Peace Lutheran Church

We Are Serving the Meals for the Women and Children at the Transitional Living Center This Weekend

Saturday May 3rd is our day to serve the people living in the Transitional Living Center.  At this time there are twelve adults and eight children living in the shelter. We are grateful that Elsie Goulding and Elaine Sherry volunteered to coordinate the delivery of food this month. If you would like to contribute money or food to the effort please call them.

Matthew 25:34-46 [show]Matthew 25:34-46 [34]Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35]For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36]I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' [37]Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38]And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39]And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' [40]And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,(1) you did it to me.' [41]"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42]For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43]I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' [44]Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' [45]Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' [46]And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (ESV) Footnotes 1. [25:40] Or 'brothers and sisters'
; Luke 14:12-14 [show]Luke 14:12-14 [12]He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers(1) or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. [13]But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, [14]and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." (ESV) Footnotes 1. [14:12] Or 'your brothers and sisters'. The plural Greek word 'adelphoi' (translated "brothers") refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, 'adelphoi' may refer either to 'brothers' or to 'brothers and sisters'

Saint of the Day – April 29

Catherine of Siena, theologian and servant of the poor, 1380

Everlasting God, who so kindled the flame of holy love in the heart of blessed Catherine of Siena, as she meditated on the passion of your Son our Savior, that she devoted her life to the poor and the sick, and to the peace and unity of the Church: Grant that we also may share in the mystery of Christ’s death, and rejoice in the revelation of His Glory, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Artist He Qi

I am a fan of the artist He Qi. Click HERE and you will find a recent article from Christianity Today about the artist and his work.

Click HERE to see He Qi’s online gallery.

Cultivating Compassion

We fool ourselves if we think that family violence does not impact those we worship with, our friends, neighbors, and other family members. Even if violence is not in someone’s home, it may be in a home of a loved one, close friend or someone a child knows, plays with or dates. In fact, most of us know someone who is living with violence even though we may not know it. It is a powerful secret where those living with it know they are not to tell anyone. It is up to us to make a difference. The challenge is how. How can we respond, what are we able to do and what is not helpful.

Cultivating Compassion is an exercise in presence, potential, respect and following one’s own personal calling relating to violence, both in our world and our communities. This 5 week series on Thursdays evenings will also reflect on teen violence and the impact of violence on children and teens. This may be violence in their home, in dating or in the lives of friends. Please plan making a difference for those who live with violence and those who care for those suffering from violence.

Cultivating Compassion begins Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 216 E. Chandler, Burlington, WI 53105. It is one block west of Pine St. on the triangle of Perkins, Edward and Chandler. It is sponsored by Burlington Area Association of Churches and Ministers and the Western Racine County Women’s Resource Center.

Cultivating Compassion is free and open to the public. Please join us for one or all of the five weekly sessions. For more information, please call Priest Joanne Skidmore at 262-763-7482 or Sherry Hartog at 262-763-6226, ext. 29.

SYNOD BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE TRIP AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITY – June 22 – 29th, 2008

boundary-waters-info-registration-form

Our resident, experienced and canoe-crazy Pastor Jeff Barrow (Holy Communion Lutheran – Racine), is inviting anyone who would like to join him and other Boundary Waters alumni for a week of canoeing in the Wilderness Canoe Base – Grand Marais, MN. This is an opportunity for high school students, youth ministry leaders, and adults to help restore the Wilderness Canoe Base trails and buildings that were destroyed by fire AND experience the beauty and team-building opportunity of canoeing as well.

This Synod-wide event is perfect for congregations who may or may not have a Youth Leader but would like to offer a summer adventure/servant event! All you need is one adult chaperone for 4 students.

Here are the details of the event:
Leave Milwaukee on Sunday, June 22nd at 10 a.m. (Transportation will probably be in 15 passenger vans or coach bus. Depending on the size of the group) We’ll be taking a leisurely drive up to MN and will stop along the way visiting a few “landmarks” and “sites of interest”.

We will stay at church or hotel overnight. (Details TBD)
Arrive at Wilderness on Monday, June 23rd in early evening.
Tuesday – Thursday June 24th – 26th will be our “service” days. (Restoring trails, buildings and doing minor repairs.)
Thursday evening June 24th – Saturday morning June 28th – Canoeing

Saturday afternoon June 28th – Sunday afternoon June 29th – Travel Home – stopping overnight (Details TBD)

Cost = $450 per camper or adult (Includes meals, travel expenses, lodging and canoeing experience)

Contact/Coordinator – Geri Murtaugh – geri@milwaukeesynod.org

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 10TH!!! (Yes, I know it’s short notice, but man…will it be fun!!)
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE WILDERNESS CANOE BASE? Check out their website at: www.campwapo.org

Worship For Sunday May 4, 2008 – Ascension of the Lord + Music Sunday

New Testament: Acts 1:1-11 [show]Acts 1:1-11 [1:1]In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2]until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3]He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [4]And while staying(1) with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; [5]for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with(2) the Holy Spirit not many days from now." [6]So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7]He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8]But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." [9]And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10]And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11]and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (ESV) Footnotes 1. [1:4] Or 'eating' 2. [1:5] Or 'in'

Psalm: Psalm 47 [show]Psalm 47 [47:1]Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! [2]For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. [3]He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. [4]He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah [5]God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. [6]Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! [7]For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!(1) [8]God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. [9]The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted! Footnotes 1. [47:7] Hebrew 'maskil'
or Psalm 93 [show]Psalm 93 [93:1]The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. [2]Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. [3]The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. [4]Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! [5]Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.

