12-19-13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

The trees are up and decorated! This week we celebrate the Advent Sunday of Love.  Palmer Wachter will be baptized.  The Advent candles will be lit.  Join us for a “lovely” time at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday.

Tonight we gather in the candle-lit beauty of our sanctuary for the healing service we call “Remembrance and Hope.”  Our time together will feature quiet music, Scripture readings, and prayer. There are many reasons that your heart might be weary or sad; join us at 7:00 p.m. tonight to let God touch your life with peace.

Herman Rucks has entered the hospice program. Please remember him when you pray. Please also remember the family of Bill Minnich, Sr. ; Bill’s funeral was at the U.C.C. in St. Germain on Monday.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILIES: Rehearsal for the program will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.  The program itself will begin at 10:15 on Sunday.

It is time to go caroling!  Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. we will meet for pizza, then board the bus, and head out to bring Christmas cheer. We’ll return to Church of Peace by 7:15.  This is a fun event for the whole family.  Sign up on the bulletin board in the coatroom or respond to this email so our pizza order can be accurate.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

4:00 p.m. Family Service

Carols, Costumes, Communion.

Special music by Inge Adelmeyer and Pastor Jim.

Bring a bell.

7:00 p.m. Candle-Lit Service

Carols, Candles, Communion.

Special music by Siera Ramirez.

Bring a bell.

11:00 p.m. Candle-Lit Service

Carols, Candles, Communion.

Special music by the Chapel Choir.

Bring a bell. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Amidst the hustle and bustle of this season, it renews me to stop to think of you, O God – to ponder your gifts of hope and peace and joy and love. Slow me down enough to appreciate your constant shower of blessings. Show me ways to share these gifts with others in my life. I pray for those who are sick or sad, especially Herman Rucks and the family of Bill Minnich, Sr..  Amen. 

Ushers this week

Sunday: Ray Beilke, Brenda Roehl, Kelly Konen, Art Conklin, Cindy Duffy.

Christmas Eve 4:00: Victor Abitz, Brenda and Tim Hackbarth, Nancy and Gary Zupke.

Christmas Eve 7:00: Steve O’Krueg, Ray Beilke, Norm Behnke, Brooke Rymer, Anne Streeter.

Christmas Eve 11:000: Deb Opperman, Carol and Gary Krueger, Art Conklin, Rebecca Pluim Opperman. 

Greetings from Church of Peace 12-12-13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

It’s Joy Sunday at Church of Peace! The Advent candle of joy will be lit, Scriptures encouraging us to rejoice will be read, and the Chapel Choir will sing a spirited anthem written by Pastor Jim.  Join us at 8:45 a.m. for this festival of praise.

Tonight is the last gathering of NEW Worship with Andy Griffith for this calendar year.  We’ll begin at 6:30 p.m. in Gammert Hall. Laugh and learn with us.  We grow more faithful to God’s ways with each episode we watch.

Judie Behnke is a patient at Aurora Hospital in Oshkosh.  Please pray that Judie will have a full recovery from her surgery.

Next Thursday, December 19^th, you are invited to a time of comfort and renewal – the Service of Remembrance and Hope.  Beginning at 7:00 p.m., we will sit in the candlelit loveliness of our sanctuary and let the healing love of God embrace us. Although this service is designed for those with heavy hearts this Advent season, the service provides a time for all of us to rest in God’s care and be renewed.  You are warmly invited to the service and the social hour which follows. 

Want to add a bit of heart-warming meaning to your Christmas celebration?  Come Sunday, December 22^nd at 5:00 p.m. to have some pizza and then go caroling.  The bus will stop at homes of some of our members who will appreciate an extra dose of Christmas cheer. If you plan to participate, please reply to this email or sign up on the bulletin board in the coatroom so we can order sufficient pizza.

That’s the news from Church of Peace. 

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

A prayer for today: As I approach the Advent Sunday of joy, dear God, I pray that you will fill my heart with gratitude and delight.  It is so easy to get bogged down in the trimmings of this season and to forget the deep meaning which it holds.  Restore awe and wonder within me.  I pray that Judie Behnke will continue to heal from her surgery.  I also pray that those who are homeless today will find warm places from which to hide from the cold.  Thank you!  Amen.

