Homecoming 2009 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church

Time stands still… pastor who served during 1952-1953 to preach…

After a 56 year absence, the Reverend Gene Brown comes back ‘home,’ to Pleasant Grove, to preach at this year’s Homecoming celebration! Rev. Brown actually served three other churches at the same time (Methodists call that a ‘four point charge’) during that one year. The other churches were McKee’s Chapel, Wesley Chapel and one that didn’t survive. Members (and sisters) Betty Seabolt and Bonnie Freeland remember those days well and are quite excited about seeing Rev. Brown once again in Pleasant Grove’s pulpit at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Celebrating Homecoming 2009 continues, after lunch, with a 1:00 community ‘singing!’

“This year’s Homecoming Day is extra special,” says Pastor Jim Garvin, “because of Gene's appearance. He still loves flying and keeps his license current. He and his wife Sara have four children (Mike, Vickie, Sharon, and Tim) and maintain a home in Alpharetta.” Rev. Brown is presently serving as the pastor of Piedmont UMC in nearby Cumming.

“We expect to see a lot of folks from the past—family and friends of those who have belonged to Pleasant Grove at one time or another. And, of course, the Holy Spirit will be there! Many ‘newer’ friends are also coming to help us celebrate, and of course…the food! Our church has a “dinner on the grounds” the last Sunday of the month, except for this year’s Homecoming, which falls on the 4^th Sunday. A special covered dish meal will be set out under the pavilion and there will be enough for all!”

Please Note that Homecoming Sunday worship begins at 10:30 instead of 11:00.

More information is available by calling the church office at 706-864-5648 or by visiting our website at www.pgroveumc.org. Pleasant Grove UMC is located just five miles south of the historic Lumpkin County Courthouse in Dahlonega, Georgia, the church sits up on a small knoll on Highway 52, about 3 tenths of a mile west of Highway 9. Mapquest

Todd Cannon to speak at Pleasant Grove UMC on June 21st

Lumpkin County businessman, developer, and steel guitarist Todd Cannon will deliver the ‘Fathers’ Day’ message at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, on Sunday, June 21st, during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. He is a Georgia native and the youngest of six children of the late Grover and Alice Cannon (Marietta, GA).

Todd’s message will bear witness not only to his personal faith in Jesus Christ, but his father’s faith, as well. “Dad always loved God and his family, but it was his willingness to take risks that fueled the development of his extraordinary faith.”

Todd graduated from Osborne High School (Marietta, GA); and from Belmont University (Nashville, TN) with a degree in Music Engineering. He and his wife Wanda and their three children Taylor, Sarah, & Daniel reside in Gainesville, GA.

“We are particularly excited about this year’s Fathers’ Day celebration,” says Pastor Jim Garvin. Fathers have such a pivotal role to play in the spiritual formation and moral development of their children. Recent statistics show that 40% of all babies are now born into homes without a father’s presence. Garvin, whose own father passed away when he was nine, knows first hand that children need to grow up in homes with both a mom and a dad.

“364 days a year, we focus on Our Father, who art in heaven, but once a year, on Fathers’ Day, we take time to think about earthly fathers…the ones from the past, the ones in the present, and those that are destined for the future.”

More information is available by calling the church office at 706-864-5648 or by visiting our website at www.pgroveumc.org. Pleasant Grove UMC is located just five miles south of the historic Lumpkin County Courthouse in Dahlonega, Georgia, the church sits up on a small knoll on Highway 52, about 3 tenths of a mile west of Highway 9. Mapquest

Eulogy – A Story of Hope

Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church will present the play, “Eulogy – A Story of Hope”, during two Easter Morning worship services (7:30 and 10:00).

Eulogy is a vivid story about the family of a fallen American soldier, sharing perspectives from family members and friends. In so doing, it celebrates the spirit and sacrifice of our fighting young. Perhaps you wonder how this story fits into an Easter message? It is because it conveys the immense power of the Christian faith … that we can have hope in the very midst of our grief.

Also there will be a special Easter Sunrise service, which will precede the first presentation of Eulogy; and a ‘covered dish’ breakfast will be provided in between the two worship services.

Lori Kennedy returns to Pleasant Grove and teams with David Norwood and the Pleasant Grove Singers to bring this strong and glorious musical message on Easter morning: Sunrise (7:00 a.m.) and during the two worship services (7:30 & 10:00).

The church is also holding a Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2009, and a Good Friday service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10.

More information is available by calling the church office at 706-864-5648 or by visiting our website at www.pgroveumc.org. Pleasant Grove UMC is located just five miles south of the historic Lumpkin County Courthouse in Dahlonega, Georgia, the church sits up on a small knoll on Highway 52, about 3 tenths of a mile west of Highway 9. Mapquest