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MoMs will meet starting Tuesday, March 4 MoMs is a small group designed for moms that meets on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:15 PM. A nursery with childcare is provided for young children. For more information, please contact the church office at (570)385-3941. Please be sure to check our Facebook page for updates on weather cancellations.

Provides a schedule of upcoming activities for the High School youth group. Schedule Summertime is here and so is upcoming events for us to continue to gather and have fun. We'll be sending out notices via Flocknote and FB Messenger to determine attendance. Please respond so we can plan for transport and cost. First one is our Reading Phil's event - please respond or let us know at our final youth meeting on May 21st (6pm to 7:30pm).

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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.

Lists many ways to serve within our church and to be the church to the world. WAYS TO SERVE The Holy Spirit and You Do you know what your Spiritual Gifts are and how you can use them at FUMC? As a Christian saved through acceptance of God's grace by the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive spiritual gifts to be used in service for God's greater glory. We are to use our unique personalities, traits, and interests to build up the church and to share Christ’s love with the world. You can use these gifts through the ministry of FUMC. Together we provide many opportunities to share God’s love with one another and with the world. Using your Spiritual Gifts is as easy as sharing your time and talents. Below is a list of areas that you can volunteer to serve FUMC: Acolytes | Confirmed youth and youth in the confirmation process are required to serve as acolytes until the age of 16. Acolytes light and extinguish candles. Acolytes receive their initial training and are scheduled by Sandi Berger. Choirs / Praise Team | FUMC offers several opportunities to worship and praise God. We offer an adult choir, a cherub/children's choir, and the praise team. For more information on our music ministry, please click here . Christ Servant Ministry | Certification with extra training and preparation for service in a number of helping ministries. Coffee Servers and Donations | Coffee continues with our new schedule of one worship service on Sunday morning. You can make a monetary donation on a Sunday morning, volunteer on the signup sheet to bring baked goods, you may purchase and bring canisters of regular or decaf coffee, individually wrapped tea bags, hot chocolate, coffee creamer, sugar packets, or other items that may be used to serve the coffee. If you have any questions or not sure what to bring, contact Karen Shiffert or the church office at 570.385.3941. Community Luncheon Sponsor or Server | For more information on our community lunch ministry, please click here . Community Relations and Outreach | For more information on our community relations and outreach, please click here . Communion Steward / Server | A communion steward provides the elements (bread and juice) and sets up for the communion service by placing the bread and cup on the Communion Table as directed by the Pastor (i.e., intinction or individual cups). A communion server assists the Pastor during the communion service by serving the bread and cup to the congregation. Exerettes | FUMC and Diakon's PrimeTime Health partnered to form the Exerettes to provide older persons with valuable knowledge and techniques to assist them in maintaining health, wellness, and independence. The program is particularly attractive to older adults because most of the dances and activities can be done either standing or sitting down. One of the goals of the Exerettes is to inspire others and to show that it is never too late to make life-style changes. The exercises not only promote balance but also flexibility, strength, and better. The Exerettes meet every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 to 11 am here at FUMC in Fellowship Hall. By the way, IT's FREE!! Come and join us!!! Greeters/Ushers are the people who say hello and hand you a bulletin when you come to church and have a very important part of our worship; as part of their responsibility, as an Usher they collect the offering(s) and direct people to receive Holy Communion. We welcome and encourage church members who would like to be greeters to contact the church office for available dates. Lay Home Communion Ministry | This group provides the Sacrament of Holy Communion on a regular basis, providing a bridge between the congregation and home-based members. These people have a sense of mission, are responsible, have compassion, are non-judgmental and can keep confidences. They are servants of the Lord who bring the blessings of their congregation to God's children with special needs. Lay Liturgists | Liturgists are congregation members who volunteer to open worship with announcements and to read the lessons during the church services. They serve on an occasional basis. If you are interested in serving as a lector, please contact the church office. Lay Speakers/Preachers | Is God calling you to help spread the Good News? Do you feel a burning desire to talk to others about the things of God? If so, then lay preaching may be the route for you. Lay speakers/preachers are given the work of speaking God's word, praying for others, and serving the congregation's needs. The lay preachers serve FUMC by sharing God's word with the congregation for the Saturday evening service or occasionally on a Sunday morning when the Pastor(s) are out of the pulpit. Media Ministry (media/sound booth) | For more information on our media ministry, please click here . Ministry Teams and Committees | There are many committees that lead FUMC and serve this congregation. Serving on a committee is just one way to share your diverse gifts and interact with those who share your interests and values. For more information, please see the Committees Section of this website . Newsletter Helpers | Bi-monthly, this group meets to help collate and sort the monthly newsletter. If you are interested in serving as a Newsletter Helper, please contact the church office. Prayer / Prayer Shawl Ministry | For more information on our prayer and prayer shawl ministry, please click here . Small Group Leaders | The Christian life is lived out with people. We understand that growing one's faith requires the support, attention and nurturing that only small group can provide. Trusting relationships allow us to know one another deeply and to be known. What we receive from God is always matured, tested and developed in the context of people, like you, in God’s Church. Here at FUMC we value the time-proven experience of Christians meeting in home groups for the purpose of Fellowship, Bible Study, Missions, and growing, nurturing, and discipling people to become dynamic followers of Jesus Christ. We offer short-term and long-term classes to allow you to connect with others as you walk together on your faith journey. Our small groups are a way to get to know each other. If you have a suggestion for a small group, or if you would like to connect with a small group, please contact the church office. Sunday School Teachers | Sunday School teachers are willing to spread the love of Jesus Christ with a group of 6-12 children on Sunday mornings from September through May, have the ability to plan and lead meaningful lessons for Sunday School children, and are willing to serve on a quarterly basis. Vineyard Ministry Volunteers | For more information on our Vineyard ministry, please click here .

