October 5, 2011 
Weekly E-Newsletter
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Message from Pastor Pete

   

What a lousy weekend!

  • On Friday night, Dover-Eyota had a 3rd quarter lead over Lewiston, but let it slip away and ended up losing by 10. Frustrating!
  • On Saturday, my Northwestern Wildcats had an 18 point lead over Illinois, only to let Illinois come racing back to take the lead with 6 minutes left. I had a ray of hope with 3 minutes left when Illinois fumbled, setting up Northwestern's go-ahead touchdown with a minute left! I literally danced around the family room...until Illinois miraculously scored with only a few second left, giving me a crushing defeat. At least the Wildcats were close (unlike the Gophers!).
  • On Sunday, the Vikings continued their pathetic ways. They couldn't even beat a Kansas City team that had been HORRIBLE all season.   It was pretty hard to watch.

Each loss left me down in the dumps...angry that my teams had chances but wasted them.   Needless to say, I wasn't a lot of fun to be around.

 

I love football...but did I really need to let it ruin my weekend? Perhaps, instead of focusing on the negativity of football, I could have looked around to see the blessings God brought my way:

  • The weather was just glorious
  • I got to be a part of one of the most fun weddings I've ever been to...with AMAZING food (and I love to eat!). Congratulations Jim & Dana!
  • I had some time to quietly putter in the yard
  • I got to be a part of one of the last church services in the gym!
  • I actually had a chance to catch up on sleep (a rarity in my life)

There's nothing wrong with enjoying football (or any sport, for that matter). The problem comes when I allow it to dominate my life...when I can't be happy when my team is losing.

 

God works in my life in many ways. May I learn to focus on the blessings God brings my way...and not on the frustrations that the world abounds in. 
Landscaping

 

Peace is working to finalize a landscaping plan for our new site! There are rumors that people have plants to divide and donate...or trees that they'd like to give. Some work may be done this fall, but right now the important thing is to get a budget for all the landscaping. If you have plants or trees you'd like to donate, please contact Brandon Draper at bdraper@yaggy.com.

Free $20!

 

Peace has a track record of generous giving. People have used their 'assets' (gifts, passions, and abilities) to find employment to provide not only for themselves, but also for God's ministry. God's Work...Our Hands. Using our assets to build Gods church builds on that good work to help people continue to support God's ministry at Peace. The goal is to help people think about their assets and use them faithfully. For the next few weeks Peace will give $20 to anyone who wants to receive it. People will then use that $20 (and their assets) to make the money multiply. A Christmas Bazaar will be held on December 4th for people who have things to sell. We will celebrate on Sunday, December 11th as people bring back the multiplied monies and dedicate them to God's service.

Dedication!

 

Peace will dedicate our new building on Sunday, November 6th. Please plan to be a part of the party! We'll have a full Thanksgiving Dinner!

CARDBOARD BOX CITY   

 

All those in 6th-12th grades are invited to spend the night of sleeping outdoors in a cardboard box at Rochester's Cardboard Box City on October 21-22. It's a great event to raise money and awareness for the homeless in our midst. We are joining with the youth at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church for the event. Please let Pastor Pete know by Sunday, October 9th if you'd like to attend.  

 

Christmas is coming!

 

The time to get organized for the Sunday School Christmas Program is here! Jessica Schreier is leading it this year and is looking for the following information:

·             Name(s) of children who want to participate

·             Age(s) of the children who want to participate

·             Primary email address and phone number (for communication)

·             Interest in a speaking part?

·             Interest in a singing part (solo & ensemble)

Note: Interest in speaking or singing would not be a guarantee, but would help in assigning parts

 

Things we think we need for the production:

·             A Stable (if someone has one or would be interested in helping to build one)

·             Fake rocks

·             Hay/straw

·             Old blankets

·             Manger

·             Baby Doll

 

Please contact Jessica at lonaschreier@hotmail.com.

Thank you!

 

 

Thank you to the Decorating Team for all their hard work in choosing colors and furnishings for the new building!   
God With Us 
 

When we are wondering what God wants us to know or do, here is a simple way to pray about that: "Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation." (Psalm 25: v 4-5)
Reading for October 5th
  

Law

 

Deuteronomy 5:1-22

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
October Birthdays!

Aidan Lee Pristash 10/3, Richard Rhone 10/5, Marilyn Brockway 10/7, James Brockway 10/8,

Boden Draper 10/9, Kay Klein 10/16Samantha Porcher 10/16, Chuck Johnson 10/18, Jamie Olson 10/18, Joshua Paul Crenshaw 10/21, Myra Wick 10/22, Eric Porcher 10/24, Craig Austin 10/25, Mary Ann Mehrkins 10/25, Kim Helgeson 10/27, Brad Glynn 10/27, John Pristash 10/29, Jackie Boettcher 10/31, Tessa Gilbertson 10/31, Debbie Turnquist 10/31
Worship Assistants - October 9th 
   
Worship Assistant: Heather Ohl, Reader: Eric Porcher, Communion Assistants: Jeff & Kay Klein, Hospitality: Pristash, Rhone, Schreier, Sorom, Wallace, Set-up/Ushers: (Out Door Team) Chad Ohl, Chad Nelson, Curt Olson, Cliff Schreier, John Pristash, Jeff Finstuen, Pete Reuss, Todd Keach, Aaron Gust, Michael Woltman
Worship Assistants - NEXT WEEK - October 16th

 

Worship Assistant: Eric Porcher, Reader: Dick Lee, Communion Assistants: Steve Szubersli & Cindy Woltman, Hospitality: Welsh, Wendt, Sheryl Brown, Ziemer, & Jan Begin, Set-up/Ushers: (Grow & Create Team) Ken Morton, Eric Porcher, Chris Austin, Cindy Woltman, Jennifer Nguyen, Tanya Reiman, Julie Hanley, Heather Ohl, Jan Begin, Wayne Mehrkens
HERE ARE THE EVENTS COMING UP!

 
Sunday, October 9th: 9:15 am Worship / Sunday School
Wednesday, October 12th: 6:00 pm Youth Ministry

Sunday, October 16th: 9:15 am Worship / Sunday School
Click Here to access Peace Lutheran October Calendar

Click Here to access Message from SE Minnesota Synod, ELCA 

 

God's blessings on your day,
Pastor Pete