NEWSLETTER August 2015
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
JOIN US SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 9am: We will meet at Peace Lutheran Church to sing a hymn verse, pray, and collect our church offering. 9:10am: We will travel to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church to join their 9:30 worship. Pastor Vomhof is currently not able to serve the church due to his cancer and we know this is a difficult time for him, his family, and the congregation. We will lift them up by our presence , care, and love.
Let us encourage one another in the Lord!
We pray for St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 701 W Lackawanna Ave Dickson City, PA
Parking is limited so we encourage carpooling and we will also have the church van for transport.
Pastor’s Message: Miracles Yesterday and Today "And God was doing extraordinary miracles” Acts 19:11 In the month of July we have been reading the Gospel accounts in worship of the miracles of Jesus: the feeding of the 5000 and the walking on the water. We are a church that most certainly believes in miracles. We can start with the miracle of creation and the continuing miracle of our daily preservation. But certainly more than that (as if those were not enough!) we believe in the miracle of the incarnation (God taking on human flesh) and the redemption won for us on the cross of Calvary. But those miracles of eternal significance should not necessarily blind us to the beautiful way God accomplishes His earthly will in ways that confound us. I know and have heard many of your favorite testimonies as to the miracles of God in your personal lives. Praise the Lord! But in these difficult days it is good to celebrate the miracles that are happening right in our midst here at Peace Lutheran Church: miracles of faith and life as repentance and forgiveness is being preached. Lately the most amazing miracles of God are happening in our new mission the “Church of All Nations”. At the dedication of the Lutheran Ministry Center (LMC) on May 31st the Rev. Chris Wicher, blessed Pastor Nischal to be working with us here at Peace Lutheran to establish a mission called “Church of All Nations”. Since that Sunday Pastor Nischal has been leading worship services at the LMC every Sunday evening at 6pm. There have been a few members of Peace who have come when they miss a morning service - or they have come just to support the
mission. But what has been exciting to see is the growth of the mission otherwise. In the last few weeks our attendance has swelled from about 8 to almost 25! What has been key in all of this is how the Lord has brought us into contact with a couple new Indian Christian families who are very devout and dedicated. They are making a wonderful worshiping “core” that we can build on to reach out to others. We are also working with the Scranton refugee services to identify incoming African Christians and their families, as well as reaching out to the Nepali speaking families that we serve with our ESL classes. Please note that all this has been done with $0 dollars from our Peace operating budget. Pastor Nischal is doing all of this work because he loves the Lord and he must struggle every month to find money to live on. We hope to receive a relatively substantial grant from the LCMS Inner City Missions office, but other than that, the church council has dedicated any offerings given to the Church of All Nations offering plate to be given back to Pastor Nischal (you can also give on line at our church website to the Church of All Nations if you would like to.) After seeing all of this happen, how can we be silent? God is moving us finally into the 21st century, moving us beyond how we have seen ourselves, building on the foundation laid in our first 100 years! I have challenged the congregation to grow to have a Sunday worship average of 100 for our 2017 centennial year. Between Peace and the Church of All Nations we should be able to FAR EXCEED that goal. We pray that MANY are led to believe and trust in Jesus as their Savior! As we work together in love and by the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, let us pray and eagerly receive even MORE blessings and miracles from the Lord! Alleluia! Amen! In Jesus our Savior, 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 What makes The Lutheran Academy so great? Why would a parent send their child to our school? God’s presence - that is why! In addition to the amazing spiritual growth our students experience, the Academy is going to be the PREMIER school for those wanting a classical chrisitian cirriculum with a strong focus on music. The Academy is blessed to have Mr. Carsten Bjornstad joining our staff. When you speak with prospective families, music and the arts should be a selling point ! Showcase how we can add top notch music education to the small class sizes, caring staff and Christian curriculum. Now, we are actively enrolling students for the 2015-16 school year. We need more sudents and need your help to spread the word about this amazing school. Be sure to grab a brochure or two and pass them out. There is also a link to the brochure on the school website
www.thelutheranacademyscranton.org
JUNE
RUMMAGE SALE! A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED, HELPED WITH, AND PURCHASED ITEMS! A total of $1040+ was raised for the TLA!
