Glad for Grads!

Congratulations to our 2014 high school graduates:  Abigail, Amanda, Danielle, Emily, Julie, Liz, Sarah!   We also remember Tim, graduating in Vero Beach, and Ernie, who is departing for college, having spent the last year with us at Peace while attending SCF.  We give thanks to God for your accomplishments and for your future full of promise. 

Our graduates are ascending to young adulthood just as we celebrate the Ascension of Christ this year. Ephesians 1:15-23, the Ascension Day epistle lesson, invites us to pray for a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to know God, that with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we may know what is the hope to which God has called, what are the riches of God’s glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. (bulletin pages attached)

On Sunday, please take a moment to sign the gift books for our grads and enjoy cake and time to mingle with our young stars.  When you are not signing books and talking to our glad grads, please write a prayer joy or concern on a red ribbon to prepare for Pentecost, next Sunday.  Write a gratitude prayer for Pastor Neil's new granddaughter!  He hates to miss Sunday but he and Malinda are welcoming little Evelyn to the world in Colorado!

Our special PC(USA) offering for Pentecost, June 8 (red day) will support the ministries of our denomination to youth, young adults and at-risk children.   Forty percent of our offering will directly support our own Russ, young adult volunteer in mission next year.

The peace of Christ be with you all,

Elizabeth

Attachments

bulletin-2014-06-01 - page 03- 7th Sunday of Easter.doc

bulletin-2014-06-01 - page 04 - 7th Sunday of Easter.doc

bulletin-2014-06-01-insert-7th Sunday of Easter.docx

New perspectives from new people!

One of my favorite roles as pastor for Peace is spending time with new people.  Not only do I get to know them but I get to see Peace through their eyes.   Sometimes I am reminded of some very significant things.  For instance, for a new member it is challenging to figure out all the small group activities at Peace – what it is, who is in charge, when does it happen?   Also, it can be difficult to put names and faces together – even for long-term Peace people, but especially for someone new.

Thanks, new friends, for helping Peace grow toward fuller maturity in Christ.   We are eager to learn from you, and to help you build friendships at Peace and find your place to serve.   New members week-end is June 14-15. 

This week in worship we are reading Jesus’ promise of the Spirit, our Advocate, who dwells with us and in us, giving us the power to love.   John 14:15-27   There will be special music in celebration of Memorial Day.

Find attached two pages from Sunday's bulletin, to keep you informed.   By the way, if you have a church key, be sure to learn about the alarm code before next week.   There will be a separate email.

Peace to you all,

Elizabeth

Attachments

bulletin-2014-05-25 - page 03- 6th Sunday of Easter.doc

bulletin-2014-05-25-insert-6th Sunday of Easter.docx

Paint, Particularity and Pluralism

Dear Peacemakers,

What does it mean to have a Christian identity in a multi-faith world?   That’s question we will seek to answer as we read Jesus’ words from John 14, “In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places…I go to prepare a place for you…I am the way and the truth and the life.   No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Richard and I are traveling today to attend the graduation of Marilyn Tucker, our seminary intern of summer 2012, in Atlanta.   We will be back Saturday night.   Anderson Kajang is flying back to Cameroon to see his wife and daughters, after three years apart!

This week-end at Peace some gals are painting, some guys are paint-balling, and some Peace folks are dining together.   Have fun everyone!  

Sharing the Vision at 9:45 continues to enrich our lives.   Grant Lowe is sending documents to those snowbirds and those teaching on Sunday mornings, hoping to get some input from those who missed this important vision work. 

Starting next week-end, our security system will begin to be used.   If you are a key holder, you will want to watch for information about the code to disarm.

See the attached bulletin page for more information about what is happening at Peace.   If you're thinking about being a peacemaker (joining Peace) then mark June 14-15 in your calendar so we can celebrate and welcome you.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Attachments

bulletin-2014-05-18 - page 03- 5th Sunday of Easter.doc

Being a Dynamic Church!

	I was so glad that seventy-five or eighty of you participated in our introductory Sharing the Vision time last Sunday at 9:45, helping us chart Peace’s future, as we examine our past and present.  This week we will begin our weekly discussion of Peace’s goals – Inspiring Worship, Authentic Relationships, Nurturing Discipleship, Compassionate Outreach, and Responsive Stewardship.   Each group will address one goal per week, in a different order.   Then on the final week (June 8) you can choose your “favorite” goal to put lasting emphasis on the report that will shape Peace’s future. Because of the wonderful providence of God, we have a scripture for this Sunday’s worship that speaks to all five goals – Acts 2:14,32-33, 36-47.   “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and at their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.   And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved/made whole/healed.” What makes for a dynamic, a Spirit-ed church?    Come Sunday to reflect on that with us. Speaking of dynamic, I am so pleased to see how many of you are ready and eager to share your gifts.   You have ideas which you bring to me or to a team, and then you volunteer to lead the effort.   That’s how this church will expand and thrive!    Keep up the good work, and don’t overwork – share your load with others. You have continued to amaze me with your generosity.  From special building gifts to youth fundraising to One Great Hour of Sharing and our young mission travelers, you have not stopped giving.   We hope you know - that while we offer many special opportunities for giving, we do not expect everyone to give to everything.   Yes we do hope everyone gives to the Operating and Building Funds in gratitude to God for all our blessings.   All the other offerings are the icing on the cake.   And you seem to like icing!   God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything you may share abundantly in every good work.   (2 Cor. 9:8) I give thanks to God for the privilege of living with you in this abundance at Peace! See you at 9:45 and at whatever worship service you prefer.   Snowbirds and travelers, we miss you already.   Come back soon and be a blessing wherever you are! Please check the attached directory.   If we have anything wrong, write me back, so it can be fixed before we print a few copies.  This info is for Peace people and purposes only. Guard one another with your life and Christ's love. Peace, Elizabeth   Attachments Peace Participants May 2014.pdf