JUNE 2022

Voice of Peace
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Peace Lutheran Church's

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

Growing up, we never missed a Sunday going to church. Now, I’ll be the first to admit, I wasn’t a big fan of church. If you had told me that I would someday be a pastor, I would have laughed you silly! I didn’t like church one bit, but my dad sure did. Even when we went camping in the summer, and my dad had the whole month of August off, traveling all over the place with our little pop-up tent-trailer, would we then at least get a break from going to church? Not on your life! Come Sunday morning, sure as rain, we found a church to attend...oftentimes right there in the campground.

Big eye roll as a kid.


Huge respect as an adult.


As much as I may have not appreciated the bigger picture as a kid, my dad and mom were planting seeds in me that would later germinate and grow. That’s how faith works. That’s how God works through important people in our lives like our parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors and so many others. And the question is, do we adults  realize the important role we play in sowing those seeds? Do we realize the role we play in communicating what really matters in life? What would your kids say REALLY MATTERS to you?


Whether you have the whole summer off, or just a weekend here and there, have a safe, enjoyable and meaningful time….and don’t forget to bring God along!

Speaking of which, be sure to pick up your Jesus-on-the-go and send us some pictures of your adventures!


Shine on!

Pastor Todd

 

  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 snapshots from May

Muffins with Moms:

High School Senior Recognition Sunday:

Kingdom Tales:

Last Chance to see the show: JUNE 5th at 2:00pm. Be sure to get your tickets!

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE:

(Began May 29th)

9:00 a.m. Worship at Peace

This Service will be available live-streamed


10:30 a.m. Worship

at Shores of St Andrew

(May 29th - September 4th)

FAITH FORMATION:

YOUTH:

VBS: AUGUST 1 - 4

K—5th (completed) 9am—3pm

at Shores of St Andrew

Bussing option to and from Peace: Pick-up 8:45a & Drop-off 3:15p

No before or after child care will be offered this year


Preschool 3—5 y/o 8:30am—11am

at Faith Lutheran Church

Upcoming Youth Trips:

Youth Summer Service Trips- The deadline for Nashville to secure your spot with a $100 deposit is Sunday, June 5, 2020. It's not too late to sign up for our Middle School trip, either! Parents should've received an email from Quentin with notes about our destination change to Sioux Falls. Please contact Quentin with any questions! 

Contact Quentin if you are interested!

Brandyn Anderson

Kylee Delzer

Sam Gabrielson

Bradyn Hansen

Nyla Johnson

Morgan Kalevik

Mason King

Hayden Larson

Lydia Larson

Lilly Lee

Hayden Lieser

Tayden Nelson

Jasmine Pulsifer

Paige Rupp

Katie Schmidt

Maya Swenson

Noah Woelfel

In Loving Memory of Ryleigh Andreen who would have been part of the Graduating Class of '22

FAITH FORMATION:

ADULT:

Theology on Fire - Join us each summer Wednesday at 6:30pm for casual campfire conversations about any matters of faith, God, and life.  Of course there will be s'mores! "Peep" sandwiches while supplies last!

Bring your own folding chair!

Peace Book Club:

Book Club Selection for

JUNE



Songbirds

by Christy Lefteri


Discussion:


Thursday,

June 30th

10:00 a.m.

Fireside Room

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

MONTHLY ADULT OPPORTUNITIES:

JOIN US FOR A FAITH & PEACE MINGLE!

Thursday June 9th at 6:30pm


Meet us at Goat Ridge Brewery (located at 17 Central Avenue West) downtown New London. Give us a call if you have questions.

Wine. Women. & Word.

Do you need to Relax, Unwind, & Laugh?


Join us for relaxation, h'ordevers & wine, and conversation of the Fruit of the Spirit. First Fruit is Love!


We will meet in various homes starting Tuesday, June 28th at 6:30p. Location still TBD.

(If you are interested in Hosting, contact Jane!)


Come as you are!

