This Week at Peace - - Christ's Mass 2012

Tomorrow (Friday) at 9:30 Peace will join countless others across the nation taking time out to toll the bell for all the people of Newtown, CT and Sandy Hook School.    You are welcome to join us for a brief prayer for peace and comfort.   Clay Thomas is organizing a group of clergy to discuss the problem of gun violence.   Kathy Flora has suggestions for any who would contact legislators about this issue.    In Lively learning last Sunday we also discussed the need to better support those with mental illness and their families.   Click this link to see resources from the PC(USA) on the problem of gun violence:  http://www.presbyterianmission.org/gunviolence/ I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to all! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to all!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to all." We do hope to see you this Sunday, the 23rd, when we will read the story of the shepherds and remember that the angel said, “Do not fear, for I bring you good news of great joy.”   And we sincerely hope you plan to join us for our very special Lessons and Carols, Communion and Candlelight on Christmas Eve at 6:00.     You might want to turn your radio on Christmas Eve a little before 10:00 EST to hear the original and most famous Lessons and Carols broadcast from Cambridge, England. Thanks so much for 56 angel tree gifts, 11 bicycles, and $100 in gift cards, plus $1741 in Alternative Gifts to help the needy this Christmas.  On Sunday, we collect the Christmas Joy Offering to support retired and struggling ministers and needy students at Presbyterian racial ethnic colleges.   You may also like to contribute at Peace to PDA (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) to support the Newtown community.   Make checks to Peace and mark them either Joy Offering or PDA Newtown.   All special offerings are opportunities -- never mandates. May you and all who struggle be surrounded by hope, peace, love, and joy! Elizabeth

Re: Sunday Dec 16 Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday Dec 16 Third Sunday of Advent  Louisville-- A voice was heard in Ramah wailing and loud lamentations. Rachel weeping for her children, she refused to be consoled because they are no more. Once again we face the horrors of mass gun violence in the United States as, just this morning, a gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and opened fire. Reports are that 27 people have been killed, among them 20 children. It was only three days ago that a gunman fired into crowds of unsuspecting Christmas shoppers in the crowded Clackamas Town Center in Portland, Oregon, killing two and wounding one. Today is a day of wailing and lamentation in our land. From coast to coast, Presbyterians weep with parents and grandparents, siblings and relatives, teachers and school workers, friends and neighbors. We cry out with mall workers and shoppers, security guards and crossing guards. There is no consolation for this tragic loss of life. There are no words. But in the days to come we must speak and act, as Presbyterians are called to do. We must engage in a conversation in this nation about this unbearably ongoing and despairingly repeatable tragedy. Too many innocent lives are being lost. Too many Rachel’s are weeping for loved ones gunned down in senseless and increasingly commonplace acts of violence in places like schools and malls. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in both its policies and actions, is committed to addressing the plague of gun violence. Aware of the faith dimensions of this on-going tragedy and informed by our historic commitment to peace and non-violence, Presbyterians must do our part to responsibly end gun violence.      A letter from Gradye Parsons and Linda Valentine, with the following resources:      http://www.pcusa.org/resource/gun-violence-gospel-values-mobilizing-response-god/ http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/trigger/ http://www.presbyterianmission.org/gunviolence/ —— To read the original message, make or view comments click here.

At Peace in Troubled Times -- Dec. 16, 2012

Dear Friends of Peace, There is no holly jolly when you learn that many elementary school children have been gunned down today in Connecticut.   So maybe we stop focusing so much on the holly jolly, and instead prayerfully seek the hope and joy of a Holy Jesus.   God came into this troubled and violent world to live among us and to show us the wonder of comforting, sacrificial love.   Join us this Sunday at 10:00 as we see God’s Love Magnified in the words of the God-bearer, Mother Mary.  Next Sunday at 10:00 we will hear the voices of angels as they speak to Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds.   And on Christmas Eve at 6:00, we will celebrate the birth of Christ with lessons and carols, communion and candlelight. Our mission is to make God known by growing as disciples of Jesus Christ  (we don't have all the answers, but are humble seekers growing together), building a community of peace (this world desperately needs more peace), and caring for the needs of others  (in generously serving others, we find joy).  Thanks, Peace participants for all your generous giving and for your vision to build a Christian community called Peace.  May God strengthen us for our mission. Angel tree gifts are due this Sunday, and it is your last opportunity to order Alternative Gifts International to help the needy near and far by giving meaningful gifts to your family and friends. Peace be with you all! Pastor Elizabeth

This Week at Peace - - December 9th

This week we are blessed with the Advent theme of peace – a perfect fit.   Join us to hear the Benedictus (Latin for Blessing)  also known as the Song of Zechariah.   It is a song of peace and blessing sung by the father of John the Baptist, after he got his voice back.   We will light the second candle of Advent and  follow in the path of John the Baptist and Isaiah who said, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”  We will sing two favorite Christmas carols, but with the expectant message of Advent in the lyrics. Speaking of preparation, I want to prepare all of you for the possibility that we may have begun our final year with the Manatee Association of Realtors.   We have not been given the security we had hoped to gain by offering to extend our lease for three more years.   So with the Session’s encouragement, the BVT has gone back to the drawing board.   The Building Vision Team (BVT) is continuing negotiations regarding the foreclosed church, Faith Christian on Lorraine Road, as well as exploring all other possibilities.   When we have something substantial to report, you will hear from us.   In the meantime, thanks for your patience and trust. Jesus entered this life as an infant in danger and died as one rejected.   I suppose the faithful church of Jesus Christ must be prepared to live with some uncertainty and risk as well.   I am grateful for the way you have approached this risk of discipleship with courage, with generosity, and with steady commitment to the mission of Peace.   God will provide.   Look how far we have come in seven years! Speaking of commitment, if there are more who can make a commitment to give to Peace’s 2013 operating fund – at whatever level you can, it will make God happy, it will help this pastor breathe deeply, and it will greatly benefit those trying to sketch out Peace’s future with God’s help.  To all 55 families or individuals who have made pledges already (35 of you increasing from last year or pledging for the first time at Peace), we are immensely grateful!    These promises are not binding but are a sign of your generous intentions.   “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity.”  (2 Cor. 9:11) Advent blessings to you and yours! Elizabeth