This Week at Prince of Peace...

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost                  September 13, 2015


This Sunday's Readings
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 116:1-9; James 3:1-12 
 
GOSPEL:  Mark 8:27-38
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
            Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
            He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."


Catch up on sermons & Youth Gathering Reflections from the last several weeks by clicking here!

Please remember in your prayers this week...
 
Recently Added  
Sarah Gowing
Debbie Mulhern (friend of Martha Rogers)
Jayson Musser (friend of the Butler family)
Amanda Dantus (friend of Tracy Barr)
Roberta Lucas (friend of the Forish family)
Greta Kunkle
Kathy Tezla (relative of Sofi Yanevskyy)
Madelyn Berkeley
Brittany Daniel (daughter of Cherie & Mike DeGeorge)
 
Thanksgiving
Baptism of Brady Wilkes (son of Lindsay & John Wilkes)
Birth of Briana Mae Schambura (granddaughter of Debbie & Terry Forish)
 
Continuing Prayers
Click here for Continuing Prayer List located below. 
 
*Please notify the church office of anyone else needing prayers, or if the concern is resolved.    
 
Coming Up at Prince of Peace
  
This Weekend...  
Quilt Dedication at all services
Saturday , September 12 - Worship will be held at 5:00 pm
Sunday, September 13 - Worship will be held at 8:30 & 11:00 am
Rally Sunday - Sunday School starts at 9:45 am!
Grace Notes will play at both Sunday services.
Christina Levine will sing at both Sunday services.
The Adult Choir will sing at the 11:00 am service
Brady Wilkes will be baptized at the 11:00 am service!
Day of Service Projects & Picnic will begin at 12:15 pm

    Next Weekend...  
Saturday , September 19 - Worship will be held at 5:00 pm
Empty Nesters Wine Festival Trip
PoP Playgroup will meet at Hadley's Playground at 11:00 am
Saturday Dinner Out at Cava Grill (Kentlands) after the Saturday service!
 
Sunday, September 20 - Worship will be held at 8:30 & 11:00 am
Sunday School will be held at 9:45 am
NEW Adult Study "Divine Drama" at 9:45 am

 
       Looking Ahead...
Thursday, Sept 10       7:30 PM           Women's Book Group
                                    7:30 PM           Grace Notes
Saturday, Sept 12        7:45 AM          Men's Group
                                    5:00 PM           Worship
Sunday, Sept 13          Sunday School Rally Day & Day of Service
                                    8:30 AM        Worship
                                    9:45 AM         Sunday School Rally Day
                                    11:00 AM       Worship
                                    12:15 PM         Day of Service Projects & Picnic
                                    1:00 PM           Youth Handbells Rehearsals Kick-off
                                    6:00 PM           Confirmation Theme Events begin
Tuesday, Sept 15        10:00 AM         Quilters
                                    12:30 PM          Women's Bible Study
Wednesday, Sept 16   7:30 PM           Adult Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, Sept 17       7:30 PM           Men's Book Club "Books & Beer"
                                    7:30 PM           Grace Notes
Saturday, Sept 19        7:45 AM          Men's Group
                                    10:30 AM         Empty Nesters - Md Wine Festival
                                    11:00 AM         PoP Playgroup at Hadley's Playground
                                    5:00 PM           Worship
                                    6:15 PM           Saturday Dinner Out at Cava Grill
Sunday, Sept 20          8:30 AM          Worship
                                    9:45 AM          Sunday School
                                    9:45 AM          Adult Sunday School begins
                                    11:00 AM         Worship
                                    12:30 PM          9th Grade Confirmation Workshop
                                    1:00 PM           Youth Handbells Rehearsal
Sunday, Sept 27          6:00 PM           Bible Art Journaling Class
Oct 2-3                                               Confirmation Retreat
Saturday, Oct 10         5:00 PM           Worship with Blessing of the Animals
 
