May 2019 Peace Talk by Kristian Bjornstad

NEWSLETTER May 2019

Peace Talk

House of Prayer on Parker and Main

PASTOR’S MESSAGE Grace, Mercy and Peace to you from God Our Father and Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body – John 2:19-21 On the Monday of Holy week the world was captivated by the images of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in flames. Had Jesus spoke these words to us, as we watched, our reaction might have been similar to those listening to Jesus that day in the temple. However, the temple where Jesus stood was not on fire. Notre Dame took one hundred and eighty-two years to build. Much longer than the forty-six years of the temple. Still Notre Dame looked like it would be leveled to the ground. Many doubted it could ever be rebuilt. People were upset. Friends of mine wrote on Facebook how they wanted to see Notre Dame again or wanted their children to have the experience of seeing it. As the building burned a spokesperson of the church told the press “Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame.” As the roof collapsed the Archbishop of Paris called on people to pray and “If you wish, you can ring the bells of your churches to invite prayer." As Jesus hung on the cross, how similar the emotions might have been to those looking at Christ believing everything was now gone. The belief that Jesus was the Messiah was going up in flames before their eyes. Jesus died. The earth shook, people grieved, opponents jeered and the veil of the temple was torn in two. His body, His frame, laid in a tomb leveled to the ground. Then a miracle occurred. Jesus rose from the dead just as God had promised. When the smoke cleared away Our Lord and Savior stood victorious with sin, death and Satan conquered and under His feet. The temple rebuilt in three days, glorified and incorruptible. The day after the fire, people gazed into the scarred building expecting to see devastation, looking as if into a tomb. What they saw instead was a cross beaming, the windows and statues undisturbed, the relics preserved. It was a modern day miracle, the work of God’s protecting hand. People had feared losing this cultural piece, a beautiful artwork, a symbol of faith and yet in the end it stood by the grace of God and yet it is just another building. While the press focused on the French President’s call to rebuild and the generous gifts of companies and people to support the rebuilding the true story was taking place which was underreported. That story was that the true work of calling us to prayer was happening. The true work of gathering people together was happening. Calling people together as only Christ can do. These calling actions, by God, were occurring in a nation where only 5% of the population go to church but thirteen million visitors enter Notre Dame a year! A nation where over 2000 mosques have been built in the last nineteen years by the 3% of the population that identify themselves as Muslim. A nation where 35% of the population claim no religious affiliation. God used His house to communicate His message during the passion week of His Son. For the church has never been a building of brick, mortar and wood. It has always been His disciples, redeemed and forgiven, dead to sin and alive in Christ to live in Heaven forever more. SDG, Pastor John At the end of this month’s newsletter you will find an article by Peggy Noonan. Peggy is an author, columnist and former presidential speech writer. The piece is an opinion piece that is reprinted by permission of the Wall Street Journal. The piece includes Peggy’s emotional reaction to the event. In it Peggy asks: Why the fire at Notre Dame was such a grave emotional status for people of varying faiths?; What does the art inside the Cathedral, the statues and paintings mean?; And Why do we pay such attention to relics? The piece was submitted for publication in our Newsletter by Ray, an elder in our congregation. Please keep in mind. That what you read does not necessarily reflect the position of your Congregation, Pastor, District, or Synod. It is an opinion piece written and a discussion that took place between two Catholic women. It has many aspects that are useful for our reflection as Christians. Please feel free to read, reflect and most importantly be led to prayer or initiating a conversation based on thoughts or questions with me about what was written. I think you will find where she ends interesting.

News of The Lutheran Academy! Working in partnership with God's people to raise up a new generation of faithful Christian men and women!

PAINTING EVENT Saturday, June 8th 6:30pm Held at Spirited Art 253 Scranton Carbondale Highway Dickson City, PA 18508

Visit the calendar section of www.spiritedartscranton.com to register online. Share this fundraising event and invite friends and family (18+) to unleash their creativity and support the good work of TLA! Cost is $35 to attend, with $10 coming back to the Academy per painter. Call the school office if you have questions, or to pay via cash or check.

Written by Principal Jan Wells If Latin is a “dead” language, why do we teach it? At The Lutheran Academy, we teach Latin beginning in 4th grade - right after our primary students have mastered phonics. Perhaps you have heard of elementary schools being referred to as grammar schools. This is because the study of Latin grammar was considered at one time to be the most important subject to be studied. Is this still true today? Latin provides the tools of language learning, and it is the key to learning English. Over half of English words - especially those of three or more syllables - are derived from Latin. As students begin reading in the content areas (history and science, for example), they encounter these Latin-based words more frequently. Studying Latin vocabulary opens doors to decoding and often understanding the meanings of, and correctly spelling, these larger words. For example, knowing that the Latin word porto means “I carry” leads our students to recognize this meaning in words such as port, import, export, report, deport, deportation, important, porter, Portugal, portmanteau, portly, portable, transportation, and portfolio. From this simple exercise it is easy to see how quickly, systematically, and pleasurably a student’s vocabulary can grow!

