Greetings from Church of Peace - September 22, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace,

It will be here this Sunday: the mass choir made up of our Sunday School children, confirmation youth, and the Chapel Choir!  Join us at 8:45 a.m. for a service which includes their joyful anthem, a baptism (little Gabriella Albrecht), and some incredibly strengthening Bible passages. Come, let your spirit dance in the River of Life!

Tonight at the Mid-Week Faith Boost, we will discuss the chapter on heaven from Rob Bell’s book.  You are welcome to attend even if you haven’t read the book.

Sunday at 10:15 a.m. we will have a congregational meeting to vote on a proposed change in the constitution (Annual Meeting on the fourth Sunday of January), to vote on the Council’s proposal to allocate 75% of the bazaar profits to the General Fund this year, and to discuss the financial shortfall and repairs needed to our building. Please join us for this important meeting. 

The October Messenger will be posted on line (www.uccchurchofpeace.org) by Friday noon and available Sunday morning in the narthex and near the elevator.

That’s the news from Church of Peace. 

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

A prayer for today: As the leaves begin shedding their chlorophyll to reveal the brilliant colors beneath, I am reminded to pray that you will peel away anything in my heart that keeps me from shining with your light.  As the bright orange pumpkins begin to show up in gardens and on doorsteps, I pray that you will show me how to bring brightness and a spark of life to people around me. As the season changes from summer to autumn, I pray that I will be given courage to face any changes upcoming in my life.  I pray these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

Greetings from Church of Peace - September 15, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace,

Fair is fair! Or is it?  Our Scripture reading for this Sunday’s reflection is a parable of Jesus which shows us a new way to determine fairness: God’s way.  Join us at 8:45.  The Chapel Choir will make their seasonal debut.  A prayer journey and spirit-touching hymns will grace our service as well.

Sunday School and Breakfast Club will meet at 10:00. 

Tonight, we continue our study of Rob Bell’s book as we gather for Mid-Week Faith Boost at 6:30.  We’ll be discussing Chapter One.

Do you enjoy natural beauty, lovely music, and an occasional chuckle?  Then come to the Golden Fellowship gathering on Tuesday at 11:00.  Pastor Jim has prepared a presentation of the magnificent sights of summer, in particular of the Boundary Waters Area (now on fire in northern Minnesota). Lunch will follow.

The Church Council will be serving Sunday’s Social Hour.

Don’t forget to mark the September 25^th congregational meeting on your calendar.  It will begin at 10:15 a.m. Its purpose is to vote on changing the date of the Annual Meeting to January, vote on what percentage of the bazaar profits will go to the General Fund, and to discuss the current financial situation.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today:  Light of my soul, I need your strength and wisdom as I face the problems and duties of this day. Grant me a humble spirit which quickly comes to you in times of decision and action.  Show me the way to a meaningful and Christ-like life.  Thank you, God.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - August 18, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Last night we had a new member orientation meeting at our home for the six people who will be joining our congregation on Sunday.  What a nice group of Christian men and women!  Join us at 8:45 a.m. for the worship service which will include some snappy hymns and a strengthening sermon. Following worship, you can greet the new members in the lobby; we’ll have a “welcome” cake for social hour. 

Sunday is the last day to sign up your kids for the day camp at Pilgrim Center.  We have plenty of adult chaperones, but we would welcome more.

Do you like pizza?  Ok then.  Next Wednesday between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. our youth will be serving at Pizza Ranch.  They get to keep all the tips and will make profit on the sales as well.  Last time, our church family filled the place; it was a lot of fun.  If you would rather eat at home, we make money on carry-outs and deliveries also.  Thanks for your help.

Most of you will receive a letter in the mail today (and the rest of you tomorrow) outlining some changes that the Council is making to save money.  We’ve had a tough year financially and we are taking some cost-cutting measures to try to make ends meet.  Please make sure to read the letter so you are familiar with the modifications that are being made.  

Coming up in ten days, at the service a week from this Sunday, we will have guests providing special music.  Jim’s trio will bless us with their songs.  For many folks, this guarantees a meaningful worship experience.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God, your love never changes.  Please help me to remember your constancy when it feels like every day I am asked to adapt to another change.  Bless our congregation in this time of financial stress.  Show our leaders how to use faithfully and wisely the gifts we bring for the work of Christ through Church of Peace.  Lead me to be a welcoming, encouraging host when new members and visitors come to my church home.  These things I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.   

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.