NEWSLETTER April 2015
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
In the picture above, Chad Tyk and Jerry Cornog signed the purchase papers for Peace, while Rev. Ginger Daubenhauser signed for Trinity Baptist Church as the seller. Also present was Chuck Mercer, Amy Betts, Susan Crosbie, Ramona Brown, as well as Grace Morris and Elsie Schweitzer from Peace. Roger Borchin (member at Immanuel) was excited to be there, as well as the treasurer of Trinity Baptist, an official from the Baptist synod, (as well as lawyers and their staff.)
Pastor’s Message: Our Palm Sunday Old Testament lesson from Zechariah 9 concludes with these words to his beloved people of Israel: “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope!” Today we still stand as the people of God. That little rag tag army of God on the corner of Parker and Main. We stand tall as “Prisoners of Hope”. We are bound and tied to Hope in our Risen Lord Jesus - the overcomer of all our battles against sin, death, and the devil. No one can break those bonds to Him. Because of Good Friday and the Resurrection we will never cease to have reason to hope. Our Father God is over all things. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 139: 5 You them me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. It is too high for us to attain all that this means for us. But this is what we know: Because of Christ Jesus our Lord we are not prisoners of circumstance, sin, the world, ourselves, hate, or the Evil One. We are prisoners of HOPE - and we will proceed in its protective custody - abounding in Love and Joy and every Grace! The proof of this Hope in us is how this congregation has come together in the purchase of the former Trinity Baptist Church. The ONLY reason for this is because we have HOPE. The world looks and says we might be foolish. How can we do this? It is only by the power and grace of our most amazing Lord. In Jesus there is such good reason to hope! He is RISEN! ALLELUIA! Let the praise of the Prisoners of Hope resound! Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Bjornstad
The Immanuel Preschool and the Lutheran Academy! Working in partnership with God's people to raise up a new generation of faithful Christian men and women!
Academy Board UPDATE Lutheran Schools Week was the perfect opportunity to showcase the amazing students and all the ways they benefit from an education at The Lutheran Academy. The Board is currently in search of a second full-time teacher for next school year. The ad below is being shared throughout the area. Please help us spread the word, and most of all, pray for a skilled, caring Christian teacher. Classical, Lutheran School in Scranton, PA looking for a Christian teacher for grades 5-7 beginning in the fall for the 2015-2016 school year. Teacher will be responsible for teaching the following to those grades: Grammar, Literature, History, Science, Math. Latin experience is a bonus. Please submit your resume to
LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK March 15-22 The Lutheran Academy and Immanuel Preschool participated in Lutheran Schools Week beginning and ending with church services at Peace Lutheran and Immanuel Lutheran Church. Throughout the week, students enjoyed themed dress down days and on Tuesday, March 17th the Academy and Preschool hosted an Open House for prospective parents/families to visit. As always, you can learn more about the Academy by visiting the Academy Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lutheranacademyscranton or online at thelutheranacademyscranton.org
crazy hair/hat day crazy hair/hat day
SuperHero Day
Shining Bright Day
lutheranacademyscranton@verizon.net.
Pocahontas and Batman
On Tuesday, March 17th, interested families were invited to stop by the Immanuel Preschool and The Lutheran Academy from 6:00-7:30 pm. Eight families met the teachers, and learned how a Christ-centered school could benefit their children!
Curious George
OPEN HOUSE UPDATE
“Stitch” from Lilo & Stitch
Please put “Resume” in the subject line. You can email with further questions, and we will respond as quickly as possible.
