Sojourners called Peace,
God provided water from a rock in the wilderness, so I’m confident that God will provide a new home for Peace, when the Manatee Association of Realtors sells their buildings. But I’m going to join the Israelites of Exodus 17 and grumble.
If you saw the East County Observer today, you may have surmised that the Realtors Board did not sign an addendum to our lease contract, which would have secured us as tenants utilizing the Event Center. They apparently needed more selling flexibility than they were willing to admit. We suggested that we could lease more space from them, but that was not enough. Zoning restrictions do not currently allow a church to purchase the buildings, and we have learned that a change in the zoning was unlikely.
So, as much as we have enjoyed our 2010-2011 home, and as fruitful as the Event Center has been for Peace Church, we could be on the road again with our growing church family. We will keep you informed. Our Building Vision Team is working diligently to recommend to session an architect to design a master plan for our land on Lorraine Road, but these things take time and money. So bear with us. And pray with us.
This Sunday we look at the 10 Commandments as God’s gift to wandering, grumbling people. We will collect the Peacemaking Offering as it is World Communion Sunday. Think of those in warn-torn countries, dangerous communities, or desperate homes, where there is no peace. Remember all the places where there is hatred, injury, doubt, despair, darkness, and sadness. Then give generously to sow love, pardon, faith, hope, light, and joy, as the St Francis prayer says. The choir will sing “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” as we exercise trust that “in giving of ourselves that we receive, and in dying, we are born to eternal life.”
Grateful to journey with you,
Elizabeth
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
This Week at Peace -- September 25, 2011
Dear Peacemakers,
It brings me great joy to see so many new faces in the Peace family. As the song goes, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other, gold.”
Time is running short for those who want to sign up for Stephen Ministry Training. Please email back immediately if you want to reserve a spot. Autumn training will include two week-ends (Friday night-Saturday – to be determined) and then January-March, one night/week.
Pray for the nominating committee and for persons who may be wondering “Am I really called to serve as an elder?” It is a high calling, but not a heavy burden at Peace because we have such a talented group of Ministry Team Leaders, who carry a large part of the work load.
Peace Sisters – ideas luncheon this Sunday at 12:30 and prayer walk every Saturday at 10. Peace Brothers – 6:45 Prayer Breakfast. Any guys interested in a monthly evening meeting?
Youth Fellowship has a full schedule of activities. Kudos to Pastor Tricia and advisors.
Autumn Activities at Peace:
Choirs Potluck tomorrow (Sat) night and rehearsals begin in October
Oct 2 World Communion Sunday – Peacemaking Offering collected (25% kept for our local efforts)
Oct-Nov Neighborhood Dinners: Get to know your closest Peace neighbors. Sign up Sunday. Maybe you’re willing to host one?
Oct 16 Adventure Park Hot Dogs and Kick Ball -- 3:00PM to 7:00PM Sign up to bring a dish to share.
Oct 16 Beth-El Farmworkers Mission Open House -- Meet at Peace at 3:00 to carpool with friends
Oct 21 Empty Bowls Benefit Luncheon LWR -- Support Manatee Food Bank $20; meet at Peace at 11:30 to carpool
Nov 6 Gratitude Brunch after worship here at Peace – celebrating God’s goodness with table talk
Thanksgiving Day at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage -- 30 spots reserved for Peace people at 11:00
Dec 4 – The Christmas Story in Sarasota
As we grow, it is not always easy to keep a finger on every pulse, so please do not hesitate to call if you need support. Your pastors, music director, elders, and your congregational care team are praying for you.
God's grace and peace to all,
Elizabeth
It brings me great joy to see so many new faces in the Peace family. As the song goes, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other, gold.”
Time is running short for those who want to sign up for Stephen Ministry Training. Please email back immediately if you want to reserve a spot. Autumn training will include two week-ends (Friday night-Saturday – to be determined) and then January-March, one night/week.
Pray for the nominating committee and for persons who may be wondering “Am I really called to serve as an elder?” It is a high calling, but not a heavy burden at Peace because we have such a talented group of Ministry Team Leaders, who carry a large part of the work load.
