Opportunities
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING
First Presbyterian Church continues to seek to be responsive as particular needs and opportunities in Haiti become evident in coming months. For an update on relief efforts in Haiti and other information on our denomination’s mission personnel there, check www.pcusa.org. Click on “Haiti” or enter “Haiti” in the search space. Presbyterian response to the earthquake in Haiti has been amazing and is much appreciated. You can continue to donate money online; by phone at (800) 872-3283; and by mail: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
AN ECUMENICAL HAITI RELIEF EFFORT
The Ecumenical Haiti Relief web site is now online:
http://www.carlislepby.org/new_carlisle_website/Completed%20Pages/Haiti_Relief.html
An alliance of Christian denominations has been created to sponsor relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. Schedules for medical, housing, community development and agricultural efforts have been established. Work areas are in earthquake-devastated remote villages. The cost is $1,000 and includes transportation, lodging and meals, materials and suppliesneeded for the work. Alliance participants are: Assembly of God in Christ–Haitian; Baptist; Christian Outreach; Churches of god; Episcopal; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Presbyterian (USA); and United Methodist.
OPPORTUNITES FOR WORSHIPPING
The Service for the Lord’s Day–Worship at 10:45 AM Sundays (10 AM worship from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends,with no Sunday School).
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYING
A Prayer Community is available, and meets following Sunday worship the third Sunday of each month. Prayer is part of each worship service, beginning with 9:15 AM prayer in the Sanctuary (except during summer months).
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SINGING
Adult Choir: Rehearses Wednesdays at 7:15 PM, except during June – August.
Children’s Choir: Rehearses following Sunday worship as announced. This Choir is for children age 3 and up.
OPPORTUNITIES THRU SPECIAL PROGRAMS
CONNECTING:
Men’s Breakfast: Second Thursday of each month at 7 AM, October – May. Local locations are announced.
Book Club: Second Thursday of each month (except July & August), 7 PM, church library (2nd floor). 2010 Reading List: Book Club Selections, 2010
Presbyterian Women’s Faith Circle: Fourth Monday of each month, 2 PM, Fellowship Hall (except summer months).
Fellowship and Service Events with Youth: As announced, throughout the year.
– Summer 2010 at Camp Krislund, www.krislund.org. Applications are being accepted now for the 2010 camping season. Scholarships are available; see Debby Madden for info. Krislund brochures are available in Fellowship Hall.
EDUCATING:
Education Hour, 9:30-10:30 AM. Classes are offered for all ages (see below). Childcare is available during this hour. (Note: there is no Sunday School May 30 thru Sep 5, 2010.)
EQUIPPING:
Project S.H.A.R.E.: Volunteers assist with monthly food collection and distribution, as well as with crop-gleaning. Special offerings are received throughout the year. Call 249-7773 or visit www.projectshare.net for more info.
Samaritan Fellowship: Volunteers assist persons in need. Call 243-3338 for more info.
Carlisle C.A.R.E.S.: Volunteers work closely with this local organization which meets the needs of the area’s homeless persons. For more info, call 249-1009; or visit their website: www.carlislecares.org.
“My Brothers Table”: Deacons serve meals at The Salvation Army, Hanover Street periodically. Each December, they also ring the kettle bells at a local mall.
Habitat for Humanity: Volunteers work with the Cumberland Valley Chapter. For more info, call 258-1830; or visit: http://www.habitat.org/cd/frame/frameset.aspx?url=www.cumberlandvalleyhfh.org
Gardening Angels: Volunteers help maintain the church yard and grounds through the year.
Mission Interest Group: Works to raise mission awareness.
Meeting House Springs Cemetery: Volunteers have finished their refurbishing of the church’s Meeting House Springs Cemetery, located west of Carlisle. A rededication of the Cemetery was held on May 31, 2009. Photos of the ceremony can be viewed in the “PHOTOS” section of this website. A cemetery history book was completed in 2009; it’s titled Here Lyes the Body: The Story of Meeting House Springs, authored by First Church member Richard L. Tritt. It is available for purchase at $22. To purchase it, contact the church at fpcarl@pa.net or 717-243-4612.
Lend-a-Hand Mission Trips: This ministry of the Carlisle Presbytery consists of volunteers who travel to sites ravished by disaster to help with rebuilding efforts. Learn more and get a schedule of trips at www.lendahandmissions.com; or call 877-211-0700.
NOTICE! LAH has scheduled two trips to help recovery efforts in Nashville, where floods occurred in late spring. The trip dates are: July 11-17 and August 8-14. Eight volunteers are needed on the first trip; 16 on the second trip. Cost is $150/person. Volunteers will be registered on a first-come/first-served basis. Contact LAH for more info.