Posts from August 2023
E-Note September 1, 2023
Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, It’s Labor Day weekend (more about Labor Day in a moment) and I’m looking forward to worship this Sunday. Pastor Joe will conclude his sermon series on, “The Good Life” with a message on “joy.” I’ll have a children’s message, and we will celebrate God’s grace around the table with others in Holy Communion. A reminder: Gathering Sunday, the day that begins a full slate of ministry at Peace (including Sunday School), is next Sunday, September 10th. Mark it on your calendar! Yes, it is Labor Day weekend and on…
CYF Blast August 31, 2023
Dear Peace Parents and Families, There are a lot of exciting things happening at Peace in the coming weeks, and we want you to be a part of them! Here’s a brief taste of what’s to come: And to make these wonderful ministries possible, we need your help! Each one needs dedicated leaders who care about our young people and their faith formation. Because when you serve in our Children, Youth, and Family ministries, you are making a big difference in…
E-Note August 25, 2023
Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, Well, it’s State Fair time. And the ELCA posted this limerick on a Facebook page: Fair season is upon us so here is a Doxology:O Lord protect this festivalThe riders as they rise and fall.The jams and pickles and the pies. Competing for the first grand prize. O Lord we thank thee for this food,When we are in a cheese curd mood.For Pronto Pups and onion ringsDoughnuts and other deep-fried things.Praise God from whom all blessings flowPraise him…
CYF Blast August 24, 2023
Dear Peace Parents and Families, For Bloomington schools, school starts next week. As I’ve done in previous years, I’d like to share this prayer, “A Prayer for the First Day of School,” for all of our students, parents, teachers, and education workers as they prepare to begin this exciting new season. “O God of new beginnings, as this child begins this new school year, we are reminded that they are Yours and Yours alone. We have filled their backpack, and…
E-Note August 18, 2023
Dear Peace Members, What makes a good life? How would you answer that question? Not just life in the abstract. But what makes your life good? Every day we are faced with stories and suggestions about how to live our best life now, so many of which are shallow at best and life-diminishing at worst. And yet; yet, there is something about how we live and the choices we make and the habits we nurture that point toward something meaningful. How do we live without…
CYF Blast August 17, 2023
Dear Peace Parents and Families, It was great to see so many of you this last Sunday as I returned from my parental leave. Reilly and I welcomed our son, Cameron, into the world on June 29, which also happened to be the last day of Vacation Bible School. I’m grateful to everyone who cared for us at the hospital, and to everyone who helped make our “Stellar” VBS such a blast! The six weeks of my parental leave that…
E-Note August 11, 2023
Dear Peace Members, After some time away, I’m looking forward to being with you on Sunday. Before saying more about that, however, a word of thanks to Rev. Alan Loose for leading worship last week. I know that many of you share with me gratitude for Alan and his presence among us. Thanks, Alan! There’s a bit of a reunion this Sunday. I’m back and participating in worship and Pastor Joe also returns to worship following his paternity leave. A summer Peace Choir group will offer an…
E-Note August 4, 2023
Dear Peace Members, I am out of town this week and, while I’m away, Peace member Pastor Alan Loose will officiate and preach at Sunday worship (9:30). Pastor Loose will continue with our current sermon series, “The Life and Ministry of the Apostle Paul” and sent along a preview for the day: “Have this mind among you,” counsels Paul in his letter to the Philippians, “which is yours in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to describe the attitude Jesus adopts in his…