NEWSLETTER April 2017
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!
PEACE MATTERS THANK YOU SO MUCH for all who were able to join us in our celebrations on March 26th. It is truly a joy and privilege to be a part of God’s people and share in the joy of His salvation! Please don’t be shy to boast in the Lord for all His benefits to us. Throughout the planning of our 100th Anniversary Celebration we continually asked people “Why is Peace Lutheran Church Special to You?” Here are a few responses that truly speak to the family, community and hope for the future of Peace. My earliest memories of Peace Lutheran Church are of my grandfather, Reverend Henry Camin, standing at the pulpit and preaching. I didn’t grow up in Scranton, but my parents did, and we made many trips to Scranton to visit our Grandpa and Grandma Camin and Grandma and Grandpa Rogal and our aunts, uncles, and cousins. We also had family reunions in Scranton, and the Sunday service was where we could all pray and sing hymns together and of course listen to our grandfather’s sermon. It was later in life that I realized how humble my grandfather was, how he served the congregation for so many years in so many ways, and how the congregation supported him and his family through the good times and the difficult times. My mother was born in the Benjamin house, where Peace Lutheran Church stands today. She played the piano and organ as a young woman in the church, she was married in the church, and had a beautiful funeral in Peace Lutheran Church. Although my parents retired in Florida, they always planned to go back to Scranton for their final resting place. Since my parents funerals, I have come to learn of the amazing work being done at Peace Lutheran Church through Reverend Kristian Bjornstad and the congregation. The Lutheran Academy and Mission Work being carried out by the church is amazing and so important for the communities they serve. When I enter the church today, not only do so many fond memories flood my mind, but the present and future work of the church shows that the Holy Spirit fills all hearts with love, compassion, and hope. And that the little community of Lutherans in Scranton that my grandfather once served so faithfully, is making a big difference in the lives of many people.
Janet Rogal
I was a member on the 1980’s as a teen under Pastor Vajda. The Pastor was an incredible man and I have lots of fond memories of him and church members. I first came to the church when David Morris and Kim Mazak from the youth group were digging out dirt and trying to put up the 3 crosses outside of the church. I lent a hand in digging out the dirt for those crosses and that laid the seeds for friendship, membership and my continued love for the church.
Rosanne Diaz At times it feels like I have been at Peace forever. But in fact our family made Peace our home church after moving to Scranton in the fall of 2010. It was such a blessing to be part of the 100th Anniversary planning team. Sometimes the amount of details to be coordinated felt like a lot, but it was in these details I could truly see the wonder of Peace and its rich history. As I reflect on the events on March 26th I am both in awe and humbled to be part of the Peace Church history. What a joy to hear the preaching of Rev Buchmann and Rev Wicher, our LC-MS Eastern District President. And to hear the amazing stories at the banquet from Rev. Hanus. There were representatives present from ALL the founding families of Peace. I wonder how many churches feel like “home” to its members, generation after generation. We have a church history to be proud of, but this is not the end. Rather one could say we are merely just beginning our legacy here in the Scranton area. The rest of 2017 we will be resurrecting past favorites of the church, like the Mother's Day Tea, Welsh cookie sale and a Walther League dance. It is my hope you will participate and soak in both the history and FUTURE of Peace.
Amy Betts
Rev Buchmann preaching at the 10:30 Worship Service on March 26th
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!
Lutheran Schools Week Recap From March 5-12 the students and staff of The Lutheran Academy celebrated the joys of being a Lutheran school. The week began with worship at Peace, spirit week full of fun attire and a field trip to the Breadbasket of NEPA, and ended with worship and fellowship at Immanuel Lutheran Church. What a blessing the Academy and Preschool are to our congregations.
Sports Team Day, Upper Grades class
Throw Back Thursday, Upper Grades class
Food Drive Donation On Wednesday, March 8th the students and staff shopped at Giant (see picture below), added those items to the donations received, and delivered to the Breadbasket of NEPA distribution location at Elm Park Church downtown.
Dress Down and Hat Day, Younger Grades class
Preschool & Kindergarten
Thank you to those who continue to support our school financially and in prayer. Please help us spread the word about the Academy to all you know who might be looking for an BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION alternative to public school. They can call anytime to schedule a Supporting The Lutheran Academy can be as simple as tour of the school and to meet with our principal. saving Box Tops for Education. Box Tops are found on almost 200+ items. Each Box Top when turned in earns the Academy 10 cents. These Box Tops can really add up. A collection box is located in the back of the church. Please save your Box Tops. Spread the word and turn them in!
SPONSOR A STUDENT If you are looking for a way to impact The Lutheran Academy, perhaps consider sponsoring a student. Full Scholarship ($3000) Half Scholarship ($1500) Quarter Scholarship ($750) One Month Scholarship ($300) Or make a simple, one time donation of any amount towards tuition. Brochures can be found at the back of the church.
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"
CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES:
+ BAPTISMS!!!!
