NEWSLETTER April 2018
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
“With High Delight Let Us Unite In songs of great jubilation. Ye pure in heart, All bear your part Sing Jesus Christ, our salvation. To set us free Forever, He Is risen and send To all earth’s ends Good news to save ev'ry nation.” - Hymn text Georg Vetter
From the Pastor’s Heart Dear redeemed in Jesus, There is great fear in the world today. Trade wars, immigrants taking over, tanking financial markets, angry statements from capitols around the world. One against another. Where can we find a solace? Where can we find a balm for our hearts? Is there any? There is indeed a true salvation! It is in the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. It is such a joy to celebrate Easter, to make His resurrection a treasure for our hearts… to set aside the Day of the Lord as holy and blessed, a time of refuge in a chaotic and terrified world. Time after time Jesus had to say to His disciples “Do not be afraid”! Indeed, He has overcome the world! We are so privileged now to be able to live out the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! I am so excited by all the beautiful ways that our congregation lives out this Gospel. You will see it in this newsletter! Thank you - each of you - for your participation in the ministry of the Lord here at Peace Lutheran: to bring your sacrificial offerings, to join your voices with ours in worship, to bend the knee in prayer, to bring food to the potluck and helping out in all the hands on ways to bring God’s mercy and love to the community around us - and even to the world! It is amazing! Praise God! Alleluia! The salvation story never ends! So if you have been hesitant to commit your life to praising the Lord and making the ministry of the church an essential ingredient in your life, make happen today! All hands on deck for the mad dash through this great tribulation on the blessed ship of our baptism! He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! In Jesus,
Pastor Bjornstad
Every Sunday Evening at 6:00pm there is a short Devotional Service at the Lutheran Ministry Center. A beautiful evening of quiet if you missed the morning worship. Please consider coming if you miss Sunday morning or need a quiet time of reflection and devotion.
If you find yourself unable to attend worship on Sunday, head over to Facebook and during the readings and sermon portion of the service we will go LIVE on “God’s Peace at Parker and Main”Facebook page. Now you can stay connected to God’s word and and Pastor message each and every Sunday. Past Sundays are available now on the “Video” section of the page.
News of The Lutheran Academy! Working in partnership with God's people to raise up a new generation of faithful Christian men and women!
Upcoming Programs at the Academy
GROWING BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN CITIZENS at TLA
You are ALL cordially invited and encouraged to attend these upcoming events ALL held at The Lutheran Academy (home of The Lutheran Academy).
TLA Staff Benefit Concert Saturday, May 12th $25/per person 7:00pm Lutheran Ministry Center A classy evening of deserts and beautiful music! We have so much musical talent in our school! Carsten Bjornstad (piano), Jan Wells (flute), Sarah Bjornstad (violin), Ky Betts (Trumpet), Kristian Bjornstad (Guitar)
SONGS AND SOUNDS OF THE CENTURIES End of Year Music Program Thursday, May 24th 7:00pm Lutheran Ministry Center Featuring the Choir, an Orchestra of flutes and guitars, Recorder Consort, soloists plus some actors and readings all to guide us through music of the centuries.
Awards Night and Graduation Ceremony Monday, June 11th 7:00 pm Lutheran Ministry Center Awards and recognition for stuents and staff, as well as a graduation ceremony for Nora Betts as she leaves the Academy and heads to Holy Cross Hight School next year.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION Thank you for your support via the Box Top program. Over $300 was raised this year from this initiative. Please continue to collect them. Box Tops are found on almost 200+ items. Each Box Top when turned in earns the Academy 10 cents. As you can see, 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!
BOWLING FUNDRAISER for Immanuel Preschool & Kindergarten Saturday, April 14th from 12:20-2:00pm Come out for a fun afternoon of bowling at Idle Hour Lanes in Dickson City. All families and friends and supporters of the preschool are welcome.
Please join us for a fun evening of painting. Your class fee covers the canvas, paint, and instruction. You will leave that night with your painting and this piece is especially fun to personalized with your favorite color scheme or by adding words or little details. This is an adult painting night and is open to those 16 and older. When: Where: Cost: RSVP:
Thursday, April 19th 6:30-8:30pm Spirited Art 253 Scranton Carbondale Hwy, Scranton $35 Register at www.spiritedartscranton.com Click on word Calendar and scroll to April 19th select our event If you can’t pay ahead via the website, do call the studio at (570) 507-1560 to hold your seat
Light snacks and drinks will be provided by the The Lutheran Academy Board, but you are invited to bring additional food and drinks of your choosing if you wish.
There will be basket raffles, a 50/50, and refreshments available. Tickets are available from current IPK students, through the preschool and at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
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: + SPECIAL PRAYERS For Frank Schulze who has now been in jail over 2 years without a trial. For Bonnie Cornog who is in Philadelphia undergoing Chemo and radiation to treat her cancer. For Ed Smith under treatment for his cancer and for healing from a detatched retina. For Beverly Gedrimas looking for part-time employment.