                                   Click here for a complete calendar
****************************
Our Fall Worship Schedule resumes THIS weekend, September 12&13! Join us for:
Saturday Worship at 5 pm
Sunday Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 am
Sunday School at 9:45 am
Day of Service Projects & Picnic after 11:00 service 

This Sunday is "God's work. Our hands." Sunday ~ Participate with PoP on this ELCA National Day of Service in any of the following ways:
1. During Sunday School, children will create blankets for Lutheran World Relief
After the 11:00 service...
2. Help put together 60 Breakfast Bags for the Men's shelter
3. Clean up the church property from the church to the creek
There is no need to sign up, just show up! There are ways for the whole family to serve.
The Fellowship Committee will provide a Picnic lunch and Ice Cream Social after the late service for those helping with the service projects!
 
Join us for Rally Day as we kick off our new season of Sunday School THIS Sunday, September 13 at 9:45 am!  For younger students we'll continue using a rotational model which provides an experiential approach similar to VBS. For Middle and High School students, we use cool and quirky workbooks and short films to explore relevant topics. A year-long adult study, Divine Drama, will begin on September 20. You and your kids won't want to miss it!! Click here for more details about our Sunday School programs (described below).

15 minute Opportunity to support Sunday School! Audio/Visual support is needed for Sunday School Opening in the Sanctuary from 9:45-10am. We are planning to create a team of 2-3 people who will job share this easy-to-learn role. Perfect for Early Service folks, Sunday School parents, or anyone wishing to help support the Sunday School program. Sign up online or contact Janet Levine with questions or to volunteer.
 
Sunday School isn't just for Kids! Beginning September 20 at 9:45 am in BYC (conference room) we will be offering a year long, in-depth adult education class: Divine Drama. This course will look at the Bible as a whole and its major themes. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has wanted to delve deeper into their faith and God's word. Questions? See Pastor Christine.

You Made a Difference!  The good news keeps coming. After our historic July $200,000 principal payment, we were able to make an additional $4,000 payment in August. The decrease in principal so far this year means that with each new regular payment more than $800 that used to pay interest is now paying principal. We encourage folks to continue to make contributions to the Debt Reduction Fund, as every gift helps. Thank you to all who have contributed!

Want to praise the Lord in song and have fun learning some great music? Then join the Prince of Peace Hand Bell Choir!  The Hand Bell Choir is for children in 3rd-7th grade and we are looking for new members!! Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoons from 1-1:45pm beginning Sunday, September 13. Please signup in the narthex or contact Danielle Drobny for more info.  

This weekend we Dedicate the Quilts that our Quilting group has been working on throughout the year. If you have made any kits for Lutheran World Relief; please bring them in by Sunday, September 20, so they can be delivered to LWR along with the quilts. For directions on making kits, see http://lwr.org/getinvolved/kits; there is quite a variety of choices. 

The September Glad Tidings is available on our website! Many Thanks to Martha Rogers for putting together another informative and interesting issue!

The October Glad Tidings deadline is Sunday, September 13. Please submit your articles, photos, etc. to Martha Rogers.
 
The Serving in Worship schedule for September & October has been posted
on our website and the bulletin board in the narthex. Please review it and make arrangements for any conflicts. Thanks!    

Tables for All is a fun adult fellowship program in which potluck meals are shared with other members of Prince of Peace. The meals are hosted at the homes of members; guests provide some of the food. The 2015-16 series will consist of three rounds: Oct-Nov, Jan-Feb, and March-May. The exact dates and times are determined by mutual agreement of the host and guests. The usual host and guest list includes eight people. This program is just for adults, but we can help identify potential babysitters. Those who sign up will be provided with a schedule showing hosts/attendees and food assignments: main dish (host), side dish, salad & bread, or dessert. Tables for All is a wonderful way to meet others at PoP and to reconnect with old friends. Sign up in the narthex or email Lisa Woodard.

PB&J for the Hungry-Thank you to those who have contributed to our fall PB&J drive for Gaithersburg HELP! Gaithersburg HELP provides emergency food to those in need, and plays a vital role in reducing hunger in our community. Please continue to bring jars of peanut butter and jelly, and place them in the special collection box in the foyer. The Sunday School children will start helping with the collection this weekend. If you have children, please encourage them to bring PB&J for their offering.

The POP Women's Book Group will meet Thursday, September 10 at 7:30 pm to discuss On Sal Mal Lane by Ru Freeman. The novel takes place on a quiet street in Sri Lanka, starting in 1979; the book tells the tale of what happens to the tranquility of the neighborhood when outside forces threaten. The group will also select books for the next few months (the rule is that you must have read the book to recommend it). Nancy Wolejsza hosts the gathering at her home. RSVP to Nancy. All POP Women are welcome to attend one or all meetings.
 
The Men's Book Club "Books & Beer" will meet Thursday, September 17 at 7:30 pm to discuss Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, a rollicking, fictionalized treatment of Freemasonry set in Washington DC. All men of Prince of Peace and their male friends are cordially invited to attend. Please RSVP to our host, Steve Von Wald.

The Women's Bible Study is studying and discussing the Gospel of Mark this Fall on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm. This is an open, fluid group of women. All are welcome to join us. Feel free to bring a bagged lunch. If you have questions or want to be included on our email distribution list, please contact Pastor Christine.  

On Saturday, September 19 at 11:00 am it's time to bring out the trikes and meet us at Falls Road Park (12600 Falls Rd). We'll be at Hadley's Playground, a unique and fully accessible playground that allows children of all ages and abilities to play together. PoP Playgroup is a great way for families and their babies/toddlers/preschoolers to connect with each other. Please contact Jamie or Lauren with any questions!

Our Saturday Dinners Out after the Saturday service have been great fun! 
Mark your calendar for the next meet-up Saturday, September 19 around 6:15 pm at Cava Grill in the Kentlands (213 Kentlands Blvd). All are welcome!

The Empty Nesters group heads to the Maryland Wine Festival at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, MD on Saturday, September 19. For details see http://www.marylandwinefestival.org/. Tickets can be purchased online for $27 or $30 at the gate. A car pool will be leaving from the church parking lot at 10:30am. If you can join us, please sign up in the narthex or RSVP to Nancy Wolejsza. Those attending will receive an email a week before the event with details including a map shwoing our meeting place in the fair grounds. At PoP, you're an Empty Nester if your children (if you have any) are all over 18. It doesn't matter whether you have children, where your children live, what your marital status is, or what your retirement status is. If you want to socialize with this diverse and interesting group, join us!     

Bible Art Journaling: This year we will be offering a devotional class which encourages you to engage actively with the word of God through doodling, illustration, and note-taking in your Bible. We will meet once a month, with our first meeting on September 27 from 6-7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a 'journaling Bible' with you to the first class. Questions? See Pastor Christine (or google 'bible art journaling - you'll see how very cool it is).

It's not too late to join the PoP Adult Choir for the Fall 2015 season! Adult choir is for people who want to praise God with great music and fun filled fellowship. Rehearsals are Wednesdays 7:30-9:00pm. We are preparing for a Christmas Cantata again this year, please join and be part of a musical celebration with us. For more info, please contact the Choir Director, Claire Cho.

Opportunity to Double your Donation to Gaithersburg HELP! Gaithersburg HELP has received an AMAZING offer to match every individual $100 donation made during the month of September, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000! If you would like to double your support for their programs - donate today. See their website for details on donating online or by mail. (While all donations are appreciated, the anonymous donor has specified that only the first $100 from each individual will be matched.)   

Please consider giving to the ELCA Disaster Response to assist with the refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe. Visit the ELCA Disaster Response webpage to donate or learn more about how you can help.   
  
