Good news for Peace for September 12th

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

Who will you share the gospel with this fall?

The gospel is not information or advice. It is news.

Even if it is the best news in the world, it can be hard to share.

Our evangelism workshop develops the skills essential for every day gospel sharing:

  • noticing and enhancing spaces and places for gospel sharing

  • gospel sharing tools

  • personal coaching

Our next workshop is Saturday September 13th 9:30 am. It’s a chance to be filled with the gospel and share that gospel.

One hour. Refreshments provided. :-)

New Bible Study?

As part of our fall kick off, we’d like to start a new Bible study/small group.

I’d like to know your interest. Would you please let me know in the form below or on the same form at service this Sunday. Thanks!

We’d welcome more input in our 2026 ministry. You don’t have to fill out every question on the form. https://peace.breezechms.com/form/bdad40 Or talk with pastor by email, text etc with suggestions, thoughts, questions, and ideas for ministry next year.

The council develop plans starting next week.

In him,

Pastor T

PS We just wrapped up a great series on “Vocation”. Missed it? Check out here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK1NErJBGP4&list=PLJqdAdeyrHjdzbkUUQZrWosbw557XlwKJ

Christian Theology

Jesus is the most divisive character in history. Christians have been very careful to explain who he is and what he has done.

Join me September 20th at 9:30 for our next talk in our Christian Theology series.

What do you think about Jesus?

Prayers

Marge Gavan

Carol Mason and Mike

Diana Myers

Frieda Walkley

Neveah and family

Prayers for the people of Peace and the neighbors- how are your prayers going?

Trail for Treaters

Our Trail for Treaters spot was really popular last year because of our photo spot. Remember it?

I’m looking for people to help this year. Please get ahold of me and lets get it done to meet a lot of people in our community!

It’ll be downtown Otsego October 31st from 4 - 6 pm. Please reach out to me 269-694-6104.

Conference on Lutheran Leadership

January 19–21, 2026 Chicago, Illinois

The WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership is the gathering place for those who know that in our broken world and fragmented communities, gospel ministry matters now more than ever. It’s where inspiration meets implementation. Where a long-range vision becomes real-world action.

This conference is the flagship leadership event in WELS, helping shape the future of ministry by equipping attendees to lead with courage, clarity, curiosity, and compassion.

Join me for this great conference next year. Find out more at https://lutheranleadership.com/

Youth Rally 2026

Save the Date! WELS Youth Rally for high school students will be July 14th - 17th!

Calendar

September 14th 9:30 am Service, catechism

September 19th 11:00 am Ladies Guild

September 19th 6:30 pm Bunco

September 20th 9:30 am Christian Theology

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home (no catechism)

October 7th 10:00 Coffee and Craft Time

October 7th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

October 9th 12:00 pm Senior lunch

October 26th 9:30 service, 10:45 Voters’ meeting

November 26th 6:30 pm Thanksgiving service





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for September 3rd

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

What have you learned from this study of vocation?

And even better, how have you and your life changed?

God is at work in our lives and through us. Of that much I am sure.

We’re wrapping up our study on “vocation” this Sunday. Come with some conclusions to assess! If you’ve missed the rest of our study, you can find it all here.

In him,

Pastor T

PS Normally service would be outdoors this week - 1st Sunday! However, it is looking to be quite cool in the morning - 40s. If that is the case, service will be indoors.

Prayers

Marge Gavan

Carol Mason and Mike

Diana Myers

Frieda Walkley

Neveah and family

Prayers for the people of Peace and the neighbors- how are your prayers going?

New Bible Study?

As part of our fall kick off, we’d like to start a new Bible study/small group.

I’d like to know your interest. Would you please let me know in the form below or on the same form at service this Sunday. Thanks!

We’d welcome more input in our 2026 ministry. You don’t have to fill out every question on the form. https://peace.breezechms.com/form/bdad40 Or talk with pastor by email, text etc with suggestions, thoughts, questions, and ideas for ministry next year.

The council develop plans starting next week.

We’ll be studying Genesis together - read it in advance!

