NEWS

The 2026-27 Fine Art at First Series continues with a concert by the internationally acclaimed early music ensemble, The Baltimore Consort.

“Crossing to the New World – Early and Traditional Music in the British Isles, France and North America” will feature the rich trove of music settlers brought to the shores of the New World.

All Fine Arts at First concerts are free and open to the public. A free will offering will be taken. Parking is available in the church’s main lot, accessible from High Street, or the overflow lot, accessible from Liberty Avenue (which runs behind the church parallel to High Street). Street parking is also available on High and Bedford streets.

Attendees are invited to enjoy a reception in the Martin Luther Room after the concert. Please join us!

Click here for a link to our 2026-27 brochure: 2026-27 FAAF

Join us on Sunday, September 20, at 3 p.m. for the inaugural concert of the 2026-27 Fine Arts at First concert series, featuring the Hanover Symphony Orchestra (HSO) Brass Quintet.

Founded in 1995, the HSO is a non-profit volunteer orchestra dedicated to fostering the love of music through entertainment, encouragement, and education. Its Brass Quintet features the principal players of the four brass instruments in the orchestra and the HSO’s music director.

This concert will benefit the Central PA Food Bank, founded in 1982 and dedicated to ending hunger in Central Pennsylvania.

All Fine Arts at First concerts are free and open to the public. A free will offering will be taken. Parking is available in the church’s main lot, accessible from High Street, or the overflow lot, accessible from Liberty Avenue (which runs behind the church parallel to High Street). Street parking is also available on High and Bedford streets.

Attendees are invited to enjoy a reception in the Martin Luther Room after the concert. Please join us!

On Sunday, June 14th, we will hold one communion service at 9:15 a.m., followed by a continental breakfast in the Martin Luther Room. This is an opportunity for our two worshiping communities – the ‘early’ folks and the ‘late’ folks – to gather together around Christ’s table…and then the breakfast table! All are invited!

Scenes from a past Fellowship Sunday breakfast!

We celebrate with our missionaries, Dr. Stephen and Jodi Swanson, the opening of Tanzania’s first pediatric clinic, the Arusha Pediatric and Maternal Care Centre! Jodi will be stateside for a week this June to update First Lutheran and other supporting congregations about the amazing work being done to care for children as well as pregnant mothers. Read more at this link: https://www.ichafrica.org/photo-journal.html

UPDATE: Thanks to the generosity of our congregation, our Share Hope. Save Lives. campaign raised $12,500 this spring, presented to Jodi during her visit to Carlisle in early June!

We pray for the Swansons and missionaries around the world!

Pictured: President Jeff Caton and Jodi

Our celebration of Easter lasts a “week of weeks” (seven Sundays). Please join us throughout the Easter season, a joyous and hopeful time for the people of God!

Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Join us as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord with festival Holy Communion at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Between services (from 9-10 a.m.), enjoy fellowship, a light breakfast, and egg hunts for the kids!

Good Friday is the second of the great Three Days (also known as the Triduum). On Good Friday, our focus is on the Passion of Our Lord and prayers for the world He died to save.

At 7 p.m. we will gather for the reading of the Passion according to St. John. The service will include hymns, several anthems by a small choral ensemble, the traditional bidding prayer for Good Friday and adoration of the cross.

Please join us as we reflect upon the life-giving cross, on which was hung the Savior of the world.

Maundy Thursday is the first of the great Three Days (also known as the Triduum). On Maundy Thursday we remember the new commandment Jesus gave us to love one another, which he modeled for us by washing his disciples’ feet. We also remember the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples, a meal we continue to celebrate more than two millennia later.

Please join us at 7 p.m. for Holy Communion with the stripping of the chancel.

On Sunday, April 19, the 2025-26 Fine Arts at First series will conclude with a concert by the Muhlenberg College Chamber Choir, College Choir and Treble Choir.

The choirs of Muhlenberg College, a private liberal arts college in Allentown, Pennsylvania, perform music from a range of genres, including classical, world and folk music.

All Fine Arts at First concerts are free and open to the public. A free will offering will be taken.