Ushers this week:  Theresa and Tom Schultz, Mary Lange, Ron Wilson, and Robert Hanke.

Thanksgiving Greetings from Church of Peace

Greetings from Church of Peace on this day before Thanksgiving!

Tonight we gather for a holy and gratitude-filled service at 7:00 p.m.  What a delight to have such a beautiful setting in which to offer our thanks to God for our many blessings! There will be a story sermon. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Each worshipper will receive a gift share with a friend.

Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent – the season of the church year that we prepare our hearts to meet the Christ of Christmas. The Worship Enhancement Team will have transformed the sanctuary with the symbols and colors of Advent. The candle of hope will be lit.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  Make yours a holy Advent – worship with us at 8:45 a.m. 

Two funerals are being held this week for members of our church family: Dave Gahagan’s service is today and Marjorie Sharkey’s is on Friday.  Please remember their families when you pray.

The Stewardship Ministry Team has received feedback that filling out an Estimate of Giving card is a meaningful faith practice for many of our members.  Although we will not be hosting a Consecration Sunday this year, members will have an opportunity to use the cards. We will have them available Thursday and Sunday in the pews.  If you wish to participate in this faith practice, put your card into the offering plate on Sunday.  Thank you.

The wrap-up meeting for the bazaar is Monday, December 2^nd at 6:30 p.m.

The church office will be closed on Thanksgiving and on Friday.

A prayer for today: O God, fill my heart with gratitude to you for the abundant blessings in my life, for when I am filled with gratitude, I have no room for fear or worry. Your provision for me is more than enough – it is overflowing with generosity.  And so I thank you.  Bless those whose Thanksgiving celebration is tinged with sadness, especially the families of Dave Gahagan and Marjorie Sharkey.  I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Ushers tonight: Brenda and Tim Hackbarth, Dick Kunasch, Stefanie Sharpe, and Iris Abitz.  Ushers for Sunday: Gary and Carol Krueger, Scott Towne, Dawn Sabel, and Jennifer Pittl.

Greetings from Church of Peace 11-14-13

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Police Chief William Lamb will be our Witnessing Steward this Sunday in worship. He’ll share his thoughts about the impact our congregation makes on our community. The Chapel Choir will present an anthem. There will be a thought-provoking sermon, meaningful prayers, and favorite hymns. Join us for this inspiring hour of renewal.

Tonight Andy Griffith will provide the sermon during our NEW Worship at 6:30.  Join us as we chuckle our way to more faithful living.

This Friday night and Saturday our confirmands will be on retreat at Pilgrim Center.  Please hold us in prayer as we study the Trinity and build Christian friendships.

This Sunday, next Sunday, and Thanksgiving Eve a special offering will be received for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines. Please plan to support this ministry generously.  You can write checks to Church of Peace.  United Church of Christ congregations in the Philippines will administer the funds to those most in need.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Eternal God, I pray that you will breathe your Spirit into my life today so that I may be a faithful disciple.  Grant that I will find joy and peace as I seek to live in the manner of Jesus. I ask your blessing upon the confirmands and their leaders as they grow in faith together. These things I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

This Week's Greetings

 

Greetings from Church of Peace, home of inspiring worship, friendly people, significant help for the impoverished, and a terrific bazaar!  Aren’t you glad you are a part of it?

Sunday is All Saints’ Sunday.  With great joy and reverence we will be honoring those from our church family who died this year.  The Chapel Choir will sing.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  Our first Witnessing Steward of the season will be speaking; it is Barb Zahn, who is perhaps better known as Lucy’s mom. Join us at 8:45 for a service which promises to leave us all feeling renewed and full of zeal.

Tonight’s NEW Worship in the Upper Room will also feature Holy Communion.  It begins at 6:30 p.m.

The November Messenger is available in the church narthex and on line (www.uccchurchofpeace.org).

