February and March calendars

I’ve attached a copy of the calendar for February and March to make your spring planning easier. We’re coming up on a very busy time of year!

February Calendar March Calendar

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Ski Trip Meeting this Sunday

The Ski Trip meeting is this Sunday immediately following the 11 am worship service. All participants on the Spring Break Ski Trip are expected to be in attendance. Final payments are due at this time.

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Youth Sunday February 17

We’ve still got a number of spots open for Youth Sunday. If you would like to participate in Youth Sunday (and you know you doJ), please get signed up on the sheets in the Youth Hall. If you don’t, I’ll track you down!! There are speaking parts – big and small – and non-speaking parts still available. If you’re not going to be here Wednesday, but would a particular role and/or service, please e-mail me and I’ll pencil you in.

Rehearsal for Youth Sunday is Saturday, February 16 from 10-12 am at the church. We will do a complete run through of all 3 services. Please make plans to be there. If you can not, please let me know in advance. Our new shirts will be available at that time. The uniform for Youth Sunday will be a Youth Sunday shirts and jeans.

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Student Outreach

We’re starting a new series this month called Scar Stories. We’ve all got scars. The challenge of life isn’t avoiding pain (since that is impossible), the real challenge is how to deal with pain when it happens. Pain leaves a scar – physical or emotional. But we all want to hide our scars - to fool other people. But the truth is nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Hurt happens, but you are not alone. Winona Martin, one of our 11thgraders, is giving the message this week. Don’t miss it!

The Youth Hall opens at 6 pm on Wednesday nights. Bring your dinner, your homework, and your friends - come on in early, play pool or ping pong or just hang out!

Next week, February 13 is Ash Wednesday. There will not be Student Outreach or Youth choir. The Ash Wednesday Service beings at 6 pm with a Break-the-Fast Meal to follow.

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Irving Cares Food Drive

Currently, Senior High Family Group #3 has a lead over Middle School Group #1. This Wednesday is the last night to bring food.

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Sunday school

Sunday School classes begin at 10:15 am, immediately following P3. Join us! Breakfast is served beforehand, so there really is no excuse not to come to Sunday SchoolJ

The Martin’s are in charge of breakfast this week, February 10.

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Confirmation 2013

The Confirmation Class will meet this week February 10. The Ruiz/Becerra families will be providing supper.

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See you at the church!

Peg

Youth Sunday February 17

It’s Youth Sunday time! Signs ups have already begin. We’ll take over all three services on this day. The Youth do everything this day, from acolyte to usher. We try to let the Juniors and Seniors have first crack at the sign up sheets. There are opportunities for about 50 youth, both speaking and non-speaking roles.

Look for the sign up sheets in the Youth Hall. Parent’s – please encourage your youth to participate.

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Spring Break Ski Trip 2013

Would you like to go skiing over spring break? We still have 3 openings for our Spring Break Ski Trip March 10-15 to Crested Butte, Colorado. The cost is $500 for youth (grades 8-12) and college students and $450 for adults.

The cost includes transportation, 3 day of rental and lift tickets, breakfast and dinner at the condo and a t shirt. You provide your meals on the road, lunch on the mountain plus lessons or optional upgrades.

This is a great trip for any age skier! Please contact Peg at peg@ppumc.org if you are interested.

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Student Outreach

This week, January 30, the main idea at Student Outreach is “A Life Permanently Marked by Unity”, the last in our series “Inked.”

The Bible challenges us to live in unity with one another. In the New Testament, Christians are described as being part of one body—the body of Christ. But unity is more than simply getting along; it is operating as one body and thriving off one another’s strengths. It’s an activity night, so we’re going to have a little friendly competition - Family Group style.

The Youth Hall opens at 6 pm on Wednesday nights. Bring your dinner, your homework, and your friends - come on in early, play pool or ping pong or just hang out!

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Irving Cares Food Drive

Looks like we’re going to need to extend our food drive! Instead of ending this Sunday, we’ll go one more week until February 10. The collection is a little sparse as of right now. Middle School Family Group #1 has edged out Senior High Family Group #2 by one can! Perhaps the other Family Groups are holding back until the last minute….

