touch - peace evangelical lutheran...
TRANSCRIPT
June 2017 Volume 26, Issue 4
Our Mission: Reflecting God’s Light through love and service. Our Vision: The Father’s love… Our love. Christ’s life… Our light. The Spirit’s work… Our hands.
-- Adopted November 21, 2010
A Newsletter from Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church
South Haven, Michigan
In this issue: Touch From PT’s PC Pub Theology Rummage Results Worship Notes Education Notes Hero Central - VBS Salmagundi Healthy Corner Samaritas Update
Calendar
Who Am I??? An angel touched my lips with a live coal from the altar and said my guilt and sin had been taken away.
See the Answer on Page 3.
June 4 - Pentecost Sunday, 8:30 & 11 a.m.
June 4 - Graduation Sunday, 11 a.m. service
Mid-June - Book and Beach, South Beach [more detail on date/time in Sunday’s service program]
June 18 - Father’s Day
June 20 - Pub Theol-ogy, 7 p.m., Elk’s Club
July 10-14 - “Hero Central” Vacation Bible School
Touch “The world is a carousel of color…” So sang Walt Disney’s stu-
dio singers as his “Wonderful World of Color” debut-ed on ABC-TV in 1964. It depicts spring in southwest Michigan quite nicely, as we turn our black and white world into a dazzling array of colorful plants and flowers. This does not happen, however, without get-ting our hands dirty. Our unique touch, in every sense of the word, demonstrates our caring for life itself. From the moment we arrive in this world to the second we pass on, the sense of touch is as needed as the air we breathe. Touch equals safety, security, and love. It is our external, physical connection with others. Even our pets desire this connection with us. Consider the benefit of an occasional dog visit to a nursing home. One wonders who gains the most from this en-counter, the petter or pettee. The Welsh word “Cwtch” [pronounced kootch] is de-fined loosely as a hug. However, giving a cwtch means much more, transporting us back to childhood safety and a loving mother’s touch. Each Sunday, we “share the peace” with each other during the service. This brief touch with our neighbors has its roots in the early church. In Roman times, Christians were the rebels of the state, hunted down, and killed for following Jesus’ teachings rather than the emperor’s. Their peace sharing was a connective sign of love and, in many cases, the last touch they would have with each other. The Roman “my way or the highway” mentality usually spelled doom for too many. We continue this tradition in their honor. Our Lord Jesus demonstrated time and again touch’s power. The laying of hands to cure the leper; to help the blind see; to enable the lame to walk; even to raise the dead -- all are examples of His love for us. May we all learn from His acts of love through the power of touch. Have a cwtch!
Peace Evangelical
Lutheran Church A congregation of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
06321 Blue Star Memorial Highway South Haven, MI 49090
Contact Us
Phone: 269-637-4104
Fax: 269-637-0212
E-Mail: [email protected]
Office Hours
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Church Staff Rev. Travis W. Wilson, Pastor
Office Hours - 8-4, M-Th ([email protected])
Janet Gilbert, Parish Administrator
([email protected]) Rev. Raymond Bartels, Pastor
Emeritus
Tami Brush, Director of Choirs
Ellen Leins, Choir Accompanist
Brandie Rainey, Activity Coordinator for
Children and Families ([email protected])
Linda Harness, Parish Nurse
Deb Berkey, Lay Ministry Coordinator
Susie Yule “KID’S HOPE” Co-
Coordinator
Dayla McMullen, Wedding Coordinator
Scott Mark, Sexton
Visit us on the Web at: www.peaceinsouthhaven.org
2017 Congregational Council & Officers Nancy Whaley, President Laura Beckwith, Vice President Beth Kuhn, Secretary Karen Willming, Treasurer Barb Konrad, Financial Secretary Randy Bartels Jessica Fiedorowicz Jeannie Gerling Candy Gryga Jan Jessup Mark Wallace
From PT’s PC “[God is a] God of truth. Only that fellowship which faces such disillusionment, with all its unhappy and ugly aspects, begins to be what it should be in God's sight, begins to grasp in faith the promise that is given to it.”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together The last couple of weeks, and especially this last month has been difficult for me. I’ve seen many eye doctors and other specialists before I made the deci-sion to have this surgery, and, as I can only imagine with those of you who have had to make surgery de-cisions too, it was really hard. There was a good chunk of time that I had to worry about everything and try to anticipate what the recovery process and the post-surgical adjustment period would be like, and sometimes that time was not helpful; but some-times it was. While this is not a surgery I wanted to have, it has relieved the pain that I was experiencing and that alone is well worth it. I want to say thank you to you all for your prayers and support. I give thanks to our Council and for all of you for understanding about the need to rest and recover and for granting a medical leave. I’m grate-ful for Pastors Rod Hill and Sarah Friesen-Carper who were with Lorelai, Kristen, and I through the process. Our Parish Nurse, Linda Harness, was a great long-term support both medically and spiritually. Our staff did a wonderful job of doing what they always do for our congregation. And you all have been truly amazing, from calls, texts, Face-book comments, numerous cards of encouragement, and a wonderful welcome back: Thank you! Bonhoeffer is right. The fellowship, the community that faces disillusionment with all of its unhappy and ugly aspects of life, of ministry, and of faith, somehow be-gins to transform itself into what God would have it to be, and it begins to grasp the promise that God leaves to it. My hope for us over the summer and over these next couple of years is that we would intentionally form ourselves into that fellow-ship or community. Life is messy. Health is messy. Surprise, surprise, the church is messy too! The more we can embrace that, and the more we can come together in prayer groups and vigils for others like you did for me, the deeper we will grow in our faith. We’re doing some wonderful work together, but we still have a way to go and we are poised to take the next steps. Are you ready to go?
