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a monthly news publication
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Dates to Remember:
November 4
Daylight Savings Ends
November 3&4
Baptismal Weekend
November 7&14
First Communion Classes 6:30 pm
November 17&18
Stewardship Commitment Weekend
(all services)
November 21
Thanksgiving Eve Worship 7 pm
November 29- December 6 POP Kids silent auction
December 5
Advent Worship & Soup Supper Supper 6:15 pm Worship 7:15 pm December 12
Advent Worship & Soup Supper Supper 6:15 pm Worship 7:15 pm
December 16
Christmas Decorating & PLC Set-up
10 am - 2 pm
December 18
Rehearsal for those serving in worship in the PLC for Christmas season
7 pmDecember 19
Advent Worship & Soup Supper
Supper 6:15 pm Worship 7:15 pm
December 20
Seniors' Christmas Lunch 11:30December 23
Sunday worship
10 am in the PLC - No Sunday SchoolDecember 24Christmas Eve worship services 5 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm, & 11 pm December 25&26 Church Closed December 30
Sunday worship 10 am in the PLC - No Sunday School December 30
PLC Take-down/Move to Sanctuary after 10 am Worship Click here for our online calendar.
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WEEKLY
SCRIPTURE
READINGS:
All Saints Sunday
11/4/2012Isaiah 25:6-9,
Psalm 24, Revelations 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44
Pentecost 24. 11/11/2012
1 Kings 17:8-16, Psalm 146,
Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44
Pentecost
25. 11/18/2012
Daniel 12:1-3,
Psalm 16,
Hebrew 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-8
Thanksgiving Eve
11/21/2012
Joel 2:21-27,
Psalm 126,
1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33
Christ the King
11/25/2012
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Psalm 93, Revelations 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37
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FINANCIAL
September 2012
Fiscal YTD Giving to Current Fund $404,653.39 Fiscal YTD
Actual Expenses
$411,103.50
Fiscal YTD
Budgeted Expenses
$424,719.52
September Only: Contributions to Designated Funds
not including
Building Fund
$5,049.43
Contributions to Building Fund
$58,937.71
Fiscal YTD
Building Pledges Received
$307,786.65
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Attendance
September 2012
Average Per Week:
413
YTD
Average Per Week:
405
September 2011
Average Per Week:
407
2011 YTD
Average Per Week:
426
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From the PastorWhat a wild ride! The last several months have brought a lot of change to our household with the arrival of our baby boy, Grayson Ray Loong Eckhart. Up until now I could count the times I baby sat or changed a diaper on one hand. I'm not sure how I managed to avoid those things, but alas I've arrived as a new dad with little to no experience. During the pregnancy I celebrated the fact that we were going to have a baby and at the same time was worried that with the change in our family we would lose the great thing we had going as a couple. In fact, as the time of Grayson's arrival came nearer, my fear grew. As my fear grew I was not able to see the clear blessing that was happening right under our noses.
Grayson is almost 4 months old and I can say that the change was just as radical as I suspected. But the surprising thing has been how far the blessing has outweighed the stress caused by the change. I can't wait to get to home to see the shao bao bei (little blessing in Mandarin) everyday. Even more surprising is that I believe that our marriage is even stronger than it was before and I thought we were doing pretty good. Now all of this could change with a second child, but I refuse to let fear get the best of me because in spite of the change the little blessings that God gives can far outweigh it.
Now it is perhaps easier with the gift of a child to recognize the blessing in the midst of a stressful situation, but I wonder if there is something about our faith that when we trust the love of God and that as our heavenly parent God wants to give us good gifts (this is called Grace), then that love can have a greater effect in our lives than the fear that we experience. 1 John 4:18 says that there is no fear in love and that perfect love casts out fear. When these words were spoken over us at our wedding I didn't know then how meaningful they would be at the birth of our first child.
