Blogs And Devotionals

Dear Peace Family and Friends, It feels like spring has fully arrived! The temperatures are creeping higher, the sun is spending more time out in the open, and last Tuesday was FREE CONE DAY at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop – the line stretched out the door and down the sidewalk! (I didn’t feel like spending an hour waiting for a free cone, so I simply drove on by.) But I promise you there won’t be a line waiting…

The season of Lent is behind us, Easter morning has come and gone, and the Lord is risen! Alleluia! We now turn our attention to following where our risen Lord is leading us, into a new day, into a new dawn, and into a new life! Please join us this Sunday morning when we’ll hear a story about Jesus appearing before MOST of the disciples, all except Thomas – he misses the big moment and will need to see the…

Dear Peace Members and Friends, In silence, we wait. On this Holy Saturday as Jesus lays in the tomb, we are reminded of the power of darkness that often clouds our days. Even so, we also remember that the darkness we experience is only temporary. There is an old saying that goes like this: “Above the clouds, the sun still shines.” When we can’t see it, hear it, or feel it, we still know that God is at work in our…

March 27, 2026 Dear Peace Family and Friends, This Sunday morning we begin the “home stretch” of our Lenten journey. After these past weeks of focusing on the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus in and around the countryside, we turn our eyes to the holy city of Jerusalem as Jesus turns his gaze toward the cross. But first, we will join Jesus as he rides triumphantly into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, with palm branches laid before him, and…

Dear Peace Family and Friends, They say there are lots of “springs” in Minnesota – early spring, fake spring, deceptive spring, disappointing spring, and then… finally… SPRING! After last weekend’s blizzard that shut us down for worship, I’m hoping that spring actually does arrive soon, since this weekend does actually mean that spring has arrived, at least on the calendar! Since I will be out in California this week visiting my family, we will have a special guest leading worship…

After all the events of the past few weeks with a visit from Bishop Jen Nagel, Pastor Jen Collins from the Synod Office, and Joe Sullivan from the ELCA Foundation, this Sunday morning we’ll return to a bit of a “quieter” routine. Worship will begin at 9:30am, followed by Sunday School and fellowship at 10:45 am. This Sunday, we’ll hear a story about Jesus talking with an “outcast” woman, and discover what happens when we put people in stereotyped boxes.…

Dear Peace Family and Friends, Two weeks ago, we had a visit with Bishop Jen Nagel who walked through our Ministry Site Profile with us. This past Sunday, Pastor Jen Collins (Assistant to the Bishop) joined us for worship and then met with the Call Committee to talk about what to expect in the next steps. She will be returning at the end of next month to bring the names of prospective candidates. I simply want to mention this because…

Dear Peace Members and Friends, Last Sunday during the Adult Forum, Bishop Jen Nagel led the congregation through a conversation about our current transition and the calling of Peace’s next pastor. This Sunday, Pastor Jen Collins with join us for worship and then meet with the Call Committee about what that next pastor might look like. You can read more details about this process in the Call Process Update below, so I’ll simply ask you to keep it all in…

Dear Friends of Peace, The Bishop is coming! The Bishop is coming! Yes, this Sunday, Bishop Jen Nagel of the Mpls Area Synod will be joining us during Adult Education to discuss the next steps in the search for Peace Lutheran’s next pastor. The work of our Church Council, Transition Team, and Congregation as a whole has reached a milestone with the completion of our Ministry Site Profile, and Bishop Nagel will join us for a conversation about the next…

Dear Friends of Peace, At our Annual Meeting last Sunday, we gathered to elect council members, pass the budget, and look back at the past year. More importantly, however, we looked at the coming year and discussed how best to line up our vision with God’s vision. Thanks to all who contributed to the discussion, as well as those who have been participating in our congregational work regarding the surveys, the listening sessions, and the broad transitional conversation. Now that…

Dear Friends of Peace, Our Annual Meeting will be held this Sunday morning right after worship. When we gather, it will be a time to reflect on where we have been this past year, and it will be a time to consider where we are going. And we’ll have that conversation in the midst of the “creative tension” between past and present during this interim time between pastors. In light of that, here is a picture of the statue of…

Dear Friends, There is currently much conflict taking place in the streets, businesses, and schools of our community, and we are called to respond in the name of Christ. If you’re reading this on the Friday that it’s being sent, then you should know that you are invited to our “Peace Lutheran Day of Prayer” that’s taking place TODAY from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The sanctuary is open, prayer resources have been set out, and we’ll have coffee and refreshments available…