This Week at Prince of Peace...

Resurrection of Our Lord / Easter                                March 27, 2016


This Sunday's Readings
Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26  
 
GOSPEL:  Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Missed last week? Check out last Sunday's sermons, music and more by  clicking here!

Please remember in your prayers this week...
 
Recently Added  
Fred Chamblin (father of Tracy Solomon)
Prema Ramanathan
Carole Spencer (mother of Sherry Schiebel's friend)
Jerry & Carol Weisdock (parents of Jean Bernstein)
Kaitlyn McGurgan & her family
 
Sympathy
Family of Agnes Martinko (friends of the Solomons)
Family of John Spencer (father of Sherry Schiebel's friend)
 
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...
Thursday, March 24 - Maundy Thursday Service will be held at 7:30 pm
Friday, March 25 - Good Friday Service will be held at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 26 - Easter Vigil will be held at 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 27 - Easter celebration worship will be held at 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30 am
Resurrection Run/Walk begins at 5:45, 6:00, & 6:15 am, conclusion at 6:45 am
Easter Egg Hunt at 9:45 am
Grace Notes will play at the 8:30 am service
The Adult Choir will sing at the 10:00 & 11:30 am services
Meghan McCall will perform at the 10:00 & 11:30 am services

    Next Weekend...  
Saturday, April 2 - Worship will be held at 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 3 - Worship will be held at 8:30 & 11:00 am
No Sunday School - resumes on April 10 at 9:45 am

Looking Ahead...
          
Thursday, Mar 24       7:30 PM           Maundy Thursday Service
Friday, Mar 25            7:30 PM           Good Friday Service
Saturday, Mar 26        7:45 AM          Men's Group
                                    6:30 PM           Grace Notes
                                    8:00 PM           Easter Vigil
Sunday, Mar 27                                  Easter Sunday
                                    5:45, 6:00, 6:15 AM        Resurrection Run/Walk
                                    8:30, 10:00, 11:30 AM Easter Sunday Worship
                                    9:45 AM           Easter Egg Hunt
Monday, Mar 28                                 Church Office Closed
Thursday, Mar 31       6-8 PM             Body & Soul Wellness Program
Saturday, Apr 2           7:45 AM          Men's Group
                                       6:30 PM        Empty Nesters Dinner
                                    5:00 PM           Worship
Sunday, Apr 3             8:30 AM          Worship
                                    10:00 AM        Village at Rockville Presentation
                                    11:00 AM         Worship
Tuesday, Apr 5           10:00 AM         Quilters
                                       12:30 PM       Women's Bible Study resumes
Thursday, Apr 7          7:30 PM           Faith-Full Families
Saturday, Apr 9           6:15 PM           Saturday Dinner Out at Cava Grill
Sunday, Apr 10           12:15 PM          Interfaith 5K meeting
Sunday, Apr 10           12:30 PM          Racial Justice meeting
Sunday, Apr 10           6:00 PM           Confirmation Theme Event
Thursday, Apr 14       7:30 PM           Women's Book Group
Saturday, Apr 16         9:00 AM          Stream Cleanup
Sunday, Apr 17           12:30 PM          Church Council Retreat
Thursday, Apr 21       7:30 PM           Books & Beer Men's Book Club
Sunday, Apr 24           12:30 PM          Human Trafficking Legislation Presentation
Sunday, Apr 24           2:00 PM           First Communion Classes begin
Saturday, Apr 30         11:00 AM        Playgroup at PoP Playground
 
 Click here for a complete calendar

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Join us for Holy Week!
Thursday, March 24        Maundy Thursday Service at 7:30 pm
Friday, March 25              Good Friday Service at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 26         Easter Vigil at 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 27            Resurrection Run/Walk at 5:45,6:00,6:15, conclusion at 6:45 am
Sunday, March 27            Easter Sunday Worship at 8:30,10:00,11:30 am
Sunday, March 27            Easter Egg Hunt at 9:45 am     
 
Celebrate the "first feast" of Easter following the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 26 at 8:00 pm. Appetizers & desserts welcome!

There will be no Sunday School classes on March 27 & April 3. Sunday School will resume on April 10.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place immediately after the first service on Easter Sunday, March 27 at 9:45 am. Kids of all ages are invited to attend. Donations of stuffed eggs are needed. Please email Kim Drissel if you can donate (indicate number of eggs). There is a collection bucket for filled eggs in the narthex (along with some empties to fill). Thanks!
 
