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Peace Lutheran Church's
Monthly Newsletter
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A PRINTED VERSION OF THIS MONTH'S VOICE OF PEACE IS AVAILABLE IN THE GATHERING SPACE | |
Please let the church office know if you are in need of prayers, pastoral visits
or anything else.
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Embrace:
Hold (someone) closely in one's arms, especially as a sign of affection.
Accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically.
That’s my new word for 2023: EMBRACE
It was one of those “in the middle of the night” awareness moments. And I really like the idea – embrace. Not that I’m going to go around hugging you all, unless you want! But rather, how do we enthusiastically and willingly support what God is calling us to do?
I remember when I first got into quilting, when I first embraced it. I bought everything I needed to do my craft – rotary cutters, mats, rulers and the list goes on and on. And of course, the fabric and all of the designs I wanted to make. I embraced it with all of my being.
How about you? Have you embraced a new hobby, a new exercise program, a new diet? You know, gone “whole hog” in being prepared and ready for your new passion?
What about embracing our faith? And not just accepting this incredible gift from God; but embracing sharing our faith with others. Do we go “whole hog” in studying the bible, being prayerful, attending worship, reaching out to those in need, serving God’s people in the world?
This year, I hope to embrace the opportunities God presents in my life, opportunities to love, serve and encourage God’s people in all the places they are. I desire to take them in, receive them as gifts, and then be a witness to God’s incredible love given so freely.
But I’ll take hugs any day!
Pastor Linda
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SUNDAYS:
9:00 a.m. Worship at Peace
This Service will be available live-streamed
10:00 a.m. Faith Formation Hour
WEDNESDAYS:
3:00 p.m. Kids Club
5:30 p.m. Pizza by the Slice
6:00 p.m. Camp-Style Worship
6 - 7:15 p.m. Wednesday Education (Gr. 4-9)
7:39 p.m. LYF
Programming changes February 21st during Lent:
3:00 p.m. Kids Club
5:30 p.m. SOUP SUPPERS*
*with Mentor Meetings
6:30 p.m. LENTEN SERVICES
7:39 p.m. LYF
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NURSERY
We will continue to have the nursery staffed Sunday mornings from 8:45 - 11:15 a.m. This is best suited for children up to 4 years old. Children must be signed-in by a parent/grandparent each Sunday.
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It’s baaaaaaaack!
Peace is planning another fun-filled evening to celebrate FAT TUESDAY. Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday—traditionally set aside to burn the fat before the long, lean season of Lent begins. Last year, the Peace staff put on a fun-filled HOOTENANY for Fat Tuesday.
This year’s theme is HAWAIIAN! Entertainment, hors d'oeuvres & dessert, and fun for all ages!! Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to attend this fun event!
Our Fat Tuesday Peace LUAU is on February 21st at 6:00pm.
Interested in giving the staff a hand? Let Lindsay know in the office.
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We are so thankful for our volunteers!! | |
Currently seeking volunteers
NURSERY ASSISTANTS
TUESDAY'S TABLE
Click on the above Volunteer need to sign up online:
Volunteering is a great way to be more connected to our church community. Signing up online, in the pew books, or calling really helps office staff save valuable time recruiting volunteers! Click the link below to see where the needs are, and sign up online (You do not need to set up an account) or call the office and we'll be sure to plug you in!
See the Needs & Sign Up for open slots here!
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Important Dates in February:
12th - Kids Sing at Worship
12th - Donuts with Dads
20th - Ski Day-Trip (grades 6 - 12)
21st - Peace's Fat Tuesday Luau Event
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SUNDAY SWEETS:
(Grades 4 & up)
Sundays 10:10 - 11am
Meet upstairs in the Youth Room!
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DONUTS WITH DADS
February 12
All kids are encouraged to invite those dad-type people to join us in the Fellowship Hall after worship (Kids also Sing at Worship!). There will be donuts and a special project to share together!
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WEDNESDAY YOUTH PROGRAMMING: | |
WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH:
INCLUDING CONFIRMATION
(Grades 4 - 9)
5:30 p.m. Pizza $1/Slice
6:00 p.m. Camp-Style Worship - ALL ARE WELCOME
6 - 7:15 p.m. Wednesday Education (Gr. 4-9)
7:39 p.m. LYF
Programming changes February 21st during Lent:
5:30 p.m. SOUP SUPPERS*
*with Mentor Meetings
6:30 p.m. LENTEN SERVICES
See Wednesday Night Youth Schedule by clicking here
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L.Y.F. "LIVE YOUR FAITH":
(9th - 12th Grade)
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Our LYF High School Group meets 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
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President's Day (Feb 20) Ski Trip- Join Quentin for a new tradition here at Peace and Faith! We will be traveling to Andes Tower Hills in Kensington, MN (near Alexandria) for a day of fun on the slopes. Students can choose between skiing or snowboarding, tubing, or both! We'll leave in the morning and return just before supper. Registration forms will be in the gathering space or from Quentin. | |
Pictures from LYF MOA Retreat & Service Trip | |
Table Talks are held at 10:15am Sundays
You are welcome to grab your cup of coffee and cookie from the Fellowship Hall and join us in the Chapel.
