Greetings of Church of Peace - December 29, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace on this 5^th day of Christmas!

This Sunday we have a wonderful opportunity to begin the new year in a holy way.  We’ll be gathering New Year’s Day at 8:45 a.m. for worship.  Come join us as we praise God for the blessings of 2011 and ask God for guidance in 2012. Holy Communion will be celebrated. There will be no Sunday School this week.

We know of two people who are hospitalized: David Borchert in Neenah and Pat Pratt at St. Agnes.  Please remember these folks in your prayers. We extend our Christian sympathy to the family of Sharon Miess.  Sharon’s funeral was yesterday. 

The church’s financial books will close on Friday morning at 10:00 so if you have donations that you would like credited to 2011, please make sure your gift arrives at the church office by then. 

A word of thanks: on behalf of the congregation as well as ourselves, we want to express our gratitude to all the people whose dedication made possible our inspirational Advent and Christmas seasons: all of our musicians, the Worship Enhancement Team, dramatists, teachers, candle-lighters, readers, ushers, and staff. A special thank you to Ray Beilke, Art Conklin, and Jeanette Hinn for their leadership of the Christmas Day worship service. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Dear God who has blessed me so richly in the closing year, I turn to you with a grateful heart, thankful for all the love that I have experienced during the days of 2011.  As the year comes to a close, remind me to forgive those who have hurt me in any way, just as you have forgiven me for my transgressions during the year.  Please continue to shine your healing light upon David Borchert and Pat Pratt; bring consolation and peace to the family of Sharon Miess.  I pray these things remembering Jesus.  Amen.   

Greetings from Church of Peace - December 15, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Tonight we hold one of the loveliest services of the year at Church of Peace – the Service of Remembrance and Hope.  At 7:00 we’ll gather in the beauty of our candlelit sanctuary for prayers, songs, and Scriptures.  The trees are up and decorated; the poinsettias will be in place. Join us for this time of spiritual refreshment.  A social hour will follow.

Sunday is the Advent Sunday of Love. Worship begins at 8:45 a.m.  The Chapel Choir will sing. Then at 10:15 the children of the Sunday School will present their Christmas program which will be followed by a social hour.  (PARENTS: have your child in his/her classroom by 9:50 please.)

At 5:00 Sunday night we will meet for a quick pizza supper, then climb on a bus to go caroling for some of our members.  We’ll return to the church by 7:00.  This is an activity for the whole family.  How heart-warming it will be for all!

David Borchert has been hospitalized at Theda Clark Medical Center.  Please pray for his speedy and complete recovery.

On Saturday the one and only rehearsal for the children’s Christmas program will begin at 9:00.  All children who are in the program need to attend.  The practice will take about an hour and a half.  Following the rehearsal, the middle-school students will be decorating cookies for the next day’s social hour.

Next Tuesday, all members and friends are invited to Golden Fellowship to enjoy pizza and to share Christmas stories from times past. Come to Gammert Hall at 11:00 to join in the fun.

Looking ahead:

Christmas Eve:    4:00 Communion Service/ Special Music by Inge                                               Adelmeyer and Pastor Jim

                                     7:00 Communion Service/Candles for Everyone

                                  11:00 Pew Communion/Candles for Everyone

                                            Chapel Choir Singing

Christmas Day   10:00 a.m. Service of Lessons and Carols

                                            No Sunday School, Breakfast Club, Social Hour

Are you planning to attend the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service?  If so, would your family be willing to light the Advent candles?  Please call Pastor Jenny at 921-8215 if you would be willing to help in this important way.  We will give you the words to say.

That’s the news from Church of Peace. 

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

A prayer for today: Eternal Source of birth and new life, help me to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas.  Slow me down and remind me to place my hope in you.  Be my calm center; make me a channel of your peace. Bless David Borchert with your healing power.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace on this Thanksgiving Eve Day. 

Join with us as we gather for tonight’s Thanksgiving worship service.  The youth choir will sing, there will be pew communion, and a prayer journey will help guide our thoughts toward God.  Our sanctuary has been specially prepared for this festival of gratitude. It begins at 7:00.

Saturday brings us the joyful and holy occasion of Steve Stepp’s ordination. The Chapel Choir will sing.  Come ask God’s blessing upon Steve and his ministry. It will begin at 1:00 and will be followed by a social hour.

Sunday’s service will usher in the festive season of Advent.  Our sanctuary will be resplendent in blue, a sign of joyful preparation for the arrival of Christ at Christmas.  Little Joseph Peterson will be baptized.  Our littlest Sunday School children will sing.

Gary Babler is a patient at St. Agnes Hospital.  Please include him in your prayers.

There will be no confirmation class tonight but all confirmands are expected to attend the Thanksgiving Eve worship service at 7:00. 

The December Messenger is ready to be picked up in the narthex or elevator lobby or to be read on-line (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: In this time of gratitude, O God, I would like to thank you for all the blessings you have provided in my life, but there are so many that I don’t know where to begin.  I pray that you will help me to grow in gratitude every day of my life so each day may be a thanksgiving to you.  Bless Gary Babler and all who are sick with your tender, healing touch. Bless Steve Stepp as he receives the rite of ordination.  And bless our whole church family with meaningful worship and ever-more-faithful hearts.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - November 17, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!

What does it mean for our day-to-day lives that Christ reigns over all creation?  We will think about this together on Sunday.  We will also remember and give thanks for those members of our congregation who have died during the past year.  The Chapel Choir will sing. 

On next Wednesday night, Thanksgiving Eve, we will gather to give thanks at 7:00 p.m.  Join us for this lovely and meaningful service which includes Holy Communion served in the pews and a prayer journey.  The Youth Choir will sing!

