Peace Email News: November 17, 2017

PEACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Email Newsletter - November 17, 2017

THIS SUNDAY IN WORSHIP

November 19, 2017

Sermon: Rev. Jim Berlau

EARN. SAVE. GIVE.: "How Far Will You Go?"

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10 (NRSV)

John Wesley says "give all you can," describing giving as "the farther end" toward which earning and saving lead us. The goal of Christian discipleship is a generous life, with our generosity being a response to the extravagant generosity of God. There is joy in knowing that giving makes a difference in our relationship with God and makes a difference in the lives of others through the ministry of our church. Now is the time for each of us to respond to God's extravagant generosity by joyfully and boldly making our commitment, boldly taking the next step in our discipleship towards a generous life.

Commitment Sunday - November 19

Fall is traditionally the season in which we undertake our annual stewardship focus here at Peace. This means that we take time prayerfully to consider how we will respond to God's love as we support the ministries of this church in the coming year through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Our current worship series, Earn. Save. Give. and the companion book by Rev. James A. Harnish, are designed to help you in this process of discerning how God is calling you to support the vision of this congregation to make a difference of eternal significance in this community.

This week you should have received a stewardship packet in the mail that included a letter from Pastors LeeAnn and Jim, an overview of some of the amazing things happening here in ministry at Peace and a pledge card to help you think about how God is calling you to use your resources in 2018. We are asking all people who desire to support the work of this congregation to submit their pledge cards by our Commitment Sunday on November 19th , the Sunday before Thanksgiving. You may also submit your pledge electronically via our website. These statements of commitment are one of the key points of guidance we use in developing our ministry budget for the coming year, and thus a critical part of the process. If you have questions, or if you don't receive a packet in the mail, but you would like one, please check at the Welcome Table or contact the church office .

New Member Class - November 19

If you are looking for a church home, then we invite you to join our new member 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 just because you take the class. Join us on Sunday, November 19 th for an introductory session from 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. 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 a deeper relationship with Christ. Should you have any questions, or wish to join the class, please contact Rev. LeeAnn Inman 407-462-7374 or [email protected] .

Collecting New & Gently Used Shoes - Until November 27

Hunter's Creek Middle School is collecting NEW and GENTLY worn shoes now through November 27th. Collected shoes are used to support micro-enterprise vendors. These Micro-enterprises are small businesses in developing nations. They are typically operated by one person or a family and friends, depending on the size. All sizes styles and sizes will be accepted. Their goal is to collect 25,000 pairs of shoes! Please drop your donations off in the box located in our Peace sanctuary.

Mark Your Calendars Now for Peace Advent Celebrations

United Methodist Women Christmas Luncheon & Program - Saturday, December 2 - 11:45 a.m.

Hanging of the Greens - Sunday, December 3 - 8:15, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. (all worship services)

Christmas Under the Stars - Wednesday, December 13 - 7:00 p.m.

Praise Team Christmas Cantata - Saturday, December 16 - 7:00 p.m. & Sunday, December 17 - 9:30 a.m.

Peace Youth Christmas Party - Sunday, December 17 - 5:00 p.m.

Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata - Sunday, December 24 - ONE COMBINED SERVICE 10:00 a.m.

Christmas Eve Worship Services - Sunday, December 24

5:00 p.m. Children's Service

6:30 p.m. Contemporary Candlelight Service (Nursery)

8:00 p.m. Contemporary Candlelight Service (Nursery)

9:30 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service with Communion

New Year's Eve Worship Service - Sunday, December 31 - ONE COMBINED SERVICE at 10:00 a.m.

UMW Christmas Potluck & Program - December 2nd

All ladies of Peace are invited to attend our United Methodist Women Christmas Potluck Luncheon and Program on Saturday, December 2nd from 11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Our program is "Emmanuel, God With Us" and will include a Christmas hymn sing along and election of officers. We hope you will join us for a wonderful time of food, fellowship, scripture and singing as we begin this beautiful season of Advent!

Annual Christmas Gift Share - December 10th

Do you have NEW or GENTLY USED items that you would like to give away for someone to use as Christmas gifts? Peace is once again sponsoring a day of sharing where folks can bring in items and others may take them to give to their families and friends (reduce, reuse, recycle). On Sunday, December 10th simply bring in items to donate and place them on the tables located on the church portico. Everyone is then welcome to "shop" in between worship services. This is re-gifting with a purpose. Remember, this is Christmas without money, but only open hearts. If we have any leftover gifts, they will be donated to local charities. For more information contact the Church Office. Start collecting your items now!

Dress a Girl Around the World Schedule

Our "Dress a Girl Around the World" ministry makes 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. Don't know how to sew? No problem, we can teach you!

Please note our holiday hiatus schedule--WE WILL NOT be meeting November 21st - January 2nd. Our weekly Tuesday morning meetings will resume on January 9, 2018.