PPUMC is offering six Candlelight Communion services in celebration of Christmas Eve on Monday, December 24, 2012.

At 10:00 a.m. Rev. Dana Norton and Dr. Bill La Barr will hold a communion worship service at Emeritus for residents and their families at Emeritus.

A “Christmas Service of Hope and Remembrance” will be held in the sanctuary at 2:30 p.m. The Reverend Dana Norton, associate pastor, will lead this special service designed to minister especially to those who have experienced grief or loss this past year. This “Blue Christmas” service will seek to offer a word of hope and encouragement, and will include communion and special prayers of healing for all those present.

At 5:00 p.m., a Children’s Celebration of Christmas will be presented, led by the children of PPUMC. This family-friendly worship service will include readings of scripture, communion, familiar Christmas carols, and a reenactment of the Christmas story as performed by the children of our church. Child care available.

A traditional Candlelight Communion service will be offered at 7:00 p.m., officiated by Dr. Bill La Barr, senior pastor. The Chancel Choir and organist Ken Surley will present the music for this service. Child care available.

We will also be offering a non-traditional Christmas Communion Service at 9:00 p.m. with music led by Plymouth Park Praise. This service will include old and new carols in a contemporary style, as well as a message from Dr. La Barr. Communion by intinction will be served at the close of the service. Child care available upon request with 24 hours notice.

Our 11:00 p.m. service will be a Meditative and Reflective Service of Communion with Dr. La Barr preaching. This service will be prayerful in nature, as together we await the arrival of Christmas Day. No Child Care.

PPUMC offers a wide range of worship opportunities to help you and your family prepare to welcome again the Christ child into our world.

We hope to see you Christmas Eve!

You still have time to help others have a better Christmas. Non-perishable food, especially peanut butter and canned meats, are needed by Irving Cares and PPUMC’s food ministry. Canned and packaged goods can be brought to the church throughout December. Christmas is also a great time to make a special donation to your church or your favorite United Methodist Church ministry through UMC Advance specials.

PPUMC Missions Committee thanks you for sharing with our neighbors in need.

Our outstanding praise group will be presenting the annual P3 Christmas Music Concert on Sunday, December 23 at the 9:15 Worship Service. The worship service will feature music ranging from contemporary Christian songs to long-time Christmas favorites. This annual service is a favorite of the congregation, and one you will not want to miss!

You still have time to help others have a better Christmas.

Gifts are being collected for Irving nursing home residents, Irving students in need and area children, seniors and families served by Irving Cares and the Salvation Army.

Body and hand lotions, soap, shampoo, conditioner, other hair and nail grooming supplies and toiletry items for men and women are on the wish lists for residents at Irving Nursing & Rehabilitation. Other needs including socks, slippers, pajamas, caps will be delivered next week.

Board games, cards, magazines, art/craft supplies, 100-500 piece jig-saw puzzles, large-print books, word-find and cross-word puzzles books, CD’s, movies, greeting cards and stamps can also be good gifts for senior citizens.

Non-perishable food, especially peanut butter and canned meats, are needed by Irving Cares and PPUMC’s food ministry. Canned and packaged goods can be brought to the church throughout December.

Salvation Army forgotten angel gifts for infants, children, teens and seniors were delivered Dec. 4. If you have not returned your unwrapped gifts, please be sure to leave them under a Missions Christmas trees in the Mission Center or Sanctuary foyer this Sunday.

A few gift requests for Irving area residents are still available on Christmas tree paper ornaments.

Christmas is also a great time to make a special donation to your church or your favorite United Methodist Church ministry through UMC Advance specials.

PPUMC Missions Committee thanks you for sharing with our neighbors in need.

This is the last Sunday to purchase tickets for the UMW Christmas Brunch on Saturday, December 8 at 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall.

Entertainment will be provided by the vocal group “Men in Black” and food will be catered by Chocolate Angel. Each person is asked to bring canned goods to be given to the Northgate Food pantry. The cost for the event is $12. Please purchase your ticket in the Ministries Center or contact the church office with any questions, 972 255-4185. Childcare is available.

The Christmas decorations will be taken down this Sunday immediately after the P3 service in the Fellowship Hall and after the 11:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary. All persons available are needed to help make this process go quickly and smoothly.

PPUMC is offering five Candlelight Communion services in celebration of Christmas Eve. A "Christmas Service of Hope and Remembrance" will be held in the sanctuary at 2:30 p.m. The Reverend Dana Norton, associate pastor, will lead this special service designed to minster especially to those who have experienced grief or loss this past year. This “Blue Christmas” service will seek to offer a word of hope and encouragement, and will include communion and special prayers of healing for all those present. Child care provided with 48 hours notice to Cori Bell 972-255-4185/cori@ppumc.org.

At 5:00 p.m., a Children’s Celebration of Christmas will be presented, led by the children of PPUMC. This family-friendly worship service will include readings of scripture, communion, familiar Christmas carols, and a reenactment of the Christmas story as performed by the children of our church. Child care is provided.

A traditional Candlelight Communion service will be offered at 7:00 p.m., officiated by Dr. Bill La Barr, senior pastor. The Chancel Choir and organist Ken Surley will present the music for this service. Child care is provided.

We will also be offering a non-traditional Christmas Communion Service at 9:00 p.m. with music led by Plymouth Park Praise. This service will include old and new carols in a contemporary style, as well as a message from Dr. La Barr. Communion by intinction will be served at the close of the service. Child care provided with 48 hours notice to Cori Bell 972-255-4185/cori@ppumc.org.

Our 11:00 p.m. service will be a Meditative and Reflective Service of Communion with Dr. La Barr preaching. This service will be prayerful in nature, as together we await the arrival of Christmas Day. No Child care provided.

PPUMC offers a range of worship opportunities to help you and your family prepare to welcome again the Christ child into our world. We hope to see you Christmas Eve!

You may not have yet realized that this year, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday!

In lieu or our usual Sunday morning worship schedule, PPUMC will be holding one service of worship in the Sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 25th. After opening presents with the kids and enjoying a Christmas feast with the family, come join us for a celebration of worship as we give thanks for our blessings and welcome to our world once again the Christ child. Kids are invited to come in their p.j.'s and bring a toy which we will bless as part of the service. We will sing Christmas Carols and hear Dr. La Barr preach about the shepherds in the field in a sermon entitled "To be a messenger of peace." Let us worship together with a joyous, great, and informal Christmas Day service!

Merry Christmas!

I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas! I hope you are surrounded by friends, family and much love as we celebrate the birth of our King! See you all next year!

Christmas Break

Just a reminder that we'll take the next two weeks off from Student Outreach. We'll resume on January 4, when the kids start back to school. The church office will be closed through January 3. If you need to contact me, you may reach me via cell phone or e-mail.

Sunday School

No Sunday School on December 25. Yes, there will be Sunday School on January 1. It will be a combined class in the big room of the Youth Hall. Second semester classes will begin on Sunday, January 8.

Sunday School Breakfast

The Woodruff family will be providing breakfast next week, January 1.

Click the link for the new breakfast schedule for next semester. Please mark your calendars now!

Confirmation

Don’t forget about Confirmation! Confirmation Class for our middle schoolers will kick off on Sunday, January 29th. The older youth Confirmation Class begins February 5. Both of these classes require the Youth to be pre-registered. You can find registration forms and more details on the youth web page.

See you at the church!

Peg