Good News for Peace April 25

Hello friends of Jesus and Peace

A little bit of Friday shenanigans…. don’t take it too seriously :-)

Christian Theology (Doctrine)

But seriously,…

Christians have a rich history of amazing teaching from Jesus and the apostles that help us think about better about life. This summer, I’m going to offer three quick classes to take your understand of Christian theology or doctrine to the next level.

These summer classes are planned for busy young adults and adults who know the basics of the Christian faith and want to take their understanding to the next level. Please be sure to go through a basic instruction course such as catechism first.

Class dates are June 15, July 20, and August 17. Class will run from 9:30 to 12:00. Childcare can be available.

You should obtain either Grace Abounds https://online.nph.net/grace-abounds.html by Daniel Deutschlander or God So Loved the World https://online.nph.net/god-so-loved-the-world.html by Lyle Lange before the class begins. If you need help with that, please contact Pastor.

Look forward to studying with you!

End of year student recognition and celebration

Our students will wrap up their Sunday morning classes May 26th. We’ll have a recognition, lunch, and celebration. Church will provide hot dogs and hamburgers. Sign up here to bring something to share! https://www.PerfectPotluck.com/DOKN3083

 

Thanks for coming to movie night

Thanks to all the friends who joined us for movie night. We had a nice time with you!

Youth Rally offering

If you didn’t get a chance to participate in the door offering last week, it will be available again this week. You are not being asked to give again.

June 25-28 students from all over the United States will gather in Colorado for worship, Bible study, discipleship, prayer, encouragement, and fun. More than 2,000 high school students are expected to come and celebrate God’s amazing mountaintop messages together.

Peace has a few students who would like to go, and we’d like to encourage and support them. The council has decided to gather a door offering so that people can support them as they’d like.

Piano recital

Noah Szczembara and fellow students are offering a piano recital May 11th @ 2:00 p.m. You are all welcome to attend.

Facility Use

Need space for your party this summer? Peace’s facility is available for graduations, baby showers, family reunions, parties, and a host of other gatherings. Contact church@peaceotsego.org or 269-694-6104

Calendar

May 2nd 6:30 pm Christianity Explored

May 4th 9:30 am Spring Work Day https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f3XjLUQ_WrwlqDg7K9BX4xW371Q7-tK1CERvBavqipk/edit?usp=sharing

May 7th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

June 1st 9:30 am Evangelism workshop

June 2nd 9:30 am End of year celebration

June 15th 9:30 am Christian Theology class #1

June 15th WELS Taste of Missions https://tasteofmissions.com/

July 30th WELS Worship Conference https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/welsworshipconference







Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org

Good News for Peace April 20

Hello friends of Jesus and Peace

 
 

Confirmation this week

I'm excited for our Sunday gathering this week. Lillianne Larson plans to publicly profess faith in Jesus as her Savior and Lord. We the people of Peace will get to confirm that she has heard God's Word and that she has received the gift of faith and the Holy Spirit. I'm excited to publicly welcome Lillianne! After the service, we'll gather for cake!

I invite you to bring Lillianne a card or another token of encouragement to remember this day.

See you Sunday at 9:30!

Read through God’s Word before you come, Acts 20:28-32, 1 John 4:1-6, and John 10:11-18.

Lawnmower coordinator

Joe Olivares is serving as lawnmower coordinator this year. Have questions or want to sign up for a week? Reach out to him please at (269) 365-1160.

Road to Emmaus

We are having Movie Night on April 26th at 6:30pm! Come for a great movie, “The Road to Emmaus”, with pizza and popcorn. Then we will travel on that road with a cake walk game. Win wonderful goodies and see the promises of our Lord. Invite your friends! Jesus has commissioned each of us to spread His word. Looking forward to getting together with you and those you invite to join us. We will be needing donations of cakes, cookies, and candies, etc. for the game. Please bring them on Friday the 26th.

https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/roadtoemmaus

Christian Theology (Doctrine)

  1. The idea that there is one God is called ___________.

  2. Agree or disagree: Humans are thoroughly corrupt; on our own, we cannot do anything that is truly good and right.

  3. True or False: Faith saves.

  4. Explain what will happen at the end of the world.

How did you do on our little quiz?

Christians have a rich history of amazing teaching from Jesus and the apostles that help us think about better about life. This summer, I’m going to offer three quick classes to take your understand of Christian theology or doctrine to the next level.

These summer classes are planned for busy young adults and adults who know the basics of the Christian faith and want to take their understanding to the next level. Please be sure to go through a basic instruction course such as catechism first.

Class dates are June 15, July 20, and August 17. Class will run from 9:30 to 12:00. Childcare can be available.

