Staffed to Serve

Pastor Welcome

Pastor's Blog - click here

We are glad you have taken an interest in Palmyra First Church. We hope that you will take a closer look at us, because we are confident that you will discover answers to some of the big questions you have been asking.

More importantly, you will find that God is here. If you have not already, you can come to know Him here. Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:2. It was Saint Augustine who said that our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. He was right, because we were made in the image and likeness of God and are not really happy until we are at rest in Him. At Palmyra First Church your aching heart can find that rest in God.

It may give you comfort to know that you will not be alone. You will also find real people here. You will meet others who have begun life restless and have come to find rest in God. At Palmyra First Church you will find fellowship and community. We are part of the family of God and would rejoice to have you join us.

In short, you will find us to be a God centered, caring community of individuals who are excited about having the opportunity to extend to you the same love, hope and joy we have received from the Lord. We extend to you a cordial invitation to join us this coming Lord’s day as the family assembles to draw near to God through prayer, thoughtful contemporary songs, traditional hymns and inspiring relevant messages from God’s word. After the service of worship we will linger over refreshments so please take a moment to get to know us better.

For an Introduction video please click her

Peace & Joy,  David Harris, Pastor    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cell 269-3483

 
 

Christ Servant Ministers

Christ Servant Ministry is a lay ministry with special training and certification. The end goal is to make Christ known and give the body of Christ, through a congregation, tools for effective ministry.  By action of the 1997 Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, the Christ Servant Ministers Program (formerly known as Certified Lay Speakers) recognized and celebrated the organized training of Laity in our conference. They receive training and serve throughout the life of the congregation in areas such as speaking, caring and leading.

Training laity for ministry reflects Jesus' own ministry with the disciples. It also reflects the Great Commission's sending of all God's people, and the Love-sharing identity each Christian claims in their baptism. Our biblical foundation reminds us that we are all servants of Jesus Christ, we are all ministers of the Gospel, each with particular gifts, graces and calling.

Training for Christ Servant Ministers is provided through the Annual Conference and available as a tool for any and all of our people at First Church to grow in particular areas of leadership, as well as, to follow a call to ministry known as Christ Servant Ministry. First Church is blessed to currently have four Christ Servant Ministers. If you have an interest in learning more, please talk to Pastor Dave or any of our Christ Servant Ministers.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - since 1998   

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - since 2007

Ron Woleslagle - since 2007

David Walker - since 2009

 
 

Church Secretary

Meg Biehl

Meg joined PFUMC's staff in 1999 as office assistant, then in 2005 became the Church Secretary. Prior to her employment at PFUMC, she was a stay-at-home mom since 1984; prior to that, worked as a secretary for Hershey Foods. She is responsible for keeping the gears turning in the church office during the week and can be found there Monday through Thursday - answering phones, greeting visitors and members, creating bulletins and newsletters, coordinating the scheduling of events in the church facilities, maintaining the membership database, and completing many other tasks.

Meg graduated from Lebanon Catholic HS, and Central PA Business School.  Meg and her husband, Dave, have been married since 1979 and have two children, Daniel, 25 and Jennifer, 24.

 

Operations Associate

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Mary Ryan joined PFUMC as Operations Associate in March 2008. Some of her responsibilities are overseeing and planning for computer operations, upgrades, training, maintenance and service; coordinating training and maintenance of all office equipment; ensuring accurate record-keeping and reporting of donations; relaying policies or practices to all of staff.
Mary came to this position with 30 years of experience in office operations. She formerly served in various positions with Verizon Communications in New York State, Emmaus and Hershey, PA. She also worked as an Activity Director at a local Assisted Living Community and briefly with Pipeline Interactive, Web Based solutions.
She has attended HACC and Lebanon Valley College with a major in Business and Accounting.  
Mary and her husband Tom, who is head of the mission team here at PFUMC, have lived in North Annville since 1989 and have 3 children and 2 granddaughters and 1 grandson. They have been members of PFUMC since 1990.

 
 

Coordinator of Talents & Service

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Jill Hahn is one of our newest members on staff when she joined PFUMC as Coordinator of Talents & Service in January of 2010. Some of her responsibilities are to ascertain member gifts and talents, and then to connect members to opportunities that utilize their gifts and talents. Jill works closely with the Pastor, Church Council and staff to determine needs for service and assistance in the various ministries.  So if you are looking for an opportunity to serve, Jill’s the person to talk to.
Jill came to this position with a desire to follow Jesus’ call to serve him. She attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she earned a BS in Marketing.  After college, she worked as a Kitchen Designer for 2 years before becoming a full time Mom.  Jill and her husband Matt have lived in Palmyra area since July, 2007 and have 3 daughters.

 

Organist & Choir Director

Tyler A. Canonico

Winner of Quimby/AGO Region III Young Organists Competition (click to read more)

Visit Tyler's website by clicking here

Tyler graduated with the Class of 2010 from Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts at 18 years of age.  He studied organ under the instruction of Dr. Jason Kissel (3 years), and previously studied piano and organ under Mrs. Kathie Metz (4 years piano, 2 years organ).  Tyler is currently a sophomore at Lebanon Valley College and currently studies organ and piano with Dr. Shelly Moorman-Stahlman.  He is majoring in Music with a concentration in Organ Performance and a concentration in Sacred Music.

Recently, Tyler was rewarded first place in the Quimby/ AGO Region III Young Organists Competition. Tyler was presented with the John Philip Sousa Band Award and the Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts Music Department Talent and Achievement Award.  He is also the recipient of several scholarships.  In 2007, Tyler was the recipient of the Vernon de Tarr Scholarship from the Delaware Chapter of Organists.

Read more: Organist & Choir Director
 
 

Youth Coordinators

Jeannine Benson &  Jane Fureman

Jeannine and Jane joined the team in 2010 as our Youth Coordinators at PFUMC. They are in charge of planning out all of our youth activities and events for the year. This includes youth group nights,  Sunday School, mission's trips, and whatever else the youth may be involved with. They also have a great group of unpaid servants that helps them accomplish all of these tasks.

 

Property Administrator

Brad Coleman

Brad joined PFUMC staff in 1981 as a part time custodian.  Over the years and with the increase of responsibilities his title has changed to the present Properties Administrator.  He is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of all church owned properties.  Brad is also the Camp Seltzer Manager and the Safety / Security Officer here at PFUMC.
Brad and his wife Betty have been married for thirty-six years and have four children, twelve grandchildren and twenty-eight great grandchildren.

 
 

Children's Coordinator

Abby Benson

Abby is Coordinator of Children's Ministry at First church and Teacher/Director of Noah's Little Ark Preschool.  She is responsible for the planning of programs, Church School, VBS, the after school program on Wednesday night,  and the coordinating of events pertaining to children of our church.Abby also is responsible for the Staff and programs of our Church Preschool.  Abby can be found downstairs in our education department.

 

Nursery Coordinator

 

Open Position, if interested, please contact the church office This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 717-838-2551  - Blessings