Pirtle UMC releases yearend calendar of events

In early June, the two United Methodist churches located at Pirtle and Laird Hill made the dramatic decision to unify, in order to provide a more comprehensive ministry to the local community.

The Rev. Dudley Plaissance, pastor of what he calls Newly United Methodist Church at Pirtle, says the congregation grew stronger through the summer. During the intervening months, the church organized its new schedule of services to be launched this month.

The new schedule calls for Sunday School time to begin at 9:30 a.m. with worship services on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Themes for the next four months have now been planned:

— In September a series of three sermon messages will deal with Paul's prison letters. The fellowship theme will be a "Prison Mess Hall," complete with tin cups and plates;

— In October, the theme will be "All Hallowed Eve" and will be filled with surprises;

—Thanksgiving provides the great backdrop for the "Feast of the Harvest" event in November; and

— In December the church will celebrate a "Christmas/Birthday Party" commemorating the birth of Jesus.

The Ladies Ministry Group will meet at 11 a.m. the first Friday of each month. The locations are announced one week in advance. The Men's Prayer Breakfast meets at 8 a.m. at Kilgore Cafe on the first Saturday each month.

September also brings the return of Wednesday singing. Each Wednesday evening, throughout the remainder of the year, at 6 p.m., members and guests meet for a brief covered-dish meal and the casual practice of traditional hymns, contemporary music and various other songs.

In the fall the church will offer a beginner's yoga, a senior exercise class geared for the mature body, a class to teach participants to make "perfect" banners for the church year, and line dancing.

The "Holiday Trade Days" will be held Oct. 16-17.

The Pirtle congregation will also participate again this year in the community Harvest Festival in downtown Kilgore on Oct. 31.

Sunday, Nov. 8, will be "Heroes Sunday" saluting those in armed forces as well as police, fire and emergency services departments.

December has a full holiday schedule including caroling and a Christmas Eve candlelight services. The church youth will also enact a nativity scene.

Pirtle United Methodist Church is located just off Highway 259 South, 3.5 miles south of the Kilgore bypass junction. Turn east (left) on County Road 146. The road ends after one-half mile in parking lot of the Newly United Methodist Church at Pirtle. Direct inquires may be made to the church office at 903-984-9555.