Attendees are invited to greet the musicians and enjoy a reception in the Martin Luther Room after the concert.

Parking is available on High Street (unmetered on our block), our large main parking lot (accessed via High Street) and our overflow lot (accessed via Liberty Avenue).

Lent, the 40-day period (not including Sundays) preceding Easter Sunday, is a time of repentance, reflection and preparation.

Please join us for study and worship during this important season of the church year. On Sunday mornings, we gather for holy communion at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in Lent (February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25), Pastor Leber will lead a study of the gospel of John followed by a service of word and prayer at 7:30 p.m. On Wednesday, March 4, evening worship will include a healing rite with the laying on of hands and anointing.

And, of course, you are welcome to join us for mid-week worship in Lent whether or not you attend the bible study!

On Wednesday, February 18, we begin the season of Lent, a time of baptismal renewal and of repentance and an opportunity to engage in the Lenten disciplines of giving alms, praying and fasting. We will gather for holy communion and imposition of ashes at 12:15 p.m. and 7 p.m.

We invite you to join us on Ash Wednesday, when we hear this holy promise: though “we are dust, and to dust we shall return,” we are also beloved children of God, saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Join us for worship in the weeks ahead as we focus on Jesus’ baptism and the early days of His ministry!

During the time after Epiphany, we hear how Jesus called disciples, taught, and healed. The season will conclude with the Transfiguration of our Lord on Sunday, February 15.

We gather for holy communion each Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

While weekly worship is central to our life as baptized children of God, sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to cancel gatherings. Current weather forecasts indicate that we will be in the midst of a significant winter storm event this Sunday morning. Given the timing and concerns about safety, in person worship at First Lutheran has been cancelled for Sunday, January 25. 

Pastor Leber will be hosting a virtual service of the word at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday via Zoom at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89087079615?pwd=IBnMC18CzzuPxxFuP7UbMbk4W7Y8g7.1

You are invited to log on to Zoom anytime after 9 a.m. to enjoy a time of online fellowship and “checking in” with one another before worship begins at 9:30. Feel free to stay in your PJs, grab a cup of coffee, and experience a different way of being in community!

If you are uncertain about how Zoom works, please feel free to call or text Pastor Leber (before Sunday morning) at (717) 215-6055.

We pray for all of our emergency responders, health care workers, and other public servants who, during this time of inclement weather, will be working on our behalf to care for those in need. 

O come, let us adore him!

Both of our Christmas Eve services include carols, holy communion and candle lighting. The Chancel Choir will help lead worship at our 7 p.m. festival service.

Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Pictured: the Nativity window in our nave.

Join us at 8 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2025, as we celebrate the First Sunday of Christmas with a service of lessons and carols and holy communion!

Merry Christmas!

Through bible readings, hymn singing and anthems by our Chancel Choir, we will re-tell the story of how God sent Jesus to us as a little baby.

Join us for this beautiful candlelight service and for Christmas cookies in the Atrium after!

First Lutheran will be participating again this year in the downtown Carlisle trick-or-treat event known as “Spooky Saturday”.

Please stop by, say hello and enjoy some candy! Our High Street doors will be open, and we invite you to come in and take a look around our beautiful nave as well!

Our next American Red Cross blood drive is approaching! To see available appointments and pre-register for our October 25 drive, just click here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=firstlutherancarlisle

The drive will be held in Festal Hall on the lower level. There is plenty of off-street parking in the large lot on the east side of our building (enter from High Street). From the lot, head down the ramp to the door at the corner of the “L” of our building. Festal Hall will be straight ahead.

NOTE: You can also go to the ARC website https://www.redcross.org , click on “Give Blood” and then “Find a Blood Drive”, to find other local blood drives in your area.

Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!

Your donation saves lives!

Carlisle churches will once again host the Ecumenical Stations of the Cross event on Good Friday, from 12 noon to approximately 2 p.m.

Beginning at New Life Community Church, 64 E. North Street, Carlisle, this event moves from location to location in downtown Carlisle as participants reflect on the last day of Jesus’ life. At each of the stations along the route, readings and prayers will be offered.

