Where is the church?
Where do I park?
Is everyone welcome?
What time is worship and how long does it last?
What will the worship service be like?
What do I wear?
Do I have to be a member of PUMC to take Communion (Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper)?
How do I find out what’s going on at Peterborough United Methodist Church?
How do I get involved in the Music Ministries of PUMC?
How do I get involved in Adult Activities, Study Groups, or Sunday School Classes?
How do I connect my children and youth into the life of the church community?
What is Children’s Sunday School and where do my children go?
Is there a nursery?
How can I get more information about baptism at Peterborough United Methodist Church?
What do United Methodists believe?
How do I get involved at PUMC?
What is expected of members and how can I join?
What is “your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?”
What are the ways you can join the church?
Where is the church?
The church is located at 43 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.
We are in the heart of Peterborough.
For a map, go to https://goo.gl/maps/inEK9.
Where do I park?
There are several parking options.
1. In the PUMC lot. View the video which shows you our parking: https://youtu.be/mQx8t6VdCdk
2. In the All Saints lot across the street. We have a small number of spaces they have agreed to share with us.
3. On the street on Concord Street if spaces are available. Please do not pull up onto the sidewalk.
4. In the Peterborough Town Library lot (once construction is finished).
5. In the town parking lot at the Peterborough Fire Department on Summer Street.
Please do not use the Union Congregational Church parking on the other side of PUMC.
We ask that you use extreme caution when having to cross the street.
Is everyone welcome?
Yes! Everyone is welcome at Peterborough United Methodist Church! You can be searching for a church home or just searching for meaning in your life. So, wherever you are in your journey, come join us in worship, in a class, in a meal, or in reaching out to others.
What time is worship and how long does it last?
The worship Service begins at 11:00 am. *NOTE 10am service resumes Sunday, August 7. The service typically lasts for about one hour. We sometimes will go over that hour due to Communion, a Baptism, or people wishing to join the church.
What will the worship service be like?
In our service, you will find a mixture of ages. There will be a call to worship, passing of the peace, the recitation of the Apostles Creed, Choirs, children’s moment. The clergy and choir wear the traditional robes during this service. For this service some of the congregation wear “Sunday Clothes”, but many styles of clothing are often seen and are always welcome.
What do I wear?
Wear some clothes! At PUMC you will find people in shorts and t-shirts, in khakis and polo shirts, dresses, suits, and all points in between.
Be comfortable. We have no dress code and simply wish for you to come as you are to worship.
Do I have to be a member of PUMC to take Communion (Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper)?
In the United Methodist Church, we believe that the Table of Holy Communion is open to anyone and everyone who wants to receive. The invitation we give says, “Christ, our Lord, invites to His table all who love Him, who earnestly repent of their sins, and seek to live in peace with one another.” So, every time the table is set – you are welcome to come and receive. This includes children.
Our communion elements consist of grape juice and bread. Gluten-free is also available.
How do I find out what’s going on at Peterborough United Methodist Church?
Watch the announcements before Sunday worship services, and read the Sunday worship bulletin https://www.peterboroughumc.org/inside_worship/church_bulletins/.
Subscribe to What’s Happening, our weekly electronic newsletter that will be delivered to your inbox each Thursday, and our monthly print newsletter “Beyond the Green Doors.” Email info@peterboroughumc.org or visit https://www.peterboroughumc.org/about_us/contact_us/subscribe/, to subscribe.
“Like” our Facebook page, Peterborough United Methodist Church https://www.facebook.com/pumcnh/.
Bookmark our website and check back often https://www.peterboroughumc.org/.
How do I get involved in the Music Ministries of PUMC?
Contact the church office for contact information for Wendy Dunning, our Choir Director.
How do I get involved in Adult Activities, Study Groups, or Sunday School Classes?
Contact the church office for contact information for Linda Wallenstein, Education Committee Chair.
How do I connect my children and youth into the life of the church community?
Contact the church office for contact information for Linda Wallenstein, Sunday School Superintendant.
Visit the Children’s Sunday School page https://www.peterboroughumc.org/activities/sunday-school/.
What is Children’s Sunday School and where do my children go?
During the pandemic, we are not meeting in the church.
Once we start meeting in church again, kindergarten-age children are welcome to join the nursery or Sunday School, as they are capable.
Children from first grade to pre-tween are invited to take part in Children’s Sunday School! This is a fun and exciting time of learning, playing, and growing together.
We have a group for tweens and one for teens.
Children are dismissed to Children’s Church after the Children’s Moment, typically about 15 minutes after the start of worship.
If you are more comfortable with your child remaining with you throughout the service this is fine.
All parents are asked to pick up their children from their Sunday School Class promptly at 12:00.