Tonight’s Mid-Week Faith Boost begins a discussion of Pastor Jim’s novel, Sheboygan County Chronicle.  Even if you haven’t read the first chapter, join us for an energetic conversation. We’ll begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper Room.

Remember that on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, you have the honor of participating in Steve Stepp’s ordination.  It will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

We’ve had a couple of people in the hospital: Harold Kryzyanowski and Del Luttenberger have both been released to their homes.  Milton Scott is now at The Woodlands.  Lorraine Thill is now in hospice care.  Please remember these people 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: O God, I await an awareness of your Spirit with eagerness.  I pray that you will enter my life in a new way today, renewing me so I may live with purpose and enthusiasm and courage.  Bless with your healing love all who are sick, especially Harold Kryzyanowski, Del Luttenberger, Milton Scott, and Lorraine Thill.  I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - November 9, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!  We hope this finds you dry and warm. 

Sunday is Consecration Sunday.  This means (1) an opportunity to show our gratitude to God for all our many blessings, (2) inspiration from a new voice (Rev. Ann Wahlers joins us in worship leadership), and (3) really good food in a decorated Gammert Hall afterwards. In addition, the Stewardship Ministry Team has prepared a video featuring people from Church of Peace serving God in a variety of ways. This will be shown following worship during the social hour. Join us at 8:45 a.m. for this joyful service and stay for the treats (watch for your picture in the slide show, too).  

Need a visual reminder of summer’s beauty?  Come to Mid Week Faith Boost this evening. We will be viewing a presentation of Jim’s photos from northern Minnesota and from our garden.  It starts at 6:30 p.m. You can also pick up a copy of Sheboygan County Chronicle, Pastor Jim’s novel. We will be discussing it for the next few weeks.

Milton Scott is recovering in the hospital. Please remember him when you pray.

Golden Fellowship meets Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. We’ll have a program on preventing stokes and then share a delicious lunch.  Everyone will be welcomed.

We have an opportunity to participate in an uncommon and holy event on Saturday, November 26th at 1:00 p.m. when Steve Stepp is ordained to the Christian ministry in our sanctuary.  We strongly encourage members of the congregation to take part in this service.  A social hour will follow.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

Prayer for today: As the chilly winter-like winds blow outside today, I pray, O God, that you will accept my gratitude for my warm home and my Spirit-warmed heart.  I ask your blessing upon those who are cold in body, mind, or spirit today.  Bless our congregation as we rededicate ourselves to you on this Consecration Sunday.  Heal Milton Scott with your  gentle power.  I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - November 3, 2011

Greetings from Church of Peace!

DON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCK BACK

ON SATURDAY NIGHT!

“All aboard the Good Ship CornuCOPia!” The crew of this vessel will be featured in the chancel drama/sermon on Sunday morning.  In addition, we will be graced by an anthem from the Chapel Choir, we will share in the Lord’s Supper, and Ethan Hackbarth will be our witnessing steward. Be with us at 8:45 a.m. this Sunday for this memorable service.

At 10:15 this morning, Church of Peace will be hosting a short communion service for the residents of All About Life.  Mid-Week Faith Boost will meet at 6:30 this evening.

Youth Choir is back in session!  Rehearsals are Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

Milton Scott remains hospitalized.  Please remember him in your prayers.

Thanks to all who participated in the “got generosity?” wall at the church.  Haven’t seen it yet?  It will be up for a couple of weeks.

Looking ahead:

        Wednesday, November 9^th: Church of Peace serves Loaves and Fishes

           

Sunday, November 13^th: Consecration Sunday with special “Black and White” social hour to follow.  Got generosity?

Sunday, November 20^th: Memorial Sunday.

Saturday, November 26^th: Steve Stepp’s Ordination at Church of Peace at 1:00 p.m.

That’s the news from the Good Ship CornuCOPia.

See you in church!  Pastors Jenny and Jim

A prayer for today: O God, don’t let me forget you when I get busy today.  Help me to continually listen for your guidance and notice your many blessings. Show me any ways that I can be your hands or voice in the world today.  I ask your continued blessing upon Milton Scott as he recuperates in the hospital.  Thank you, God.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Sunday we’ll be gathering for worship at 8:45 a.m. in our beautiful sanctuary for an uplifting service. As we remember the Christian Reformation, we’ll listen for the healing words that God wants for us to hear. Brenda Luebke will share her reflections on what the Church of Peace means in her life.  Don’t miss this opportunity to encounter God and enjoy the company of your church family.

A hearty “thank you” to all who helped with the bazaar.  We had a good crew that made the day go well.  A few items will be on sale Sunday after worship.

We need a few strong people to help Saturday from 8-10 at the church.  We aren’t quite done with the bazaar clean up. There is some furniture to be moved, etc.

Tonight at 6:30, the Mid-Week Faith Boost discussion will focus on just how affectionate and forgiving God is.

There are three people from our church family in the hospital: Sandy Treptow, Milton Scott, and Tom Lechnir.  Please remember them in your prayers.  When you pray, please also remember Marie Michalowski who has entered hospice care

The confirmands and their coaches leave on their retreat on Friday evening at 7:00 and will return to the church Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

The Messenger is on line (www.uccchurchofpeace.org) and will be available in the narthex and elevator lobby on Sunday.  If you wish to have your Messenger mailed to you, just call the office.

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 called me into a relationship with you.  I am humbled and honored.  Please show me what you want me to do for you as the hours of this day go by.  Strengthen by your presence all those who are sick, especially Tom Lechnir, Sandy Treptow, Milton Scott, and Marie Michalowske.  Bless our confirmands and their leaders as they build their faith on the retreat.  I pray these things with a thankful heart.  Amen.