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SEPTEMBER 2022

Voice of Peace
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Peace Lutheran Church's

Monthly Newsletter


A PRINTED VERSION OF THIS MONTH'S VOICE OF PEACE IS AVAILABLE IN THE GATHERING SPACE

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Please call (354-2774) or email (connect@peacenewlondon.com )

Greetings Sisters & Brothers in Christ,


As promised from the Sunday I preached, here are the multiple questions I asked about keeping the Sabbath holy in your life.


What does Sabbath rest look like for you? What works best in your life that will restore and refresh you? What works in your life that will draw you into a closer relationship with God? How has God set you apart to be holy, and to be whole? Where do you see God giving you rest and healing of your heart and soul and mind and body? How can you allow God to give you the holy Sabbath you need?


I apologize for setting before you so many questions, perhaps take one or two that mean the most to you and on which you can focus. Obviously, many questions about Sabbath keeping were whirling through my brain! Especially since I am NOT the shining example of keeping a Sabbath well.


That is not to say, however, that I don’t think its important. Because I very much do believe that keeping Sabbath time is very important to our lives. Good sleep is necessary to rejuvenate our minds and bodies. Good exercise and eating habits are good for the wellbeing of our minds and bodies. Good relationships are good for our hearts. Good time with God is necessary for our souls.


Sabbath time can be all of these things, some of these, or a combination, whatever might work best for each of us personally. Daily devotions, prayer time, reading the Bible, reading about theology are all helpful ways to spend Sabbath time. For some, Sabbath time might include gardening, baking, walking, cooking, quilting or knitting.


The point is that Sabbath for each of us may be something different, but always the main purpose is to draw into a closer relationship with God and God’s people. Sabbath is given as a gift and a blessing, to be cherished and nurtured in our lives.


May your Sabbath always be a blessing


Shalom,

Pastor Linda 

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE:

KEEP SENDING US YOUR PICTURES!

  1. Pick up your JESUS ON THE GO from the church or click here for a printable PDF.
  2. Color, Design, Artsy-Up Jesus to your liking.
  3. Cut out Jesus.
  4. Tape the wooden craft stick to the back.
  5. Take your JESUS ON THE GO on your summer adventures and take a picture of Him and you/your family at your destination(s).
  6. Send your picture to us via

Email: (connect@peacenewlondon.com) 

Text: 320-288-6653

or Message to our Facebook Page: Peace Lutheran New London


A few recent snapshots

VBS:

Middle School Big Kahuna Afternoon:

L.Y.F. (Live Your Faith) Highschool Group:

Backyard Worship & Potluck:

FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE:

9:00 a.m. Worship at Peace

This Service will be available live-streamed


10:00 a.m. Faith Formation Hour

September 11th is Rally Sunday:

RALLY SUNDAY - 

Plan to join us for worship, stay for breakfast, and have some fun as we kick-off a new season of programming! We'll be doing an indoor balloon launch during worship along with a Back To School Blessing. (Kid's bring your backpacks!) Following worship we'll gather for an omelet breakfast!  Would you be willing to provide store-bought or homemade bread or muffins for our this breakfast? Please sign-up online here (or call the office):  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BAAAD23A3F8C70-bread


Kids, be sure to check out the bouncy house in the gym & get registered for Sunday School and Wednesday Programs! 

September 25th is "God's work. Our hands.":

GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS. - Join us for a short worship at 9:00 a.m. followed by a time to put our hands & hearts together in service to others!  This year's projects include:

  • Yard Work for some of Peace Member's
  • Fleece Blanket Tying
  • Rock Making for Tanzania
  • Road Clean-up
  • Oak Hill Cemetery Clean-up
  • Shores of St. Andrew Clean-Up

A Sign-up Form will be available beginning Rally Sunday!  

Following our service projects, we'll come back together for a meal in the Fellowship Hall.

NEW THIS FALL


We will have the nursery staffed Sunday mornings from 8:45 - 11:15 a.m.


PLEASE HELP!

We are seeking volunteer

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS

and SCRIPTURE READERS


Please help our office staff save valuable time recruiting volunteers by simply signing up online or calling our office with the slots you can fill!!


See the Needs & Sign Up for open slots here!

FAITH FORMATION:

YOUTH:

SUNDAY SCHOOL KIDS:

(3 y/o - 3rd Grade)

REGISTER Sunday September 11th!