Easter Morning Resurrection Run: Those fabulous Sunday morning runs/walks have precedence in the Bible as the women RAN from the tomb because they couldn't contain their excitement! Here at PoP we are going to greet Easter morning with our own Resurrection Run/Walk. All distances and paces are welcome and we will conclude our Run/Walk with a hymn around the fire and donuts. Each group will have two different speed 'coaches' and the 'coaches' will have map routes so nobody gets lost.
5:45am: 5+mile loop leaves from PoP
6:00am: 3+mile loop leaves from PoP
6:15am: 1+mile loop leaves from PoP
6:45am: hymn, donuts, and fire (AKA how runners worship the risen Christ)
   
Women's Bible Study will not be held on March 29. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 5 at 12:30 pm with a new book: Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. It is available online or at the book store. We will discuss the first two chapters on April 5. This is a great time to join the group! You do not need to attend every week. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Christine.
    
The Empty Nesters will have a Gourmet Dinner based on Wendy Dinova-Wimmer's cook books at the home of Nancy & Chet Wolejsza on Saturday, April 2 at 6:30 pm. We will help her test and refine the recipes. If you haven't already received an email about this event, please contact Wendy or Nancy for a list of the available dishes. This should be a fun evening with a lot of delicious new food.  

LEARNING with Social Ministries: On April 3rd at 10:00 am between the services, we will have a speaker come from the Village at Rockville, a nearby Lutheran senior living community. This is an opportunity to learn about their services which cover a wide range of independence levels and have been enhanced with their recent renovations. It is also helpful for anyone considering care for a family member. It's also a great place to volunteer, conveniently located near Darnestown Rd and Glen Mill Rd. There are many opportunities such as reading to or visiting residents, wheelchair escorts, administrative duties, leading activities, and sharing your talents. There are also opportunities for students to earn SSL hours. Come and learn about this nearby treasure!             

Our annual membership drive for the Auxiliary begins on April 3rd. Enrich the lives of the residents of the Village at Rockville (formerly the National Lutheran Home) by joining The Auxiliary. The Auxiliary provides the "extras" that make life for the residents an enjoyable experience: birthday parties and gifts, bus trips, Christmas gifts, hearing aid batteries, etc. Join or renew your membership April 3 through April 17 between services or leave your membership form in the POP Office. Contact Donna Von Wald for more info or to help with this project.

Faith-Full Families' Easter event will be held Thursday, April 7 from 6-7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Families with pre-school - elementary age children, and their siblings, are invited for dinner, crafts, a Bible story and fellowship. Sign up in the narthex, email Judy Bruening or just come! We will provide a main dish. If you would like to bring a side dish/salad or a dessert sign up in the narthex or let Judy know. If you just have younger children, you are welcome to join us for fellowship, too. Questions? Contact Judy Bruening.  

Our Saturday Dinners Out after the Saturday service have been great fun! Mark your calendar for the next meet-up Saturday, April 9 around 6:15 pm at Cava Grill in the Kentlands (213 Kentlands Blvd). All are welcome!

We are planning to refresh the Memorial Garden this spring, including replacing the tree that died last year. If you are interested in helping with the planning or planting, please contact Jennifer Maloney.   
   
NEW Body & Soul Wellness Program continues each Thursday! Prince of Peace is proud to offer free health and wellness programming for adults, 18-and-over, on Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Besecker Youth Center. Pick up a Schedule from the narthex. The program starts at 6:00 pm with a "Speed Topic" discussion on a wellness-related subject, followed by an Open Gym from 6:30-8:00 pm. Drop in when you can! Activities will be supervised by Marybeth Stockman RN, MS, an ACSM-Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist. Weights and other specialized equipment will be available to help build functional and core strength, balance, agility and endurance. Click here for more details listed below.

SERVING with Social Ministries: On Saturday, April 16th we will once again be participating in the Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup from 9am-1pm.
This is the largest regional event of its kind! The Cleanup provides a transforming experience that engages citizens and community leaders. Our pick-up will start at the church. We will walk from the parking lot to the small tributary behind the church we call Speicher Run and will follow it to the Muddy Branch stream. We expect to have a lot of fun, pick up a lot of trash, and make a real difference. Supplies will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Lesa Sullivan. 
  
