NEWSLETTER January 2018
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” - Mark 1:9-11
From the Pastor’s Heart Our 100th Anniversary year is now past! What a privilege to be a part of Salvation history here at Peace Lutheran Church - building on the shoulders of the saints who have passed on to glory, and the foundation that is Jesus Christ. And so what now? Yes, the new year of 2018 has dawned and Jesus has not yet returned. We once again answer the call to rise up with courage, and, in the full armor of God’s forgiveness, throw ourselves into the great cosmic battle… the noble struggle to cast out sin and Satan and “put on” perfect love - the Love of God first given in Baptism. In January, as the season of Epiphany breaks upon upon us, we ask that our Lord would boldly reveal himself to us and to the world. We remember in this church season we read how God revealed Jesus as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” at His baptism. Even as we celebrate how He revealed His love to us in OUR baptism, we also look forward to how God is going to bring others into His family through baptism! Over the last year three members of the congregation related me how they have urged family members and We were buried therefore neighbors who have children to consider baptism.
with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
How about you? Have you talked to others about baptism? I am sure there are many that you work with and know who have no relationship with Christ or the church. Yes, you can make an invitation to your family members and neighbors who have not come to faith and been baptized! If you need an excuse to make an invitation, we have a Friendship Sunday coming up February 11th (and we are working toward at least 4 baptisms for that day!) Praise God! But let us remember that baptism is the easy part for us (God does all the hard work there). The hard part for us is living out our baptismal life, putting God first in our lives, and nurturing our children in a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Remember: It is only by God’s miracle of faith that we are saved!
And now why do you May God bless mightily the 101st year of Peace Lutheran Church and The wait? Rise and be Lutheran Academy! There are so many important and amazing things that are baptized and wash away happening - all of them pointing to God’s baptismal promises to us! God is with us! your sins, calling on his Sincerely,
name.’ Acts 22:16
Pastor Bjornstad 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! Thank you to all who attended the Festival of Lessons and Carols service on December 13th. The Academy has reached enrollment of 29 students with 9 of them being new to our school this year. What a beautiful ministry we have at the Academy with these students and their families. Please continue to pray for them as well as our staff and volunteers.
$20,000 in Matching Funds In December, a gift was given to The Lutheran Academy for up to $20,000 in matching funds. The encouragment is to have these funds matched by other donors. We are well on our way, and to date have received almost $8000! Please consider your contribution to the Academy as we reach to match this generous gift. All gifts large or small help make the ministry of the Academy possible. Donations can be made in the offering plate, online at www.yourpeace.org/support, or via a check in the mail. A huge thank you to those who have already contributed! The Lutheran Academy Daytime Open House
Yay! God Has Provided a Teacher for the Academy
Wednesday, January 17 9:00-11:30am
The Lutheran Academy is very pleased to announce our new Principal and Teacher Mrs. Janet Wells. Mrs. Wells comes to us having served 12 years as the Principal of Abington Christian Academy and comes with administrative experience and breadth of knowledge that will greatly advance our school. God continues to advance our cause for providing a Classical Christian education to the Scranton area. Please pray for her transition from her current position tothe Academy!
Perfect opportunity for prospective families to come and see the school in action, ask questions and consider the Academy for the fall.
Students, staff and the board said farewell to Miss L on Friday, December 22. We wish her well in her new job. Pictured here are some who needed one big group hug. (And yes it was a special pajama day at school)
TECH NEED: The Academy is in need of a TV (36�-40�) with HDMI hookup for one of our classrooms. If you, or someone you know have one to donate or sell for a few bucks, please let us know.
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. A collection box is located in the back of the church. Please save your Box Tops. Spread the word and turn them in!