This page provides a list of recommended books for the small groups and members to read. LIFE IN ACTION GROUPS RECOMMENDED READINGS (UPDATED 02/24/2021) 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 T. 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 "God Space" by Doug Pollock Naturally create room - God Space - for spiritual conversations to happen in your everyday life

The information on this calendar is generally based on the information in the newsletter and Sunday bulletins. Therefore, this information is subject to change and may not be reflected within the calendar if changes are made by event organizers without notification to the Church Office. If you see any discrepancies and would like the information updated or have a new item to be submitted for the calendar, please contact the Webmaster .

Shares a timeline of our church's history and also contains a link to more detail. CHURCH HISTORY Our present church building was dedicated to the Glory of God and consecrated by Bishop F. Herbert Skeete, resident Bishop of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church at a service of worship on May 15, 1983. The District Superintendent, the Reverend Dr. B. Burns Brodhead, assisted the Bishop in that service. Our present congregation traces its origin directly to a meeting held on March 13, 1902, in the home of J. F. Bast, of 37 St. John Street, with Dr. William McDowell, District Superintendent, in attendance. His later report to the Annual Conference indicated that on the above date, he organized a new society in Schuylkill Haven. Also, that they had bought a lot and were making arrangements for the erection of a building. He described the new enterprise as "starting with great vigor, 72 members received on probation, and appointment of a pastor requested." Among this group and others added within a few days, were the names of Snayberger, Bast, Thomas, Becker, Bowen, Dowdle, Boyer, Reed, Kerschner, Emerich and Freed. Rhoda Thomas Pritchard and Ruth Thom Rutter were the first persons baptized in the church. Charles Lendle and Alice Susan Berger were the first couple married in the church. On Easter Sunday, March 30, 1902, Reverend Charles T. Isenberger preached his first sermon in Metamora Hall. (This Hall is located above the Detweiler Funeral Home.) Under his leadership, the group forged ahead and our beloved St. John Street Church was built, with dedication taking place on November 9, 1902. The building cost $7,000. Within a few years, a new parsonage was provided and the mortgage on the church was burned. On November 19, 1980, about 8:45 a.m., a fire of unknown origins ignited the main church structure on St. John Street, resulting in its total destruction. Many church members tearfully witnessed the disappearance of our beloved church that had served us so well for 78 years, through worship services, weddings, baptisms, confirmations, lay witness missions, and sacred concerts. The reality of the total loss of our facilities caused expressions of disbelief and dismay, and underneath the varied emotions, there arose a determination to rebuild and go on. On March 1, 1981, the congregation voted to proceed with planning for construction of a new church. George Kulp was appointed Building Committee Chairman, and with his committee of interested members, set about selecting an architect and a type of church facility that would suit the needs of the congregation. Preliminary drawings for the First United Methodist Church to be built on a 4.132 acre site on Saylor Street were presented to the congregation on June 1, 1981, by Don Klinger Architect, of Millersburg. They chose a colonial style brick. The anticipated completion date was set at April 3, 1983. A Building Fund Campaign took place under the guidance of Juanita Locker Ivie, of the Board of Global Ministries from October 8th to the 21st. Dr. Herbert C. Rubright, Sr., served as general chairman for the Executive Committee for the Christian Responsibility Fund Campaign. By the grace of God, the congregation known as the First United Methodist Church of Schuylkill Haven, moved into the new facility DEBT FREE!!! Since 1983, the church has added 28 parking spaces, thus having the largest parking lot of any church in Southern Schuylkill County area. We have added a large enclosed sound proof comfort room at the rear of the sanctuary thus allowing families with young children to worship in a relaxing environment and atmosphere. The sanctuary was also enhanced with a large wooden Lord's Supper Mural which graces the rear wall of the sanctuary. It is well known and people come from