Dear friends of Peace,
News Edition For Sunday October 11, 2026
Lessons this week: Isaiah 25: 6-9, Romans 1:16-17, Matthew 22: 1-14
Songs this week: “His Robes for Mine”,“Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness”, “Lord, When Your Glory I Shall See”,“ Glory Be to God On High”
Service Setting 1
Sunday Service 11:00 am
The Beginning of the End- It’s time to
The cartoon character holds a sign saying, “The End Is Near.” For Christians, this is not a message of fear. Instead, it is a message of watchful hope. Scripture teaches that the End Times began with Christ’s first coming, especially his death and resurrection. Christ will come again on judgment day. Now we live in that in-between time, when salvation has been won, but full glory is still to come. It’s the beginning of the end.
Jesus himself makes clear that no one knows the day or hour of his return. This uncertainty is not meant to trouble us, but to keep us spiritually awake. Each day becomes an opportunity to live in repentance and faith, turning from sin and trusting fully in Christ’s finished work for us. Our preparation for the end is not about trying to predict signs or earn God’s favor. Instead, it is about remaining rooted in Jesus: hearing the Word, receiving the sacraments, and trusting the
promises of forgiveness. These are God’s ways of keeping us ready. “The Beginning of the End” reminds us that history is moving toward our own death and toward Christ’s return. For believers, that end is truly a beginning.
Invite the Unworthy
Don’t you hate it when someone has prepared an excellent meal, but travel delays mean that certain friends or relatives don’t get to enjoy it? Sometimes there are no leftovers, and an opportunity is lost.
God has prepared an extraordinary spiritual meal for all people. It is received by faith. But it is not offered forever. The day will come when body and soul are separated, and those who do not believe in Jesus as their Savior will not share in his blessings. It’s the beginning of the end. Now is the time to issue the invitation!
Mission Together Meeting:
Thank you to everyone who came to the Mission Together meeting on Tuesday. 44 Members of Peace were able to join in person or online. There were 35 individuals from neighboring congregations that joined us as well. If you have comments about the meeting or thoughts whether we should move forward or not, please share those with Josh Gower or Terry Brower in the next week or two. The council will be discussing it and consulting with Pastor Prange concerning next steps in the coming weeks.
Portage Invitational Cross Country Meet
The Portage Invitational Cross Country Meet is being held Saturday, October 10th at West Middle School less than a mile from St James Lutheran Church. For many years, St. James has parked cars in their lot and on their grass for the meet and used the proceeds both for budgetary purposes in house and to support community projects.
Last year, St James was able to donate about $4,000 to Twelve Baskets Food Pantry in Portage. This year, St. James will be giving the proceeds to Peace to support our work of bringing the gospel to our community. Additional volunteers are welcome (though not required to receive their assistance) to help at St. James any portion that you might be able to help from 8 AM until around 3 PM. Lunch is also served for those who are there over the lunch hour.
Speak with Pastor Rau for more information.
Christian Neighbors
Total donations for the year are 276 items. Thank you, these food items have blessed many families in our community, let's keep it going. For the month of October the need is Ramen Noodles! So far this month we have 9 items donated.
Volunteers Needed for October and November:
Sign up sheets are located on the welcome table. Please let me know if you need help!
The Christmas parade commitment is as fellows:
Prep: setting up cones, and security tape (4-people)
Drag cones out just pass parking spots
Stretch tape across the Allegan, Farmer street intersection immediately at 5:45 pm
Cones and tape at the Fair, Allegan Street intersection
5:40 pm volunteers arrive and split up parade starts at 6:00 pm
Then clean up set up items
A look ahead:
Oct 10- 8:00 am-3:00 pm St. James's parking car for Cross Country Meet (want to help?)
Oct 11- 11:00 am Sunday Service
Oct 16th - 11:00 am Ladies Guild
Oct 16th- 6:30 pm Bunco
Oct 17th - 9:00 am Women’s Rally at St. James (please call St. James office 269-327-4980 and let them know you will attend)
Oct 18th - 11:00 am Sunday Service
Oct 25th - 11:00 am Sunday Service
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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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
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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