Journey With Us 

PPUMC will begin the season of Lent with a Service of Worship and Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd at 6:00 p.m. In honor of this Holy day, the congregation is invited to fast and join together in a break-fast meal following the service. The meal will include juice, fruits, nuts, breads, and cheese.

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter, and began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism before eventually becoming a time for penance by all Christians. The Ash Wednesday service will focus on the theme of sin in the light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ.

The PPUMC Worship team is seeking volunteers to assist with several aspects of the break-fast meal. Those wishing to help should please contact Jason Chavarría, Director of Music and Worship, at jason@ppumc.org.

Do you have a story or a lesson to share? Now is the time to start writing. Submit one or more devotionals related to a scripture of your own choosing. Each devotional should be no more than 500 words long. All submissions are due to Rev. Dana Norton by February 19 at 5:00 p.m.

The Great Days of Service (GDS) is planning for 2012. The dates of service are April 13, 14 and April 20, 21. The Prayer Breakfast is April 14 starts at 7:00 am, First UMC. The Closing Celebration is April 22 at 2:00 pm, First UMC.

There are several ways that you can help: identify Irving homeowners who need help with repairs; volunteer to help with repairs or other tasks; make a donation (the March 4 Communion rail offering will be for GDS.); and pray for a successful event. GDS information and volunteer sign up sheets are in the Ministry Center.

Since 2002, GDS has helped homeowners who are seniors, disabled, or don't have the funds to repair their homes. GDS volunteers brings hope, caring and fellowship to our neighbors in need. Also the qualified homeowner's homes are repaired and their neighborhoods are improved. GDS partners with City of Irving Code Enforcement.

GDS address is P. O. Box 154044, Irving, TX 75015. GDS phone is 972-510-5084. Click here for the GDS website.

The Missions Committee appreciates your support and generosity for this local annual mission project. Contact Andy Schellenberg, 972-313-0058 for details, volunteer and names, addresses and phones of homeowners that need assistance.

It’s time for our annual PPUMC Chili-Cook off on Sunday, March 25th, following the 11:00 a.m. worship! The PPUMC Children’s, Adult, and Music Ministries will sponsor this year's event. All funds raised will support the PPUMC "Community Assistance Fund", a special fund to help those who come to our church for much-needed help!

Join us for this fun contest, featuring some of the best chili in town. Sample the competition chili and vote with your quarters on the “Crowd Favorite”! Other categories will include spiciest, most unusual, crowd favorite, and judge’s winner.

Here’s what you can do!

Become a Contestant: How about testing your famous chili against some of the other great cooks at PPUMC? The entrance fee is $10.00 and the deadline for signing up for all contestants is Sunday, March 18th. The maximum number of contestants will be 20.

Help Underwrite the Cost of the "House" Chili: Competition chili will be available for sampling, but we will be preparing "house" chili in our newly refurbished kitchen for our meal. We hope to defray the cost of the "house" chili with donations.

Come to the Event: Tickets will be available at the door with adult tickets at $7.00, children up to 10 years old at $2.50 and children 2 and under free. Your adult ticket will include the meal and 3 sampling tickets. Additional sampling tickets will be available at 3 for a $1.00! There will be a "Kid’s Table" with PB&J sandwiches, fruit and cheese cubes.

Volunteer to Help at the Event: We welcome volunteers to help serve, tally judge's scores, assist contestants, etc.!

To sign up as a contestant, to volunteer or to purchase tickets for the Chili Cook Off, please visit the Chili Cook Off table in the ministries area starting Sunday, February 26th. You may also contact Karla Martin at kj_martin@att.net to sign up as a contestant or if you need additional information. Come join us for great chili and great fun!

Yes, it is indeed time to begin another Grief Group. Life is ever changing and we all will eventually experience grief due to the loss of a loved one. If you are struggling, please plan to attend the Grief Group facilitated by Rev. Dana Norton beginning February 26 for 6 weeks (12:30 – 3:30 p.m. with adjustments for other church events). If you have attended in the past and feel that you would benefit from a second group, please feel free to attend again. If you consider yourself a ‘graduate’, please contact Rev. Dana Norton in the church office (972-255-4185 or dana@ppumc.org) to volunteer for this class.

Do you have a story or a lesson to share?

Now is the time to start listening for how God will guide you to share your experiences as part of our journey together as the body of Christ.

Your contribution will be do February 19th, but it’s not too early to start praying of how you will share in this important time in the life of our church.