Meets Sunday Mornings after Worship

SUNDAY SWEETS WITH QUENTIN:

(4th - 8th Grade)

Watch for dates and more info!

WEDNESDAY KIDS CLUB:

(Kindergarten - 3rd Grade) 

Afterschool - 5 p.m. 

Register at Rally Sunday September 11th!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH:

(4th - 9th GRADE) 

6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. 


Wednesday Night Education Orientation - 4th - 9th Grade Students and parents, please attend this important meeting!

Youth Programming Volunteers Needed!


We still have several Volunteer needs for Sunday School and Wednesday Programming both afterschool & evening.

Contact Jane to learn more about how you can help & get involved with nurturing the faith and having fun with some super cool kids!!

L.Y.F. "Live Your Faith":

(9th - 12th Grade) 

Our LYF High School Group will resume September 14th, meeting most Wednesday evenings at 7:39 p.m., alternating between Faith & Peace. If you are interested in more information about our meetings, Contact Quentin!

320-293-0568

youth@peacenewlondon.com 

SAVE THE DATES:

SEPTEMBER:

11th - Rally Sunday & Faith Formation Registration

14th - 6pm Wednesday Education Orientation

18th - 1st Day of Sunday School

21st - Wednesday Programming Begins

25th - God's work. Our hands. Service Sunday

OCTOBER:

1st - Fall Festival Family Event &  Youth Fundraiser

FALL FESTIVAL  

Date: 10/1/22

Time: 12 noon - 4 p.m.

Location: Faith Lutheran Church

FAITH FORMATION:

ADULT:

Grow Your Soul - Click the image to see the full brochure!

LAB ONE IS A 6 WEEK COURSE ON HOW TO BE A BETTER    LISTENER, HOW TO BE BETTER AT PICKING UP CUES AND HOW TO BE BETTER AT RECOGNIZING YOUR OWN AGENDA AND SPIN. FROM READING INCONGRUENT BODY LANGUAGE TO HEARING THE “STORY WITHIN THE STORY,” LAB ONE OFFERS A HEIGHTENED SENSITIVITY TO COMMUNICATION BEHAVIOR AS SOON AS THE FIRST SESSION!

It is well worth the investment of time for couples,    parents and anyone who deals with the public. Those who participate should be able to attend AT LEAST 4 out of 6 sessions. There is a $20 material fee.


LAB ONE will be taught from 6-8:30pm

Thursday evenings September 22, 29, 

October 5, 12, 26 and November 3.

Please sign up in the church office.

 

 

Next Meeting: SEPTEMBER 8TH!

YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US AT GOAT RIDGE BREWERY AS WE GATHER WITH FOLKS FROM FAITH LUTHERAN IN SPICER FOR FELLOWSHIP AND CONVERSATION.

 

WATCH FOR MORE INFO ON THE LOCATION OF THE SEPTEMBER 27TH MEETING.

Peace Book Club:

Book Club Selection for:




Revival Season

by Monica West


Discussion:


Thursday,

September 22nd

10:00 a.m.

Fireside Room

All are welcome!
These books can be signed out from the office. Please contact Jane for further information!

Mission Committee:

The MOP Committee is organizing this year's "God's Work. Our Hands." service Sunday projects and bag lunches.  Please watch for the sign-up to help us better plan!

Tuesday's Table - Tuesday's Table is resuming in September. Peace will be serving the fourth Tuesday (Sept 27). Volunteers will be needed; watch for a sign up sheet.

Missionary for A Day
Peace’s ELCA missionary is the Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Johnson. She serves as a professor at the Lutheran Institute of Theology in Cameroon, West Africa. Pastor Elisabeth has visited at Peace on a home visit, and she preached one Sunday at a Sibley Park service. In February, we introduced a new opportunity to support her ministry. Forms will be available in the church office and online where you can choose a date to sponsor her in honor of, or in memory of, someone or some event. A gift of $7.00 per day you choose will help with her support. Checks may be made to “Peace – ELCA Missionary.” Please keep her in your prayers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dates Sponsored SEPTEMBER

10th - In Memory of Duane Brown

11th - In Memory of Mary Collins 


SPONSOR OUR MISSIONARY FOR A DAY!!