So, in this season of change as leaves fall to the ground and in the church as we look towards the building program, as the missional communities continue to get off the ground and make in roads into the community, as our means of communication change and with whatever other major life change you are going through right now, remember 1 John 4. Remember that God will bring good gifts in the midst of stress, grief and anxiety. Remember to let God's perfect love envelop, embrace, surround and support you so that your fears can be cast out in order for love to win the day. In the words of another pastor I listen to, Love Wins. Let this love be the driving force in your life as we Give and Grow our stewardship and service to God and neighbor.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Grant
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A Key to Newsletter Articles
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.
The articles in this newsletter are coded to show which ones are about UP, IN, and OUT. The image above shows you how we will be coding each article.
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As we move toward our building project, we continue to focus on the growth of our ministries. Not only are we bold in our vision for the future of our facility, we grow and give of our time and talents as together we serve in the name of Christ.
"Growing and Giving Together in Christ" is our stewardship theme for this year as we prepare to celebrate our fiftieth year of ministry.
On the weekends of November 10-11, and 17-18 we will have our annual stewardship emphasis. In the coming weeks we will share with you more materials so that each family can make a commitment for the coming year.
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Jesus lived his life in three dimensions. UP - in relationship with his Father, IN - in relationship with the disciples, and OUT - in relationship with the world.
Growing and Giving together in Christ means sharing our gifts with others. Living in witness and service to the world is our call. Below are a number of ways you can live your faith OUT loud during the upcoming holiday season. Help with the LIFE Holiday Basket Project November 16 - 4:30-6 pm Help prepare for LIFE's Holiday Basket Drive. Groups serve in different ways - packing boxes, preparing families, and organizing distribution. If your family is interested in serving in this way, contact Lisa Gritton at gritfam@cinci.rr.com. Serve at the LIFE Holiday Basket Distribution November 19 - 3:00-7:30 pm - Come together to meet LIFE's clients and help them load their holiday baskets into their vehicles. Learn more and sign up on the OUT bulletin board. Serve a meal to others November 29 - 5:00-7:00 pm - Serve with connect4 at the Feed Your Neighbor community meal at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Healthy. Help prepare a meal and serve with other families. Between 70-100 community members join together weekly at this church for a meal provided by the community. Contact Mary Ellen Helms (MEHelms@popluther.org) to sign up to serve or help provide a part of the meal. Light the Advent Wreath As a family, serve in worship by lighting our Advent Wreath. Sign up later this month on the "UP" bulletin board. Provide a gift for the Giving Tree More information will be available throughout November. Give from your abundance to a family in need this Christmas. Invite co-workers, neighbors, or relatives to a meal in your home Open your home and 'break bread'. The disciples knew the Lord in the breaking of the break - perhaps your neighbors can, too! (Luke 24:35) Serve in worship during the Thanksgiving, Advent or Christmas Eve services Click this link to sign up to serve during one of these services.
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"Notes from the Edge"
for partner churches
What We Do at the Edge House: Every Wednesday, I have lunch with the Technical Theatre faculty and staff at CCM. They're the ones who teach building sets and costumes for the plays the school puts on. We eat and talk about all kinds of things: upcoming shows, politics, theology, pastoral care issues, movies. Often, students join us. After three years of ministry of presence with these folks, two of them invited me to present about spiritual health during their annual First Aid and Health orientation for freshmen. I talked about the Edge House and the need to communicate stress so it doesn't overwhelm.
--Pastor Alice
How You Can Get Involved at the Edge House:
* Adopt one Edge House student for regular prayer
* Offer an hour or two a week as a greeter-particularly over lunch, we need folks to welcome students, answer the phone, and just relax in a fun environment.
* Donate tulip/daffodil bulbs or mulch for the curb appeal of the house
Email Pastor Alice at aconnor@goodshepherd.com for info.
See what we're doing at the Edge House and get more information about how you can get involved at
www.edge-uc.org.
