NEWSLETTER August 2016
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main What a joyful weekend as two new pastors were installed in the Scranton Area on July 16th and 17th. Pictured here are the pastors present at Immanuel Lutheran Church for the installation of Pastor John Zimmerman. Front row: Rev. Tom Zimmerman, Rev. John Zimmerman, Rev. Luke Zimmerman. Back row: Rev. Murray Brindle, Rev. Peter Richert, Rev. Peter Haenftling, Rev. Kristian Bjornstad, and Rev. Glen Triplett. A special thank you to Rev. Murray Brindle of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tunkhannock, our Eastern district Vice President, for overseeing the installation of Rev. John Zimmerman.
From the pastor’s heart: God Bless Our Marriages Martin Luther on Marriage: “Therefore [God] also wishes us to honor [marriage], and to maintain and conduct it as a divine and blessed estate; because, in the first place, He has instituted it before all others, and there- fore created man and woman separately (as is evident), not for lewdness, but that they should live together, be fruitful, beget children, and nourish and train them to the honor of God.” “Deliver us from evil” we are taught to pray in the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer is most certainly appropriate when we consider the institution of marriage in our lives. The devil loves to attack us by attacking that which is most foundational in our lives. It has been a few years since we took the time as a congregation to examine this beautiful (but often tragic) part of our lives together, so before we really take off on the celebration of our 100th anniversary of Peace and the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation next year, let’s take the opportunity this fall to celebrate and renew our marriages. We need much repentance and renewal as individuals, couples, and as a congregation together, as we seek God’s will in this central tenant of ALL of our lives: marriage. We need Jesus Christ to be our Beautiful Savior as every single one of us has failed God’s will in this area of our lives. This is, by the way, a WONDERFUL way for you to invite your neighbors and friends to know God in a special way - as the forgiver of their marriages. We are planning on encouraging Godly marriage in as many ways as possible, and work toward healing broken relationships in the community.
Beginning September 11th which is Rally Day Tackling the Real Issues Adult Bible Study: • God’s Design of Marriage • Role of our Religion in our marriages • How God saves our marriages • Honoring God in our marriage • Sex in Marriage & What about being sexually pure? • What about Adultery and Divorce? • What about being Single? • Managing Conflict in marriage. • How do we teach our children about marriage? • How do we keep our marriages on track? These Bible Studies will be repeated one night during the week as well. The particular day has not yet been determined. Therefore God has also most richly blessed this [marriage] estate above all others, and, in addition, has bestowed on it and wrapped up in it everything in the world, to the end that this estate might be well and richly provided for. Married life is therefore no jest or presumption; but it is an excellent thing and a matter of divine seriousness. For it is of the highest importance to Him that persons be raised who may serve the world and promote the knowledge of God, godly living, and all virtues, to fight against wickedness and the devil (Large Catechism, Sixth Commandment, 207–208). Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Bjornstad
Vacation Bible School - July 11-15 Vacation Bible School 2016 - Barnyard Roundup was a success! Over 40 children attended over the course of the week. They participated (clockwise) in games, bible story time, crafts, snack, bible challenge led by Pastor, and music and videos in the sanctuary. It was a sweaty fun time and most importantly, they learned Jesus Gathers Us! Thank you to all who volunteered to help make this VBS a success, to parents for making the time to bring your children, and especially VBS coordinator - Michelle Cherney. Plan now for VBS 2017: A Mighty Fortress!
In Christ Alone…. Reflections from the National Youth Gathering The first night we learned that In Christ Alone we can find true joy! The kind of joy that stays no matter what, that isn’t dependent upon our surroundings or the things we have. The same kind of joy that Paul had when he looked at the cross. Sunday night we learned to find our identity In Christ Alone. Who Christ wants us to be in this world is so much better than whom other people tell us to be. We can find our true identity’s in Him. Monday night we found out that In Christ Alone we can be an echo of the One who humbled Himself for us. True humility is not serving & loving something and getting something in return. True humility is selfless and only attainable In Christ Alone. Tuesday night we learned that In Christ Alone we are never alone and always will be part of an amazing community. Most of all we learned the In Christ Alone we are ENOUGH!!! No matter how often we may feel like we aren’t good enough in life we will always be good enough for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Welcome to Pastor John Zimmerman who was installed on Sunday, July 17th at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"
CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES: + SPECIAL PRAYERS NEEDED For Heather Luklanchuk, Jessica Canjar, Wendy Laird and all the staff of The Lutheran Academy as they prepare for the start of the school year later this month. The Lutheran Academy is looking for part-time volunteers. There are various duties and if you are interested in learning more, please contact the office for more details 570-703-0607.
