Merry Christmas from Church of Peace

Merry Christmas from Church of Peace!

 

Please join us for one (or more!) of our three Christmas services this weekend. 

•  Christmas Eve at 4:00 is a family service designed for the young at heart. It will feature Holy Communion, a visit from the Holy Family, and the Chapel Choir. We will sing lots of carols – including Joy to the World for which we invite you to bring a bell.   There will be no sermon, but there will be lots of inspiration and great joy.

•  Christmas Eve at 7:00 is the candlelit service, for many people the most holy service of the year.  Holy Communion will be celebrated, Pastor Jim will offer a story sermon, and Siera Ramirez will sing.  Please bring a bell for Joy to the World.

• Christmas Day at 10:00 is a service of lessons and carols with a delightful children’s story in lieu of a traditional sermon.  Roger Meyer has prepared a piano solo for special music.  Come celebrate the birth of Jesus with us on Christmas morning.

Please remember that you can enter the sanctuary from the front steps on Military Road or through the elevator entrance off of Ruggles Street.  The new addition entrances are not yet approved for use.

We extend our Christian sympathy to Edna Karl on the death of her husband, Richard “Thunder” Karl.

Construction news: Our kitchen is sparkling clean with a new stove donated by Silica Appliance. The ceilings in the new fellowship hall are done. The new boilers for the sanctuary and Gammert Hall are installed and keeping us toasty warm. In the offices, electricians are finishing the wiring for the internet and phone systems.

On behalf of the whole church staff we offer you our sincere wishes for a holy Christmas and a faith-filled New Year. Our offices will be closed on December 26 so our staff can enjoy our families.

We’ll see you in church!  Pastor Jenny

A prayer for today: We can hardly wait, O God, to join in singing the praise of the Infant Jesus, sent so long ago to teach us the nature of heavenly love. Please bless our final preparations so that we can feel your presence with us as we celebrate on Christmas.  Be with those who are sick or lonely or anxious or sad this Christmas, especially Edna Karl.  We pray in the name of the Babe of Bethlehem.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 12/15/16

Greetings from Church of Peace,

Join us Sunday for a worship service that will warm your heart.  It is the Sunday of Love.  The trees have been decorated and look beautiful. Worship begins at 8:45 a.m.

Tonight at 7:00 we will gather for the Service of Remembrance and Hope.  This service is a gentle, candle-lit service to strengthen us for the days to come.  Designed especially for those who are sad or lonely this Christmas, this time together will be soothing and healing for us all. A social hour will follow.    

We have a caroling party scheduled for Sunday evening.  We plan to meet at the church at 5:00 for pizza and then head out in a nice warm bus to spread some Christmas cheer. You can sign up by calling the church office or registering on the bulletin board. We will let you know if the cold weather prohibits this fun event.

Here’s the schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve – a service for the young at heart.  Lots of singing, no sermon.  Holy Communion will be celebrated. The Chapel Choir will sing. Bring a bell if you have one.

7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve – Candle-light service.  Holy Communion will be celebrated. Siera Ramirez will provide special music. Bring a bell if you have one.

10:00 a.m. Christmas Day – Joyful service of Scripture, carols, and stories.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

I’ll see you in church!  Pastor Jenny

A prayer for today: O God, in this Advent season of hope, peace, joy, and love, bless me with opportunities to share your gifts with the world.  Fill me with the deep faith that comes from trusting you in all things. Guard and guide all those who are out in the cold today. Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 12/09/2016

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Joy! Joy! Joy! That’s the theme of this week’s Advent service.  The choir will sing and the 4^th and 5^th graders will light the Candle of Joy. Come have your spirits lifted and your heart gladdened. We’ll begin at 8:45.

At 10:15 on Sunday morning, the Sunday School will present their Christmas program.  Please come and support our children as they proclaim their Christmas faith.  A social hour will follow the program.

Tom Strauss has been a patient in the hospital this week.  Please pray for Tom’s return to full strength.

I have been delivering communion and Christmas blessings to our home-bound members this week. Please remember them when you pray. 

On Monday of next week (Monday, December 12^th) it is our turn to serve Loaves and Fishes.  We still need more volunteers.  You can sign up in Gammert Hall on Sunday.

The Service of Remembrance and Hope has become a favorite for people who find a quiet, meditative service feeds their soul during the hectic Advent season.  Everyone will be welcomed at this service next Thursday, December 15^th, at 7:00.  The service is designed to be particularly strengthening for anyone who is sad or worried this December.

On Sunday, December 18^th, the Sunday of love, we will be caroling for members of our church family who can use an extra smile this season.  Join us for pizza at 5:00 and then caroling until 7:30. Please sign up in Gammert Hall so we have a good amount of pizza and room on the bus!

Construction news: Our new addition is looking more finished every day.  They are working on ceilings and floors.  The kitchen is just about set for the final clean-up so we can move in and start using it again.  One day next week they will be hooking up the new boilers for the sanctuary and Gammert Hall; the church office will be closed on that day – no heat!

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

I’ll see you in church!  Pastor Jenny

A prayer for today: Fill me with hope, peace, joy, and love today, O God, as I prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Send your special blessing upon those who are sick, especially Tom Strauss, sad, or home-bound during this holy time.  Bless our congregation as we worship and serve during the coming days.  Amen.