You should obtain either Grace Abounds https://online.nph.net/grace-abounds.html by Daniel Deutschlander or God So Loved the World https://online.nph.net/god-so-loved-the-world.html by Lyle Lange before the class begins. If you need help with that, please contact Pastor.

Look forward to studying with you!
Outdoor services

Peace will offer and enjoy services in the great outdoors this summer.

Outdoor services will be at least the first Sunday of the month: June 2, July 7, August 4, and September 1. We’re looking to add more services on the third Sunday of the month.

Invite your friends to enjoy these wonderful services!

Youth Rally offering

June 25-28 students from all over the United States will gather in CO for worship, Bible study, discipleship, prayer, encouragement, and fun. More than 2,000 high school students are expected to come and celebrate God’s amazing mountaintop messages together.

Peace has a few students who would like to go, and we’d like to encourage and support them. The council has decided to take a door offering for them. You’re invited to give an offering so they can travel. The entire trip costs almost $1000 per students.

May God bless these students with true faith and love for him and others.

WELS Worship Conference: “Sing to the Lord a New Song”

Save the date for the 2024 National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts, held July 30-August 2, 2024, at Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis. The worship conference offers something for everyone. It’s not only for pastors and musicians but also for lay people who love worship and want to encourage worship enrichment in their congregations.

The theme of the conference is Sing a New Song to the Lord. While the song of the gospel is always new, this conference will make extensive use of new songs from the 2021 WELS hymnal and beyond.

Online registration runs through July 21. Early-bird rates are until April 30. Regular conference rate is May 1-July 21. Learn more at https://welsworshipconference.net

Calendar

April 26th 6:30 pm “Road to Emmaus” movie and cakewalk at Peace https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/roadtoemmaus

April 27th 9:00 am Lutheran Women's Missionary Society Spring Rally @ Peace Lutheran Church in Granger, Indiana

May 4th 9:30 am Spring Work Day https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f3XjLUQ_WrwlqDg7K9BX4xW371Q7-tK1CERvBavqipk/edit?usp=sharing

May 7th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

July 30th WELS Worship Conference https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/welsworshipconference



Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org

WELS Worship Conference: Sing to the Lord a New Song

WELS Worship Conference: Sing to the Lord a New Song

“Sing to the Lord a New Song”

Save the date for the 2024 National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts, held July 30-August 2, 2024, at Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis. The worship conference offers something for everyone. It’s not only for pastors and musicians but also for lay people who love worship and want to encourage worship enrichment in their congregations.

The theme of the conference is Sing a New Song to the Lord. While the song of the gospel is always new, this conference will make extensive use of new songs from the 2021 WELS hymnal and beyond.

Online registration runs through July 21. Early-bird rates are until April 30. Regular conference rate is May 1-July 21. Learn more at https://welsworshipconference.net

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org

"Road to Emmaus" movie night

"Road to Emmaus" movie night

“Road to Emmaus”

We are having movie night on April 26th at 6:30pm!

Come for a great movie, “The Road to Emmaus”, with pizza and popcorn. Then we will travel on that road with a cake walk game. Win wonderful goodies, and see the promises of our Lord. Invite your friends! Jesus has commissioned each of us to spread His word.

Looking forward to getting together with you and those you invite to join us. We will be needing donations of cakes, cookies, and candies, etc. for the game. Please bring them on Friday the 26th.

Location: Peace Lutheran Church, 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI

Time: April 26th 6:30 pm

Cost: Free. No tickets or sign up required. Just show up! Donations welcome at the door.

Contact: For more info, contact church@peaceotsego.org or 269-694-6104

To see more on the movie, visit https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org

Good News for Peace April 12

Hello friends of Jesus and Peace

Easter

I'm glad that we got to celebrate Easter together. More than 120 of us came together to stand in humble awe of the man who rose from the dead, to bask in the light of his glory, and to revere him as the highest King and Lord of everything. Thanks to Ellise for bringing her lamb and playing; to Helga for her music; to Eric Szczembara and Tom Wright for ushering; to all the lectors on Good Friday; to Cindy Hunt, Cindy Commissaris, Frieda Walkley, Joan Retberg, and many others for food; to the choir; to Clara Timmermann for running the slides; Eda McNees; Jeanne Myers for flowers and set up; the Wedge family; and to all of you for making the celebration wonderful.

We’re basking in Resurrection REALity for the next few weeks. We have many ways to become more alive. We didn’t gather in any new people over Easter. That’s something to do. We didn’t reconnect with people who attend only once or twice a year. We need to catch them. We let a few people do a lot of the work. Let’s become alive in the one who is really alive.

Christianity Explored

Did Easter raise some questions for you? Christianity Explored now runs every Thursday night to explore Jesus and his life with you. Bring a friend to discuss the most important questions of life! 6:30 pm.

