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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

This will provide information on Small Groups that meet on a Sunday morning or throughout the week. SMALL GROUPS (UPDATED 09/09/25 ) CFC 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. Currently, our groups are held in-person, virtual (highlighted in this listing) , or blended in-person and virtual (also highlighted) . If you have an interest in joining one of the groups below, contact the leader directly or if assistance is needed, contact: ereed@havenfirstumc.org If Group Leaders need to change their meeting information, send updates to: ereed@havenfirstumc.org Life In Action Groups Our interest is in following Jesus' command to "go and make disciples". We study and practice within our Group and then go out into the community to make disciples. Sundays Led by: Linda Olsen & JoAnn Daum Study: Fall Alpha Series Where: Church's Fellowship Hall Frequency: Weekly, beginning Sept. 14th, 2025, 11:25 AM; expected ending Dec. 7th (contact the church office for participation and/or team information) Young Adult (18 to 30-something) Led by: Adam Kraft Study: Spiritual Nourishment, Inspiration and Guidance Where: Church Frequency: Weekly, 10:15 - 11:00 AM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mondays Led by: Ellen Marino Study Book: Between Two Trees (women's group) Where: Church Frequency: Weekly, 10:15 AM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Days/Times/Location may vary for: Senior High Youth (9th - 12th grades) iGnite Sr. High for information & schedule, refer to: the FAMILIES tab on this website page: Youth - High School Middle School Youth (5th - 8th grades) iGnite Jr. High for information & schedule, refer to: the FAMILIES tab on this website page: Youth - Middle School ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Encouragement & Accountability Groups We are smaller groups which meet regularly to support and encourage each other in our walk of faith. Tuesdays Led by: Lisi Fisher Where: Church (women's prayer and accountability group) Frequency: Weekly, 5:30 AM Led by: Doug O'Connell Where: Men's meeting at Haven Diner Frequency: Weekly, 6:30 AM Led by: M oms O n M issions (for moms of little ones) Where: Church Frequency: Weekly, 6:00 PM (childcare provided) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fridays Led by: Darlene Beers Where: varies Frequency: second Friday of each month (filled at this time) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Study Group s Our interest is in-depth study of books of the Bible to better understand its teachings. Sundays Led by: Tom Reed Sr. Study: Book of Joshua Where: Church Frequency: Weekly, 10:45 AM (on hold during Fall 2025 Alpha program) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tuesdays Led by: JoAnn D. Video Study: Between Two Trees ( through RightNow Media) Where: Church Frequency: Weekly, 3:00 PM Led by: Shirley Yenilaitus Study: RightNow Media Topics Where: Y's Home Frequency: Weekly, 6:00 PM (filled) Led by: Bonnie Hawley Study: Old Testament Where: Home Frequency: Weekly, 7:00 PM (filled) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wednesdays Led by: Ellen Marino Study: Book of Matthew Where: Church Frequency: Weekly, 10:15 AM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thursdays Led by: Eydie Re ed Video Study: RightNow Media Topics Where: Home Frequency: Weekly, 10:00 AM Led by: Doug O'Connell Study: Book of Genesis Where: in-person, Church & Zoom ; Zoom (late fall/winter) Frequency: Weekly, 7:00 PM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Focused Groups We have a variety of Small Groups with specialized interests. Sundays Led by: Pastor Chris Fisher Type: Coffee House Worship Where: Church Frequency: Weekly, 11:00 AM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tuesdays Led by: Ann Moyer & Nancy Kraft Study Book: You Were Made For This Moment (women's group) Where: Church Frequency: two Tuesdays each month, 2:00 PM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wednesdays Led by: Pastor Chris Fisher Type: Wednesday Night Prayer Group Where: Church Sanctuary Frequency: Weekly, 6:00 PM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thursdays Led by: Dot Murphy Meal & Chat: Women encouraging women (for widows) Where: varies Frequency: fourth Thursday each month, 5:30 PM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturdays Type: Men's Breakfast RightNow Media Topics Where: Church Fellowship Hall Frequency: third Saturday each month, 8:00 AM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coming: Led by: Stacey Lehman and (TBA) Type: Celebrate Recovery Where: Church Frequency: (pending) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you would like to start a new Small Group, please contact the FUMC church office at 570.385.3941 for more information.

This page provides a schedule of activities for the Middle School youth group. Schedule Here is our updated Fall/Winter calendar for 2025. There has been a few changes, so please review closely. There are some events this year that are not at the church. In those events, we'll request through signups (via Flocknote link) 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.

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.

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 .

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 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.

Provides staff names and their titles. MEET OUR STAFF Leading Christ Fellowship Church of Schuylkill Haven is a team effort. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the pastor and church staff work together in a spirit of unity to fulfill the church's vision to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Senior Pastor | Rev. Dr. Christopher Fisher Rev. Dr. Christopher Fisher is an ordained elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, and has served churches in Eastern PA since 1991. He has been the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Schuylkill Haven since 2005. Education: B.A., Lehigh University (1984); B.S., Lehigh University (1984); M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary (1990); Ph.D., University of Edinburgh (2004). He has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary, United Theological Seminary, and served as Director of United Methodist Studies at Evangelical Seminary for many years. He has served as past president of the Eastern PA Evangelical Connection and as a past board member of the Eastern PA Wesley Covenant Association. Dr. Fisher's research specialty is the dialogue between science and faith. He is the author of Human Significance in Theology and the Natural Sciences (Princeton Theological Monograph Series, Pickwick, 2010). Dr. Fisher and his wife Elizabeth live in beautiful Schuylkill County. Other Staff Members Brian Reading Minister of Visitation Ann Moyer Parish Nurse Adam Kraft Treasurer JoAnn Daum Office Manager Cindy McClelland Minister of Music & Organist Marcy Hudock Sexton Pam Setlock Church Secretary Julie Saunders Choir Director Dave Williams Director of Youth Ministry Stacey Lehman Youth Ministry Administrative Assistant

This is a prayer room which is set off the sanctuary for prayer and meditation. THE PRAYER ROOM The vision for a Prayer Room began with a Thursday morning prayer group looking for a quiet place to pray in a busy church building. After prayer and discussion, the matter was referred to the Trustees and officially approved by the Administrative Board in 2008. The Prayer Room was completed in 2009 and is located just off the Sanctuary. Construction of this wonderful room was accomplished by people from the church; most of the furnishings, decorating, etc. and stain glass windows were also made by or donated by church members. Upon completion, the room was consecrated to the Glory of God in memory of past saints who were members of the church when it was still meeting at the building on St. Johns Street, Schuylkill Haven. That building was destroyed by fire in 1980, leading to the present structure at 420 Saylor Street, Schuylkill Haven. One of the Prayer Room stain glass windows is a small reproduction of a large stain glass window that hung behind the altar in the sanctuary of the St. John Street building. How exciting to see a vision given by God accomplished by church members willing to follow God’s leading. The Prayer Room is used regularly for individual and small group prayer and also for counseling ministry.

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 page provides a link to another website - The Upper Room - a devotional. THE UPPER ROOM The Upper Room is a daily devotion which has meditations with the Bible as the cornerstone for and measure of faithful living. All the meditations reflect the belief that God wills only good for each of us and that God calls us to lives of love, forgiveness, and service to others, according to the example of Christ. Click here for The Upper Room.