Dear friends of Peace,
News Edition For Sunday of August 2, 2026
Lessons this week: 1 Kings 17:1-6, Ephesians 1:3-10, Matthew 14: 13-21
Songs this week: God Himself Be for Me, God Is the Strength of My Hear, Be Still, My Soul, It Is Well with My Soul
Service Sunday 11:30 am
What Makes Christians Different?
The Bible says Christians are different. Christians are people who believe in Jesus as their Savior. But they often look the same as those who do not believe in Jesus. How are Christians different? The answer is often something internal, attitudes or perspectives that come only from the work of the Holy Spirit in Word and sacrament. Ultimately, Christians are people who run to Christ for forgiveness because they have failed to live perfect lives. As we receive the mercy of Christ, it moves us to strive with all our being to do all the things
that Jesus says Christians do, things that make Christians different.
Christians Trust God to Provide
The hardest times to trust God are the times we need him most. It’s easier to trust God when your job is going great, your health is fine, your relationships are fine, and your family is good. It’s easier to trust God when the sun is shining, but what happens when your life is suddenly overshadowed by dark days?
When tragedy strikes, we may wonder if God continues to care for us. At those times, Christians do not despair like those who have no hope. Instead, Christians focus on certain foundational facts. We are chosen and adopted as God’s dear children. God provides us innumerable spiritual blessings and promises us an eternity of peace and joy. If we recognize those spiritual blessings, how can we doubt that God will give us everything we truly need at the right time? Christians trust God to provide.
Voters Meeting August 2nd : Over the past month there has been conversations and interest in discussing joint ministry with Portage. After talking with Pastor Simms it was suggested that we vet this option before making another call. With this in mind, the council has decided to hold off on making a call this Sunday and have a voters meeting instead. At Sunday’s meeting we will be discussing what a ministry might look like, and whether Peace is interested in continuing discussions/pursuing this option. We will not be making any final decisions at Sunday’s meeting, only whether we want to continue looking into this option or not.
Please plan to attend as every voice matters!
Seeking a Committee to Plan a 75 Years of Peace Celebration
What is something special we could do for the community to commemorate 75 years of "The People of Peace Bring the Gospel to Otsego"?
Brainstorming Session...
Potluck, cook out, or just cake, Games, Choir, Photo Wall, Decorations,
Please join the committee to help plan. Sunday, August 9th at 11 am everyone is welcome.
Connecting with People of Peace and the Community :
Christian Neighbors:
Food Pantry needs for July is Ramen Noodles
Thank you again for continuing to show God’s love to others.
Benevolent Fund: What is the benevolent fund? It is a dedicated pool of money set aside by the church to help provide short term emergency financial assistance to people experiencing hardships. If you would like to give a financial gift please put it in an envelope marked “benevolence fund” in the offering basket.
Volunteers sign ups:
To sign up for volunteer opportunities please let Shelly Wedge know what you would like to sign up for and I will send you an emailed invitation. Open the link and it will take you directly to the calendar to sign up. You can select more than one date at a time.
Click the date on the calendar you desire and then click the submit at the bottom of the page.
Here is a list of volunteer opportunities;
Mowing and string timing (make sure to scroll all the way down the calendar until you get to the string timing section if you would only to sign up for just timmer),
Geeters: Hold doors open before service (commitment level 15 minutes before service)
Church Cleaning: (commitment level 20-30 minutes, done anytime during the week before sunday service.) We only need 2 people a month as we have a cleaning service come in every other week.
Slides: Ellise and Shelly would be happy to show you how to do the slides, and set with you as you learn if you are interested. (commitment level 20 mins before and after service.)
A look ahead: Aug 2nd 11:30 am Sunday Service
Aug 2nd 12:45pm Voters Meeting Aug 4th 10-11am Coffee and Crafts
Aug 9th 11:30am Sunday Service Aug 16th 11:30 am Sunday Service
Pastor Rau will be on vacation the 1st week of August if there is a pastoral emergency you can still reach out to him, and he will make arrangements for someone to visit with you.
May God be at work among the people of Peace and our gospel ministry as we listen to him and follow him! Assistant Administrator at Peace Lutheran Church, Shelly Wedge
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Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting reach out to our interim Pastor David Rau (ST.James Portage) at pastor@stjamesportage.org or 262-325-9355
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