First Lutheran will be hosting station 11 (of 14) in its nave (enter from High Street) at approximately 1:30 p.m. The pilgrimage will conclude at Saint Patrick Shrine Church on East Pomfret Street.

Photo by Wim van ‘t Einde on Unsplash

The people of First Lutheran wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!

As we give thanks for the past year, and especially for God’s abiding love for us, we offer this prayer:

Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

(from Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

First Lutheran is delighted to host the second concert in a summer series being offered by local singers Nina Cline (soprano), Leah Kaye Serr (mezzo-soprano), Christyan Seay (tenor), and Matthew Robinson (baritone), with Daniel Dorty, collaborative pianist, featuring solo and ensemble selections of opera, operetta, musical theater and sacred music.

The concert is free and open to the public. A free will offering will be taken.

Parking is available on High Street (unmetered on our block), our large main parking lot (accessed via High Street) and our overflow lot (accessed via Liberty Avenue).

Join us for a wonderful afternoon of music!

Pictured: Nina, Leah, Christyan and Matthew at the first concert of the series on June 23 at Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Cathedral in Harrisburg.

We are delighted to announce that the renovation of 132 East High Street, Carlisle, has begun!

The 100+ year old house, owned by First Lutheran since 1997 and sitting on a parcel of its property at the corner of East High and South Bedford, was gifted by the congregation to Safe Harbour in December 2023. Safe Harbour, a non-profit, provides a continuum of services to people experiencing homelessness in Cumberland County.

Safe Harbour has received a number of grants to renovate the house into three affordable housing units.

Since the building already exists, a ground-breaking wasn’t appropriate – so several folks (including Pastor Leber) got to take a sledgehammer to a wall inside!

Our congregation is grateful to be able to help increase the number of (desperately-needed) affordable housing units in our community, and we look forward to welcoming new neighbors to our block when the renovations are completed in 12-14 months!

Special thanks to the Borough of Carlisle and HARB for their help and support during this process.

We rejoice with Mary, the servant of the Lord, as we celebrate the fourth and final Sunday of Advent this Sunday. “And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”

We will follow our normal Sunday morning worship schedule, with holy communion at 8 and 10:30 a.m.

Join us as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth!

Pictured above is Mary, displayed each December at our door on High Street to bless our neighborhood and passers-by.

Each year, the Salvation Army Angel Tree Project provides Christmas gifts to hundreds of children in our community. Thanks to all who have already taken an angel tree tag! A few tags are left if you still would like to participate. Gifts are due at the church no later than Monday, November 25. Items should be placed in a large black plastic bag (one for each child) with the angel tag attached to the bag.

Thank you for your generosity toward our community!

Sunday morning adult faith formation has resumed! We gather from 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. in room 22 (upper level of the Christian Education wing). 

Myths about Religion and Politics in America – September 10, 17 & 24 – Dr. Sarah Niebler

Slavery, Religion and the Civil War – October 8, 15, & 22 – Richard Wood

Coffee and tea is available in the Atrium following faith formation, from 10-10:15 a.m.

Join us!

Chancel Choir rehearsals resumed on Thursday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m. in the choir room (lower level). The choir, lead by David Erickson, will rehearse most Thursdays this fall and sing during the 10:30 a.m. worship service 1-2 times a month. The choir will also begin preparing music for the December 17th service of Lessons and Carols.

Please consider joining the Chancel Choir to “Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord”. It’s not too late! Contact David with any questions, dve@pa.net or (717) 602-7736 (cell).

Thanks to all who helped us celebrate “Christmas in July”! Hundreds of “care kits” – socks for men, women and children filled with personal hygiene items and snacks – were assembled from your donations.

The care kits were blessed during worship on Sunday, September 3, and are being distributed through the Community CARES locations in Shippensburg and Carlisle. 

Community CARES provides emergency shelter, resources, and supportive services to individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and First Lutheran is grateful to be able to support its ministries.

May we be inspired all year long by the joy, peace and hope of Christmas!