Greetings from Church of Peace - August 11, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!

COME EARLY TO WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY or you’ll miss part of the mission trip slide show.  We’ll be showing it as a prelude beginning around 8:30.  The pictures will help you to see for yourself the great work that was accomplished on behalf of Church of Peace.  The service itself will include youth and adult reflections on how the trip helped them to grow in faith.  The service will help you grow in faith too.  Exciting news: there will be two roses on the altar; our church family is growing!

CALLING ALL KIDS: The Church of Peace Day Camp at Pilgrim Center will be on Thursday, August 25^th.  The camp is for children aged 4 through 8^th grade; interested parents are welcomed to attend as well. Kids can bring a friend. Registration forms are available at the church.  It will be a fun day of friends, faith, food, swimming, and crafts: a mini-camp!

It is time to proceed with the resealing and striping of our PARKING LOT.  It will look better and be more functional; in addition, doing it now will repair the cracking and deterioration before they become so serious that we have to replace the lot.  We have contracted with a professional team to do the work for $4500 (lowest bid).  Because there is insufficient money in the budget, the Building Committee is doing a fund raiser by “selling” five gallon buckets of sealer for $10.00 each. The project will take place in early September so the fundraising is a matter of some haste.  Please prayerfully consider how many $10.00 buckets of sealer your family can “buy” and check the lobby for signs of progress. Thank you!

Edsel Weigert is in the hospital in Oshkosh.  Please remember him in your prayers. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace. 

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

A prayer for today: Thank you, O God, for this lovely summer day. During its hours, please open the eyes of my heart so I notice the many ways in which you are reaching out in love to me.  Remind me over and over again how important it is that I treat every person to whom I speak with kindness.  Shine your healing light upon Edsel Weigert and all who are sick.  Bless the mission trippers with wisdom and confidence as they prepare the service for Sunday.  These things I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - August 4, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace,

Today’s weather is perfect – warm, not humid, with a gentle breeze.  Many of us would like every day to be just like this one.  But not every day of our lives will be sunny – we all know storms come not only in the natural world but also in our personal lives.  In the gospel lesson for this week, Jesus walks on water during a storm.  How does this help us handle the storms in our lives?  Come Sunday at 8:45 a.m. and find out!  Nine women of our choir have prepared a lovely anthem which will grace the service and Holy Communion will be celebrated.

Last week, several “bag ladies” joined us in worship.  During the mission moment, they handed out grocery bags to be filled with food and returned for our food pantry.  If you took a bag, please bring it in soon.  If you didn’t get one, any bag full of canned and boxed food will do just fine.  The number of requests for food has been high so the shelves are quite bare.  Thank you for supporting this important ministry of Church of Peace.

Edsel Wiegert is in the hospital in Oshkosh.  Please remember Edsel in your prayers.

Parents:  now is the time to sign up your children (and yourself if you would like to participate) for the Church of Peace Day Camp at Pilgrim Center on Thursday, August 25^th.  Call the church office for a sign-up sheet and/or stop in at the desk in the narthex.  Kids can bring a friend.  The cost is $10.00 per family and $5.00 for each friend.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: What a gorgeous day it is today, O God, and my heart sings your praises. I pray that my thanks will be expressed not only in words but also in deeds of compassion.  Show me how to live in hope and to shine with your love.  I pray that you will bless Edsel Wiegert with your healing love.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Greetings from Church of Peace - July 28, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace,

Breaking News:  A day camp at Pilgrim Center Camp for all Church of Peace Sunday School children has been scheduled for Thursday, August 25^th.  Children aged 4 years old - 8^th grade are invited to board the bus at our church, then spend the day swimming, crafting, playing, learning, and eating at our Pilgrim Center camp. We’ll return home, tired and happy, after supper. Parents, watch your mailbox for more information. 

The feeding of the 5,000 is the Scripture story for Sunday, a story which has a particularly heartening message for people in tough economic times.  Little Masen Holmes will be baptized.  Annie Hackbarth will provide special music. 

Esther Hassman is a patient at St. Agnes Hospital.  Please remember Esther when you pray.

Our Church of Peace softball team plays its final pre-tournament game on Monday night at Woodworth (north field) at 7:00 p.m.  Come cheer for our team.  Bring a lawn chair. 

The Messenger for August will be mailed early next week. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today:  Don’t let the challenges of today overwhelm me, O God.  Open my life to receive your gifts of wisdom and peace. Remind me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank you.  I pray that Esther Hassman will be blessed by your healing power.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - July 21, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Jim and I are back from a renewing and fun vacation.  Thanks to Revs. Kandler and Schrankler for their help while we were gone.  We thank God for the gift of time away to be refreshed in body, mind, and spirit; we hope all of you take some time to enjoy the beauty of the creation and the company of loved ones.

This Sunday’s Scripture lesson is a collection of parables.  We’ll look for the humor and the lessons in these stories Jesus told.  Pastor Jim will provide special music.  Come worship in our air-conditioned sanctuary with your church family (8:45 a.m.); you’ll be glad you did.

