Fall is my favorite time of the year. When I lived in Minnesota you could look forward to the weather cooling off almost the instant the calendar turned to September. You could just tell the leaves were preparing to display their fall colors of orange and yellow and rust. I loved the crispness of the air. Nights were cooler. The sky seemed bluer. Change was in the air.

Friends, change is in the air.

That's why I am encouraging all of you to attend the 9-11 event, A Wake-Up Call for God's People. This simulcast will be shown in churches world-wide and feature Anne Graham Lotz, Joel Rosenberg, and one of our favorite music groups, Selah.

The event will be simulcast on this upcoming 10th Anniversary of 9-11 and will encourage us as Christians to WAKE UP to the changes around us, to consider and understand the times in which we live, and to refocus on Jesus for our strength and hope for the future.

Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Ruth and Billy Graham) is a Bible teacher and stirring speaker. She will speak from the book of Isaiah, urging the church to wake up and be ready for the Lord's return.

Joel Rosenberg is a NY Times best-selling author and an expert on Bible prophesy. He will share with us how the current events that are happening right now relate to prophesies in scripture.

The four-time Dove Award trio, Selah, will lead worship throughout the program.

Several churches around the valley are showing this. The two closest to us are:

• Calvary Community Church, 12612 N Black Canyon Hwy, Phoenix 85029 (west side of I-17 between Cactus and Thunderbird) 602-973-4768

• Palm West Community Church, 13845 W Stardust Blvd, Sun City West 85375  623-546-2980.

I've often quoted the phrase, "Change is certain. Growth is optional." Change is upon us in our churches, our communities, our world. And for many of us, change is stirring in our own hearts as well.

So come and prepare for growth. This is a Wake-Up Call when we need it most: 6:00 PM on Sunday, September 11th. We need to know this stuff, friends.

For more information, or to find the location that's nearest to you, go to www.annegrahamlotz.com

This Sunday and Monday, September 4 & 5, is Labor Day Weekend. We will not be meeting either day. Enjoy your long weekend.

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Sunday, September 11, there will be no Sunday morning fellowship. Instead, you are encouraged to attend A Wake-Up Call For God's People at 6:00 PM, 9-11-11. See more info above.

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Monday, September 12 is the second Monday of the month. There is no class at Peace Lutheran on that night. However, Women's Book Study will meet at Enid's House at 7:00 PM. We are studying Max Lucado's Fearless. Call Enid for directions at 623-486-5164.

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Life Recovery: Healing From Loss

Why would I need grief recovery?

Have you had losses, either recently or in the past, and you find it hard to move on? Are you experiencing depression, lethargy, fatigue, anger, lack of interest in life?

Society tells us to just "put on a happy face" and get over it, but sometimes it's not that simple.

We believe there's a better way!

Healing from Loss is a 12-week faith-based program that will take you through a series of steps to help you understand, process and heal your broken heart. It involves weekly attendance, reading, reflection, homework and sharing.

Our fall workshop begins September 27, 2011 and runs every Tuesday night for 12 weeks. Call Greg at 602-622-1488 if you have questions or would like to participate in the workshop. If you know someone who might benefit from this program, please speak with them and give them Greg's number.