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June 1, 2011
Weekly E-Newsletter |
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Message from Pastor Pete
 On Memorial Day we honor those who have served our nation, those who have given of themselves, sacrificing their time, their careers, and their families to stand in the gap to defend our freedom. It is a day for thanking those veterans who have lived among us, those who were discharged from the service with honor and distinction. I remember three of my now-deceased grandfathers, George Reuss (Marine Signalman, Pacific Theater, WWII), James Bantz (Medic, WWII and Korea), and David Meier (Army, European Theater, WWII). They experienced something akin to hell on earth and lived with those horrific memories the rest of their lives. I also recognize the veterans I know at Peace Lutheran Church: Jon Tangen, Phil Sorom, & Paul Spafford, and Aaron Szuberski (if I have omitted anyone, please let me know!!)
Memorial Day is a day for thanking those who currently serve in our military. I personally thank Pastor Bill Tesch (currently chaplain in Kyrgyzstan), Joe Urquhart (who just returned to Germany from a tour in Afghanistan), Tanya Reiman (currently in the reserves, previously serving a tour in Iraq) for their service.
Memorial Day is also a day to remember those who do not live among us...those who now rest in graves throughout our world...those whose service ended with a bullet...or grenade...a mortar...a roadside bomb...or other tragic end. These did not serve for a few years and move on in life. They sacrificed everything for the cause of freedom. They left behind wives and husbands, children and neighbors and friends. Today, we honor them and vow to remember what they have done. I personally remember my grandfather Charles Dodd, killed in France on October 31, 1944. My mother hadn't been born at the time of his death.
War is inherently evil. It serves to kill and destroy. Unfortunately, at times war is necessary. It is never something to enter into lightly, for the effects are long lasting.
A prayer from the United Church of Christ is quite appropriate:
Gracious God, on this Memorial Day weekend, we remember and give thanks for those who have given their lives in the service of our country. When the need was greatest, they stepped forward and did their duty to defend the freedoms that we enjoy, and to win the same for others. O God, you yourself have taught us that no love is greater than that which gives itself for another. These honored dead gave the most precious gift they had, life itself, for loved ones and neighbors, for comrades and country - and for us. Help us to honor their memory by caring for the family members they have left behind, by ensuring that their wounded comrades are properly cared for, by being watchful caretakers of the freedoms for which they gave their lives, and by demanding that no other young men and women follow them to a soldier's grave unless the reason is worthy and the cause is just. Holy One, help us to remember that freedom is not free. There are times when its cost is, indeed, dear. Never let us forget those who paid so terrible a price to ensure that freedom would be our legacy. Though their names may fade with the passing of generations, may we never forget what they have done. Help us to be worthy of their sacrifice, O God, help us to be worthy. Amen
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Worship by Serving
This Sunday we will gather at the school for a brief prayer & offering, followed by a morning of serving the community! Some of the items may take longer than an hour...stay as long as you can!
1. Vacation Bible School Set-up Leader Brenda Allen
Bring your enthusiasm and energy to help set up the stage at DEES
2. DEES Staff Lounge Painting project Leader Carrie Rhone
We have been asked to paint the staff restrooms and locker area. Wear clothing you can get paint on!!
3. Peace land project - Fire ring Leader Eric Porcher
We are putting in a fire ring for Wednesday evening summer fireside conversations and weenie roasts.
4. Arbor Gardens Leader Phil Sorom
We have been asked to trim up some bushes, pull weeds and spruce up the grounds a bit. Bringclippers, spades, and general garden tools.
5. Peace land project - Picnic Tables Leader Brian Greer
We have been asked by Mission Builders to provide picnic tables for summer meals. This will serve a dual purpose...we can use the tables later! If you have a power screw driver, feel free to bring it!
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Special Collection
 We know what it's like to not have a building. We've been doing it for a decade now! The major tornado that ripped through Joplin, MO destroyed a different Peace Lutheran Church. For the next several Sundays we will take up a collection to help our brothers and sisters in faith! The money will be given through ELCA Disaster Response.
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A summer mission trip for the youth of Peace!
Who: Youth going into 9-12 grades and their friends
What: We will be tripping to Whitewater state park to help with trail grooming.
When: July 7-10th, 2011
why: Because we can! - God is good to us; we will give back in his name!
Cost: 25$ per person, this covers food and cost for the campsite.
We will leave the church office on July 7th at noon and head down to Whitewater to set up camp and give 2 days of work grooming trails. We return Sunday afternoon after morning worship and some trail hiking. This is organized by Brenda Szuberski 289-6346 & Nguyen Nguyen 545-0118. Call and let them you know if you are interested in going. We need a group of 10; space is limited so sign up today!
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Noisy Collection
Due to the Service Sunday on June 5th, Peace will shift the June Noisy Collection to June 12th. The collection this month will support Good Earth Village, our local Bible Camp! |
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Construction Schedule
We have very good news on the construction front! There has been great concern that the water pipe stubbed onto the land would not be large enough, forcing us to tap into the water main on the other side of Robert St (ripping up the road in the process). When they dug down to tie into the water, they found the 6" pipe we needed! Praise God!
In a couple weeks the Mission Builders will be on site with construction underway. Once you see trailers parked on the lot, it's time to start volunteering! |
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It's Time for Vacation Bible School
PRE-SCHOOL-5TH GRADE: JUNE 6-10th!
At a concert, the only thing better than a front-row seat is a backstage pass! We'll start VBS every day with a "concert" experience worshipping and singing with the Go Fish Guys. Then we'll take our backstage passes to go backstage with the Bible! Check out Go Fish Guys VBS at
http://gofishguys.ning.com/page/backstage-with-the-bible
Mon-Thurs:
Supper is served from 5:30-6:00 pm. The VBS program is from 6:00-8:00 pm. Each night starts with a short opening program, then the kids rotate through four stations. There's a short closing program for the last 15 minutes.
Friday:
Ice cream social (no meal) from 6:00-6:30 and then a program from 6:30 - 7:15 pm to highlight the week.
Everything will be held at the elementary school.
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God Squad Mt. Olympus Trip
On Wednesday, August 10th the Dover-Eyota God Squad will spend the day at our annual trek to Mt. Olympus in the Dells. Mark the date! |
Eyota Days
The Community Choir is back for Eyota Days with a performance on Wednesday, July 13th at 7 pm at the Legion. Practices will be at 7 pm at Our Savior's Lutheran church starting Wed June 1st and every Wednesday until the performance. If you have questions call Kathy Gust at 545-2331. |
Thank You!
Thank you to Cindy Woltman for tracking down the projects for this week's Service Sunday!
Thank you to all of the people who volunteered to serve a meal and to bring snacks for the Mission Builders for the month of June!
If there's someone you'd like to thank for their work at Peace, please let us know and we'll get them included! |
God With Us
Psalm 41: God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging. |
Worship Assistants for May 29th
It's Service Sunday...so we'll ALL be assisting this week! |
HERE ARE THE EVENTS COMING UP!
Sunday, June 5th 9:15 am Worship God by Serving the Community
June 6th-10th Vacation Bible School at Elementary Gym |
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Click Here to access Message from SE Minnesota Synod, ELCA God's blessings on your day,
Pastor Pete |
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