Happenings On The Hill

WELCOME TO PLEASANT HILL UMC

A Further Note From The Administrative Board

After many prayers and much thoughtful consideration, the Administrative Board will be mailing out a survey to all members and regular church attendees next week. With recent inconsistency in mail service, we ask that you closely watch your incoming mail. If you have not received a letter and survey form for each member/regular attendee by June 17, notify the office staff and arrangements can be made to get another one to you.

June is an extremely busy month for the church with Annual Conference, Salkehatchie, and Vacation Bible School so we have decided the required deadline for the return of the surveys will be July 28. Prior to July 28, we will hold two question and answer sessions on:

Tuesday, July 9, at 7:00 PM in the Family Life Center
Sunday, July 14, at 3:00 PM in the Family Life Center

You do not have to attend these to complete your survey and have your opinion known. These sessions are intended to be a time to clarify any questions that people may have regarding the survey. Members of the Board and Pastor Pete will be in attendance during those meeting times. If you are unable to attend and have questions, those can be directed to Pastor Pete, Stephen Blackwelder, or Cheryl Blevins.

Once you are ready, we ask that you complete the survey and return it to the church. You can do this in one of four ways:

Mail it to: 9789 Charlotte Highway Suite 400 #131, Indian Land, SC 29707
Bring it to the church and place it in the offering plate any Sunday up until July 28.
Electronically scanning and emailing it to Mary Lee Blackwelder at admin@pleasanthillmethodist.com
Access an online form using the access code provided in the letter

I humbly ask that you continue to pray throughout this process as we seek God’s direction for Pleasant Hill.

Stephen Blackwelder, Chairman of Administrative Board

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, we will be guided by 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 which centers on the theme of the paradox of Christian ministry and the power of God in human weakness.

We will be reminded that as believers, we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, not ourselves. We are called to serve others, and it's important to remember that the extraordinary power at work in us is from God, not us.

Despite facing dark times, afflictions, perplexities, persecution, and being struck down, we believers are not crushed, driven to despair, abandoned, or destroyed. Our Christian ministry is marked by our human frailty, which magnifies God's power, and by the life of Jesus within us, which gives us courage by the power of the Holy Spirit.

VBS Set Decorating and Craft Organization

Please join us on Saturday, June 1 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center to help design storytelling sets and decorations as well as organizing crafts. All hands are appreciated. Please sign up on SignUpGenius or the Tear and Share this Sunday. Questions? - contact Lizz Newing at

704-621-5746 or children@pleasanthillmethodist.org.

Preview of South Carolina Annual Conference

This Sunday, June 2, at 10:00 a.m., in the Cafe', Pete will be previewing the South Carolina Annual Conference scheduled for June 9-12 in Greenville.

An Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is a vital regional assembly that provides governance, support, and direction for the local churches within its area, fostering the connectional nature of the denomination. The boundaries of the South Carolina Annual Conference exactly match the boundaries of the state.

Cheryl Blevins, Kim Davis, and Adam Forbis are Pleasant Hill's Lay Members of Annual Conference. There will be plenty of time for your questions.

Pick 'n Strum

Join us for a time of picking, strumming, singing and friendship! Gospel Jam!

Sunday - June 2nd

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Family Life Center

Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church

Text or call Pam at 803-517-2425 if you have any questions.

Women's Fellowship

Join us for Women’s Fellowship at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 3, in the Family Life Center cafe’. Bring a drink and a snack if you want one!

Red Cross Blood Drive

Upcoming blood drive on Wednesday, June 5th from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Schedule your appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org.

We need 3 volunteers for each shift as Greeters, Assistants at the computer sign desk, and as Hosts at the canteen.

First shift: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Second shift: 4:30 -7:00 p.m.

We're also providing home-baked cookies so contribute that way too!

Please see Elizabeth Smith or call/text her at 803-230-0598 with questions. Thanks for everyone’s help!