+ AUGUST FELLOWSHIP HOUR Join us following the 9:15 am service on Sunday, August 28 for a time of coffee and fellowship. Both Carsten Bjornstad and Ken Jurgens will share photos and stories from their summer travels abroad. + SENIOR WELL-BEING PROGRAM Voluntary Action Center wants to help seniors age well. Our Senior Well-Being Program connects seniors (age 60 and older) with services and programs that are available to them (free of charge!) in Lackawanna County. If you are over 60, you may be eligible for programs that will help you stay active and healthy, help you pay for prescriptions and food, and help you manage your monthly budget. If you would like to find out more about this program, please call 570-347-5616 ext. + LUTHERAN MINISTRY CENTER WORK DAY On Monday August 15 and Tuesday August 16th, Jerry Cornog will be leading a LMC Work Day. There are various projects including setting up tables for the Aug 20th Rummage Sale. Please let Jerry or Pastor know if you can make one or both work days. Remember, many hands makes light work. + REFORMATION WEBSITE Pastor has created an aread-wide reformation website. You can see it at www.lutheran-reformation-nepa.info. This site is designed to link all the area Lutheran churches and be a resource for all things “reformation” as we approach the 500th anniversary. + SERVICE OF PEACE REFLECTIONS Among the 35 in attendance were Pastor Williams of Shiloh Baptist Church, Rev. Ginger Daubenhauser of First Congregational Church, Rev. Davis of Asbury Methodist Church. Members from those churches as well as Immanuel Lutheran Church and Peace Lutheran Church sent an hour in prayer, hearing God’s word and singing songs of worship and praise. All who attended left with a greater sense of unity and focus on the most important knowledge that God loves each and every one of us and calls us to seek Him and to love one another as He loves us.
+ 100th ANNIVERSARY Next 100th Anniversary Planning Meeting with be after the 9:15 am service on Sunday, August 14th.
+ MARRIAGE RETREAT Attention Married Couples: Thousands of couples have learned that taking some time to “tune-up” their marriages pays huge dividends. Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends are designed to strengthen and revitalize marriages whether you have been married a year or 60 years. Registrations are being taken for the two fall Weekends: September 16-18 at Spruce Lake Retreat Center in the Poconos or October 21-23 at Olmsted Retreat Center in Ludlow, PA. All costs for 2 nights lodging, 5 meals for each of you, and supplies are covered by a $100.00 per couple registration fee plus a confidential contribution of whatever amount you wish that you are given the opportunity to make toward the end of the weekend. To register online, go to: www.GodLovesMarriage.org, or for further information, contact Fred & Julie Schamber at: fjschamber@comcast.net or 724-325-3166. + ESTATE PLANNING How many of us think about estate planning and financial gifting? How many have taken action? Don't forget this is a wonderful way to leave your legacy with the church. It is with great Thanksgiving that Lillian Wheeler’s estate planning led to over $24,000 that will be distributed to Peace Lutheran Church over the next five years. More information will be coming soon in the bulletin and via the website and Facebook page about an opportunity to meet with an LCMS Foundation representative on Monday August 22nd. He will be able to discuss your own estate plan. In addition, we encourage individuals and couples to contact our member Brenda Colbert who is an Elder Law lawyer. She is able to help anyone who is interested to make the most positive impact for the Lord, family and others in your estate planning. + EYEGLASS COLLECTION Immanuel Lutheran Church is collecting gently used eyeglasses to be sent to MOST Ministries. The donated glasses will be reconditioned and distributed to individuals living in undeveloped nations who cannot afford eye care. Gently used adult-sized glasses, child-sized glasses, over-the-counter reading glasses and non-prescription sunglasses will be accepted. Depending on the number of team members, an eyeglass mission team can serve 100-300 people daily. Additionally, and most importantly, each eyeglass clinic includes a witnessing station where the Gospel message is shared unless it is prohibited by the host country. Jim Norris will be traveling to Qinghai, China with MOST Ministries Team 1632 September 29-October 10. Should you have any glasses to donate, please call Jim at 570-281-6197.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607
WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: SUMMER HOURS 9:15 Worship with Holy Communion every other Sunday Additional Services at Immanuel: 5:30 pm Saturday Evening and 10:15 am Sunday Morning Church of All Nations Worship Service Sundays at 6:00 pm 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 LCMS Synodical convention (held every three years) took place in Milwaukee, WI this last July. Rev. Matthew Harrison was re-elected to lead the synod for another three years (his third term of office), and under the Lord's guiding hand the convention was blessed in many ways. Helping the matter was that there were few controversial or headline issues to deal with. Some resolutions that passed that have some relevance to us here at Peace, Scranton, include: • Encourage outreach to immigrants and refugees. • Support for our Lutheran schools across the nation. • Encourage the celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. • To Encourage Regular Sermon Evaluation by District Presidents and Circuit Visitors (that had some discussion!) Resolutions that address the church and culture include: • Affirming the sanctity and design of Godly marriage and defending the right of LCMS military chaplains to remain faithful to that design even as the military has begun accepting the homosexual lifestyle in their ranks. Something which might surprise many of us: a resolution was passed that would support women who would claim that they have a sound religious reasons to be a conscientious objector to being drafted. This was brought on by the fact that 1. the US military is integrating women into it front line combat units, and 2. there is a bill introduced that will require women to register for the draft just like men. This resolution does not condemn those women who do choose to serve in the military, but points to the Biblical command that it is the husband who is to give up his life for his wife, and the fact that the gift of childbearing is necessary and the precious gift of the woman. This was one quote during the convention: “I appeal to the common sensitivity, kindness and Christian compassion of this church body to remember common chivalry,” said the Rev. Burnell Eckhardt. “We like to remember [women’s] importance as mothers and daughters. What I would like to see is that we also tell our government that it’s wrong for the government to force them to bear arms in battle.” CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS As we implement 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!
Tickets Available NOW- Get yours at church or stop by the office at the Lutheran Ministry Center. We would like a solid head count by Tuesday August 9th. Call Amy at the church if you want tickets or with questions.
While the Pokemon Go craze is slowing down a bit, Peace Lutheran Church is definitely a place you can find some Pokemon. Pictured above is a family on the hunt just outside the church.
On Saturday, July 16th, Ben Christensen made a stop in Scranton and performed his one-man show Variety! - a comedy circus stage show. Approximately 50 people were in attendance, many of them families of our Vacation Bible School children. Ben shared how he has developed his God-given talents and the story of how he became a performer. His diverse show included juggling, mime and slight of hand tricks. Ben also stopped in the Peace Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 17th to share a children’s message during the Sermon time.
Rummage
DATES TO REMEMBER: August 13th - Chicken BBQ at Peace (to benefit The Lutheran Academy)
ATE D P U
August 20th - Rummage Sale at LMC August 27th- Academy Work Day August 30th - First Day of School for Academy and Preschool
Saturday, August 20th 8:00-1:00 Held at the Lutheran Ministry Center To benefit the LMC building fund
September 11th - Return to our Fall Worship Schedule 8:00 am Service 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Service
Rummage Sale Prep Days
“The Gathering Hall”
100th Anniversary News
The Lutheran Ministry Center fellowship hall is getting a much needed makeover. Updates to this space have begun in an effort to make the hall a desired location for events, both for the church and as a rental revenue source for the LMC budget. Updates to the windows have been completed and work on the lighting will be done this month. All lighting fixtures in the education wing, on all three levels, will be replaced with energy-efficient LED bulbs. While it has a rather hefty upfront cost, this improvement will greatly reduce the electric bill for the building. There is still a financial need to finish the final project which is to repaint the fellowship hall floor. Please prayerfully consider supporting the LMC in these improvement projects.
We are seeking helpers to sort and tag items for the rummage sale on August 17-19 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Any time you can give to help sort and price, as well as work the day of the sale are greatly appreciated.
LWML Eastern District Fall Retreat September 16-18 Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center Theme: Love Joy, Peace Come experience the “Fruits of the Spirit”
Reverend Camin Serves Peace Lutheran Church Rev Henry Camin serverd as pastor at Peace Lutheran Church for 43 years, from Oct 28,1921 to Jan 1,1964. He assisted the Rev Emil Mach, S.T.M. pastor of Immanuel Church. A native of Buffalo, NY, Pastor Camin was confirmed in Emmaus Church in Buffalo by the Rev A.T. Hanser and was ordained in the same church in July 1917, by the Rev E.E. Mueller. He graduated in 1914 from Fort Wayne College and in 1917 from St. Louis Seminary. In 1967 Rev Camin was honored for 50 years of service. Services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Beverly Gedrimas is heading up our 100th Anniversary Committee! Her email is beverlygedrimas@yourpeace.org. Contact her to share all your old pictures and memorabilia concerning the church history, as well as your ideas and offers to help in our projects!
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607