Women's Book Group ~ Whether we share opinions on a book or find ourselves on opposite sides, the POP Women's Book Group always enjoys the fellowship and challenging conversation at our gatherings. Join us for the next discussion on Thursday, April 14, at 7:30 pm at the home of Susan Victor and Joan Kowalik. We will discuss A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner, a tale of two women whose lives are touched by love, tragedy, and acceptance. RSVP to Susan. 

Books and Beer, the Men's Book Club, will meet on Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 pm at the home of Charles Sullivan to discuss Donald J. Trump's "The Art of the Deal." Please RSVP to Charles. All men of PoP and their male friends are cordially invited. No doubt this selection will incite a lively discussion.

Lenten Sharing Bags: a Huge Success! We received over 2,500 diapers, loads of baby food, and other infant needs for Gaithersburg HELP. Our collection for Interfaith Clothing Center included 900 pairs of socks & underwear. A warm "Thank you!" to Becky Carr and Marybeth Stockman for coordinating the project; and to all those who donated: THANK YOU for making this drive so successful!

Our bishop, Bishop Graham, was asked to put together reflections in this election year to serve as an unofficial discussion tool at the recent gathering of the ELCA Conference of Bishops. You may find it helpful as we all reflect on national events. See: http://metrodcelca.org/2016/03/from-the-bishops-desk-remembering-essential-truths-in-an-election-year/

Human Trafficking is very real here in suburban Maryland. The Maryland legislature, the local police departments, and advocacy groups are all trying to come together to eradicate Human Trafficking. They would like to have local churches partner with them. On Sunday, April 24th, Tami Bulla will be presenting on this issue. Tami works for the Chief of Police and in the office of Planning and Legislative Affairs and has been specifically working with our representatives on stiffer laws for those stalking and seeking to sell teenagers. Join us at 12:30pm on April 24th in the sanctuary to learn more about this issue. Questions? See Pastor Christine.

First Communion instruction will be offered beginning Sunday, April 24 for children at least in 3rd grade. If you'd like your child to participate, please contact Pastor Steve!
Come join the Playgroup on Saturday, April 30 at 11:00 am for coffee and chat at the Prince of Peace playground!
Enjoy some time connecting with other parents at the church while your children enjoy the spring weather. Bubbles and sidewalk chalk will add to the fun. PoP Playgroup is a great way for families and their babies/toddlers/preschoolers to connect with each other. Please contact Jamie Pflasterer or Lauren Gibson with any questions.    

Mark your calendar for our annual YARD SALE on Saturday, June 4 from 7 am - 2 pm!

Mark your calendars and tell your friends, Prince of Peace Vacation Bible School 2016 is scheduled for July 25th - 29th (9am-12pm). This year's theme is "Cave Quest - Following Jesus the Light of the World". VBS is for children ages 3 (potty trained) through entering 5th grade. Registration forms will be available on the PoP website as well as at the church starting in May. Registration fee is $50 per participant with a max of $150 per family. Watch for more info, or contact Lori Kohne with any questions!

Please consider giving to the ELCA Disaster Response to assist those affected by the spring storms in the US. Visit the ELCA Disaster Response webpage
to donate or learn more about how you can help.  
   
Good News for our Debt Reduction Efforts! On February 1, 2016, Thrivent Mortgage reset our mortgage per the terms of our contract. The new, 5 year rate is 3.25%, and the new mortgage payment is $2,881. Also, the 2% pre-payment penalty, if the payment came from another lending institution, went away. This is significant because it can add a hefty expense if we were to do something different with another lender. Finally, the amortization schedules continues from the original term, which was 16 years, 6 months. Thus we have roughly 10 years and 5 months left to pay on this loan (approximately $330K remaining). Of course, we are hoping to do it in a much shorter time frame! Thank you for your continued support as we work to reduce this debt to zero. Donations to our Debt Reduction Fund are encouraged!
Would you like to support Prince of Peace every time you shop at Amazon, at no cost to you? When you shop using AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to your charity of choice. AmazonSmile is completely integrated with Amazon.com; you use the same account and have the same shopping cart, Wish List, Registry, and account info. It's easy to set up and use. First click on the following link to tell Amazon that you want donations to be made to Prince of Peace: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1283295; then whenever you want to make a purchase at Amazon, go to smile.amazon.com instead of www.amazon.com. (AmazonSmile will remember the nonprofit you previously selected.) Only purchases made thru smile.amazon.com will be eligible for donations. When logged on, you should see "Supporting Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Gaithersburg, MD" at the top of the homepage. You can also set up your charity choice by logging in to Amazon using Smile.Amazon.com, and choosing from the menu of available charities. Be sure to select Prince of Peace, Gaithersburg, MD (since there are many other PoPs). 
Note: if you already use Goodshop, continue with that because the donation amount is higher than AmazonSmile. To learn about that program go to Goodshop.com to set up an account and select a charity.
  