Favorite Storybook or Movie Character Day
Continue to pray for additional families to find our schools for Fall 2015. Shining Bright Day
School websites: www.thelutheranacademyscranton.org
SuperHero Day
and
www.leccs.org
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"
HAPPY NEWS AND NOTES: + ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
A special thank you to all who continue to volunteer their time to help with the ESL program on Thursday nights. The ESL program was featured in a Times newspaper article on Sunday, March 29 on Nepali refugee people settling here in Scranton. The article was well written and incuded a few photos of the students and our volunteers. If you missed the article, search for “Peace Lutheran Church” on the Times website at http://thetimes-tribune.com
+ Pastor Response to WESTMINSTER CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE AND FAITH
Pastor Bjornstad attended a two day "Conference on Science and Faith" in Philadelphia March 20-21, hearing lectures on Biblical Creation, the fact that the universe and our earth seems to be specifically set up to support human life, and the nature of science. Here are a few favorite quotes: *I can’t mathematically prove that my wife loves me, but I will stake my life on it... * The laws of physics and the universe cannot explain a simple word. * WHY IS THERE SOMETHING RATHER THAN NOTHING? * Science might answer HOW the univeserse came into being… but never WHY. * If we end up denying the obvious [creation] we are only fools. * The dispute is not between science and faith, but atheists and theists.
+ 2015 LWML CONVENTION
June 25-28 in Des Moine IA This year’s theme: Bountiful! Sow, Nourish, Reap Be fed by God's Word and Sacrament. Register at www.lwml.org before March 14th and get a discounted rate on the registration fee Pastor and Monica are attending. Who else wants to go?
+ SPONSORING FLOWERS
If you would like to sponsor the flowers for a particular Sunday, please note that it is the sponsor’s responsibility to provide/order the flowers. Please sign up on the calandar at the back of the church to indicate your sponsorship! Remember you can bring in an arrangement of flowers from your garden - or boquets of wild flowers are wonderful too! But if you want to order “regular” flowers from McCarthy’s Flowers, please call: 570-507-9441 or 570-343-1179 and ask to speak with Carol Kemler! Or you can stop by the 1001 N. Main Ave, Scranton store and order from there!
+ NEEDED: DRIVERS on Sunday mornings to pick up for Sunday School and Church!!! See Pastor or Jim Calpin to volunteer. PLEASE PRAY FOR: + Immanuel Lutheran Church (without a pastor) + Pastor Vomhof of St. Stephens Lutheran Church + The Lutheran Academy and Immanuel Preschool. May God call new families to these schools. + The Lutheran Academy as the board searches for a second full-time teacher for the fall. + Pastor Nischal as he continues his ministry to build a Church of All Nations. + The contractors and volunteers who will begin making necessary renovations to the new Lutheran Ministry Center. We pray for swift repairs and that we stay well under budget.
+ SAVE THE DATE
Plans are underway for a celebration dinner on Sunday, May 31 at the new building. A special building dedication ceremony will follow. More details coming soon.
+ 100th ANNIVERSARY PHOTO COLLECTION
Plans are underway to produce a slide show and possible digital keepsake scrapbook as part of the 100th Anniversary celebration. We are asking you to go through your photos. You can email if you have them digitally, or bring in originals to the church offce to be scanned. We are looking for any thing you have that commemorates a memory from a church service, potluck, confirmation, baptism, marriage, funeral, vacation bible school, fundraisers, etc. Email photos to amybetts@yourpeace.org. Or stop by between 9:00-noon Monday through Friday to have originals scanned.
+ ONLINE GIVING
No more forgetting the checkbook or offering envelopes! A new way to give to the church has been made available. Visit the church website at www.yourpeace.org and click on the word “Support” at the top right. You can support the church and it’s many missions all with the click of a few buttons. • Make a one-time donation to the new building purchase • Support The Lutheran Academy- for general needs or help sponsor a student • The Building Fund- designated for repairs to Peace Lutheran Church • Mission Fund - mission trips and missionaries • Peace Lutheran Endowment Fund - investing in the future of the church • And best of all, set up a recurring offering payment.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org
WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: 8:00 am Worship with Holy Communion every Sunday. (We encourage you to come to this auxiliary service if you are unable to come to the 10:30 worship.)
9:30 am 10:30 am
LWML Mite Offering Sunday, April 26th
Education Hour - for all ages!
Start saving your loose change for the next LWML Mite offering to be collected on Sunday, April 26th. Mite boxes are available for each child to save their change.
