Posts by Pastor Mark Nelson (Page 7)

October 13, 2023 Dear Peace members and friends, As this week has gone on, we have been shocked and heartbroken as we have learned of the increasing violence of the conflict between Hamas and Israel and the growing number of deaths and injuries. At the end of this e-note there are some comments and a prayer that I encourage you to pray for those in Israel/Palestine. This Sunday we continue our sermon series, “The Hard Sayings of Jesus.” I think one of the hardest things about…

Dear Peace members and friends, I came out the door this morning on my way to church, and I immediately asked myself, “What happened to summer?!?” Then, upon getting to the office, I read again the Gospel for this Sunday. It was summer in Galilee, too. Winds blowing off the Mediterranean from the west. (Sounds wonderful!) Luke says that great crowds followed Jesus, “…..thousands, so that the trampled on one another (12:1).” Jesus was catching on, becoming a celebrity. Then Jesus, along the way,…

Dear Peace members and friends, I’m looking forward to Sunday! In worship we begin a new sermon series, “Hard Sayings of Jesus.” Jesus was a teacher and, often, he got a strong response. He told stories and one-liners that turned the common views of God and us upside down. As a result, Jesus offended some people…or just left them more than a little confused and puzzled! So, over these next weeks, we’re going to look at some of those hard sayings of Jesus and unpack…

Dear Peace members and friends, A blessed and good fall Friday morning to all of you! I’m looking forward to Sunday…..for many reasons. There’s worship, for one. Worshipping together is at the center of everything we do at Peace. It is, simply, why we exist. Taking time to thank God for all our blessings, refresh our faith for the week ahead, and be in community with one another sustains both you as an individual and all of us as a congregation. The time…

Dear Peace members and friends, It was terrific to see so many of you last Sunday! Children and families gathered inside and outside as we began the Sunday School year. The Peace Choir blessed us in worship. The smiling faces! All in all, a great Sunday; thank you to all! This Sunday, we continue the sermon series, “Church and Community.” As you know, when Jesus called the disciples to “follow me,” he called them not just as individuals, but as a group. You and I have been…

Dear Peace members and friends, Kids are back to school, vacations are ending, and we’re getting ready for an exciting fall at Peace! We celebrate this weekend with Gathering Sunday! Following worship (9:30am), adults can make their way to Parish Hall for an extended time of fellowship and a preview of fall ministry. And, after a brief welcome and introduction to Sunday School in the Sanctuary, families and children will head outdoors for a Fall Kickoff Festival. We’ll have walking tacos, snow cones, games, and activities.  I’m also excited to be back in…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, I hope that you’re staying cool this week! Even though it’s the middle of the summer, there’s a lot going on at Peace. This Sunday (9:30am), we have the joy of welcoming to the Church in baptism, Kaibigan Hawkins Del Rosario Thomson, the son of Jimmy Thomson and Arielle Del Rosario, and the grandson of Jim and Lori Thomson. We will continue with our sermon series, “The Life and Ministry of the Apostle Paul” and I’ll read “A Letter from Paul to Kai on…