NEWS

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!

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!

On Sunday, May 18, the 2024-25 Fine Arts at First series will conclude with a concert by the internationally acclaimed duo organists, Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault.

Specializing in and exclusively performing works written for four hands and four feet at one organ console, the Chenaults have made a monumental and unmatched contribution to the pipe organ repertoire.

The free concert is co-hosted by the Harrisburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. A free will offering will be received to benefit the Shenk and Yocum Scholarships for Young Organists of the chapter.

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).

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 (at 9:30)!

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.

Our nave will be open for prayer, meditation and reflection from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Good Friday. At noon and at 3 p.m., Pastor Leber will offer brief sung prayers known as the Solemn Reproaches. Please enter through the Atrium entrance (off the main parking lot). You may take either the elevator or the stairs up to the nave. The High Street doors will not be open during this time, except from 1:30-2 p.m. when participants in the Carlisle community Way of the Cross Walk will enter to pray a station in the nave.

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.

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

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.

Our second concert of the 2024-25 Fine Arts at First concert series will feature Knock on Wood, a musical quintet of experienced percussionists presenting a unique brand of rhythm and melody.

Knock on Wood members Jay Brown, Christina Roncin, Roger Myers, Jill Marshall-Work and Marlin Barnes perform selections drawing on traditional tunes, ragtime syncopations, lively Latin rhythms, American jazz, world music, and classical transcriptions.

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 the 2024-25 FAAF brochure!

This Sunday, November 17, we will gather for one service at 9:15 a.m. Following worship, we will hold our 2024 Annual Congregational Meeting, during which we will discuss and act on 2025 budgets, vote for Congregation Council and Nominating Committee members, receive reports from staff and committees, and reflect upon the year in ministry.

Safe Harbour is inviting us to an Open House at 132 East High Street (gifted by the congregation to Safe Harbour in 2023 and now known as Harbour House) from 11-12:30 p.m. on Sunday. We are delighted that three more affordable rental units will soon be available for the community!

We will resume our regular worship schedule on Sunday, November 24, with holy communion at 8 and 10:30 a.m.

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)