Peace Talk January 2010 by Kristian Bjornstad

Peace Talk - January 2010

Apostolic Mission Congregation of the LCMS www.yourpeace.org Pastor Kristian Bjornstad 2506 N. Main Ave. 343-9828

EPIPHANY: The manifestation (revelation) of our Lord to the world: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1-6 (ESV)

FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART: The ball has dropped and the new year is underway again! For some of us the new year is a welcome relief. For others of us it brings fear and trembling to our hearts. For others it is just another ho hum year. And how is the New Year different for the faithful Christian? I love the passage in James: James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. .... 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” Christians are thrilled to live for the moment with the promise of the blessing of God - no matter what the situations God might bring to our lives. Although we commit whatever might happen tomorrow to God, we CAN plan for the future and ask for His blessing. I would like to introduce a beautiful theme for this next year: The “Year of the Family”. Join me, please, in nurturing the beautiful families that we have here at Peace. After a number of “dry” years, we have a number of beautiful families that God is blessing! God has a beautiful plan for these families! Let us enjoy and love them. Let us bring the PEACE of God to them. Let us make Jesus manifest in their lives.

In Jesus, Pastor Bjornstad

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. - John 14:27

MISCELANEOUS NOTES: +++++++++++++ PLAN AHEAD: + Sunday School Baptismal Remembrance Day will be Sunday, January 10th. All baptismal sponsors are to be invited to attend! + to attend the Saturday, January 16 for the “Aligning with God’s Will”, a day long workshop led by Mike Mirarchi + to go with Pastor down to the March for Life in Washington DC on Friday, January 22nd! THERE IS A NEW INITIATIVE TO START A LUTHERANS FOR LIFE CHAPTER here in NEPA. Look for details soon!

friend. All three were influential in shaping the theology ratified by the Council of Constantinople of 381, which is expressed in the Nicene Creed. Their defense of the doctrines of the Holy Spirit and Holy Trinity, together with their contributions to the liturgy of the Eastern Church, make them among the most influential Christian teachers and theologians of their time. PRAISE GOD! ++++++++++++++++++++ PASTOR BJORNSTAD AND HIS FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE CONGREGATION FOR ALL YOUR KIND WISHES AND EVEN GIFTS OVER THE HOLIDAYS! YOU ARE ALL SO VERY DEAR TO US! +++++++++++++++++++

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You can still buy the Thrivent Chapter COOK BOOK for $12! +++++++++++++ Christian History Notes: This month the church commemorates Basil the Great of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nissa, Pastors and Confessors. When: Sunday, Jan 10, 2010 Basil and the two Gregorys, collectively known as the Cappadocian Fathers, were leaders of Christian orthodoxy in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) in the later fourth century. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa were brothers; Gregory of Nazianzus was their

We need to say THANK YOU to our three Thrivent Congregational Representatives who have been serving for some time: Monica Bjornstad, Adella Decker, Alison McHale. Thrivent is changing the way benefits are being distributed in the congregations, so their positions have been eliminated. Look for more information on how you can make a difference through Thrivent. If you are NOT A MEMBER of Thrivent and are in need of financial services, please get in touch with our great local Thrivent representative Tori Yoder: Torie J Yoder, FIC Financial Associate Pennsylvania Region Tri-County Associates 4099 Birney Ave, Moosic, PA 18507 Office: 570-558-2224 Email: torie.yoder@thrivent.com

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PRAYER CORNER: PLEASE PRAY for those families who have suffered the deaths of loved ones this past year as they come to the holidays. Send a kind card to the Strizalkowski (and Goble) family, and the Woolverton family. ALSO: Please pray for Cliff Durkin as he struggles with trying to heal a bad leg in the Army. You can write to him a note of encouragement here: Spc Durkin Clifford FTC, 43rd AJ BN 200 Oklahoma Ave, Bldg 2107 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473 His wife Mary lives in the Plot and is her baby is due to be born in two months. You can pray also for Lisa Hoffman who’s baby is due also at the end of February.

++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS YEAR’S THEME: “BLESSING THE FAMILY” Pastor Bjornstad is looking for every idea he can get to strengthen and encourage our families. Can you suggest some way our church can bless our families (and all those families we can reach out to) next year!

THE MEN’S NETWORK! The Lutheran Hour has formed a nationwide network of Christian men and are challenging churches to join it! Check it out at www.lhm.org. LET’S USE THIS AS AN EXCUSE, MEN, TO MEET TOGETHER AND STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH IN THE LORD! FIRST MEN’S MEETING: Saturday, January 30th at 8 am at Panera Bread on Commerce Blvd. Our families and our society depends on the strong faith of our men! ++++++++++++++++++++ The church has received a gift of STOCKS for the first time. If you would like to give in the same way, the church now has a brokerage account. Please ask for the number!

MISSION NEWS/PRAYERS! On January 9th 2010, Susan Crosbie, Peaceʼs Parish Nurse will be going to the Dominican Republic with an organization called Healing the Children. She writes: “This surgical mission will be doing orthopedic cases on children, mostly with bone deformities and club feet. Some contractures will be addressed. The doctor I am going with is Dr. Avella from The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood NJ. We will be co-sponsored by the San Diego Padre's and the Hilton will take care of our housing costs. When we arrive we will be having a press conference with the Padre's. We will have 6 days for doing surgery and one pre-clinic exam day to meet the surgery candidates. Some could not be done last year and have waited a full year to get on this years list. The hospital is donating the surgery suite and post-op beds but we provide the nursing care and actual surgery. The hospital requires that the kids leave at the end of the day. Some days last till 11pm. There will be about 14 people on the surgical team. Two surgeons, two anestesiologists, six OR scrub people and three recovery room nurses, of which I am one. We will also have a co-ordinator and Peace Corps volunteers as translators. I am so looking + NEPA MISSION PARTNERSHIP HAS foward to going as I was last in the Dominican 20 ANNOUNCED THE DATE OF THE 2010 years ago on my 1st medical mission. This one MISSION FESTIVAL! MARK THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 25th AND LOOK FOR MORE sure is going to be different with the high profile DETAILS! sponsors we have.” WAY TO GO SUSAN!!!!

