PEACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Email Newsletter - October 14, 2016
THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP
SERMON:  Rev. LeeAnn Inman -  What Disciples Do : "Taking Our Faith Public--Disciples Understand that Faith Impacts Both the Personal Realm and the Public Realm"

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 65:17-25 (NRSV)
 
SYNOPSIS:  When people think about discipleship, they usually think of it on a personal level.  However, Christian discipleship also has profound social ramifications.  In short, authentic disciples take their faith public, working to make the world more like the kingdom of God.  Individual Christians, local churches, and denominations must constantly seek ways to advance God's dream (as shared in Isaiah 65). This is not forcing Christian values on other people: It is letting our Biblical values inform how we interact with others as we work for the good of ALL people. As Christian activist Jim Wallis often says, "Faith should be personal, but never private."
The Pumpkins are Coming - October 15
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 follow this link to our website, email Julie Chatfield juleelchat@gmail.com or Rostam Kondolojy (Mr. K). peacekidszone@gmail.com.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Workshop - October 17
Please join us on  Monday, October 17th 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 Pumpkinpalooza - October 19
We had a great time at our initial Wednesday Connect in September, so for October's once-a-month food and fellowship gathering, in conjunction with the Peace pumpkin patch and all things fall, we are hosting a Pumpkinpalooza!  We encourage you to bring your favorite pumpkin-flavored (or other fall-related) side dish treats. 

On Wednesday, October 19th, we'll provide the main dish (stroganoff), beginning at 6:00 p.m., but come whenever you can get there, and around 6:40 p.m. we'll start some pumpkin related games and fun, and we'll even have a special pumpkin related devotion time. Fun for all ages.  Everybody welcome. Free event (donations gladly accepted, as always). Contact the church office for more details.
UMW Circle of Hope - October 20
On Thursday, October 20th, the United Methodist Women Circle of Hope will be completing I Bought a House on Gratitude Street.  We'll be studying Chapter 12, "Bringing in God's Kingdom Every Day."  Our next book study will be Created for Happiness. Copies are still available for only $10. All women of Peace are welcome to join us!

We are a UMW study group that focuses on Biblical topics as they relate to today's women of all ages. Our interactive study is engaging and encouraging.  For more information , call Ann Strehlow 407-859-8255 or Faye Myers 407-929-2586 .
Church Survey Focus Groups - October 23 & 30
Did you realize that in a few months it will be time to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Peace Church ? It is amazing to think about the impact this Church has had on the lives of so many people. We have received so many blessings to be thankful for. What is even more amazing is what God has in store for this Church over the next 25 years and the even greater impact God is calling and enabling us to provide for so many more. 

One way the leadership and staff of Peace is preparing for the future of Peace is evaluating the current strengths and opportunities of Peace. One part of the process was the survey so many of you completed for us. Thank you very much. Now that the survey results have been prayerfully analyzed we need to move to the next step which is open dialogue with you so we can go deeper into specific areas and get feedback on potential initiatives moving forward.  These sessions are open to EVERYONE.  Regardless of age, membership, frequency of attendance, years at Peace, or visitor they are open to all. 

We are going to make this easy for you by providing multiple sessions for you to join at times when many of you are already at the Church. These sessions will be 45 minutes to an hour and led by members of the leadership team. We will have sessions before, during, and after worship services and during existing group meeting times at the Church.  For those of you who indicated on the surveys that you were willing to be contacted for additional feedback, please take advantage of one of these available focus groups (dates and times listed below--room locations tbd). There will be additional focus groups in coming weeks.

In order to reach all who God is calling us to serve we need to hear from everyone -so please make plans to attend one session!  

-Your Peace Leadership Team

 Sunday, October 23rd and Sunday, October 30th at 9:30 a.m.

 Sunday, October 23rd and Sunday, October 30th at 11:00 a.m.

 Sunday, October 23rd at 12:15 p.m.

 Sunday, October 23rd at 11:00 a.m. (Session for Dinks Care Group)

New Member Class and Luncheon - October 23
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. 

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  revleeann@gmail.com
Faith Journey Class - New Study Begins - October 23
"Spiritual Warfare:" the Faith Journey Sunday morning class invites all members of the church to join them in an enlightening and in-depth study of Ephesians 6:11-18.  

