This was a summer filled with abundant memories and great opportunities to reconnect with family and friends as we traveled here, there, and everywhere. I want to again say thank you to everyone that shared cards and prayers with us as we mourned the death of my grandmother.

 

This summer was also a tremendous opportunity to rest after a long year as we prepare for another important ministry year for Prince of Peace. As we are fond of saying around here, "we work from our rest." It is vitally important for us to rest from our labors, but as the fall approaches, we are drawn to the other end of the pendulum and we are reminded that we are created to work. God calls each of us to use the gifts and skills we have been given to witness to the coming Kingdom and work for justice and peace. We are called to live balanced lives of discipleship: UP- in relationship to God, IN- in relationship with each other, and OUT- in witness and service to our community and world.

 

In this new newsletter format, you will see opportunities to engage your calling in each of these dimensions of discipleship. In fact, it is organized in this way so that we can all examine our serving and ponder the areas in which we might grow in discipleship. Please see the key below to learn about how we will be "coding" each article for UP, IN and OUT.  

 

We are highlighting ministries like the Solomon Program, Missional Communities and our Sunday School. We are also highlighting what we are calling our Ministries Expo. This will be an opportunity to see a wide array of the various ministries of our congregation. Leaders from all of our ministries will be there to share information and answer questions that you may have about serving with them.  

 

 

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Sunday School Kick-off  

for Parents and Kids

Sunday, September 16 at 9:30 a.m.

This year, students and teachers will delve into some of our favorite stories - The Prodigal Son, Abraham and Sarah, and the Easter story, as well as many lesser known stories. Our ranks are filled with new and returning teachers and assistants this year.

Thank you to all who serve in this ministry! More than a hundred children are reached with the stepping stones of faith formation through Sunday School.

If you'd like to register, pick up a form from the Welcome Center or use the link to the left.

We still need Sunday School teachers and assistants for many grades. If you'd like to serve with the Sunday School team please contact Mary Ellen Helms or Pastor Grant.

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2012 Solomon Program  

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The program lasts six months, with participants meeting every Tuesday night at Prince of Peace for class. Half of the classes were focused on Christian education and the other half on life skills. Members of Prince of Peace helped to teach the classes. This year, Libby Fischer taught classes on "How to write a resume" and "How to interview for a job." Barry Stufft led a class on forgiveness and prayer. Each participant is also paired with a coach (a member of the church) who walks with the participant and helps her achieve her life goals. And all of you, of course, help support this ministry through your tithes and offerings.

At the end of each year, we have a dinner where everyone shares something that they will take with them from the program. Tears were shed, life-long friendships cemented and lots of laughs had by all. Two women shared that they had never graduated from anything before. One said that she didn't expect to even get into the program because she wasn't good enough. Being chosen boosted her self-esteem. Many of the women stressed the importance of their new support network of friends. They also now believe that they can turn to God, and He will always be there for them. One participant said she was surprised to learn that God wasn't angry at her, but that He loved her as his own child.

These are the thoughts and moments that illustrate the power of what can happen when God's people go into the community to serve with the love of Jesus. Lives are transformed! Thank you to all of the coaches, teachers and co-leader Donna Bednar for making this wonderful ministry happen this year.

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September Calendar
Saturday, September 8:
Big Bonfire at 7:30 p.m. (Dogs needed, no hydrants available!)

Vamonos! is a new Missional Community that was born out of ZUMBA® Fitness classes at POP. This month, the free fitness classes celebrate their one year anniversary, and we are still moving and making an impact on people's lives! Participants in the class donate to a free will offering each week to help support our church's general fund.

 

Karen Skarda, our Director of Ministry (and licensed ZUMBA Fitness instructor), felt a call in 2011 to provide a way for people to get moving and stay healthy, so they can have the physical ability to do the things that God has called them each to do. ZUMBA Fitness classes were the answer! 

  

We have had more than 200 people try the ZUMBA Fitness classes, with a core group of about 40 people who have become faithful regulars, half of them not even church members.

 

Here's what a few have to say:

 

The fitness class regularly meets at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays in the PLC. And now many in the class have become involved in the Missional Community, seeking to bring people together UP/IN/OUT and to support healthy lifestyles.