JUST $7 EACH DAY SPONSORED! FORMS AVAILABLE ONLINE OR IN THE OFFICE. (OR JUST TALK TO SOMEONE IN THE OFFICE AND WE CAN HELP!)

To pick your dates, Click Here!

UPCOMING HAPPENINGS:

Peace's

Christian Service Day of Quilting

Meets the first Thursday of each month at 9am in the Fellowship Hall.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st at 1:00 p.m.

(Meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month)

In the Fireside Room

CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT


The council did not hold a regular meeting in August. Rather, we will used a retreat format with no official church business on our agenda. This was a time for thinking and planning. Because of this, I will not write a Council Report for the September VOP. My next report will appear in the October VOP.


Cliff Gesellchen, Council President

2022 Church Council                                                                                     
Cliff Gesellchen, President - gesellchenc@gmail.com
Kevin Acquard - kacquard@chartermi.net
Jon Austvold - jona@rambow.com
David Feist - dave.feist@tpihospitality.com
Margaret Knisley - jmlknisley@yahoo.com
Melanie Netland - mcnetland@hotmail.com
Gail Olson - gmolson@tds.net
Carol Roverud - carolroverud@gmail.com
Mary Semmler - msemmler@gmail.com
Jennifer Stone - jjstones365@gmail.com
Melissa Straus - cmsstraus@gmail.com
Raelin Van Meter - rae.vm98@gmail.com

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:

HELP US STAFF THE NURSERY!


We would like to better serve those caring for little ones by providing a more consistent staffed nursery option during worship and programming.

Help us spread the word! 


Click Here for the job description.


Inquires directed to Jane Wardell.

jane@peacenewlondon.com

320-354-2774


Blood Drive at Peace September 8


Click Here to Sign Up to Give Blood

Are You a Thrivent Member? 

Contact Pastor Linda to confirm you are listed on our congregational member list.

Please Continue to keep Peter & Becky Sook's adult son in your prayers:


They give praise to God for opening up a new group home in Willmar, but they are now desperately praying for the staff that would allow him to move in.  


If you can help this family in our congregation by spreading the word of this need, please share Becky's message and link below:


"Hi, we need help, please, for our son with autism. In search of an energetic person age 18+ to work in a new group home in Willmar. Part-time. Pay is $23/hr with sleep-shift a possibility. Text me, Becky, with questions: 320-249-1703"


https://jobs.sevitahealth.com/us/en/job/160535/Direct-Support-Professional



Click on the links below for the Birthdays and Anniversaries for this month!
Anniversaries
Birthdays

OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 2:30pm

Friday 9am - 12pm


Please note: the Peace Staff Meetings will be on

Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.


Other Important Dates Coming Up!


  • 1st - 9:00 a.m. Peace Quilter's (Fellowship Hall)
  • 8th - 1-7:00 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive (Fellowship Hall)
  • 11th - RALLY SUNDAY!! 
  • 13th - 6:00 p.m. Capital Campaign Team Meeting (Fireside)
  • 16th - 9-ish p.m 5th Quarter (6th - 8th Grade)
  • 18th - 10:00 a.m. Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary)
  • 20th - 5:30 p.m. Executive Team meeting (Fireside)
  • 20th - 6:30 p.m. Church Council (Fireside)
  • 21th - 1:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting (Fireside)
  • 22nd - 10:00 a.m. Book Club Discussion
  • 25th - GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS. SERVICE SUNDAY
  • 27th - 6:00 p.m. Tuesday's Table
  • 27th - 6:00 p.m. Capital Campaign Team Meeting
  • 27th - 6:30 p.m. Wine. Women. Word (Location TBD)
  • 30th - 9:00 p.m. 5th Quarter (6th - 8th Grade)
Staff Email addresses:

Pastor Todd:
todd.mattson@peacenewlondon.com

Pastor Linda:
linda.lagergren@peacenewlondon.com

Jane Wardell:
jane@peacenewlondon.com

Quentin Markfort
youth@peacenewlondon.com

Lindsay Freeland
lindsay.freeland@peacenewlondon.com

Gail Olson
gail.olson@peacenewlondon.com

Mike Lagergren
facility@peacenewlondon.com
Contact Us:
100 Fourth Avenue SW, P.O. Box 286
New London, MN 56273
Phone: (320) 354-2774
Email: connect@peacenewlondon.com