Epistle: Ephesians 1:15-23 [show]Ephesians 1:15-23 [15]For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love(1) toward all the saints, [16]I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17]that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18]having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19]and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20]that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21]far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22]And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23]which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [1:15] Some manuscripts omit 'your love'

New Testament: Luke 24:44-53 [show]Luke 24:44-53 [44]Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." [45]Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46]and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47]and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48]You are witnesses of these things. [49]And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." [50]Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. [51]While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. [52]And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53]and were continually in the temple blessing God. (ESV)

8 AM: Holy Communion – Music Sunday
Reader:
Communion Assistants: Bev Stobber and Chris Bennett
Ushers: Ken and Linda Morgan

10:30 AM: Service of the Word – Music Sunday
Reader:
Ushers: Nate Gilanyi and David Vojta
Offering: Anderson Family

Concerning Tears

It is indeed a marvelous thing how that which flows from eyes, which are the objects of the senses, spiritually washes the soul of the mire of sins. As they fall to the ground they burn and crush the devils and set the soul free from the invisible bonds of sin. O tears, which flow from divine enlightenment and open heaven itself and assure me of divine consolation! Again and many times over I utter the same words out of delight and longing. Where there is abundance of tears, brethren, accompanied by true knowledge, there also shines the divine Light. Where the light shines, there also all good gifts are bestowed and the seal of the Holy Spirit, from whom spring all the fruits of life, is implanted in the heart. Here also the fruit of gentleness is borne for Christ, as well as “peace, mercy, compassion, kindness, goodness, faith, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 [show]Galatians 5:22-23 [22]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23]gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (ESV)
). It is the source of the virtue of loving one’s enemies and praying for them (Matthew 5:44 [show]Matthew 5:44 [44]But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (ESV)
), of rejoicing in trials, of glorying in tribulations (Romans 5:1-5 [show]Romans 5:1-5 [5:1]Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we(1) have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2]Through him we have also obtained access by faith(2) into this grace in which we stand, and we(3) rejoice(4) in hope of the glory of God. [3]More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4]and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5]and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ESV) Footnotes 1. [5:1] Some manuscripts 'let us' 2. [5:2] Some manuscripts omit 'by faith' 3. [5:2] Or 'let us'; also verse 3 4. [5:2] Or 'boast'; also verses 3, 11
), of looking on the faults of others as if they were one’s own and lamenting them, and of laying down one’s life for the brethren with eagerness even unto death.
St. Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022 AD), Discourses

Saint of the Day – April 25

Saint Mark, Evangelist (Lesser Festival)

Almighty God, who by the hand of Mark the evangelist have given to your Church the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God: We thank you for this witness, and pray that we may be firmly grounded in its truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Tornado Clean-up in Wheatland this Saturday

Message from Pastor Gary Grindeland, Lutheran Disaster Response Coordinator

Your help is needed this coming Saturday, April 26th in Wheatland, WI (near Burlington) to help collect debris left from the tornado which devastated the area this past January.

Volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Wheatland Town Hall for sign-in.  Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes or boots and, if possible, bring along a 5 gallon bucket.

The need is great.  Your help for an hour or two or the whole day would be most appreciated.  What you do will make a difference!

Please call Kandi Horten, 262-492-1415, for details.

Deep Humility and Deep Confidence

“The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to died for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself nor less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less.”

Timothy Keller, The Reason For God , p. 181.

Love Inc Update with Cairy Schreiber: There is a Need For Big Brothers and Sisters

This week we are pleased to have Cairy Schreiber BSW, case manager at Love Inc give us an update on her work in the public schools as well as some information on the urgent need for volunteers to assist with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program.

To find out how you can serve others at Love Inc please call: 262.763.6226

A Healing Prayer Gathering

June 14, 2008: Sponsored and planned by a variety of healing/anointing prayer ministries groups in the Greater Milwaukee Synod.

Registration and morning treats from 8:30, gathering from 9-3:30 at Luther Manor’s Faith and Education Center. Cost is $15 — which includes lunch — and is paid when you attend.

A day of healing prayer for everyone at any level of interest, involvement, conviction and planning in their community of faith and healing. Small groups, special prayer centers, the prayer around the cross liturgy, healing and anointing prayer, testimonials, prayer shawl ministry, abiders ministry, and experiences with a variety of in-depth ways and means into praying and meditating along with a materials and resource center available throughout the day.

Registration is limited to 75 people, so contact Pastor Edwin E. Winters (414-464-3880) by Tuesday, June 10.

What the Church Really Needs

David Wells is one of my favorite theologians and he has just published a new book: The Courage to be Protestant: Truth Lovers, Marketers, and Emergents in the Postmodern World. Here is a provocative quote:

“We have enough Bibles for every household in America a couple of times over.  We have churches galore; religious organizations; educational institutions; religious presses that never stop pouring forth books, Sunday school materials, and religious curricula; and unparalleled financial resources.  What don’t we have?  All too often we don’t have what the Old Testament people didn’t have.  A due and weighty sense of the greatness and holiness of God, a sense that will reach into our lives, wrench them around, lift our vision, fill our hearts, make us courageous for what is right, and over time leave behind its beautiful residue of Christlike character” (pp. 132-3).

Tim Challies wrote an excellent review over at Discerning Reader. Read it here.

Saints of the Day – April 24

The Martyrs of Armenia, 1915

Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyrs of Armenia triumphed over suffering and were faithful even unto death: Grant us, who now remember them in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

3-4-5 Club Serves at the Love Inc Meal Site and the Transitional Living Center

On Wednesday April 23rd the 3-4-5 club served the meal at the Love Inc Meal Site. Thirty-six people were served downstairs in the lunchroom, while twelve adults and eight children were served at the Transitional Living Center. God was glorified and a good time was had by all.