Directory

We’re updating pictures and information in our directory. Willing to share a picture? Send it to church@peaceotsego.org? Want to check your information? Visit https://peace.breezechms.com and create your own account.

Lawnmower coordinator

We’re looking for someone to help coordinate the lawn mowing around the church this summer. See here for a job description. https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/2024lawnmowercoordinator. This is volunteer work and we hope it is clear enough that someone can succeed.

Road to Emmaus

We are having Movie Night on April 26th at 6:30pm! Come for a great movie, “The Road to Emmaus”, with pizza and popcorn. Then we will travel on that road with a cake walk game. Win wonderful goodies, and see the promises of our Lord. Invite your friends! Jesus has commissioned each of us to spread His word. Looking forward to getting together with you and those you invite to join us. We will be needing donations of cakes, cookies, and candies, etc. for the game. Please bring them on Friday the 26th.

Taste of Missions

Taste of Missions is back! Every year our affiliated seminary, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. takes us on a tour of our worldwide missions. Join on-site in Mequon, WI OR online on Sat., June 15, 2024, to get a "taste of missions" no matter where you might be around the world. We're looking forward to a fun day of commissioning new missionaries in worship, trying ethnic bites, and family-friendly fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Find all the details at tasteofmissions.com.

Calendar

April 18th 6:30 pm Christianity Explored

April 19th 11:00 am Ladies Guild

April 19th 6:39 pm Bunco

April 26th 6:30 pm “Road to Emmaus” movie and cakewalk at Peace

April 27th 9:00 am Lutheran Women's Missionary Society Spring Rally @ Peace Lutheran Church in Granger, Indiana

May 4th 9:30 am Spring Work Day

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org

Lawn mower coordinator

Overview

We’re looking for someone to take the lead in coordinating lawn mowers. A good person for this job will love Jesus, be committed to bringing people the gospel, want a good looking site to use as a base for ministry, and understand a little about mowing large sites.

Position

  • Volunteer lawn mower coordinator

  • Reports to pastor (no maintenance coordinator currently)

  • Flexible schedule, requires an hour on average per week for the summer

Position requirements

  • Make sure the grass gets mowed and cared for (trimmed, watered?, fertilized?) in a timely manner.

  • Able to organize people and schedule

  • Able to communicate with people about tasks and duties

Duties

  • Schedule individuals to mow the lawn as needed - phone calls, emails, texts, can use church’s volunteer scheduling software if desired

  • Train individuals to mow

  • manage schedule changes and adjustments

Good News for Peace March 23rd

Hello friends of Jesus and Peace


“Following The Footsteps”

We’ve got a chance to walk the steps of Jesus on March 24th at 3:00 pm. “Following the Footsteps” is a documentary following Jesus to the places where he walked.

The movie will play at 3:00 pm at M89 Cinema. It’s free and open to the public.

Everyone is welcome! https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/followingthefootsteps

Holy Week 2024

Palm Sunday March 24th 9:30 am entrance with palm processional

Maundy Thursday March 28th 6:30 pm with Lord’s Supper

Good Friday March 29th 6:30 pm Service of 7 Words and Darkness

Easter Sunday March 31st 9:30 am




Keeping us safe - fire extinguishers

It’s a little thing. You might have noticed new fire extinguishers around our place. We’re doing our best to keep us safe with new models and new locations.

Big thanks to Jim Winkel for taking care of this project for us!

Lawnmower coordinator

We’re looking for someone to help coordinate the lawn mowing around the church this summer.

OVERVIEW

We’re looking for someone to take the lead in coordinating lawn mowers. A good person for this job will love Jesus, be committed to bringing people the gospel, want a good looking site to use as a base for ministry, and understand a little about mowing large sites.

POSITION

Volunteer lawn mower coordinator

Reports to pastor (no maintenance coordinator currently)

Flexible schedule, requires an hour on average per week for the summer

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Make sure the grass gets mowed and cared for (trimmed, watered?) in a timely manner

Able to organize people and schedule

Able to communicate with people about tasks and duties

DUTIES

Schedule individuals to mow the lawn as needed

Train individuals to mow

manage schedule changes and adjustments

Easter set up

We are setting up for Easter on March 30th at 10 am. Set up tables and chairs, prep food, change decorations (cross, tomb), put up photo spot, prep gifts, light cleaning, etc. If you can lend a hand, please come and help out.