Pastor Steve will be leading a trip to the Holy Land in September of 2016!
Brochures are available online and in the narthex. Contact Pastor Steve for more info.        
We are experiencing phone problems in the Office and voicemail is not working.  If possible, please send an email instead of calling.     
SundaySchool
Youth Sunday School This Fall
 
Rally Day kicks off our new season of Sunday School on September 13th at 9:45 am. Preschool through elementary age kids and their families will meet in the sanctuary for Opening as they register for Sunday School. Older students will start in their classrooms in the Besecker Youth Center (BYC). Sunday school meets weekly from 9:45-10:45 am.  
 
All classes will celebrate ELCA's Day of Service (September 13th) by completing service projects in their classrooms in conjunction with the day's lessons. Preschool/K will decorate cards and placemats, while older students tie fleece blankets.
 
Preschool - Elementary School will once again use the  Spark Rotation Sunday School curriculum. Preschool learns through workshops such as Bible story, crafts, games, and even snack, while Elementary classes use workshops such as drama, cooking, video, and science. All classes explore each Bible story from multiple perspectives and in greater depth with an experiential approach similar to VBS.
 
Middle School will use the Sparkhouse Connect curriculum which explores biblical themes in a fun and thought-provoking way. Students will use quirky short films to spark interest in fun yet contemplative topics. They will read, mark up, and interact with several connected Bible passages each week and relate biblical themes to their own lives.
 
High School will explore the New Testament ancestors of our faith: "Unlikely people called by God to do amazing things." Using more cool and quirky workbooks and short films, we'll discover similarities between ourselves and the many unlikely people chosen by God to do the extraordinary.
 
Contact Sunday School Superintendent, Janet Levine, with any questions or comments.
See you on Rally Day!
 


VolunteerSpot is our new way to stay informed and sign up for volunteer opportunities at Prince of Peace. An email is sent for each need, as it is identified. The message contains a link that makes it easy to add your name as a helper. Here are our current volunteer requests:
 
Volunteer Need   
Sunday School A/V support (Only 15 minutes, once or twice a month)    
Worship Volunteers (Ushers, Snack volunteers, Prayer Writers, Acolytes, etc.) 
 
