NEWSLETTER June 2017
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main Pentecost Outpouring of the Holy Spirit! “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Acts 2:17-18
From the Pastor’s Heart: A Bit of Fun (sort of!) Looking over the historical church newsletters this past year it was always cringworthy to see how every pastor had their summer “DON’T FORGET THE CHURCH!” newsletter article. Of course we pastors always have a hard time in the summer. We get discouraged with empty pews and we fret whether anyone really cares about the church - and unfortunately even if anyone really cares about them personally (“Will there be any offerings? Will the treasurer be able to cut me a check?”) Sinner pastors have a terrible tendency to measure their self worth based on how many church members will bear listening to their sermons. Read how the good prophet Elijah felt in the Old Testament as he cried out to the Lord to take his life because he thought he was the only believer left and that the Queen Jezebel was going to kill him - and you will know the heart of every poor pastor in the summer: 1Kings 19:3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. BUT READ ON TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED! All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 7The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Well. Here we are so many years later. God took care of Elijah and God has taken care of the pastors of Peace through the dry summers with the touch of an angel or two. And even as our congregation has survived, I doubt any of those firey newsletter articles made the slightest difference in “making” folks “remember” the church during the summer. So… no fire and brimstone in this newsletter. Simply know this: Every week of this summer at 9:30 am there will be the Word, the Sacrament, and the ministrations of God. The invitation is to you and your family to taste and see heaven. He desires to touch your heart and soul with everlasting food for the spiritual journey and the life that he has set before you. He comes comes with a heart to forgive and bless. Indeed He is about to pass by! If we don’t see you, please know that you will be missed by the family of God. 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!
ACADEMY MUSIC NEWS The The Lutheran Academy Board is currently STUDYING AND PLANNING to add a full time music teacher to the Academy staff. A Grant Application is being made to make the Academy an even more unique and attractive school for students to thrive and grow! Right now we are asking for prayers as we go through this process. There is also an immediate need for Starter Funds of $2000 to create a music studio/room in the lower level room currently known as “the lounge”. If you can help finanically in any way with the room renovation, it would be greatly appreciated.
OUR ACADEMY GRADUATES
Cake and punch to follow the program as we celebrate the conclusion of our 10th year.
Mrs. Nordquist hosted her class for a fun field trip to her home on Lake Henry this past week. The students enjoyed canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hotdogs by the fire and even a little science lesson. What a blessed experience for them all! Thank you to those who continue to support our school financially and in prayer. Please help us spread the word about the Academy to all you know who might be looking for an alternative to public school. They can call anytime to schedule a tour of the school and to meet with our principal.
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!
Sarah Bjornstad and Samuel Stein graduate from the 8th grade at the Academy on June 7th. Please pray for these two as they grow in their faith and knowledge, and enjoy “life after the Academy”.
Pictured above is one of the ensembles that shared their musical gifts at the Academy recital on May 24th. Thank you to all who attended.
TECHNOLOGY NEED The Academy is looking for a flat screen TV for the younger grade classroom to aid in showing video suppliments to the curriculum. We prefer 40” or greater and if you have one to donate, please call the school office to arrange pickup or delivery time. Thank you!
$10 for 10 Years Campaign In honor of The Lutheran Academy’s 10th year, we are proposing a donation of $10 for 10 years of Christian Education. Envelopes are available in the pews. You can also give anytime at www.yourpeace.org on the Support page. Please consider supporting the school with your donation of $10 (or more).
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 remains in prison with no scheduled trial date. For Connie Perry and her strength as she is battling cancer. For Kyle Devereau and John Price who graduated from college and now venture out into the world. For our high school graduates Nicole Calpin, Kiana Sauter and Mark McHale. For George Price Jr who was married in May. May their marriage grow strong in the Lord. + BEING SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY Take a moment to “like” and “share” the church Facebook posts. Please ALSO once in a while "check in" to church... Just like you "check in" to a restaurant... This is an exercise in not being ashamed of our Lord Jesus Christ.
+ MAY 20th PARK CLEAN UP A wonderful crew of church men, women and youth, as well as a few neighbors, came together and revitalized the Grace Street park just around the corner from Peace. This event spearheaded by Jim Praefke tackled an ambitious job of trimming back trees, raking and sweeping, removing grass and then laying a new weed barrier , and finally laying new mulch. The park had a much needed face lift and area families are so thankful for the hard work of Peace. Swing by one day after church and check out the lovely park. Thank you to Jim and to ALL (almost 20!) who came and made this community event a success.
+ MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA On Saturday, May 20th around 20 women and young girls spent a lovely afternoon at the Mother/Daughter Tea. The Tea was coordinated by Bonnie Cornog with assistance from Susan Corsbie. These ladies prepared an afternoon of devotion on the life and lessons of Ruth and Naomi (presented by Theresa Nichols), altar guild instruction (presented by Monica Bjornstad), and a fabulous selection of finger sandwiches, fruit salad, and desserts. Thank you to all who brought food and especially to those women and young ladies who took the time to come celebrate our 100th Anniversary with this event.
+ Reflections from the 2017 Westminster Conference on Science and Faith It was a tiring but exciting day on Saturday, May 13 when Pastor and three young men (two from the Academy) attended a Faith and Science Conference in Philadelphia. They were all incredible students of the world class scientists and theologians who made excellent presentations ranging from Apologetics to Evolution issues to a workshop entitled "Control and Purpose in Living Things as Testimony to Design". Everyone of the group wants to attend next year! A LOOK AHEAD . . .
