Greetings from Church of Peace 10-15-15

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Sunday morning brings us an opportunity to gather in the presence of the Risen Christ, sing to the glory of God, and be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Join us at 8:45 for this time of prayer and praise.  Little Gracie Ann Draves will be baptized.  The Chapel Choir will sing.

Lucy Zahn and Edsel Wiegert are in the hospital.  Please remember to pray for them.

PARENTS OF YOUTH: the youth are gathering at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to make applesauce and prepare the kids’ games for the Festival.  They’ll be done by noon.  Please drop off your child to help with these important mission projects of our congregation.

It’s begun – many people have had their photo taken for the directory.  If you’ve neglected to sign up, you can still do so on the web-site (www.uccchurchofpeace.org) or by calling Connie Thome at 923-4058.

Speaking of the website, the newly redesigned Church of Peace website is up and running.  New pictures will be added frequently so check it out often. (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: How can I thank you enough, O God, for the many blessings which surround me each day?  For the loveliness of this season, for the camaraderie of family and friends, for the gentle renewing touch of your Spirit in my life, I am grateful.  I pray that you will shine your healing light in the lives of all who are sick, especially Lucy Zahn and Edsel Wiegert. Thank you, God.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 10-08-15

Greetings from Church of Peace!

What a full weekend we are looking forward to at Church of Peace!  On Friday at 7:00 p.m., the confirmands, some junior coaches, and the adult coaches leave for the overnight retreat at Pilgrim Center.  We’ll be studying the sacraments and having a lot of fun.

On Saturday morning, the Worship Enhancement Team will come in to transform our sanctuary into a display of abundance and beauty as they ready it for Harvest Home.

Sunday morning, the Harvest Home service will be held, complete with hymns of thankfulness, Scriptures about God’s gifts of abundant growth, and a sermon on prayer.  The beauty of this service will touch your heart deeply. Join us at 8:45. Social hour will follow and the Sunday School teachers will continue to bless our children with the priceless gift of faith.

We have three people in the hospital.  June Kohnke and Edsel Wiegert are at St. Agnes.  Lucy Zahn is in Madison for some surgery to help her breathing.  Please remember these people as you bring your requests to God in prayer.

Monday night’s Bible study continues to welcome new people.  The conversation has been described as “inspirational” and “interesting.”  Stop in at 6:30 p.m.

Photo sessions begin this Tuesday.  If you have questions or haven’t yet signed up, please call Connie Thome at 923-4058 or sign up on our website: 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: O God, like a heavenly artist, you surround me with loveliness.  May my life today reflect that same kind of beauty to those around me as I touch their lives with joy and peace. I ask your healing presence be active in the lives of June Kohnke, Edsel Wiegert, and Lucy Zahn during their hospitalizations. Thank you, God.  Amen. 

Greetings from Church of Peace 10-01-15

Greetings from Church of Peace!

World Communion Sunday will be celebrated this Sunday.  We’ll have breads from around the world as we give thanks for the Body of Christ in its many manifestations.  Join us at 8:45 a.m.

We need YOUR help! This Tuesday and Wednesday, the Ladies Aid hosts our fall rummage sale.  We need stuff to sell and – especially – baked goods for the bakery department.  You can bring your used items and your baked goods on Sunday or Monday. Setting up is a huge job and if you can help for an hour or two, you will be an answer to prayer. The proceeds of the sale go to help many people here at Church of Peace and beyond.  Thank you!

Have you signed up to have your picture taken for the pictorial directory yet?  You can go to our website (www.uccchurchofpeace.org) right now and choose a spot.  Questions?  Call Connie Thome at 923-4058.

The October Messenger is available in the narthex and on the website  (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: O God, in my busy life, I often overlook the many blessings you provide.  Today, help me to remember to notice and then to express my gratitude to you. Grant me the wisdom to be Christ-like in all my relationships.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 09/24/15

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Sunday’s a very big day for our congregation.  Here’s the rundown:

7:30 a.m.: Choir rehearsal in the choir room.

8:45 a.m.: Worship with the debut of Jim’s new hymn, an anthem by the choir, and a Mission Moment by Greg Giles from the YMCA.

Immediately after worship: a congregational meeting at which we will discuss, then vote on, the first building plan to be offered to us.  Copies of the plan will be handed out and explained. Questions will be answered.  Then paper ballots will be distributed.  If the congregation votes to accept this particular plan, construction will begin in the spring.  If the congregation votes to reject this particular plan, conversation will ensue as to alternative possibilities.

10:00 a.m.:  Sunday School begins.

Monday’s Bible study begins at 6:30. Mark’s Gospel has much to teach us about living in 2015. Newcomers are always welcomed.

Tuesday will bring smiles as we all become “Fond du Lac Detectives,” playing a game involving pictures of sites around town.  It will be fun and you will learn some things.  Plus there will be a luncheon to follow. Come join us at 11:00 a.m.

