Blogs And Devotionals (Page 10)
E-note March 7, 2025
Dear Peace Members and Friends, Just a reminder: clocks jump ahead one hour early Sunday morning! On Ash Wednesday we began the season of Lent. Many see this season in the church as year as a grim, merely-to-be-endured time in the church year and understandably so. Lent begins with ashes on our foreheads, reminding us of life’s limits….and our own. Yet that’s exactly why I also see Lent as an opportunity not to be missed; a time to reflect, to…
3/6/25 Daily Lenten Devotional
Psalm 51:1-17 1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4Against you, you alone, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. 5Indeed, I was born…
CYF Blast March 6, 2025
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Last night we observed Ash Wednesday by confessing our sin, wearing ashes on our foreheads, and having holy communion together. It was wonderful to see the many families and kids who came to Peace despite the snowy start to the day! Onto other news….we currently have 3 registrations open for you to take advantage of! We look forward to seeing you this Sunday! Daina
3/5/25 Daily Lenten Devotional
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 1Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—2a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains, a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come. 12Yet even now, says…
E-note February 28, 2025
Dear Peace Members and Friends, This past Sunday we bid “Farewell and Godspeed” to Pastor Joe, who resigned as our Associate Pastor and now will be “taking some time to spend with my family as we consider and discern next calls and opportunities.” We wish him well! And now this puts Peace in a bit of a transition. The mythical Roman god Janus was said to have been “two faced.” The god had one face with which to look backward…
CYF Blast February 27, 2025
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, A change is in the air. Literally. The days are getting longer and the mild-for-Minnesota weather has us all thinking about spring. With that, Lent is right around the corner. In fact, next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday with worship at 6:30pm. You may be wondering if this service is appropriate for children? (And Good Friday for that matter too.) Pastor Mark writes….Is Ash Wednesday “appropriate” for children? Yes! Let me share a reminder and…
E-note february 21, 2015
Dear Peace Members and Friends, I know a couple who has a running argument—discussion—on how to say good-bye, say after an evening in someone’s home. He decides when it’s time to go, saying, “Well, this has been wonderful and we wish we could stay, but it’s late and we should be going” and then moves toward the door. She sits there. She knows that it’s late. She wants to go, too. But she feels it’s rude to get up and…
E-Note February 14, 2025
Dear Peace Members and Friends, Happy Valentine’s Day! This is the day that the church celebrates the memory of a saint who fell in love. Let me take a few moments and tell about St. Valentine. Valentine lived back in the 3rd century and was either a priest or bishop from Rome. At that time, it was illegal for Christians to worship in public. Many got arrested, simply for believing in Jesus. Valentine would visit Christians who were in prison.…
E-Note February 7, 2025
Dear Peace Members and Friends, We had a good annual meeting last Sunday! Among other church matters, ministry reports were presented, gratitude to many was offered, a budget was passed for 2025 (totaling $776,546), new council members elected (Robin Kennedy, Michelle Stockinger, and Tom Tisthammer), and there was good conversation. My thanks to everyone who attended! Beginning this Sunday, I’ll be taking some vacation time with my wife, Marcie. Meanwhile, the season of Epiphany continues in worship. Pastor Joe will…
E-Note January 31, 2025
Dear Peace Members and Friends, Last Sunday in the Adult Education Hour, we previewed Sunday’s annual meeting and then met in small groups to talk about ministry at Peace. I was reminded once again of how faithful and talented our congregation is, and how joyful it is when God’s people gather together! So it’s all the more reason to look forward to the annual meeting of our congregation on Sunday at 10:45am in the sanctuary. This meeting is an opportunity…
E-Note January 24, 2025
Dear Peace Members and Friends, I wonder if, before you read the rest of my note, you would pause to pray for two groups; for all who remain affected by the wildfires in California, including the firefighters, and also all those in Israel/Palestine; giving thanks for the truce and praying for all those who are just beginning to recover from that long and horrible conflict. Thank you. So why do people come to worship? There are all sorts of answers…