Greetings from Church of Peace 09/18/14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Can you smell pancakes cooking?  They’ll be sizzling in the Church of Peace kitchen on Sunday morning and you’re invited to help yourself! It’s the official kick-off for the Building to Serve Campaign. Join us for worship at 8:45 and breakfast to follow.  Annie Hackbarth will be our Witnessing Steward.

The final Awareness Meeting for Building to Serve will be held on Sunday at 10:00.  This is an informational meeting.    Please come if you have any questions about the Building to Serve Campaign. You will not be asked for money at this meeting.

This Saturday morning, women with September birthdays will be gathering at Rolling Meadows at 10:00 a.m. for an hour of conversation and friendship-building.  There will be beverages and sweet rolls to share. If you are a woman who missed the gathering on the month of your birthday, you are welcome to join us.

On Tuesday, September 30^th, you are invited to a presentation on Current and Common Scams.  Golden Fellowship will host Officer Steve Olsen as he informs us of these threats.  Lunch will follow.  Please sign up on the bulletin board so we have an appropriate amount of food for lunch.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Today, O God, I pray that you will fill me with your Spirit so I might be a channel of your tender care for those who are brokenhearted or searching for a bit of light.  Refresh and renew me for Christian service.  Bring me moments of delight.  I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Greetings from Church of Peace 09-11-14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

This Sunday we will commission and bless the women and men of our congregation who have answered the call to be Team Members in our Building to Serve Campaign.  Join us at 8:45 a.m. for a service full of music, prayer, and proclamation. The sermon will focus on how to forgive those who have hurt us. Deb Opperman will be the Witnessing Steward. An Awareness Meeting and Sunday School will each follow at 10:00 a.m.

If you have a high-school aged youth at home, please remind them that they are being requested to serve the social hour this Sunday.

Pat Klebs expects to go home from the hospital today.  Please pray that she will continue to be blessed with healing.

At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, the Shawl Ministers will meet in the Youth Room for a time of conversation, planning, prayer, and handiwork.  Join us if you’d like to be a part of this healing ministry. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Keep my soul warm with your love today, O God.  Remind me that the changing of the seasons does not bring a change in the depth of your goodness, the perfection of your wisdom, or the tenderness of your heart. I pray that you will bless Pat Klebs with returning strength.  Thank you for everything!  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 09-04-14

Greetings from Church of Peace,

“Sing a new song to God!” is the Scriptural basis for Sunday’s worship service which begins at 8:45 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated.

Tonight Holy Communion will be served at 6:30 in the sanctuary at our mid-week worship service. 

Sunday School starts at 10:00 on Sunday morning.  Parents, please download a registration form from the on-line Messenger (www.uccchurchofpeace.org) or pick one up in the narthex on Sunday before you bring your child to their classroom.  Confirmation classes begin next Wednesday.

The second Awareness Meeting for the Building to Serve Campaign will be held this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.  This is an interesting program designed to explain the campaign.

On Monday, it is our turn to serve Loaves and Fishes.  The last couple of times we have been short on help.  Please sign up on Sunday if you can assist.  We especially need help from 5:30-6:30 p.m.   

Tom Strauss has come home from the hospital.  Please remember Tom when you pray and also pray for Dixie Borchert and her family.  Dixie’s mother died yesterday.

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 this new education season begins, I pray that patience and wisdom will be your gifts to teachers, parents, and students in our Sunday School and confirmation classes as well as in the public schools and colleges.  I pray also for Tom Strauss and Dixie Borchert that they may each be blessed with a keen sense of your presence and healing power in their lives.  Show me how to shine with gratitude in every aspect of my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 08/28/14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

“Who am I?” The answer to this question changes as our lives go on.  The Biblical character of Moses asks this question of God in our Old Testament reading for Sunday. Join us for worship at 8:45 as together we seek some answers to our deepest yearnings.

The first of the Awareness Meetings will be held at 10:00 Sunday in the sanctuary. If you haven’t signed up for one yet, call Jackie at 921-8215.  The meetings are designed to help each of us understand the Building to Serve Campaign.  There will be time to ask questions and get answers from people “in the know.”

Tom Strauss is a patient at Froedtert Hospital. Please pray that Tom will regain strength in the coming days so he can come home soon.

