Posts from May 2024
E-Note May 31, 2024
Dear Peace members and friends of Peace, After a couple of weeks away, I will be back in worship on Sunday. My wife, Marcie, and I have been on vacation in Europe and are really looking forward to being with you! On Sunday, we begin a sermon series, “Following Jesus in Mark’s Gospel.” The series starts with Jesus’ discussion about the Sabbath. This topic couldn’t be more timely. Many of you busy, busy people switch gears into summer and we…
CYF Blast May 30, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, The end of the school year is here—congratulations all around to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and to everyone who makes learning possible for our young people! Last night, seniors at Bloomington Jefferson High School graduated and received their diplomas—including Peace’s own Gavin Churchill, Bianca Gehant, Parker Kennedy, and Adam Rich. Ben Davis’ commencement ceremony for Richfield High School will be next week. Also of note, today is the last day of school for all…
E-Note May 24, 2024
Dear Peace members and friends of Peace, This Sunday is The Holy Trinity (worship at 9:30). Pastor Joe writes, “in mainline Protestantism, the first Sunday after Pentecost is commonly celebrated as Holy Trinity Sunday. Whereas Pentecost Sunday (last Sunday) sees us celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, this day proclaims the gift of that Spirit: faith in God who is three-in-one—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. This holy mystery is the foundation of our faith and…
CFY Blast May 23, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Yesterday, Peace’s seniors at Jefferson High School had their last day of class. For students in all other grades, they will be done one week from today on Thursday, May 30. And so, as we quickly approach the end of another school year, I offer a prayer for our students and graduates, and all of their upcoming transitions, from writer, Kayla Craig*: “O God, Creator of beginnings and endings, we pray for our students.…
E-Note May 17, 2024
Dear Peace members and friends, This Sunday is the Day of Pentecost, a festival day in the church that comes 50 days after Easter. Pastor Joe writes: On the Day of Pentecost, we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the entirety of the early church. This is the same Spirit that Jesus promised to his disciples—and to us. And so, filled with and empowered by the Spirit, our challenge then becomes the discernment of how we will join…
CFY Blast May 16, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, This weekend, we will recognize our graduating high school seniors during worship. These students are kind, compassionate, and caring; they’re hard-working, dedicated, and humble; they walk by faith, serve others humbly, and are more than equipped to move onto the next season of their lives. Here’s a brief summary of what each of them will be up to this fall: May God bless them and keep them. May God’s face shine on them and…
E-Note May 10, 2024
Dear Peace members and friends, I’m guessing that yesterday was likely a fairly normal day. I know it was for me. We welcomed a group of Peace older adults for lunch. We heard the musical group, Bloomingtone’s sing. There was no rain. The sun shone. That was Thursday. Which is too bad because yesterday was also the 40th day after Easter and a red-letter day on the church calendar—the Ascension of Our Lord. Ascension Day marks the end of the…
CFY Blast May 9, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, This Sunday is the final day of our 2023-2024 program year, and I am so grateful for all of you who helped make it happen. Whether it was through your prayers, time, financial resources, or something else, it takes an abundance of people to support our young people and their faith formation–thank you! And if you’re reading this, it’s likely you have a child, or know a child, who is involved in Children, Youth,…
E-note May 3, 2024
May 3, 2024 Dear Peace members and friends, A happy May to you all! In spite of the rain, I hope you’re enjoying the green, green, green of creation around us coming to life once again. On Sunday, we continue celebrating the good news of Easter. This season of the church year reminds us that the resurrection of Christ does not only have to do with what happens after we die but, first of all, it has to do with…
CYF Blast May 2, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Typically in the Children, Youth, and Family Blast, I try not to get too far ahead of myself. I want us to stay present in the moment and focused on the things at hand–and I definitely don’t want other important things to get overlooked or feel undervalued. However, just like with parlay, sometimes it’s necessary to break the code–“they’re more like guidelines” anyway. (“Pirates of the Caribbean,” anyone?? And to the parent readers, if…