ALFRED KLEES Arrangements have been made for the burial of Alfred Klees, a lifelong member of Peace (his father was an original charter member!) Unfortunately he does not have any immediate family who can help him in his last struggle here on this earth to be buried honorably. Several cousins and family members have come forward to say they will help afford these expenses, but the church council has agreed to cover any shortfall after everyone has a chance to make a donation. Please consider yours! A door offering will be held at church this Sunday, April 8th and also on April 15th. You can also donate via Simplegive by going to our church website, toward a minimum goal of $850 (for burial) or hopefully $1300 (for burial with headstone). Thank you so very much! A BLESSING OF FLOWERS An academy parent called Pastor Bjornstad and asked what we could do with the leftover Easter flowers from the flower stand she was working, and literally hundreds of folks have been blessed! On April 4th and 5th, the church van went to SIX different nursing homes and delivered loads of beautiful flowers for residents and staff! THIS WAS A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE. This is the way the church is supposed to be thinking and believing and acting and loving! And we got to share the Easter message on the side as well! It was wonderful! Praise God!! Thank you to all the church youth who blessed us with a dramatic presentation of the events of Holy Week during the Palm Sunday worship service. Church website: www.yourpeace.org
+ SEDER MEAL A beautiful seder meal was held at Peace on Maundy Thursday. The 16 in attendance enjoyed a lamb dinner with plenty of sides and a cake made by Susan Crosbie. + YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS VITAL TO OUR CHURCH AND SCHOOL! As we have shared in previous newsletters, this year’s budget is going to take intentional giving to attain. May the Lord lead your giving this year. May you make and keep a financial goal for your tithing for 2018. May you feel encouraged and blessed by the work of the church through your offerings. May the world know Peace Lutheran is alive and working to share God’s love and gospel to all who will hear. + 37th Annual LWML Eastern District Convention,
Niagara Falls, NY- June 1-3 We are looking for any women in the congregation who would like to attend the convention. A $35 registration fee needs to be paid by end of April to secure your spot. Registration forms available at the back of the church or by calling the church office.
A LOOK AHEAD . . . Congregational Voter’s Meeting - Sunday May 6th after the 10:30 service. This will be the meeting to cast your vote for the future of Peace. Absentee ballots will be available April 29th if you are unable to attend May 6th, but we hope you will make every effort to be in attendance on May 6th.
Memorial Service for Henry Camin May 12th at 11:00am here at Peace Lutheran Church. All invited to attend.
Confirmation Sunday - Pentecost Sunday, May 20th We pray for our 4 confirmands: Ryan, Alexis, Elizabeth and Zach
Farewell to Pastor Bjornstad and his family Sunday, June 10th A mix and mingle event is being planned for June 10th from 2:00-4:00pm in the fellowship hall of the Lutheran Ministry Center. Invitations with more details will be mailed mid month. If you are interested in helping with the event, please call Amy at the church office. email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org
LMC: 570-703-0607
From the Deacon’s Desk Grace, Mercy and Peace to you from God Our Father and Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Revela@on 19:6 “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great mul@tude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder crying out, Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” I remember reading the story behind the wri@ng of Handel’s “Messiah”. Handel had come from Germany with George I of England who was ascending to the throne. However, Handel’s music style was not going over very well with the English people. At @mes in despair he considered suicide. Then an Irish Nobleman commissioned him to compose a piece of music based on Jesus’ life. Handel accepted. He would lock himself in his room and work long hours. His servant would oTen find the meal he had brought untouched. Then one day the servant heard sobbing behind the door. Concerned he entered the room and found tears pouring down the composer’s face. “I have seen the gates of Heaven open to me.” Handel told the man. He had just penned the Hallelujah chorus. ATer Lent and the absence of some of the more joyous expressions in our liturgy, the clearing of the altar on Maundy Thursday, and the retelling of the final 24 hours of our Lord’s life, we welcome the joy of Easter. But how long does it last? If we’re lucky maybe that special feeling lasts un@l the end of the day. Then like other dates, the day passes. We know that salva@on has been won but the celebra@on is over it seems. It seems over because we know the story. But remember Mary in the garden weeping because she thought they had taken they had taken Jesus’ body away and she knew not where. Think of Peter with the denial of Jesus on his heart and conscious. Judas who hung himself in guilt. The disciples hiding in fear. There are s@ll those who like those we read of s@ll don’t know that He is risen! They s@ll don’t know what that means for their lives. They need to know that the gates of Heaven have been open to them through Jesus death and resurrec@on. So let’s let the celebra@on last all year by telling everyone we know, especially those who have never heard that the tomb is empty and the Lord alive! So we can see that Easter joy in their lives as well! ~ Deacon John
Deacon Babbitts has an official church email: deacon.babbitts@yourpeace.org Feel free to email him here with any church business.