The Lutheran Academy Hires Music Teacher The Peace Church Council and The Lutheran Academy Board are happy to announce Carsten Bjornstad will be joining the teaching staff of The Lutheran Academy, Scranton this fall. He will be our new, highly qualified and experienced Music Teacher. Carsten is moving to PA from MN and plans to arrive mid August. He will be a tremendous blessing not only to the Academy, but to the Church of All Nations and various area churches as he is certain to find many ways to serve the Lord through music. Carsten will raise up the Academy music program immeasurably, no doubt making our little school the very best place in NEPA for children to grow into fine music making! It will include private and class lessons in a wide variety of instruments for every child, solid vocal training (Kodaly Method), performing/touring vocal and chime choirs. Of course there will be music theory instruction and time DURING EACH SCHOOL DAY for 30 minutes of guided instrumental practice. There is no other school that can match what we will offer. Carsten plays piano, organ, guitar, flute and of course recorder and enjoys teaching them all. When asked what he is most excited to tackle at the Academy he said, “ I am eager to recapture the magic that can come from teaching music to young people!” Carsten has had an amazing breadth of experience, with music education being the main focus of his career. Carsten received his BA (in German) from Jamestown College, ND; MA in Music History from the University of Minnesota; Director of Christian Education certificate from Concordia College, St. Paul, MN; Teaching English as a Second Language certificate from Hamline University, St. Paul, MN; Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music, London, in Piano Teaching. Up until recently Carsten held a teaching license in Minnesota (grades 1-12). He started his teaching career in Stewart, MN as a elementary music teacher. Then he taught music (and German) at Kodaikanal International School in south India for 10 years. For many years he worked in Papua New Guinea as a teaching missionary, and following his work there he moved back to the U.S. and worked in various churches playing the organ as well as directing community, church, and school choirs and music ensembles. More recently he taught music for four years at a Lutheran school in Hutchinson, MN. So why come to Scranton and The Lutheran Academy? “There are a number of reasons, but the #1 reason would have to be I hear a call from Jesus.” “I am blessed with good health and God is telling me to contribute to the lives of young people,” Carsten said. “I NEEDED to respond to the call!” We are beyond glad he has responded to the call of the Holy Spirit (and the Academy Board of Directors) to share his talents with us at Peace Church and bless our school.
School websites: www.thelutheranacademyscranton.org
and
www.leccs.org
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"
HAPPY NEWS AND NOTES: + AROUND THE CONGREGATION We need to pray for Frank Schulze, congregational member, who recently became a local Police officer. We need to pray that God keeps him safe in his vocation, and that he is a blessing to the community. We are looking forward to the baptism of Xavior Perry on August 23rd! Christopher and Marissa are his excited new parents and we are looking forward to seeing Xavior grow up in the house of the Lord! Evan Hughes has started helping Ky Betts with illustrating every Sunday bulletin covers! These two faith filled men are amazing artists and we are always inspired by them. Evan Hughes was a featured artist recently at the Arts on the Square festivities… as well we rejoice with Ky as he graduated from his Master’s program! Praise God! Kim and Mark Koenig are hosting two young ladies from Estonia this summer, and the Bjornstads are hosting a French foreign exchange student! Marja Bjornstad will be off with her big sister at Concordia University in St., Paul, MN. Pray for her mom and dad! :)
+ HARFORD FAIR
There has been some talk of attending the Harford Fair in New Milford, PA. The fair runs August 17-22 with admission $6 per person 12 years and older. Under 11 is free, plus free parking. Please notify the church office if you would like to attend and which day(s) so a van run could be arranged for those interested.
