NEWSLETTER June 2015
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
Thank you to Reverend Dr. Chris Wicher for preaching a beautiful message at the May 31st Lutheran Ministry Center Dedication service. May we strive each day to build the kingdom of God.
Lament. 3:22-23 (ESV) The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Photo by Bruce Goerlitz
Pastor’s Message: The Mercies of the Lord have been truly “never ceasing” here at Peace Lutheran Church. What can we say about them except “Praise the Lord”! Great is His faithfulness, indeed! Our Young people were blessed in our Confirmation ceremonies. Maybe you remember that important day in your life? Please remember Kerilyn, Kobe, Andrew and Joel. Give thanks at how they claimed their baptismal faith to be their own. Give thanks at how they gave testimony to their Savior. Give thanks for the blessing imparted as almost 130 congregational members, friends and family came to hear their vows and support them. Give thanks for how God loves to forgive and support our young people through their lives! The historic day of May 31, 2015 will be noted as when we dedicated the new Lutheran Ministry Center. It was thrilling in so many ways! What God is opening up to us in ministry opportunities is such a rich blessing for our small congregation as we participate in God’s wondrous and saving work here in Scranton. We had over 160 supporters come together for a wonderful and exciting banquet, and then we all went upstairs into the sanctuary for the dedication service. For the first time we worshiped there. It was amazing to hear the Word of God read and preached, sing the great hymns of faith with the beautiful pipe organ, and join together in prayer for all that will take place there to the glory of God. We were all convinced that this is only the beginning of what God is promising us. Along with area pastors Rev. Richert, Rev. Bode, Rev. Brindle, Rev, Nischal, and former pastor at Peace, Rev. Buchmann, Rev. Chris Wicher, President, Eastern District (LCMS) was present for the banquet and shared the message during the dedication service. It was a great honor that he came from Buffalo, NY to be with us. He urged us all to remember that the blessing of the facility is not the bricks and mortar itself, but the people that are changed by the Gospel preached and taught in that place. The building is just one of the tools by which God’s Kingdom and mercy comes to His people. We are to always remember that souls being saved and the testimony to God given in this place as we work to fix this or that. So what is the ministry that will go on there? An expanded and invigorated Lutheran Academy for certain! Please pray for a new and highly qualified teacher as we expand our student body and
increase our grade ceiling up to grade 8! But it was also important on May 31st that we blessed Pastor Nischal and the Lord’s ministry through him as we begin in earnest the mission “Church of all Nations” at the LMC. The offering that was collected was an amazing $850 to go toward start up costs for this effort. We are working on getting some funding from the LCMS for Pastor Nischal’s and his family so they can be sustained in this life as he works among us. As work proceeds and bears fruit, we certainly need to support him in any way we can - even though at this time there is no line item in our church budget for this mission. Rev. Nischal is getting settled in his office at the LMC and he is bringing to Scranton an Indian family from New York who are Christian and will help him in this mission. Please also pray for Pastor Nischal as he continues to preach and help out at various local LCMS churches who are without pastors. So God is blessing our ministry and church here in Scranton - way beyond our imagination! The common thought at the dedication celebration was “Who could have imagined this?” Only our Lord! But His blessing do not stop here! Take the moment to look upon your life. How has God blessed it? In so MANY ways I am sure! It all begins at the cross in Jerusalem and the life and forgiveness won for you! But they most certainly continue to be made manifest in your lives today as he leads you by His Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost and guides you into grand spiritual encounters, hard labor, sustaining joys, and even through the valley of the shadow of death and into heaven above. In His name we are being renewed every day and shaped more and more into His image. To God be the glory! He is faithful! Alleluia! Amen! 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!
Academy Board UPDATE The last day of school was Friday, June 5. Wasting no time, the school was boxed up and moved to it’s new home at the Lutheran Ministry Center. Thank you to all who came out on Saturday, June 6th to help with the move. Interviews for our second full-time teacher are scheduled to begin this month. If you know a qualified, christian teacher, please encourage him/her to send in a resume ASAP to
Preschool Field Trip On Friday, May 22 the students (and many parents and siblings) from Immanuel Preschool & Kindergarten traveled to the Discovery Center in Binghamton for their class field trip. The Discovery Center features 30 play and learn exhibits that children can dig, drive, fly, shop, hop, perform and paint their way through. The class also had a special lesson on the science behind bubbles from a real life “bubbleologist”!
lutheranacademyscranton@verizon.net
On June 1st The Lutheran Academy visited the DaVinci Center in Allentown for their end-of-the-year field trip. Thank you to Chad Tyk for sponsoring.