+ SPECIAL PRAYERS NEEDED
On Sunday, April 23rd we will be baptizing both Blake and Eli Evans AND Julian and Jamey Ward. Please pray for both families as they and the godparents prepare for this very special day.
For Frank Schulze. Frank has expressed appreciation for all the thoughts and prayers. Please pray for continued spiritual strength as he awaits a new trial date as his case has been postponed indefinitely. For Connie Perry and her strength as she is battling cancer. + ANNIVERSARY PICTURES Kcaarin Pineau spent the day with us taking photographs to remember all the fun and celebration of our 100th Anniversary. Pastor has uploaded these photos to his website for view and/or purchase. You can see the images at https://prettygoodportraits.smugmug.com/Events/PeaceLutheran-100th-Anniversary
+ LWML SUNDAY LWML Mite offering will be collected on Sunday, April 23rd. Please begin saving your change for this quarterly offering. Mite boxes can be found at the rear of the church if you would like one for your home.
+ PALM SUNDAY BRUNCH On Sunday, April 9th we will have a Palm Sunday Brunch between the worship service times. Join us downstairs at 9:15 for food and fellowship. Free will donation and all proceeds to benefit 100th Anniversary Project Fund. If you are intersted in bringing an item for the brunch please contact Amy Betts in the church office to sign up for one of the following items needed: *OJ *Milk *Pastries *Bagels *Fruit *Yogurt *Hashbrown Casserole Pastor will be making his signature egg bake.
+ Our member Brenda Colbert is an Elder Law lawyer! Many in our congregation has looked to her for help with wills, estate planning, and caring for their loved ones. If you have such a need, please give her a call at Colbert & Grebas, 570-299-7909. + THRIVENT MEMBERS Thrivent Action Teams gives each Thrivent member up to $500 each year in fundraising seed money to benefit your causes! If you are a Thrivent member, and want to raise some money for a good cause, you can apply for a $250 credit card! Go to www.thrivent.com for more information! + BEING SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY It really helps when others can see that people are excited about what is happening at the church! Take a moment to “like” and “share” the church Facebook posts. Please ALSO once in a while "check in" to church... Just like you "check in" to a restaurant... This is an exercise in not being ashamed of our Lord Jesus Christ. You can also add a Review of the church on our Facebook page. Tell others what you love about your church. Thanks for any help!
+ LWML SPRING WORKSHOP- May 6th The Anthracite Zone LWML Spring Worship will be held from 9:30am-2:00pm at Peace Lutheran Church. The day will feature author Debi Hartzell. She will teach a nutrition workshop based on her book “ Walking with the Armor of God: Your PATH to Health and Wellness.” Learn how to improve your health and increase + EASTER LILY SPONSORSHIP your energy while walking with God daily and living life to it’s If you are interested in sponsoring a Lily for Easter, please complete a fullest potential. RSVP for the LWML event by May 2nd to sponsorship form and turn in to the offering plate along with $8 per Monica Bjornstad at (570) 780-1821. lily no later than April 12th. Checks should have “lily” in the memo line. A LOOK AHEAD . . .
+ APRIL 22 NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP DAY As we celebrate our 100th Anniversary all year long, in April we will remember and honor Pastor Kerns who was an enthusiastic recycler. In fact his recycling efforts (along with many others in the congregation) helped finance a trip to Disney for the youth and their families! In his honor we encourage you to collect your aluminum cans and on April 22 and 23 bring them to the church. We will turn them in and any money raised will help finance the Grace Street Park revitalization this summer. In addition we will hold a neighborhood cleanup from 9:00-noon on Saturday, April 22nd. Meet at the church in long pants and work gloves, perfect time to wear your 100th Anniversary t-shirt, and we will spruce up Parker Street as we make an attempt to clean from the church to the recycling center.
MOTHER’S DAY TEA Plans are being made for a 100th Anniversary Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 20th from 1:00-3:00pm. Be sure to watch for details coming soon in your Sunday bulletins and May newsletter.
Founder’s Day Worship Service & Picnic Sunday July 9th with worship at 10am followed by a picnic and summer time fun . . . all held at Ransom Valley Lutheran Church. Details and directions to follow in June newsletter.
WEDDING In July we will be celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of Richard and Paulette Frederickson, who were married here at Peace. And also the wedding of our beloved Grace Morris who will be marrying Tom Percival.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607
WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: WORSHIP HOURS 8:15 Worship with Holy Communion 9:30 Education Hour for Youth and Adults 10:30 Worship with Holy Communion every other Sunday 6:00 Church of All Nations Worship Service at the Lutheran Ministry Center
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! To order from McCarthy’s Flowers, please call: 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!
The final Lenten Midweek Services will be held at 10am and 7:30pm at Peace Lutheran Church on April 5th. Please make plans to attend one of these if possible.
