Greetings from Church of Peace - July 26, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

We’ll be gathering in our nicely-cooled sanctuary on Sunday morning at 8:45 for a service that is joyful and renewing.  Please join us as we learn how to be “strengthened in our inner being” and “rooted and grounded in love.” Little Amelia Puddy will be baptized. 

We know of no one who has been hospitalized in the past week.  Julie Rose has entered hospice care.  Please lift up Julie and her loved ones when you pray.

Next Monday night we have planned a picnic at Lakeside Park near the Shirley Cutler field.  The picnic is a potluck and is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. our Church of Peace softball team will play a game.  Weather is a concern; we may have to cancel if it is too hot or raining. Call the church office (921-8215) on Monday if you need an update.

Next Tuesday it is going to be waaaay too hot for a garden party.  So we pastors have moved the Golden Fellowship party to Rolling Meadows Family Restaurant.  We’ll meet there at 11:30 for a Dutch treat lunch (we will pay everyone’s tip).  This is a disappointment to us; we’ll try again next summer.

The Messenger will not be available this week because Jackie is on vacation.  Look for it early next week on line and in paper form. 

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 gentle strength holds me safely from day to day; for this I give you thanks and praise.  Please help me to relax and enjoy this wonderful life you have given to me.  Show me how holy joy can flow through me into this world which needs it so much.  I ask your special blessing upon Julie Rose and her loved ones; may they feel your nearness and peace in this difficult time.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - July 18, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Do you ever become angry?  Do you handle your anger in a healthy manner?  This Sunday’s Scripture reading deals with handling our emotions in a Christ-like way.  Come and enjoy our air-conditioned atmosphere and our spirit of warm affection.  Little Jacob Olesen will be baptized.  Worship begins at 8:45.  Social hour will be provided by the Visitation Ministers.

 While we were on vacation the past couple of weeks, two members of our congregation died: Florence Peters and Tommy Knecht.  We pray that their families will be aware of the tender comfort of God. Four people have been in the hospital: Virgil Kraemer (who has gone home), Julie Rose (transferred to St. Francis Home), Elaine Schabel (at Mercy Hospital), and Shirley Hanke (at St. Agnes). Please remember them in your prayers.  We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rev. Jerry Schrankler who took care of our flock while we’ve been on vacation.

Coming up:

            July 30^th: picnic and softball game;

            July 31^st: Golden Fellowship;                  

            August 9^th: the neighborhood picnic;

            August 17^th: day camp at Pilgrim Center (please register soon!).

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God, as nature refreshed the earth with rain last night, please refresh my soul with the sweet whisper of your breath of life.  Enliven my faith and fill me with joy in you.  Please bless all in difficult circumstances this day with a heightened sense of your nearness, especially Virgil Kraemer, Julie Rose, Elaine Schabel, Shirley Hanke, and the families of Florence Peters and Tommy Knecht. Make me an instrument of your peace.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - June 21, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

After seeing the destruction in Joplin, we mission trippers became newly impressed with how dangerous a storm can be.  The disciples were no strangers to severe storms; in this week’s Scripture reading, they find themselves in the middle of a life-threatening tempest on Lake Galilee.  Join us Sunday at 8:45 a.m. to hear the remarkable ending to this Biblical story and to learn what God offers to us as we deal with all kinds of storms in our lives.  Little Alex Petersen will be baptized.

All church members and friends are invited to the Diner’s Club at Sebatian’s Supper Club at 5:30 this coming Sunday evening.  The cost (including tip and tax) will be $20.00 per person. This is a fun – and delicious – way to get to know some members of your church family.

Golden Fellowship meets at 11:00 a.m. this coming Tuesday for a rousing game of Yatzee and a picnic lunch inside.  You can sign up in the narthex.

July’s Messenger will be available on line after noon on Friday or can be picked up Sunday in the narthex. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Spirit of Love, hold me close.  I need you every hour.  As I go through my day, may I live for you.  Help me to show the world the joy of trusting in you.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - May 24, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Red, red, red with a little orange and some yellow -- this is what you can expect to see when you enter the sanctuary on Sunday.  It is Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit descended like tongues of fire on the early disciples.  Join us as we invite the Holy Spirit to renew our power and zeal.  You are invited to wear the colors of the day to add to the festive atmosphere.  The Hospitality Team will be serving ice cream following the service.

Tonight is the final meeting of the season for Mid Week Faith Boost.  We'll be meeting at 6:30 in the Upper Room.

We know of no one who is hospitalized or critically ill in our congregation.

There is still time to sign up for the day trip next Tuesday to the Railroad Museum and the Botanical Gardens in Green Bay.  Call the church office (921-8215) or sign up on Sunday.

Although Sunday School is finished for the season, we look forward to enjoying the presence of our little ones in worship. At Church of Peace, every week is child-friendly worship.

The June Messenger is now on-line at www.uccchurchofpeace.org.  There’s lots going on in June so be sure to download your copy and keep up to date.

The church office will be closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday.

