Sunday, March 11, 2018

4th Sunday in Lent 

WEAR PINK TO CHURCH

UMCOR Special Offering

On the second Saturday of every month, our Peace United Methodist Church Board of Trustees sponsor a campus workday.  Our commitment is to have a specific list of chores or projects to complete each month, and that our work will begin at 8:00 a.m. and finish no later than 12:00 noon.  We have a wide variety of tasks that are suitable for all ages-both indoors and out! There is no obligation to show up every month.  No skill set or handy man capabilities are required, just love for our church home and the desire to serve. We hope to see you on Saturday, March 10th!

This Sunday, March 11th during the 11:00 a.m. worship service, we will recognize 15 youth as they are confirmed. Confirmation classes have been going on for the past 10 weeks. The confirmands learned all about what it means to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, what it means to be part of the body of Christ, what it means to be a Methodist, and finally what it means to be a member of Peace United Methodist Church. 

Each confirmand had a mentor that they went to weekly for questions and spiritual guidance. Special thanks to coordinator Deborah Norman and volunteer Drew Emerson! They did an amazing job teaching the class and guiding the confirmands on this journey. The class finished their experience by designing a Confirmation banner and painting it, with the assistance of the always wonderful Dot Morley. Please congratulate the confirmands on taking this important step in their faith, and welcome them this Sunday as our newest church members. www.peaceyouth.net 

A little light breaks into Lent this Sunday...

The Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 11th) is called Laetare Sunday, when the Church takes a bit of breather from Lenten practice and opens worship with the scripture, "Rejoice, Jerusalem ... Be joyful, all who were in mourning!" - taken from Isaiah chapter 66.

Where does the name "Laetare Sunday" come from?

It takes its name from the Latin word for JOY. This Sunday is marked by a relaxation of the penitential character of the Lenten season.

We are supposed to "Rejoice!" in the middle of Lent?

On this Sunday, we look with expectation to Easter which we have been preparing ourselves for during the Lenten season. By its anticipation of the joy of Easter, Laetare Sunday is meant to give us hope and encouragement as we slowly progress towards Holy Week.

Why are pink rose vestments worn on this Sunday?

On both Laetare Sunday and Gaudete Sunday (the Third Sunday of Advent), ministers may wear pink/rose vestments. The color pink is used as a sign of the joy which characterizes these two Sundays. The use of pink vestments probably stems from an ancient papal tradition of blessing and distributing roses. 

Are there traditional celebrations or observances for Laetare Sunday?

In addition to attending worship together, some families mark Laetare Sunday by anticipating the Easter feast with a special Sunday brunch--complete with roses on the table.  Some also choose to symbolically plant a rose bush on this day. 

"I call upon the followers of Jesus to speak for those whose voices are silenced, and to speak for our children and grandchildren. What if, across Florida and even our connection, we were able to collect and send 5000 letters?"

-  Bishop Ken Carter, Florida Annual Conference

 

5000 Letters is a campaign by United Methodists in the Florida Annual Conference to contact state and federal government officials, urging them to seek legislation that will curb gun violence in this country. Join us in following Bishop Ken Carter's call to speak for those whose voices have been silenced, for the sake of our children and their futures. Follow this link for the Bishop's video.

We will be traveling to downtown Orlando on Saturday, March 24th from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. to join in the "March for Our Lives" national event. We'll be preparing letters in response to our experience at the event. Sign up on the table in the back of the sanctuary. Contact the church office for more information.

PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES- Sunday, March 25th at 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - As we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, our children will participate in the traditional palm parade. We invite you to bring in palm branches from your home or neighborhood to use during the service.

 

A HOLY MEAL: RECALLING THE LAST SUPPER- Thursday, March 29th at 6:30 p.m., join us for an interactive dinner remembering Holy Communion.  We begin with a symbolic recalling of Jesus washing his disciples feet. Then during dinner, music and other stories of the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper will be shared.  Finally, we conclude with sharing the bread and cup around the table. Altar prayer time will follow communion.

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE OF DARKNESS- Friday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. - Also known as Tenebrae, meaning "darkness," this worship service has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Scripture readings, music and symbols tell the story of Christ's passion. In the darkness of the sanctuary, we ponder the depth of Christ's suffering and sacrificial love for us.

 

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES- Sunday, April 1st at Sunrise 7:00 a.m., Traditional 8:15 a.m., Contemporary 9:30 a.m., Traditional 11:00 a.m. - Easter is a great time for family, friends, traditions and celebration. We offer four special services with encouraging messages that recall the amazing events of that first Easter. Come enjoy uplifting music, Easter themed activities for the kids and refreshments. You'll have your hope renewed, and your spirit refreshed! Breakfast will be served following the Sunrise service.

We are now hiring a Summer Children's Ministry Intern and Summer Camp Counselors for the 2018 Summer Camp season.  The dates of camp are Monday, June 4 th -Friday, June 22 nd .  Camp hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon with extended hour help needed as well.  We are seeking mature teens ages 17 and up or adults who love working with kids and need a little extra cash this summer. This is a great job for college students home for the summer.  The Summer Intern work will extend through June 26 th following Vacation Bible School.  Applicants do not need to be members of our church.  We are also seeking volunteer Junior Helpers.  These kids must be mature students ages 14 and older who love working with kids. If you have questions or would like to apply for a job or volunteer spot, please contact Julie Chatfield at [email protected] .  Or contact the Church Office at 407-438-8947.  

When disaster strikes around the globe--Haiti's 2010 earthquake or Typhoon Haiyan in 2013--so many watching the drama unfold on our living room televisions feel entirely helpless. How could any one person make a difference in the wake of such widespread devastation? As responders around the globe scramble to help survivors, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, is prepared to act. So don't be fooled by the word committee. Since 1940, when UMCOR's forerunner was established to meet the needs of those suffering overseas at the onset of World War II, we've continued to respond to those in desperate need-today throughout more than eighty countries around the world.

The response of UMCOR isn't something "they" do, it's something "we" do. When you give, you equip Christ's body to serve in His name. That's because your generous giving to UMCOR Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing) is what allows UMCOR to act as the arms and legs of Christ's church, moving toward the most vulnerable in their darkest days. Convinced that all people have God-given worth and dignity-without regard to race, religion or gender-together we are assisting those impacted by crisis or chronic need.  Because you give, the United Methodist Church's compassionate response to human suffering continues today.  Special giving envelopes will be in the Peace Connection this Sunday or follow this link for more information.

"I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.  I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me." (Mt. 25:35-36, CEB)

Peace Happenings: Divas & Dudes 5K for Youth Summer Missions. 

Thanks to all who supported this event - we had 120 runners & walkers!