Conference on Lutheran Leadership

January 19–21, 2026 Chicago, Illinois

The WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership is the gathering place for those who know that in our broken world and fragmented communities, gospel ministry matters now more than ever. It’s where inspiration meets implementation. Where a long-range vision becomes real-world action.

This conference is the flagship leadership event in WELS, helping shape the future of ministry by equipping attendees to lead with courage, clarity, curiosity, and compassion.

Join me for this great conference next year. Find out more at https://lutheranleadership.com/

Youth Rally 2026

Save the Date! WELS Youth Rally for high school students will be July 14th - 17th!

Prayer Chain

Need prayers? Send in a prayer request to Peace @ 269-694-6104.

Are you willing to add your prayers to God’s people? Join the prayer chain! Send Peace a message @ 269-694-6104.

We’re also looking for someone to coordinate the prayer chain. This person receives prayer requests, sends out prayer requests, and adds people to the prayer chain. If you’d like to serve God’s people in this way, let pastor know!

Calendar

September 7th 9:30 am Service, catechism

September 11th 12:00 pm Senior luncheon and bingo

September 13th 9:30 am Evangelism workshop

September 14th 9:30 am Service, catechism

September 19th 11:00 am Ladies Guild

September 19th 6:30 pm Bunco

September 20th 9:30 am Christian Theology

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home

October 26th 9:30 service, 10:45 Voters’ meeting





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for August 28

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

A couple of years ago, we spent the summer studying “The Good Life”. What makes for a good, flourishing life? There are a couple of key things. After that study, I’m pretty convinced that investing in relationships, keeping up my social fitness, leaning on relationships when things go sideway, and practicing empathy toward my spouse will support a more flourishing life. If you want to learn more, check out the sermons from that series. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJqdAdeyrHjccEDKk_v9sbViOOp5owTay

I want to dig into that question again this week and ask an even bigger one - not, “what leads to my flourishing” but “what leads to the flourishing of all humanity?” God addresses that question this week.

Join me Sunday as we support genuine human flourishing.

In case you missed the note, I returned the call to serve at Ascension, Mitchell and Faith, Huron.

In him,

Pastor T

PS See you inside at 9:30!

Prayers

The Miller family

Marge Gavan

Carol Mason and Mike

Diana Myers

Frieda Walkley

Neveah and family

Prayers for the people of Peace and the neighbors- how are your prayers going?

Special Collection for Headstone

Friends, thank you for your generous gifts to take care of the remains of our brother in Christ, Don Knobloch. Together we were very quickly able to raise the funds to provide him with a headstone. It will be good to remember the grace God showed to Don until Christ returns.

Thank you! We’ll let you know as the headstone gets installed.

Site/Landscape Plan

We’re looking to develop a site and landscape plan pastor would like to work with a couple of people to present a plan first to the council, next to the congregation.

Are you interested in developing a plan? Please get ahold of pastor, 269-694-6104.

Ministry planning and budget

We could use a lot more people to send some input for 2026 ministry. You don’t have to fill out every question on the form. https://peace.breezechms.com/form/bdad40 Or talk with pastor by email, text etc with suggestions, thoughts, questions, and ideas for ministry next year?

Love to talk with you about how God can work among us and through us these days!

Fall Kick Off

September 21st save the date!

Find a group, class, and event to part of. Walk with us and Jesus this fall!

Conference on Lutheran Leadership

January 19–21, 2026 Chicago, Illinois

The WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership is the gathering place for those who know that in our broken world and fragmented communities, gospel ministry matters now more than ever. It’s where inspiration meets implementation. Where a long-range vision becomes real-world action.

This conference is the flagship leadership event in WELS, helping shape the future of ministry by equipping attendees to lead with courage, clarity, curiosity, and compassion.

Join me for this great conference next year. Find out more at https://lutheranleadership.com/

Voters’ Meeting

Our fall voters’ meeting to plan ministry for 2026 will be October 26th. Please plan to be there!

Prayer Chain

Need prayers? Send in a prayer request to Peace @ 269-694-6104.

Are you willing to add your prayers to God’s people? Join the prayer chain! Send Peace a message @ 269-694-6104.