When you bring in food, make sure you check in with either your Family Group leader or Peg so we can keep the count current. The winning group will be treated to lunch the first Sunday in March.

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Souper Bowl of Caring

This is Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday. Bring a can of soup and $1 with you to church. The soup will go to Irving Cares to feed the hungry and any money collected will go into our Community Assistance Fund.

Members of the Leadership Team will be stationed at the entrances of the Sanctuary to collect your donations.

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Sunday School

Sunday School classes begin at 10:15 am, immediately following P3. Join us! Breakfast is served beforehand, so there really is no excuse not to come to Sunday School.

The Coalson’s are in charge of breakfast this week, February 3.

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Confirmation 2013

We’ve got a great Confirmation Class this year. Please remember that we are not meeting this week because of the super Bowl. See you back next Sunday, February 10.

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Senior High to Dallas Life Foundation

We’ve still got some spots open for this Saturday’s trip to the Dallas Life Foundation. We’ll be helping to prepare and serve lunch to about 250 homeless men, women and children. The Dallas Life Foundation is the largest homeless shelter in the North Texas area.

Senior High! Sign up in the Youth Hall. We’ll be leaving here at 10 am and return mid-afternoon. We’ll stop on the way home, so bring money for a fast food lunch.

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Opportunity

John and Karen Dendy need help taking down a tree in their yard. They will pay $10 an hour to any youth who has access (and experience) with a chair saw. Please let Peg know if you are interested.

January Food Drive

The annual food drive has begun! We’re collecting non-perishable food for Irving Cares through Super Bowl Sunday, February 3. The Family Groups in Student Outreach are in a serious competition to see how can collect the greatest number of items.

When you bring in food, make sure you check in with either your Family Group leader or Peg so we can keep the count current. The winning Family Group will be treated to lunch the first Sunday in March.

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Senior Class Meeting

The Class of 2013 will be meeting immediately following Student Outreach this Wednesday, January 13 for a short meeting regarding Senior Trip. Please join us!

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Confirmation Mentors

Confirmation 2013 is less that two week away, starting on January 27. If you would like to serve as a mentor for one of our Confirmands, please let Peg know.

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Student Outreach

This week, January 13, the main idea at Student Outreach is “A Life Permanently Marked by Humility”. Humility is one of those “difficult” areas where we battle against our own internal selfishness and a culture that says it’s OK to think about our needs first. But humility is one of the keys to spiritual growth and maturity. Lin Ogg is giving the message this week.

Come on in early Wednesday and let’s hang out!

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Sunday school

Sunday School class starts at 10:15 am, immediately following P3. Join us! Breakfast is served beforehand, so there really is no excuse not to come to Sunday SchoolJ

The Bullard’s are in charge of breakfast this week, January 20.

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Ski Trip

We have 3 openings on the Spring Break ski trip! I would love to fill them up!! We’re going to Crusted Butte, Colorado March 10-15. These trips are an absolute blast! The cost is $500 for students. If you have a financial need, please talk to Peg.

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Senior High to Dallas Life Foundation

Senior High – please sign up in the Youth Hall if you would like to go the Dallas Life Foundation on MLK Day, Monday, January 21 to serve lunch. The Dallas Life Foundation is the largest homeless shelter in the North Texas area. We’ll be leaving here around 9:30/10 am and return mid-afternoon.

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See you at the church!
Peg

Happy New Year!

By tomorrow, all our kids will be back in school! Yay! I hope everyone had a relaxed and restful Christmas break. I know I did, and I’m excited about the new year and all the fun and opportunities that stretch out before us. Just 22 weeks until graduation! This semester will fly by and summer will soon be upon us. I can’t wait to see what the next few months will bring!

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January February Calendar

In an attempt to keep you better updated of what’s happening, I’ve attached a copy of January and February’s calendar. You may print it or save it to your computer so that you may refer to it.

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Student Outreach

New year, new series! This month’s series is called Inked: Marked by God.” It can be a challenge for all of us as Christians to live the Gospel with our actions consistently - to let our lifestyle display the character, face, and message of Christ. When we’re here at the church, surrounded by church friends and our church family, it’s easy to show our commitment to Christ. However, outside of this place, when we don’t always have the positive reinforcement, our lifestyle “marks” of a Christian become less visible and in many cases disappear.

