E-notes (Page 7)

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…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, First of all, I want to thank the many of you who last Sunday responded to VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) and their special request for contributions in filling the food shelfs due to the increased number of household requests for this basic need of life. The children did a great job in collecting up those offerings and you responded generously. I’ll announce that amount on Sunday!   We will also continue in worship (9:30am) with our sermon…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, I still remember it: my first computer. My wife, Marcie, had schemed with our nephew and there in the living room, on Christmas morning, sat a new computer. In that moment, a new world was born for me. Now I had access to a whole new unseen universe (“the world-wide web”!). And there was a whole new way of living that went along with this new contraption. No more typewriter. No more carbon paper.…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, Sometimes life can change with only a few words. You hear the words, “I love you,” and your life will never be the same. Or you hear the announcement, “you have a new baby daughter (or son)” and your life changes immediately. And, as we discovered last week in church, the St. Paul’s life changed dramatically when he was interrupted by God and heard the words, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  His life was…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, We heard good news from Pastor Joe yesterday morning. Here it is: “Cameron Joseph Orner was born at 3:59am this morning (6/29/2023) at 7 lbs, 8 oz. He and Reilly are both healthy and well. Thank you for your prayers.” Congratulations to Pastor Joe, Reilly, and brother Lucas! As I thought about this summer’s preaching, I wondered about these questions: Is there something in your life that you would like to change? So what is it you would like to change?…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, It’s a busy wedding weekend. I’m writing from Nebraska City, Nebraska because this afternoon, Andrew Cross (the son of Deb and Gene Cross) will be married to Megan Olson. And tomorrow, in Minneapolis, Tim Platt (the son of Anita and Jim Platt) will be married to Ashley Enke. It’s a grand day for two wonderful couples, their families and friends, and sign of God’s grace to all. After all, Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding, a wedding in Cana! This Sunday in worship (9:30am) we conclude…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, There is so much bad news in the world. Sometimes it seems like bad news is the only news. Except, we do have good news: He is risen! In a world without much of it, we’ve been given good news: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. And on the basis of that good news, we can hope in a future on his making and we can take joy, that in spite of news to the contrary,…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, I hope your summer is off to a great start! Graduations, weddings, vacations, and warm weather and all the rest; I hope that you’re enjoying these days. On this bright day, I was reminded of our great God, the God who has made a decision about you and me. God hasn’t waited to find out how sincere we are, how faithful or religious we might be, or how well we understand the Bible. God hasn’t…

June 2, 2023 Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, It’s good to be back from vacation! My wife, Marcie, and I enjoyed some time away and now I’m looking forward to being with you on Sunday. This Sunday is the festival of the Holy Trinity, the only feast day devoted, not to an event in the life of Jesus, but to a teaching of the Christian church—that God comes to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Why is this an important…

Dear Peace Members and Friends of Peace, This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, a festival day in the church that comes 50 days after Easter. Pastor Joe writes, “Pentecost is a day of promises fulfilled, and this Sunday serves as an opportunity to celebrate God’s promised presence within and among us—through the power of the Holy Spirit. I’ll say more in my message titled, ‘Where They Were.’ And because of the Holy Spirit within us, we are empowered and sent out to proclaim God’s unconditional…