The Serving in Worship schedule for March & April has been posted
on our website and the bulletin board in the narthex. Please review it and make arrangements for any conflicts. Thanks!

Mar-Lu-Ridge Summer Camp Registration is now open! Send a child or grandchild to week-long camps like Adventure, Arts, Sports, Service, Cooking, Horseback, Pioneer, and Swimming Camp - something for everyone; located in nearby Jefferson, MD. Brochures are available on the bulletin board; or visit www.mar-lu-ridge.org to view the Summer 2016 Brochure, register online, and download forms for camp. Attend an Open House on Sunday,  April 24 or May 22 (2-4:30pm). Summer Camp is a great adventure; join the fun!

The March Glad Tidings is available on our website!    

The Flower Chart for 2016 has been posted. Flowers can be given in memory or honor of a person or special occasion. A donation of $30 covers the flowers for a week, and they are yours to take home after the late service. Sign up on the Chart posted on the bulletin board in the narthex and place your donation (marked "Altar Flowers") in the Offering. Thanks for adding to our worship experience! 

All PoP Donation Statements for 2015 have been mailed. If you did not receive one, please contact Helen Griffith, our Financial Secretary.  Due to a tech glitch, the statements were not emailed.   

2016 Offering Envelopes are available for pickup in the narthex. If you do not wish to use envelopes, please leave a note or email the Office. If you do not see a box with your name and want to use Offering Envelopes in 2016, please contact Bob Butler.

Join us for Sunday School each week at 9:45 am!  For younger students we continue to use 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. Your kids won't want to miss it!!  
          
We are experiencing phone problems in the Office and voicemail is not working.  If possible, please send an email instead of calling.     
BodySoul*********************************
Body & Soul Wellness Program Meets Every Thursday!
 
* Are you looking for a way to jumpstart your exercise routine?
* Do you wish you could exercise in a friendly setting and not with strangers at the gym?
* Do you wish you could get more personal attention and pointers to make your diet and exercise more effective?
* Do you need help setting realistic wellness goals?
 
Prince of Peace is proud to offer regular health and wellness programming for adults, 18-and-over, on Thursday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Besecker Youth Center. 

We start each week at 6:00 pm with a "Speed Topic" discussion on a wellness-related subject. An Open Gym follows from 6:30-8:00 pm. Blood pressure screening are also available.
 
Activities are supervised by Marybeth Stockman RN, MS, an ACSM-Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist. Weights and other specialized equipment will be available to help build functional and core strength, balance, agility and endurance. Get pointers on form and learn ways to tweak your diet and exercise program. All levels of ability are welcome, and those with chronic health conditions are encouraged to attend.
 
Both activities are free to PoP members. For now activities will be held on a drop-in basis as space permits. Contact Marybeth for more information.

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Please remember in your prayers this week...
ContPrayers 
As Prince of Peace Lutheran Church continues to grow, those in need of prayerful support also increases. Because of our three services, not everyone is familiar with all members of the congregation, and we are often asked if a particular name on the Prayer List is a member of the congregation. In order to clarify this the Continuing Prayers list is now divided into PoP Members and Family & Friends. Hopefully this change will facilitate communication within the church. Please continue to pray for all those in need. 

Continuing Prayers - PoP Members
Lisa Adams, Emily Adams Muhler, Eardie Baka, Carol Barotti, Madelyn Berkeley, Elizabeth Langum Chung, David family, Goodwin family, Laura Hampe, Steven Hill, Jessica Jeffery, Roy Johnson, Pat Juhrs, Greta Kunkle, Mike Langum, Remi Langum, Jim McNerney, Sandy Moore, Heather Robinson, David Rogers, James Rogers, Martha Rogers, Julie Stokes, Nancy Swanson, Laura Wilson.