We’re also looking for someone to coordinate the prayer chain. This person receives prayer requests, sends out prayer requests, and adds people to the prayer chain. If you’d like to serve God’s people in this way, let pastor know!

Calendar

August 31st 9:30 am Service, no catechism

September 2nd 10:00 am Coffee and Craft Time

September 2nd 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

September 7th 9:30 am Service, catechism

September 11th 12:00 pm Senior luncheon and bingo

September 13th 9:30 am Evangelism workshop

September 19th 11:00 am Ladies Guild

September 19th 6:30 pm Bunco

September 20th 9:30 am Christian Theology

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home

October 26th 9:30 service, 10:45 Voters’ meeting





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for August 22

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

God says two things to us about spiritual struggle and warfare:

First he says, “12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation”. “Fight the good fight of faith”. He tells us to struggle and fight against the spiritual forces in the world. Even after the resurrection of Jesus, we fight on.

At the same time he confidently says, “15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. “Hebrews 2:14 – Through death, Jesus destroyed “the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”

So how do we know when to fight and when to say, “The struggle is done!”.

In our vocations.

  • July 27th - 1st Vocation: faith and prayer 1 Timothy 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHtrjtuIwVI

  • August 10th - “Vocation is the setting for God’s work in the world” - 1 Timothy 3, 5 https://youtu.be/JgAVSQQVz6o?si=GKT3IF-VJrIiMcWP

  • August 24th - “Vocation is also the setting for spiritual warfare” 1 Timothy 4th

  • August 31st - “Vocation is the setting for human flourishing. God provides us with purpose, freedom, security” - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

  • September 7th - Vocation: Conclusion

Please remember I’m deliberating another divine call - encouragements welcome.

In him,

Pastor T

PS See you inside at 9:30!

The Christian funeral of Ron Miller

Ron’s funeral will take place Saturday at 11 am, visitation at 10:00 with lunch to follow. Please come declare God’s goodness to this Christian man.

https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/millerron

Prayers

The Miller family

Marge Gavan

Carol Mason and Mike

Diana Myers

Frieda Walkley

Neveah and family

Prayers for the people of Peace and the neighbors- how are your prayers going?

Special Collection for Headstone

Our brother in Christ, Don Knobloch, passed away in 2022. The family has been unable to procure a headstone to mark his burial for financial reasons. We’re going to take up a small collection for this headstone. If you’d like to donate, please give a cash or check marked “Don Knobloch” or give online with “Don Knobloch” in the comments.

Native Prairie/Pollinator Habitat Update

Noticed the developing pollinator habitat? It looks great! I’ve seen a ton of bees on it; they’re loving it.

You may have noticed the black plastic near the road in the field. That is the next section to plant flowers. We’re killing the weeds and grass with the plastic. This fall, we’ll collect seeds from our plants and spread them over the fresh dirt.

Thanks to the Powells for their ongoing work to develop this space!

Site/Landscape Plan

We’re looking to develop a site and landscape plan pastor would like to work with a couple of people to present a plan first to the council, next to the congregation.

Are you interested in developing a plan? Please get ahold of pastor, 269-694-6104.

Ministry planning and budget

We could use a lot more people to send some input for 2026 ministry. You don’t have to fill out every question on the form. https://peace.breezechms.com/form/bdad40 Or talk with pastor by email, text etc with suggestions, thoughts, questions, and ideas for ministry next year?

Love to talk with you about how God can work among us and through us these days!

Fall Kick Off

September 21st save the date!

Calendar

August 22nd 6:30 pm CANCELLED Family Game Night

August 23rd 9:30 am CANCELLED - Christian Theology

August 23rd 10:00 am Ron Miller visitation

August 23rd 11:00 am Ron Miller funeral

August 23rd 11:45 am Funeral luncheon

August 24th 9:30 service, catechism

August 31st 9:30 am Service, no catechism

September 2nd 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

September 7th 9:30 am Service, catechism

September 13th 9:30 am Evangelism workshop

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Please pray for the family of Ron Miller

 
 

Ronald Miller

Dear family, friends, and acquaintances of Ron,

On Tuesday, August 19th, Ronald A Miller finished glorifying God with his life here and joined the triumphant saints. He now basks in the eternal glory of the Triune God. Ron primarily loved to glorify God with his singing and music. He can sing anything he wants with the heavenly choir.