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As Lutherans, we love the Word and the Sacraments. We believe that we receive God's grace through them. First Communion is your chance to explore with your child what it means to receive God's grace through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This is an important milestone for your child. At Prince of Peace we reserve two times a year for you and your child(ren) to go through First Communion instruction.
Some of you have requested that we offer a weekday option along with a weekend option for instruction in order to accommodate different family schedules. So, this Fall we will offer classes on Wednesday evenings and in the Spring we will have our more typical Saturday morning option.
This is a wonderful opportunity for your family to go deeper into your faith formation together and for your child to receive communion for the first time. First communion materials are geared for 1st - 3rd graders, but if you as a parent, feel that your child is ready earlier, talk to Pastor Grant and we will work to accommodate you. Also, if you or your child has not yet received First Communion and you are older than 3rd grade, individual instruction is available and can be worked out with Pastor Grant. So, sign up and join with us in the gift of Holy Communion.
Sign up by November 4 on the UP bulletin board or by emailing Pastor Grant at pgeckhart@popluther.org to reserve your spot and so that we can order materials for you.
First Communion Class:
Wednesday, November 7 at 6:30 - 8 pm at POP
Wednesday, November 14 at 6:30 - 8 pm at POP
Children receive First Communion:
Saturday or Sunday November 17-18 in worship
Spring Session 2013
First Communion Class:
Saturday March 9 at 9:30 - 11 am at POP
Saturday March 16 at 9:30 - 11 am at POP
Children receive First Communion:
Saturday or Sunday March 16 -17 in worship
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Where did the playground go?
If you haven't noticed yet, our metal playground equipment "has left the building" and has moved on to another new home. We needed to move our old playground equipment to make room for construction and were thrilled when we were able to find an organization that could put them to good use. Elevation Community Church in Blanchester excavated the playground equipment last month and will be moving them to a new home in Midland, Ohio where Elevation Community Church is working to assemble a park where the children of Midland can play. Midland is in great need of support and one of the ways they are reaching out to the community is to provide a place where their children can play. Our playground equipment will help meet that need and support their mission to reach the lost or disconnected and make disciples.
Children...don't worry...
We will have a new playground area. More to come!
and a special "Thank You"...
...to Steve Skarda for finding the right organization who could use this equipment and for coordinating and assisting with the excavation.
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Donations to the First Lutheran Clothing Bank
Thank you for your generous donations to
the First Lutheran clothing bank!
Ongoing needs are:
* gently used men's jeans sizes 32, 34, 36 waist
* gently used men's hoodies or coats
* new women's underwear in sizes small or medium
* maxi pads
* deodorant
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Autumn Yard Cleanup
November 10 at 9:00am
The leaves are down so it's time to clean up the plant beds around Church. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, November 10 at 9:00 to prepare the Church grounds for Winter by raking and trimming. No experience necessary. Bring your enthusiasm and yard tools.
Contact Scott Torrison at 774-0617 with questions.
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UPDATE:
Those strange lines:
Did you see those white lines on the parking lot near the music room door and the brown lines in the grass? That's the outline of the new building! The curved line will be the new Sanctuary and the squarer lines near the playground will be the education area. What's new now are the white flags and the small piles of dirt from the soil test borings to determine soil characteristics for the sake of designing the foundation. We're on the way, slowly but surely with visible changes.
New directions for POP Kids:
The previous POP Kids drop-off point was at the door near the music room, but for obvious reasons that door won't be available during construction. Therefore they started the year with a new drop-off spot right in front, which meant the parade of parents and minivans has to wind through the parking lot so they don't back up onto the street. That's the reason for the arrows and paint on the south parking lot, which Al Kressler arranged, but you can disregard it for regular parking for services.
Other updates:
The major work on the new building is now behind the scenes, with the Single Point architects working on the detailed design leading up to submission to potential contractors for their bidding. As part of it, they are working with the City of Loveland to comply with the various building codes, which will culminate in a zoning meeting now set for early November. The financing, which was a time-consuming process but is now in place, still needs a final step: a formal congregational vote once the bids are in and we know the final cost of the project, so watch for the announcement of that meeting.
