NEWSLETTER September 2016
Peace Talk
House of Prayer on Parker and Main
As we take a closer look at the gift of marriage, may we be encouraged by the example of Henry and Rae Camin who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in May 2016. Be sure to check out the “Godly Marriage” section on page 4 for more information on the Adult Bible Study beginning September 11th. All are encouraged to attend!
DISASTER RELIEF TO BATON ROUGE, LA. Jesus teaches us in the parable of the Good Samaritan that loving God by loving our neighbor as ourselves is the privilege of each child of His. That love is shown in so many ways by Christians in their every day lives (in our families and to next door neighbors, etc.) But there are times when the body of Christ is hurting in extraordinary ways in distant places, giving the church at large ample opportunity to work together to bring the mercy of God to so many in need. Even in the New Testament church, God’s people sent money and representatives to far off destinations when people needed relief from their difficult circumstances. (1 Corinthians 16) It is a great privilege for Christians even today to extend acts of love across great distances to those who are in desperate need of the grace and comfort of the Lord. The recent floods in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which damaged over 40% of the region’s homes (over 140,000 of them), gave Pastor Bjornstad (Eastern District Disaster Relief Coordinator) the opportunity to swing into action and organize a relief trip with the help of Rev. Benjamin Bahr (Grace Lutheran, Niagara Falls). Rev. Bahr was a former pastor in Baton Rouge and was in contact with his former congregation leaders and members – and they pleaded Carsten, Karen and Derrik with a homeowner they helped “Come Now!” to help. Within 30 hours a wonderful team of six individuals from Grace (Niagara Falls, NY), and Peace Lutheran (Scranton, PA) was put together. Pastor left early in the morning from Scranton, PA, August 17, 2016 with Susan Crosbie, a registered nurse, and his father Carsten Bjornstad.
At the same time Rev. Bahr started out from Niagara Falls with Karen Kumm and her son Derrik Mahoney. They met in Akron, Ohio, all piling into the bigger van with the Eastern District disaster relief trailer in tow. They pushed on through the night to get to Baton Rouge by about noon the next day. They arrived to get their first work assignment which they tackled that same afternoon. Over the next several days they were able to touch the lives of at least six families. They heard the accounts of their flooding experiences, sharing hugs and bolstered the difficult tasks of throwing much of each family’s material belongings out on the curb and gutting their houses bare. Beautiful Christian fellowship was had with many other volunteers from Texas and New Orleans – and even from as far away as Susan Crosbie hard at work Germany! At each place the team worked they prayed with the survivor families and shared the Love of Christ with them. It was meaningful beyond words – both for the survivors of the flood, and for the team. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. Peace Lutheran’s van is so essential to these relief missions. Please keep praying for all the people of God that are flood survivors, and all the other relief teams that are coming in from all corners of our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. You can donate to the cause at LCMS.org. In Jesus,
Pastor Bjornstad
“All you can Eat” PASTA BUFFET IMMANUEL PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN 238 Reese St, Scranton PA 18508 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM ADULTS - $10.00 CHILDREN UNDER 10 - $ 5.00 (Take-outs available) The buffet will include pasta, meatballs, salad and dressing, grated cheese, bread and bu]er, cake, coffee, and cold drinks. The funds derived for this event will go toward improvements of the Immanuel Preschool & Kindergarten program. Contact Roger Borchin (570-848-1965) or the Immanuel church office (570-342-3374) for tickets.
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!
Immanuel Preschool Kicks Off to a Great Start
NEW YEAR AT THE LUTHERAN ACADEMY
School began August 31st with a record 23 students at The Lutheran Academy. There are still a few open spots if you know any families still looking for quality Christian education.
Mr Bjornstad and the upper grade class jumping right in the first week with their music studies.
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17 Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"
CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES: + SPECIAL PRAYERS NEEDED For Heather Luklanchuk, Jessica Canjar, Wendy Laird and all the staff of The Lutheran Academy for a successful school year. For ALL our youth who are now back to school. May God’s love shine through them. For Amy Betts who will be running the Kansas City 1/2 Marathon on Saturday, October 15th. She is running as part of Team World Vision, a christian non-profit organization helping solve the need for clean water in Africa. Every $50 raised provides clean water for life to one person. Amy’s fundraising goal is to raise $3000 and impact the lives of 60 people. If you would like to contribute and impact lives, please see Amy for more information. Genesis 4:9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” If there are needs in the congregation that anyone sees that pastor should be attending to, please let the office or Pastor know. Is someone is in the hospital? Is someone is having troubles or hardships and needs encouragement? If you or someone needs help in their lives or any other matter in which the church could help - please give a call. We are not encouraging meddling, gossip or breaking confidence you may have given someone. What is suggested by this passage from Genesis is our role to look after each other other and allowing Pastor to fullfill his role as minister to help or aid in love within the community. The Lutheran Academy is looking for part-time volunteers. There are various duties and if you are interested in learning more, please contact the office for more details 570-703-0607. + SENIOR WELL-BEING PROGRAM Voluntary Action Center wants to help seniors age well. Our Senior Well-Being Program connects seniors (age 60 and older) with services and programs that are available to them (free of charge!) in Lackawanna County. If you are over 60, you may be eligible for programs that will help you stay active and healthy, help you pay for prescriptions and food, and help you manage your monthly budget. If you would like to find out more about this program, please call 570-347-5616 ext. + REFORMATION WEBSITE Pastor has created an aread-wide reformation website. You can see it at www.lutheran-reformation-nepa.info. This site is designed to link all the area Lutheran churches and be a resource for all things “reformation” as we approach the 500th anniversary. + USED BOOK SALE AND BAKE SALE St. Thomas More Parish, located at St. Joseph’s Church (Main Ave. & Theodore St. in North Scranton) will hold a sale of used books, on Saturday, September 10th from 9 am to 2 pm. Homemade baked goods will also be for sale, and lunch will be served from 11am to 1pm. Parking is available in the lot beside the school.