Calendar

March 24 9:30 Palm Sunday service with palm processional

March 24 3:00 pm “Following His Footsteps” movie at M89 Cinema (no cost) https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/followingthefootsteps

March 28 6:30 Maundy Thursday

March 29 6:30 Good Friday

March 30th 10:00 am Easter set up

March 31 9:30 Easter sunday service

April 9th 7:00 pm Women’s Self-Defense class begins https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/defense

Good News for Peace March 13th

Dear friends of Jesus at Peace,

“Following The Footsteps”

We’ve got a chance to walk the steps of Jesus on March 24th at 3:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/followingthefootsteps

Holy Week 2024

Palm Sunday March 24th 9:30 am entrance with palm processional

Maundy Thursday March 28th 6:30 pm with Lord’s Supper

Good Friday March 29th 6:30 pm Service of 7 Words and Darkness

Easter Sunday March 31st 9:30 am “Resurrection Reality”

Service outline change

Service attendees will notice a small change to the service outline. We’ve added space for a connection spot. Individuals can leave a name and phone number. Pastor will follow up.

This section serves a couple of purposes:

  • first time attendees and other newer individuals can connect in an unobtrusive way. Please invite newer people around to share their information.

  • All attendees can share prayer requests and indicate that they’d like to talk to pastor.

Women’s Self-Defense Class

Peace will host a 4 week Women’s Self-Defense class beginning April 9th 7:00 pm

  • Tuesday nights

  • 7:00 - 8:15 pm

  • April 9th, April 16th, April 23rd, April 30th

  • $30

Find more and register here https://peaceotsego.org/defense

Calendar

March 14 12:00 pm Senior lunch

March 15 11:00 am Ladies Guild

March 15 6:30 pm Bunco

March 17 10:45 am Call discussion with pastor

March 24 9:30 Palm Sunday service with palm processional

March 24 3:00 pm “Following His Footsteps” movie at M89 Cinema (no cost) https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/followingthefootsteps

March 28 6:30 Maundy Thursday

March 29 6:30 Good Friday

March 31 9:30 Easter sunday!

April 9th 7:00 pm Women’s Self-Defense class begins https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/defense

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church

805 S Wilmott St

Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104

https://peaceotsego.org

"Following The Footsteps"

"Following The Footsteps"

“Following the Footsteps”

FOLLOWING the FOOTSTEPS is a non-profit, feature-length documentary film capturing the unique experience of visiting the historical sites that illuminate the life of Jesus. Join us on a journey that will change the way you see Jesus and show you how to let him shape your life.

Location: M89 Cinema, 392 Oaks Xing, Plainwell, MI 49080

Time: March 24th 3:00 pm - 4:45

Cost: Free. No tickets or sign up required. Just show up! Donations welcome at the door. Concessions will be available.

Contact: For more info, contact church@peaceotsego.org or 269-694-6104

To see more on the movie, visit https://www.followingthefootsteps.org/

Easter 2024 - Resurrection Reality!

Easter 2024 - Resurrection Reality!

Resurrection Reality!

Fake news. Media bias. AI. Virtual reality. 

What’s real? Can we trust anyone or anything? 

There is a different way to know reality. More than facts, narrative, or history. A person. 

“The resurrection of Jesus is undeniably a miracle. But it’s not a miracle that adds to the absurdity of your world. The resurrection explains what would otherwise be even more absurd. It says, “There’s expansion because there was an explosion” - the explosion of Christ bursting the bonds of death and inviting the world into his triumph. To embrace the miracle is not to embrace nonsense. In fact, it’s a way to make sense of life.

“Resurrection explains why the Jesus movement did not die when he did. Resurrection explains why the Jesus movement continued its unlikely growth through many deadly trials. Resurrection explains why the Victim has come to be Victor. Resurrection explains why, far from being a tragedy, the cross has represented healing and hope. Resurrection explains why the pattern of all great stories - and the pattern of the meaningful life - is triumph through sacrifice. Most of all, resurrection explains Jesus. It explains why the one famous for his death have been encountered by billions as the one most fully alive.

“Everyone is confronted with an absurdly improbable event: Christianity rose to life to have dominion over the world. Christians say, "We have an explanation: Christianity rose to life because Christ rose to life. And if you start leaning towards the Jesus explanation, then you can embrace the most wonderful truths:

- that the world is loved, and loved to death;

- that such love is the very essence of who God is;

- that behind the history you witness is a History Maker who can be trusted;

- that above the values you prize is a person who embodies them;

- that beneath the values you violate is the mercy to forgive you; and …

- that beyond the death you must die is the life he has pioneered: resurrection.” (Glen Scrivener, The Air We Breathe, 218-219)


Come discover a resurrection reality this Easter. Start with us before March 31st onsite or online @ https//peaceotsego.org or call to talk to a real person today 269-694-6104. 