CHURCH WEBSITE NAME It is time to renew our website and we have the option to keep the name the same www.yourpeace.org or change it. We are seeking suggestions for a new website name. Please share with Pastor or Amy any ideas you have. We also want to hear from you if you like the name and want to keep it.
Adult Bible Study Continues There is a simple way to support Peace Lutheran Church when you shop online. If you have an Amazon.com account you can chose to have 0.5% of the purchases you make go to a charitable organization of your choice. Good news, Peace is now on that list! * Log on to your Amazon.com account * Click the “Your Amazon Smile” under the Your Accounts tab. * Search for “ Peace Lutheran Church Scranton” * Confirm your choice and you are done. Now you are all set to impact Peace with every purchase you make. To be sure Peace gets the 0.5%, you will need to begin your shopping experience at smile.amazon.com If you have any questions or need assistance setting this up, please call Amy at the church office and she will be more than happy to help you. If you plan to shop with Amazon.com and don’t have an account set up, she can also assist you in the process. Thank you for your part in support the work of Peace Lutheran Church.
It is not uncommon to hear someone say “I love Chocolate!” Or “ I love hiking.” “I love dogs” or “I love that music.” But did you know that Biblically you can’t make any of these statements? Do you know the difference between Joy and Happiness? Did you know Peace is impossible without having Joy? Peace isn’t the absence of conflict? Faith has nothing original to say? Join us in Adult Bible Study this April at 9:30 a.m. as we explore Galatians the Fifth Chapter to learn the difference between the Biblical meanings of these and other words that we use interchangeably every day.
SELF-PACED BIBLE STUDY OPTION Want to learn more about the Bible but don’t think you have the time? What if the study was tailored according to your busy and changing schedule? Deacon John will be leading a Overview of the Bible Bible study from the Lifelight series via e-mail. Read and respond at the pace that suits your schedule. All you have to do is give us your e-mail and your all set. You’ll receive your first e-mail shortly thereafter. So don’t let that crazy rat race get in the way, join us now! Email Deacon John directly at babbittj@csp.edu.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LUTHERAN MINISTRY CENTER
April 1st was not only Easter this year, but it also marked the 3rd birthday/ anniversary of Peace owning the Lutheran Ministry Center. We are so grateful for this space to use for the Academy, to offer as a rental space, but also for Peace to hold events. In celebra@on of our 3rd birthday, we have put together a “Wish List” of items s@ll needed in the kitchen over there. If you feel compelled to purchase any of these items, please bring in to church (or drop off at the LMC between 9-3 Monday-Friday). Thank you for your con@nued support of this ministry opportunity. There will be a sheet in the back of church and we ask you to mark off the item you bring so others will know what is leT. *Dish towels *Dish Clothes *Pot holders *Hot pot mats *Brillo pads *Sponges *Small microwave * Measuring cups (set of 4: 1/4 to 1 cup) *Can opener * Pyrex 1 cup and 4 cup measuring cups *Metal Large Utensils *Plas@c/non-porous cueng boards *Electric carving knife *Metal strainers (3 size stackable) *Electric tea kegle *Metal mixing/serving bowls *Silverware (forks, spoons, knives) * Metal spoon rests *Pitchers to make cold drinks
We praise God that this mess on the corner is cleaned up and we have lovely new traffic lights and a possible turn lane coming at the corner of Parker and N Main
Veteran-led Bible Study FOR Veterans EVENT SPACE FOR RENT!!!! Birthday or Anniversary Party . . . Family Reunion . . . Baby Shower. . . Retreats . . . and more Please consider the Lutheran Ministry Center Fellowship Hall (with spacious kitchen) for your next event. Did you know members of Peace get a “member” price on the rental? Share the news of this great space. Priced to fit even the tightest budget. Reservation form available on the website and at the back of church. Call the church office to reserve your date. Thank you to those who are using the LMC for their family events! The lights stay on and the heat flows when we have revenue coming in to the LMC, so please help by spreading the word about our lovely space at 1546 Monsey Ave!
First meeting/study session will be held at Peace in the fellowship hall Saturday, May 5th at 9:00am. Light breakfast food will be served and study will be led by Army Veteran Ky Betts. Share this information with veterans you may know and encourage them to attend.
Are you a Boy Scout, Girl Scout or Venture Scout? If you are, you can earn your Lutheran Religious Emblem!! You will complete 7 lessons and 3 projects if you are in grades 6-8 or 5 sections for grades 9-12. Right now we have 5 scouts starting the process. The work is at your own pace and you will be working with Deacon John. So come join the fun and then in the near future we will recognize and present the awards to all our scouts in a special ceremony! Please let Pastor, Deacon John or Mrs. Betts know you want to join us!!