Posts from 2024 (Page 4)
CYF Blast July 11, 2024
Beginning on Monday, 8 students and 3 adults will venture down to New Orleans for the 2024 ELCA National Youth Gathering. While there we will gather under the theme, “Created to Be,” inspired by Psalm 134:14, which states: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” The Gathering staff explains the theme further: “We have been created to be ourselves. Created by the Holy One. Since the last time the ELCA came together for an ELCA Youth Gathering…
E-Note July 5, 2024
Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, I hope you having a good July 4th holiday week/weekend! This Sunday in worship (9:30am), we’ll conclude our current sermon series, “Following Jesus in Mark’s Gospel.” In the early chapters of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus has been teaching Discipleship 101 to his followers. Lessons have included the importance of both resting and remembering we belong to God; that we have, not only our own family but God’s family to bless and support us along…
E-Note June 28, 2024
June 28, 2024 Dear Peace Members, I know that a number of you are traveling this coming July 4th week (more about this celebration near the end of this e-note). God’s blessings on your travel, your reunions, your gatherings, and all your celebrations! This Sunday in worship (9:30am), we continue in our sermon series, “Following Jesus in Mark’s Gospel.” In Sunday’s Gospel scene, Jesus meets a desperate woman who has suffered from hemorrhaging for 12 years. She has not only…
CYF Blast June 27, 2024
June 27, 2024 Dear Families and Friends of Peace, It’s been a whirlwind of a week in our CYF ministries since you received last Thursday’s edition of the Blast. Last weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, Peace families attended Family Camp at Wilderness Canoe Base up in the Boundary Waters. And from Monday through today, we have been hosting Vacation Bible School every morning this week with our friends over at Community of the Cross Lutheran Church. During both events, discussions…
E-Note June 21, 2024
June 21, 2024 Dear Peace Members, Believe it or not, I was once a Boy Scout and scouting was, in part, about earning merit badges at summer camp. One of those awards was swimming. And one of the requirements for the badge was to pass a time test treading water. I was pushed off a dock and told, “Keep your head above water.” My fear? I was way, way in over my head. In Sunday worship (9:30am), we’re going to…
CYF Blast June 20, 2024
June 20, 2024 Dear Families and Friends of Peace, VBS begins on Monday, and it’s going to be an incredible week as we go deep sea diving in this year’s program, SCUBA! “Scuba” is our underwater-themed curriculum that has kids dive deep into an adventure full of faith-building fun. Throughout the week, students will travel with their crews to different stations that help kids to grow personally, relationally, and spiritually. Each of these activities will help teach us and show…
E-Note June 14, 2024
Dear Peace members and friends of Peace, Many years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop about helping organizations discover their strengths. At the beginning of the workshop, the speaker asked us to finish this sentence: “The thing that is wrong with most organizations is…….” Then he said, “The answer that you have just given to this sentence is what you will be looking for before you begin working with a group. That is your point of view.…
CYF Blast June 13, 2024
June 13, 2024 Dear Families and Friends of Peace, There are two very exciting events happening in the next two weeks. First, next weekend (Thursday, June 20 – Sunday, June 23) Peace families will be driving up the north shore and across the Gunflint Trail to Wilderness Canoe Base, a camping ministry of Camp Wapo that resides just outside of the Boundary Waters. The second, from Monday, June 24 – Thursday, June 27, Peace will be hosting Vacation Bible School…
E-Note June 7, 2024
Dear Peace members and friends of Peace, Did you know that Jesus had siblings? Yes, Mary and Joseph were his earthly parents, of course, but Mark’s Gospel also tells us that Jesus also had 4 brothers and a few sisters (Mark 6). Jesus had a family! Not only that he didn’t always get along with his family (sound familiar?). On Sunday in worship (9:30am), continue in our sermon series, “Following Jesus in Mark’s Gospel” with a message about Jesus’ family,…
CYF Blast June 6, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, The first week of summer. For many (particularly those under 22, and especially those under 18), it’s a release of the pressure they’ve been feeling for the last nine months, an immediate release valve as their shoulders drop and their worries lighten. For others (particularly those with children), the months out of school mean increased family time and more time off, but also the reality of needing to make plans for when you’re working…
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…