NEWSLETTER January 2017
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. - Psalm 78:4
Pastor’s Message: The blessed year is finally upon us! It was this month 100 years ago that our congregation began worshipping together. One could say that it wasn’t a particularly glorious beginning. There had been some “differences” between the German and Polish factions that had established Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1895 up the road. At the end of 1916 the German speaking pastor, Rev. Dasler, resigned his pastorate at Immanuel and decided, with 14 other German speaking families, to form Peace Lutheran Church. Quite a step out in faith, no doubt. But it was a step out in faith that was actually the norm for these immigrant lives. They were families that had crossed the Atlantic and were starting new lives on these American shores. We can’t even conceive of their courage and faith today. And today, in 2017? We are the descendants of these great men and women of faith. We build this congregation’s ministry on their broad shoulders. But yes, it is STILL a step out in faith for us today to commit our time, talent, and financial support to actually “enflesh” the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this community and century. It IS a true miracle - and we are glad to be a part of the salvation story of God that began in Genesis in the Garden of Eden when He promised a savior that was to crush the head of Satan. God has blessed His church for millennia. He has blessed this congregation for 100 years. He WILL bless us in the future until He comes again. We have made an eternal difference in countless lives throughout the past 100 years. We trust and thank God for all that He will do in the future in and through us. Let us be GLAD and REJOICE in the glorious deeds of God in our midst. He loves to forgive and bless us all our days! Let us tell a NEW generation! 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! BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION 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! Invite those you know with children ages 3-6 needing preschool and kindergarten services for the new year. Remember the preschool has open enrollment which means they can enroll at any time in the year.
A few pictures from The Academy Christmas Tea held on Tuesday, December 13th.
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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 the March for Life in Washington DC coming Friday, January 27, 2017. We will leave early that morning and be back at the end of the day. If you think you would like to attend, please let the church office know. Perhaps even ask your boss for the day off or switch days with a co-worker so you can go. This trip can be very impactful. For Frank Schulze. Frank has expressed appreciation for all the thoughts and prayers. Please pray for continued spiritual strength. His trial has been rescheduled and is now set for March 20th. Congratulations to Ky Betts for having his illustrations published in a new children’s chapter book titled “My Nutty Family” by Esther Goldenberg, available for purchase on Amazon.com + DISASTER RELIEF TRAINING DAY If you would like to be involved with Pastor Bjornstad's Disaster Relief teams, please hop in the van going up January 14th (Saturday) for a day of training by an LCMS Disaster Relief trainer from St. Louis, MO. This training will be held near Syracuse, NY from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and it costs $10 (for lunch). There is still room, so let Pastor know ASAP.
100th Anniversary FAMILY GAME NIGHT Sunday, January 15, 6:00-9:00pm Bring yourself or your whole family along with your old time board or card games for an evening of fun! Drinks provided but please bring some snacks to share if you can! And as an added perk, there is no school for the kids the next day.
+ FELLOWSHIP HOUR- Sunday January 29th Join us for fellowship after the 10:30 service on Sunday, January 29th to hear about Jim Norris’ mission trip to China.
+ 100th ANNIVERSARY FACEBOOK PAGE If you are on social media, we have a page dedicated to the sharing of stories and photos. The page is titled: Peace Lutheran Church, Scranton: 100th Anniversary. Please head over and join the page, and 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 being compiled now. + REFORMATION WEBSITE Pastor has created an area-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. + THRIVENT MEMBERS Thrivent Action Teams gives each Thrivent member up to $500 each year in fundraising seed money to benefit your causes! We have already benefited three times in our congregation, so 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! + DEVOTION AVAILABLE A new devotional booklet published by the Lutheran Curch Missour Synoid are still available for anyone to pick up at the back of the church. The book 40 Daily Devotions of God’s Comfort, can guide you through times of loss and sorrow. There are plenty and we encourage you to share them with those suffering a loss of any kind.
+ CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: Just a Little Christmas was held December 18th at the 10:30 service.
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
January Sermon Topics January 8: Baptism of Our Lord January 15: Jesus Calling His Disciples January 22: The Calling and Work of the Church
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!
Adult Bible Study Continues: Apologetics 101 January 8 & 11: The "problem" of Evil January 15 & 18: The "problem" of the Bible January 22 & 25: The "problem" of Science & Evolution January 29 & Feb 1: Answering the World in a Winsome Way
January 29: Life Sunday
LWML Mite Offering- Sunday January 22nd.
Great News!!! A 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 in and are just $12 each. See Amy before or after service to get yours. All proceeds to support the 100th Anniversary service projects. On Saturday, Jan 28th, we will have a congregational visit from an Eastern District Representative. All members of the church are welcome, and all leadership are highly encouraged to attend as we discuss the congregational strength, challenges, aspirations and potential outreach ministries. In preparation for the meeting, please consider the following questions. * One to three strengths of our congegation * One to three challenges of our congegation * One to three aspirations of our congegation * How does Peace touch our community * What needs in the community could be addressed by Peace?
February will begin our video bible study on Martin Luther.
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. Thank you to Jennifer Praefke for spearheading this project. 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.
Lutheran Ministry Center As a reminder, the Lutheran Ministry Center (LMC) fellowship hall is available for rentals. A simple reservation form is available at the church, at the church office, and online for your convenience. Please help spread the word to friends and family. The fellowship hall makes a lovely location for birthday and anniversary parties, wedding receptions, and so much more.
Spread the word! If you want an invitation sent to someone who does not regularly attend Sunday morning, please give us the name and address! By now you should have received your invitation and we eager await your RSVP for any and all of the special celebration events.
100th Anniversary Capital Campaign- Sound System 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!
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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100th Anniversary
4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 Church leadership at the 25th anniversary in 1942. Left to right: name unknown, Jack Tugend, Doc Monske, Rev. Camin, William Schweitzer, August Eidinger, Ed Herman.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org‌ LMC: 570-703-0607