Thanksgiving Greetings from Church of Peace

Greetings from Church of Peace on this day before Thanksgiving!

Tonight we gather for a holy and gratitude-filled service at 7:00 p.m.  What a delight to have such a beautiful setting in which to offer our thanks to God for our many blessings! There will be a story sermon. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Each worshipper will receive a gift share with a friend.

Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent – the season of the church year that we prepare our hearts to meet the Christ of Christmas. The Worship Enhancement Team will have transformed the sanctuary with the symbols and colors of Advent. The candle of hope will be lit.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  Make yours a holy Advent – worship with us at 8:45 a.m. 

Two funerals are being held this week for members of our church family: Dave Gahagan’s service is today and Marjorie Sharkey’s is on Friday.  Please remember their families when you pray.

The Stewardship Ministry Team has received feedback that filling out an Estimate of Giving card is a meaningful faith practice for many of our members.  Although we will not be hosting a Consecration Sunday this year, members will have an opportunity to use the cards. We will have them available Thursday and Sunday in the pews.  If you wish to participate in this faith practice, put your card into the offering plate on Sunday.  Thank you.

The wrap-up meeting for the bazaar is Monday, December 2^nd at 6:30 p.m.

The church office will be closed on Thanksgiving and on Friday.

A prayer for today: O God, fill my heart with gratitude to you for the abundant blessings in my life, for when I am filled with gratitude, I have no room for fear or worry. Your provision for me is more than enough – it is overflowing with generosity.  And so I thank you.  Bless those whose Thanksgiving celebration is tinged with sadness, especially the families of Dave Gahagan and Marjorie Sharkey.  I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Ushers tonight: Brenda and Tim Hackbarth, Dick Kunasch, Stefanie Sharpe, and Iris Abitz.  Ushers for Sunday: Gary and Carol Krueger, Scott Towne, Dawn Sabel, and Jennifer Pittl.

Greetings from Church of Peace 11-14-13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Police Chief William Lamb will be our Witnessing Steward this Sunday in worship. He’ll share his thoughts about the impact our congregation makes on our community. The Chapel Choir will present an anthem. There will be a thought-provoking sermon, meaningful prayers, and favorite hymns. Join us for this inspiring hour of renewal.

Tonight Andy Griffith will provide the sermon during our NEW Worship at 6:30.  Join us as we chuckle our way to more faithful living.

This Friday night and Saturday our confirmands will be on retreat at Pilgrim Center.  Please hold us in prayer as we study the Trinity and build Christian friendships.

This Sunday, next Sunday, and Thanksgiving Eve a special offering will be received for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines. Please plan to support this ministry generously.  You can write checks to Church of Peace.  United Church of Christ congregations in the Philippines will administer the funds to those most in need.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

We’ll see you in church!  Pastors Jenny and Jim

A prayer for today: Eternal God, I pray that you will breathe your Spirit into my life today so that I may be a faithful disciple.  Grant that I will find joy and peace as I seek to live in the manner of Jesus. I ask your blessing upon the confirmands and their leaders as they grow in faith together. These things I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.