Blogs And Devotionals (Page 6)
CYF Blast November 14, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, This Sunday is Stewardship Sunday. And as I reflect on my personal and our communal stewardship of time, talents, and resources, one of my favorite aspects of our Sunday morning church services happens during the offering—it’s the children’s offering. Each week it is a delight to see the children come forward to participate in this great act of generosity. Always with smiles on their faces, they joyfully bring gifts forward that glorify God–gifts that…
E-note November 8, 2024
Dear Peace Members and Friends, I was reminded Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, as the election results came in, of sports announcer Jim McKay’s famous line accompanying the ski jumper falling off the end of the jump; the line that opened ABC’s Wide World of Sports when I was growing up: “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” For those who are relieved about the election outcomes and those who grieve about them, one thing remains true: We believe…
CYF Blast November 7, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, This past weekend we observed All Saints Sunday. It is a day in which we honor all the saints—past, present, and future—by remembering the dead and celebrating the baptized. And as Lutherans, we have a unique understanding of sainthood. While Catholics venerate exceptional individuals who have performed miracles or done amazing things with their lives, as Lutherans we believe that every person is a saint. Because it’s in the waters of baptism that we are sealed by the…
E-note November 1, 2024
Dear Peace Members and Friends, First of all, don’t forget that daylight saving time ends on Sunday. So remember to turn your clocks back on Sunday or just remember that they do it all by themselves! Here’s one reason why: you want to be rested and ready for Sunday morning. It’s All Saint’s Sunday! The day is not as big a blip on the calendar as Halloween or Election Day, but it is a significant day for Christians, even so. If Halloween is masks-on day then…
CYF Blast October 31, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Thanks to everyone who came out for this year’s Trunk or Treat event on Sunday! I was so grateful to everyone who hosted trunks and for the top-notch hospitality and creativity you all showed. This event truly would not be possible without you—kids, parents, trunk hosts, community members, and everything in between—and I’m so grateful to you all for your help in making it happen. The love of God was most certainly shared! Additionally, while we celebrated…
E-note October 25, 2024
Dear Peace Members and Friends, Sunday is Reformation Sunday beginning with worship (9:30am). While other Protestants join in, the day is a particularly Lutheran celebration which commemorates the witness of Martin Luther, the beginnings of an historical movement that swept Europe and changed the western Church—all are important and all have influenced us. Nevertheless, they are not the center of gravity for Lutherans. There is something else at the core of the Reformation that changed us then….. and still does.…
CYF Blast October 24, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Over the last two weeks, students in Confirmation and Sunday School have been working on a service project—making care cards to send to Peace’s college students around the country. It was very impressive how intentional the students were while making their cards, and the kind and encouraging notes they wrote inside are super uplifting. Having spoken with our college students over the last several years, I know that they will really appreciate receiving the…
E-note October 18, 2024
Dear Peace Members and Friends, As I write this, I’m looking out on a beautiful fall day. I hope all of you are pausing a moment to take it all in! I’m looking forward to this Sunday! In worship (9:30am), we’ll hear a powerful Gospel. Jesus’ disciples are obsessing about who will be closest to Jesus, leading Jesus to teach them and us something about God’s take on importance and power. What makes us great in God’s eyes? I’ll talk…
CYF Blast October 17, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Last week, I was invited to speak with the retired principals of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association (MESPA) on the subject of teen mental health. Having served for decades in public school systems, this group of principals shared my concern and care for students and their wellbeing. There are many biological (genetic), psychological (chemical imbalances in the brain), and environmental (experiences of trauma) factors that can cause mental health issues. In fact, 1/5…
E-note October 11, 2024
Dear Peace Members and Friends, Before I get to this Sunday’s worship and activities, I want to remind you of the aftermath of both of the recent hurricanes in our nation’s southeast. Yesterday, I spoke with Peace members who winter in Florida, and they came through okay, other than they expect the electrical power to be out for days (3-4?). Still, while Milton and Helene have passed through, devastation remains. What can we do? First, pray for all those who have lost so much. Second, you can…
CYF Blast October 10, 2024
Dear Families and Friends of Peace, Why does the Church matter? What makes it relevant and important for us—2000 years after the time of Jesus? Our middle school students were invited to wonder about these questions last week as we discussed the Early Church and the New Testament. And while younger generations continue to be questioned—overly and unfairly—about their engagement in the church, they continue to show that God’s Spirit is alive and active within them. According to our students,…
E-note October 4, 2024
Peace Members and Friends, This was an energizing week at Peace! Wednesday Bible studies, Confirmation studies, and Choir are in full swing. A group gathered to make quilts. Older adults met here at church for lunch and fellowship. Plans are being made for welcoming new members in October and, further out, for some of the biggest occasions of the year; Reformation and All Saints Sundays, Advent, and Christmas. Through all these events and plans life is given and life is…