Founder’s Day Worship Service & Picnic Sunday July 9th with worship at 10am followed by a picnic and summer time fun . . . all held at Ransom Valley Lutheran Church. The Peace Van will be available for transport. Please call the church office to get your name on the list. Please plan to attend this lovely day of worship followed by food and fun games. We will have tents for shade. May want to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket for the food and fellowship time. This is a potluck lunch and a sign up sheet is in the back of the church.
Vacation Bible School July 10-14 at the Lutheran Ministry Center
WEDDING NEW EMAIL yourpeace@verizon.net will be phasing out, so to reach Pastor please us the email: pastor@yourpeace.org
Immanuel Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School “Mighty Fortress” will be held June 5th-9th from 5:30-8:00pm with a closing program and picnic on Friday. All are invited!
In July we will be celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of Richard and Paulette Frederickson, who were married here at Peace.
EMAILING PASTOR: yourpeace@verizon.net will be phasing out, so to reach Pastor please us the email: pastor@yourpeace.org
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607
WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: SUMMER WORSHIP HOURS We will go to ONE Sunday Morning Worship Service at 9:30am beginning June 11th!!!
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. ~Psalm 27:4
Our 2017 Confirmands
Tess Nichols, Nora Betts, John Babbitts, Sarah Bjornstad, Isabelle Kramer. Not pictured is Monica Fornaszewski
Praise God for their hard work and dedication to study and prepare for their confirmation day. Continue to lift these young ladies, and young man up in prayer as they daily uphold their confirmation confession.
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!
June Sermon Topics June 4: Pentecost Sunday with Rite of Confirmation June 11: Holy Trinity Sunday: The Majesty of our Triune God June 18: The Harvest is Plentiful but the Workers are Few June 25: 100th Anniversary Review of the History and Meaning of the Peace Lutheran Sanctuary
NEW MEMBER CLASSES Pastor will be having New Member classes after Sunday worship services June 11, 18, 25, & July 2. If anyone would like to join us at that time, PLEASE DO!
Church Council Changes Last summer/fall Chad Tyk, our church council president, moved to Wilkes Barre and has found it too difficult with his work schedule to accomplish his duties. Recently he sent his regards and resigned his position. We are VERY thankful for his dedicated service to our congregation for quite a few years, both as an Elder and as President. He is finding some opportunity to attend St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Wilkes Barre with his mother. We pray God's blessing on him there and will be happy to welcome him back if he moves back to Scranton area! From Chad: I am resigning my position as Council President effective immediately. A combination of the travel distance now involved since moving and my erratic and constantly changing work schedule just make it impossible to be involved in church business in any timely and effective manner. I mulled over this decision around the holidays but delayed in hopes that things would settle down at my job. Unfortunately, they haven't. I would like to thank the Peace congregation and the council members for their guidance, assistance, and support over the preceding two years. I hope my resignation decision will allow the council to get things moving in the right direction and back to a sense of normalcy!! God Bless Regards, Chad Tyk The vacancy of Council President will be filled with Head Elder Chuck Mercer. We thank Chuck for stepping into the role of president as we complete the council year and hold elections for officers in November.
100th Anniversary Capital Campaign- Sound System
Peace Anniversary T-Shirts avaialble and only $10 for adult sizes and $8 for youth sizes and come in four colors: light grey, dark grey, black and pink. The hope is with the weather warming, 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 Memory Book was a huge success. There has been interest expressed to order more. If you prefer you can order one directly from the company and the cost $85 plus around $10 shipping. We would like to help alleviate the high shipping cost for everyone and can get 10% discount when we have 10 books ordered making the cost $76.50 plus a share of the shipping (approx $5). If we can get 20 books ordered the cost goes down 20% to $68 plus a share of the shipping. Please let the office know if you are interested in a book, make no payment yet. When we know how many are requested we will be in touch with final cost and you can make payment then. Thank you for your interest and thank you again to Pastor Bjornstad (and all his editors) for the tremendous amount of work that went into making this book a treasure.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2017 In Jesus the Victory is Won! At Mighty Fortress, kids learn that God is their refuge and strength. Friends may fail them. They may not ace their test or make the team, but God promises to be their rock and their salvation—their fortress and sure defense. So raise your banner! In Jesus, the victory is won! July 10-14, 2017 5:30-8:00pm Lutheran Ministry Center 1546 Monsey Ave, Scranton
The new sound system ($5000) has proven to be much appreciated. This installation is our main anniversary in-house project and we pray for your support to fully fund it. There will be a Welsh Cookie fundraiser this fall as a final push to support the sound system. Give thanks to God for 100 years of ministry with a generous donation to the anniversary fund at any time in the offering plate or online at yourpeace.org. With the main expenses of the anniversary celebration over, all donations will go fully to our projects! Might you consider giving $100 to celebrate 100 years of Peace?
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Open to children age 4+ Registration is now open on the Peace website for families to begin signing up for VBS. Please spread the word, invite your neighbors, or perhaps even volunteer to be part of the team. We need helpers for all five days, or as many as you can give. Please speak with Michelle Cherney, our VBS director, or call the church office to learn more or to sign up.
Congratulations to Kinsley and Jessi Black! They were wed by Pastor Bjornstad at Peace Lutheran Church on Sat April 29. May God bless their marriage today and every day!
Christ is here- go to meet him! He is here in the poor, in the afflicted, in the little ones, in those thirsting for justice, in his least brethren, in the crucified. Embrace Him! - Henry Fehrenbacher
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607