CARSTEN BJORNSTAD, Missions to China! Hopefully you have been following his story and experiences over the past couple months in the church news channels... After helping out in myriad ways musically on Christmas Eve and Day, on Sunday, Dec. 27th Carsten shared with the congregation his missionary experience in Macau, China where he taught English and conducted Bible studies for the english students there. He challenged the congregation to support the missionary efforts. Teaching English is one way that almost everyone can be involved with missions. There are very few prerequisites! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NEW ORLEANS MISSION TRIP! PRAISE the Lord that a solid mission team has come together! Please follow the progress of the team at the Peace Lutheran Church facebook page! You can get to it by scrolling to the bottom the regular Peace website at www.yourpeace.org. THANKS for all your support!

+ Approximately 250 homes in the vicinity of Peace Lutheran were given Christmas Eve flyers inviting them to worship. Please pray for those and all others who’s heart is in need of the healing of Jesus Christ. + Adult membership meetings and fellowships will be starting up again with our first meeting on Sunday, January 31st at 6 pm - for a fellowship dinner! Please make an invitation to someone you know needs a relationship with Jesus Christ and BRING them with you to the dinner! + ALASKA VBS MISSION opportunity is being planned for the summer! Dates have yet to be picked, but they usually are in early July. Make plans to join the team this year! +

THE LUTHERAN ACADEMY, SCRANTON The students of the Lutheran academy gathered over the Christmas break here at Peace to share in the Memorial services of Sandra and Tina Goble’s grandfather. They sang their beautiful hymn: “Children of the Heavenly Father”, and it was appreciated by everyone! This is what Christian “family” is all about! Please pray for the TLA board of directors as they work towards establishing the new leadership of the school for the Fall of 2010 when Principal Roger Borchin will be stepping down so that he can enjoy some of his retirement! We are so thankful for his leadership and expertise. He will be keeping involved with the Board of Directors and working on further developing the school and its financial position. OTHER NOTES: + The Academy students led a beautiful Advent “Festival of Lessons and Carols” on Dec. 9th to the delight of all who attended. + The Academy hosted their annual “Christmas T” on December 23rd in appreciation for all the many supporters of the Academy! Thank you!

Students making Christmas ornaments!

+ The Academy has received many gifts ever since its inception. These gifts of all kinds have been integral to its continued success. Most recently, besides monetary gifts, an almost new copier has been donated!

Yes! Sunday School and Youth Group COUNT! + The CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ON DEC. 13th was very beautiful! You can see it the whole pageant at the church web site’s front page! Thank you to all who were involved! + SPECIAL BAPTISMAL REMEMBRANCE will take place on Sunday, January 10th during worship! THE SUNDAY SCHOOL IS INVITED TO INVITE THEIR BAPTISMAL SPONSORS TO WORSHIP THAT DAY!

Tuesday

11 7 pm Jr. Confirmation classes

18 7 pm Jr. Confirmation classes

25 7 pm Jr. Confirmation classes

10 The Baptism of our Lord 9:15 Education Hour 10:30 Worship Invite your Baptismal Sponsors Day!

17 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany 9:15 Education Hour 10:30 Worship

24 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany LIFE SUNDAY 9:15 Education Hour 10:30 Worship

6 PRAY FOR THE NEW ORLEANS MISSION TRIP!

27 2 pm Worship at New Seasons Assisted living, Morgan Hwy, Clarks Summit. Everyone welcome to join in!

12 13 7 pm Council meeting

Wednesday

WISE MEN FOLLOW HIM STILL!

31 1 -> February 4th Sunday after the Epiphany 9:15 Education Hour 10:30 Worship 6 pm New Membership Dinner: Invited are all those seeking membership here at

4 TLA begins classes

WORSHIP IS THE DELIGHT OF THE SOUL IN LOVE WITH THE LORD!

Monday

3 2nd Sunday of Christmas 9:15 Education Hour 10:30 Worship

Sunday

21 22 11 am worship at the Jewish Home 1:30 pm worship at the Scranton Health Care Center all are welcome to join with 28 pastor to minister 29 to the residents

31 <- December

Thursday

Friday

30 MEN'S NETWORK MEETING 8 am Panera Bread on Commerce BLVD

16 Aligning with God's Will 9am - 4 pm workshop led by Mike Mirarchi call 407-3997 to RSVP!

9 Susan Crosbie leaves on her medical mission to the Dominican Republic! Please pray for her!

2 New Orleans Mission Trip leaves at 9 am

Saturday

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH January 2010

WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN FOCUS ON THE FAMILY! EDUCATION HOUR: 9:15 AM WORSHIP: 10:30 AM This year we will be focusing in on strengthening and nurturing our beautiful families. Invite a churchless family to worship with us! God truly has a PLAN for us as families. It is a plan for PEACE and wholeness!

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH Apostolic Mission Congregation of the LCMS 2506 N. Main Ave. Scranton, PA 18508

To a special person whom God Loves: