Christmas Eve Greetings from Church of Peace

Greetings from Church of Peace on this Christmas Eve Day!

Tonight we hope to see you at one of our three services. Here are the highlights:

4:00 p.m. Family Service for the young and the young at heart.  Special music by Pastor Jim.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  The holy family will make an appearance. Bring a bell if you have one.

7:00 p.m. Candle-light service.  Special music by Pastor Jim and Ellie Martin Cliffe.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  The passing of the light of Christ will be a highlight of the service. Bring a bell if you have one.

11:00 p.m. Candle-light service.  Special music by the Chapel Choir. Holy Communion will be celebrated.  The passing of the light of Christ will be a highlight of the service. Bring a bell if you have one.

We know of four people who are hospitalized: Don Kremer, Jim Mitchell, Carol Moon, and John Stepp.  Please pray for the healing light of Christ to shine upon them this Christmas.

Sunday’s worship will be a service of lessons and carols featuring a children’s story and an anthem by the Chapel Choir. Worship will begin at 8:45. There will be no Sunday School this week.

The church office will be closed beginning today at noon.  It will reopen on Monday, December 29^th at 9:00 a.m.  January’s Messenger will be delayed because of the Christmas holiday.

May you each have a joyful and holy Christmas.

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

A prayer for today: O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend on me, I pray.  Cast out my sin and enter in; be born in me today.  Bless those who are sick or sad this Christmas with your tender, compassionate touch, especially Don Kremer, Jim Mitchell, Carol Moon, and John Stepp.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 12/18/14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Feeling a bit stressed by the holiday preparations and expectations?  Missing someone you love? Is your soul weary? Tonight’s Service of Remembrance and Hope offers just what your spirit needs.  Join us at 7:00 p.m. for a time of quietness and healing in our candle-lit sanctuary.  If you have a grieving friend, invite them to join you. A social hour will follow.

The trees are up and decorated. The Love Candle is ready to be lit.  Inge and Roger have rehearsed the special music. We’re just about ready for Sunday’s service which will be uplifting and joyful.  The service will begin at 8:45.

Please include in your prayers these four people from our church family who are hospitalized: Don Kremer, Jim Mitchell, Carol Moon, and Glenn Van Norman. 

Attention parents! Please have your child at the church at 9:00 on Saturday morning for the Christmas Program practice. Sunday morning the program will begin at 10:15.  It will be followed by a social hour hosted by our middle-schoolers.

There’s still time to sign up for the Caroling Party on Sunday.  We’ll meet at the church for pizza at 5:00 p.m. and then head out in the bus to bring some Christmas cheer. 

Christmas Eve Schedule

4:00 p.m. Family Service.  Special music by TJ Schultz and Pastor Jim.  Holy Communion will be served. Bring a bell if you have one.

7:00 p.m. Candle-lit Service.  Special music by the pastors’ family.  Holy Communion will be served.  Bring a bell if you have one.

11:00 p.m. Candle-lit Service.  Special music by the Chapel Choir.  Holy Communion will be served.  Bring a bell if you have one.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today (from a prayer by Ruth Duck): O God, you know this is a season of hopes and anxiety for me.  I get caught up in the excitement and plans of the holidays. I worry about whether everything will get done and whether my relationships will blossom, bend, or break in the stress of the season.  Bring me near to your side and help me to place my hope in you.  Be my calm center so I may be a channel of peace to the people around me.  I pray that your healing light will shine on Don Kremer, Jim Mitchell, Carol Moon, and Glenn Van Norman; hold them in your gentle hands.  These things I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 12/10/14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

“Joy to the World!” will be our closing hymn on Sunday as we celebrate God’s gift of joyfulness.  The Smet family will light the Advent candles.  Come see the empty manger and prepare your heart for Christ’s birth.

Carol Moon and Don Kremer are in the hospital.  Please remember them in your prayers.

Pastor Jim has released a video on YouTube.  Watch and listen. You’ll be inspired. And you’ll see some familiar faces!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KQI9F3QI1M.

 

COMING UP

·        Saturday – Women’s Birthday Celebration at 10:00 at Rolling Meadows Family Restaurant.

·        Tuesday – Holiday BINGO featuring fabulous prizes and delicious lunch to follow. Starts at 11:00 a.m. Please sign up so we can order an appropriate number of lunches.

·        Thursday, a week from today – A Service of Remembrance and Hope, specially designed for those of us who’ll be missing someone at Christmastime or who’ve had a tough year.  Everyone is welcome to attend this lovely, peaceful service.  It is at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18^th.

·        Sunday, December 21^st – The Children’s Christmas concert at 10:15 a.m. 

·        Sunday, December 21^st - Caroling at 5:00 p.m. (starts with pizza, then on to the bus to bring cheer). Please sign up so we can order the pizza.

·        Wednesday, December 24^th – Family worship at 4:00 p.m. Candlelight services at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.  All services include Holy Communion.  Bring a bell if you have one!

That’s the news from Church of Peace. 

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

A prayer for today: O God of hope and peace, I pray for your blessing upon my day.  Fill my heart with serenity as I live through its hours.  Give me gracious words and kindness-filled actions.  Above all, keep me aware of your loving presence with me.  I pray for Carol Moon and Don Kremer.  May they also feel your loving, healing presence within them today.  Bless our church staff as they prepare the myriad of events and services which are designed to prepare us for the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas.  These things I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 12/04/14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Peace – that’s the Advent gift we celebrate this week in worship.  Brian and Ariel Brautigam will light the Advent candles.  Holy Communion will be celebrated. Our new organist, Roger Meyer, will be at the keyboards.  Please plan to stay for the social hour where you will have an opportunity to welcome Roger.

Tonight we will meet at 6:30 in the sanctuary for an evening worship service with Holy Communion. 

Carol Dehnel and Carol Moon are patients in the hospital. Please remember them when you pray.

This Saturday morning at 9:00 the Shawl Ministers will meet in the Upper Room.  

Lifeline Health Screening will be meeting here next Thursday to do health screenings.  If you want to participate, you need to give them a call at 1-888-653-6450.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: In this particularly-hectic season, I could use a little extra peace and patience, O God.  Help me to slow down for a moment and breathe in an awareness of your nearness.  Fill me with the serenity that can only come from you.  Assure me that together, you and I can proceed through this day with grace.  I pray that your healing light will continue to shine in the lives of Carol Dehnel and Carol Moon. I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Thanksgiving Greetings from Church of Peace

Greetings from Church of Peace on this Thanksgiving Eve Day!

As you are finalizing plans for your Thanksgiving celebration, don’t forget the Thanksgiving Eve Worship service which begins at 7:00 p.m. tonight.  Holy Communion will be served in the pews. The service will be serene and fill your heart with joy.

Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent!  The Worship Enhancement Team will transform our sanctuary into its blue and purple finery.  The Candle of Hope will be lit by the Hanke family. The Chapel Choir will provide us with an anthem of praise.

Don Kremer and Carol Moon are currently in the hospital.

The church office will not be open on Thursday or Friday of this week.

The Messenger will be on-line  -- www.uccchurchofpeace.org -- by the end of the day and will be available for pick-up in the narthex tonight.

Thanks the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God, Giver of Every Good, I thank you for your lavish provision for my every need.  Especially in this season of thanksgiving, I find my heart filled with gratitude for your never-ending kindness.  I pray that I will remember to express this gratitude with my life.  And I pray that you will bless Don Kremer and Carol Moon with newly-found health and strength.  Amen.

  

Greetings from Church of Peace 11-20-14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

The children are singing in worship on Sunday. We are receiving new members.  What a joyful service it will be!  Join us as we celebrate Christ the Sovereign Sunday in sermon, prayer, and song.  Worship begins at 8:45 a.m.

Carol Moon is still a patient at St. Agnes Hospital.  Please pray for God’s healing light to continue to shine in her life.

This Saturday at 10:00 a.m., women with November birthdays will gather at the Rolling Meadows Restaurant for an hour of conversation and cake.  If you weren’t able to join us on your birthday month earlier in the year, please join us on Saturday.

Next Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. is the Thanksgiving Eve service.  This will be a serene and quietly jubilant service as we thank God for our many blessings.  Pew communion will be celebrated.

Building to Serve team members are finishing up their calls this week and next.  This means we will be able to announce the total amount pledged in December.  We will keep you posted!

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 soul yearns to feel your deep touch of peace and my heart is eager to hear your guiding voice.  I pray that I may walk closely with you today, that my words and actions will reflect your loving care.  Bless Carol Moon with returning health and strength.  Keep in your warm love all who have to be outside, especially those who are homeless and show us how to help them.  Thank you, God.  Amen.  

Greetings from Church of Peace 11-13-14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Jesus told stories called “parables” to teach valuable lessons about life and faith.  This week’s Scripture reading is one of those stories, a tale of a master and three slaves.  Come learn from its wisdom and be inspired to live faithfully. Worship begins at 8:45.

Carol Moon is a patient at St. Agnes Hospital.  Please remember her when you pray.

The Shawl Ministers will meet this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. for a time of handiwork and conversation.

Our Building to Serve Campaign has reached the 76% mark in terms of households reporting!  Congratulations to our team members and those of you who have graciously welcomed them into your homes. We are hoping to finish up soon so we can announce the results in early December.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: The chilliness of the weather calls to my mind the warmth of your love for me, O God.  Bless me with a keen sense of your presence today.  Show me how to share the compassion and generosity that I receive from you. Bless Carol Moon with healing and hope as she recovers from surgery.  These things I pray remembering Jesus.  Amen.