Questions? Contact Jane Wardell 320-354-0425 jane@peacenewlondon.com

Mission Committee:

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 JUNE:


14th - In Celebration of Mike's Birthday (Mike & Linda Lagergren)

17th - In Celebration of Finn Melges' Birthday (Mike & Linda Lagergren)

21st - In Memory of Mack (Todd & Kris Mattson)

24th - In Celebration of Grandson, Emmett's, Birthday (Greg & Carol Roverud)


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!

Funeral Committee:

The Funeral Committee would like to thank all the volunteers who have signed up to support this ministry in various ways. Please be aware that you may be getting calls from different people requesting your help and serving with different groups than before. Thanks for being such an important part of caring for our grieving families.

Altar Guild:

Yo and Trudie are looking for others to be an Altar Guild Team Lead for the 10:30 a.m. summer services at Shores of St. Andrew. If you can help and give these ladies this well deserved support, please call or text Trudie at 320-905-5204.

UPCOMING HAPPENINGS:

Kingdom Tales Musical Only one performance left! Sunday June 5th Matinee at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased from the office, by calling 320-354-2774 or stopping in!

Tickets will also be available at the door!

Lutheran Night at the Stingers- Sign up in the office for a combined night with Faith Lutheran Church at the Willmar Stingers on Tuesday, June 14th! The cost per person is $25 and includes all you can eat popcorn, pop, Green Mill salads, and unlimited pop and water all on a reserved patio on the 3rd base line, mere inches away from the players! Please sign up ahead of time, and make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church. 

Summer Canoe Trip- Quentin is leading a canoe trip on one of the most family-friendly bodies of water in MN. We will start on the Shell River near Menahga, MN and flow into the Crow Wing River ending the trip north of Staples, MN for a total of approximately 30 river miles along the scenic Crow Wing River State Water Trail. Together we spend time canoeing, sleeping under the stars, worshipping God around the campfire, and so much more! The river is shallow and calm, perfect for the seasoned adventurers and new explores alike. All ages are welcome, there's always space in the middle of a canoe for someone to ride along if they're not ready to paddle yet! For those that don’t want to canoe, all our stops are vehicle accessible. They can travel by car along with us on our journey and camp with us at night!
Please see Quentin for more details.
Peace's
Christian Service Day of Quilting
First Thursday of the Month in the Fellowship Hall
9:00 a.m.
ALL are welcome!

MAY 2022 CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT


Here is my May Council Report to the congregation. If you have questions, feel free to contact me or other council members.


FINANCES: While the good news is that our income for April was good, covering our expenses, this is also because we received monies through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) that assisted in covering expenses incurred during the pandemic period. Our year to date giving is also on track, again with the assistance of the ERC. As we approach the summer months, we often experience a drop in our income, which can be significant. Thank you for your faithfulness in your financial gifts.


LAWN SERVICE: Precision Lawn and Labor will be doing the church lawn mowing and fertilizing this summer.



WATER DAYS:  Peace Lutheran will participate in the Water Days Community Church Service at 8:00am on the Mill Pond during Water Days. Peace will supply the music and do the sound setup. You will have three options for worship that Sunday. 8:00am on the Pond, 9:00am at Peace Lutheran, 10:30am at Shores of St. Andrew.



PASTOR LINDA: Pastor Linda has agreed to stay with us another year in a half time position. Her current contract was to expire July 31, 2022, but now it expires July 31, 2023.


PEACE BUS RETURN/CHURCH DIRECTORY: a discussion was held about these two items. No decisions were made because we are still in the “gather information” phase. We’ll pass along the information when it is decided.


The bulk of the council meeting was spent on the two topics which are described below. There was a long, intense discussion on both topics.


REVISED FACILITIES USE POLICY AND FEE SCHEDULE: The Council adopted a new Facility and Fee Schedule. The new schedule is in the process of being typed up and will be made available on our website for individuals and groups wishing to use our church facilities. Of course, church members get a break on use of church facilities. Members can continue to have weddings, walk in the gym, etc. for free as always. However, if a member is part of a large group like a basketball team, the team must pay the rental fee which is $25 per hour; in order to off-set expenses such as the new gym floor installation, light, heat, custodial services, etc.