Help!  We are forming a team of people to take turns running the PowerPoint in worship on Sundays. If you’d like to be on the list of people, please tell one of us.  There will be a training session in early October.

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 I go about my day, enjoying your presence with me, please shine in and through my life.  Fill me with holy energy as I try to serve you faithfully.  I pray that you will bless Tom Strauss with returning health and strength.  I pray these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

Greetings from Church of Peace 08-21-14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Sunday’s service will feature a story sermon and lots of great music.  Join us at 8:45 as we consider God’s calling to follow Jesus as disciples.

We know of three people who are hospitalized: Leo Lefeber, Carol Moon, and Randy Stafford.  Please hold them in prayer. Two of our members have lost loved ones in death this week: Lois Abitz’ son, Jay, has died as has Jan Alf’s brother, Carl.  May God’s gift of comfort be with them.

Please sign up for an Awareness Meeting (Sundays, August 31, September 7,14, and 21 at 10:00 in the sanctuary).  These meetings will help explain why we are undertaking the Building to Serve Campaign.  This will be the perfect time to ask questions.  Call Jackie at 921-8215 to register.

Our Sunday School teachers will meet on Saturday at 9:00 in the Upper Room to go over plans for the new school year.  We have a new spirit of energy and a new curriculum.  Sunday School starts on September 7^th.

That’s the news from Church of Peace!

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

A prayer for today: Your merciful love flows around me today, O God, as it does every day and for that I am grateful.  I pray I will live with an awareness of your nearness as the day’s hours progress. Keep me from feeling frazzled or frantic; fill me instead with a sense of well-being in your care.  I pray for your healing love to be manifest in the lives of Leo Lefeber, Carol Moon, and Randy Stafford.  I lift before you all who grieve, especially Lois Abitz and Jan Alf. These things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Greetings from Church of Peace 08/14/14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

This Sunday we have two services. The first will be in the sanctuary at 8:45 a.m.  The focus of this service will be the power of prayer.  The second service will be at the Mauthe Lake State Park shelter at 11:00 a.m. with a potluck to follow.  This service will be a camp-style service.  Either one will leave you inspired and renewed. Or attend both for a dramatic spiritual boost!

Carol Moon remains a patient at St. Agnes Hospital.  Please pray that Carol will continue to experience God’s healing power in her life.

Have you signed up for a Building to Serve Awareness Meeting yet?  Call the church office (921-8215) or sign up on the bulletin board.  The meetings will be held August 31 and September 7,14, and 21. 

This Saturday there will be a rummage and bake sale in Gammert Hall sponsored by the friends of Lucy Zahn.  Stop in to support our Lucy!

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Another beautiful day – thank you, God! May I make it even more beautiful by the words I speak and the deeds I do. I pray that you will bless Carol Moon with returning health and strength. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 08/07/14

Greetings from Church of Peace,

Is your life calm right now or in the midst of a storm?  Either way, you’ll find Sunday’s Scripture story strengthening.  Join us as we read about Jesus walking on the water and calming the storm.  The service will begin at 8:45 a.m.

Tonight we will gather at 6:30 for a worship service which will include communion.  We will meet in the sanctuary.

Last Sunday’s children sermon emphasized how abundantly God provides.  Twelve families received shopping bags which they will fill with groceries and return this Sunday.  If you’d like to participate, fill a paper shopping bag and bring it Sunday.  It will help teach the children about God’s generosity. And you’ll feel really good about it, too.

Saturday is the Summer Women’s Birthday Gathering at 10:00 a.m.  All women with summer birthdays are encouraged to attend. The place has been changed – it will be held at Rolling Meadows Restaurant. We’d appreciate a call (921-8215) if you can join us.

One member of our congregation remains hospitalized – Carol Moon. Please remember her when you pray.

The Messenger is now available at the church and on line (www.uccchurchofpeace.org).

Sunday, August 17^th will bring us the opportunity to worship outside at Mauthe Lake and to enjoy a picnic/potluck.  All you need to bring is a dish to pass and a lawn chair. A bus is available.  It will leave COP at 10:00 a.m. and return between 1:30 and 2:00.  Please let us know if you plan to attend so we can have plenty of drinks and main dish for everyone.

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 have blessed me with another day of life.  May I enjoy it and use its hours to serve you.  Bless Carol Moon as she recovers from surgery.  Bless our church family with a sense of purpose and peace.  I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.