All of our volunteers and staff have had a background check performed, and there are always two unrelated, responsible individuals for each Sunday school class.
Is there a nursery?
Yes! We have a terrific nursery staff (background checked, always two unrelated, responsible individuals) ready and waiting to take care of your child.
The Nursery is for children 1 year to 6 years old. Kindergarten age children are welcome to join the nursery or Sunday School, as they are capable.
Children may be dropped off at the nursery before service or dismissed with the older children after Children’s Moment.
How can I get more information about baptism at Peterborough United Methodist Church?
Contact the church office to reach Melissa French, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor.
The United Methodist Church recognizes baptisms of other Christian traditions. We believe that Baptism is a one-time event. It is typically done during a worship service because the congregation plays a critical role in the life of the person being baptized.
If you have not been baptized, in order to join the church, you will be baptized and make a public profession of faith. By “profession of faith” we simply mean that you will answer “yes” to questions about faith in Christ and your intention to lead a Christian life.
What do United Methodists believe?
Peterborough United Methodist Church shares a common doctrine and belief system with all United Methodist Churches. The United Methodist Church holds similar beliefs to most Protestant denominations when it comes to bedrock elements of the faith such as salvation through Jesus Christ, the Trinity, etc. The differences come about in our emphasis on God’s grace, how we administer the Sacraments (Baptism & Communion), and in our church structure.
We encourage you to visit the website of The United Methodist Church at http://www.umc.org/ for greater details about the church, its history, and belief statements.
Contact our pastor with more questions.
How do I get involved at PUMC?
Opportunities for involvement — from small groups and volunteer opportunities to missions and music — are open to anyone who wants to participate, members and visitors alike.
Contact the church to arrange a time to stop by the church and pick up a Welcome Folder. It has a ton of useful information about PUMC.
You can also arrange a time to meet with our pastor and she would be honored to help you find a place to worship, grow, and serve in the life of the church. Just call the church office to set up an appointment!
Visit our Ministries page https://www.peterboroughumc.org/about_us/ministries/.
What is expected of members and how can I join?
We hope that you will consider becoming a member of the Peterborough United Methodist Church. We believe that your life and the life of our church will be richer if you do. Membership in a church really is about discipleship. Because of that, at PUMC, we want to help all of our members and prospective members become followers of Christ, which we call discipleship.
If you are considering membership at PUMC, the first step is to attend a New Member Orientation. You’ll learn more about the church, get to know our pastor and staff, and review expectations regarding membership.
Contact the church office for contact information for Justine Gaskamp, our Membership Secretary.
What is “your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?”
When you join a United Methodist Church you will be asked, “Will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?
Prayers
Our commitment to uphold the Church through prayer is based upon the fundamental reality that we need God’s guidance in order to be the church. That is why we pray for our pastors, for our teachers, for one another, and for those who may never even enter our doors.
Presence
Our commitment to uphold the Church by our presence is a visible witness of our faith, both in the church and in the world. Our relationship to Christ is nurtured by our presence in worship where we find spiritual guidance, comfort and strength. We also uphold the Church by our presence at home, at work, at school, and in the community. Wherever we are, our presence should be an expression of our commitment to Christ.
Gifts
Our commitment to upholding the Church by our gifts is a thankful response from the heart for all God has given us. The giving of our money also helps to establish and maintain ministries that no individual or single congregation could fund alone. These worthy causes include youth and children’s ministries, hospitals, colleges, rehabilitation centers, food and clothing distribution, evangelistic and educational work, and emergency relief.
Service
Our commitment to be loyal to the Church and uphold it by our service further reflects our commitment to follow the example of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a sacrifice for many (Matthew 20:28). God has entrusted all of us with certain talents and abilities, and sharing these gifts is a means of sharing ourselves out of love and gratitude toward God and love for one another.
What are the ways you can join the church?
Baptism and Profession of Faith
The United Methodist Church recognizes baptisms of other Christian traditions. We believe that Baptism is a one-time occurrence. It is typically done in one of the worship services because the congregation plays a critical role in the life of the person being baptized.
If you have not been baptized, in order to join the church, you will be baptized and make a public profession of faith. By “profession of faith” we simply mean that you will answer “yes” to questions about faith in Christ and your intention to lead a Christian life.
Transfer from another denomination
We recognize your baptism and profession of faith from your previous church. We believe that your coming to join First UMC is a statement of renewal of your faith in Jesus Christ. We will ask you to be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service.
Transfer from another UMC
We are happy to receive you by transfer from another United Methodist Church. We will only ask if you will be loyal to this congregation of the United Methodist Church.
So, if you have decided to join PUMC, you can contact the pastor or you can indicate your desire to join on the welcome card.