PASTORAL VISIONING TEAM REPORT: a committee consisting of Rick Swenson, Raelin Van Meter, Melissa Straus, Margaret Knisley and Pastor Todd was formed to study the future staffing needs of Peace Lutheran. The committee endorsed a possible scenario in which Peace, working with the seminary, will become a training site for an intern pastor. As of the printing of this article, there are no interns available for this year; Peace would need to apply for one next January. The long range plan would be to move from having an intern to calling a 2nd fulltime pastor. A motion was approved to contact Seminaries of the ELCA and pursue the possibility of becoming an internship site next year.


This concludes my May report. Thanks for taking the time to read it.

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:

We welcome new members through Baptism:

  • Brienna Joy Jones (5/13/22)
  • Cooper Todd Johnson (5/22/22)

A sincere, BIG thank-you for all the people who helped us on 2 occasions. 


Helping on tree removal were the following: Gerry Larson, Paul Larson, Hayden Larson, Charlie Lundberg, Kevin Acquard, & Al Sing.


Workers helping on Peace Clean-up Day were Carol & Greg Roverud, Lorraine & Robert Nelson, Cheryl & Glen Danielson, Julie & Joel Johnson, Cindy & Charlie Lundberg, Bruce Nelson, & Dwight Oss.


Also a thank-you to Jon Stone and crew for fixing the storm damage on the roof.  


If I forgot someone, I sincerely apologize.  Thank-You all again!


Mike Lagergren 


OPEN HOUSE 75th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

FOR MARILYN LUPTAK

at the Spicer Legion

June 5th 2p - 5p

Meals on Wheels Drivers Needed this summer!!

If you can help, please call Stacy Adams: 320-796-5208

Opportunity to impact young lives!

Young people from the Czech Republic, Germany, Bolivia, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and other countries are in need of host families. These young people will be enrolling in local high schools for the 2022-2023 school year, but are in need of host families willing to open their hearts and homes. It is a great opportunity for families, with or without children, to make a huge impact on a young person’s life, experience and learn about another culture, and make life-long international relationships.. All the students are 15-18 years old, speak English, are covered by medical insurance, and have their own spending money for their personal expenses. Families are asked to provide food, lodging and love!. For more information or to apply call Bryan Blomker at 320-974-3673 or email at bryan.blomker@yfci.org.

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

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 2:30pm

Friday 9am - 12pm


Please note: the Peace Staff Meetings will be on

Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m.


Other Important Dates Coming Up!


  • 1st - 1:30 p.m. Divine Drama.... Act II (Youth Sanctuary)
  • 1st - 6:30 p.m. Theology on Fire kicks off!
  • 2nd - 9:00 a.m. Peace Quilters' Christian Service Day
  • 2nd - 6:00 p.m. Divine Drama....Act II (Youth Sanctuary)
  • 5th - 2:00 p.m. Kingdom Tales Matinee (Final Performance!)
  • 8th - 1:30 p.m. Divine Drama....Act II (Youth Sanctuary)
  • 9th - 6:00 p.m. Divine Drama....Act II (Youth Sanctuary)
  • 9th - 6:30 p.m. God on Tap (at Goat Ridge, downtown NL)
  • 11th -High School Youth Service Trip leaves for Nashville
  • 14th - 7:05 First Pitch at Lutheran Night at the Stingers game
  • 15th - 1:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting (Fireside Room)
  • 15th - 1:30 p.m. Divine Drama..... Act II (Youth Sanctuary)
  • 16th - 6:00 p.m. Divine Drama.....Act II (Youth Sanctuary)
  • 17th - 5:00 p.m. Kingdom Tales Cast Party
  • 21st - 5:30 p.m. Executive Team Meeting (Fireside)
  • 21st - 6:30 p.m. Church Council Meeting (Fireside)
  • 23rd - 6:30 p.m. MOP Team Meeting (Fireside)
  • 26th - Middle School Youth Service Trip leaving for Soiux Falls
  • 28th - 6:30 p.m. Wine. Women. Word. (location TBD)
  • 30th - 10:00 a.m. Book Club Discussion (fire
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