There is a button with a link to current volunteer opportunities on our church web page; you can also click on the specific Volunteer Need above or here to see the complete list. Thank you for sharing your time and talents!!  
Please remember in your prayers this week...
ContPrayers 
Continuing Prayers
Lisa Adams, Emily Adams Muhler, Carol Barotti (former PoP Administrator), Margaux Bereston (friend of Cherie DeGeorge), Allen Bernstein (father-in-law of Jean Bernstein), Micah Biello (grandson of Vickie & Brad Smith), Becky & Nick Biello (daughter & son-in-law of Vickie & Brad Smith), Marjorie Blackburn (sister-in-law of Nettie Horne), John Bokor (grandfather of Michelle Cockerham), Joanne Catteltt (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Mary Chamblin (grandmother of Cassidy Solomon), The Rev. Jeong & Nam Cho (parents of Claire Cho), Elizabeth Langum Chung, Sydney Clark (friend of Cathy Berninger), Joanne Claycamp (mother of Gregg Claycamp), Leon Crookshank (father of Steve Crookshank), David family, Donica (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Kathy Drake (friend of Dave & Nancy Swanson), Nathan Farrar (nephew of Richard Farrar), Stephen Farrar (brother of Richard Farrar), Terry Forish, Ruth Garretson (grandmother of Kelly Garretson), Torie Gensch (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Kelly Gibson (sister of Dan Gibson), Andrea Goble, Goodwin family, Robert Gowing (father of Scott Gowing), Joni Hanley (friend of Jean Bernstein), Rob, Lucy, & Luke Harbert (friends of Megan Bruening), Haris (friend of Greg Von Wald), Ralph Heckel, Leonard Hepner (father of Donna Von Wald), Mary Christine Hevner (sister of Judy Wooldridge), Steven Hill, Lisa Holmes (friend of Lisa McGurgan), Wes Horne (brother of Nettie Horne), Janet Howard (friend of Nettie Horne), Mario Ierardi and family (friend of Debra Aplan), Jessica Jeffery, Christopher Johnson (son of Roy Johnson), Doris Johnson (mother of Donna Nelson), Roy Johnson, Pat Juhrs, Brenda Kapp (friend of Cynthia Watter), Kim (friend of Donna Von Wald), Dan Kohler and family (friends of Valerie Corbin), Bill Kratz (father of Laura Garretson), Mike Langum, Remi Langum, Carole Mattis (friend of Donna Von Wald), Jim McNerney, Mark Miller (friend of Butler family), Ray Nopper (friend of Andrea Goble), Jim Oliver (husband of Sherry Schiebel's friend), Bridget Pavlak, Bill Prueter, Linda Prueter, Ted Prueter (father of Bill Prueter), Greg Rayman (uncle of Julie Stokes), Ed Rebisz (relative of Dick Weis), Diane Rench (friend of Richard Farrar), Heather Robinson, Jessica Rogers (friend of Pamela Cook), Martha, David and James Rogers, Zach Rogers (friend of Pamela Cook), Kathy Rossmeisl, Sally & Richard Sawyer (parents of Sarah Bolek), John Shay (friend of Mike & Cherie DeGeorge), Pauline Shumaker (mother of Lisa Conary), Rose Simmerman (grandniece of Sherry Schiebel), Pastor Les Stano, Matt Stokes, Nancy Swanson, Suzanne Szaloczi (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Lindsay, Chris, & Carson Vidler (niece of Madelyn Berkeley), Liz Wagner (aunt of Lisa McGurgan), Howard Weidemoyer, David Weis (son of Dick Weis), Joy Weis (daughter-in-law of Dick Weis), Dianne Werley (friend of Ann Callahan), Dan Whithaus (friend of Joan Beeler), Harold Wilkey (husband of Cynthia Watter's aunt), Kathy Williams (stepdaughter of Ann Callahan), Laura Wilson, Matthew Wolejsza (son of Nancy & Chet Wolejsza)

*Please notify the church office of anyone else needing continuing prayers, or if the concern is resolved.   
 
   
Attendance Last Weekend
 
Saturday                          5:00 PM                     33        
Sunday                             8:30 AM                    36
                                           10:00 AM                   38
Total:                                                                   107
 
Serving in Worship Sunday
                                    
8:30 AM                              11:00 AM
Team Leader                    Nancy Swanson                Tim Foust
Altar Guild                        Donna Rose                         Ann Callahan
Communion Assts.        John Zimmermann          Ann Callahan
Lector                                   Lisa Conary                        Terry Forish
Acolyte                                 Xavier Bornhorst             Cora Barr
Ushers                                  Judy Logeman &               Tracy Barr & David Malmgren
                                                Elizabeth Cockerham
Greeters                               Sherry Schiebel &             Debbie Chan & Tim Foust
                                                Susan Muma
Snacks                                  Judy Logeman                   Julie & Jim Boyce
Prayer Writer                     Sherry Schiebel
Counters                              Kathryn Brower & Tim Foust
Cookie Brigade                Susan Hawley (Bake & Deliver)

              Click here for a complete Serving in Worship schedule.          
 
Contact Information

Church Office:

office@poplutheran.org

301-869-3666 

Church Council:
council@poplutheran.org

Pastor Steve
:

pastor@poplutheran.org

301-980-0160 (cell)

Pastor Christine:

pastorchristine@poplutheran.org

703-517-0728 (cell)
Visit Pastor Christine's blog at:

http://tinydartfrog.com 

 

Sermon mp3 downloads are available at:
http://poplutheran.org/sermonsmusic/sermonsandmusic.html

Monthly Newsletters ("Glad Tidings") are available at:

http://poplutheran.org/newsletters.html


Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter:  @PoPGaithersburg
 Subscribe to us on  YouTube