Greetings from Church of Peace 05/29/2014

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Sunday is the first Sunday of June (hard to believe, isn’t it?) so we’ll be celebrating Holy Communion during worship.  Join us for an hour of spiritual refreshment.

Connie Thome and Janet Norenberg are hospitalized.  Todd Whittaker has returned home. Please remember them when you pray. 

Please call the church office TODAY (921-8215) if you plan to go on the Golden Fellowship trip to the Harley museum and the Milwaukee Domes on Saturday, June 7^th.  We have to contact the museum tomorrow with numbers for lunch.

You can also sign up (921-8215) for the family rafting trip on Friday, June 13^th.  Youths may participate without a parent.

Beginning Monday, the church office will be open for summer hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Fridays 9:00 a.m. – noon. 

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 sunshine, thank you not only for bringing us bright beauty but also for standing with us during the rainy seasons of our lives.  As I proceed through the hours of this day, may I reflect your light to others so they can know the hope that I have found in you.  I pray that Connie Thome, Todd Whittaker, and Janet Norenberg will continue to become stronger and healthier.  These things I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Ushers this week:  Victor Abitz, Brenda and Tim Hackbarth, Dave Schultz, Ray Beilke.

Greetings from Church of Peace 05-22-14

Greetings from Church of Peace on this gorgeous spring day!

It can be hard to live faithfully, especially when our motives are questioned or our values differ from people around us. We’ll be gathering at 8:45 Sunday morning for a service designed to fill us with courage for facing the inevitable difficulties that come as a result of being Christian.  Brandon Anderson and Meg Kiefer will be confirmed.

Janet Norenberg and Pat Klebs are currently hospitalized.  Please remember them in prayer.

Our Organist/Choir Director Search Team will be meeting for the first time Tuesday night at 6:30.  Please pray that God will lead them to musicians who will be blessings to our worship services and to our life together.

The June issue of The Messenger will be available on Sunday and will be on-line today by noon.

That’s the news from Church of Peace!

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

A prayer for today: My heart sings with joy, O God, at the beauty of your creation.  Show me how to add to its beauty with acts of kindness and words of grace.  Please bless Janet Norenberg and Pat Klebs with renewed health and strength. Please bless our search team with wisdom as they seek for musicians who will help guide our hearts to you. Thank you, God.  Amen.

Ushers this week: Gary and Carol Krueger, Linda Beyer, Brenda Roehl, and Jim Hackbarth.

Greetings from Church of Peace 05-16-14

Greetings from Church of Peace on a Friday!

We are excitedly preparing for Sunday’s worship service during which five students will be confirmed.  The Chapel Choir will sing (the Sunday School will not be singing this time).  Thinking of skipping Sunday because of confirmation?  Don’t – there will be plenty of room for you and the service will not be long. You’ll find the time well-spent and inspirational.

Sunday is the last Sunday of Sunday School.  We are so grateful to our teachers for a great year of growth in faith and love.

It is also the last Sunday of our choir season.  We will miss their lovely additions to our worship services. Thank you, choir members and Lee Behnke.  This is Lee’s last Sunday as Chapel Choir Director.  She and retiring organist Helene Schrankler are being honored at on June 15^th in the worship service and at the social hour. Plan to be there!

Church of Peace members Jennifer Pittl and Ben Gumieny are being married tomorrow in our sanctuary.  God bless you, Jenny and Ben!

There is still time to sign up for the birding program on Tuesday at 11:00, sponsored by the Golden Fellowship.  Just call the church office or sign-up on Sunday. Lunch will be served.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: I offer you my gratitude, O God, for the blessings of this lovely day.  My heart rejoices when I stop to notice the abundant sources of strength and beauty which you offer to me.  Don’t let me neglect to notice or to appreciate the kindness your provide.  I ask your blessing on our confirmands as they make their vows of discipleship on Sunday.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 05-08-14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

What makes this coming Sunday special?  Most people will answer “It is Mother’s Day,” and they would be right.  It is also Shepherd Sunday, the day when we Christians remember the tender protective care that our Heavenly Shepherd gives to us. We’ll be combining these two themes in our service on Sunday.  The Chapel Choir has prepared a special anthem.  There will be a prayer journey, a new hymn by Pastor Jim, gorgeous pictures on the screen, and a visit from a first-century shepherd. You will be warmly welcomed. The service begins at 8:45 a.m.

Please remember that our Thursday night services are once a month, the first Thursday.  So there is no worship service tonight.

Carla Behnke had surgery earlier this week and expects to be released from the hospital today.  Please pray that Carla will have a quick and complete recovery.

Parents, please make sure your child is in Sunday School this Sunday so s/he can rehearse for Sunday, May 18^th when the children sing with the Chapel Choir.  They can sing at home with the CD; the song is “Hush!”.

There are sign-up sheets on the bulletin board for Golden Fellowship’s birding program (May 20th), the trip to the Harley Museum/Milwaukee Domes (June 7^th), and the Family Rafting Trip on June 13^th.  You can also register for any of them by replying to this email or by calling the church (921-8215).