I rejoice with all of God’s people because of Jesus’ work for Ron. He defeated death, undid evil, and won people for God. In him, Ron too has all of God’s gifts and an eternal inheritance. I pray that you are comforted as you wait for the glory of God:

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:4)

Ron joined the people of God on earth through baptism on January 22nd, 1939. He was confirmed on May 1st, 1953. Since 1977, he has been part of the people of God gathered at Peace in Otsego. He was well-known for his enjoyment of God’s Word, his love of music, and his willingness to help in really any way needed. He showed up for all kinds of Bible studies, special services, work meetings, and congregational meetings and usually had something to say.

Funeral: Ron will receive a Christian funeral on Saturday, August 23rd, at Peace Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. The service is open to the public. We gather to thank God for his goodness to Ron and encourage one another in our grief.

The service will be available via livestream for those who are unable to attend in person. Please see our site https://peaceotsego.org/worship or visit our YouTube page Peace Lutheran Church - YouTube. The service will be available a little bit before 11:00 a.m. and be archived afterwards.

Visitation: Visitation will take place on August 23rd from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church.

Interment: Ron will be interred later at Oak Hill Cemetery in Horicon, WI. https://www.horiconwi.gov/260/Oak-Hill-Cemetery

Light meal: Everyone is welcome to enjoy a light meal immediately following the service at Peace.

Memorials: To give a memorial to Peace in honor of Ron, please go to https://peaceotsego.org/give and select “Memorial” or attend the funeral.

Obituary: Ron’s obituary is available online at https://www.winkelfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ronald-miller

I invite you to gather with all of us to mourn and celebrate the victory Jesus gave to Ron. May Jesus give us eternal peace.

Serving the living Savior,

Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann

Please pray for Ron’s family, particularly Ellen and Gwen

Lord Jesus, by your victory over death you have opened the way to eternal life for all of us. Comfort Ron’s family in their loss. Let their grief empty their souls of pain, hurt, and disappointment. Fill them up with new life. Renew their joy each morning. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Good news for Peace for August 14

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

I see God at work in all kinds of roles or stations or vocations we occupy:

  • I see a sister encouraging and supporting her sister as she considers the gospel

  • I see a friend confronting her friend

  • I see a husband not quitting on his wife no matter her physical challenges

  • I see a sister in law rebuking her sister

  • I see a young man leading his fiance to Christianity and a Christian marriage

It’s all over the place. God works through us in our vocations or roles in life. Let’s keep this up!

  • July 27th - 1st Vocation: faith and prayer 1 Timothy 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHtrjtuIwVI

  • August 10th - “Vocation is the setting for God’s work in the world” - 1 Timothy 3, 5 https://youtu.be/JgAVSQQVz6o?si=GKT3IF-VJrIiMcWP

  • August 24th - “Vocation is also the setting for spiritual warfare” 1 Timothy 4th

  • August 31st - “Vocation is the setting for human flourishing. God provides us with purpose, freedom, security” - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

  • September 7th - Vocation: Conclusion

Please remember I’m deliberating another divine call - encouragements welcome.

In him,

Pastor T

PS See you inside at 9:30!


Prayers

Marge Gavan

Carol Mason and Mike

Diana Myers

Ron Miller

Frieda Walkley

Neveah and family

Prayers for the people of Peace and the neighbors- how are your prayers going?

Special Collection for Headstone

Our brother in Christ, Don Knobloch, passed away in 2022. The family has been unable to procure a headstone to mark his burial for financial reasons. We’re going to take up a small collection for this headstone. If you’d like to donate, please give a cash or check marked “Don Knobloch” or give online with “Don Knobloch” in the comments.

Parking Lot Repair

We got the parking lot repaired this week. Thanks for your help.

What’s next?

Ministry planning and budget

We could use a lot more people to send some input for 2026 ministry. You don’t have to fill out every question on the form. https://peace.breezechms.com/form/bdad40 Or talk with pastor by email, text etc with suggestions, thoughts, questions, and ideas for ministry next year?

