January 6, 2023
Dear Peace Members,
I hope you’re digging out from all the snow and staying warm!
Meanwhile, I can think of no better way to begin the new year than to be able to look ahead this next month to our life and ministry together at Peace. Here are just a few examples:
- A new sermon series, “Rediscovering Jesus.”
- An Informational Meeting for Summer Camps this Sunday (12:00).
- Economist Tim Taylor returns Adult Education on January 15th.
- White Elephant Bingo for all ages (January 20th), an adult Caribbean Fellowship Dinner (January 28th) and Adults 40+ fellowship on January 21st.
- Evening Bible Study resumes this coming Wednesday at 6:00pm.
- The Congregational Meeting (January 29th) and Pre-Congregational Meeting (January 22nd).
- All this, along with Confirmation, Sunday School, and other Children, Youth and Family events.
And that’s just in January! The start of a new year is an ideal time to jump into something new, to return, or to invite a friend or another family member to come along with you. We look forward to getting into the new year with you!
And all that begins this Sunday. Along with Holy Communion, a children’s message, and Christmas/Epiphany music, we begin a new sermon series, “Rediscovering Jesus.” 9 out of 10 Americans believe that Jesus was a real person. 2000 years after he was born his name is still the most recognized names on the planet. But who is Jesus, really? We all have our understandings of who Jesus is; understandings that have changed or grown. So do I. And I will begin revisiting some of those understandings on Sunday with a message entitled, “Rediscovering Jesus: Friend.” Alongside this sermon series we’ll dive deeper into this series in Wednesday evening Bible study from 6:00-7:00pm. Come join us!
Sunday Adult Education Hour (10:45) also resumes with a discussion on Christian Nationalism.
Last of all, I pass along a “thank you” from a long-time member of Peace: Alex Jerve. A week from Sunday, January 15th, Alex will be ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and begin his ordained ministry at First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Alex writes: ‘…..Please know that I am deeply grateful for the impact you and Peace Lutheran have had upon my life, particularly my faith. You helped build in me a strong and proud identity as a Christian. Not only did you teach me about faith, you invested heavily in me: as a student leader, a Peace House staff member, and an Interim Youth Ministry Director in 2010. I am only at this stage of my life and ministry career because of God’s grace and the prayers and investment of Peace Lutheran, which I am proud to call my “hometown church!” Congratulations to Alex and God’s blessings on his ministry!
See you Sunday!
Mark