NEWSLETTER February 2017
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39
Pastor’s Message: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus, Having been contacted and invited to attend the 100th Anniversary celebrations March 26th, Rev. Drankwalter (who served Peace from 1973-75) wrote a letter to the congregation with some reflections on the occasion. He begins with these words: “I am so happy and joyful that Peace Lutheran Church is celebrating 100 years of ministry to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am sorry that I cannot be there in person, however, I stop and think about how many lives and souls your congregation has touched. The joy of knowing that because the Gospel has been preached in all its purity and truth, the doors of heaven will be opened to the souls that you have touched.” May we all “stop and think”! Our church is beautiful! It IS important. It is important to you. It is important for your children and the generations to come. As Martin Luther said concerning the church: “No man should be alone when he opposes Satan. The Church and the ministry of the Word were instituted for this purpose, that hands may be joined together and one may help another.” BLESSED IS THE CHURCH, the saints of God in heaven and on earth. BLESSED is the congregation that is Peace Lutheran Church… where God’s Word is preached and the sacraments administered, where we hold each other’s hands and help each other along in our lives. Precious is it that sins are forgiven and heaven’s doors flung wide for God’s children. We are not a large church, but God has done mighty miracles in us. May the melody of the Gospel increase as we lift our hands in eternal praise for all that the Lord God does. We do so with all the saints in heaven who have gone before. Alleluia! Amen! Your joyful servant in Jesus, 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! The Preschool and the Academy have once again begun their annual food drive. Donations of nonperishable food can be made at either the school or each Sunday at church until March 5th. This year the food collected will taken to the Food Pantry at Elm Park Church located in downtown Scranton. The Academy students will be visiting the food pantry, making their donation, and touring the historic Elm Park church on March 8th. Thank you for supporting the students in their effort to make an impact in our community.
Save the Date: OPEN HOUSE at both the Preschool and The Lutheran Academy will be held on Tuesday, March 7th from 6-7:30pm. Please be sure to help spread the word and fill our school with children seeking God’s love and instruction.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Fun at the Preschool. Exploring learning through hands-on activities
Supporting The Lutheran Academy can be as simple as 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. In the past, the school has purchases gym equipement and other essential supplies. A collection box is located in the back of the church. Please begin saving the Box Tops, or if you are already doing so we thank you and ask for continued support. 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: + SPECIAL PRAYERS NEEDED For Frank Schulze. Frank has expressed appreciation for all the thoughts and prayers. Please pray for continued spiritual strength as he awaits his trial to begin on March 20th. For Connie Perry who is once agin battling cancer. Please consider supporting her in prayer and also through the upcoming Pot Roast Dinner on Feb 25th. + HISTORICAL PICTURE After the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, Feb 12th we will be taking a photo of the congregation. Pastor has grand plans to insert the images of the saints of Peace sitting amongt us. It should be an amazing photo in the end. Please make plans to stay a few minutes as the service ends for this photo.
+ FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY- Sunday February 12th
+ TAX STATEMENTS AVAILABLE The statements of giving to Peace are now ready for you to pick up at the back of church. Be sure to grab yours next time you are there. If you know you are unable to make it to church in February, please contact the church office to make arrnagements for mailing.
+ 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!
Friendship Sunday is a special Sunday when we are all encouraged to New Adult Bible Study for the month of February: Martin Luther invite a friend (or two or more) to join us for worship. It is also a great Sunday because the Academy Pancake Breakfast fundraiser is that morning, and a bonus reason to invite a friend. The Sunday School students will also be visiting the Greenridge Nursing Home during the 10:30 service to hand out Valentine’s Day cards they made to the residents there. This is a week of church you won’t want to miss. + POT ROAST DINNER for CONNIE PERRY A Pot Roast Dinner is planned for Saturday, February 25th from 3-6pm at Peace Lutheran Church. All proceeds to help Connie Perry with her expenses as she once again battles cancer and is unable to work. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for child meals.
