News Edition For Sunday of July, 05 2026
Lessons this week: Daniel 1: 3-21, Romans 13: 1-7,Matthew 22: 15-22
Songs this week: "Eternal Father, Strong to Save", “Glory to God in the Highest”, "Sing to LORD, Ye Distant Lands ", "God Bless Our Native Land"
Service Sunday 11:30 am
What Makes Christians Different?
The Bible says Christians are different. Christians are people who believe in Jesus as their Savior. But they often look the same as those who do not believe in Jesus. How are Christians different? The answer is often something internal, attitudes or perspectives that come only from the work of the Holy Spirit in Word and sacrament. Ultimately, Christians are people who run to Christ for forgiveness because they have failed to live perfect lives. As we receive the mercy of Christ, it moves us to strive with all our being to do all the things
that Jesus says Christians do, things that make Christians different.
Christians Live in Two Kingdoms
This weekend is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of the
Independence of the United States of America. American citizens from many backgrounds are celebrating in many ways. What makes Christian citizens different? Christian citizenship is not connected to a particular political party. Christian citizenship is not connected to particular civic activities. Christians understand that they live in two kingdoms. God does not need our good works, but our neighbors do. God’s Word informs our choice of political activities as we seek to be faithful to our calling as Christian citizens.
Call Meeting Update: We had our first call meeting to call a new resident pastor. The meeting was held by Pastor Tim Gauger (Circuit Pastor) , on June 14th. Thank you to everyone who came; voted and asked questions. Call meetings are the tools that Peace uses to ask a man to serve as our pastor. The attendees of the meeting were presented with 3 candidates . We received basic information about them (names, locations, families, education). Attendees were able to discuss the candidates for a while, then the voters were able to compare the 3 candidates. The council has informed the person that we have called to serve as our pastor.
Unlike hiring a political candidate, this process will be filled with prayer, the Word of God, and mutual encouragement. We are following the Scriptural example of Acts 2:13-26. He will acknowledge the call in a letter back to the congregation. Then the congregation will talk with Pastor Fritz and he will determine if his gifts can best be used at Peace at this time. As a congregation we should reach out to Pastor Fritz with words of encouragement and prayers as he makes a decision on how he may continue to serve God at this time. Expression might include what makes the Otsego/ Peace community unique, tell him our vision for the future, ect…. Commit to praying for him and his family throughout the entire discernment process. To help Pastor Fritz make his decision, if you feel compelled, reach out to him this week.
Pastor Paul Fritz
cell phone: 1-902-659-9812
email pastorpaulfritz@gmail.com
He is currently serving at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Woodville, WI.
Pastor Fritz will most likely be making a decision in the next 2 weeks.
Connecting with People of Peace: Encouragement is something we all need to keep us motivated, connected, and feeling loved. Imagine how our shut-ins lives could be blessed with a little gospel message and encouragement from the people of Peace. Jo Markwart would like to help us all do just that! We would like to kick this off in the month of July. There will be a box with cards for the people of Peace to write words of love to our shut-ins. If anyone would like to donate cards to this project please put them in Shelly or Jo’s mail box at church.
Flower Sign: We will no longer use the breeze program to sign up for flowers for Sunday services. There is a sign up sheet on the table in the Narthex. Please write what you would like to dedicate the flowers for, next to your name.
A look ahead:
July 5th 11:30am Sunday Service with Cake and Ice Cream to follow
July 5th 12:45pm Private Baptism
July 6th 9:00am-12:00pm Maintenance Work Day
July 7th 10:00am -11:00am Coffee & Crafts
July 12th 11:30am Sunday Service
May God be at work among the people of Peace and our gospel ministry as we listen to him and follow him! Assistant Administrator at Peace Lutheran Church, Shelly Wedge
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Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting reach out to our interim Pastor David Rau (ST.James Portage) at pastor@stjamesportage.org or 262-325-9355
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Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving
Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078
269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org