 

To reach OUT, Vamonos! has begun hosting monthly Zumbatomic® Fitness Classes for children during the monthly meals hosted by The Supper Club (for LIFE clients). The children's smiles were breathtaking as they enjoyed learning new dances in a supportive environment and even got to perform for their parents.    

 

Please come meet others from Vamonos! at any of the ZUMBA Fitness class. Join us on September 12 for a group walk at 6:30 p.m. at the Loveland bike trail (meet outside Julian's Deli). We'll have conversation and refreshments afterward.

 

ZUMBA Classes will be held in September on:   

Thurs. 9/6 at 6:15 p.m.; Thurs. 9/13 at 7 p.m.; Mon. 9/17 at 6:30 p.m.;

9/20 at 6:30 p.m.; and 9/24 at 6:30 p.m.

Check out the detailed schedule on the "OUT" Bulletin Board. 

 

Questions? Please contact Karen Skarda (312-9498) or karenskarda@gmail.com

 

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If you're in the social networking world of Twitter, you'll recognize the above as a hashtag - or a way for you to get your message noticed and trending on Twitter.  

 

Those in the Twitterverse are among those who know that teens from Prince of Peace want to use their lives to make a difference in the world. This summer more than 33,000 Lutheran teens from all over the country came together to practice discipleship, justice, and peacemaking in New Orleans at the ELCA Youth Gathering. Together, we lifted our voice in worship, praise, and a promise to God - "I want my life to make a difference. I want my life to do some good here."

 

The teens and adults from Prince of Peace were encountered with some of the great darknesses of our world: poverty, bullying, hatred, war, and more, and this group of passionate world-changers, said "I want my life to make a change." Speakers like Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber (Lutheran pastor at the House for All Sinners and Saints), Shane Claiborne (author and activist), Megan Stubbs (18 year old missionary), Rev. Andrea Ingram (pastor and AIDS activist) and 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee (Liberian peace activist) told stories of breaking down walls and changing the world through sharing God's grace with others.

 

Twitter is a way for these teens and adults to connect with the world around them and share what's important to them. Check out some of these tweet-length messages teens shared after the Gathering.

 

From Alex McWhirter - a 2012 Graduate and now first-year student at OSU - "God doesn't just use your strengths; He uses your weaknesses too."

 

From Aidan Ross - a senior at CHCA [In response to the question, "What will you leave behind in New Orleans?"] "I will leave behind my belief that young people can't get excited about God."

 

From Nick Riedell - a senior at Mason, "I saw God all the time in all the people who came together for the good of others. Not to mention everyone was always so unbelievably kind and considerate as compared to "normal life", say."

 

The Spirit moved while we were in New Orleans and continues to move when we return to our homes, our schools, and communities. Thank you for all of your support. Our teens will have a booth at the Ministries Expo to share their stories. With God's help, these teens will use what they learned to #make_a_difference and #love_like_Jesus.

 

You gave your life to make a difference. You gave your life to make a change.You welcomed all to your table. You're telling us to do the same.

I want my life to make a difference. I want my life to make a change. I want my life to do some good here. I want my life to make a change.  

-by Rachel Kurtz, from the song "Make a Difference"  

  

Follow us on twitter @PoPSrHighYouth  

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On September 9 at 6:15 p.m., all families who are participating in Catechism this fall are invited to our Family Dinner. Join us with your catechism students as we share a meal and talk about the plan for this year's catechism program. RSVP by email to Mary Ellen or on our catechism bulletin board (in the main hallway across from the community board).

 

Catechism is a faith formation program at Prince of Peace. Seventh and eighth graders are invited to join with their friends, caring adult guides, and lay and pastor teachers to delve into their faith lives through games, group times, teaching, retreats, prayer, and more.  

 

Adults are needed to serve as teachers, small group guides, snack coordinators, and game coordinators. 

 

With questions or if you are interested in serving, please contact 

Mary Ellen Helms.

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Time to finish those UFOs 

(UnFinished Objects)

   

Do you have a needle craft, painting or any other craft project that needs
to be finished? If so, you may have a UFO (unfinished object).

Set aside some time on Tuesdays (every week) to finish your projects.

We will meet in the Atrium

starting September 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.  

 

Also, we will be creating greeting cards. Come, see and make one!

For more information, contact Shirley Fry at 697-0108,

Kay Napier at 683-0780 or Louise Ronkos at 248-2909.

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