+ CONGREGATIONAL VOTER’S MEETING- February 26th It is time for the spring voter’s meeting immediately following the 10:30am worship service. The main vote will be regarding distribution of funds from the estate of the late Lillian Wheeler. A settlement of $23,114 has been given to Peace Lutheran Church. The Council is proposing the following distribution among our ministry needs: $2114 towards the 100th Anniversary Celebration needs $7000 each to Peace Church General Fund, The Lutheran Academy, and the Lutheran Ministry Center. A financial report will also be given plus there will be time for members of the congregation to bring forward any other topics that need to be addressed.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607
WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: WORSHIP HOURS 8:00 Worship with Holy Communion 9:30 Sunday School for Youth and Adult 10:30 Worship with Holy Communion every other Sunday 6:00 Church of All Nations Worship Service at the Lutheran Ministry Center Additional Services at Immanuel: 5:30 pm Saturday Evening and 10:15 am Sunday Morning
February Sermon Topics February 5: Let there be Light! February 12: Love is Greater than Sin, Death and All Evil February 19: Loving God by Loving Enemies (YES!) February 26: Transfiguration of Our Lord
March for Life Reflections
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!
Representing Peace Lutheran Church and our Academy from lefft to right: Sarah Bjornstad, Chuck Mercer, Tess Nichols, Theresa Nichols, Matthew Nichols, Jason Catalano, Pastor Bjornstad, Amy Betts, and Nora Betts.
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!
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 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 has been created to help us all remember the history of Peace Lutheran Church as we move through our 100th Anniversary all 2017 long. Calendars are just $12 each. See Amy before or after service to get yours. All proceeds to support the 100th Anniversary service projects.
LCMS President, Rev Harrison leading a short liturgy prior to the start of the March.
Friday, Jan 27th welcomed an estimated 800,000 men, women and children into Washington DC to participate in the 44th Annual March for Life. Among them marched Lutherans from across the country. “Going to Washington DC was extremely interesting and very enjoyable. It was an eye-opening experience and it really made me think about the beauty of life and how amazing and powerful God is!” shared Sarah Bjornstad. “The startling images of actual abortions were something I did not expect. It is terrible to think someone would actually choose to do such a thing. It was an amazing march and was really cool to end up by the Supreme Court building,” shared Nora Betts. Having students from the Academy was a perfect opportunity for Pastor and the parents to continue discussion on the sanctity of life from conception to death, and the importance of being a voice for those who don’t have one. For those who have never gone, consider making the trip in 2018. It is an experience you won’t forget.
Short-Term Mission Trip to Poland Let Pastor Zimmerman know if you are interested in being part of the team going to teach VBS in Poland this summer.
100th Anniversary Capital Campaign- Sound System The new sound system is in and final adjustments are being made to the speakers. This is our main anniversary inhouse project and we pray for your support to fully fund it. Any and all donations are welcome.
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4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 100th ANNIVERSARY FACEBOOK PAGE If you are on social media be sure to like our page: Peace Lutheran Church, Scranton: 100th Anniversary. Spread the word to those who may have stories and photos to share. Thank you to all who have been adding photos and commenting on them with descriptions and helping identify past members. We want to include as many photos and variety of them as possible in the 100th Anniversary Memory Book and slide show.
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DETAILS OF SUNDAY, MARCH 26th: Anniversary celebration plans are coming together and they are EXCITING! Thanks to all who are working hard on these arrangements! Here are the main highlights: 10:30 am Worship & Holy Communion with the Saints: Featuring Special music including Men’s Choir & Rev. Rolf Buchman (former pastor), Preacher of the Word 11:30am-1:30pm Lutheran Ministry Center Open House: Featuring Lutheran Academy student hosted tours, refreshments and light sandwiches. A concert featuring the LMC organ as well as Academy choirs and orchestra. 2:00pm 100th Anniversary Festival Worship: Featuring Academy voice and bell choirs, Sounds of Peace Reunion Choir, Rev. Chris Wicher, LC-MS Eastern District President as Preacher of the Word. 3:30pm Fellowship/Cocktails at Fiorelli’s Banquet Hall, Peckville: Featuring displays of pictures and church historical items. Anniversary tshirts, calendars and memory books will be available for purchase. Cash Bar and live “Golden Oldies” music! 4:15pm Program begins with 4:30 Banquet: Featuring Rev. Theodore Hanus (former pastor), presentation of the Founder award to the descendants of our congregation’s founders, concluding with a dance! RSVP required by March 19th $20/Adult Dinner $10/ Child Dinner age 3-11 Free for child under age 3 Everything will be over by 6:30pm and we promise you will be tired but very happy and blessed! If you can’t join us for the whole day, please join us for what you can. If you have not yet done so, NOW is the time to RSVP. Return your reply card or visit the peace website to RSVP and pay for dinner tickets, www.yourpeace.org
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607