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PARENTS interested in First Communion for their child(ren), you are encouraged to join us for Table Talk on 2/26! | | |
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Book Club Selection for
FEBRUARY:
Lilac Girls - A Novel
by Martha Hall Kelly
Discussion:
Thursday,
Feb 23rd 10:00 a.m.
Fireside Room
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All are welcome!
Please call Barb J. at (320) 212-2791 to get a book!
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THIS MONTH, PEACE HOSTS TUESDAY'S TABLE ON FEBRUARY 28th AT 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday's Table is a community meal shared by area churches. This meal is meant for all - a time of sharing a meal together and fellowship. ALL ARE WELCOME!
This wonderful ministry is powered by many hands. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign-up online by clicking here or contact our office!
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LENTEN SEASON HAPPENINGS: | |
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Ash Wednesday & Wednesday Lenten Services at 6:30 p.m.
Join us before each service for Soup Supper at 5:30 p.m.
All Are Welcome!
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OTHER UPCOMING HAPPENINGS: | |
Dips for Trips- Our annual fundraiser is back! We will be pre-selling 12oz dip containers for $9/each to raise funds for themselves to go on summer trips like NEW WINE, Middle School Mission Trip, Valleyfair, Canoe Trips, and more! You can pre-order and try the dips on Sunday Jan. 26th or Feb. 5th before and after worship, and pick them up on Feb. 12th just in time for the Big Game! Our four flavors this year are Cheese Ball, Pick Roll Up, Texas Caviar, and (cold) Hot Cocoa Dip. |
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!
PEACE MUSICAL!
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It’s time again to channel that inner thespian within and get in on all the fun and action of this year’s Peace musical production. Last year’s KINGDOM TALES was a fun success, thanks to more than 60 people involved on stage and behind the scenes. Once again, we will be looking for people in acting roles, a chorus to support the musical numbers (no standing on stage the whole while like last year!) stage crew members and a kitchen team.
Interested? Attend the information meeting on February 12 FEBRUARY 26 at 11am, or contact Pastor Todd. Please note the date change!
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PEACE CHOIR
All are Welcome!
WEDNESDAY 2/22
Rehearsal at 7:30pm
SUNDAY 2/26
Rehearsal at 8:00am
Singing at the 9am Worship
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Holy Land Trip | October 24 - November 3, 2023
Registration has begun!
Learn more by viewing the online brochure here or pick up a hard copy in the office. Questions? Call Pastor Art at 320-212-1487
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5th
Is SCOUT SUNDAY!
All past, present and future Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts are encouraged to wear their uniform/ scout-gear to Church on 2/5. This is a nationally recognized day, and is helping scouts earn the “Duty to God” adventure badge. Scouts are also encouraged to volunteer at their local church this Sunday, and/or take a nature walk.
What about Girl Scouts? All are welcome! There is a nationally recognized Girl Scout Sunday later in the year, too.
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Peace's
Christian Service Day of Quilting
Meets the first Thursday of each month at 9am in the Fellowship Hall.
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Blessing of the Shawls
Sunday, February 12th at 9:00 a.m. Worship
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15th at 1:00 p.m.
(Meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month)
In the Fireside Room
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A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN for Peace Lutheran Church | Peacing Together - Update | |
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We have continuing good news to share about our congregation’s progress on the Peacing Together What God Has given Us campaign! So far, 124 households have already pledged or given more than $715,000 to support the campaign and to support our 3 priorities:
- maintenance of our building and grounds, totaling an estimated $400,000 - $425,000
- reducing the $490,000 mortgage balance remaining on the new sanctuary built in 2006
- mission support of 10% for ministry partners in the community, the region, and the world
The Stewardship Committee will now be following up on the campaign as the Consultant, Brenda Moore’s contract to help guide us in the campaign is finished. As a committee we will be sharing with the Church Council what funds are available from the campaign pledges so that the Council can decide on distribution of the funds to the projects, mortgage reduction, or mission support. The Stewardship Committee will also continue to communicate with everyone in the congregation to share the success of fixing our building and grounds, reducing the mortgage, and mission giving.