The Main Worship Service with Holy Communion twice a month (usually on the 1st and 3rd Sundays)
Also available: 5:30pm Saturday Worship at Immanuel Lutheran Church Consider attending if can not make a Sunday Morning Service
Easter Season Sermon Series: Prisoners of Hope! April 5: The Matter of First Importance April 12: Prisoners of Hope! Not Sin. April 19: Prisoners of Hope! Not Circumstance April 26: Prisoners of Hope in The Good Shepherd May 3: Prisoners of Hope: Abiding in Christ May 10: Prisoners of Hope in God's Love May 17: Prisoners of Hope! Not of the Evil One
SPONSORING FLOWERS
If you would like to sponsor the flowers for a particular Sunday, please note that it is the sponsor’s responsibility to provide/order the flowers. Please sign up on the calandar at the back of the church to indicate your sponsorship! Remember you can bring in an arrangement of flowers from your garden - or boquets of wild flowers are wonderful too! But if you want to order “regular” flowers from McCarthy’s Flowers, please call: 570-507-9441 or 570-343-1179 and ask to speak with Carol Kemler! Or you can stop by the 1001 N. Main Ave, Scranton store and order from there!
God is good . . . all the time! Last week it was discovered that PNC declined our mortgage request propelling us to explore other options. At this same time, a $20,000 anonymous donation was sent! Adding this donation to the funds received during the pledge drive, we were able to pay cash for the building. Funding was still needed to complete all the necessary repairs. It was suggested on Friday that we call Thrivent Bank. On Monday Thrivent sent us a letter guaranteeing we would be eligible for a $50,000 (4.1% rate) Equity Loan once the purchase was concluded. This rate is much better than what PNC would have offered us for a mortgage. Blessings are coming in, not just financial, but items needed for the Lutheran Ministry Center. St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Dickson City called last week and asked if we could use their old church hall tables that they didn't need anymore because they bought new ones. The answer was a wonderful YES! What a blessing that will be! We have also received offers for stoves and refrigerators and other furniture. A full wish list of items needed for the new building will be published soon. Finally, is is important to know total donations to this project have reached $60,000 - and more is ON THE WAY. This $60,000 allowed us to purchase the building. If you have yet to make a pledge, we ask you to consider contributing. Every dollar will be extremely valuable insuring all necessary work can be accomplished and that we have sufficient start up/operating funds. PRAISE THE LORD FOR ALL HIS GOODNESS AND PROVISION! Receiving the Keys!
Signing the purchase paperwork.
Meet the Ward Family Preparing for membership in the upcoming weeks is the Ward family - Kyle, Ami, Carter (11) and Dylan (1). Kyle is life-long Lutheran from Minnesota. Ami grew up in Scranton and the couple met in 2011.
100th Anniversary Fundraiser Beautful Plaques and sticks (pictured above) have been engraved and beginning Monday, April 6th will be available for purchase. All proceeds go to the Peace Lutheran Church 100th Anniversary celebrations. The plaques and sticks will come in various colors. These items make perfect gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation, Confirmation, birthday, etc.
Sticks = $10
Plaques = $15
Measure 9” x 1.5 “
Measure 4.5” x 12”
Cash or check payment (made out to Peace Lutheran Church) and will be available each Sunday or by stopping by the church office Monday-Friday 9:00-noon.
When asked why they started coming to Peace Lutheran Church, Ami noted she was raised Catholic and found herself unhappy. When she visited Kyle in Minnesota and attended church with his family at the Lutheran Church, she felt like she was finally home. They were looking for a small church, close to home and found Peace Lutheran Church. As a special perk, Pastor Bjornstad reminds them of the Minnesota pastors they love. So why become a member of Peace Lutheran Church? Ami’s response was simple and a testament to the congregation. “We want THIS pastor and THIS church involved in our life.” Please offer a word of welcome and encouragement to the Ward family when you see them in church each week. We are happy to have them as new members of the Peace Lutheran Church family.