See you for Easter service March 31st 9:30 am 


Calendar

March 29 6:30 pm Good Friday

March 31 9:30 am Resurrection Reality - Easter Sunday! 10:45 Brunch and fun

April 2 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

April 3 Studies restart

April 9th 7:00 pm Women’s Self-Defense class begins https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/defense

April 11th 6:30 pm Christianity Explored


Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church

805 S Wilmott St

Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104

https://peaceotsego.org

Good News for Peace March 4th

Soul Work: System

What system do you have for your soul? Check out this past Sunday’s sermon, share it with friends, and build the system of your soul. https://youtu.be/5kEXzMFzoWk

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Team and Task Time

Tonight, March 5th Tuesday 6:30 pm. We’re prepping for Easter. Come help!

Easter 2024 - “Resurrection Reality”

Fake news. Media bias. AI. Virtual reality. 

What’s real? Can we trust anyone or anything? 

There is a different way to know reality. More than facts, narrative, or history. A person. 

Come discover a resurrection reality this Easter. Start with us before March 31st onsite or online @ https//peaceotsego.org or call to talk to a real person today 269-694-6104. 

See you for Easter service March 31st 9:30 am 

https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/easter2024

Call and discussion

Pastor has a call to serve at New Life Lutheran Church, Rockford, IL. He will meet with you in the family center on March 17th after the service to discuss his call to Peace, answer any questions you might have, and share information.

Women’s Self-Defense Class

Peace will host a 4 week Women’s Self-Defense class beginning April 9th 7:00 pm

  • Tuesday nights

  • 7:00 - 8:15 pm

  • April 9th, April 16th, April 23rd, April 30th

  • $30

Find more and register here https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/womensselfdefense

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church

805 S Wilmott St

Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104

https://peaceotsego.org

Women's Self-Defense

Women's Self-Defense

Peace will host a 4 week Women’s Self-Defense class beginning April 9th 7:00 pm

  • Tuesday nights

  • 7:00 - 8:15 pm

  • April 9th, April 16th, April 23rd, April 30th

  • $30

Register below or at https://peace.breezechms.com/form/b49f0b

Good news for Peace February 9

 

Dear friends of Jesus at Peace,

Whether religious or irreligious, people and our systems have always insisted on putting God on trial. We judge God just as much as we sense he judges us. This culture is unhealthy, even destructive. It’s easy to treat people as enemies, to retreat from the world and life, and even to lash out in violence. How do we live as people of God in our culture today, and how do we and the systems we work in develop to be more healthy and constructive?

This series takes us back to the moments when God was literally on trial before men in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In these episodes, we find both forgiveness and faith.

We’ll have service and time for fellowship and prayer each week, starting at 6:30 p.m.

  • February 14th (Ash Wednesday) “Accusations” from Job 40:1, 2, 42:1-6

  • February 21st “Restraint” from Luke 22:47-53

  • February 28th “Truth” from John 18:33-40

  • March 6th “Sympathy” from John 23:26-34

  • March 13th “Misconceptions” from Luke 23:1-12

  • March 20th “Testimony” from Matthew 26:57-76

  • March 28th (note switch to Thursday) “Respite” from Luke 22:7-20

  • March 29th Good Friday “Evidence” from Matthew 27:38-54

  • March 31st Easter “Resurrection Reality and Vindication” from Mark 16, Matthew 28

Decisions at the voters meeting

Thank you to the members who participated in our annual voters’ meeting. Together we made some basic decisions to move our ministry forward.

  • Elected Josh Gower as vice-president and Terry Brower as elder, to serve with Charlie Kling on our council. We still have one vacant position, recording secretary.

  • Approved the removal by sale or disposal of the modular

  • Approved the purchase of a new computer to develop our livestream

  • Approved some other special purchases including a door lock, microwave, gateway, router, fire extinguishers, and a range for the parsonage. All these were purchases outside the budget that required special approval because funds are tight.

The voters’ meeting was a calm discussion of these basic questions of our ministry.

We want to keep doing good Gospel work despite the struggles, challenges, and setbacks. It is our hope in the challenges that declares the power of the cross.

An example of righteousness by faith

Is it possible to prove ourselves as good people by becoming good people?

The apostle Paul answered this question once towards the major critics of his day, the Jewish people. He used a great example: Abraham. People like a good story, and Abraham was a good story.

“The writing to the Romans advances and defends Paul’s thesis that “in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last” (Romans 1:17). God speaks and works wrath and judgment over all unrighteousness. Such unrighteousness exists whether you were a Jew who had the law or a Gentile who did not have the law, so that every person is unrighteousness and therefore naturally under wrath and judgment. God also gives righteousness through faith to all who believe.

“Paul considers Abraham in light of his thesis. Abraham seems to disprove Paul’s thesis. James summarized what Judaism thought about Abraham when he said,

“21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:21–24)”

(To read the rest of this essay, download here bibtheo-romans_04-abraham_as_an_example_of_righeousness_by_faith

Love is in the air!

