Greetings from Church of Peace 04-11-14

Greetings from Church of Peace! 

Do you like fresh fish fried over a campfire? Apparently the disciples did, because the Risen Christ cooked them breakfast one day shortly after the first Easter.  Come join us Sunday as we learn about (and from) this delightful New Testament story. The SonShine Singers will grace us with their music.

If you'd like to learn more about this Bible story, join us tonight at 6:30 in the Upper Room of Gammert Hall for the interactive worship service we hold on Thursday nights - NEW Worship.

Looking ahead:

On Wednesday, April 17^th, from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., order a pizza from Domino’s Pizza (921-3800) for pick-up or delivery. Our mission trippers will receive a portion of the price.  What an easy and delicious way to support our mission trip volunteers!

On Tuesday, April 23rd at 11:00 a.m. Fond du Lac City Arborist Brian Weed will be the guest of Golden Fellowship.  He will share all sorts of tree-related information with us.  Lunch will be served at noon.  All interested adults of any age are invited - please sign up in the coatroom.

On Tuesday, April 30th our “first-in-a-long-time” Turkey Dinner will be served from 4-7 (carry-outs, too).  You can purchase advance tickets at the church office anytime or in the narthex after worship on Sundays.  We still need a few more pies and some more helpers.  What a fun and productive event this will be for our church family!

That's the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Dear Holy Friend,  you know how easy it is for me to get so wrapped up in my activities that I don't even notice your presence in my life.  Remind me to say "thank you" for the blessings you shower upon me. Grant me the wisdom to treasure the beauty you place before me.  Show me how to love the people you bring into my life.  Open my eyes and heart to you and to your gifts.  Amen.

 

Greetings from Church of Peace 04/04/13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

This Sunday the Lakeland Singers will fill our lovely sanctuary with their wonderful songs.  In order to make room in the service for more anthems by the Lakeland Singers, there will be no sermon. Our Sonshine Singers will be joining the Lakeland Singers for one song. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Worship begins at 8:45 a.m. 

Tonight our NEW Worship picks up where it left off at the onset of Lent: Thursday gatherings (6:30 p.m.) in the Upper Room to share our faith journeys and grow in understanding of God's Word.  Tonight we will celebrate Holy Communion.  You will find this service refreshing and faith-building.

Victor Abitz had knee surgery yesterday and will be hospitalized for a few days.  Please pray that Victor's healing will be speedy and complete. Please also remember the families of Roger Wolf (whose funeral was yesterday) and Eldon Wohler (who is at the end of his earthly life) when you pray.

Sunday School resumes this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

On April 30th, we will be hosting a turkey dinner at Church of Peace. The menu includes "all the fixings" - even homemade pie. Tickets are on sale now at the church office and in the narthex on Sundays.  Carry outs will be available for those who do not wish to eat at the church. If you can help by baking a pie or working at the dinner, you will find sign-up sheets on the coatroom bulletin board.  Plan to attend and to bring some friends!

That's the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God, in this season of spring, there are signs all around me of your power to bring life out of death and hope out of despair.  Please let this truth sink deep into my heart so that I can live a life, not of fear, but of joy. Bless Victor Abitz with your healing presence and bring heavenly comfort to all who mourn, especially the families of Roger Wolf and Eldon Wohler.  I pray in the name of the Risen Christ.  Amen.

 

Greetings from Church of Peace 03-28-13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

It is Holy Week.  Lots of musicians, enhancers, costumers, cooks, and actors have joined the church staff in preparing services that promise to be life-enhancing.  Here’s the schedule:

TODAY is Maundy Thursday.  Worship begins at 7:00 p.m. It is a dramatic re-enactment of the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.  Holy Communion will be served in the pews.  This service will make Jesus’ last meal with his disciples come alive in your heart.

TOMORROW is Good Friday.  We will gather at 7:00 p.m. to commemorate the death of Jesus.  Two anthems sung by a small ensemble will highlight the service which is made up of Scripture readings, prayers, and the snuffing of candles.  The screen will be used to present artists’ portrayals of Jesus’ last day.

