mural and Crosses .

This is the stained glass window behind the altar in the sanctuary. THE ALTAR WINDOW Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. ~John 1:29 The stained glass window was designed and installed by Kim Bordner, a young man who used his talents for God’s glory. Much of the glass used in the window comes from our former church dwelling on St. John Street, reminding us of the past; and the newly added glass gives us a forward hopeful look. The Cross, the central figure of our Altar Window, captures the most intense demonstration of Christ’s love and power. The color of our cross represents Christ’s blood spilled out putting an end to ungodliness through the crucifixion, so that as Christians we are now free to live in Christ. The Lamb is the supreme symbol of innocence and gentleness. The lamb in Old Testament Scripture is the dominant sacrificial victim given up to atone for the sins of the people. In the New Testament (John 1:29), John the Baptist said upon seeing Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” The Dove represents the hovering of the Spirit of God over the Church, His people (Genesis 1:2). The Spirit of God descended “like a dove” upon Jesus at His baptism, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove upon us when we accept Jesus as Savior. We are baptized with the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ into our lives and this identifies our baptism with His baptism. The Plants remind us that in our commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, we are to be continually growing in our relationship and as His disciples. For just as plants grow and are nourished with water in a firm foundation of soil, so must we, as followers of Christ, be planted firmly in His word and our growth nourished in the same manner. Our Altar Window is a beautiful reminder of God’s love. Each Sunday that we gather together in worship or any time we spend time in the sanctuary to commune with Him, we are reminded of His love, sacrifice, and victory. May our Altar Window allow God’s light to shine in our soul and give us a vision of His heavenly kingdom!

This page provides a schedule of activities for the Middle School youth group. Schedule Here is the 2026 Winter/Spring Calendar. There are some events this year that are not at the church. In those events, we'll request through signups (via Flocknote link) or text group to indicate attendance and travel needs. Please respond promptly so we can accommodate for space and cost. During the year, youth members born on certain months of a quarter get to participate in an event free of charge.