That's the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today:  Lovely Spirit of creation, on these beautiful summery days as you warm me with the rays of the sun, warm also the inner workings of my spirit with your love.  Make joy and compassion grow within me until it overflows into my words and deeds.  Show me how to live with gentleness and peace as I work to bring healing and wholeness to my relationships and to our world.  Amen.  

Greetings from Church of Peace - May 17, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

What a glorious morning Sunday will be!  The anthem will be provided by a chorus made up of the Chapel Choir, the Sonshine Singers, and our Sunday School kids.  Seven students will be confirmed.  Please join us for this festive hour.  There will be plenty of room for you!

This Saturday, May 19^th, we’ll gather about 8:00 a.m. and work in the church yard for a few hours, sprucing it up for the spring and summer season.  If you’d rather work inside, there is work to be done there as well.  We’ll have a good time together. Rumor has it that anyone still here when the work is done can go up on top of the steeple and have a look around. There will be donuts!

Mid-Week Faith Boost meets tonight at 6:30 to sing, pray, and discuss the Scripture reading for this coming Sunday.

Joann Krenn died Tuesday evening.  Please remember her family in your prayers. We know of no one who is hospitalized.

Looking ahead:

            Tuesday, May 29^th              Trip to Railroad Museum and Botanical Gardens

            June 10-16                           Mission Trip to Joplin

            Sunday, June 24^th              Diner’s Club at Sebastian’s Supper Club

            Thursday, August 9^th         Neighborhood Picnic at Church of Peace

            Friday, August 17^th            Day Camp at Pilgrim Center

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Ever-Creating God, I stand in wonder and joy before your creation.  The spring flowers, colorful birds, and newly-leaved trees testify to your beauty and power.  May my life also testify to your beauty and power as I treat everyone I meet today with kindness and respect.  I pray for your comforting touch in the lives of all who grieve today, especially the family of Joann Krenn. Speak to me of your will and your loving ways.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - May 10, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

TOMORROW – the all-church dance sponsored by the mission trippers.  Come have some fun and help us fund our trip.  There will be music for all ages, free popcorn and soda pop, and smiles galore.  The dance is from 6-10 p.m. on Friday night. Youth and children who are unaccompanied by an adult will need a permission slip (attached to this greeting).  The cost is $5.00 for youth and adults, $3.00 for those 12 and under.

Sunday is Mother’s Day or, as we call it in the church, the Festival of the Christian Home.  Our service will focus around the blessings and responsibilities of family life.  The Sonshine Singers will sing.  Kennedy and Liam Petersen will be baptized.

ATTENTION CHOIR MEMBERS: this Sunday there will be a rehearsal for the anthem on the 20^th, a mass anthem of singers aged 4-???. Choir members, please be in the sanctuary at 10:00. 

Dorothy Eggers is in the hospital and Joann Krenn is nearing the end of her life at the Hospice Home of Hope.  Please remember these women in your prayers.

On Saturday, May 19^th, there will be a “work morning” at the church.  If it is nice out, we will be working outside.  If it is raining, we will work inside.  Either way, our church property will be improved by these efforts.  Please help out from 8:00 – noon (or part of that time).  Interested adults can go up on top of the steeple at the end of the morning.

Please sign up a.s.a.p. if you plan to go on the Golden Fellowship–sponsored trip to the train museum and the Green Bay Botanical Gardens.  The trip is on Tuesday, May 29^th.  The sign-up sheet is in the narthex.  The price is $20.00.

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 on which to sing your praises in my heart, O God! Thank you.  And thank you for many opportunities to bless others as you are blessing me.  Please make your comforting presence keenly aware to Dorothy Eggers and Joann Krenn during this difficult time.  I pray these things in your Spirit of Love, known in Jesus.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - May 3, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

This Sunday we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion and the chapel choir will sing.  Our confirmands will share with us in worship leadership.  Want your heart warmed?  Join us.

Tonight at Mid-Week Faith Boost we’ll be discussing the vine and the branches statements of Jesus in the gospel of John.  It will be a stimulating discussion with lots of smiles.  We’ll begin at 6:30 p.m.

Dorothy Eggers is in the hospital.  Please remember her in your prayers.  Please also pray for the family of Robert Zimpher; his funeral was yesterday.

A week from tomorrow is the All-Church Dance sponsored by the Mission Trip Youth.  From 6-10 p.m. we’ll be rockin’ to the music provided by J and E Entertainment. This is for the whole family. It is a fund raiser: the cost is $5.00 for those aged 13 and up, $3.00 for kids 12 and under.  This will be such fun – plan to attend.

We need to replace the front steps of the church which are unsafe and unsightly.  If you’d like to help, there are donation envelopes on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Thank you!

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Faithful God, guide me to follow the best path for my life today: the path that will bring healing and love.  Make me slow to anger and quick to forgive.  Shine your healing light upon Dorothy Eggers and upon the family of Robert Zimpher.  I pray these things in the name of the Compassionate One, Jesus.  Amen.