This is a 9-week study which unpacks the familiar scripture of the Apostle Paul about putting on the armor of God to protect ourselves as Christians in a world plagued by evil. Join us in the Pastor's office at 11:00 a.m. beginning on Sunday, October 23.
Trunk or Treat Spooktacular - October 30
Don't miss this year's Trunk or Treat community fall fair! The Spooktacular will include a hayride, costume contest, largest inflatable obstacle course in all of central Florida, trunk-or-treating, local crafts market, and other festive fall activities.  Bring the whole family and invite your friends and neighbors. There will be plenty of fun to be had!  Food Trucks will also be onsite for that monstrous appetite!  Trunk or Treat will be held on October 30th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This is a huge outreach event!  We need your help to make it a success. To volunteer p lease either see Mr. K on Sunday in Classroom A, call 407-353-0054 or email peacekidszone@gmail.com . Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
    •  Decorate your car trunk & help distribute candy
    •  Pumpkin Painting Booth
    •  Candy Runner
    •  Bounce House Attendant
    •  Hay Ride Attendant
    •  Bounce House Attendant
    •  Movie Attendant
    •  Photo Assistant
Candy donations are also needed.  Since the candy doesn't have to sit out in the hot sun, any kind will be accepted.  Simply drop off your donations in the Trunk or Treat collection bin located in the main church hallway or out by the Welcome Table on Sunday. 
New Worship Series "Defying Gravity" Starts - October 30
Starting on October 30th, we'll be celebrating a church wide study in generous living called Defying Gravity . Through sermons, interactive opportunities, and first-hand accounts, we'll examine the generous life-what it is and why it can be hard to experience. We'll be studying the topic of generosity, including data from surveys, insights from experts, and conversations with generous people about their goals and habits. We want to understand why generosity brings people joy and what forces work against it. Many of us want to experience the significance of blessing others, but feel trapped by past decisions and misled by a society that bombards us with messages of having more and having better.  But we are not meant to live lives of anxiety: we are meant to feel secure and experience the freedom of generous joy.

October 30th - Defying Gravity : "Discovering Gravity" - God has made us to enjoy life and have influence in the world.  The problem is that we lose perspective. We all are familiar with the pervasive impact of gravity in our day-to-day existence, but there is another force that is working around us all the time with just as powerful an impact. 

November 6th - All Saints Day - Defying Gravity : "Breaking Free" - Money and the things it buys can produce a field of gravity so strong that many people simply cannot escape. But we, as followers of Christ, escape when we adopt the personal qualities and outlook on life that Jesus possessed (humility in continually offering up acts of generosity).

November 13th - Defying Gravity : "Tethered to God" - Effective generosity does not just happen.  Generous people understand that blessing others with time, talent, and money requires focus and intentionality. 

November 20th - Defying Gravity : "When We Get It Right" - Commitment Sunday & THANKSGIVING - What does it mean to give?  It is a normal reaction to be focused on the loss implied in "just giving it away" (whatever it is), we'll miss out on the joy that comes from sharing in love.  Generosity is a means of grace in the process of Christian sanctification (what John Wesley described as being "habitually filled with love of God and neighbor"). 
Peace Blood Drive - October 30
Our next Blood Drive will be on Sunday, October 30th from 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Please eat a good breakfast and come prepared to give! There is no substitute for human blood. When you donate blood, you are making an immediate contribution to the health and welfare of your community. Blood is needed by patients facing planned and unplanned medical procedures, such as trauma victims, cancer patients and premature babies. It is usually transfused into patients at local hospitals within 48 hours after you donate. For more information, contact the Church Office at 407-438-8947 or go to www.oneblood.org
Youth Dinner & Silent Auction Moving to Fall - November 4
Friday,  November 4th at 6:30 p.m. the Student Ministry of Peace United Methodist Church will be hosting their annual  Dinner & Silent Auction .  All proceeds from this event will benefit our 2016 - 2017 Youth Missions. 

We are asking for donations of any kinds of new merchandise and/or gift cards that we can auction at our event.  Any help that you could provide would be greatly appreciated. All items will be clearly displayed and marked with the name of the donor.  This is a great opportunity to participate in a meaningful way in the lives of the young people in our church community and to assist in the mission work that will take place next summer.  

Tickets for the event are only $5 and will be available for purchase starting next Sunday morning on the portico between worship services, and during the week in the church office.
Please feel free to contact Brandon Sangster if you have any donations for the auction, questions, or need any further information. 407-932-8223 or Brandon@PeaceYouth.net.  Thank you!
Annual Peace Church Conference - November 13
What is a Church Conference?  It's an annual business meeting held in each local United Methodist Church.  We review the church's mission, decide on our pastoral compensation package, and receive a report on Lay Leadership for the coming year, among other things.  It's all important stuff, but it sounds like a lot of boring business, right?  Wrong-it's also a celebration of our Peace vision, passion and commitment to ministry.

Our Peace Church Conference will be held in the sanctuary on  Sunday, November 13th at 1:00 p.m.  Everyone who worships at Peace is invited to attend this meeting, but only members are eligible to vote on business matters.  Please make plans to attend!

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