Likewise, we are actively enrolling students for the 2015-16 school year. Help spread the word about this amazing school.
Student Spotlight
The Franklin Science Institute Show at the Scranton Cultural Center was a huge hit with the students at The Lutheran Academy. Pictured here Julian being lifted off ther ground via the power of magnetic pull.
Nora Betts was recognized for her artwork submission to the Pennsylvania American Water contest- Protect the Watershed. Her submission won 2nd place for the entire Eastern PA!
Academy Year End Program The students at The Lutheran Academy presented their self-written play “That Poor Unfortunate Soul” about Daniel and the den of lions, for friends and family on Thursday, June 4 at the Lutheran Ministry Center. Students also shared poems, bible verses and a few monologues in addition to musical offerings. It was a lovely evening and a fantastic way to close the school year. Below are a few photos from the night.
School websites: www.thelutheranacademyscranton.org
and
www.leccs.org
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"
HAPPY NEWS AND NOTES: + AROUND THE CONGREGATION
Marja Bjornstad graduates from MidValley High School on Wednesday, June 10th. Pastor and Monica Bjornstad invite the congregation to MARJA'S GRADUATION PARTY/MUSIC FESTIVAL THIS COMING FRIDAY, June 12th starting at 6pm ... “come and enjoy this time with us and bless our dear daughter.” Event to be held at the Lutheran Ministry Center.
+ SUMMER HOURS
The new summer worship schedule is 9:00 am each Sunday morning. Sunday School will pick up again in September.
+ CHURCH DIRECTORY
It is past time for an update to the church directory. Step one is to verify we have your correct name, address, phone number and email address. The second step will happen this fall as we update the photo portion of the directory. Beginning this week, a hard copy of the directory will be available for you to review at the back of the church. Later this month, you will also receive an email with a link to review your listing and make changes in case you did not get to review it at church.
+ BRAILLE WORKERS
There is an ongoing need for Braille Workers at Immanuel Lutheran Church, particularly Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 am. No experience or knowledge of Braille is needed. It's easy work--the different jobs can be learned in a few minutes time. They produce the Book of Isaiah, a prayer book and the Book of Revelation in Swahili. The time goes fast,and they take a "fellowship" break for a half hour in the middle. They also meet Monday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm if daytime is inconvenient for you. No need to call ahead, simple go to Immanuel’s Fellowship Hall during the hours listed above to volunteer.
+ CAMP PIONEER
Camp Pioneer informational brochures are available at the back of the church. Camp Pioneer has summer camp options for youth, teen and family weekends/weeks.
+ NEPAhelp.com
Many men struggle with sexual integrity issues -thoughts, behaviors, relationships and internet use that dishonors them, those they love and God. NEPAhelp is an accountability and growth group available to help men find freedom Jesus Christ offers. For more information visit NEPAhelp.com
PLEASE PRAY FOR: + Immanuel Lutheran Church (without a pastor) + Pastor Vomhof of St. Stephens Lutheran Church + The Lutheran Academy and Immanuel Preschool. May God call new families to these schools. + The Lutheran Academy as the board searches for a second full-time teacher for the fall. + Pastor Nischal and the Church of All Nations ministry. May God lead him to the people thirsty for your Word.
+ VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER (VAC)
Need help paying for groceries? The Voluntary Action Center can help see of you might qualify for SNAP, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly food stamps. If you are over 60, a resident of Lackawanna County and have a monthly income of less than $1966 single and $2642 married, you may qualify. Also, VAC has a group called Caring Hands, a group of lovely ladies that meet weekly to knit and crochet items to donate to social services agencies in our community. While spring cleaning, if you come across any yarn that can be used by the Caring Hands group contact the VAC office, 570-347-5616.
+ ONLINE GIVING
A new way to give to the church has been made available. Visit the church website at www.yourpeace.org and click on the word “Support” at the top right. You can support the church and it’s many missions all with the click of a few buttons through a new giving option called - SIMPLEGIVE.
