Greetings from Church of Peace 12-27-12

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Happy third day of Christmas! We have no French hens to offer you.  But we do have a joyful worship service planned for Sunday. It will feature the carols and Scripture readings of Christmas – no sermon, lots of singing and praying and smiling.  We hope you join us for this continuation of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. 

Margie Kaiser was a patient at St. Agnes Hospital and has gone home.  Esther Hassman is gravely ill at the Lutheran Home.  Please remember these women in your prayers.

There will be no NEW worship service tonight.  We will resume next week.

Check out the Messenger on-line (www.uccchurchofpeace.org) or pick one up in the narthex or elevator lobby.  There are many inspirational and fun activities going on in January.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.  May your 2013 be a year blessed with hope, peace, joy, and love.  And may 2013 find Church of Peace faithfully serving as the Body of Christ in Fond du Lac. 

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

A prayer for today: O God, you have been my help in the year past and I know you bring me hope for the new year.  Calm my fears about the future.  Clear my vision and help me to see my role in ushering in your reign of love and peace.  Hold Margie Kaiser and Esther Hassman close to your heart. May our congregation grow in faithfulness as the months of 2013 pass by.  I pray in the name of the Babe of Bethlehem.  Amen.  

 

Greetings from Church of Peace 12-19-12

Greetings from Church of Peace on this snowy day!

Here’s the schedule for the next few days:

Tonight:

            The Remembrance and Hope Service has been cancelled.

Saturday:

            9:30 – 10:30 Sunday School Program Practice Grades 1-8

Sunday:

             8:45     Advent Sunday of Love Worship

            10:15     Sunday School Christmas Program

            10:45     Social Hour hosted by Middle School Youth

             5:00     Caroling/Pizza Party

Monday:

             10:00   Funeral for life-long member Marie Michalowske

              4:00   Christmas Eve Family Worship

              7:00   Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

             11:00  Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

Tuesday:

            Merry Christmas!  May the blessings of Emmanuel – God With Us – be showered upon you and your loved ones.

That’s the news from Church of Peace!

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

A prayer for today: The snow is beautiful, O God.  Please bless those who have to work outside and those who love to play outside. Help travelers to drive carefully, mindful of the safety of others.  As our congregation prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus, may your Spirit of Love pervade our every conversation, rehearsal, and preparation.  We ask that divine comfort and solace be poured out upon the family of Marie Michalowske and all who mourn the loss of loved ones.  With great expectation and gratitude we pray.  Amen.   

Church of Peace Thursday Greetings 12-13-12

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Joy to the World!  That’s our theme for worship this week (tonight at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:45 a.m.).  On Sunday, the Chapel Choir will sing and we will be receiving new members. 

Immediately after worship on Sunday, there will be a brief congregational meeting to review the revisions to our constitution that the Church Council has made. 

A week from today, Thursday, December 20^th, a beautiful and soothing service will be held in our candle-lit sanctuary: the Service of Remembrance and Hope.  Join us at 7:00 for a time of Scripture, music, and prayer.  Originally designed for people with a sad heart, the service has been found to bring hope to all of us. There will be a social hour afterwards.

December 23^rd is a week from this coming Sunday. On that day, the Sunday School program will be held at 10:15 a.m. after the Advent Sunday of Love worship service. That afternoon at 5:00, we will meet at the church for pizza and caroling trip around town on a bus.  You can sign up for the caroling on the bulletin board in the coatroom, reply to this email, or call the church office (921-8215).  It is a free event.

Which Christmas Eve service are you planning to attend? 

The 4:00 service is designed with children in mind.  Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus will make an appearance.  Inge Adelmeyer and Pastor Jim will provide anthems. We will sing child-friendly Christmas carols.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  All worshippers are invited to bring a bell to help us ring in the holy-day of Christmas.

The 7:00 and 11:00 services are very similar to one another.  They will feature the sharing of the light of Christ (candles held by all).  Holy Communion will be served.  Special music will be provided at each service by TJ Schultz and Pastor Jim.  The Chapel Choir will sing at 11:00. This year, a highlight of the hour will be stunning pictures that will bring awe to our Christmas worship.

Plan to make your Christmas holy by worshipping with us.

That’s the news from Church of Peace. 

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

A prayer for today:  How am I doing, God?  Am I growing in hope, peace, joy, and love this Advent as I prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas?  Bless me with perseverance and patience as I seek to become more Christ-like.  Place before me opportunities to help others feel your love.  I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace - December 6, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

“Prepare!”  That’s the message John the Baptist will share with us tonight (6:30) and Sunday morning (8:45) at our worship services.  On Sunday, the youth choir will sing and little Elin Poirer will be baptized. The Ryan family will light the candle of peace. Come see the sanctuary transformed week-by-week in its Advent splendor.

We are getting our church building spruced up for Christmas. Tomorrow evening and Saturday, we’ll be painting the hallway.  It is a very looonnnnggg hall, so we can use as many painters as possible. Just show up with a brush or roller in hand – we’ll provide the paint and the smiles.