other congregations to view it. In 1992, the church added an early service of worship (8:00 a.m.) to accommodate our growing numbers and provide multiple occasions of worship. In February of 1997, an additional worship service - a Saturday night Contemporary Service was started. Since 1902, with the appointment of our first Pastor, Reverend Isenberger followed by the 28 pastors who have since served our church, including our present Pastor, the Reverend Doctor Christopher Fisher, appointed in 2005, we have experienced continued growth, spiritually, missionally, and in fellowship. In our history we have had one associate pastor, Reid S. Thomas, Jr., appointed for a short length of service. We have had several youth directors since 1994. A request from the Tower South (High Rise) Tenants Council was made to our church to provide a regular traditional worship service for the residents of the facility in order to minister to the spiritual needs of those unable to attend regular church services. As a result of that request, in June of 2009, a Sunday evening worship service was added and is held at the Tower South on Parkway in Schuylkill Haven. In 2014, we turned the organization of this ministry over to the Tower South Council. In 2016, the church added an elevator for use by those in need. In 2019, the church combined the 8:00 a.m. traditional and the 10:30 a.m. contemporary services into one 9:00 a.m. blended service. Also added was a 4:00 p.m. GenZ service to reach the younger generations. In March of 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the church began live-streaming the Sunday morning service. At this time, the Saturday evening and GenZ services were put on hold. In late summer of 2020, the Saturday evening service resumed and a new service = the Haven Family eXperience (A Family Worship Experience) also known as the FX service was started as an outreach to the community on a Sunday morning at 11:00 am and was held at Bubeck Park in Schuylkill Haven and moved to Fellowship Hall In November due to the colder weather. As you can see, God has been good and generous and faithful to us. We hope to be faithful to the blessings we have received. We also want to pass on the gift of faith and hope to a generation yet unborn. Praise be to God! Click here if you are interested in a more detailed history of FUMC.

Highlights upcoming special events. Community Relations & Outreach The purpose of our Community Relations and Outreach Ministry is to reach those who are outside the walls of our church with the message and the love of Jesus Christ. We do this by providing opportunities to minister to all we meet. We are blessed to be able to serve in the mission field in our community as we partner with local organizations and communities to build relationships and provide opportunities to share God’s love and plan of salvation. Our vision is simple - to love God and love our neighbors! Click on the images below to find details about upcoming events!

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE FORM Thank you for joining us for worship! Please complete our attendance form to let us know you're worshiping with us today. Follow this link to give your tithes and offerings: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-YXWC/home Enter Your Name Enter Your Email Phone Number Street Address City State Zip Next Steps I would like to talk to the Pastor. I would like a visit by the Pastor. I am interested in joining a small group! I would like more information on the ministries. I would like to learn more about membership! Submit Please list all who are worshiping with you today This is my first time visiting First Church Praying Together What prayer requests would you like shared with our Prayer Chain? What prayer requests would you like to be kept confidential with the pastor? Thanks for worshiping with us today!

This will provide information on Small Groups that meet on a Sunday morning or throughout the week. LIFE IN ACTION GROUPS RECOMMENDED READINGS (UPDATED 09/17/2021) 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. (visual overview of the FUMC discipleship process) 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 "Experiencing God" by Claude King, Henry Blackaby, and Richard Blackaby Carefully listening to God's voice will anchor you in His plan and set you free to live it with boldness and freedom. 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 T. 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 "God Space" by Doug Pollock Naturally create room - God Space - for spiritual conversations to happen in your everyday life