Parents, we know you are so busy and you would like some time to be together. We want you to enjoy some time away.

February 18th 4:30 to 8:30 pm, we’re hosting a Parents’ Night Out. We’ll be at

St Peter’s Lutheran Church

4125 18th St

Dorr, MI 49323

6166812561

131 YouthCrew will watch kids. We’ll watch children 2 years old and up.

Kids will

  • play games

  • eat

  • learn!

Suggested donation is $5 per kid for the evening. Donations will help pay for 131 YouthCrew kids to go to this year’s rally!

Sign up below or contact 269-694-6104!

https://peace.breezechms.com/form/59acc2

Shannon Schwartz

Sue Olivares

Darlene Syers

Tom Richmond

Our new council - Josh Gower, Terry Brower

 

February ushers are Dan Doran and Eric Szczembara

Easter - Easter work is underway!

Date: March 31st

Service 9:30 a.m., lunch and celebration to follow

Theme: “Resurrection Reality” We can’t trust much of what we see and experience today. AI, fake news, and “spin” mean the facts are clouded and hidden. But the resurrection firmly grounds life. We live in a resurrection reality.

Invites: Both print and digital invites for your friends and family will be out in the next week

Easter egg hunt: Collecting candy, will take place after service

Upcoming events (full calendar)

  • February 14th 6:30 am Ash Wednesday service

  • February 16th 11:00 am Ladies Guild

  • February 16th 6:30 pm Bunco

  • February 17th 9:30 am Evangelism workshop

  • February 18th 4:30 pm Parents’ Night Out (131 YouthCrew)

  • February 21st 6:30 pm Lenten service

  • February 28th 6:30 pm Lenten service

  • March 5th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

  • March 28th 6:30 pm Maundy Thursday service

  • March 29th 6:30 pm Good Friday service

  • March 31st 9:30 am Easter service, lunch, egg hunt, celebration

 

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church

805 S Wilmott St

Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104

https://peaceotsego.org

Parents Night Out (131 YouthCrew February)

Parents Night Out (131 YouthCrew February)

Dear 131 Youth Crew, 

Love is in the air!

Parents, we know you are so busy and you would like some time to be together. We want you to enjoy some time away.

February 18th 4:30 to 8:30 pm, we’re hosting a Parents’ Night Out. We’ll be at

St Peter’s Lutheran Church

4125 18th St

Dorr, MI 49323

6166812561

131 YouthCrew will watch kids. We’ll watch children 2 years old and up.

Kids will

  • play games

  • eat

  • learn!

Suggested donation is $5 per kid for the evening. Donations will help pay for 131 YouthCrew kids to go to this year’s rally!

Sign up below or contact 269-694-6104!

https://peace.breezechms.com/form/59acc2


Can’t wait to see you!

In Jesus,
The 131 Youth Crew team - Pastor Dave Rockhoff, Principal Luke Schershel, Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann

Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/131youthcrew

Want to invite a friend or neighbor to participate? Pass on this link so they can sign up for updates! https://peace.breezechms.com/form/0e38d3

131 Youth Crew February

Dear 131 Youth Crew, 

Thanks for the winter fun. I had a great time with you Sunday. It was good to see so many of you playing together, supporting each other, and loving each other. Keep sharing the good news of Jesus!

February 18th 4:30 to 8:30 pm, we’re going to give parents a “Night Out”. Students, this is your chance to help out parents!

“Parents Night Out” we’re babysitting children 2 years old and up. Parents will have a chance to get out for a night of whatever they want.

Students, this is your chance to help out and raise some funds for the youth rally this year! We’ll play games, feed the kids, and teach them some great tricks!

We’ll watch kids at St Peter’s Lutheran Church in Dorr, MI. Please RSVP to your pastor if you’re coming.

More details to follow. Save the date and plan to meet us at St Peter’s in Dorr on February 18th!

In Jesus,
The 131 Youth Crew team - Pastor Dave Rockhoff, Principal Luke Schershel, Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann

Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/131youthcrew

Want to invite a friend or neighbor to participate? Pass on this link so they can sign up for updates! https://peace.breezechms.com/form/0e38d3

Good news for Peace January 18th

 

I'm taking stock of 2023. As we roll into the new year, I and the rest of the council summarize our 2023 ministry and then begin the process to see what to do next. Here are some highlights from 2023:

  • Our most attended service was Easter, followed shortly by Christmas Eve

  • We saw the most guests at Christmas Eve, followed by confirmation

  • We added one new musician to our team (Helga), with two others starting to join the team

  • We gave $149,xxx worth of gifts to support gospel ministry through Peace

  • Our most watched videos of the year were our Christmas invite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bCWOAxChCk, followed shortly by our service encouraging “Confess”! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2eSbiF3QkU

For more info on all the gospel work we did together this year, please join us at our annual meeting. Our 2024 meetings to review our 2023 ministry are

  • Congregational forum January 21st 10:45 am

  • Voters’ meeting January 28th 10:45 am

You are welcome to attend and provide feedback, suggestions. Our voters are expected to attend.

