Greetings from Church of Peace 07/24/14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

A firm foundation – that’s what we all need in order to feel safe and peaceful despite life’s inevitable ups and downs.  Come to worship this Sunday and find out how to establish a firm foundation for your life.  Worship begins at 8:45 a.m.

Tom Strauss is in Froedtert Hospital recovering from surgery.  Please remember him in your prayers.  Please also remember the Koehler family -- Lavonne Koehler has died. Watch the paper for funeral details.

Have you written the church picnic/potluck at Mauthe Lake State Park on your calendar yet?  It will be held on Sunday, August 17^th at 11:00 a.m.  If enough people are interested, we will provide a bus to transport us to and from the park. There will be sign-up sheets in the bulletins for the next three weeks or you can call the church office (921-8215) to let us know you’ll be there.

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 know that you are near to guide and lead me; help me to listen for your voice.  Give me wisdom and strength to face the challenges that this day brings.  Show me how to reflect your light to all whose lives I touch.  I pray that Tom Strauss will continue to heal and that your gentle comfort will surround and uphold the Koehler family as they grieve.  I pray remembering Jesus.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 07-19-14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

We’re back!  Jenny has been in the office about two hours a day this week with Jim handling the rest of the pastoral load.  She is using a walker to get around and will hopefully graduate to a cane soon. We are very grateful for your prayers, kind thoughts, and cards during this very difficult time. God’s healing power has been shown in both body and spirit in our lives.

Sunday’s service will be unique because we will be celebrating both sacraments during the service.  Little Wyatt Whittaker will be baptized.  Holy Communion will be served.  Join us as we participate in these two holy events.  And learn more about the meaning of the sacraments during the sermon.

We know of no one who is hospitalized at this time.

The Women’s Birthday Gathering originally scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed because of Jenny’s lack of mobility. 

That’s the news from Church of Peace.

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

A prayer for today: Eternal God, as I bask in the sunshine on this summer day, remind me that your light shines through any earthly darkness.  Show me how to be a light in the lives of others. Fill me with peace so that I may bring peace to your world.  I pray these things in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Greetings from Church of Peace 06-12-14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

On Sunday, the sermon will focus on “Famous Last Words,” in particular the last words of Jesus and the Apostle Paul.  There will be a special blessing for our retiring organist, Helene Schrankler, and our retiring choir director, Lee Behnke.  Please join us as we honor and thank these women who have been blessings to our congregation for many years. The service will begin at 8:45.  It will be followed by a special social hour hosted by the choir.

We ask that you remember three families when you pray, families that are grieving because of recent deaths of loved ones – the families of Church of Peace members Eleanore Stamurs and Ruth Fox, and also Gary Babler’ s father, Glenn Babler.

Tomorrow a group of our church family members will leave at 9:00 to go rafting on the Pestigo River.

Saturday is the Spring Clean-Up of the outside of the church building.  We are eager to have our property be a shining star in the neighborhood.  Please come help rake, plant, and clean.  We’ll begin at 8:00 a.m. and be done by noon.  Coffee, juice, and donuts 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 (from a prayer by William Barclay): O God, help me to live today well.  Help me to cause as little trouble and to give as much help as possible.  May I share the burdens and joys of all who share my life. I ask your blessing of consolation upon all who grieve, especially the families of Eleanore Stamurs, Ruth Fox, and Glenn Babler.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.    

Red Greetings from Church of Peace 06-05-14

Greetings from Church of Peace!

Sunday is RED day!  That means it is Pentecost, the Sunday when we wear red to remind us of the holy flames that descended on the original disciples the day the Christian Church was born. We’ll honor our graduates. The service will be Spirit-filled and joy-filled.

Tonight we will gather in the sanctuary at 6:30 for communion and a brief worship service.  If you missed last Sunday or cannot come this next Sunday, stop in tonight for a dose of spiritual energy and peace.

Please pray for Ruth Fox who is at Hospice Home of Hope after years of debilitating illness.

Friday and Saturday, Ray Beilke and Art Conklin will join the pastors in representing Church of Peace at the Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ.

The Golden Fellowship-sponsored trip to Harley Davidson and the Domes leaves at 8:45 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, you thrill me with your beauty in nature and console me with the peace that passes understanding.  Today I pray for joy at the gift of life and courage to live faithfully.  I ask your blessing upon Ruth Fox and her family; may they trust in your eternal care.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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.