Like a tattoo, these virtues of Christian living can be permanently inked on our lives and are not concealed or removed when we enter an environment that challenges our commitment to Christ.

This week, January 9, is “A Life Permanently Marked by Love”. Just like a tattoo may be seen by people at all times, our love can be a profound mark on our lives that is seen by those around us. Kaye Vinson is giving the message this week.

Come on in early Wednesday and let’s hang out! I’ve missed you.

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Sunday school

Sunday School class starts at 10:15 am, immediately following P3. Join us! Breakfast is served beforehand, so drag yourself out of bed, brush your teeth and come to Sunday School.

The Brasch family is in charge of breakfast this week, January 13.

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Ski Trip

Just a reminder that the January payment was due this past week. The final payment is due February 3. The pre-trip meeting on Sunday, February 10 at 12:15 pm and is required for all participants.

We still have several openings on the ski trip. We’re going to Crusted Butte, Colorado March 10-16. These trips are an absolute blast! The cost is $500 for students, $450 for adults and college students. If you have a financial need, please talk to Peg.

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January Mission Project

We’re starting a new mission project this week. We’ll be collected non-perishable food for Irving Cares through Super Bowl Sunday, February 3. Student Outreach Family Groups will be having a competition to see who can collect the most number of items.

When you bring in food, make sure you check in with either your Family Group leader or Peg for a count. The winning Family Group will be treated to lunch the first Sunday in March.

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Senior High to Dallas Life Foundation

The Senior High will be going to the Dallas Life Foundation on MLK Day, Monday, January 21 to serve lunch. The Dallas Life Foundation is the largest homeless shelter in the North Texas area. We’ll be leaving here around 9:30/10 am and return mid-afternoon. We can take a total of 15 people. Please sign up in the Youth Hall.

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Leadership Lock-In/Planning Meeting

The Youth Leadership team will be having our January Lock-in and Planning Meeting January 25 & 26. We will be attending the All Church Planning Meeting on January 26 at 8 am at Northgate UMC. If any youth are interested in seeing what the Leadership Team is all about, please join us on Saturday, the 26th.

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Confirmation Kick Off

This week at Student Outreach

Making Room for God – The Christmas season is in fun swing! Decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, concerts, plays, parties . . . lots going on.

December’s focus is on the spiritual practice we might call "simplifying your life"--something Jesus - and others in our Methodist tradition understood as a way to make more room for God in our lives.

Join us this week as we take a look at St. Nicholas himself. St. Nicholas followed in Jesus' footsteps, serving others, caring for the poor, welcoming children, working for justice for all people. And he was put in prison for doing so. The world always wants to take the radical and make it tame - to make a St. Nicholas into "Santa Claus" and use him to help sell toys. To make a radical Jesus into a "goody two shoes" who just wants us to be nice people. It's at Christmas time that we need to work harder than ever to reclaim our radical Jesus.

Student Outreach is our mid-week gathering in the Youth Hall. It is high energy and high noise – more of an upbeat setting than Sunday school. The Youth Band leads us in a few songs; we play a game or activity and separate into grade-level small groups. Student Outreach is from 7-8:30 pm. Kids start gathering as early as 6 pm to play pool, do homework, or just hang out with their friends.

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Sunday school

We start gathering for Sunday school about 9:45 am Sunday mornings in the Youth Hall. This is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, already! Classes start about 10:15, or immediately following P3. The Scrivner family is in charge of breakfast this week, December 16.

See you at the church!
Peg

Happy Cyber Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with lots of family and food. We’re on the downward slide to the end of the semester AND 2012, but there’s lots going on before the world ends on December 12!

Thanks to all of you who donated food and/or helped with the Tamale dinner yesterday. We raised nearly $300 to help provide Christmas for four young children from the Irving area.

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Penny Wars!

This is the last week of our Penny Wars. We’ve been collected pennies for the family of a young lady in our youth group whose mom is battling cancer.

No, we don’t throw them at each other – although that would be fun to watch! It’s Middle School vs. Senior High. Pennies count as “plus 1” and any sliver coins or paper money are “negative 1”. This Sunday is the last opportunity to toss in your pennies!

