This week’s scriptural text for Trinity Sunday -- Romans 5:1-5 -- is a call to hope, which only comes through suffering, endurance, and character building.   When we look at devastation of Moore, Oklahoma and when we hear about so many teachers in our county losing their jobs, we can hardly complain about our church’s suffering endurance.   But we can affirm that we are growing in character.  Thank you, Peace family, for not losing hope, while we wait for God to provide the right place for our church to call home. 

We had hoped to have a congregational meeting on Sunday.    But the fact is, we do not yet have a signed contract, despite hours spent in the process by faithful Building Vision Team leaders.  Furthermore, the zoning issue is complicating the conversation.   We need more time.

We are still hopeful that this lovely site will be the one, but closing by the end of summer is looking impossible.   Please be patient as we try to gather enough information to enable you to make a clear decision about the property.  The Session and Building Vision Team are going again on Saturday (tomorrow) to view the building and site.

Meanwhile, let’s have an All about Peace and the Presbyterians class for all adults.  Let us examine together our church’s mission, vision and goals.   Wherever we land, we need to be clearly united in purpose.   If you are newer to Peace, if you have never attended one of these classes, we hope you will be part of it this Sunday.

This is the last Sunday of lively learning classes for youth & children.   Next week we hope you can stay for lunch as we give thanks for the ministry of Pastor Tricia these last five years.

If you would like to contribute to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in Moore, OK, please write checks to Peace with PDA in the memo.  Or if you would like to help with scholarships for Peace youth going to Triennium, a nationwide Presbyterian youth conference, you may still make Pentecost Offerings on Trinity Sunday.

Most of all, hoping to see you Sunday!

With faith, hope, and love,

Pastor Elizabeth

 

 

Wear red and if you can, give some red – blood, that is.  The blood bank will be at Peace from 11:00-1:30.  It’s Pentecost, the 50th day after Easter when we celebrate the birth of the church and the presence of the Holy Spirit.   Don’t miss it!

Emily Gartenberg will be baptized and confirmed, and Kelsey Scott will confirm her baptism on Sunday!   They have been preparing with Pastor Tricia for weeks and met with the Session on Sunday.  We rejoice in the power of God at work in the lives of these teens.   I know many of you will want to offer encouragement to them on Sunday and in the coming months as they begin their adult journey as faithful disciples and members of the Church.

We will receive the Pentecost Offering on Sunday to help the Presbyterian Church nurture children, youth, and young adults.  Forty percent of this offering will help send our own teens to the Presbyterian Triennium, a nationwide conference with 5000 high schoolers at Purdue University.   Please give generously as our youth group is larger than ever!   Go to the website of Presbyterian Church (USA) to view the Pentecost Offering youth video contest winner.

  http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/specialofferings/pentecost-offering

We are excited about all the new friends at Peace.   We look forward to knowing you better and hearing your good ideas for a bright and faithful future at Peace.   There will be a congregational meeting on May 26 after worship to hear more about the new potential property on Hwy 64 and a gratitude luncheon for Pastor Tricia on June 2, her last Sunday with us.

Pentecostal peace to you,

Pastor Elizabeth

 

Richard and I have a good friend who likes to say, “The Lord moves in mischievous ways.”  That’s his way of having a good laugh when the mysterious providence of God sends him in surprising directions.  C1 Bank slammed the door in our faces again this week by asking us to assume all liability for the Faith Church property, even claims prior to our ownership.   The Building Vision Team and Session agree that the risk is too great, and our lawyer considers it bizarre to request this full indemnity.  So we have withdrawn our offer and our deposit.

Thankfully God has come to our rescue once again.   We have a new and exciting possibility:  22 acre site and building on Hwy 64, near Greyhawk Landing.   This week we have begun to explore the possibility of purchasing the Aurora Ministries Property.   We will measure our enthusiasm, keep quiet in public, and wait for the BVT and Session to get more information to us, but here’s the scoop:  It’s a lovely, peaceful site with tree-lined entrance (currently gated).  There’s a 13,800 SF building with a small chapel, kitchen, courtyard, and 31 offices and classrooms.   We will share images on Sunday in a brief report after worship and there will be a congregational meeting on May 26 to hear in more detail about this new and exciting possibility!

As the Building Vision Team and Session met this week, I was reminded once again of how blessed I am to serve such a courageous, flexible, trusting, and generous congregation.   I love the way you roll with the punches and keep the faith.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and the final week before Pentecost.   We will consider all the Marys in Jesus’ life – his mother, his friends and followers, and the mothers of his disciples.   Each of these women shows us what it means to be devoted in faith and life.   The choir is singing the challenging Ave Verum by Mozart and the bells are ringing the lovely Bach-Gounod Ave Maria.  

Hope to see you! 

Newcomers, this Sunday is a good one to meet with the elders at 11:30 to talk about joining.   If you are considering and have questions, feel free to call me or write back.   And don't forget you are invited to dinner at the Deiberts on May 19th at 6:00 pm.

Our prayers are with all of you, especially the Steele family (Jeff) and the Hughes (Bob's surgery on 17th). Remember that your Peace family loves you and prays for you by name every single day.

Grace and peace,

Elizabeth

 

 

We have a new closing date of May 24 on the Faith Church property.  With support from the Session, the Building Vision Team Leaders did negotiate thoroughly and unfortunately were not able to secure a reduction in the price.  So now we move forward with gratitude.   Professional workers will be in the building in June, and your volunteer efforts will be appreciated in July. 

Thank you for such a rousing success at the Italian Dinner/Variety Show.  Many said it was our best show ever, and we raised a record $3200 for youth conferences!   We appreciate all who helped.

We Deiberts are away for Catherine’s college graduation this week-end, and will miss the good worship leadership of Bill Kemp, whose sermon, Live the Question, is based on two scriptures:  Matthew 16:  Jesus asks “Who do you say that I am?” and Romans 12:1-8, a passage about spiritual gifts and being transformed by the renewing of our minds.

A few reminders:

·         There’s a Moms’ Night Out for Peace women on Wednesday at 6:30 at Migi Sushi on SR64 (near Office Depot). 

·         Want to help Mission Beth-El by giving yourself a gift card?   Find out more on Sunday about this unique opportunity from some of our regular Thursday volunteers.

·         All newcomers to Peace are invited to a 6:00 dinner at the Deiberts on Sunday, May 19, if you have not already signed up for another dinner group.

Speaking of May 19, Pentecost, that is one of our special Presbyterian offering dates.   The Pentecost Offering supplies funding for youth, young adults, and children-at-risk.   40% of our offering will help Peace kids to attend the Presbyterian Youth Triennium.

Pray for our confirmands, Emily Gartenberg and Kelsey Scott, for the Holy Spirit to indwell them, that this marker moment in their lives on Pentecost would be the beginning of a life of growth in the Christian faith. 

May we all recommit ourselves to deepening trust in Jesus Christ with them.

With love and prayers,

Elizabeth