Continuing Prayers - Family & Friends
Rohanie Bacchus (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Scott Baka (son of Eardie Baka), Becca, Jeremy, & Shea Baldwin, Margaux Bereston (friend of Cherie DeGeorge), The Rev. Jeong & Nam Cho (parents of Claire Cho), Sydney Clark (friend of Cathy Berninger), Joanne Claycamp (mother of Gregg Claycamp), Susan Collis (mother of Jill Spivak), Gilda & Khaleesi Damiani (friends of Tonya Meyer & Amy Ceralde), Amanda Dantus (friend of Tracy Barr), Victor DeGeorge (uncle of Mike DeGeorge), Kathy Drake (friend of Dave & Nancy Swanson), Paula Everitt (relative of Amy Rossmeisl), Nathan Farrar (nephew of Richard Farrar), Stephen Farrar (brother of Richard Farrar), Ruth Garretson (grandmother of Kelly Garretson), Torie Gensch (friend of Sherry Schiebel), Kelly Gibson (sister of Dan Gibson), Nate & Susan Greenblatt (friends of Madelyn Berkeley), Karen Griese (mother of Kari Oakes), Joni Hanley (friend of Jean Bernstein), Haris (friend of Greg Von Wald), Ralph Heckel, Mary Christine Hevner (sister of Judy Wooldridge), Lisa Holmes (friend of Lisa McGurgan), Janet Howard (friend of Nettie Horne), Mario Ierardi and family (friend of Debra Aplan), Christopher Johnson (son of Roy Johnson), Kim (friend of Donna Von Wald), Bill Kratz (father of Laura Garretson), Tim Leiss, Margaret Mahan (mother of Julie Boyce), Mark Miller (friend of Butler family), Debbie Mulhern (friend of Martha Rogers), Jayson Musser (friend of the Butler family), Ray Nopper (friend of Andrea Goble), Louise Pascal (aunt of David Rogers), Bill Prueter, Linda Prueter, Ted Prueter (father of Bill Prueter), Greg Rayman (uncle of Julie Stokes), Richard Sawyer (father of Sarah Bolek),  John Shay (friend of Mike & Cherie DeGeorge), Richard Sherman (cousin of Gordon Gipe), Pauline Shumaker (mother of Lisa Conary), Kathy Tezla (relative of Sofi Yanevskyy), Liz Wagner (aunt of Lisa McGurgan), Howard Weidemoyer,  Dianne Werley (friend of Ann Callahan), Kathy Williams (stepdaughter of Ann Callahan), Katina Williams (friend of Stephen Hill), 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               32     
Sunday                                  8:30 AM              55
11:00 AM             76
Total:                                                                 163


  Serving in Worship Sunday

                                                8:30 AM
Team Leader                    Laura Hurst
Altar Guild                        Laura Hurst
Communion Assts.        Laura Hurst, John Zimmermann, Sherry & Grey Kienzle
Lector                                   Jon Conary
Acolyte                                 Sydney Kienzle
Ushers                                  Nancy & Chet Wolejsza, Ric Kienzle
Greeters                               Alice Baur, Judy Logeman, Peter Carr
Snacks                                  Becky Carr                   
 
10:00 AM                              11:30 AM
Team Leader                    Chris Michel                       Chuck Dixon
Altar Guild                        Susan Victor                      Debra Aplan      
Communion Assts.        Susan Victor,                     Debra Aplan,
                                                Jessica Prentice                  Jessica Prentice,                
                                                                                                Susan & Eric Holdsworth
Lector                                   Tom Kettler                        Deborah Dixon
Acolyte                                 Kate Hawley                      Christina Levine
Ushers                                  Aubrey Merchant-Dest  David Malmgren,
                                                TBA                                       Aubrey Merchant-Dest,
                                                                                                Tom Kettler
Greeters                               Lesa & Steve Sullivan     Deborah & Chuck Dixon
Snacks                                  Susan Hawley                   TBA

Prayer Writer                     Jane Sahmel
Counters                              June Herron & Laura Garretson
Cookie Brigade                Tonya Meyer (Bake) & Chris Michel (Deliver)

              Click here for a complete Serving in Worship schedule.          
 


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
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!!  
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


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