Love to talk with you about how God can work among us and through us these days!

The Peace Team

Peace isn’t that big; still it can be hard to know who does what. Check out the list below and for a full list see https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/team

Council

President/Chairman………..… Josh Gower

Vice-president/Treasurer …… vacant

Recording Secretary ………….. Michael Grimm

Elder ……………………………..... Terry Brower

Called/hired positions

Pastor ………………….. Nathaniel Timmermann

Musicians ……………. Cindy Commissaris, Nathaniel Timmermann, Helga Harris, Ellise Wedge

Pastoral assistants …… Tom Wright

Appointed positions

Financial Secretary …… Ralph Holewa

Maintenance coordinator ………. Roger Commissaris

Bookkeeper …………….… Andy Winter

HR/Taxes ………………..… Jim Walkley

Fall Kick Off

September 21st save the date!

Calendar

August 17th 9:30 service, no catechism

August 22nd 6:30 Family Game Night

August 23rd 9:30 am Christian Theology

August 24th 9:30 service, catechism

September 13th 9:30 am Evangelism workshop

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for August 7

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

Thanks for a great carnival! We had a great time and got to meet a few families from the area. Thanks for being friendly and thanks for making it happen!

We want to know the people of Otsego-Plainwell. https://nathanieltimmermann.podbean.com/e/we-want-to-know-you/

I’m excited to get back to our study of vocation. Hope God has been at work through your life these days.

  • July 27th - 1st Vocation: faith and prayer 1 Timothy 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHtrjtuIwVI

  • August 10th - “Vocation is the setting for God’s work in the world” - 1 Timothy 3, 5

  • August 24th - “Vocation is also the setting for spiritual warfare” 1 Timothy 4th

  • August 31st - “Vocation is the setting for human flourishing. God provides us with purpose, freedom, security” - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

  • September 7th - Vocation: Conclusion

I also want to let you know that I have received a divine call to serve at Ascension Lutheran Church in Mitchell SD and Faith Lutheran Church, Huron SD (dual parish). We'll have a short discussion of my current call to serve at Peace and a the call I hold to South Dakota after service on Sunday before the quick voters’ meeting.

Keep prayiong and living that first vocation of faith. God be with you.

In him,

Pastor T

PS See you inside at 9:30!


Prayers

Ron Miller

Marge Gavan

Neveah and family

Prayers for the people of Peace and the neighbors 0- how are your prayers going?

Special Collection for Headstone

Our brother in Christ, Don Knobloch, passed away in 2022. The family has been unable to procure a headstone to mark his burial for financial reasons. We’re going to take up a small collection for this headstone. If you’d like to donate, please give a cash or check marked “Don Knobloch” or give online with “Don Knobloch” in the comments.

Parking Lot Repair

You may have noticed that parts of the parking lot are breaking down. The council recommends the congregation use some special funds (about $5,000 from the Building and Grounds dedicated funds) to repair the lot. There will be a special voters’ meeting soon (announced Sunday) to authorize the use of special funds.

If you want the quotes, you can find them in this document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eNE9BKXGSMpb2mBHWn2LtjrB3JpomGuwsb70zV64Zhg/edit?usp=sharing

Ministry planning and budget

We could use a lot more people to send some input for 2026 ministry. You don’t have to fill out every question on the form. https://peace.breezechms.com/form/bdad40 Or talk with pastor by email, text etc with suggestions, thoughts, questions, and ideas for ministry next year?

Love to talk with you about how God can work among us and through us these days!