This Saturday morning, the Worship Enhancement Team will be gathering at 9:00 and the Shawl Ministers at 9:30.   Sunday night, the new members group will be gathering with the pastors and some council members for an orientation meeting.

This Sunday will be the last day to order poinsettias.

Looking ahead:

                        Sunday, December 16^th    Congregational Meeting after worship

                        Thursday, December 20^th     Service of Remembrance and Hope 7:00 p.m.

                        Sunday, December 23^rd     Sunday School program at 10:15

                        Sunday, December 23^rd     Caroling Party from 5-8

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: As I prepare for the celebration of Christmas, don’t let me neglect to prepare my spirit, O God.  In all of the hubbub around the holidays, I do not want to forget that a pure and receptive heart is the greatest gift I can bring to you. Lead me to those who need love; show me ways to bring hope and peace into the world.  Amen.

           

 

Greetings from Church of Peace 11-29-12

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Advent begins on Sunday.  The candle of hope will be lit and the Chapel Choir will sing. Join us at 8:45 for the service which will include Holy Communion.

Tonight at 6:30 our NEW worship will include Holy Communion and the lighting of the candle of hope.

 
Linda Schimmel is a patient at Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh. Please remember her in your prayers. We offer our Christian condolences to all from our church family who have lost loved ones in the recent past, especially Jeanette Hinn whose husband Bill died on Sunday.

Mark your calendars: Church of Peace Christmas caroling on Sunday December
23rd from 5:00 - 8:00. We'll eat pizza and then take a bus around town to sing for some of our folks who'll appreciate the extra cheer. What a fitting way to prepare your heart for the birth of Jesus.

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 gentleness and strength, as I approach this Advent season, may I grow in patience and compassion. Show me how to become more hopeful so that I can serve you with enthusiasm.  Bless Linda Schimmel with
healing; touch those with grieving hearts with your comfort, especially Jeanette Hinn.  I pray these things in Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

Thanksgiving Eve

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Happy Day-Before-Thanksgiving! Come tonight at 7:00 p.m. for a worship service designed to help us express our gratitude for all of our blessings.  The sanctuary will be lovely, the message heart-warming, and the Spirit present with us.  Plus the Worship Enhancement Team has prepared a gift for each worshipper.

There will be no NEW worship this Thursday because it is Thanksgiving Day.  We’ll resume next Thursday.

On Saturday at 9:00, the Council could use some help.  We have some yard work to finish up before winter strikes.  Could you come and work for a while?  Please bring a rake.

Sunday’s service will be a joyful celebration of the love and forgiveness offered by our compassionate God.  The Chapel Choir will sing.  We’ll gather at 8:45.

A member of our church family has died.  Robert Warner’s service will be held on Friday. Please pray that God’s comfort will be with his family.

Watch your mailbox for a copy of the proposed revisions to the Constitution of Church of Peace.  There will be a meeting on December 16^th to vote on the proposed changes.

The December newsletter will be available in the narthex on Sunday and on the website later today.  While you are on the website (www.uccchurchofpeace.org), check out the newly-enhanced picture section.  Thanks to Halie Hackbarth for bringing this up-to-date.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: I have so much to be grateful for, O Generous One.  Thank you.  Bless all who gather tomorrow; turn their hearts toward you.  Please be with the family of Robert Warner as they mourn his death. May the spirit of gratitude remain in my heart not just during this holiday but always.  Amen.

 

Greetings from Church of Peace November 15, 2012

Greetings from Church of Peace!

If you like children, you’ll love Sunday’s service.  The youngest Sunday School classes will sing and little Audyn Zupke will be baptized.  Our Scripture reading is about the end times (should we believe the Mayan calendar?). Be a part of a service that is not only full of joy but faith-building as well.

Tonight’s NEW worship will also focus on Jesus’ words about catastrophic events and the end of history.  Join us at 6:30 for this casual style worship that brings us closer to God.

Ken Thome is a patient at Froedtert Hospital and is expected to return home late this week.  Please pray that his return to health and strength will be swift and complete.

A week from today is Thanksgiving.  The evening before, on Wednesday, November 21^st, we will be gathering at 7:00 p.m. to acknowledge God’s generosity in our lives. The service will feature Holy Communion as well as lovely slides on the screen.  Don’t miss this opportunity to fill your heart with gratitude and to express your thanks.

The Church Council has been busy revising the Church of Peace Constitution.  Watch your mailbox for a copy of the proposed revised document.  There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, December 16^th, to vote on the proposed changes.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

 A prayer for today: Use me today, O God.  Use me to bring cheer, to convey encouragement, to be an agent of goodness in the world.  Let your light shine through me.  Fill me with your peace as I face any challenges. I pray that your healing love will bring Ken Thome to health and strength soon and that all your children will have warm shelter on this chilly day.  Amen.