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Potluck
The Senior Social Potluck Luncheon is held the third Thursday each month. Please join us!
Our Weekly Worship Rhythm
Sunday mornings - 8:30 and 11 a.m. - Worship: Liturgy of Holy Communion
Sunday mornings: 9:30 a.m. - Peace Café Breakfast [Returns in Sept.]
Sunday mornings: 9:45 a.m. - Sanctuary [Adult] Choir Rehearsal
Sunday mornings: 10 a.m. - Adult Forum [Returns in Sept.]
Sunday mornings: 10 a.m. - Sunday School - for all children from pre-school to Grade 5
Mondays - Monthly: Congregational Council meeting, 6:30 p.m., Library
Thursday Evenings: 7 p.m. - Worship: Brief Order of Holy Communion
Pub Theology is a small group ministry that tackles questions of faith and life in an informal atmosphere. Join us as we talk about where God is in the midst of our lives - all are welcome to join us. We will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, at the Elk’s Lodge on Phoenix Street.
ALL are welcome to join in!
Who Am I?
Answer from Page 1
Isaiah
[Isaiah 6:6]
“Like” us
We are trying our best to keep our Facebook page updated with pic-tures and to engage with you outside of Sunday/Thursday worship.
We hope that you will “Like” our page and get ready to engage!
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Between the Lines: Jesus healed Malchus’ severed ear with his touch in the garden.
Don’t forget that any recyclable cans or bot-tles can be turned in at the church. The money raised from your gar-age/mud room/basement “collection” is earmarked for our youth group programs!
Rummage Sale
Results
The Spring Rummage Sale was a success!
THANK YOUs are extended to all who donated items and those who worked to organize, assemble, and sort the collected goods. The sale generated a total of $1,629.40, which will be used for church ministries.
Reminder First quarter statements are available. Contact Janet in the church office for a copy, if desired.
Our Brother Martin lived in a practical world. Today, we would call it a “Me Generation,” fo-cused on riches, power, and the physical world. His sermons aimed to change those self-indulgent ways. “But know that to serve God is nothing else than to serve your neighbor and do good to him in love, be it a child, wife, servant, enemy, friend. If you do not find your-self among the needy and the poor, where the Gospel shows us Christ, then you may know that your faith is not right, and that you have not yet tasted of Christ’s benevolence and work for you. “So we are to give heed to do everything in be-half of our neighbor, and ever to be mindful, that Christ has done this and that for me; why should I not also for his sake freely do all for my neighbor? And see to it that all the works you do are directed not to God, but to your neighbor.”
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Education Events
Our Women’s Lectionary Bible Study has recessed for the summer months and will resume in mid-September.
Our Adult Forum Class has also ended and will take a break for the summer months, resuming in mid-September.
Book and Beach is gearing up to meet again this summer starting in June. Please watch for more information, but contact the church office if you would like to join us! We will meet on Wednesday evenings beginning in mid-June.
Did you Know … According to Mosaic Law, women who were ceremonially unclean were not per-mitted to touch anyone, let alone the son of God. Yet a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years heard about Jesus’ healing power, and traveled some 30 miles to see him. In the crowd, she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. Jesus turned and asked “Who touched my clothes?” The woman, trembling with fear, fell to her knees and told him the truth. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed of you suf-fering.”
June Worship Notes
On Sunday, June 4, we celebrate the day of Pentecost where the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to the church. We invite you to wear RED to worship that morning. Also, at the 11 a.m. service, we will recognize our graduating seniors from high school and other higher institutions and will celebrate together with a baptism. It will be a wonderful day and we hope you will join us.
