MLK Week-end

Dear Peace Participants,

Last Saturday and last night (Friday) your newly elected and continuing elders on session met to build relationships, to examine leadership styles, and to craft a vision for 2014.   This vision will be shared next Sunday, the 26th at 9:45, when we ordain and install elders and hear the brief annual report of our teams.

Ministry Team Leaders met together this morning to discuss effective Christian leadership.  Peace is blessed with so many capable volunteers, who give their time, talent, and energy to shape the future of our church.  Share your ideas with them, celebrate their accomplishments, and most significantly, help them out.  Join a team or be a committed participant in the work of a team.  Chances are you will be blessed, even as you are a blessing to others.

Tomorrow we read John the Baptist’s reflection on the amazing person and purpose of Christ “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”   We hear in John 1:29-46 how the early followers of Christ were challenged to “Come and see.” 

Here are a couple of quotes from Martin Luther King for your reflection this holiday week-end, church named Peace:  We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

An individual has not started living until he (she) can rise above the narrow confines of his (her) individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.

The youth are celebrating the end of a term (exams are over!), so we will be going to the Manatee County Fair, hearing the Christian Band “Building 429” and having a lock-in Sunday night.

Renovation work has begun again.  Notice the wonderful changes in the chapel and music room.  Add your suggestions for the building to the Peace mailbox, and plan to help out on Feb 1 or 15, so we can be in top form on February 23 at 3:00.  In case you are wondering how we will fit everyone on Dedication Day, we plan to hold two back-to-back 40 minute services.  When not in worship, you can enjoy refreshments and a tour of the building and grounds.

Peace to you,

Elizabeth