The Peace Team

Peace isn’t that big; still it can be hard to know who does what. Check out the list below and for a full list see https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/team

Council

President/Chairman………..… Josh Gower

Vice-president/Treasurer …… vacant

Recording Secretary ………….. Michael Grimm

Elder ……………………………..... Terry Brower

Called/hired positions

Pastor ………………….. Nathaniel Timmermann

Musicians ……………. Cindy Commissaris, Nathaniel Timmermann, Helga Harris, Ellise Wedge

Pastoral assistants …… Tom Wright

Appointed positions

Financial Secretary …… Ralph Holewa

Maintenance coordinator ………. Roger Commissaris

Bookkeeper …………….… Andy Winter

HR/Taxes ………………..… Jim Walkley

Calendar

August 10th 9:30 Service

August 10th 10:40 fast voter’s meeting regarding parking lot repair

August 10th 10:45 Catechism

August 17th 9:30 service, no catechism

August 22nd 6:30 Family Game Night

August 23rd 9:30 am Christian Theology

August 24th 9:30 service, catechism

September 13th 9:30 am Evangelism workshop

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for August 1

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

Friendship Sunday Carnival

Let's be friends.

Look forward to seeing you and your friends, neigbors this weekend at a chill community carnival!

Sunday August 3rd from 10:30 - 12:30 (all are welcome to the service at 9:30 too!)

Dunk Tank


Bounce House

Cruise In

We'll have food, a cruise-in, games, bingo, andd a bounce house!

No cost, come make some friends!

Jesus says, I no longer call you servants but friends

Share with your friends! https://www.facebook.com/share/1CEWd7U4qZ/

Run!

The Otsego Ready or Not 5K kicks off the fall running season. If we put together a team, we can enter the fastest church competition!

August 2nd 8:00 am! Only $30. https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

Parking Lot Repair

You may have noticed that parts of the parking lot are breaking down. The council recommends the congregation use some special funds to repair the lot. There will be a special voters’ meeting soon (announced Sunday) to authorize the use of special funds.

Ministry planning and budget

Pastor, the staff, and the council is preparing the ministry activities and arrangement for next year.

We’d love input as we figure this out - feel free to let us know on this form https://peace.breezechms.com/form/bdad40

Or talk with pastor by email, text etc with suggestions, thoughts, questions, and ideas for ministry next year?

Love to talk with you about how God can work among us and through us these days!

Calendar

August 2nd 8:00 am Otsego Ready or Not 5K https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday service and Carnival (10:30)

August 5th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

August 10th 9:30 Service

August 10th 10:40 fast voter’s meeting regarding parking lot repair

August 10th 10:45 Catechism

August 22nd 6:30 Family Game Night

August 23rd 9:30 am Christian Theology

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for July 24

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

What do you want to do with your life?

I love how when Paul tells Timothy to “fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:18-19), he goes on to tell different groups of people how to live: worshippers, elders, widows, wives, and slaves. Christian faith looks like different things in different lives.

I’m inviting you this summer to “fight the battle” and “pursue righteousness, goodness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness” no matter what your life looks like now - husband or wife, single man, single woman, son, daughter, widow, student, employee, manager, or owner. Each week we’ll take a new step in living in faith, no matter where God has placed us.

We’ll be walking through 1 Timothy and Michael Berg’s book, “Vocation: The Setting for Human Flourishing”. I encourage you to read 1 Timothy to prepare, and if you have a chance, check out Berg’s book. https://online.nph.net/vocation-the-setting-for-human-flourishing.html

  • July 20th - Vocation -1 Timothy 1:12-20 https://youtu.be/KYez1s3EQ9o

  • July 27th - 1st Vocation: faith and prayer 1 Timothy 2

  • August 10th - “Vocation is the setting for God’s work in the world” - 1 Timothy 3, 5

  • August 24th - “Vocation is also the setting for spiritual warfare” 1 Timothy 4th

  • August 31st - “Vocation is the setting for human flourishing. God provides us with purpose, freedom, security” - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

  • September 7th - Vocation: Conclusion

Game Night tonight (Friday) at 6:30

Bring a game, enjoy some snacks (you can bring those too if you want, and come play!

Encouragement regarding Sexuality

The council of Peace knows that we have many questions about sexuality. For that reason, we have prepared a brief encouragement statement on sexuality. It is our intention to provide guidance to God’s people connected to Peace on this topic.

We’d like to discuss this statement with you before we ratify it and release it. Please pick up a copy from the next steps table or contact the church office. What could be improved? What is good? What needs works? Please let us know.

Questions and suggestions can be directed to pastor, who will bring them to the council.

Thank you!

