NEWS

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!

Empty boxes are available all around our building to be taken and filled with good stuff for Community CARES and the Carlisle Area Family Life Center during the Advent season!

Last year, over 40 big boxes of needed items were under our nave tree by Christmas Eve!

We invite you share the love and joy of the season with our neighbors. Pick up a box, choose items to purchase from the attached list, and bring your wrapped box back to church on Advent IV or Christmas Eve!

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!

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!

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!

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