Tuesday night the Church Council gathered for our July meeting.  Enthusiastic reports were given by members who participated in the mission trip. Not so good news came in the congregation’s financial report.  Thus far this year our general fund has spent $11,500 more than we’ve received in offerings.  The Council is prayerfully considering how to limit expenses.  At the same time, we remind members to support Christ’s work at Church of Peace through generous and consistent giving. 

Last night, the Children’s Ministry Task Force met to continue their planning for next year’s Sunday School.  It is going to be a great year for our little disciples and their teachers.  Parents, look for more details soon. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today:  What a beautiful day your love has created, O God, and I thank you for it.  When I see the sunshine, I remember that my life should shine with your love.  When I see the breeze gently rustling through the branches of the trees, I am reminded of the way that your energizing power moves through my life when I need strength or wisdom.  God, I ask your blessing and guidance for our church family as we address difficult financial issues.  You have commissioned us to be your people, to praise you as we serve one another and the community. Give each of us a generous heart; guide us as individuals and as a congregation to wise use of our resources. These things I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Greetings from Church of Peace - June 16, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Are you a church member or a disciple or both? Our Gospel lessons for Sunday’s worship service focus on this question.  Join us at 8:45 a.m. as we sing, pray, and learn together.  We’ll be offering a special prayer in honor of fathers as well. 

 

By the time most of you arrive for worship on Sunday, the mission trip trailers will be packed and ready to depart. During the service, we will bless the thirty-two people who will represent us as they dedicate the next week of their lives to helping people in the name of Christ. Then, after worship, we’ll send them on their way.

Mission trippers, watch your email box for final instructions and information. 

Congratulations to our Church of Peace softball team for their decisive victory last Monday.  Their next game is at 7:00 p.m. at Evans School this coming Monday.  Fans are always welcomed!

Next week, Pastor Jenny will be on the mission trip. Pastor Jim will remain here to “tend our flock.”  There will be no Bible study on Tuesday, but Shawl Ministry will meet at usual on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace. 

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

A prayer for today: God,  you have called me to be your disciple and to do your work here on earth.  I come asking for your help so that I can be faithful to the tasks you set before me.  Fill my life with hope as I seek to be an agent of your compassionate love. As they make final preparations for their trip, I ask your blessing upon the mission trip team. May they feel your supportive presence and the safety of your strong arms as they travel, work, worship, and play together.  I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace!

This is “Red Sunday” at Church of Peace.  Our sanctuary will be resplendent with red and fire, symbols of the Pentecost story that we celebrate.  You are encouraged to wear red, orange, or yellow; it adds to the festive feeling.  There will be a Pentecost prayer journey.  We have invited our high school graduates to be with us so we can honor them.  The service begins at 8:45.

Monday at 6:00 p.m. we will gather at McDermott Park North for a tail gate party. Bring your own dishes, drinks, and main dish (grill if you want to).  Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share.  We’ll be cheering on the Church of Peace softball team which will play at 7:00.

Ray and Juli Beilke, Art Conklin, and Pastors Jim and Jenny will be attending the Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC in Green Lake tomorrow and Saturday. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O Loving God who has given me life, I pray for one more thing:  I pray that today my heart will be open to your Holy Spirit and that my life may reflect its fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.  Bless the Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC that the Christians gathered together there might be strengthened in faith and bring back good news to share with our congregations.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - June 2, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Could you please do us a favor?  We are trying to get as many opinions as possible to the question, “What do you think God is calling Church of Peace to accomplish?”  Could you please click “reply” and write a few words of response?  What do YOU think God is calling Church of Peace to accomplish? Your answer will remain anonymous.

Thank you! Now, on to the news:

Sunday’s service (8:45 a.m.) will present us with the very interesting, often perplexing story of Jesus’ ascension.  Join us as we see what this dramatic ending to the resurrection story has to teach us as today’s disciples.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.

Sunday is the last day to bid on the delightful doll house which Dave Candlish built.  The money will go to the youth mission trip fund. 

Monday night’s softball game will be held at Woodworth School, beginning at 9:15 p.m.  All you night owls out there are invited to come and cheer.  The following Monday is our tailgate party.

Shawl Ministers are invited to meet Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. in the Upper Room.  Interested?  Come see what we do! 

Youth mission trippers and their adult advisors will be working at several homes on this Saturday to raise money for the trip.  Be at the church at 8:30 for rides to the worksites.  We are gathering at Ethan Hackbarth’s home for a bonfire and further trip preparation on Sunday at 6:00 p.m.  See you then.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Open my eyes that I may see visions of truth you have for me, O God.  Open my ears to hear the cries of those in need.  Open my hands to reach out with help for others.  Open my mouth to speak lovingly to all I meet.  Open my heart to the presence of the Holy Spirit in and around me. Open my life to faithful and joyful living today. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.     If you haven’t clicked “reply” and answered the question yet, please do so now. What do YOU think God is calling Church of Peace to accomplish? Thank you!