NEWSLETTER July 2016
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main Don’t Miss the Show on July 16th at 6pm
LAUGH, DANCE, AND BE AMAZED BY THE
JUGGLING AND MAGIC TRICKS. ALL THAT PLUS A SIMPLE AND CLEAR BIBLICAL MESSAGE.
From the pastor’s heart: May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:11-13
The Sky is Blue, the Trees are Green, and the Lord Still Loves to Forgive
The Kingdom of God that is NOT of this world. The answer to you your particular troubling situation in life is… yes… Jesus! No matter your sin or trouble, God is most definitely strong to overcome it!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is good to be on vacation for a couple more days here as I am writing this from the very green fields and beautiful blue skies of Minnesota. It has been a blessing indeed to have our Parish Administrator Amy Betts and the rest of you “hold the fort” without me in Scranton for a couple weeks so I can get some relaxation in and tend to family business.
I DO implore all who call on the name of the Lord: Rise up and take hold of the joy that has been won for you on that cross so long ago. Let us together raise up the Flag of Salvation - for heaven’s sake and for the sake of all this dying world. This month there is a LOT going on in our church. The youth will be attending the LCMS National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, our Vacation Bible School will be sharing Jesus Christ with so many children and
But even as I try to “get away” from it all, the reality of the devil’s
families, Church of All Nations worship at the LMC Sunday evening
work continues to invade and attempt to dishearten my life. There
restarts July 24, and we are having Ben Christensen visit us to
are so MANY issues in the world and our nation today that
encourage us with amazing circus acts and Gospel message. As well,
continue to confuse and obscure the fact that there actually IS
we will be encouraged in NEPA with two new pastors taking
Truth, Love, and Hope - and they reside in our Triune God. I have a
residence at Immanuel and St. Stephens Lutheran churches. These
hard time personally keeping up and assessing all our contemporary
new pastors will be of great encouragement to all of us in our faith.
issues from a spiritual and biblical perspective - and that is my
Pray for them and our sister churches. They will all need OUR
JOB! The 21st century is not being kind to us.
encouragement as well. We are all in this together as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
But if we are tempted to throw in the towel, our Lord bids us differently. He bids us to throw in our hats instead! He bids us
Remember: Even as the Sky is Blue and the Trees are Green, the
throw our hats into the notion that is born in the gift of Christian
Lord Still Loves to Forgive! Throw in your hat with Jesus and have
baptism and faith, that in fact the sky is still blue, the trees are
the blessed Peace that passes all understanding!
green, and the Lord STILL loves to forgive - you and all the world. The answer to the fear of terrorism? The power of God’s love in Jesus Christ. The answer to the foolishness of our nations politics?
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Bjornstad
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"
CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES: + SPECIAL PRAYERS NEEDED For Michelle Cherney and all the volunteers involved in Vacation Bible School this month. For Kobe, Kiana, AJ and Andrew (with chaperones Jason and Kerry) as they travel and attend the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans July 16-20. + ST STEPHEN’S NEW PASTOR INSTALLATION At 11:00 am on Saturday, July 16th, Pastor Glen Triplett will be installed at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Dickson City. Dinner to follow at Regal Room in Olyphant at 1PM. Because it is a catered event, tickets are available for purchase for $20.00. Let the church office know if you would like to purchase a ticket. + IMMANUEL’S NEW PASTOR INSTALLATION John Zimmerman will be installed as the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 17th at 4:00 pm. A reception and dinner will follow at the Immanuel Fellowship Hall. RSVP is required. Call 570-342-3374 to reply. All are encouraged to attend and welcome and support our sister congregations and their new shepherds. + VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VBS this year will be a “Barnyard Roundup” theme. We are currently in need of adult and older youth volunteers. Please talk with Michelle Cherney, Pastor, or Amy in the office if you can volunteer. There are opportunities to assist as small group leaders, with arts & crafts, outdoor activities, snack preparation, general decorating prior to start of VBS, and tear down at the end of the week. If you can only help part of the evening or only a few of the days, we still want to know. We really need all hands on deck for this 5-day program :) VBS will run from 5:30-8:15pm and be held at the Lutheran Ministry Center.
+ LWML MITE OFFERING The next LWML mite offering will be collected on Sunday, July 24. Start saving your pennies. + 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. + 100th ANNIVERSARY Next 100th Anniversary Planning Meeting with be after the 9:15 am service on Sunday, August 14th. + PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE There will be an open house for Immanuel Preschool & Kindergarten on Tuesday, July 5th from 6:00-7:30pm. Please spread the word.
+ YOUTH FUNDRAISING A special thank you to all who helped in June with the set up and running of the Rummage Sale at Peace Lutheran Church. Just over $500 was raised that weekend. The youth and parents of those attending the National Youth Gathering are grateful for the support of Peace Lutheran Church and the generous members who so lovingly gave of their time to help make each fundraiser successful. + LWML CONVENTION LWML Eastern District President Kathy Pavelock presided over her first convention in Binghamton, New York. The theme, "Take My Hand and Lead Me," gave155 attendees, including six Young Woman Representatives (YWRs), a focus during worship, Bible study, and activities. Members from the New Liberian Society-Women of Hope expressed their joy while singing and dancing in traditional dress.
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 Beginning July 24th
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 Gathering Hall” 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 but the costly items are still left: * Rewiring and installation of new lighting * Strip, repaint and seal the floor These projects come with an estimated price tag of $10,000. We have received pledges of $5300, however, we are in need of additional pledges to complete the project. Please prayfully consider whether you can support this building project and make “The Gathering Hall” a desired event venue. Major work will begin in July. NEED A RIDE TO CHURCH? The Peace van is available to pick you up for worship service on Sundays. Call the church office to arrange.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL July 11-15th 5:30-8:15 pm Located at the Lutheran Ministry Center 1546 Monsey Ave, Scranton
REGISTER NOW!
Special Event on July 16th 6:00 pm at the Lutheran Ministry Center Ben Christensen in “Variety!” - A comedy circus stage show. ALL ARE WELCOME- perfect for the whole family
Rummage
DATES TO REMEMBER: July 5th - Preschool & Kindergarten Open House 6-7:30pm July 11-15th - Vacation Bible School 5:30-8:15pm held @ Lutheran Ministry Center July 16th - Installation of Pastor Triplett at St Stephens @ 11am July 16th - Comedy Circus Stage Show by Ben Christensen 6pm July 17th - Installation of Pastor Zimmerman at Immanuel @ 4pm
Saturday, August 6th 9:00-4:00 Held at the Lutheran Ministry Center To benefit the LMC building fund
Peace Lutheran Church Sunday School God's People at work
100th Anniversary News
Christian education has been a primary concern of Peace Lutheran Church. Below are just a few of the many great photos from the 1930’s illustrating the strength of our christian education.
Peace Lutheran Church, confirmation class 1935.
Peace Lutheran Church picnic, 1934 at Korban's farm, Hop Bottom, Pa.
This is a picture of the Sunday School staff around 1925. Left to right: August Eidinger, Elsie Erkow, Christine Befus, Anna Steckiel and Rev Camine.
Peace Lutheran church Primary class, June 1934. 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