FIRST CHURCH MISSIONS

LOVING LANCASTER & LOVING THE WORLD.


First Church seeks to connect people to Jesus Christ and the church; Grow Christian disciples, & relieve suffering.


These mission partnerships and connections help First Church to fulfill that mission.


First Church has a vision to be a central hub of Christian ministry in Lancaster County & beyond.



ANCHOR LANCASTER

Anchor Lancaster moved from St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster to FUMC in August of 2017. Within a year the program became a non profit entity. 

The program has grown, and now includes:

  • A free hot breakfast every week day from 8:30-9:45 a.m., serving an average of 150 meals each day

  • Free showers every weekday morning from 7-8 a.m. and again starting at 10:00 until all are served

  • A caseworker on site to help guests navigate a variety of services such as social services, shelter and housing, transportation and employment

  • A warming center in the winter months, and a summer day center in the summer months, housed in the former parlor of the parsonage, offering snacks and beverages and charging centers for electronic devices

  • Volunteers and partners provide a safe and welcoming space receiving guests with dignity, respect, and compassion

“We have this hope as an Anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19


For more information, check out the website.  

AARP TAX MINISTRY

AARP TAX AIDE – Free Tax Help

Call for an appointment:  717-584-4886


First Church has been a site for the AARP Foundation Tax Aide program since 2007. The scope of the returns we can provide is defined by the IRS. We provide volunteers that prepare tax returns for Lancaster county and surrounding area residents at no cost. 

For free tax help, call for an appointment AFTER January 15: 717-584-4886

For the most recent tax year we provided:

  • 51 volunteers that were certified to be preparers or facilitators. 

  • Additional volunteers that scheduled, greeted, and checked in the clients

  • 395 returns prepared free of charge

  • Savings of approximately $94,000 in fees based on average costs of paid preparers

Training begins in December each year for the IRS certification requirements in preparation for the tax season for the following February. 

For additional information, click Here.