Notes will be posted here. https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/202401voters

Pastor T is glad to join you and lead you in God's work, help you share the gospel, and serve you with God's Word. If you would like prayers, would like to study God’s Word more carefully, or want to share the gospel with others, please reach out to him. We’re glad to do God’s work together!

Christianity Explored

The gospel is so much better than we could ever imagine.

The next session of our group to explore the basics of the gospel and God’s Word so that we can follow Jesus will start January 22nd at 6:30 pm.

This group is eight weeks and provides all the information you need to get to know the gospel.

If you have any questions, please contact the office 269-694-6104 or church@peaceotsego.org

If you are interested in joining Peace Lutheran Church, this is the place to start.

The 8 sessions cover

  1. Gospel

  2. Identity

  3. Sin

  4. The cross and suffering

  5. Resurrection and life

  6. Grace and forgiveness

  7. Following Jesus

  8. God’s gifts

You can let me know you’re coming by signing up below or contacting me at 269-694-6104.

Financial Peace

Get peace of mind as you start 2024. Be financially solvent without financially focused.

Financial Peace helps us

  • defeat debt

  • overcome inflation

  • and forge a new future.

Join us for a high speed session of Financial Peace at Peace Lutheran Church.

  • Saturday February 10th 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

  • Sunday February 11th 12:30 - 3:30 pm

Childcare, snacks, and lunch will be provided.

You can let me know you’re coming or sign up below!

131 YouthCrew Tubing

January 21st 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. we’re tubing at Timber Ridge. Students 6th grade to senior in high school welcome!

Dinner and study after 5:00 at Peace. Be done at 6:00.

Cost is only $25 with a group over 20 so bring your friends and we’ll have a great time! Please register with your pastor by January 15 because we have to save spots.

Look forward to some winter fun with you.

In Jesus,
The 131 Youth Crew team - Pastor Dave Rockhoff, Principal Luke Schershel, Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann

Shannon Schwartz

Sue Olivares

Darlene Syers

Tom Richmond

Danny Bosch

 

January ushers are Dan Doran and Josh Gower

February ushers are Dan Doran and Eric Szczembara

Giving statements are in mailboxes on site. Please pick them up if you can. Offering envelopes are there for those who use them.

Easter Team - I know it’s early, but it’s time to get ready for sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. Pastor is putting together a team. Here are some things to help with: prayer team, invites, meal, decorating, service, egg hunt. We’d love to have your help with any and all of this. Get ahold of pastor and I can get you on the team!


Nominations

We’re currently considering individuals to help the congregation carry out its mission.

Paul and Barnabas did this work as they traveled around according to Acts 14:23, “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” Paul told Titus to do this in Crete when he worked there. “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5) From the Bible, we learn …

  • to have local elders or leaders of various sorts

  • Elders, deacons and other ministry workers should come from the local group. Every church should have people who can use God’s Word in people’s lives, whether they help students, young adults, or seniors. God’s people work together.

  • People mature in the Word should select the next generation. Many people should have involvement.

  • Selecting leaders happens alongside spiritual practices – prayer, fasting, careful assessment of what is undone, and discipline

Currently our nominating committee is seeking qualified men for certain positions. If they contact you, please prayerfully consider serving and contact pastor.

The people of Peace are also welcome to make nominations. Please contact pastor or our congregational chairman. You may nominate yourself if you would like. 

We will look for people who show signs of gifts and developing spiritual maturity to lead God’s people. The use of individual gifts is more important than simply filling a role.

One person provided some wise advice for selecting leaders: “Most churches make the mistake of electing the competent, the confident, and the successful; whereas what you really need is a man who has been broken by the knowledge of his own sin, and restored by an even greater knowledge of grace. That kind of elder (or other leader) can lead the congregation in being the chief repenter: repenting more quickly, more publicly, more often and more deeply.” Please pray for all the current and future servant-leaders of Peace.

Qualifications for our elected positions are as follows:

  • Must not be a new convert; some spiritual maturity

  • Voting member

  • Male, in good standing

Positions open for nomination

For the 2024 calendar year, the following positions are open for nomination:

  • Vice-president/treasurer - responsible for oversight of the facility and finances, fills in for president

  • Elder (1-3) - responsible for spiritual health of the congregation

  • Secretary - responsible for records and legal standing of the congregation

We’d love to partner with you in any of these areas. For the whole team, visit Team – Peace Lutheran Church (peaceotsego.church)

Christian Neighbors

We made some good progress on Christian Neighbors in 2023!