Vacation Bible School Save the dates and get ready to discover your strength in Christ!
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14 5:15 p.m. Dinner
5:45 – 8 p.m. VBS Program each night At VBS Hero Central, your students will enjoy an
interactive, energizing, Bible-based good time as they discover their strength in God. They will become Heroes and explore how to serve God and God’s mis-sion for their lives. Online Registration will be available this month on the church web site. Paper forms will also be available!
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Dear friends, Thank you very much for your generous gifts to the We Care Food Pantry! Your kindness is helping a great many hungry people during their time of need. We certainly appreciate you.
-- The Food Pantry Staff
Please keep We Care I. N. C. in your prayers as the Board of Direc-tors, Transition Team, and Staff prepare for the hiring and coming of a new Executive Direc-tor to lead this ministry into the future.
Thanks are extended to the Peace Lutheran Mission Endowment Committee for their sup-port of the Foster Care Initiative. Please know that the grant is greatly appreciated and will help serve those in need of this valuable service.
-- Cathy Savage
Your Healthy Corner
This Month’s Topic: Icky Ticks Spring and summer months are when we are most active out-of-doors, hiking, mowing the lawn, and working in the garden. It is also the time that ticks are out and about, looking for a free ride and a blood meal at your expense. Ticks are on the spider’s family tree, and generally hang out in weedy and wood-ed areas. They attach themselves to you when you brush against these growths. Once attached, they seek out open flesh to begin to dine. Ticks carry a variety of known diseases, including Lyme disease, so prevention is a key element to keeping Mr. Tick at bay. Some tips to keep you tick-free: Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails. Use a repellant that contains 20 percent or more of DEET, picaridin, or IR3535
on exposed skin Perform a “tick check” after you’ve been in wooded or grassy areas. Removing ticks from yourself or pets: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as pos-
sible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick out. After removal, thoroughly clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, an iodine
scrub, or soap and water. For more information on ticks and the ways to prevent bites and protect yourself and your pets, visit the Center for Disease Control’s Web site at
www.cdc.gov/ticks
-- Linda Harness Parish Nurse
We Care, I.N.C. June Prayer
Heavenly Father, Our bodies have need of being cleansed and made tidy and so do our dishes and homes. Thank You for We Care Ministries that help those in need to take care of their personal care and clothing needs. Personal care products and even basic clothing add up on the budget and these products cannot be bought when money is scarce or even with Bridge Cards. Be with the folks who work to supply people with personal care products and clothing so that all can live in dignity. We ask this in Christ's name.
Knock, knock. Who’s there?
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June 2017 Samaritas Update
Samaritas continues to be the largest refugee resettlement organiza-
tion in Michigan. We began our work helping refugees from Europe after World War II, continued by help-ing Christians flee persecution, expanded our support to other populations, and last year alone resettled 1,588 people escaping oppression. Through all of this work, we continue to navigate changes regarding refu-gee resettlement policy. To learn more in the western half of Michigan, please contact Chris Cavanaugh at [email protected] or 616-222-6023. Learn more about all the services we offer at www.samaritas.org.
Peace Café Reaches Out Kevin Ruppert [pictured above] invited some young ladies and their coach who are a part of the Girls on the Run program to come together for a cooking les-son. In addition to promoting joyful, healthy and con-fident personalities and lifestyles, Kevin also taught them how to cook from scratch without processed foods and chemical free. Thanks to Kevin and Peace Café for reaching out in the community.
Get Involved with Peace Looking for some way to get involved at Church this summer? Consider the following possibilities: Worship Leader – Assisting Minister, Reader of
the Lessons, Special Music provider, Usher, Com-munion Assistant. Contact the Church Office if you’re interested.
Join the Cozy Quilters [Mondays from 10 a.m. –
2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall] Join the Knit One, Prayer Too group that meets
to make prayer shawls for disciples and friends. Financially support our missionaries, Jeni and
Colin Grangaard, help with the Mortgage, make a contribution to the Mission Endowment Fund, or make a special gift to be used where needed.
Consider Pre-Planning your funeral. Pastor Travis
has developed a form that you can find here. If you fill it out and give it to him, he’ll keep it for when the time may come.
Join us for Pub Theology or Book and Beach; or
open the directory each day and pray for one person or family from the congregation.
Volunteers are the core of any vibrant organization. Your participation and continued support of our minis-tries is what makes Peace Lutheran Church a welcom-ing, nurturing place in our community.