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Cardboard City this Friday, November 30

“Speak out, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:9.

Homeless is a growing issue in our society. Irving ISD alone has nearly 1200 homeless kids. To raise awareness and money, we’re hosing a “sleep – out”, a sleepover outside on the lawn. Yes, it will be cold – that’s the point!

This Friday night, we’re building a cardboard city off the parking lot at PPUMC! Check in is at 7 pm and you’ll need to be picked up by 7 am on Saturday morning. You’ll need to bring a box to sleep in as well as a sleeping bag and pillow. Any additional clothing will need to fit in a backpack.

You’ll need to bring your completed Registration Form, as well as your pledge sheet. Each participant will be required to contribute at least $20 and bring at least two blankets. Participants will also be asked to turn in their car keys and cell phones during registration. Please leave other electronic devices – IPods, hand held video games, etc. – at home.

So get your box ready! I’ll provide duct tape, paint and markers to help you decorate your box before you sleep in it. Don’t forget to ask friends and neighbors to sponsor you for this worthy event. There will be prizes awarded for the most money raised (over $20) and the best decorated box.

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Parent’s Night Out December 7

Do you enjoy hanging out and taking care of little kids? The Youth are providing childcare for the parents of PPUMC on Friday, December 7 from 6 – 9 pm, so they can have a night out during this busy season. They can go shopping, see a movie, wrap gifts….whatever they want – we’ll watch the kids! We’re registering kids 18 months through 10 years old. We’ll play some games, get craft, sing a little karaoke…in general, run around and be crazy!

If you would like to volunteer, you’ll find the sign up sheet in the Youth Hall. We could also use a couple of parents to oversee the activities in different areas.

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Leadership Meeting this Sunday

The Leadership Team will meet at 12:15 pm this Sunday, December 2. We’ll put up the Christmas decorations following our meeting.

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This week at Student Outreach

Student Outreach is our mid-week gathering in the Youth Hall. It is high energy and high noise – more of an upbeat setting than Sunday school. The Youth Band leads us in a few songs; we play a game or activity and separate into grade-level small groups. Student Outreach is from 7-8:30 pm. Kids start gathering as early as 6 pm to play pool, do homework, or just hang out with their friends.

The Youth Leadership Team chooses the theme each month. This November, we’ve been exploring what it means to keep the faith when things get difficult. We’ve talking about letting go of our past and living for the present. This week we’re going to look at the reality of heaven and the afterlife. For some Christians, heaven is the only reason they keep following the Christian faith. If our faith does not shape the way we live our lives, we are not all that different than those who are not following Jesus.

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Sunday School

We start gathering for Sunday school about 9:45 am Sunday mornings in the Youth Hall. Classes start about 10:15 am, or immediately following P3. The Nicholas family is in charge of breakfast this week, December 2.

This week at Student Outreach

Student Outreach is our mid-week gathering in the Youth Hall. It is high energy and high noise – more of an upbeat setting than Sunday School. The Youth Band leads us in a few songs; we play a game or activity and separate into grade-level small groups. Student Outreach is from 7-8:30 pm. Kids start gathering as early as 6 pm to play pool, do homework, or just hang out with their friends.

This week, we continue our series designed to encourage all of us to “hang in” in our relationship with God. Last week we talked about the past, all the trash in our life that we need to let go of to move forward. This week we’re dealing with the present. Following Jesus brings the blessing of a meaningful life today—not just the reward of eternal life.

David Jones, one of our stalwart volunteers on the Senior High Mission Trips, is speaking this week. He wants to share with the kids his experience on this last year’s trip to Alabama, when he had a heart attack, triple bypass surgery and an extended stay in the University of Alabama Hospital. All are welcome to join us for worship at 8:10 pm to hear what David has to say.

Sunday school

We start gathering for Sunday school about 9:45 am Sunday mornings in the Youth Hall. Classes start about 10:15, or immediately following P3. The McKenyon family is in charge of breakfast this week, November 18. Emiliee Munoz is responsible for the following Sunday, November 25.

