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.

This Week's Greetings

 

Greetings from Church of Peace, home of inspiring worship, friendly people, significant help for the impoverished, and a terrific bazaar!  Aren’t you glad you are a part of it?

Sunday is All Saints’ Sunday.  With great joy and reverence we will be honoring those from our church family who died this year.  The Chapel Choir will sing.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  Our first Witnessing Steward of the season will be speaking; it is Barb Zahn, who is perhaps better known as Lucy’s mom. Join us at 8:45 for a service which promises to leave us all feeling renewed and full of zeal.

Tonight’s NEW Worship in the Upper Room will also feature Holy Communion.  It begins at 6:30 p.m.

The November Messenger is available in the church narthex and on line (www.uccchurchofpeace.org).

Steve Oestreich was hospitalized and has returned home.  Please remember him when you pray.  Please also remember the families of Phyllis Funk and Ruth DeTroye, both of whom died in the last few days.

Saturday is the Fall Work Day.  There’s raking to be done as well as other chores.  We would be very grateful for YOUR help. Come any time after 8:00 a.m. 

Saturday is also a Shawl Ministry meeting.  We’ll be choosing shawls for the Cancer Center as well as blessing lots of new ones.  Bring your stitchery and join us at 9:30 a.m.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: My goal for today, O God, is to be so filled with your love that I shine with compassion in every word I say and everything I do. Please help me to achieve this. I pray that you will fill the lives of not only Steve Oestreich but also the families of Phyllis Funk and Ruth DeTroye with your healing love. Thank you!  Amen.

Ushers this Sunday: Carol and Gary Krueger, Dick Kunasch, Anne Streeter, and Nicole Schendel.    

Special Bazaar Edition - Greetings from Church of Peace

Greetings from a hustling, bustling Church of Peace as we set up for the Autumn Blessings Bazaar this Saturday!  It is already beginning to feel festive as the excitement builds.  Here’s the schedule:

          Today: Set up tables and booths, begin kitchen tasks.

          Friday: DROP OFF DONATIONS (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.).

Saturday: Bring your friends to feast and shop!

          Sunday: Celebrate with us in worship at 8:45 a.m.

Tonight’s NEW Worship will be held in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday’s worship will feature an anthem by the older Sunday School children, lots of upbeat music, and a sermon about falling down and getting up again. 

At 10:00 Sunday morning, the book study group will meet in the Upper Room and usher training will be held in the sanctuary. Diner’s Club will meet at Pizza Ranch Sunday night at 6:30. 

Chad Steenberg is a patient at Froederdt Hospital after successful heart surgery.  Please pray for Chad’s continued recovery.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

We’ll see you at the bazaar and in church!

Pastors Jenny and Jim

Ushers for Sunday: Tim and Brenda Hackbarth, Scott Towne, and Becky Opperman Pluim.

A prayer for today:  Thank you, O God, for continuing to provide me with a variety of ways to serve you.  You make my life full and satisfying as I go about doing good in the name of Christ. Today I pray for eyes that are open to opportunities for service.  Bless Chad Steenberg as he continues to strengthen and heal.  Bless Church of Peace as we host the community with our bazaar.  Bless me that I may be filled with your peace.  I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 10-13-10

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Do you know what the word “alleluia!” means?  Sunday you’ll find out and you’ll have an opportunity to praise God for your many, many blessings.  The pictures on the screen will enhance our songs and prayers.  Join us at 8:45 a.m. to be spiritually uplifted.

Tonight’s service will focus on Psalm 111, a song of praise.  Meet with us at 6:30 in Gammert Hall.

Holly Post was hospitalized over the weekend and has returned home.  Thank you for your prayers.

We pastors have been doing home communion calls this week, sharing your concern and care with the less-agile members of our church family.

Church of Peace has a thriving ministry to those in our community who are low on food or need help with rent.  You have an opportunity this month to help people far away who are in even dreadful circumstances. Your cash gift will be used to purchase livestock that can feed a family for years.  Why not consider giving an “alternative Christmas gift” of a pair of goats or rabbits to honor one of your own family members during the upcoming Christmas season?  Stop at the information table in the narthex after worship this Sunday.

