NEWSLETTER November 2016
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
“These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. - Rev. 7:14
Remembering Elsie As we approach All Saints Day, let us remember Elsie Schweitzer. Elsie left behind a strong legacy here at Peace. Those who knew her would be quick to share stories of her love and devotion to Peace Lutheran Church. In fact, Elsie tried for many years to get Jim and Jen Praefke to come to Peace. She was the main encourager to send their son Blake to Immanuel Preschool & Kindergarten. Jen Praefke shares that while at Elsie’s funeral hearing the Academy student’s singing and hearing Pastor’s message their hearts and mind opened and everything Elsie had shared over the years was solidified. The Praefke family now attends Peace regularly, all attending sunday school and looking for ways to make a difference. We should all be encouraged by this story. We may not see the fruits of our witness/testimony in this life, but should continue to share our love for our Lord and his saving grace.
Pastor’s Message: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplica3ons, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 This November we are coming into the observance of the End Times in the church. Many people are observing the elections coming up and are very fearful of the future. We wonder how we should vote and are exceedingly frustrated over how our political system works (and doesn’t work). Wars and rumors of wars are the daily topics of our newscasts. Trade associations, national friendships, alliances, and even individual countries (even our own “United States”) are being ripped apart by raging forces of distrust and evil. We are an upset and fearful people. But the Lord comes down to us His children, and reminds us that this is not to be unexpected! This is judgment on the world. These are the last days. But he calls us as His children to trust in Him in the storm and look to Him for salvation - not men and their evil ways. Yet as we live in this democracy it is our duty as citizens to vote. As we go to the polls and seek God’s wisdom over how we cast our vote, we must pray diligently for our country and for our government, so that our nation (and the world) might live peaceably in all godliness and honesty. I really am thankful for the church because it IS a place where we can practice love toward others - even those who are of a different political persuasion. The reality is that true Christians CAN and do differ on a vast array of issues and how we might help fix our nations problems. In the church we can at least aspire to be all on the same team - and not hated enemies. The context of the church forces us to honor and respect each other and think the best of each other. Perhaps the fact that fewer and fewer people have any relationship to the church and therefore never get a chance to know and honor others of a different persuasion is what is exasperating our nation’s divisions. It has been quite humorous at The Lutheran Academy lately. The kids are actively (initiated not by the teachers) debating the election. We try to intervene and teach good decorum and order as the kids go back and forth on the issues and the candidates. But then after all the debate, the students all agree that they would rather vote for their teacher Ms. L to be president! We wish! Unfortunately we will have to wait for the reality of heaven. Heaven sure isn’t going to happen here on this earth. But until then we will work diligently as good citizens - and trust in the Lord and know that no principalities or powers will EVER be able to separate us from the love of God (Romans 8). Your servant 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!
TLA PAINTING FUNDRAISER- Nov 5th 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!
Dip Sale The students and staff of The Lutheran Academy are holding a new and rather tasty fundrasier this Fall. They are selling Rynkiewicz Dips and Mixes, perfect for gifting or to liven up all your holiday events. The dips are priced $5 each 3 for $14 5 for $20 You can see Nora Betts or Sarah Bjornstad during church or stop by the school office to place your order. Payment required at the time you order. Orders and payment need to be collected by Nov 10th and delivery is scheduled for the week of November 20th.
Cost of $35 includes canvas, paint and instruction plus you take your painting home that day! Proceeds from this fundraiser will help purchase much needed gym equipement.
This event is intended for older teens and adults. Register and pay online or call the studio and place your name on the list to pay at the door. Registration prior to the event is recommended. Invite friends to come with you and let’s help make this event a true success.
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.
Photography Fundraiser Thank you to all who supported The Lutheran Academy this past month and had their family portraits taken. Good news! Pastor has opened another day for family sessions on Saturday, November 12th from 9:00-noon at Peace Lutheran Church. Please see Pastor or Amy on Sunday or call the office at 570-703-0607 to reserve your time slot. This is a great way to get an updated photo just in time for Christmas cards, and especially for use in the soon-to-be-updated church directory. Reminder sessions are 15 minutes and only $25, which includes one 8x10 print and access to your digital file. All proceeds benefit The Lutheran Academy.
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"
CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES: + SPECIAL PRAYERS NEEDED For Alison McHale beginning a new job. For the March for Life in Washington DC coming Thursday, January 27. If you think you would like to attend, please let the church office know. For Frank Schulze and his trial currently scheduled for January 17th. He gives his greetings from prison to everyone at the church. He considers himself very blessed as he has read the scriptures through twice and studies it in depth every day, and attends bible study and worship at every opportunity. He testifies to how God has given him an amazing peace as he awaits his trial and prepares to accept whatever outcome he is faced with. We will have a card for everyone to sign at an upcoming worship service. + FAMILY PICNIC A family picnic was held on Sunday, October 9th at Merli Sarnoski State Park. There were games, exploring, yummy food and plenty of fun family fellowship. There is already talk about holding another one this coming spring.
+ BAPTISM We praise God for the baptism on October 9th of Jerry Walsh, son of Krystin Bumbarger and Jesse Walsh. + 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. + CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held Sunday, November 13 after the 10:30 service. Please make plans to stay after the service. This is your opportunity to stay informed of the proposed budget and important events and announcements of the church.