Safe Sanctuary Training

June 8 at 10:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center. If you are interested in volunteering with children, youth, or vulnerable adults then this training is for you! Lizz will email people directly who are in need of recertification. This is a must if you are planning on volunteering for VBS, Sunday School, Hillclimber Mentors, etc.

We will review the church's safe sanctuary policy, have a short video and complete forms to authorize background checks. All are welcome. You can sign up on SignUpGenius. Light refreshments will be provided.

Mentor Meeting and Luncheon

Hello mentors! I want to give a big "thank you" to all of the work that you have each put in this year towards discipling our youth and youth junior.

Mentor Sunday School will continue throughout the summer: June 2nd,

July 7th, August 4th.

I will be holding a meeting for the mentors only after the 11:00 a.m. service

on June 9th. This will be an opportunity to gather, to eat, and to focus on how we can improve this ministry for both you and the students. Food will be provided.

Please RSVP through SignUpGenius to let me know that you will be there.

Salkehatchie Volunteers Needed

For Evening Clean-up Crew

Saturday—Friday, June 15—21, 6:30pm

Family Life Center

If you are interested in helping with Salkehatchie, please consider helping to clean up after the evening meal during the week. We will be washing & drying dishes, cleaning off tables, emptying trash, etc. Please sign up using the

Tear and Share this Sunday or SignUpGenius. Contact Wanda Garmon-Price, 803-517-9598, with questions.

Speaking of Salkehatchie, view Tony Carne's Mission Moment from last Sunday.

New Member Sunday - July 14

Pleasant Hill will next receive New Members on July 14 at all of the three services.

If God has placed on your heart a desire to connect more deeply with Pleasant Hill, consider taking the step to full membership:

Arrange to meet with Pastor Pete by calling the church office at 803.548.4922.
Any adult seeking membership at Pleasant Hill should be baptized, if this has not already occurred.
Print and complete the Family Information Sheet and drop it off at the church office. This information will be useful to Pastor Pete during your meeting together.

After meeting with Pastor Pete, you are invited to make your membership vows as part of a Sunday morning worship. If applicable, your baptism may also occur on that same Sunday.

Methods of Joining:

Profession of Faith / Reaffirmation of Faith- those who desire to profess their Christian faith for the first time, or after a long absence from any church involvement.
Profession of Faith with baptism – same as above with the sacrament of baptism for those who have never been baptized.
Transfer from another denomination – those who have a current church membership in a denomination other than the United Methodist church.
Transfer from another United Methodist Church – those who currently have their membership in another United Methodist congregation.

A Note From One Of Your

Epworth Local Church Representatives

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for your continued faithful support of the Epworth Children’s Ministry. The Mother’s Day offering received shows the gracious and generous hearts of all our families at PHUMC. Our church raised $4,360.00 as of

May 21, 2024.

What a beautiful and loving testament of support for Epworth Children’s Ministry as they continue to offer children physical, emotional, educational and spiritual support. The blessing offered through your gifts help build a foundation of hope (1 Corinthians 3:11) for these children.

Thank you for your continued prayers, gifts, and service to this wonderful ministry.

In His service,

Cathy Chapman, Pleasant Hill's Epworth Representative

Worship Rewind: "A Thousand Hallelujahs"

The Praise team at the 9:00 a.m. modern-style worship shared a cover of Brooke Fraser's "A Thousand Hallelujahs" on May 26.

Worship Rewind: "Antiphonal Praise with Give Thanks"

Mabry and Chris Lominick, accompanied by Meryl Lominick, shared "Antiphonal Praise with Give Thanks" at the 11:00 a.m. traditional-style worship on May 26.

Worshipful Wednesdays

Children and youth and those who wish to attend, please join us for another exciting summer of Worshipful Wednesdays! We will be going to some fun places as well as having some exciting fun right here at Pleasant Hill. For a schedule of activities, click here.

To see what we will be doing and to register to attend, please go to https://phumcsc.link/Wednesdays Questions? Contact Lizz Newing at 704-621-5746!

Vacation Bible School Registration is Open!