Steve Oestreich was hospitalized and has returned home.  Please remember him when you pray.  Please also remember the families of Phyllis Funk and Ruth DeTroye, both of whom died in the last few days.

Saturday is the Fall Work Day.  There’s raking to be done as well as other chores.  We would be very grateful for YOUR help. Come any time after 8:00 a.m. 

Saturday is also a Shawl Ministry meeting.  We’ll be choosing shawls for the Cancer Center as well as blessing lots of new ones.  Bring your stitchery and join us at 9:30 a.m.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: My goal for today, O God, is to be so filled with your love that I shine with compassion in every word I say and everything I do. Please help me to achieve this. I pray that you will fill the lives of not only Steve Oestreich but also the families of Phyllis Funk and Ruth DeTroye with your healing love. Thank you!  Amen.

Ushers this Sunday: Carol and Gary Krueger, Dick Kunasch, Anne Streeter, and Nicole Schendel.    

Special Bazaar Edition - Greetings from Church of Peace

Greetings from a hustling, bustling Church of Peace as we set up for the Autumn Blessings Bazaar this Saturday!  It is already beginning to feel festive as the excitement builds.  Here’s the schedule:

          Today: Set up tables and booths, begin kitchen tasks.

          Friday: DROP OFF DONATIONS (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.).

Saturday: Bring your friends to feast and shop!

          Sunday: Celebrate with us in worship at 8:45 a.m.

Tonight’s NEW Worship will be held in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday’s worship will feature an anthem by the older Sunday School children, lots of upbeat music, and a sermon about falling down and getting up again. 

At 10:00 Sunday morning, the book study group will meet in the Upper Room and usher training will be held in the sanctuary. Diner’s Club will meet at Pizza Ranch Sunday night at 6:30. 

Chad Steenberg is a patient at Froederdt Hospital after successful heart surgery.  Please pray for Chad’s continued recovery.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

We’ll see you at the bazaar and in church!

Pastors Jenny and Jim

Ushers for Sunday: Tim and Brenda Hackbarth, Scott Towne, and Becky Opperman Pluim.

A prayer for today:  Thank you, O God, for continuing to provide me with a variety of ways to serve you.  You make my life full and satisfying as I go about doing good in the name of Christ. Today I pray for eyes that are open to opportunities for service.  Bless Chad Steenberg as he continues to strengthen and heal.  Bless Church of Peace as we host the community with our bazaar.  Bless me that I may be filled with your peace.  I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 10-13-10

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Do you know what the word “alleluia!” means?  Sunday you’ll find out and you’ll have an opportunity to praise God for your many, many blessings.  The pictures on the screen will enhance our songs and prayers.  Join us at 8:45 a.m. to be spiritually uplifted.

Tonight’s service will focus on Psalm 111, a song of praise.  Meet with us at 6:30 in Gammert Hall.

Holly Post was hospitalized over the weekend and has returned home.  Thank you for your prayers.

We pastors have been doing home communion calls this week, sharing your concern and care with the less-agile members of our church family.

Church of Peace has a thriving ministry to those in our community who are low on food or need help with rent.  You have an opportunity this month to help people far away who are in even dreadful circumstances. Your cash gift will be used to purchase livestock that can feed a family for years.  Why not consider giving an “alternative Christmas gift” of a pair of goats or rabbits to honor one of your own family members during the upcoming Christmas season?  Stop at the information table in the narthex after worship this Sunday.

Is the bazaar date of SATURDAY, October 26^th written on your calendar and etched in your mind?  What are you going to donate?  When are you going to shop?  What friend can you bring to lunch.  It is going to be a happy, fun-filled day at Church of Peace! Don’t miss it!

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God who pours blessing upon blessing into my life, I thank you for this day and for the opportunities it brings to me to praise and serve you. Awaken within me a sense of your nearness.  Open my mind to hear your guiding voice.  Touch my heart with your strength as I serve you today.  I thank you for your healing power manifest in the life of Holly Post and so many others.  Bless our world with your peace.  Amen.