Answers to your questions about life, religion and the Bible

Pastors get some of the most interesting questions from people they meet and people in their congregations. Here are some questions that I’ve gotten over the years of my ministry and via email for this column.

David Ring, nationally known speaker and head of David Ring Ministries, will speak at Southside Baptist Church in Fayetteville Sunday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. This is a one night, free event. A love offering will be taken.

The combined Youth Choirs of First Baptist Newnan and Flat Creek Baptist in Fayetteville recently led Sunday morning worship at Flat Creek Baptist Church.

Peachtree City United Methodist Church will host a free concert of handbell choirs from United Methodist churches throughout the state of Georgia, all performing together at Peachtree City United Methodist Church Saturday, March 13, at 4 p.m.

Twenty seven couples of all ages celebrated Valentine’s Day 2010 in a Renewal of Marriage Vows Celebration at Peachtree City United Methodist Church. As the couple with the longest marriage, Dale and Erika Kreutter of Fayetteville (above) were invited to be the first to renew their vows. The Kreutters, who were married Feb. 26, 1960, were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Photo/Special.

Hopewell United Methodist Church in Tyrone will begin Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU) class on Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m.

Lillian Oakes (L) and Gretchen Adams (R) pose next to their display of more than 150 cans of soup they collected on Souper Bowl Sunday.

Peachtree City United Methodist Church invites the community to a Centering Prayer Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Square Foot Ministries is now accepting items for its annual yard sale set for sometime this spring.

Items being accepted include furniture, books, jewelry, small appliances. knick knacks, toys, children’s shoes and clothing, linens, sporting equipment and household goods in good, saleable condition. Adult clothing and mattresses/box springs will not be accepted.

Lenten lunches continue
Lenten lunches will continue at First United Methodist Church each Thursday throughout Lent (Feb. 25, March 4, 11, 18 and 25) and will end with a lunch on April 1. All lunches will begin at 11:30 a.m. The Feb. 25 lunch will be hosted by the Bethany and Trinity circles. Julie Harp will be the speaker. FFUMC is at 175 E. Lanier Ave. (Ga. Highway 54) in downtown Fayetteville. For more information, call the church office, 770-461-4313.

Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will host weekly Lenten lunches beginning Ash Wednesday, (today), at 11:30 a.m. The Faith Circle will provide a light lunch and the speaker will be the Rev. Mark Westmoreland.

Fayetteville First United Methodist Church (FFUMC) will offer multiple courses in Financial Peace University (13 week course) in February and March. The course benefits couples/individuals of all ages — those with or without debt.

During the confirmation ceremony, hands were laid on each confirmand by pastors, parents and youth leaders. Photo/Special.

Members of Peachtree City United Methodist Church recently celebrated the confirmation of 88 seventh and eighth grade students into the community of faith. The confession, confirmation and baptism of these students represented their intentional decision to become followers of Jesus Christ.

Peachtree City United Methodist Church invites the community to a Centering Prayer Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Shown above (L-R) are Bess Davis, Sheri Schafer, Pam Safko, Lorraine Harvey, Linda DaSilva, Patsy Burdeshaw, Rev. Michael Fry, Polly Greenlees, Janet Duncan, Shirley Valentine, Jim Adams. All Saints is at 225 South Peachtree Pkwy, in Peachtree City.

The All Saints Anglican Church Altar Guild honored Lorraine Harvey recently as she stepped down as its ministry leader. Harvey had led the group since the church was formed several years ago. The new team leader, Patsy Burdeshaw, praised Harvey’s dedication and expertise as she presented her with a bouquet of roses. The guild also is giving the church a set of crystal altar cruets in Harvey’s name.

Square Foot Ministries is now accepting items for its annual yard sale set for sometime this spring.

Items being accepted include furniture, books, jewelry, small appliances. knick knacks, toys, children’s shoes and clothing, linens, sporting equipment and household goods in good, saleable condition. Adult clothing and mattresses/box springs will not be accepted.

The Wisconsin Lutheran Choir and Chamber Choir from Wisconsin Lutheran College will perform a free concert on Sunday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg.

The SAGE group (seniors) at Fayetteville first UMC will spend March 14-16 at Lake Junaluska, staying at the Lambuth Inn, touring the United Methodist World Museum, and sightseeing in Waynesville.

Christian City celebrated 45 years of ministry to children and seniors on Feb. 14. Christian City opened the first children’s cottage to eight young boys affected by situations of abuse and abandonment on Valentine’s Day, 1965.

COS plans Ash Wednesday services
Ash Wednesday services will take place at 12:15 and 7 p.m. today at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City. Observed in the Christian Church for a millennium, this liturgy on the first day of Lent includes the opportunity for each worshiper to receive a cross made of ashes on the forehead. A soup supper will begin at 5:30 p.m., with all asked to bring cans of soup, chili or beef stew or boxes of saltines. The gifts will go to the Ministry of the Month, Real Life Center. The church is on the corner of Ga. Highway 54 and Peachtree Parkway.

Peachtree City United Methodist Church invites all married couples to celebrate this Valentine’s Day by renewing their marriage vows in a special Renewal of Marriage Vows Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 12:30 p.m.

Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will again offer weekly Lenten lunches beginning Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 11:30 a.m. The Faith Circle will provide a light lunch and the speaker will be the Rev. Mark Westmoreland.

Shown playing “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2, band members include Adam Holt (guitar/vocals), Jamie Collier (vocals), Daniel Byrne (electric guitar), James Johnson (bass), Greg Rogers (percussion) and Linda Ellis (keyboard). Photo by Philip Foster.

The U2charist service held at Providence United Methodist Church on Jan. 30 raised $1,550 for Heifer International and UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The service, featuring the band from Providence’s contemporary worship service, included nine U2 songs, scripture readings, videos and holy communion.

David Ring, nationally known speaker and head of David Ring Ministries, will speak at Southside Baptist Church in Fayetteville Sunday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m.

Dr. James C. Taylor of Peachtree City recently completed the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at Emory University Hospital. The program consists of 13 weeks, five days a week clinical and pastoral care training. The program also requires six over night duty shifts and three weekend duty shifts for a total of 650 training hours. The weekend duty shifts also require that the duty chaplain provide two Sunday services per duty shift for patients, staffs, and visitors.

The congregation of Heritage Christian Church recently collected over $11,000 for Haiti earthquake relief. Donations will be sent to the International Disaster Emergency Service, which is “a mission that works hand-in-hand with the brotherhood of independent Christian churches and Churches of Christ and already has a presence in Haiti with teams and missionaries in the field on a daily basis.”

Peachtree City United Methodist Church invites the community to a Centering Prayer Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.