So what's the timing now?
It's looking like the bulldozers will arrive around Groundhog Day if all goes smoothly, and they'll start grading, digging and other site work. The timing for the ceremonial groundbreaking has not been set, but we can hope for a warmer day in the cold wintertime.
Rich Peters,
Chairman, Building Committee
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Friday, November 30 - 6:30 pm
& Sunday, December 2 - 12 pm
Who: All 9th-12th grade students and their friends
What: Annual PoP Youth Retreat
Where: Kings Domain-Oregonia, OH (about 30 minutes from PoP)
Why: To be surrounded in community, to spend time with friends, to take your faith a step further, to retreat from the world, to be enriched, and to have a stinkin' good time.
How much: The cost of the retreat is $100.
Please make your $50 deposit by November 9.
Turn in checks (made payable to POP) to Mary Ellen Helms' mailbox.
If you need to miss part of the retreat for important commitments, that's fine! We want you there when you can make it! Please make these arrangements ahead of time with Mary Ellen.
Please don't let the cost of this retreat prevent you from participating. If you need financial assistance, we are glad to help. Sign up and talk to Mary Ellen.
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Lector and Assisting Minister Training
'Thank You' to those who attended the Lector/Assisting Minister Recognition/Renewal/Introduction events in October.
If you were unable to attend, the new lector information will be provided between services in the near future.
Every lector or anyone who would like to see what it is all about needs to receive this information. This information is also applicable to Assisting Ministers.
Watch for the dates in the announcement folder.
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 A Look at What's Happening in
Missional Communities:
Do you want to see...
* kids growing in faith?
* parents connecting with other parents?
* your family supported in practical ways?
* kids developing strong faith friendships?
* your family serving together?
* a deeper faith life in your family?
* your kids loved and supported by caring adults?
That's what happens with connect4.
We connect our faith to our everyday lives.
connect4 is a group of families who seek to grow through regular times of play, prayer, and service.Over the past few months through connect4, we've formed meaningful relationships within our community and grown in faith.Kids and parents gather on the first and third Tuesday for dinner. We've had six of us and over thirty depending on the night, gathered in different corners in each other's homes for great conversation and food. After dinner, we spend time connecting with each other and with God through games, songs, prayers, and service.
Once a month, on the final Friday, we get together for pure fun. We've played games, watched the Olympic Opening ceremonies, and had a pumpkin carve-off in October. These times help us to grow as family on mission.
Once a month, we have a G.O.D.S. time - Go Out and Do Something. During these times we serve others - and expose our kids to a variety of ways to grow and care for God's kingdom. We've made lunches for Roselawn's daycamp, invited friends to join connect4 through making invitations, sent the POP Youth group off with joy on their trip to New Orleans, and helped host a Trunk or Treat at Roselawn Lutheran Church in October. In November, we'll serve a meal at a community dinner in Mt. Healthy.
We would love to have your family give connect4 a try.
Our vision is one of enriching the faith lives of families - here at POP, and beyond. In the coming months, we'll continue to invite friends to join us for our family dinners and get-togethers. Our hope is that our love for each is evident of our love for God- and that combined, those loves are contagious in our families, in our communities, and in the world.
November Calendar
November 6: Gathering at the Eilerts' - 6 pm-7:30 pmNovember 20: Gathering at the Eilerts' - 6 pm-7:30 pmNovember 29: G.O.D.S. Time - preparing and serving a meal at Feed Your Neighbor in Mt. Healthy
Contact Mary Ellen Helms MEHelms@popluther.org or
Suzanne Eilert eilerts@cinci.rr.com for more information
Click here to find out more or follow our group on facebook
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ZOE
ZOE is for people who have a passion to engage adults who are challenged cognitively, physically, or emotionally. ZOE will reach out to young adults who are in transition from school to community. ZOE will provide them with opportunities for socialization, service, and worship in Kingdom building activities.