Thank you to those that have already pledged! As a reminder, if you are making a payment toward your pledge be sure that you indicate that the intent of your payment is for the campaign. The office needs to be certain to place ANY payments or gifts into the correct account.
We are still seeking additional gifts and 3-year pledges toward the campaign. Remember that our goal was $750,000 with a stretch goal of $950,000. To accomplish this, everyone’s gift is needed…including yours.
We invite you to:
- Visit the campaign website at peacenewlondon.org/campaign to learn all about the many projects and ministries this campaign will provide for.
- Consider what you can give, over and above your regular offerings, over the next 3 years.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly via the church at (320) 354-2774.
Have you visited our website? This is a great place to learn more about this campaign:
www.peacenewlondon.com/campaign
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Annual Meeting Information: | |
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The Annual Meeting was held January 29th after worship. For those who missed it, printed copies of the 2022 Annual Report are available in the office. It can also be viewed online by clicking the report cover above. A video recording is also available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNIzENt8o8c
Pictured below: During the Annual Meeting, Peace presented The Link with a donation for the Food Pantry as a first fruit from the Capital Campaign.
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JANUARY 2023 COUNCIL REPORT
NOTE: This report will be shorter than most as a large part of our meeting was spent in necessary discussions. The big items being Capital Campaign, Annual Meeting, and 2023 church budget. Interestingly, this was a very long meeting due to the fact that our December meeting was cancelled due to bad weather.
FINANCES: Good news. Financially we finished 2022 in the black with our income being enough to cover expenses. And now we start 2023. Also, the Capital Campaign started in 2022 is moving along well. A big THANK YOU to the congregation of Peace Lutheran for your financial support of our church.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: We did hear a report from the Capital Campaign team and Brenda Moore. As stated above, the campaign is moving along well. We are now prioritizing repairs to be made to our church as the campaign money becomes available.
SNOWBLOWER: Unexpected non-budgeted items always pop up. In 2022 it was the electrical panel and already in 2023 it is the need for a new snowblower. The council authorized Mike Lagergren to purchase a much needed new snowblower for our church.
SNOWPLOWING: Speaking of snow, Glacial Ridge of New London is doing the snowplowing of our parking lot. 2023
CHURCH BUDGET: The council passed the 2023 church budget proposal that will be presented at the Annual Meeting for congregational approval.
LINK/FOOD PANTRY DONATION: In keeping with our church donations to mission support, Peace Lutheran will present a $2500 check from the Capital Campaign fund to the Link/Food Pantry at the Annual Meeting.
PERSONAL NOTE: I have reached the end of the time that I can serve as council president. In February the council needs to elect a new president. I thank everyone for the support I have received while in office.
Thanks for taking the time to read this report.
Cliff Gesellchen
Council President
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2023 Church Council
Cliff Gesellchen, President - gesellchenc@gmail.com
Jon Austvold - jona@rambow.com
David Feist - dave.feist@tpihospitality.com
Margaret Knisley - jmlknisley@yahoo.com
**Cindy Lundberg - clund@tds.net
Melanie Netland - mcnetland@hotmail.com
Gail Olson - gmolson@tds.net
Carol Roverud - carolroverud@gmail.com
Mary Semmler - msemmler@gmail.com
Melissa Straus - cmsstraus@gmail.com
Raelin Van Meter - rae.vm98@gmail.com
**Indicates new council member voted in at the annual meeting.
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BABY SHOWER HONORING
KALE WEBER!
This is an open invitation for anyone in our congregation who would like to help celebrate Kale as their family prepares to welcome a new baby!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4th
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Click on the links below for the Birthdays and Anniversaries for this month! | |
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OFFICE HOURS:
Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 2:30pm
Friday 9am - 12pm
Please note: the Peace Staff Meetings will be on
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
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Staff Email addresses:
Pastor Todd:
todd.mattson@peacenewlondon.com
Pastor Linda:
linda.lagergren@peacenewlondon.com
Quentin Markfort
youth@peacenewlondon.com
Lindsay Freeland
lindsay.freeland@peacenewlondon.com
Gail Olson
gail.olson@peacenewlondon.com
Mike Lagergren
facility@peacenewlondon.com
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Contact Us:
100 Fourth Avenue SW, P.O. Box 286
New London, MN 56273
Phone: (320) 354-2774
Email: connect@peacenewlondon.com
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