Peace Email Connection - September 16, 2016
This Weekend in Worship:

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Sermon: Rev. LeeAnn Inman
What Disciples Do: 
"Wrestling with God-Disciples Grapple with Faith"

 
Scripture: 
 
True disciples are not satisfied with simplistic answers and pious religious platitudes, so they spend their lives wrestling with God, especially during times of struggle.  Sometimes we need to wrestle with God about our theological beliefs, both personally and as a church.  Sometimes we need to wrestle with God concerning our relationships at home, work, and church.  The wrestling is about the implications of the gospel on our personal lives, the life of the church, and society.  Discipleship can be hard and complex work, but it is work that results in great blessings.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Workshop - September 19

Please join us on  Monday, September 19 at 1:00 p.m . in the church Choir Room to work on Prayer Shawls.  Anyone who likes to knit or crochet is invited to attend-all skill levels are welcome!  Prayer shawls are given to people who are ill or hospitalized, suffering chronic conditions, undergoing chemotherapy, or simply in need of comfort and prayer.  For more details, please contact Carol Thomson 407-812-7043.
Wednesday Connect is Coming - September 21

Coming up this Wednesday, September 21 st , we'll be hosting a new once-a-month event designed to help us get to know one another better.  Called Wednesday Connection,  it will be a pot-luck dinner followed by a time of fun, interactive getting-to-know-you activities for all ages.  We'll provide the main meat dish (Ginger Selander's secret lasagna recipe for this month), some bread, and the drinks; you bring all your favorite sides and desserts (and if you are on that busy schedule with no time to get a dish together, no worries-there will be PLENTY to eat).  The food line will be open beginning at 6:00 p.m. (we know some of you can't be there by 6:00, so no worries-drop on in, the food will be waiting).  It's a casual affair, giving us all a chance to get to know each other.  There will be games like GIANT JENGA and PING PONG scattered about the room, and somewhere around 6:40-6:45 we'll start up with some game show style action and table projects, as well as an interactive parable, to help us laugh and learn more about one another: a little of what we like to call "organized chaos."  This is a FREE event.

This is going to be a regular once-a-month gathering, sharing a meal and focusing on something different each month (sometimes service-oriented, sometimes a special program, and sometimes just fun hanging out together). Bring the neighbors.
UMW Program and Luncheon  - September 24

Homeless or Living in Motels on 192 - Can We Help Make a Difference?
 
The Community Hope Center is a program-based project that impacts the low-income, poverty level families and individuals living in and around Osceola County, Florida. The primary emphasis is to assist those living homeless or in motels and hotels along Osceola County's 192 Corridor. This program restores dignity and self-sufficiency to those in need in our community through a holistic approach to case management, funds assistance, and life skills. The program is intended to provide gap services to clients that other agencies are not currently providing.
Come learn more about this amazing organization. Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 24th at 11:45 a.m. for our UMW General Meeting and Potluck Luncheon. 
  •  11:45 a.m.  - Arrive, sign in and update your contact information and bring your dish to share (if able)
  •  12:30 p.m. -  Community Hope Center Program
  •  1:00 p.m. -    General Meeting Update
We Serve Weekend Is Almost Here!  Ministry Fair in the Portico.   Special Surprises in Worship! September 24/25

We Serve Weekend is just around the corner (Saturday,September 24th, and Sunday, September 25th). If you haven't yet signed up to participate in one (or more) of our eight community service projects, now is the time.
 
¨   Preparing "Blessings Bags" at the church to keep in our cars to hand out to the homeless. (ALL AGES ACTIVITY) (Sunday 1:00 p.m.)-This fun project is taking place in the sanctuary, anybody can do it, and it will provide bags for distribution by our entire church family.- PLENTY OF AIR-CONDITIONED SLOTS AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPATE .

¨  Habitat for Humanity (working at a local build site as part of our regular rotation of Habitat build days) (Saturday at work site by 8:00 a.m.)-part of our regular partnership with Habitat.

¨   H.O.M.E. work crew (Helping Others Make the Effort transitional housing): Painting, landscaping, etc. (Sunday 1:00 p.m.)- PEOPLE NEEDED FOR THIS PROJECT!

¨   Helping shut-ins in our congregation with yard work and home repairs. (Sunday 2:00 p.m.)

¨   Putting on a talent show and visiting with residents at Hunter's Creek Nursing Home and Rehab (part of our evolving relationship with that facility) (ALL AGES ACTIVITY) (Saturday 2:00 p.m.)