Provides a list of ministries that are active within our church. FUMC MINISTRIES The ministries of First United Methodist Church serve as the main tool to lead believers in the discipleship process of the Christian faith. All of our ministries are Bible-based and they are Christ-centered. The purpose of each ministry is to strengthen believers in their faith, to lead them into spiritual maturity, and to equip members to find and use their gifts for the work of our ministry. If you have any questions regarding our different ministries or are interested in serving, please don't hesitate to contact the church office at 570.385.3941 for more information. Community Luncheon Many years ago, our Missions Committee, under the leadership of Jack O’Rourke, decided they should reach out not only to people in need worldwide, but also to people in our own community who may have a need. This was definitely a calling they felt they should undertake. Therefore, they began a program that would serve those who might have a hunger for Christian fellowship, as well as a hunger for a good meal. Hence, the Community Luncheon program was born. A meal is served at our church at noon in our Fellowship Hall on the second Saturday of each month. The only exceptions are those months where some unscheduled need occurs—such as a funeral—or some long-range event is planned—such as a wedding, a United Methodist District meeting, etc. (Advance notice of all dates is shown elsewhere on this website.) This mission captured the spirit of many. The meals are nutritional and sumptuous, the atmosphere is inviting, and the tables are set with love and warmth. The overall atmosphere is one of “family and fellowship.” There is no charge for the luncheon, but free-will offerings are gratefully accepted and appreciated. We are always looking for volunteers to help prepare, serve, and, most importantly, engage in fellowship with our “guests.” A core of dedicated volunteers is what makes this mission come alive. Won’t you join us? Embrace Grace Ministry Our ministry with Embrace Grace has started and are so excited about this opportunity to come together as the body of Christ, be obedient to His calling and be willing share the love and life changing message of Jesus with our neighbors! Many of you have asked how you might be able to help, so here are some ways that you can be Jesus’ hands and feet to these precious Brave Girls and their babies… Do you like rocking, singing, or engaging with little ones? How about signing up to help with childcare? Do you like to knit? You could help us out with blankets, sweaters, and booties! Is hospitality your thing? Join us for our special days as we celebrate the new lives God has entrusted to us. Are you a party planner? If so, maybe you’d like to help with the Baby Shower? Do you have extra finances that could go to support this ministry? Donations are greatly appreciated as we purchase curriculum and to help off-set some of the expenses of the special days. Are you a prayer warrior? Great! What a blessing a simple prayer can be to these Brave Girls, their families, and our team! Maybe you have a gift or talent that’s not listed, if so, we welcome you to reach out and share as there’s a role for everyone! Meals Ministry The Meals Ministry supplies temporary meal preparation for members in extenuating medical circumstances. Media Ministry The Media Ministry is always looking to add to their rotating crew of volunteers to meet the growing needs of the church. If you are able to give one or two Sundays a month to the church at the 9:00 am service, then we are looking for you. Minimum level of experience is required. Middle and High school students are also encouraged to join. Please contact Dave Williams or Don Bergen for seeking additional information, for signing up as a new member of the Tech Team, and/or for receiving training on the equipment. You may also click here to access the Media Form and forward to Dave or Don via the Church Office. Also part of the Media Ministry is the preparation of the weekly slides for use during the worship services; please consider serving in preparing the words for the congregation to follow during worship. Training and mentoring is available to all who wish to learn and serve. Missions Ministry The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 'Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." ' Jesus directs us: "… have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:14-15 Paul to Titus: "…And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone." Titus 3:8 FUMC offers opportunities to carry out God’s directions to us. We have several mission teams that have served in many capacities over the years. We have a Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Team, an Africa Team, and a Youth Team. Over the years our VIM teams served in many locations throughout the United States (from Philadelphia to Alabama). Our Africa team served at the Children of Zion Village in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, Africa in 2011 and 2017. The VIM teams tend to form when there is a need somewhere and the Missions Committee along with the Church agree to send a team. However when a decision to send a team is made, there seems to be a core group of people that is usually ready to jump on board. And our Youth teams served in many locations from locally in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Alabama. Music Ministry FUMC offers several opportunities to worship and praise God. We offer an adult choir and a cherub/c hildren's choir. Joyful Noises Choir is for children from toddler age to 12 years of age. The children practice on Sunday mornings for the first 1/2 hour of Sunday School. Adult Choir is for anyone from 8th grade and above. This choir performs all styles of music in all voices (SAB) and in varying levels of difficulty. This choir sings at the 9:00 am worship service and practices on a Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm. Contemporary Praise/Worship Team is for anyone that loves the Lord and wants to serve through his or her gift of music. They perform all styles of music (contemporary to traditional hymns) and in varying levels of difficulty. The worship team sings at the 9:00 am worship service. Their practice schedule is flexible and varies depending on schedules so please check the bulletin. The Team is always looking for musicians and singers. We combined our services and have one service at 9:00 am. This service is a blended service containing both traditional (utilizing the piano or organ) and contemporary music by the Praise/Worship team. Parish Nurse Ministry “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV) A Parish Nurse is a registered professional nurse who serves as a member of the ministry team of a faith community. Service is through the independent practice of nursing as defined by the nurse practice act in the jurisdiction in which he or she practices, and the standards set forth in the “Scope and Standards of Parish Nursing Practice” published by Health Ministries Association Inc. and American Nurses Association. The Parish Nurse Ministry works in conjunction with the Health and Welfare Committee in serving the congregation in different health-related areas and provides monthly blood pressure screenings and provides programs to improve the health of body, mind, and spirit. The Parish Nurse and members of the Health & Welfare Committee are individuals that are motivated by strong beliefs, principles, ethics, and values with the desire to serve others with altruism and compassion grounded in faith. Mission To provide health services focusing on the holistic integration of body, mind, and spirit to the members of the church and the community beyond. Vision “To nurture the body of Christ along the continuum of wellness for the healing and well being of the church and community.” What roles do the Parish Nurse and Health & Welfare Committee have? They DO NOT provide medical treatment/care, hands-on care, diagnostic screenings, home health care, or any service/procedure that is invasive or falls within the scope of practice for a licensed health profession. We are Health Educators - providing educational materials and programs about health topics; Health Counselors - increasing awareness of health issues through visitations at home, in facilities, and at the church; and a Referral Source - providing information about and assists with community resource links in regards to questions about health issues or navigating the health system. We focus on supporting and assisting members of the congregation and the community with activities that relate to health education, prevention, and wellness. The overall goal is to find balance among all the dimensions that comprise it: emotional, spiritual, physical, mental and social. We are volunteers with a passion of helping others. Prayer Ministry Click here to be transferred to the Prayer Ministry page. Stephens Ministry Stephen Ministry is a way for congregations to provide high-quality Christ centered care and outreach to hurting people in the congregation and community. Stephen Ministers are congregation members who go through 50 hours of Christian caregiving training. Each Stephen Minister is then matched with a hurting person - men are paired with men, women with women - and meets with that person weekly to listen, care, pray, and encourage. Caring relationships last for as long as the need persists. Stephen Ministers care for those dealing with grief, divorce, job loss, hospitalization, financial struggles, loneliness, convalescence, terminal illness, and other life difficulties. Stephen Ministry at Schuylkill Haven First United Methodist Church: First Church became a member of the Stephen Ministry Series in the fall of 2014. The first class of Stephen Ministers was commissioned on May 22, 2016. First Church has 16 members who have completed the 50-hour Stephen Minister training course and have become Stephen Ministers. We also have two Stephen Leaders who have completed the week-long course presented by Stephen Ministry. The Stephen Leaders provide the training and supervision necessary for the success of the program. Currently, we have 15 active Stephen Ministers and nine people being cared for by a Stephen Minister. In the last four years, 24 people have received approximately 1,258 hours of direct one-to-one care. During the Covid-19 Quarantine, our Stephen Ministers kept in contact with their care receivers via text, email, and phone meetings. This was very critical for those care receivers who became isolated during this time. For the Story of Stephen Ministry, click here . Vineyard Ministry The Vineyard is a mission outreach which began in 2004 as the result of a need in the community. The Vineyard is not just a Food Pantry. A short worship service is provided to feed the soul. Household items such as cleaning supplies and paper products, as well as food items are available. All items are donated by members of the congregation and community. We do not require proof of income from anyone accessing the Vineyard, but we do require an ID. What God provides, we supply to those in need. The Vineyard is open the first Wednesday of each month from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Early arrival is not necessary. The order of being served will be determined in a random manner. In case of inclement weather, please contact the church office for a make-up date. If you feel led to serve this ministry through the donation of items, check out the Vineyard Grocery List . For more information about this program, please contact the church office at 570.385.3941. Young Adult Ministry The Young Adult Fellowship targets the post-high school to 20-somethings. It provides fellowship opportunities for adults from 20-somethings (and sometimes a little older) and their families.