Academy Spring Music Program “The Story of Our Faith” Thursday, May 30th 6:30pm 1546 Monsey Ave, Scranton All are invited to come hear the students. Light refreshments served after the program.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION Thank you for your support via the Box Top program. Each Box Top when turned in earns the Academy 10 cents. The collection box is located in the back of the church. Please save your Box Tops for the Academy and turn them in to the box regularly. Thank you.

Additionally, studying Latin reveals the structure of language because it is itself a structured language. Many of our modern languages, including English, have bits and pieces of structure, but Latin holds the organizing principle of grammar. Students who study Latin grammar often develop excellent understanding of English grammar because Latin is such a disciplined, organized language. Making a disciplined study of Latin grammar and understanding its organization leads to more disciplined and organized thinking, which in turn is often reflected in a student’s self-expression. Students who have the tools to think clearly can then begin to speak and write with clarity. Students who grasp the organization of language can express themselves in an organized manner. The very way a student uses language aﬀects how he or she communicates to others. By the time a student graduates from The Lutheran Academy, we hope he or she will have developed self-discipline; understands and uses tools for thinking truly, beautifully, and with goodness (i.e., Christianly); possesses a robust vocabulary; and can express himself or herself in a clear and organized way. The study of Latin helps to provide this great foundation.

Visit and share the Academy website at anytime at www.thelutheranacademyscranton.org

Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES:

+ HYMN OF THE MONTH

+ SPECIAL PRAYERS

You may have noticed, at least I hope you did, that during the month of April there was one hymn we sang every Sunday that we received the Lord’s Supper. That hymn was El Shaddai, #18 in our Sing Joyfully hymn book. Written by Michael Card and released and made made famous by Amy Grant in 1983, the part we sang was the refrain to the song. The Hebrew “El Shaddai” comes from Ezekiel 10:5 “And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty (El Shaddai) when He speaks.” El Shaddai is translated as God Almighty.

For Frank Schulze as he serves the final months of his prison sentence. We pray for him and his family as they eagerly await his return home. For Bonnie Cornog, Grace Morris, and Lorraine Pensak as they continue their recovery processes. + NEW

MEMBER CLASSES

* If you are looking to become a member of Peace and are not looking to transfer by affirmation of belief from a sister congregation than these are the classes for you. * If you are a non-Lutheran who would like to know what it means to be Lutheran, then these are the classes for you. * If you are a life-long Lutheran and want to refresh your memory or ask some questions that have arisen over the years. These classes are for you. The classes will be held May 18, 25, June 1 and June 8 from 2-4 p.m. Schedule may change depending on the schedules of those wishing to attend. Please see Pastor if interested or have questions.

+ GRACE PARK CLEANUP The park just down the way from church, Grace Street Park, is due for a spring clean up. Join us Saturday, May 18th between __ and __ to spruce up the park, meet the neighbors, and enjoy a time of fellowship.

+ FAMILY GAME NIGHT The May monthly Family Game Night on scheduled for Friday, May 31st at 7pm at the Lutheran Ministry Center. Join in a night full of snacks, fellowship, and family-friendly games. Come and be a blessing in the lives of our academy students and get to know their families, and allow them to know you. This will be the final game night as we take a break over the summer.

Each month we will have a less familiar or new hymn serve as our hymn of the month alongside some old familiar favorites of course. In addition I will place a short meditation of the hymn in the Narthex should you like some more information about the hymn or the images and words of the hymn text. Through new hymns we will gain new expessions of our faith, discover some new favorites, be able to sing more hymns well, and strengthen our faith in Christ and the Bibles eternal truths. The hymn of the month of May will be LSB #633 “At the Lamb’s High Feast.”

Looking Ahead . . . May 4 Chicken BBQ Dinner for TLA Noon-4pm June 8 Academy Painting Fundraiser at Spirited Art 6:30pm June 9 Pentecost Sunday and Welcoming of New Members July 15-19 Vacation Bible School October 5 Blessing of the Animals - Plan to bring your pet! October 26 Block Party - come meet the neighbors! STAYING UP WITH JESUS PICTURES

----------------------------------------------Nora Betts, Cyan Roman (sister of an Academy student) and chaperones Nadine Roman and Amy Betts will be attending the National Youth Gathering July 11-15 in Minneappolis, MN. They had two fundraisers in April. THANK YOU to all who supported these ladies. We hope your bellies were filled as much as their hearts were with your participation and support. We ask you to keep them in your prayers as they finish fundraising and prepare to attend.

Join Tammy McClure and Isabelle Kramer on Thursdays at 6:00pm for a People of the Book Hymn Sing at Gardens at Green Ridge. They will be singing from the Sing Joyfully with the residents of the nursing home. Church website: www.yourpeace.org

Office email: amybetts@yourpeace.org

Phone: 570-703-0607

May Birthdays John Babbitts III

Baptism Birthdays 17

Amy Betts Emiline Black Titus Black Levi Black

4 29 29 29

SUMMER HOURS ANNOUNCEMENT We will change to our Summer schedule begining on Sunday, June 16th. There will be one service on Sundays at 9:18am, and we will continue offering a Saturday evening worship service at 5:00pm. Please make a note of this and be prepared. The last day of Sunday School classes will be June 9th. Classes will resume after Labor Day in September.