SUNDAY is Easter!  We will gather at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. for the glorious celebration of Christ’s resurrection.  Holy Communion will be offered at our altar which will have been transformed into a garden of praise.  The choir will sing at each service.  Don’t let your Easter be just about bunnies and colored eggs; worship on this holy day! There will be no Sunday School on Easter.

SUNDAY from 9:00-10:00 a.m. the mission trippers will be hosting an enhanced social hour, both as an opportunity for the congregation to socialize and as a fund-raiser.  Please plan to come enjoy their home- made goodies and support this very worthy cause.

The extraordinary worship services are not done after Easter Sunday.  Next week, April 7^th, the Lakeland College Choir will sing for our 8:45 a.m. worship service.  Plan to be here.

Several families in our congregation are grieving at this time.  Tom O’Laire’s funeral was held on Tuesday.  Roger Wendt has died; his funeral will be on Saturday.  Eldon Wohler is very frail as he rests in hospice care.  Please remember these families when you pray.

The April Messenger is available on line (www.uccchurchofpeace.org) and in the narthex at the church. The church office will open at noon on the day after Easter.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today:  As I remember the events of these dramatic days in Jesus’ life, O God, I thank you for the love he showed and the example he set.  I pray that my heart will be open to fully appreciate the significance of this holy time. Bless the many people at Church of Peace (as well as Christians everywhere) who are working together to bring the deep meaning of Holy Week and Easter to our lives today.  As I pray, I remember those families whose hearts are heavy, especially the families of Tom O’Laire, Roger Wendt, and Eldon Wohler.  May the meaning of Easter be especially comforting to them this year.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.  

Greetings from Church of Peace 3-20-13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Forgiveness: we're happy to receive it from someone else but we find it difficult to grant it to those who have hurt us. Join us for the Lenten service at 7:00 p.m. tonight as we study the Scriptures to glean help with forgiving others. Our friends Snoopy and Charlie Brown will add insight and humor to our service.

The Worship Enhancement Ministry Team will transform the sanctuary for our Palm Sunday service this Sunday at 8:45 a.m. The Sunday School children will sing. 

We know of no one who is hospitalized at this time.  Tom O'Laire has been admitted to hospice care.  Please remember Tom and his family when you pray.

LOOKING AHEAD

Maundy Thursday  (March 28th) 7:00 p.m. service

Good Friday (March 29th) 7:00 p.m. service

Easter Sunday (March 31st) 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services

That's the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today:  I want to be a faithful disciple of Jesus, O God. Strengthen me when I face temptation. Help me to make good decisions. Use me as an instrument of your peace. May I brighten the day of all the people with whom I interact.  I pray that you will make your loving presence evident in the hearts of Tom O'Laire and his family during this difficult time in their lives.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 03-06-13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

The past few days haven’t been easy ones for many people in our church family.  Death, illness, broken dreams, loss of jobs – the list goes on.  Is life worth the hard times?  Is there hope?  These are questions that will be addressed by tonight’s Scripture readings and meditation.  Join us at 7:00 p.m. for a time of spiritual renewal and refreshment.  We’ll do some chuckling too, and who can’t use a little of that? 

Will you be late for worship on Sunday?  You will if you forget to set your clock ahead an hour when you go to bed on Saturday night.  Remember: spring forward!

Sunday’s Bible story is a love-filled one – Mary of Bethany anointing the feet of Jesus and drying his feet with her hair.  Why did she do this?  What inspiration can we get from this tender story?  As we worship, we will express our love for God, open our hearts to new wisdom, and enjoy the company of Christian friends.  The Youth Choir will sing.  The Martha Society is hosting the social hour. Join us at 8:45 a.m.

We offer our Christian sympathy to the family of Jean Whittaker, a life-long member of Church of Peace who died Sunday evening.  Please hold the Whittaker family in your prayers.  Additional people for whom to pray: Leo Zinniel and Marilyn Oestreich who have been hospitalized and Alvin Dehring who is at Hospice Home of Hope.