Moving Help

The Mogavero family is moving and needs some strong, older youth to help move furniture. Terri is sure yet of the date, but if you are interested in helping let me know, and I’ll get you in touch with Terri.

Workers needed for the Tamale dinner November 25

The Youth group is hosting a Tamale dinner immediately following the 11 service on Sunday, November 25. All the proceeds go toward providing Christmas for a needy family.

We’ll need youth right after Sunday School to take down chairs and set up tables. Serving will begin at noon. We’ll need 4-5 people to serve, a couple of people doing drinks and two taking money.

I don’t want anyone to skip worship that Sunday. If you would like to help set up tables and chairs, please go to the early service. Otherwise, you can help after church. The sign up sheet is on the board in the Youth Hall.

Cardboard City Friday, November 30

In the United States, there are an estimated 3.5 million homeless and 1.35 million of them are children. Many teens living on the streets are homeless because they ran away from home. Approximately forty seven percent of these kids report conflict at home as the primary reason for leaving. Other reported reasons for running away include: school problems, substance abuse, abuse (physical, sexual, and verbal), pregnancy, and mental health problems.

Whatever the reason, Irving ISD has approximately 1500 homeless teens. To raise awareness of this problem, we’re hosing a “sleep–out”, a sleepover outside on the lawn. Yes, it will be cold – that’s the point! You may bring a cardboard box to sleep in as well as a sleeping bag and all the clothes you can wear or pack in a small backpack.

Each participant will be required to contribute at least $20 and bring two to four blankets, which we will donate to Project Warm Us to distribute to the homeless.

This is going to be a great event – mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

See you at the church!
Peg

Congratulations to the cast of "Godspell"! They did a fabulous job Sunday night. I'm so proud of all their hard work and dedication.

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A call for hats, gloves, scarves and hoodies

The Komen Foundation is collecting new or gently used hats, gloves, scarves and hoodies to send to their affiliate in the New York metro area to keep residents warm as they struggle with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

If you would like to contribute items, please bring them to the Youth Hall by TOMORROW NIGHT, November 7. Susan Powell will collect them to be shipped on Thursday.

We've all seen pictures of the devastation in that area. I have a sister and brother-in-law on Staten Island who have lost a car and boat and have serious water damage in their house. They are fortunate in that they are with friends who have had their power restored. Although it will be months before they are back in their house, they are warm, dry and safe. Many, many people are not so lucky. It's cold there! So let's check our closets and donate anything we can spare.

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This week at Student Outreach

We're starting a new series this week called "Never Give up - Never Give In". This series is designed to encourage us to persevere in our relationship with God. It's not easy to be a Jesus follower. This week's topic - trash! Whether it is guilt, regret, or self-loathing - unresolved sin leaves us carrying disgusting trash that will affect our soul, personal relationships, self-image, and success in life. Come find out how to unload your "trash".

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Sunday School

We start gathering for Sunday school about 9:45 am Sunday mornings in the Youth Hall. Classes start about 10:15, or immediately following P3. David McCullough and Ashton Williams are in charge of breakfast this week, November 11.

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Tamale Dinner November 25

The Youth group is hosting a Tamale dinner immediately following the 11 service on Sunday, November 25. All the proceeds go toward providing Christmas for a needy family.

We typically feed 90-100 people. I've ordered tamales, but would appreciate donations of rice and beans. If you would like to contribute, please let me know.

Members of the youth group will be selling Schermer Pecans once again this year to raise money for their Spring Break Ski Trip.

We are offering one pound bags of mammoth halves for $12, 12 ounces of chocolate covered, cinnamon glazed, 10 ounce chocolate pecan clusters and 8 ounce bags of glazes for $10 each. All varieties will be available in the Ministry Center beginning through November 4 through Christmas or until they’re gone! Stop by the table and pick up plenty of s for your holiday baking and gift giving.

The Class of 2013 will begin selling the famous PPUMC Cheese Balls beginning Sunday, October 28. Sales will continue for three weeks, with pickup scheduled on Sunday, November 18. You may order one Cheese Ball for $10 or two or more for $9 each. Payment should be made at time of order.

Stock up for Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as your Holiday parties, dinners, gifts and football games! Proceeds will go toward the Senior Trip. We thank you for your support.