Thank him for His blessings by adorning His altar. We can all think of a blessing God has bestowed upon us and we can remember and celebrate. . . birthday, baptism birthday, wedding anniversary, praise of good health, etc. A flower sponor poster hangs in the narthex. Consider when you might offer God praise through flowers in 2019. To order call McCarthy’s Flowers at 570-507-9441 or 570-343-1179 and ask to speak with Carol. Or you can stop by the 1001 N. Main Ave, Scranton store and order from there! YOU will order and pay directly for the flowers you want to sponsor. McCarthy’s will take care of the delivery on that Saturday.

EYE GLASS COLLECTION Susan Crosbie us collecting eye glasses. There is a shoe box at the back of the church to place your donation. She will be going on a Lutheran MOST mission trip this September to Guatemala and looks forward to helping get these glasses to those in extreme need.

We’ve have some interest in a Plarn group so we need everybody involved and here are the ways you help. 1. We need your excess plastic bags from shopping to be brought to Peace Lutheran Church.This is not I repeat NOT a one- time deal. As you have excess bring them in from now until we ask you to stop. It takes about 700 bags to make one mat for a homeless person. So please keep them coming! We will place a collection box by the entrance of both. 2. We need people to cut, tie and roll. If you have no desire to crochet but would be willing to cut, tie and roll the donated plastic bags while you talk with friends and have a cup of coffee, tea, lemonade etc, then this is the job for you. 3. If you know how to crochet, or are willing to learn, then we need you to crochet the balls of plarn into mats for the homeless. Whichever of the three you are able or willing to do, we need your help!! The May calendar includes a variety of dates and times to get together at Peace and the LMC to work on this wonderful community outreach project. Lastly, if you would like to host a time at your home, please contact Amy in the church office.

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP - 5:00pm Saturday Service is in full swing. If you know someone who can’t make Sunday morning worship or maybe that someone is you. Please join us on Saturday’s at 5 p.m. These Saturday services include Communion. Following the service is an optional a time of food and fellowship. See you there!

COFFEE TIME After the 10:30 service, we have been enjoying a time of sweets and fellowship. Consider staying a few minutes and fortify yourself (after those long prayers pastor says) before heading home and have some time to socialize. We are looking for people to sign up to bring a treat. A calendar is at the Narthex for you to indicate which week is best for you. No need to go downstairs, join us in the Narthex after service to eat, drink, and talk!!

WOMEN OF THE BIBLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Genesis 3:20 And Adam called his wife______ Genesis 29:17 ______’s eyes were delicate but _______ was beautiful of form and appearance. Genesis 18:12 Therefore ________ laughed Genesis 16:1. Egyptian maidservant whose name was_________ Genesis 38:11 Then Judah said to________ his daughter-in-law Exodus 2:21. He gave ________ his daughter to Moses Exodus 1:15. The king of Egypt spoke Hebrew midwives…one was named__________ and the other_________. Joshua 2:1. Came to the house of a harlot named__________ Numbers 12:1. Then _________ and Aaron spoke against Moses Judges 4:4 Now _________, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth Judges 16:4 He loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was___________ Ruth 1:4. Now they took two wives of the women of Moab…________ and the name of the other__________. Ruth 2:1 There was a relative of ________’s husband 1 Kings 1:28. Call__________ to me Esther 2:1 He remembered__________, what she had done Esther 2:10 _________had not revealed 1 Samuel 1:2 _____________ had children, but _________ had no children Have a special prayer need? How about a praise? Please share with Amy in the office so it can be included in the Sunday bulletin.

monday

tuesday

7:30pm Choir Practice

6:00-7:00pm PLARN at Peace 7:30pm Choir Practice

8:15 Worship with Holy Communion 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship with Holy Communion

8:15 Worship with Holy Communion 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service

7:30pm Choir Practice

10:00-11:00am PLARN @ Peace

8:15 Worship with Holy Communion 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service

MOTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY

8:15 Worship with Holy Communion 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 Worship with Holy Communion

3:00pm TLA Board Meeting

The Lutheran Academy Painting Fundraiser June 8th 6:30pm

sunday

1:00-2:00pm PLARN @ Peace

6:00pm Hymn Sing at Nursing Home 6:30 Academy Spring Music Program

6:00pm Hymn Sing at Nursing Home

6:30pm Council Meeting

6:00pm Hymn Sing at Nursing Home

2-4pm New Member Class 5:00pm Worship with Holy Communion

1 31 7:00 Family Game Night and PLARN at the LMC

2-4pm New Member Class 5:00pm Worship with Holy Communion

1:00-2:00pm PLARN @ Peace

Noon-5pm BBQ Chicken Fundraiser @ TLA 5:00pm Worship with Holy Communion

saturday

friday

thursday

wednesday

MAY 2019