After worship on Sunday, all church members and friends are invited to the YMCA for “Church of Peace Day at the Y.”  We can use all their facilities for free.  If you want pizza for lunch, the cost will be $3.00; you need to sign up on the bulletin board in the church coatroom or by calling the church (921-8215) so our Stewardship Ministry Team provides a sufficient amount.  We’ll have a lot of fun!

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today:  When life is hard, O God, forbid that I should ever blame you for my troubles and heartaches.  Instead, remind me that it is you who stands with me, offering strength and hope. With your loving touch, bless the Whittaker family, Leo Zinniel, Marilyn Oestreich, and Alvin Dehring. May all of your children feel your healing love.  And remember God, I would be honored to bring that heavenly touch of love on your behalf to anyone in need of it, so show me how.  I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Church of Peace Greetings 02-27-13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

It’s Wednesday and it’s Lent so that means that tonight we gather at 7:00 for 45 minutes of inspiration.  We’ll listen as God speaks to us through the words of Scripture and through the activities of the Peanuts gang.  We’ll feel God’s Spirit touch us as we sing and pray.  Tonight’s theme: God can use you and me, as imperfect as we are, to be vessels of holy love and power.

Sunday’s service will be designed to open our thirsty souls to God’s quenching love.  Holy Communion will be served.  The Chapel Choir will sing.  The service will begin at 8:45 a.m.

Two people from our church family died this past weekend.  The funeral for Lois Burleton will be held in Waupun this morning.  Donna Trapp’s memorial service will be at Church of Peace tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m.  Please remember the families of these women when you pray.

We have had three people hospitalized that we know of: Leo Zinniel remains at St. Agnes where he is recovering from surgery.  Helene Schrankler has returned home from the hospital and is recuperating there.  Alvin Dehring has been transferred to the Hospice Home of Hope.  Please continue to hold them all in prayer. 

It is our turn to host Loaves and Fishes tonight.  Snow will not hinder our guests and we trust it will not hinder those who signed up to prepare and serve the meal.  The kitchen will be active all afternoon; serving starts at 5:00; clean-up ends about 6:30. 

The Messenger is now available in the church narthex and on our web-site  (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: Let your warm love surround me today, O God, as I proceed through my tasks. Use my smiles and words and deeds to remind others of your generous spirit of joy.  Bless those who are sick (especially Leo Zinniel, Helene Schrankler, and Alvin Dehring) or grieving (especially the families of Lois Burleton and Donna Trapp) with a sense of your nearness and healing touch.  I pray remembering Jesus.  Amen.

Lenten Greetings from Church of Peace 02/20/13

Greetings from Church of Peace on this chilly Lenten Wednesday!

“You will have difficulties,” Jesus once said.  And he was right, wasn’t he?  Life is often very hard.  Come this evening to our Lenten service (7:00 p.m.) and gain some insight as to how our Savior suggested we handle tragedies and challenges which do come our way.  There will be a prayer journey and gorgeous slides on the screen.  You’ll be glad you came.

Sunday’s service will feature an anthem by our youngest Sunday School children.  They are always so cute! Come worship with us at 8:45 as we open our hearts to God’s healing love.

Please remember these people when you pray: Donna Trapp (in hospice care at home), Leo Zinniel (in the hospital), and Audrey Schaalma (transferred to the Lutheran Home). 

Our turn to serve Loaves and Fishes is coming soon: February 27^th.  We need people to help prepare the food, serve our guests, and clean-up after the meal.  The sign-up sheet is in the coatroom.  Monetary gifts to pay for food are always appreciated as well.  Thank you!

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God, my Maker and my Friend, you have assured me that you will never leave or forsake me.  Take away my fears and worries; fill me instead with your peace.  I pray for all who are in need of your healing power, especially Donna Trapp, Leo Zinniel, and Audrey Schaalma.  Thank you for your graceful touch in their lives and in mine.  Amen.