Christian Neighbors provides professional, thoughtful, appropriate assistance for people of Otsego - Plainwell. Unlike most assistance organizations, Christian Neighbors is supported through donations. When it comes to food, they primarily rely on local congregations.

Thank you for your donations. They make a huge difference.

Total donations for 2023 were 618 items, up 6% from 583 in 2022. Great work and thank you!


Upcoming events (full calendar)

  • January 21st 10:45 Congregational Forum

  • January 21st 3:00 pm 131 YouthCrew tubing

  • January 22nd 9:00 am Facility work time

  • January 22nd 6:30 pm Christianity Explored

  • January 28th 10:45 Voters’ meeting

  • February 10th 9:30 am Financial Peace https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/financialpeace2024winter

  • February 17th 9:30 Evangelism workshop

 

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church

805 S Wilmott St

Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104

https://peaceotsego.org

Voters' meeting notes January 2024

 

Hello friends of Peace,

Our annual voters’ meeting will take place on January 28th at 10:45 am. All members are welcome to attend; voting members should attend.

Voting members will conduct the business.

Voting members are those who have signed the constitution prior to the meeting. Please speak with Pastor if you need to do so.

You can participate in the meeting on-site or online https://v.ringcentral.com/join/273136645.

 

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us Know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church

805 S Wilmott St

Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104

https://peaceotsego.org

131 Youth Crew January

131 Youth Crew January

Dear 131 Youth Crew, 

It’s time for some winter fun!

January 21st 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. we’re tubing at Timber Ridge. Students 6th grade to senior in high school welcome!

Dinner and study after 5:00 at Peace. Be done at 6:00.

Cost is only $25 with a group over 20 so bring your friends and we’ll have a great time! Please register with your pastor by January 15 because we have to save spots.

Look forward to some winter fun with you.

In Jesus,
The 131 Youth Crew team - Pastor Dave Rockhoff, Principal Luke Schershel, Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann

Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/131youthcrew

Want to invite a friend or neighbor to participate? Pass on this link so they can sign up for updates! https://peace.breezechms.com/form/0e38d3


Good news for Peace December 20

 

Merry Christmas!

We hope you and your loved ones have a very Merry Christmas.

I hope you have a happy Christmas - meaningful gifts, some cookies, a good drink, food you like, a night with people you love, and a bonus at work - that would cover it.

But life is full of things that no amount of effort, money, time, or success on our part can change. A war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, inflation, sickness and disease, family conflict, and social struggles.

These are all things that only good news can change.

Lets find great joy because of truly good news this Christmas.

Candlelight Christmas Eve services December 24th @ 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

All events on-site and online at https://peaceotsego.org/worship

Christmas Day service December 25th 9:30 am


Share your Christmas prayer requests and invite friends to know joy https://fb.me/e/2zAw7njcw

Watch for Christmas updates at
https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/christmas2023

Darlene Syers

Sharing of the Christmas message

 
 

Thank you to everyone who got the gifts back for the giving tree. I’m encouraged by your generosity!

Tree of Warmth

The tree of warmth is again functioning this year. Through the tree of warmth, we collect items to keep individuals warm.

Items from the tree are donated to Dix Street Elementary, Gilkey Elementary, Washington Street Elementary, and the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.

This year we are especially focusing on

  • gloves! very low on gloves - both kids and men’s. Not women’s

  • hats

  • coats - new or lightly used

  • men’s and women’s underwear, all sizes

P.S. Have an acquaintance who needs hats, gloves, scarves, etc? Take some from the tree!

Please return items by January 7th.

Offering envelopes

for 2024 are available in your boxes. Please pick them up at your convenience.

December ushers are Pete Weyenberg and Ron Miller

Upcoming events (full calendar)

  • December 20th 11:00 Christian funeral of Jerry Koenig

  • December 24th 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve services

  • December 25th 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day service

  • December 25th - January 1st office closed

  • January 7th groups and studies restart

  • January 22nd 6:30 pm Christianity Explored

  • February 10th 9:30 am Financial Peace https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/financialpeace2024winter

 

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving

Peace Lutheran Church

805 S Wilmott St

Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104

https://peaceotsego.org

Financial Peace Winter 2024

Financial Peace Winter 2024

Last chance to fix your finances before the winter (and Christmas season!)

Financial Peace helps us

  • defeat debt

  • overcome inflation

  • and forge a new future.

Join us for a high speed session of Financial Peace at Peace Lutheran Church.

  • Saturday February 10th 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

  • Sunday February 11th 12:30 - 3:30 pm

Childcare, snacks, and lunch will be provided.

You can sign up below.