Peace Sisters – ideas luncheon this Sunday at 12:30 and prayer walk every Saturday at 10. Peace Brothers – 6:45 Prayer Breakfast. Any guys interested in a monthly evening meeting?
Youth Fellowship has a full schedule of activities. Kudos to Pastor Tricia and advisors.
Autumn Activities at Peace:
Choirs Potluck tomorrow (Sat) night and rehearsals begin in October
Oct 2 World Communion Sunday – Peacemaking Offering collected (25% kept for our local efforts)
Oct-Nov Neighborhood Dinners: Get to know your closest Peace neighbors. Sign up Sunday. Maybe you’re willing to host one?
Oct 16 Adventure Park Hot Dogs and Kick Ball -- 3:00PM to 7:00PM Sign up to bring a dish to share.
Oct 16 Beth-El Farmworkers Mission Open House -- Meet at Peace at 3:00 to carpool with friends
Oct 21 Empty Bowls Benefit Luncheon LWR -- Support Manatee Food Bank $20; meet at Peace at 11:30 to carpool
Nov 6 Gratitude Brunch after worship here at Peace – celebrating God’s goodness with table talk
Thanksgiving Day at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage -- 30 spots reserved for Peace people at 11:00
Dec 4 – The Christmas Story in Sarasota
As we grow, it is not always easy to keep a finger on every pulse, so please do not hesitate to call if you need support. Your pastors, music director, elders, and your congregational care team are praying for you.
God's grace and peace to all,
Elizabeth
Friday, September 16, 2011
This Week at Peace - September 16, 2011
Dear Friends,
We hope you will be worshiping with us this Sunday, as we explore the generous hospitality of Jesus in the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matt 20:1-16) and his teaching on whom we might help or invite to dinner. (Luke 14:1-6; 12-14) This is our final week in the Foundations of the Presbyterian Church and our question is "Who is going with us?" We are called to be open to all whom Jesus calls into our midst and open to the reforming power of the Holy Spirit in our common life.
It's a great time to join Peace! Come to an 11:30 gathering this Sunday to learn more about being part of the Peace family. Then you'll be ready on World Communion/Peacemaking Sunday to stand with others in worship who are declaring their trust in Jesus Christ, renouncing evil and affirming their reliance on the grace of God, and intending to be active and responsible in the worship, ministry, and mission of the church. There are many different ways to be a faithful member. Think about it and let me know if you're ready. It would make my day!
Peace to all,
Elizabeth
We hope you will be worshiping with us this Sunday, as we explore the generous hospitality of Jesus in the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matt 20:1-16) and his teaching on whom we might help or invite to dinner. (Luke 14:1-6; 12-14) This is our final week in the Foundations of the Presbyterian Church and our question is "Who is going with us?" We are called to be open to all whom Jesus calls into our midst and open to the reforming power of the Holy Spirit in our common life.
It's a great time to join Peace! Come to an 11:30 gathering this Sunday to learn more about being part of the Peace family. Then you'll be ready on World Communion/Peacemaking Sunday to stand with others in worship who are declaring their trust in Jesus Christ, renouncing evil and affirming their reliance on the grace of God, and intending to be active and responsible in the worship, ministry, and mission of the church. There are many different ways to be a faithful member. Think about it and let me know if you're ready. It would make my day!
Peace to all,
Elizabeth
Friday, September 9, 2011
This Week at Peace - September 9, 2011
We will pray in song,
God, give us faith and wisdom to be your healing hands;
Give open minds that listen to truth from all your lands.
Give strength to work for justice; Grant love that casts out fear.
Then peace and not destruction will be the victor here.
There’s an Interfaith Service for Peace and Understanding at our sister church, First Presbyterian in Sarasota at 5:00 Sunday evening.
Our series on the Foundations of Presbyterianism continues, this week with a sermon on Colossians 1:3-14, an encouragement to meet the goal by leading lives worthy of Jesus Christ: being fruitful, wise, strong, thankful and patient.