Vacation Bible School Registration is open! Vacation Bible School will be

June 23-June 27 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. this year. Children age 3 to fifth grade are welcome to attend. Nursery will be provided for those under three.

Click here for the enrollment form.

Join us for Camp Firelight. Volunteer opportunities and training will begin in May! Please contact Lizz Newing with any questions at children@pleasanthillmethodist.org.

Weekly Spiritual Formation

Examiners Class Sunday School Class: "A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines, 12 Habits to Strengthen Your Walk With Christ” by Patrick Morley with Mark Carnes in Room 2101

Extraordinary Life Sunday School Class: "Six Hours One Friday" by Max Lucado in Room 2104

New Beginnings Class: "The Red Sea Rules" in Room 2103

Bible Study of Mark on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m., Cafe

Bible Study of Job on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 7:00 p.m., Room 2101

Additional Opportunities to Connect and Grow

Solid Grounds Free Coffee Ministry, Tuesdays, 6:00-10:00 a.m., Café

Lunch Bunch - Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m., Café—bring your own lunch

Exercise Class - Thursdays, 2:15 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Open to anyone. These are chair exercises.

Church Directory - contact the church office to submit your information for this vital tool

Alzheimer's Caregivers' Support Group - 4th Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the library. This is open to the community. The next meeting is June 27.

Use these links to sign up for any of the many ways to service and participate at Pleasant Hill:

As I look forward to the month ahead, I am excited about our numerous opportunities to live out our faith together. There are many opportunities ahead in June that will enrich our spiritual lives, serve our community, and glorify God.

First, we will kick off our preparations for Vacation Bible School this Saturday with a VBS decorating workshop. These sessions are a wonderful way for us to come together, use our creativity, and transform our spaces into welcoming environments for our children. Whether you have a knack for crafting or simply a willing spirit, your contribution will be greatly appreciated.

Sunday, I hope to see you at our evening Pick and Strum gathering, which is a relaxed and joyful time to praise God through music. Whether you play an instrument, sing, or just enjoy listening, these evenings are an excellent opportunity to share your musical talents and strengthen our connections as a community. They are also a great way to invite a friend or neighbor to Pleasant Hill.

Our weekly Bible studies continue through June and are a cornerstone of our spiritual growth. These sessions are open to all and offer a space for deep reflection, shared learning, and fellowship. I encourage you to join us as we delve into Scripture and grow together in our faith.

I am preparing to donate blood on June 5 and then work a shift if possible. Donating blood or working to provide hospitality is a profound way to love our neighbors and save lives. Community members say they come to Pleasant Hill to donate because we are so welcoming. Some of you have already committed to providing fresh home-baked cookies!! What a gift to those donating!

Pleasant Hill will be a buzz from June 14 to the 22^nd as we host the Catawba Salkehatchie Summer Service. This mission trip involves building relationships, repairing homes, and restoring hope. Let us support our young people (and adult leaders) with our prayers and encouragement as they undertake this vital work.

Then we will transform the campus to offer Camp Firelight, our 2024 Vacation Bible School. This is always a highlight of our year, and volunteers are needed in various capacities, from teaching to providing snacks. Your involvement can make a significant impact on the lives of our young ones.

We will celebrate Independence on Sunday, June 30, with a church-wide cookout. In addition to the hotdogs and hamburgers provided by the Men’s Fellowship, we will hold a famous Pleasant Hill Cake Auction to raise funds for the Lancaster County Back to School Bash. So, start preparing to bid on your favorite cake. The Back to School Bash ensures that every child in our community begins the school year with the school supplies they need, a backpack, and new shoes. Our goal is to serve 1000+ children, so your help is definitely needed!

In each of these activities, let us remember that our efforts, no matter how small, contribute to the greater good and the glory of God. I encourage you to join in as you are able and to see these opportunities not as obligations but as joyful expressions of our faith and love.

May we all do what we can, when we can, in a coordinated manner to the glory of God.

I am humbled and honored to be your sheepdog to the Lord Shepherd,

Grateful

Pete +