When Glory Shines!

What a wonderful Day of Dedication we had last Sunday!  Thanks to the Voices of Peace and the Gospel Guys for sharing glorious music at both services, and to the Fellowship Team for the wonderful refreshments.  The new lobby looks great and the property is more beautiful each day. Peace Pioneers, you are on your way in the new place by God’s grace!  God's glory was shining.

This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, a day to be reminded of God’s glory shining in the face of Christ, transforming all of life in ways we can only begin to imagine. 

Speaking of shining faces, tonight Richard and I had the privilege of meeting the youngest in our church family, Andy Thornton.   We will celebrate his birth and adoption by Melissa and David next Sunday, March 9 right after the early service and before classes.  Feel free to bring a small gift for Andy (born Jan 18) or his big sisters, Zoe (8) or Amanda (4).

This Sunday is our Mardi Gras Pancake Brinner at 5:30. The youth and their families, with some help from our dedicated Fellowship Team, will be serving up coffee, juice, bacon, sausage, fruit, pancakes and syrup as our first meal in the attractive Fellowship Café’. Don’t miss out and please bring any extension cords or surge protectors to share on Sunday morning.

Exciting news for 2nd-6th graders at Peace:  there‘s a new lively learning experience coming soon.  Learn about it next week, the 9th.  Popcorn & Movie, Bible skills & games, Computers & Cooking.

Other Coming Dates:

March 5 – Ash Wednesday Service 7:00-7:40

March 8 – Barbershop Chorus at Peace

March 13 – Lenten Bible Study: Bread & Broth for Women begins

March 14 – Faith & Film: The Butler

March 15 – CIW March in Lakeland, Irish Party at Camphires

March 16 – Dinner Groups

March 23 – Blood Drive

 To God be all glory!

Elizabeth

 

Dedication!

Dear Peace Family,

Some of you have asked what else needs to be done to prepare for Dedication Sunday.  So much has already be accomplished, and it is looking great around here.  Thanks, everyone!   Now if you’d like to press on, below is a list of additional tasks.  Come and work anytime Thursday, Friday, or Saturday morning.  If you cannot, no guilt -- all grace. 

Wall Hangings in Nursery

Blinds off all windows/doors youth & children rooms

Window smudges (a Sunday noon task)

Planting and mulching

Watering the new plants

“Future Sanctuary” sign in field

White Flags by Hwy 64

Plastic sleeves for adult classrooms (and signs for particular classes)

Ant granules to kill the recent mounds

Pulling moss and air plants out of bushes

Moving rocky/cement-like soil from beds to driveway edge

Arranging chairs in adult rooms and Fellowship Café’

Cork strips in strategic places (teachers, let us know where you want them)

Friday night is Faith and Film at Peace.   Sunday morning’s scripture tells us to “turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, and love our enemies.”  You know if we do that, we might find we are living into our name, Peace. 

Dedication is at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon.  Remember, all of you are tour guides and greeters.  This is God's house and you are God's servants.

Looking ahead, our Mardi Gras Pancake Brinner is Sunday, March 2 at 5:30, a youth fun'raiser.

With gratitude and joy for this week of celebration,

Elizabeth

 

Love with Integrity!

Happy Valentine’s Day to the church I love.   I John says, “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”   To all of us who would short-change the law of love, Jesus challenges us in the Sermon on the Mount – comparing our anger to murder, comparing our lustful thinking to adultery.   Clearly relational integrity matters to Jesus – not that we are just civil to one another, but that we care deeply enough to make peace after conflict, and to build committed relationships of love.

Youth group is watching “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” Sunday at 4:00, and Faith and Film is meeting at church next Friday, the 21st to view “Fill the Void.”   Dinner Groups are gathering this week-end, and the parking lot is getting sealed. 

There are beautiful new additions inside and outside the building.  (plants, carpet, paint, hymnals, cabinets)  Stay tuned as there may be some more work to do next Saturday, the 22nd, the day before our Dedication.

Much love and appreciation for each of you,

Elizabeth

              

All Church Work Day Saturday Morn

We sure hope you can come, but if you can’t we’ll understand.  

All Church Workday this this Saturday, Feb 8th, 9 a.m. to Noon

Planting, Mulching, Painting, and various miscellaneous indoor and outdoor projects.   Something for everyone and every ability.

Please bring your own gardening tools (trowel, hoe, steel rake). If you are a painter, bring your own brush & roller.

Lunch will be served sometime between 11 and 12, when the workers begin to wilt.  Bring money to contribute to lunch!

Thanks for surpassing the youth goal for the Souper Bowl Offering, raising $1205 for the Manatee Food Bank last Sunday.

This Sunday we hear Isaiah’s challenge to remember that worship leads to service in chapter 58.   Rev. Wayne Blaser will celebrate communion with us.   Many new members will be joining at the 11:00 service, while the choir leading worship at the 8:30 service.

The Kids Club meets Saturday evening at 5:00 at Pino’s to prepare a special Valentine’s treat, and Youth Group is having a progressive dinner on Sunday, starting at church at 4:00.

Peace to you all!

Elizabeth