Peace’s goals are inspiring worship, authentic relationships, nurturing discipleship, compassionate outreach, and responsive stewardship. For one hundred years, the goals of the Presbyterians have been
The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind
The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God
The maintenance of divine worship
The preservation of the truth
The promotion of social righteousness, and
The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
These goals tell us where we are going. Sometimes when life is too busy or when really bad things happen, we need to be reminded of who we are and what really matters. A couple of weeks ago at a Peace, we heard a quote from C.S. Lewis, "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.
Come, do something infinitely important with us Sunday morning. 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.
New people, new classes, same great God!
Peace be with you all,
Elizabeth
Friday, September 2, 2011
This Week at Peace - September 2, 2011
Peaceful Friends,
Members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their supporters are cycling from Immokalee to Lakeland, hoping to speak to Ed Crenshaw of Publix. If you would like to support their efforts to secure a penny more per pound for tomato pickers, then please meet at Rivers Edge Publix Hwy 64 at 1:30 today. We are loyal Publix shoppers and people who peacefully seek justice for the poor in Jesus’ name. For other events related to this peaceful act of justice, see this link: http://www.interfaithact.org/pilgrimage
This Sunday morning, Peace will have a Festival of Singing (and you thought we already sing a lot at Peace?) This is our third week in the series on the Foundations of the Church. We will examine what makes us who we are by focusing on the church as body of Christ – people of faith, hope, love and witness, and by reflecting on the marks of the church, according to the Nicene Creed – one, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic (connected/sent). Our meditation on each of the four parts – one, holy catholic, and apostolic – will be concluded with a related hymn or song.
After worship and fellowship, please consider staying to learn more about Stephen Ministry, a program of Christian caregiving. If you decide to train this year as a Stephen Minister, you will develop so many helpful relational tools – listening, speak the truth in love, praying for others, etc. So come, learn more about how to become a Stephen Minister this Sunday at 11:30.
Next Friday, our Faith and Film Night feature is Invictus, a great film about rugby and race relations! Come watch and discuss the movie, led by our own David Thomas, retired professor of film studies and rhetoric.
Finally, remember our Belonging to God questions from last Sunday – to be known this week – Who are you? I am a child of God. What does it mean to be a child of God? That I belong to God who loves me. Weave these into your soul for the reassurance they bring.
Peace to all,
Elizabeth
Members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their supporters are cycling from Immokalee to Lakeland, hoping to speak to Ed Crenshaw of Publix. If you would like to support their efforts to secure a penny more per pound for tomato pickers, then please meet at Rivers Edge Publix Hwy 64 at 1:30 today. We are loyal Publix shoppers and people who peacefully seek justice for the poor in Jesus’ name. For other events related to this peaceful act of justice, see this link: http://www.interfaithact.org/pilgrimage
This Sunday morning, Peace will have a Festival of Singing (and you thought we already sing a lot at Peace?) This is our third week in the series on the Foundations of the Church. We will examine what makes us who we are by focusing on the church as body of Christ – people of faith, hope, love and witness, and by reflecting on the marks of the church, according to the Nicene Creed – one, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic (connected/sent). Our meditation on each of the four parts – one, holy catholic, and apostolic – will be concluded with a related hymn or song.
After worship and fellowship, please consider staying to learn more about Stephen Ministry, a program of Christian caregiving. If you decide to train this year as a Stephen Minister, you will develop so many helpful relational tools – listening, speak the truth in love, praying for others, etc. So come, learn more about how to become a Stephen Minister this Sunday at 11:30.
Next Friday, our Faith and Film Night feature is Invictus, a great film about rugby and race relations! Come watch and discuss the movie, led by our own David Thomas, retired professor of film studies and rhetoric.
Finally, remember our Belonging to God questions from last Sunday – to be known this week – Who are you? I am a child of God. What does it mean to be a child of God? That I belong to God who loves me. Weave these into your soul for the reassurance they bring.
Peace to all,
Elizabeth
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