¨   Our annual Shingle Creek paddle and clean-up  (Sunday 1:00 p.m.) - FULL .

¨  Pawsitive Action
(in St. Cloud) (4M project all are welcome) supporting a service dog program (Saturday 7:00 a.m.) - FULL.

¨   First responder appreciation: preparing and delivering "thanks" packages of goodies for first responders. (ALL AGES ACTIVITY-GREAT FOR KIDS) (Sunday 1:00 p.m.)- PEOPLE NEEDED FOR THIS PROJECT.

There is something for EVERYBODY.  You can sign up for individual projects at the Welcome Table and  or on the Peace Church website.   If you have questions, please contact Eddie Pipkin  [email protected]  or  321-947-8930 .  And these opportunities (and any projects you might create independently) are not limited to members of Peace.   Feel free to get your friends and neighbors involved!
 
MINSTRY FAIR IN THE PORTICO BETWEEN SERVICES
It's an opportunity to learn how you are uniquely gifted to serve of the many ministries here at Peace.  Representatives from many groups will be on the portico to answer your questions and help you find your fit.
 
And at our 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services next weekend, the guitar gang is back, a special multi-generational team will creatively present the scripture lesson, youth will be singing with the Praise Team at 9:30, and children will be singing with the Chancel Choir at 11:00.  Feel free to wear your work clothes to worship!
Fall New Members Class Starts - October 2

If you are looking for a church home, then we invite you to join our Fall 2016 New Members Class. For those coming from different denominations or other faith backgrounds, this class provides a supportive setting in which to learn more about Peace Church, United Methodism and what church membership means.  There is no obligation to join Peace Church just because you take the class. We will be glad to have you participate and explore your spiritual gifts. The class will progress through the following steps:

Sunday, October 2nd from 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Introductory Session: We will provide you with a copy of  A Disciple's Path: Deepening Your Relationship with Christ and the Church . This will serve as your study guide for your journey into membership. We will also assign you a Peace Shepherd who will be your point of contact through your membership journey. You may then work through A Disciple's Path and meet with your Peace Shepherd.

Sunday, October 23rd from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Workshop and Luncheon:   We will talk in depth about our Peace family and any questions you may have as we approach your membership on the following Sunday. Lunch will be provided. 

Sunday, October 30th:  Membership Sunday : Present yourself for membership before the congregation during your respective worship time.  If you'd like more information or have questions, please contact Pastor LeeAnn 407-462-7374 or [email protected]
Peace Pumpkin Patch  - October 15

THE PUMPKINS ARE COMING!   The Pumpkin Patch at Peace has become a huge event in our community, which means it takes lots of hands to make it happen. The Children's Ministry needs your help. The pumpkin truck is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, October 15th at 8:00 a.m. but could very well be late. We are calling on all able bodies to give their time for the greater good of our church and church VBS programs, and help unload this truck. Remember the more volunteers the faster it goes! Plus we will have Kona Ice for sale on site for your purchasing pleasure! If you are interested in volunteering either unloading or selling pumpkins at the patch, please email Julie Chatfield [email protected] 321-689-6899 or Rostam Kondolojy (Mr. K). [email protected] 407-353-0054.
Trunk or Treat Spooktacular  - October 30

Own a home-based or small business?  Want to share your products with the Hunter's Creek area?  This year our Trunk or Treat Spooktacular will play host to the first annual Peace Halloween Crafts Fair on Sunday, October 30th from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  For just a $20.00 donation you can be a part of this blockbuster event which is expected to draw hundreds of Hunters Creek families! If you are interested in setting up a booth, please contact Sam Kondolojy [email protected]  or stop by Classroom A and speak with him personally. 

It's also time to start collecting candy for Trunk or Treat.  This is above and beyond what people bring for their trunks.  Kids love going through the trunks a couple of times and we use this extra supply to keep our trunks full of treats.  We will be collecting any type of candy as long as it's wrapped.  Simply drop it off in the candy collection bin located in the main hallway as you enter the sanctuary.  If you have any questions, please contact Julie Chatfield at   [email protected]
It's Not Too Late to Join Disciple Fast-Track Studies

Disciple Fast Track is a Bible Study for busy people.  It is a great way to learn more about the Bible or to refresh your Bible knowledge.  It is an overview of the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments, capturing the major themes of the Scriptures and the way that all parts of the Bible are connected in one sweeping story of God's love for God's people. Classes include videos with commentary from renowned Bible scholars, as well as time for questions and discussions.  