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: I know, O God, that you are always beside and within me as I journey through life.  Help me to feel your presence today.  Bless me with wisdom as I make decisions.  Give me words of kindness to speak.  Show me someone I can help in Jesus’ name.  I pray that Carla Behnke will know your healing power in her life.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Ushers for Sunday: Karen Babler, Deb Opperman, Cindy Duffy, Rebecca Opperman-Pluim, and Megan Schendel. 

Greetings from Church of Peace 05/01/14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Tonight we begin a series of first-Thursday-night worship.  We’ll meet in the sanctuary.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  This will be traditional-style worship, an abbreviated form of a Sunday morning service. All members are welcomed, especially those for whom Sunday morning attendance is difficult. 

Sunday morning’s worship will also feature Holy Communion.  Liz Koechel will provide special music.  The confirmands will be introduced to us. The sermon will focus on the parable of the Wheat and the Weeds. Join us for what promises to be a very inspiring service.

The semi-annual Ladies’ Aid Rummage Sale will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Please bring your donations of sale items on Sunday afternoon or Monday. Baked goods can come in on Monday. We appreciate your help which enables the Ladies’ Aid to continue their ministries in and beyond our church.  Thank you!

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 strength and wisdom.  I want to be a light in this world which so often is threatened by darkness. Don’t let my hopes be dashed or my faith be eroded by challenging situations or negative people. Instead, let me shine with the joyful light of Jesus.  I pray this in the name of the Risen Christ.  Amen.

 

Greetings from Church of Peace 04/24/14

Greetings from Church of Peace,

Did you know Jesus could cook?  Our Scripture reading for this morning tells of a time after the resurrection when he made breakfast for the disciples.  Join us at 8:45 as we continue our Easter celebration.  Our little Sunday School children will sing.

After worship on Sunday, there will be time to grab a cup of coffee in Gammert Hall, then head back upstairs to a specially-called meeting of the congregation.  An architect will be with us to explain the problems with our flat-roofed additions.  He will offer three options on how to deal with the problems. We will not be choosing an option at this time.  We will vote only on whether or not to begin raising the funds to solve these problems and also to enhance our outreach possibilities.  Please attend this meeting.  It will be informative and is crucial to the future of our congregation.

This Saturday morning women with birthdays in April are invited to a gathering at Gift ‘n Gab in Peebles. We’ll begin our party at 10:00 and be done about 11:00.  Need directions? Check The Messenger or call the coffee shop at 933-3525.

Tuesday morning two Master Gardeners from Fond du Lac with be with us as the program for Golden Fellowship.  They’ll be showing us spring gardening tips. Boxed lunches will be served at noon.  Please sign up on the bulletin board so we know how many to expect for lunch.

Next Tuesday afternoon/evening is the Turkey Dinner. The food is ordered, the help has signed up, the pies are planned. Items for the raffle table are arriving. Join us between 4-7 for a delicious dinner and some church family fun.  Tickets will be on sale after worship on Sunday or you can buy them at the door on Tuesday.

The May Messenger is on-line (www.uccchurchofpeace.org) and will be available at the church on Sunday.

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: O God, how thankful I am for your tender care today. When I face difficulties, remind me that you are by my side. Show me how to proceed with wisdom and grace.  Bless our congregation as we make an important decision about our future at the meeting on Sunday. Bless our Turkey Dinner so it can be an enactment of our congregation’s welcoming spirit. Amen.

Ushers this week: Scott Heim, Theresa and Tom Schultz, Bob Hanke, and Norm Behnke.

Greetings from Church of Peace 04/17/14

Greetings from Church of Peace on this Maundy Thursday morning!

Our week is full of worship - each service very different, each one an opportunity to express your gratitude to God, each one a time to grow in faith. 

Tonight’s service will be at 7:00 p.m.  It features the story of the last night of Jesus’ life.  We will be sharing pew communion.  A very special guest will be sharing in worship leadership with us – Rev. Iris Susen, former Associate Pastor at Church of Peace, who is visiting from Germany.

Friday’s service is also at 7:00 p.m. This solemn service features two solos by Pastor Jim as well as a deeply meaningful candle-lighting ritual.

Sunday’s two Easter morning services (8:00 and 10:00) are identical, featuring triumphant music by our choir and Helene, gorgeous pictures on the screen, and – most importantly – the central story of our faith: the proclamation that God’s love can overcome any obstacle, even death. Altar communion will be served. Come see our sanctuary at its loveliest and feel your spirit rise as we sing “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”

Following each service, the Alleluia! Social Hour will be hosted by the youth of our church family.  Join us for delicious home-baked treats and other goodies.  Any monetary donations will be used to support the mission trip. We have invited the on-duty police officers to join us for the social hour (for free, of course) as a sign of our gratitude for all they do.

If you donated a flower to enhance the church on Easter, you may take it home after the second service.  Remember to find the one with your name on it!

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: I remember, O God, that on this day long, long ago, Jesus commanded his followers to love one another.  May I spend today doing just that – showing your love to everyone I meet through kind words and a cheerful disposition.  Bless our church family in the coming days as we commemorate the Last Supper, the death of Jesus, and the most joy-filled day of our faith, Easter.  I pray these things with deep gratitude and in faith.  Amen.