April 9: Palm Sunday Services 9:15 am Palm Sunday Brunch between services April 13: Maundy Thursday - Jesus’ Prayer of Anguish 7:30pm Immanuel Lutheran Church April 14: Good Friday - Witnessing the Passion and Death of Christ 11:30am Reenactment of the Crucifixion at Peace Church 7:00pm Good Friday with Holy Communion April 15: Easter Vigil 9:00pm Peace Lutheran Church April 16: Easter Sunday:The Resurrection of Our Lord - Paradise is Ours 6:30am Easter Sunrise at Evergreen Cemetery (Rev. Zimmerman) 8:15 am Peace Lutheran Church 10:30 am Peace Lutheran Church
April Sermon Topics April 2: Jesus Wept April 9: Passion Sunday Reading April 16: Easter Joy April 23: Ward and Evans baptisms! The Breath of Peace April 30: Jesus on the Road
Meet the PRAEFKE Family Jim, Jennifer, Alyvia (16), Blake (6) and Evan (21/2) The Praefke family began worshipping with us in February 2016. Their beloved neighbor for MANY years, Elsie Schweitzer, witnessed to them and encouraged them to come and attend Peace. It was not until attending Elsie’s funeral that Jen said she saw first hand the love and compassion our church had for Elsie, her family, and each other. The Praefke’s share that Peace felt comfortable, like home. And like so many others who call Peace home, Pastor Bjornstad is a key reason they kept coming. They continue to come because there is an overall comfort and love in our church, when you walk in you know you belong. They had Evan baptized at Peace in — 2016. “Attending adult bible study has deepened my faith” says Jen. “Learning about Martin Luther has opened feelings and beliefs which are different from my Catholic upbringing.” They both see the value in attending bible study, helping them learn more about Lutheranism, the bible, while building relationships with others in the congregation. When asked about their invlovement in the church, Jen mentions they would like to get more involved. “We will do what we can” says Jim. Both are eager to help when asked and that very energy and enthusiasm is what Peace was built on. The Praefke’s aim to be among the growing number of steady faces of Peace. Jim and Jen were married in 2009. Jen is a Client Relationship Manager for EDM and Jim is owner of Praefke Construction. Bake currently attends kindergarten at Immanuel Preschool & Kindergarten with plans to attend The Lutheran Academy for 1st grade in the fall. We praise God for leading the Praefke family to Peace. Be sure to introduce yourself if you have not done so already.
CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS As we continue plans for outreach in our communities, we definitely need a good "core" of worshippers on Sunday evening! We need YOU! We don't want to take away from Sunday morning worship at Peace, but make it your duty and honor to God to attend the evening Church of All Nations service if you are unable to attend the morning at Peace. Families and children are all welcome as well!
Peace Anniversary T-Shirts avaialble and only $15 for adult sizes and $10 for youth sizes and come in four colors: light grey, dark grey, black and pink. The hope is with the weather warming, you will want to wear one of these great anniversary shirts all year long to the various events and outings being planned. The 100th Anniversary Calendar was created to help us all remember the history of Peace Lutheran Church as we move through our 100th Anniversary all 2017 long. Since we are well into 2017, the Calendars are now just $8 each. They still make a perfect gift and keepsake. See Amy before or after service to get yours or call the office. Only 10 left! All proceeds to support the 100th Anniversary service projects. The 100th Anniversary Memory Book was a huge success. There has been interest expressed to order more. If you prefer you can order one directly from the company and the cost $85 plus around $10 shipping. We would like to help alleviate the high shipping cost for everyone and can get 10% discount when we have 10 books ordered making the cost $76.50 plus a share of the shipping (approx $5). If we can get 20 books ordered the cost goes down 20% to $68 plus a share of the shipping. So from now through Easter Sunday, April 16th, you can let the office know if you are interested in a book, make no payment yet. When we know how many are requested we will be in touch with final cost and you can make payment then. Thank you for your interest and thank you again to Pastor Bjornstad (and all his editors) for the tremendous amount of work that went into making this book a treasure.
100th Anniversary Capital Campaign- Sound System The new sound system ($5000) is in. You have been enjoying it very much! This is our main anniversary in-house project and we pray for your support to fully fund it. There will be additional fundraisers throughout 2017 to support both the sound system and the neighborhood park revitalization anniversary projects. You will have opportunities to support via the Palm Sunday Brunch, Recycling program in April, and a Welsh cookie sale this fall. Give thanks to God for 100 years of ministry with a generous donation to the anniversary fund at any time in the offering plate or online at yourpeace.org. With the main expenses of the anniversary celebration over, all donations will go fully to our projects!
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A few pictures of the 100th Anniversary Celebration. March 26, 2017
Grace Morris as she leads the “Sounds of Peace” choir. Right and below: Musical offerings by Academy students at the LMC
Pastor Hanus shares fond memories of his time at Peace.
Recognizing Roger Borchin, the Academy founding Principal, during the banquet at Fiorelli’s.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607