+ NEPAhelp.com
Many men struggle with sexual integrity issues -thoughts, behaviors, relationships and internet use that dishonors them, those they love and God. NEPAhelp is an accountability and growth group available to help men find freedom Jesus Christ offers. For more information visit NEPAhelp.com
+ JR. CONFIRMATION PLANNING
Pastor will be combining the confirmation classes of Peace and Immanuel this Fall (barring a new pastor coming to Immanuel). We will have a first PARENTS/STUDENTS meeting on Sunday, September 20 at 7pm AT IMMANUEL Fellowship Hall. We will decide a regular meeting date at that time. Invite young friends and neighbors! Open to all! + FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, EASTON, PA has prepared 17 backpacks filled with school supplies as well as a huge shipment of copy paper… to be given to Academy students or kids in the neighborhood… Praise the Lord and Thank you Faith Lutheran Church!
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. + Pastor Nischal and the Church of All Nations ministry.
+ VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER (VAC)
Need help paying for groceries? The Voluntary Action Center can help see of you might qualify for SNAP, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly food stamps. If you are over 60, a resident of Lackawanna County and have a monthly income of less than $1966 single and $2642 married, you may qualify. Also, VAC has a group called Caring Hands, a group of lovely ladies that meet weekly to knit and crochet items to donate to social services agencies in our community. While spring cleaning, if you come across any yarn that can be used by the Caring Hands group contact the VAC office, 570-347-5616.
+ 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.
+ NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING PLANNING MEETING - Sunday, August 16 at 7:00 pm
The planning process to raise money for our youth to attend the Youth Gathering next summer in New Orleans has begun. “In Christ Alone” is the convention theme! All high schoolers are invited to join us! Held every 3 years, the LCMS Youth Gathering provides thousands of youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith and their Lutheran identity. During the five days of the Gathering, youth spend time together in God’s word, worship, service and fellowship with others from across the synod. PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR CHURCH! Rest assured… all our bills are paid here at Peace. But have you had the chance to make your tithe to the Lord lately? If you cannot make it to worship Sunday mornings (for whatever good reason), please know that you can still support the ministry of the Lord here at Peace Lutheran Church with your offering by going to the support page of www.yourpeace.org.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org
WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: 9:00 am
Worship with Holy Communion every other Sunday.
6:00 pm
Church of All Nations Service
SPONSORING FLOWERS Attend this service at the LMC if you didn’t make a Sunday Morning Service
TESTIMONIALS Prayerfully consider sharing your testimony during an upcoming worship service. Beginning July 19th, Pastor will dedicate 5-8 minutes of the service each Sunday (through August) for one congregational member each week to share a testimonial of his/her faith journey. Start thinking and praying now about your desire to share with the congregation.
Additional Services at Immanuel: 5:30 pm Saturday Evening and 10:00 am Sunday Morning
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!
NOTE: RALLY DAY IS SEPTEMBER 13th! The church schedule will revert to 8am and 10:30 worship with Sunday School at 9:30.
ible B n o i t a c Va ecap R l o o h c S Peace Church held Vacation Bible School (VBS) this year on July 26-30 at the Lutheran Ministry Center. The theme this year was Te Deum (“We Praise you O God”), aimed to teach children the Lord’s Prayer. Through this program about 50 children were blessed! Thank you to all who participated and helped! It was a very big BLAST!
Annual Summer BBQ! ALL HANDS ON DECK! All proceeds will go to the Catherine McAuley Women’s Shelter here in Scranton to help in an important ministry to victims of abuse. Adam Evans will once again grill the chickens and we are thankful about that! Last year’s chicken was amazing!
Handmade Quilt Raffle
Kim and Mark Koenig are organizing a quilt raffle and tickets are now available. The quilt was handmade and donated by Sara and Jay Cronk.The raffle date is Sunday October 4, 2015 at the late service here at Peace Lutheran Church. The Value of the quilt is $300.00 and all the proceeds are to benefit The Lutheran Academy's building usage cost. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased directly from Mark & Kim Koenig or through Amy in the church office.
100th Anniversary Fundraiser There are still a few beautful plaques and sticks left.. All proceeds go to the Peace Lutheran Church 100th Anniversary celebrations. The plaques and sticks come in various colors.