The publication of The Messenger will be delayed until next week so that the minutes of Sunday’s congregational meeting can be included in the October issue. Look for the newsletter on our website or in the narthex by Wednesday.

OCTOBER EVENTS

Rummage sale: set up on Sunday, October 4^th and Monday, October 5^th, sale on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Rummage and baked goods are needed so please be generous. The profits from the rummage sale will be used to bless our church and our neighborhood.

Fall Festival: set up on Thursday and Friday, October 22^nd and 23^rd. Festival held on Saturday, October 24^th.  Please sign up to help and to donate.  This will be a fun, happy day for us as we raise money for missions. 

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 for wisdom as I make decisions.  May I keep ever before me the model of Jesus whose love for you informed his every choice. I know that your will for me is good; may I live in accord with your love.  I pray also for our congregation.  May our meeting be characterized by the highest standards of Christian conversation.  May our vote in be accord with your hopes for Church of Peace.  I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 09-17-15

Greetings from Church of Peace!

“Welcome to our church family!” That’s what we’ll be saying this Sunday as we receive new people into our membership.  The Scriptures for the day focus on welcoming the children.  The service will begin at 8:45.

Following worship, many things are going on here at Church of Peace: Sunday School at 10:00 a.m., a conversation with the Building Committee about the proposed plan (at 10:00 in the Choir Room), and – of course – Social Hour.  There will also be sign-up for the picture directory and for October activities like the rummage/bake sale and the Fall Festival.

A funeral for Carol Dehnel will be held this morning at 11:00 here in our sanctuary with a luncheon to follow in Gammert Hall. Please remember Carol’s family when you pray.

A special thanks to Larry and Deb Conger for the fun hay-ride at their home last Saturday night. (There was a bulletin misprint indicating the hayride was coming up this Saturday.)

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God, when the challenges of life seem overwhelming, remind me that Jesus said, “You will have troubles but I will be with you.” Help me to lean on your Divine Presence today and to see your hand of blessing at work in my life.  Bless the family of Carol Dehnel with your comfort and peace.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 09/10/15

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Sunday School starts this Sunday.  Registration will begin at 9:45 a.m. and the classes begin at 10:00.  We’re looking forward to a year of learning, growing in faith, and fun with our teachers and children.  If you have a child or grandchild who is aged 4-13, we’ve got a place for them.

Sunday’s worship will be blessed by the team of Schrankler and Schrankler as Rev. Jerry will preach and Helene will play the organ.  There will be a skit about the Church Pictorial Directory. Worship begins here at 8:45 a.m.

On Sunday morning, Pastors Jim and Jenny will be representing Church of Peace at a Northeast Association gathering in Oshkosh where a commissioned hymn by Pastor Jim will be premiered during the worship service.

Please remember Carol Dehnel and her family in your prayers as Carol spends her last days of earthly life at the Hospice Home of Hope.

Saturday evening there will be a Church Family Fun Night at Larry and Deb Conger’s home.  Beginning at 5:00 with pizza, this evening will include a hayride and bonfire. You can sign up by calling the church office if you want to join in the fun.

It’s our turn to serve Loaves and Fishes on Monday night.  Show up between 4:00 and 6:30 on Monday afternoon to help.  It is heart-warming work, a meaningful way to share the bounty of Christ with our neighbors.

Monday evening at 6:30, Adult Bible Study will begin a new season.  Meet in the Youth Room for an hour of learning and sharing.  The Gospel of Mark is our topic.  

Last, but definitely not least, it is time to make an appointment to have your picture taken for the new Church of Peace Pictorial Directory.  You can register on-line on our website (www.uccchurchofpeace.org), by calling Connie Thome at 923-4058, or in the narthex on Sunday.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Enter into my heart today, O Holy Spirit, and guide me in the way you would have me go.  Show me how to be a shining light in the lives of those around me.  Bless Carol Dehnel and her family with your comfort and peace. Amen.     

Thursday Greetings 09/06/15

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Our Gospel lesson for Sunday finds Jesus’ healing touch changing the lives of people around him.  How has Christ’s healing touch been active in your life?  Join us at 8:45 as we ponder this together.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.

The number of people signed-up for Family Fun Night at the Conger’s home is great.  Haven’t added your family’s name yet? There’s still time on Sunday to sign up for this event to be held the evening of Saturday, September 12^th.  Featured fun will be a hayride and kids’ games plus a flashlight walk through the woods. Pizza, snacks, and dessert will be shared.  Children may bring a friend.  Adults can bring a friend too.

We know of no one who is hospitalized.  Carol Dehnel is now a resident of Hospice Home of Hope.  Please remember Carol and her family when you pray.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: I long for your gentle, healing touch in my life, O God, which can restore your image within me. Please bring me to physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional wholeness so I can serve you more faithfully. Please bless Carol Dehnel and her family with your comfort and peace.  I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.