ZOE missional community events
Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 8 pm: Meet at Book Bums in West Chester. ZOE will gather to enjoy the music of the jazz quintet,
Rue 54. Please contact ZOE Missional Community leaders for transportation needs or directions.
Please contact either Linda Paduk (683-7188) or
Marti Lemond (777-0042) for further details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More Than Paws "More Than Paws" started from an awareness that people are naturally drawn into conversation when a dog is in their midst. Missional Communities are built on relationships with people. This group is just in its infancy and so we are trying out many types of activities to see where God is leading us. Please feel free to join us as we forge new territory for His kingdom!
November Calendar
Sunday, November 4:
Rembering our Pets at the P.O.P. Meditation Garden - 9:30 am
Sunday, November 4 : Dog Social at Symmes Dog Park - 4 pm Tuesday, November 20: A Meal of Thanksging at the Torrison Home - 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 21: Dog Social at Symmes Dog Park - 4 pm
Please give one or more of these activities a try to see if this is your Missional Community. When you choose an event to attend, please contact Scott or Marylu Torrison at torrison@fuse.net Detailed information is sent out regularly in e-mails.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November ZumbaŽ Fitness Classes and Vamonos! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Get movin' and come join us for ZumbaŽ Fitness classes Monday and Thursday Evenings in the PLC.
Mondays at 6:30 pm Thursdays at 7:00 pm No class the week of Thanksgiving Guest instructors are helping Karen while she recovers from surgery.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vamonos!
Get Moving!
All are welcome to gather with Vamonos!, a missional community that is focused on staying healthy so we can do the things that God wants us to do! Come to Zumba Fitness classes to get moving and connect with others from Vamonos!. We gather monthly in addition to Zumba fitness to connect together (food / faith / fun) and serve in mission. Gathering and service nights on:
Friday, November 9 at 7 pm - Jenifer Steuber's home Email karenskarda@gmail.com for directions.
Thursday, November 15 at 8 pm - at POP
Connect with Vamonos! after class / Thankfulness & Prayer.
Tuesday, November 27 at 5:45 pm
Serve with us to get children up and moving at "The Supper Club".
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Questions for Zumba Fitness or Vamonos!,
Please contact Karen Skarda (312-9498) or karenskarda@gmail.com
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POP Kids Update
a ministry of Prince of Peace
by Angie Seiller
Treasures from our Preschoolers! The things that we can learn from the innocence of children and their open hearts! We had a new student come into the 2-1/2 year old class for a visit before she officially started school. It was wonderful to watch as many of the children surrounded her and smiled. At 2-1/2, their verbal skills are just developing so they didn't say much but you could feel their joy and welcome. One student was holding a baby doll with a bottle, the new little girl said she would like the bottle and our student gave her the bottle AND the baby. Our new friend fed the baby and gently passed it back. It is how I image Jesus welcoming us. It is also a good lesson as we strive to be disciples, sometimes inhibited by our own insecurities...what should I say, what if they don't want to talk to me, what if I already met them and I will embarrass myself because I don't remember and so on. I pray that this image of welcome will stay in my heart so that I am as welcoming as these precious children. Please mark your calendars for Nov. 29 through Thursday, Dec. 6 for our Silent Auction. The funds we raise help us purchase large items and provide enrichment programs so that we can keep our tuition low. We love donations and bidders! Donation forms are available in the main POP Kids room along the old kitchen wall. Have you noticed our new, POP Kids arrows in the parking lot? For 8 years, we have had the same drop off route for our children (our staff takes the students out of the cars so that moms don't have to take other siblings out of the car to bring them into school especially on cold or rainy days). However, with construction in the near future, we had to change our route. It has caused some confusion so Al Kressler and our great maintenance team, provided some directions. It is in perfect preschool form...bold and easy to follow! God's peace, Angie Seiller Program Manager |
The card making group will meet on
Thursday, November 1 at 10 am
& January 3, 2013 at 10 am.