Sticks = $10
Plaques = $15
Cash or check payment (made out to Peace Lutheran Church)
We Remember Lillian Wheeler, Called to glory. At the funeral here at Peace on Monday, June 29th, we said our final goodbye’s to Lillian A. Wheeler, 83, of Scranton. She entered into eternal life on June 24 evening at VNA Hospice at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. She is the widow of Carl Wheeler, who died in 1986. Born Oct. 26, 1931, in Scranton, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Philip and Elsie (Klee) Schweitzer. She was a 1950 graduate of Scranton Central High School. Lillian was a lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church, was a member of the church choir and served as secretary of the ladies guild. She was also a member of Association of Lutheran Friends. Lillian's family would like to thank the staff at Gardens of Green Ridge and the VNA Hospice Inpatient Unit at Geisinger Community Medical Center for their wonderful care. Surviving are four sisters, Carolyn Brzowsky, Dundalk, Md.; Elsie Schweitzer, Scranton, Pa.; Lorraine Pensak, Factoryville, Pa.; and Grace Morris, Mount Bethel, Pa.; a brother, Harold Schweitzer, Yuma, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.
Bulletin illustration by Evan Hughes. Thank you Evan for inspiring us!
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Schweitzer; her cousin, Evelyn Jean Schweitzer; and her first husband, Gus Kopatz, in 1972.
Always be ready to give an answer to the hope you have within you… 1 Peter 3:15
Synod president responds to SCOTUS same-sex marriage ruling God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress (Psalm 46:1–7). A one-person majority of the U.S. Supreme Court got it wrong – again. Some 40 years ago, a similarly activist court legalized the killing of children in the womb. That decision has to date left a wake of some 55 million Americans dead. Today, the Court has imposed same-sex marriage upon the whole nation in a similar fashion. Five justices cannot determine natural or divine law. Now shall come the time of testing for Christians faithful to the Scriptures and the divine institution of marriage (Matthew 19:3–6), and indeed, a time of testing much more intense than what followed Roe v. Wade. Like Roe v. Wade, this decision will be followed by a rash of lawsuits. Through coercive litigation, governments and popular culture continue to make the central post-modern value of sexual freedom override “the free exercise of religion” enshrined in the Bill of Rights. The ramifications of this decision are seismic. Proponents will seek to drive Christians and Christian institutions out of education at all levels; they will press laws to force faithful Christian institutions and individuals to violate consciences in work practices and myriad other ways. We will have much more to say about this.……. As faithful Christians, we shall continue to be obedient to just laws. We affirm the human rights of all individuals and the inherent and equal value of all people. We respect the divinely given dignity of all people, no matter their sexual preference. We recognize that, under the exacting and demanding laws of God, we are indeed sinners in thought, word and deed, just as are all (Romans 3:9ff.). We confess that the “blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all our sins” (1 John 1:7). We confess that God’s divine law of marriage and the entire Ten Commandments apply to all, and that so also the life-giving sacrifice of Christ on the cross
is for all. It is a “righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:22). However, even as we struggle as a church to come to a unified response to this blatant rejection of the entire history of humankind and its practice of marriage, “We shall obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29). Christians will now begin to learn what it means to be in a state of solemn conscientious objection against the state. We will resist its imposition of falsehood upon us, even as we continue to reach out to those who continue to be harmed by the ethic of radical sexual freedom, detached from God’s blessing of marriage. And we will stand shoulder to shoulder with Christians, churches and people of good will who are resolute on this issue. God help us. Amen. Pastor Matthew C. Harrison +++++++++++++++ We must continue to pray for our country and for our faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. Starting in the Fall Pastor Bjornstad will be addressing this and several other current issues in Bible Study and sermons. The hope we have as Christians is based on completely different principles than what the world is offering up as truth these days. This is nothing new in the world and it is our privilege to proclaim the reason that we have hope (1 Peter 3:15) and be about the business of winsomely convincing a blinded society of God’s truth and GRACE!
Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This is most certainly true… but how does this translate into the daily life of a Christian? That is the question for us!
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org