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Arts
|  Adult Arts
Look below for details concerning Adult Music Ministries. Also, during the year, we have opportunities to minister through drama and other artistic pursuits. Space is provided in our Fellowship Hall for our members to display their artwork.
Banners and Decorative Arts
During the year, banners made by members of the congregation brighten our worship space and adjoining areas. Also, those gifted with flower arranging and decorative skills use their talents to brighten hearts in worship and in fellowship. Shawl Ministry
Many of our members participate in making "prayer shawls" which are taken/sent to persons for whom we pray for healing and restoration. Our inspiration comes from a national Shawl Ministry movement. |
| Children's Sunday Programs | Children's Christian Education and Junior Church
 Each Sunday morning during Worship, our children, grades K-6, may take part in Junior Church. They begin worship with their families, then they go to their own Worship ministry. (This ministry is offered whenever children are present.)
Nursery and Cry Room
Parents are welcome to keep their infants with them during worship; however, if the children need a change or become fussy, we have volunteer "grandparents" who can give parents a break caring for the children.
In worship, toddlers and pre-K's may remain with parents or go to the nursery when the older children (Grades K-6) are dismissed to Junior Church.
Nursery and Child Care is also provided, upon request, during choir rehearsals on weeknights and at other times by arrangement. |
| Community Outreach | Non-member Support
 Even if you or your loved ones are not members of PUCC, our pastors and staff are available to assist in times of need, particularly for support in crisis and for funerals, etc. We cooperate with local Funeral Directors in providing pastoral care during times of grief.
Community Prayer/Worship Services
During the year, we cooperate with other congregations to sponsor and host Community Thanksgiving, Good Friday, and other worship services. |
| Compassion/Mercy Ministries | Caring Ministries
Our Membership Care Deacons and ministry members provide a Shepherding Ministry for our church family. They are responsible for caring for families and individuals, supporting them with prayer, visiting, and other ways.
Benevolence Ministries
We cooperate with local Food Pantries to help folks who need a hand with emergency food and household items. We support and cooperate with other community ministries in providing food and necessities. We also have other resources which are available for assisting persons in crisis. Hospital Chaplaincy
Our pastors cooperate with staffs of the Pastoral Care Departments of local and regional hospitals. If you or a loved one desires a hospital visit, and our pastor is unavailable, please contact the hospital's Pastoral Care (Chaplain) Office or contact the PUCC Church Office.Prayer Chain
If you have a prayer concern, please contact the Church Office or the Pastor. Within minutes, our Prayer Chain can be praying for your need. You can email our Prayer Chain Coordinator with a request for prayer and intercession. Intercession
Intercessors are available to offer prayer, laying-on of hands, and anointing for special needs and extreme circumstances. Prayer Shawls
See above, under "Arts" for a description of our prayer shawl ministry. Shawls are available without charge as a gift to anyone who might benefit from the feel of the embrace that a shawl gives. |
| Christian Education and Spiritual Formation Ministries
| Our Christian Growth Ministry oversees Christian/Religious Education at Pilgrims'. We strive for each educational offering to be worthwhile, informative, and truly educational. "It's not your grandmother's Sunday School."  Adult Christian Education
During the year we provide numerous opportunities for personal growth and development. Wider Horizons sessions usually meet Sundays following worship and address current social and theological issues in our church and community. Wednesday Supper Club sessions usually focus on relevant issues in a Christian Adult Education format.
Some courses are offered Sunday Morning at 8:30. See our "Education" page for more details.
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| Facilities and Special Services
| Our Local Ministry
Our work in Fruitland Park is coordinated from our facility at 509 County Road 468. Our building provides a "home" for several community groups and special interest groups. Some of the community groups that meet here include: - Habitat for Humanity
- PFLAG
- Friendship Force
- Overeaters Anonymous
Camps and Conference Centers
Our Florida Conference churches support and provide camping and conference opportunities which provide unique and exciting opportunities for Christian Education, recreation, and spiritual growth. These are part of a network operating in nearly every region of the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as in many other countries around the world. Presently our Florida UCC shares faciities with our Ecumenical Partners, such as the Disciples of Christ and the United Methodist Church. Visit the Florida UCC site for more information. |
| Family Ministries
| Monthly Fellowship
Most months we gather after Worship on the Second or Third Sunday to share a meal and family fellowship. Sometimes meals are prepared and served; other times we have "pot luck" when members bring delicious foods to share. From time to time we host a "movie night" with soup or a light supper. |
| | Missions Support
| Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM)
Coordinated by our Outreach Ministry, our congregation supports the work of UCC missions locally, across the nation, and around the world. We do this through raising funds to support new and ongoing work and, when possible, with our own energies. Pilgrims' annually designates a portion of our receipts to OCWM as part of our regular commitment as a UCC member congregation. Sister Church Relationship
We have established a "sister church" relationship with a local congregation in Los Guido, in one of the poorest areas of Costa Rica. One of our special offerings goes directly to support their work and ministry. Each year one or more of our members also makes a visit to Los Guido, to help in the ministry and to transport needed supplies. Special Offerings
Each year, in addition to our regular OCWM giving, we receive four special offerings: - Neighbors in Need, supports our ministry around the world in schools, hospitals, and mission centers. (Autumn)
- One Great Hour of Sharing, received in cooperation with many other denominations and religious agencies, provides funds for disaster relief (floods, tornadoes, earthquake, etc.) and other special needs. (Spring)
- Strengthen the Church, supports our ministries within the Florida Conference and other vital church-strengthening ministries in the USA and North America. (Summer)
- Christmas Fund is a "thank you" offering received to assist retired religious workers and to provide emergency assistance to clergy and their families. 100% of receipts of this offering is used to provide assistance; nothing is taken out for administrative expenses. (Winter)
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| Music Ministries
| Instrumental Music
We maintain a small Sanctuary organ and a piano for worship leadership. Our staff accompanists are available to provide music not only for our regular worship, but also for weddings, funerals, and other occasions.
Members of the congregation also provide instrumental accompaniment, from flute to violin, on occasion. Vocal Music
Presently, our vocal music ministry includes the Choir, soloists and ensembles. Each Christmas and Easter our choir is featured. During the year, they provide music leadership for "regular" worship.
In addition, we are blessed with musical offerings of members and guests, both vocal and instrumental. |
| Publications and Literature | We provide several publications and access to literature for our members and friends. - Sunday Bulletin contains the Order for Worship for the week and updates on our ministires of work, worship, and play.
- Pilgrims' Progress, Our Monthly Newsletter, which contains articles, news of interest, and updates on our ministries, is distributed early each month for pick up. Copies are mailed to out-of-town members and others who ask to be on our mailing list.
- Alive Now! is a bi-monthly magazine containing daily readings and inspirational messages.
- UCC News, our national montly newspaper, including "Celebrate Florida" the Florida Conference news, is available upon request.
- Welcome Packet includes informational brochures about our church and about the UCC. These packets are available from our ushers (at Worship services) or from the Church Office.
- We also maintain a reading rack in our fellowship hall for recent issues of popular magazines and newsletters of interest to our congregation. These items are contributed by members and as a shared resource.
- Our Library contains volumes on the full range of Christian Life and Religious issues.
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| Women's Ministries
| Women's Book Club
The Book Club meets Monthly, usually at 10:00 a.m. on the Fourth Friday for fellowship and to discuss a book of current interest and importance. |
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