+ FUNERAL PLANNING BOOKLETS
With assurance of eternal life through faith with Jesus Christ, we are able to face the time we will die. To assist your family and pastor, Funeral/Memorial Planning booklets are available in the church office. Consider pick up one to complete and keep with your will or in the church files.
+ 100th ANNIVERSARY PHOTO COLLECTION
Plans are underway to produce a slide show and possible digital keepsake scrapbook as part of the 100th Anniversary celebration. We are asking you to go through your photos. You can email if you have them digitally, or bring in originals to the church offce to be scanned. We are looking for any thing you have that commemorates a memory from a church service, potluck, confirmation, baptism, marriage, funeral, vacation bible school, fundraisers, etc. Email photos to amybetts@yourpeace.org.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org
WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: 9:00 am Worship with Holy Communion every other Sunday. 4:00 pm
Church of All Nations Service Consider attending if can not make a Sunday Morning Service
Beginning July 19 Prayerfully consider sharing your testimony during an upcoming worship service. Beginning July 19th, Pastor will dedicate 5-8 minutes of the service each Sunday (through August) for one congregational member each week to share a testimonial of his/her faith journey. Start thinking and praying now about your desire to share with the congregation.
Looking Ahead
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! Remember you can bring in an arrangement of flowers from your garden - or boquets of wild flowers are wonderful too! But if you want to order “regular” flowers from McCarthy’s Flowers, please call: 570-507-9441 or 570-343-1179 and ask to speak with Carol Kemler! Or you can stop by the 1001 N. Main Ave, Scranton store and order from there!
Sunday, July 12 will be a very special service. Please plan to attend if possible and help celebrate two special milestones. 1. James Robert Greco will be baptized. 2. Jerry and Bonnie Cornog will renew their wedding vows in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
2015 Confirmaton Class
Mission conference in San Antonio: “Jesus to everyone, everywhere, every day."
Andrew Harsche, Kobe Sauter, Joel Kriger and Kerilyn Pon with Pastor Bjornstad
Pastor Bjornstad and Nischal attended a mission conference in San Antonio, TX in May with funding from the Eastern District. It was a fabulous time to network with some of the best mission minds and church planters in our LCMS. Here are a few facts and questions to ponder as we look to the future. How can WE make an impact in this world for the kingdom of God? Understand this about the future of this country: The 21 century will be the when we define ourselves as a country made up of the whole REST of the world. 1960: 85% white 2060: 43% white
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How does Peace Lutheran's makeup and its direction reflect the direction things are heading in our world? How does my congregation and it efforts reflect that trajectory of the nation and what our community is going to be like in 2060?
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If every Christian church on this planet, except Peace Lutheran Church, was wiped off the face of the earth, but the entire population of the earth remained, could Peace evangelize the whole world?
100th Anniversary Fundraiser
Handmade Quilt Raffle
Kim and Mark Koenig are organizing a quilt raffle and tickets are now available. The quilt was handmade and donated by Sara and Jay Cronk.The raffle date is Sunday October 4, 2015 at the late service here at Peace Lutheran Church. The Value of the quilt is $300.00 and all the proceeds are to benefit The Lutheran Academy's building usage cost. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased directly from Mark & Kim Koenig or through Amy in the church office.
Beautful Plaques and sticks (pictured above) are still available for purchase. All proceeds go to the Peace Lutheran Church 100th Anniversary celebrations. The plaques and sticks come in various colors. These items make perfect gifts for Father’s Day, Graduation, birthday, etc.
Sticks = $10
Plaques = $15
Measure 9” x 1.5 “
Measure 4.5” x 12”
Cash or check payment (made out to Peace Lutheran Church)
The Lutheran Ministry Center Dinner Celebration and Dedication Service Thank you to all who came to support this new ministry opportunity. Here are a few quotes from the evening: THANKS TO AMY BETTS AND ALL THE BANQUET COMMITTEE for their hard work!
“Sunday's program/dinner was wonderful - you all did a terrific job.” “It was an awesome service” - member of Peace
“The Holy Spirit was gone from here for quite some time… however it has returned!” - former member of Trinity Baptist Church.
“Fantastic night! Great spiritual experience! Thank you!” - member of Immanuel
Photos by Bruce Goerlitz