+ 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 + REFORMATION WEBSITE cause, you can apply for a $250 credit card! Go to Pastor has created an area-wide reformation website. You can see it at www.thrivent.com for more information! www.lutheran-reformation-nepa.info. This site is designed to link all the area Lutheran churches and be a resource for all things + ESL CLASS “reformation” as we approach the 500th anniversary. The English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at the LMC have + CAMP PIONEER Camp Pioneer has put out an appeal for emergency financing. The Eastern District of the LCMS owns the camp but is not able to financially support the camp. Without a $100,000 boost to its financial position by the end of the year, the District will put into motion the necessary actions to sell it. So far the response to the plea is going very well. After 10 days the camp had already collected over $25,000. But much more is needed and if you would like to make a donation you can do that on their website www.pioneercamp.org. Thank you so much for helping make possible this incredible ministry that has been in existence since the 1940s! + THE GATHERING HALL There is still a financial need to finish the final project in the Lutheran Ministry Center, which is to repaint the fellowship hall floor. Please prayerfully consider supporting the LMC in this improvement project.
ended. Pastor is hopeful this will allow him more time to connect with you and fellow members of Peace for much needed pastoral visits, counseling, etc. + DEVOTION AVAILABLE A new devotional booklet published by the Lutheran Curch Missour Synoid is now 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. + ESTATE PLANNING How many of us think about estate planning and financial gifting? How many have taken action? Don't forget this is a wonderful way to leave your legacy with the church. We encourage individuals and couples to contact our member Brenda Colbert who is an Elder Law lawyer. She is able to help anyone who is interested to make the most positive impact for the Lord, family and others in your estate planning. You can reach her at Colbert & Grebas, PC 570-299-7909.
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
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!
Additional Services at Immanuel: 5:30 pm Saturday Evening and 10:15 am Sunday Morning
Sermon Topics Sermon Series to follow the readings of 2nd Thessalonians for the month of November until the last Sunday of the church year on November 20th. The 1st Sunday of Advent is Nov. 27th. Pastor hopes that we will be doing another set of Midweek Advent services by rotating around the different churches like we did last year. More to come in the bulletins in November.
Special Door Offering- November 13th For many years the Thrivent Lackawanna Chapter has used Thrivent money to shop for Christmas presents for children being served by Friendship House and Salvation Army. This year the thrivent chapter system has been dissolved, but there a desire to continue this wonderful tradition. On November 13 we will take an offering along with all the other area churches to make this possible. Please bring a bit “extra” to bless our needy children at Christmas. If you would like to join in on the shopping event, that will be held Nov. 26th. Speak with Pastor Bjornstad if you are interested in joining us!
CONFIRMATION CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT Beginning November 7th, the confirmation class will meet MONDAYS from 6:00-7:15pm at Peace Lutheran Church. Parents please make this change on your calendar. CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS As we implement 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!
New Adult Bible Study Begins Nov 13th Apologetics 101 • Knowing what we believe and why. • Answering the Objections of this age. • Answering for Christ to our friends and neighbors. • Being a beacon of reason and truth in our careless world. "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." -2 Corinthians 10:5 Just some of the questions addressed: • How can a good and loving God allow suffering? • How can a good and loving God send someone to hell? • Isn't it arrogant to say that Jesus is the "only" way to God and heaven? • Aren't all religions ways to know God? • Can there be meaning apart from God?
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.
We Can’t Leave Haiti Behind! Look at any major newspaper or news website and you’ll see the crisis in Haiti following Hurricane Matthew has faded from the top stories. But the reality is, more than a million people – many of them children – still desperately need our help. Here’s what we know: • More than 1.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance • More than 800,000 people are living in temporary shelters • More than 1,400 cholera cases have been reported As people of God, we are called to respond to the suffering in Haiti – to help families recover and move forward.
STEWARDSHIP
A message from Lutheran World Relief:
Praise the Lord that as of the end of September, even after several months of very low Sunday offerings, we are STILL on track to make our budget with an average of $2000/week for the rest of the year. As of September a total of more than $91,000 was given in offerings. An amazing miracle of God, no doubt! Of course accomplishing our budget of $119,000 is not going to be easy and we need everyone's conscientious generosity to make it happen. Thank YOU for not forgetting the incredible ministry that is carried out among our midst. It takes not just pocket change, but real sacrifice in Jesus' name. Please remember that you are able to make an offering at anytime on our church website www.yourpeace.org.
Your gift today will do just that. Right now, we’ve got staff on the ground working to distribute shelter kits and food kits. We’ve sent emergency water filters so families have access to safe drinking water. Our partners at Lutheran World Federation are distributing Personal Care and Baby Care Kits – and we are preparing to send more, along with LWR Quilts. Haiti’s story may have faded from the news, but we are counting on you to make sure our support keeps going strong.
100th Anniversary
Please give as generously as you can. And please share the message with your friends, family and congregation that the people of Haiti need our help now. Lutheran World Relief is on the ground in working with local partners to respond – and we’ll keep working until our job is done. Donate at www.lwr.org
Peace Lutheran Church SOFTBALL Team In light of the World Series, we thought you might enjoy this look back at this group of strapping young men who made up the Peace team. Pictured to the left is the Peace Lutheran Church softball team from the 1950’s. Ken Mercer, father of Chuck Mercer is on the far right.
The 100th Anniversary Planning committee is moving forward with plans for the spring. If you have any time to help plan or help fundraise, please speak with Beverly Gedrimas. Her email is beverlygedrimas@yourpeace.org. She would also like you to share all your old pictures and memorabilia concerning Peace church history.
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607