Tassel Turning
Time
Congratulations are extended to the following indi-viduals who will be receiving their sheepskins at graduation ceremonies in June:
David Kluskowski Ashley Price
Meghan Miles Timothy Treat-Mass
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Peace Lutheran Mission Endowment Fund - May 2017
The Mission Endowment Fund of Peace Lutheran declared earnings of $4921.80 available for distribution in 2017. We are pleased to announce two scholarships and five grant applications were approved for payment. The scholarship awards included:
Ashley Price was awarded a $750 scholarship. Ashley is the daughter of Stuart and Jennifer Price and will be graduating from South Haven High School in 2017. Ashley has a distinguished record of academic achievement balanced with extracurricular activities and part time employment. She will be attending Eastern Michigan University and plans to focus her studies on Special Education. Ashley has been involved in the youth group volunteer activities and can be found in Peace Café on Sunday mornings as a member of the kitchen staff.
Meghan Miles is the daughter of Steve and Kathleen Miles and was awarded a $750 scholarship for her studies at Aquinas College where she plans to major in computer information systems and web design. Meghan has a distinguished high school career including academics, extracurricular involvement, volunteerism, and overall personal accomplishment. She has been a part of the Ca-reer and Early College program and will be graduating from high school with 26 hours of college credit. She has been a regular volunteer at Peace Café for several years.
Five Grants were approved, including: Caring Circle Hospice at Home received a grant of $300 to assist a patient in utilizing the services of Bron-
son Wellness. Judy Chapman has been volunteering her time to accompany this patient to the Wellness Center.
Women of Faith Collaborative of SW Michigan received a grant of $500 to provide funding for a new initiative involving a retreat at Warner Camp. The grant will be used to support those who otherwise can-not attend because of the cost with scholarships.
Hope Parent Resource Center will receive a grant of $500 to purchase 20 guide books for teen parents. Peace Lutheran Foster Care Initiative was awarded a $1500 grant to provide emergency supplies for chil-
dren up to age 18 who are displaced from their homes by Child Protective Services. This is a new outreach ministry of Peace Lutheran Church.
Samaritas will receive a grant of $350 to be used for improving their visitation rooms in Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor.
The next round of scholarship and grant funding will be open between January 1- March 31, 2018. Scholar-ship applicants must plan to attend an accredited college, university, seminary, technical or vocational school on a full-time basis. Grant funding is available for missions such as social service agencies, ELCA colleges and seminaries, civic uses, community needs or other causes not currently funded by the Peace Lutheran budget. Scholarship and grant applications are available at www.peaceinsouthhaven.org. Funding is made possible through the generous donations to the Mission Endowment Fund from our members and others. Please remember that your personal gifts, bequests, or legacy giving through wills and trusts will live on forever as we carefully invest your dollars and will never spend more than the earnings.
Mission Endowment Fund of Peace Lutheran Church Mark Odland, Chair Beth Kuhn, Secretary
Robert Stickland Karen Wilming
Pastor Travis Wilson
To learn more about the church’s 500th anniversary celebra-tion, and the many ways Lutherans around the world are commemorating the Reformation, click the link below:
www.elca500.org
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Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are
challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.
We are excited to share with you the theme for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering, “This Changes Everything.” Our primary scripture will be Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your
own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Grace is a foundational and distinctive piece of the Lutheran faith. This gift, undeserved and freely given, changes lives and perspectives as people realize they are enough because of what Christ has done and are
called into the world to serve their neighbor and share the good news.
Our logo is a visual representation of our theme and the 2018 Gathering experience. It incorporates the com-
ing together of a mosaic to reflect the diverse host city of Houston, as well as the idea that we are a church
where all are imperfect and incomplete, yet we each belong in – and have an important place in – God’s mas-
terpiece. The cross at the center of the logo is the focus – it is God’s grace, through Christ’s life, death and res-
urrection, that changes everything for all people.
In her book “Woo: Awakening Teenagers’ Desire to Follow in the Way of Jesus,” Morgan Schmidt identifies the
three central desires of teens.
All youth desire:
Someone to become
Somewhere to belong
Something to do [that changes the world]
Throughout the 2015 Gathering and the evaluations and conversations that followed, we heard our young peo-ple echo these desires again and again. As young people desire and struggle to find someone to become, somewhere to belong and something to do, the Gathering seeks to be a ministry that helps define some of that or at least open up pathways of discovery. Ultimately, we want youth to understand the fierce love that God has for them, just as they are, and that by grace, through faith, they have been saved. When young people (or
really any age person!) truly claim this reality, it indeed changes everything.
We look forward to diving deeply into this theme with you in the months to come!