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 Pat Williams in Allied Rehab after a fall. For Frank Schulze as he approaches 2 years in jail without a trial. Prayers for due process and hopeful changes to be made with the election of our new DA. For Bonnie Cornog as she navigates the tests, surgery, treatments and ultimate recovery for her medical issues. For Beverly Gedrimas as she is still looking for part-time employment. For the family of Robert Cizik who passed away tragically in a fire in December, a member baptized and confirmed at Peace. + GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING A caregiving team, Tender Lutheran Caregivers (TLC) is being resurrected in this new year. On Sunday, January 28th after worship, we will have a luncheon and inaugural re-organizational meeting of Tender Lutheran Caregivers. We would like to invite any and all to this meeting to pray and make plans for a beautiful caregiving ministry that is carried out by congregational members. Suggested activities to be carried out by the TLC would include (but not limited to): visitation of the sick and shut in, sending cards and preparing small gifts to be given, making caring calls to check in and share devotion and prayers. If you are interested in being part of TLC but are unable to make this kickoff meeting, please let Pastor or Amy know and we will be sure to include you in the plans. Let us care for those in our congregation! + INSTALLATIONS On Sunday, Jan 7th we will install the new church Council as well as the new principal/teacher of The Lutheran Academy. A potluck will follow the 10:30 service. Please make plans to attend. + COUNCIL MEETING The first council meeting of the new year will be after the 10:30 service on Sunday, January 21. As always these meetings are open to all members of the church who want to attend. + 45th annual March for Life The annual March for Life, the largest pro-life gathering in the world, takes place in Washington, D.C., each year on or near Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The 2018 March for Life will take place on Friday, January 19. The theme this year is Love Saves Lives. If you are interested in participating, please let Pastor or Amy Betts know. Peace van leaves early that morning & returns by 10pm. A LOOK AHEAD . . .
Sunday, Feb 11 Chocolate Pancake Breakfast Enjoy a wonderful pancake breakfast before and/or after service on Feb 11th. Tickets: $6 Adult and $3 child Church website: www.yourpeace.org
+ HOMELESS BACKPACKS MINI-MINISTRY! Elizabeth Kramer and her grandmother Tammy were able to go to the Bethel AME homeless shelter and bring all the backpacks and supplies collected at Peace. Thank YOU for all your generous donations!!! And thank you to Elizabeth for standing up and making a difference! She led us all in what it means to be a Child of God. Anthony Pauline, Rev Darian Banks of Bethel AME, Elizabeth and Tammy
+ CHRISTMAS PAGEANT On Sunday, December 24th at the 10:30am Worship Service, the youth presented their Christmas pageant.
The children did a fabulous job. YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS VITAL TO OUR CHURCH AND SCHOOL! The year 2017 ended about $2000 short of where we began: not so terrible, but certainly not the best. This next year’s budget is not going to be easy to attain, but together with the Lord we can certainly can. Thank you to all who have been so exceedingly faithful in their support. If you have not had the opportunity to share back to the Lord what is actually His, please count this year a good year to start! There is no specific amount that anyone can say you should tithe, but whatever it is, it is to be made in prayer, with joy and thanksgiving. You might start by asking questions like: “If my cable TV bill is more than my offering, what does that say about what I value in my life?”
Wed, Jan 17th Academy Open House 9:00-11:30am. Perfect opportunity for prospective families to come and see the school in action, ask questions and consider The TLA Academy for the fall. NOTE: Deacon Babbitts has an official church email: deacon.babbitts@yourpeace.org! Feel free to email him here with any church business. Thank you!
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. Luke 2:30 For Mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation. If you had to pick one moment to define your life what one it be? One moment from all the ones you’ve had that you could say having had that moment you could die content and happy with it as your final act on this earth? The one event that you experienced that could never be surpassed? There are few questions that may be harder for us to answer as Americans. We are a practical and forward looking people. Many of us may feel our greatest moment is still yet to come or at least hope it is. Few if any of us reflecting on this question would answer our greatest moment that defines our whole life is our baptism. Most of us baptized as infants don’t remember anything about the event itself. We were brought to the font by our parents and could not even answer for ourselves. Yet that is the greatest moment that defines our lives. It was then that we were drowned in the waters of promise and emerged a new born child of God. It was then that God placed His name on us and The Holy Spirit worked in our lives. It was then that by God’s grace we received the saving faith that clings to the sacrifice of Jesus that we could have life eternal with Him. There are so many things we look forward to, so many events in our own lives, the lives of our children, or grand children we hope and pray God will allow us to see before we are called home. However, we can rest content in this past event that it is the promise of our future. If you know your baptismal birthday (day, month, and year) please share it with me the next time you see me. If you don’t please find out the date and then share it with me. I would really like to compile a list of the most important date in our lives to keep each other mindful of that event and celebrate it properly! And if you know someone who needs to be baptized please share that with Pastor and myself as well! ~ Deacon John
Calling All Married Couples A new study called “Power of We” will be held the first Thursday of each month in the fellowship hall at Peace. Dinner and study begins at 6pm. Dates are as follows: February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7. Call the church office to register.