+ CONFIRMATION PARENT MEETING Following the 10:30 service on Sunday September 11th, Pastor will be meeting with any students and their parents of confirmation age to determine the schedule for the new year. Please plan to attend if your student desires to be part of this year’s confirmation class. + NEW 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.
+ 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 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 contact Fred & Julie Schamber at 724-325-3166. + 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. + EYEGLASS COLLECTION Immanuel Lutheran Church is collecting gently used eyeglasses to be sent to MOST Ministries. The donated glasses will be reconditioned and distributed to individuals living in undeveloped nations who cannot afford eye care. Gently used adult-sized glasses, child-sized glasses, over-the-counter reading glasses and non-prescription sunglasses will be accepted. Depending on the number of team members, an eyeglass mission team can serve 100-300 people daily. Additionally, and most importantly, each eyeglass clinic includes a witnessing station where the Gospel message is shared unless it is prohibited by the host country. Jim Norris will be traveling to Qinghai, China with MOST Ministries Team 1632 September 29-October 10. Should you have any glasses to donate, please call Jim at 570-281-6197.
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- FAITH FOUNDATIONS: September 11: THE STORY October 2: THE WATER September 18: THE WORD October 9: THE MEAL September 25: THE GATHERING October 16: THE MISSION
Portals of Prayer The church purchases many copies each quarter of this wonderful publication for YOU to enjoy. As you can see from the example page, each day you will enjoy a passage from scripture followed by a devotion. You are encouraged to take one home each quarter and enjoy the blessings of this publication in your daily prayer life. You will also find some large print copies as well if that will assist you in enjoying this publication.
Who do you know that desires their child to be confirmed? We are all encouraged to share with our family and friends the opportunity available at Peace Lutheran Church for confirmation class. And don’t forget about Sunday school and worship services. There are many fantastic ways to connect with the Lord and fellow believers each week. 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!
LWML Eastern District Fall Retreat September 16-18 Pioneer Camp & Retreat Center Theme: Love Joy, Peace Come experience the “Fruits of the Spirit” Let Monica or Pastor Bjornstad know ASAP if you would like to attend and have not yet registered.
Greater Northeast PA Walk Walk Date: 09/18/2016 Check-in/Registration Time: Walk Begins: 2:00 pm
Walk Location: Kirby Park 09/18/2016 at 11:00 am Walk Ends: 5:00 pm
For more information, please contact: Contact Name: Pat Gainey 215-746-7256 pgainey@afsp.org Online registration closes at noon the Friday before the walk. However, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. Walk donations are accepted until December 31st. When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. Thanks to Walkers and Donors like you, AFSP has been able to set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025.
“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 and lighting have been completed. All lighting fixtures in the education wing, on all three levels, were replaced with energy-efficient LED bulbs. While it has a rather hefty upfront cost, this improvement will greatly reduce the electric bill for the building. There is still a financial need to finish the final project which is to repaint the fellowship hall floor. Please prayerfully consider supporting the LMC in these improvement projects.
100th ANNIVERSARY: 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.
An Artist in Our Midst While sorting through her sister’s, Elsie Schweitzer, home, Grace Morris stumbled upon two paintings with Edith Korban’s signature on them. She had them framed and after worship service one Sunday in early August, Grace Morris and Ramona Brown joined Pastor Bjornstad for a visit with Edith Korban. Edith is a life long member of Peace and has been living in Tunkhannock. They presented the two framed painting to Edith and she was very shocked. “I could never have done these” she said.
Grace, Edith and Ramona
During their conversation they asked Edith if she remembers drawing or painting in her life, because she clearly did these painting, her signature is on them. The best part is she happened to have a folder on her chair with a STACK of drawings in it, all done by her! This is an example of one such One of the paintings by Edith Korban drawing. What an artisit you are Edith Korban!
Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org, amybetts@yourpeace.org… LMC: 570-703-0607