Dear Members & Friends,
Are you experiencing COVID fatigue? I’m not talking about the actual sickness, but rather the fatigue that has come from all the changes we have experienced during the past year.
I’ll confess: I’m tired. I miss you, I miss seeing you and worshiping with you. I miss going to eat in a restaurant and seeing people smile. I miss meetings where we are all in the same room. I miss standing at the front doors of the sanctuary and shaking hands on Sunday morning. I miss sneezing and not scaring everyone in a 50 foot radius.
I’m sure you could list many things you miss too.
Sometimes during Lent Christians decide to “give up” something like chocolate or soda. Whenever I’ve done something like that it has been very difficult because I missed whatever it was I gave up. In many cases I missed it enough to break my fast.
The reality we are currently experiencing will continue probably for many more months. It seems like a long Lenten fast. It seems very tiring, just thinking about it. But there are glimmers of hope, there is good news. Easter is coming. Death does not get the last word. Vaccines are being distributed and hopefully many more will become available in the coming weeks and months. I’ve been thinking about those times in the Bible when Jesus was tired. What did he do, press on? Not always, sometimes He stopped to take a nap. He rested and gave Himself room to breathe. And then He continued. It’s like what Isaiah said, “Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
(Is. 40:31)
Peace & Prayers,
Pastor Tony
Dear Friends,
Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent. As a guide for our journey through Lent you can access a brief devotional for each day. These have been prepared by the "Presbyterian Outlook" and are generously shared with us by Bill and Rita Beck. Each Friday you will receive the link for the following week’s devotions as a part of the Weekly Update. The first week's devotions are at:
You can print them out at home, or save the document to read on your phone or tablet, or you can just click the link each day (also at www.firstprescarlisle.org under OPPORTUNITIES).
May you have a blessed and meaningful Lent. Pastor Tony
The Church Session has tentatively approved reopening for in-person worship on Sunday, March 7. We have been monitoring new cases, 7-day rolling averages, and hospitalization rates, and since the numbers are coming down, we believe that it is safe to return to worship. We will continue to follow the guidelines we established last Fall, i.e., taking reservations the Wednesday before the Sunday you plan to attend; wearing masks; and physical distancing. More info will follow soon.
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Below is the link to Sunday's worship bulletin. Worship on this First Sunday in Lent includes the Sacrament of Communion, so please have your elements on hand as you begin to worship.
The reader is Barbara Allen; the vocalist is Kari Kornish.
The scriptures are: I pter 3:18-22; and Genesis 9:8-17.
The sermon title is: "God of the Covenant: A Global Guarantee".
The Carlisle Presbytery church we are praying for is: Central (Chambersburg),
led by Rev. Scott Bowerman.
Pray for these members of the congregation (chosen at random):
Lynne, Dan, Jake & Grace Hofferica
Helen Thompson
JUST A REMINDER!
Next Wednesday, Feb. 24th, at 7 PM, we will begin a 6-week Lenten Bible Study (by ZOOM). Using the Bible and the book Savior, by Magrey DeVega, we will consider what the Bible says about the cross.
To register, call the church office at 717-243-4612 or email Pastor Tony at alorenz.fpcarl@pa.net. When you register please let us know if you would like to purchase a copy of the book through the church office. You can also purchase it (ISBN: 978-1501880995) from Amazon.com or christianbook.com.
We hope you'll join us on this Lenten journey.
Support Project SHARE this Lenten Season!!!
Even though we will not be able to host our annual Lenten Concert Series and Soup Luncheons to benefit Project SHARE, you can still support the good work they do in Carlisle and surrounding communities.
During the Season of Lent we will be collecting cans of soup. If you are able, please buy a few extra cans, then drop them off at the church when the office is open (Mon & Wed, 9-2), or anytime, if you have a key. The collection bin will be just inside the alley door.
If you’re not yet comfortable shopping and dropping them off, here are two other options:
1) Make a monetary donation and send it to the church at 2A N. Hanover St, Carlisle, PA 17013. Please write checks to: "First Presbyterian Church", with "Project SHARE" on the memo line; or
2) Make a drive-thru drop-off at the church on Wed., March 3rd or Wed., March 17th, 11:00 AM -- 1:00 PM. Just drive up the alley (Courthouse Ave; M&T Bank side of the church), pop your trunk, and someone (masked) will be standing by to unload the soup for you!
Please help us support Project SHARE!
This week, in the life of the church:
~ Wednesday, 7 PM, Bible Study (Zoom)
~ Thursday, 2 PM, Faith Circle (Zoom)
We are in the throes of winter and "Community CARES" needs winter coats and hats for men and women! Your new or used-in-good-condition clean items may be taken to CARES at 50 W. Penn St. and placed on a table outside the front door. Ring the doorbell and someone will take them inside -- a contact-less donation! If you prefer, Deacon Kari Kornish can pick up your donations and take them to CARES. Call Kari at: 717-816-5274. Thank you!
Members of the Congregation, Ministers
The Rev. Anthony D. Lorenz, Pastor
The Rev. Jon A. Black, Pastor Emeritus; Debby Madden, Educator Emerita
Arthur Thompson, Organist; Ron Richcreek, Music Director
Avis Allen, Administrative Secretary; Chuck Adler, Sexton
Church Administrative Office Hours: Mon & Wed, 9-2
Office Phone: (717) 243-4612; Office E-mail: fpcarl@pa.net
Rev. Lorenz’ email: alorenz.fpcarl@pa.net
Rev. Lorenz’ phone number: cell (717) 609-3780
Website: www.firstprescarlisle.org