Is the bazaar date of SATURDAY, October 26^th written on your calendar and etched in your mind?  What are you going to donate?  When are you going to shop?  What friend can you bring to lunch.  It is going to be a happy, fun-filled day at Church of Peace! Don’t miss it!

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God who pours blessing upon blessing into my life, I thank you for this day and for the opportunities it brings to me to praise and serve you. Awaken within me a sense of your nearness.  Open my mind to hear your guiding voice.  Touch my heart with your strength as I serve you today.  I thank you for your healing power manifest in the life of Holly Post and so many others.  Bless our world with your peace.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 10/03/13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

It is World Communion Sunday. Be one of millions of Christians around the globe to celebrate our unity as Christ’s people. The Chapel Choir will provide an anthem.  Worship begins at 8:45. Tonight’s NEW Worship will also feature Holy Communion.

Sunday after social hour, set-up for the rummage sale will begin.  You can bring your stuff in then or drop it off on Monday.  The sale is Tuesday all day and Wednesday morning.  In addition to your used treasures, baked goods are needed for the sale.  Thanks for helping!

This year, there will be no CROP Walk in Fond du Lac. But there will be a fun opportunity for Church of Peace members to help the hungry the way the CROP Walk did, through the same ecumenical agency – Church World Service.  We will be “selling” animals for a Church of Peace farm.  You can “buy” a chicken, rabbit, pig, or cow.  At the end of October, our farm will be dedicated and the money sent to Church World Service for emergency and development aid. Please plan to support this project which will help the very poorest people in the world.

Forgiving family members who have hurt you can be very difficult. Forgiving Your Family is an easy-to-read book that helps Christians move from bitterness to peace.  We’ll be meeting Sundays, October 20^th-November 10^th from 10:00 to 11:00 to discuss this book.   If you are interested, you can pick up a book in the church office for $5.00.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God, you are the Fount of Life.  From you flows all health and vitality. Touch me with your healing power.  From you flows all beauty.  Help me to appreciate the loveliness of the creation during this autumn season.  From you flows all kindness. Open my heart and hands to those in need.  I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

Greetings from Church of Peace 09/26/13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Music adds richness and meaning to worship.  This Sunday’s worship service will be sparkling with music provided by Syncerity, the female trio directed by Pastor Jim. We will baptize little Ayden Kelly.  The sermon will deal with the search for contentment. Join us for this very inspirational service. It begins at 8:45.

Contentment will also be a theme at tonight’s NEW Worship.  We meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper Room of Gammert Hall.

This morning the funeral for Elsie Strelow will be held here in our sanctuary.  Hold her loved ones in Christian sympathy and prayer during the coming days.

Three people have been hospitalized: Leroy Bahr, Donna Blaine, and Darlene Luttenberger.  They have each returned home.  Please pray for their continued recovery. 

This Sunday afternoon, Church of Peace will be featured in a CAREInc walk around downtown Fond du Lac.  The walk is from 1-3 p.m. It includes stops at 12 locations which help the poor of our community.  It is an honor for our church to be included in this walk. The walk gives people in our community a chance to see what a difference we make as we work together for Christ. 

Next Saturday the Shawl Ministry will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Upper Room of Gammert Hall.

The ushers this Sunday will be Theresa Schultz, Deb Opperman, Art Conklin, Larry and Deb Conger.

The October Messenger will be available at the church this Sunday and on line after noon Friday at www.uccchurchofpeace.org.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A Prayer for Today: As the crisp air and lovely colors of autumn begin to emerge outside, O God, I pray that deep within me your Spirit will cause such Christ-like qualities as patience and compassion to emerge in my life.  Give me opportunities to be kind and to work for justice for those who are down-trodden.  Bless with your healing power all who are sick, especially Leroy Bahr, Donna Blaine, and Darlene Luttenberger.  May the family of Elsie Strelow find peace as they worship this morning, a peace which will remain with them through the coming days.  I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.