The class meets for 24 weekly sessions (with breaks for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons). We are offering Disciple Fast Track options on Monday mornings from 10:15 a.m .-11:30 a.m. OR Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:15 p.m. 
Dress a Girl Around the World Update

Join our "Dress a Girl Around the World" ministry this fall.  We make dresses and dolls for little girls and shorts for little boys who live in poverty around the globe. Our sewing workshops are every Tuesday morning in the Peace Youth Room starting at 9:30 a.m.

The little ones in the photo are wearing shorts and dresses made right here at Peace Church!  Our latest shipments have gone to Zambia (September) and Ecuador (October).  In the last two years we've made 1349 dresses, 567 dolls, and 428 pairs of shorts!  We've also started including little cars for the boys.

Please note we WILL NOT be meeting on Tuesday, November 8th due to the national general election and on November 15th we will be working on shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.  Come and join us for fellowship and service!  Monetary gifts are also greatly appreciated to help us purchase needed supplies.  Make donations payable to Peace UMC with "Dress a Girl" on the memo line.  For more information, contact Janice Adams at 407-240-9568.
Operation Christmas Child 2016

The Power of a Simple Gift - For the past ten years, Peace has filled shoeboxes with items for children, to be delivered by Samaritan's Purse.  In addition to the toys, hygiene items, and school supplies that are put in the shoeboxes, a Greatest Gift of All booklet in their native language is included.  This contains lesson materials that take children on an exciting journey through the Bible.  After completion of the materials, the child receives a New Testament. 

You can fill and wrap a regular shoebox, use a plastic shoebox, or take one of the red and green boxes from the table in the back of the sanctuary. This year Collection Week runs November 13 - 21.

For more information on the shoebox ministry or how you can help, contact Becky Brashears, 407-414-8659 or at [email protected]  
Bahamas Family Mission Trip Update & Future Plans

Thank you for supporting the 2016 Church Exchange between Peace and our sister church, St. Michaels, in Nassau, the Bahamas!  Rev. Stubbs invited us to help with one of their four-week Summer VBS sessions, and we responded.  Four families brought the Peace Cave Quest VBS to Nassau this past July.  The team was comprised of adults as well as elementary, middle, and high school kids. Our multigenerational "missionaries" ranged in age from 5-50 years old and worked beautifully together to accomplish God's mission.  The morning VBS sessions were spent with over 80 amazing kids from the Nassau community, and the afternoons and evenings were filled with team building opportunities with our St. Michaels family. We visited many local beaches, enjoyed team devos, went bowling, played games and had spirit filled conversations with our St. Michaels family.  God was definitely on the move spreading His word and building relationships.  It was an unforgettable week and we wanted to share part of it with you.  Sofia Delgado (one of our 9th grade missionaries) put together a glimpse of our experience in video format for you to enjoy. Check it out on the Peace website. 

Our time on the island was filled with good work but it was hot and it was hard.  As a part of our much needed "downtime" each day, Vivian Delgado (our prayer partner coordinator) gave us letters, notes, and cards from our prayer partners.  We were encouraged and humbled by the reminder that people back home were praying for us and our mission.  That time of personal reflection helped us "re-generate" each day after a stressful morning of VBS.  We deeply appreciated all the notes, cards, letters, etc. from our Peace family and came to rely on them for strength, inspiration, and encouragement.  Thank you for all YOUR prayers and support.  Additionally, you helped provide the funds to make this trip happen through the Emerging Missions Fund that is supplied through a tithe (10%) of the money from the Sustaining Our Mission campaign-even as we have beautified our own campus, we have helped make outreach and missions projects possible.

The people of St. Michaels LOVE our support and have invited us back next year to do the same thing.  This will be our third year of "church partnership" trips to St. Michaels.  The next Peace Family Mission Trip will be July 16-23, 2017 and is open to ANYONE.  Joanna Sell will coordinate the 2017 trip and Rostam Kondolojy has agreed to be the VBS director.   If you are interested in finding out more, email Joanna at [email protected] or call the church office.
This Week at Peace

Rock the Universe 2016!

Disciple Bible Study AM Class

Splash Bash 2016!
Peace United Methodist Church | 407-438-8947| Email | Website
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m - 3:30 p.m.
 Friday 8:30 a.m. - Noon 

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE TIMES: 8:15, 9:30 & 11:00 A.M.

 For emergencies when the Church Office is closed - call 407-438-8947 Ext. 203 and follow the instructions to reach our Pastor on call. 
STAY CONNECTED:
  DONATE