No December meeting.
On November 1, we will be making birthday and thank you cards. On January 3, 2013, we will be making valentines for the LIFE Food Pantry Senior clients. Supplies are furnished and no experience is needed.
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Wednesday, November 21 at 7 pm
Join us on the eve of Thanksgiving
for worship of thankfulness and Holy Communion
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Advent
December 5, 12, & 19
Wednesday Midweek Worship & Soup Suppers
Supper at 6:15 & Worship at 7:15
Join us for a great time of fellowship followed by evening prayer.
!!! Soup supper volunteers are needed !!! Please sign up on the bulletin board to bring soup, bread, desserts, and beverages or to help with clean-up. Your help is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Donaldson at kimdonaldson@cinci.rr.com.
Christmas Eve
December 24
Family Worship at 5 & 7 pm in PLC
Gather with us for Holy Communion and singing of our favorite carols. This family service is perfect for those with young children. A special Christmas drama will be shared.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship - 9 & 11 pm
This traditional service includes a Christmas message, Holy Communion, music from our adult choir, and ends with singing
"Silent Night" by candlelight.
PLEASE NOTE: Historically, the 5 and 9 pm services have had the highest attendance. Please come to worship in as few cars as possible. If there is not any more room in our parking lot, you may park in the Safety Center lot.
All worship services Dec 23 - Dec 30 will be held
in the Parish Life Center.
All Sunday morning services will be held at 10 am.
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Click here to download a pdf of the prayer list
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Closing Thoughts from our President
As November rushes in on the coattails of Hurricane Sandy, my thoughts turn to how thankful I am for our God, this community of faith, my family and the country that I live in. Praise God for the privilege of living in a country that gives us the freedom to vote for leaders. We remember and recognize the sacrifices that our veterans have made to keep us safe and out of harm's way and we give thanks for the many blessings we each have as we sit down to a Thanksgiving feast. I want to thank this family of faith for their gifts of time, talent and treasure.
This past year has been one of many changes for our congregation but with a great deal of love, hard work and faith; this congregation is growing and giving together in Christ. We have launched missional communities such as connect4 and Vamonos, approved a building expansion plan, developed new ways to communicate with one another while continuing to grow our ministries in Christian Education, Youth, Senior Ministry, Congregational Care like Stephen Ministry, Outreach like the LIFE Food Pantry, the Solomon Project and the POP KIDS School to name a few. The next year will undoubtedly bring more change that will excite us (new facilities!) and hopefully embolden us to hear God's will for us to do ministry as we embark on the 50th Anniversary of Prince of Peace!
This newsletter is filled with opportunities for you to get involved with ministry at Prince of Peace! Please consider how God might be calling you to be nourished by his word and guided to serve him. You may be "fed" by attending a mid week Advent service or a gathering with a Missional Community while your service can be as varied as the unique talents that each of you have to share! It could be by sharing a pot of soup with folks at an advent soup supper or donating clothing or food. There are many options for many different gifts!
November is also the time when your leadership at Prince of Peace will ask for you to prayerfully consider how you can financially contribute to our ongoing ministries and support our current facilities and staff. November 17th and 18th is Stewardship Commitment Weekend. Your pledge/commitment assists the council as it plans for the upcoming year so your thoughtful consideration is most appreciated. Laurie El-Naggar and Bill Clevidence will be directing our Growing and Giving Together In Christ campaign. You will be receiving information about the stewardship pledging process as the month of November unfolds. Feel free to contact Laurie, Bill, myself or any council member with any questions you may have. Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. May God's blessings surround you now and throughout the coming year!
God's Grace and Peace to you,
Kathy Weimer
Church Council President
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REMINDER!
All news articles for next month's newsletter are due to Cary Rohrer by the 15th. Email stories to crohrer@popluther.org or drop it in my mailbox or by my office.
Contact info for our church:
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
101 South Lebanon Rd.
Loveland, OH 45140
513.683.4244
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