This Week at Peace - - July 22, 2011

Dear Peacemakers,

Dear Peacemakers, As I sit here, trying to finish the sermon, I am reeling from today’s news of the sudden death of 26 year old Zachary Day, a young man, whose family members were charter members of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, AL. I’m reading about the famine in Somalia and the acts of terror in Norway. And the scripture I’m preaching on says, “All things work together for good for those who love God.” It teaches that the Spirit groans with us with “sighs too deep for words.” It says that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I encourage you to study the scripture (see attachment) prior to Sunday’s worship, as it is a rich resource for our faith. Pray for our youth, who are completing conferences and returning home Sunday night. Pick up school supplies or backpacks for the children of Beth-El Farmworker Ministries. Remember that we will have the opportunity to give blood on Sunday after worship and until 1:30. See the attached invitation to our first VBS and third Musical, Lightshine. Let us continue to prepare for our Wills Emphasis Sunday. I challenge you to view this video online, whether you are able to attend our Wills Emphasis Seminar at 11:30 or not. You can make a difference for Peace for years beyond your own life. However, you can be certain -- no one will pressure you to make any decisions. This seminar is purely informational. http://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/WillsEmphasis.aspx Peace be with all of you, Elizabeth Attachments: bulletin-2011-07-24 - scripture insert.pdf VBS Promo.pdf

This Week at Peace - - July 15, 2011

Dear Peacemakers,

Let’s remember our scriptural journey in July worship. We were challenged by the Apostle Paul to set our minds on the things of the Spirit (Romans 7-8) to live in the freedom of Christ, and then exhorted by Jesus (Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13) to sow, till, and weed God’s garden so that seeds of Gospel might grow in our souls and our community. This week we read Psalm 139 and consider how intimately God knows us and how well God loves us. Please take your bulletins home each week, so you can read the texts for the coming week, not to mention pondering the scripture and affirmation of faith from each Sunday’s worship.

Peace is having our first Vacation Bible (& Music) School this summer. Lightshine will happen August 8-12 for ages 4-5^thgrade with youth assisting, 9-12 each day. Then on Sunday the 14^that 11:30, our youth will take lead roles in the musical, as directed by Gia, while all the kids sing songs about light of God which guides our steps. A fellowship lunch will follow. Will you help nurture the faith of young ones? Speak to Elizabeth or email back if you are willing assist or be on call in case our numbers grow. Families of Peace, please let us know if your kids are coming.

Next Sunday, the 24^th, the Suncoast Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot from 11:00-1:00 for any who would like to give blood.
The following Sunday, the 31^st, Mark Shoemaker of the Presbyterian Foundation will lead an adult discussion at 11:30 on planning giving. Do you have a will? Have you ever considered tithing 10% of your estate to the church when you die? Would you like to hear about investment opportunities which benefit both you and the Presbyterian Church?

Our middle and high school youth leave for Montreat and Presbyterian College tomorrow with Pastor Tricia and Chip Schaaff and friends from First Presbyterian, Sarasota. Pray for their spiritual growth.

Peace to all,

Elizabeth

This Week at Peace - July 8, 2011

Peacemakers, When I got home from three weeks away in June, my surprise anniversary gift from Richard was a beautifully-tended garden. He had planted new trees and flowers, trimmed hedges, added bark and stone edging. It was lovely. For most of our marriage, I have been the gardener, but lately Richard has a new appreciation of how flowers, trees, and even weeds teach us about our life with God. This Sunday’s text is the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23, which teaches us that we all are gardeners with God. We are called to germinate the good news of Christ’s love. “Our mission is to make God known -- by growing as disciples of Jesus Christ, building a community of peace, and caring for the needs of others.” (Peace Mission Statement) We will send off our youth and their chaperones Sunday with a prayer, as they get ready for their conferences in Montreat and at Presbyterian College. They depart next Saturday. Thanks to all of you who made this trip possible with your participation in the Italian Dinner and Talent Show! We will begin collecting school supplies for the children of Beth-El Farmworker Ministries (see the email from the Mission Team earlier this week). Mark your calendars for a great opportunity provided by our Stewardship Team to think about financial planning, your will, and how you can effectively plan for the future with gratitude and generosity for all God’s goodness (July 31). Be fruitful and prayerful! Elizabeth

This Week at Peace - - July 1, 2011

In the last three weeks, I attended 16 worship services, not one of which did I lead. I cannot begin to describe how refreshing it is to be the hearer of a sermon, the receiver of communion and liturgy, after months and years of preaching them week-by-week. This experience, along with the perspective gained from being in the company of other pastors reflecting on their ministries, has renewed me. Thank you.

At the Credo conference, I learned some valuable lessons and established some goals related to “speaking the truth in love,” rather than avoiding conflict, about “equipping the saints for ministry” because that multiplies the ministry God can do through us, and about remembering that “Christ is our peace,” and on him we depend and together grow into “a dwelling place for God.” (Eph. 2 & 4) It is easy for a pastor to feel like the church’s progress rests entirely on his or her shoulders, but that is not healthy, as we all know. So I return and find that Peace is doing quite well without me – great news!

This Sunday, we read Romans 7:18-8:6, where the Apostle Paul describes the struggle to be faithful, to live according to the Spirit. My sermon title is “Land of the Free?” Four Men of Peace will be singing in their worship debut. Hope you will be with us, but if you’re traveling, we’ll hope to see you soon.

Grace and peace,

Elizabeth