Adult Bible Study 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.
Luther said of the Epistle to the Galatians “That is my Epistle.” It may have been Luther’s favorite but Paul doesn’t seem too happy with the churches in Galatia. Hmmm wonder why that is? What did they do that got him fired up? Then there are the gifts of the Spirit that Paul rattles off in the fifth chapter. Love, Peace, Patience, etc. Do they have to be in that order? If so Why? Join the Adult Bible Study as we explore Galatians and dig deep, really, really, deep into those gifts God gives.
NEW 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 or sign up at the back of the church.
Parsonage Repasts Pastor and Monica are hosting a meal in their home over the next few months to spend time with YOU. Sign up sheets are in the back of the church and all members are encouraged to sign up for one of the dates. All meals will be held from 6-7:30pm at the parsonage. In addition to food and fellowship, there will be time for reflection on Pastor’s time at Peace, prayer and discussion for the future. These special repasts are a wonderful opportunity to spend time in small groups with the Bjornstad’s and we hope you will not miss out. The dates are as follows: Jan 6, 20, 29
EVENT SPACE FOR RENT!!!! BIrthday or Anniversary Party . . . Family Reunion . . . Baby Shower. . . Retreats . . . and more
Feb 10, 19
March 5, 24
If you are unable to be at church in the upcoming weeks to personally sign up, please call the church office. Also,if none of these dates work for you, we want to hear from you.
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. 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!
Veterans Bible Study COLLEGE LIFE PROFILE . . . Kiana Sauter Kiana is a freshman studying Psychology at Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. She is having a wonderful time with her roommate Nina and staying busy with softball. When she goes back from the Christmas break the softball season starts up again in full swing. She sings in the choir at church on campus and also assists the campus president through the Student Experience. Kiana hopes to travel abroad as part of her studies. “It has been a big change to go from the church I have known my whole life, to getting used to a new environment and new people. I am also finding ways I can contribute,” said Kiana. Please be sure to include Kiana and all our college student in your prayers. While we don’t see them regularly, a card or note of encouragement, and lots of prayers can go a long way.
We are incredibly grateful to the men and women who serve and have served in our armed forces. We would like to start a special Bible study just for Veterans and those currently serving in the military in our area. That study is Warriors of Faith created by Lutheran Hour Ministries. The description from their website is: Warriors of Faith -- Military Men, a Men's NetWork Bible study written especially for these servicemen and women, explores the issues of anger, grief, guilt, forgiveness and love, as they impact the lives of those who have served, or are now serving, their country. Study leaders are being organized now and more information will be coming highlighting times and location for this Bible Study. If you are a veteran who might like to attend, or know current soldiers or veterans who might like to attend, please let Pastor Bjornstad, Deacon John or Amy Betts know. Also, if you think a daytime, evening or Saturday morning would be best for you and the veterans you know, please let us know so we can best plan for the study. We hope to have this study up and running by February.
EVERY SUNDAY EVENING AT 6PM THERE IS A SHORT DEVOTIONAL SERVICE AT THE LUTHERAN MINISTRY CENTER! A beautiful evening of quiet if you missed the morning worship!
We observe the season of EPIPHANY in January! Epiphany is from a Greek word, meaning to "reveal" or "make manifest." The season of Epiphany is our time to focus on the revelation of "who" Jesus is: both true God and man. On the Festival of Epiphany, Jan. 6, we hear the reading of the visit of the wise men (Mt. 2:1-12). In that event, these foreigners bowed down in acknowledgement that this infant was indeed the Christ, the Son of God.
Jr. Confirmation Retreat with Faith Lutheran Church, Easton! Friday 7pm Sunday, 12 noon!
The Feast of Ephiphany