 

Native Prairie Habitat

Have you seen the little planting bed between the pavilion and barn? It is looking good!

This is the beginning of a native prairie habitat that we are looking make in at least part of the field. We’ll have some signs up and start killing some of the grass and weeds in the coming weeks. Enjoy!

Friendship Sunday Carnival

Let's be friends.

People of Otsego, Plainwell and beyond are invited to a chill community carnival on Sunday August 3rd from 10:30 - 12:30 (all are welcome to the service at 9:30 too!)

We'll have food, a cruise-in, games, bingo, andd a bounce house!

No cost, come make some friends!

Jesus says, I no longer call you servants but friends

Share with your friends! https://www.facebook.com/share/1CEWd7U4qZ/

Run!

The Otsego Ready or Not 5K kicks off the fall running season. If we put together a team, we can enter the fastest church competition!

August 2nd 8:00 am! Only $30. https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

Parking Lot Repair

You may have noticed that parts of the parking lot are breaking down. The council recommends the congregation use some special funds to repair the lot. There will be a special voters’ meeting soon (announced Sunday) to authorize the use of special funds.

Ministry planning and budget

Pastor, the staff, and the council is preparing the ministry activities and arrangement for next year.

We’d love input as we figure this out - feel free to let us know on this form https://peace.breezechms.com/form/bdad40

Or talk with pastor by email, text etc with suggestions, thoughts, questions, and ideas for ministry next year?

Love to talk with you about how God can work among us and through us these days!

Giving to Bring the Gospel

We’ve been sharing this chart with you for the last year plus. We hope it helps you understand the congregation’s final position.

Any questions or comments?

The council has noticed a couple of things:

  • First, thanks for the increased gifts! Gifts are up about 4% compared to last year.

  • Second, we expect to have enough cash (unrestricted assets) to make it through the year.

  • Third, we are still in a long term trend of gifts falling short of expenses. We’ll have more information about this year and the outlook for next year as we get to the end of the year.

Calendar

July 25th 6:30 Family Game Night

July 27th 9:30 service and catechism

August 2nd 8:00 am Otsego Ready or Not 5K https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday service and Carnival (10:30)

August 5th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

August 23rd 9:30 am Christian Theology

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for July 17th

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

What do you want to do with your life?

I love how when Paul tells Timothy to “fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:18-19), he goes on to tell different groups of people how to live: worshippers, elders, widows, wives, and slaves. Christian faith looks like different things in different lives.

I’m inviting you this summer to “fight the battle” and “pursue righteousness, goodness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness” no matter what your life looks like now - husband or wife, single man, single woman, son, daughter, widow, student, employee, manager, or owner. Each week we’ll take a new step in living in faith, no matter where God has placed us.

We’ll be walking through 1 Timothy and Michael Berg’s book, “Vocation: The Setting for Human Flourishing”. I encourage you to read 1 Timothy to prepare, and if you have a chance, check out Berg’s book. https://online.nph.net/vocation-the-setting-for-human-flourishing.html

  • Are we called to do or be? 1 Timothy 1:12-20

See you Sunday at 9:30 outside (weather permitting)!

Encouragement regarding Sexuality

The council of Peace knows that we have many questions about sexuality. For that reason, we have prepared a brief encouragement statement on sexuality. It is our intention to provide guidance to God’s people connected to Peace on this topic.

We’d like to discuss this statement with you before we ratify it and release it. Please pick up a copy from the next steps table or contact the church office. What could be improved? What is good? What needs works? Please let us know.

Questions and suggestions can be directed to pastor, who will bring them to the council.

Thank you!

Friendship Sunday Carnival

Let's be friends.

People of Otsego, Plainwell and beyond are invited to a chill community carnival on Sunday August 3rd from 10:30 - 12:30 (all are welcome to the service at 9:30 too!)

We'll have food, a cruise-in, games, bingo, andd a bounce house!

No cost, come make some friends!

Jesus says, I no longer call you servants but friends

Share with your friends! https://www.facebook.com/share/1CEWd7U4qZ/

Run!

The Otsego Ready or Not 5K kicks off the fall running season. If we put together a team, we can enter the fastest church competition!

August 2nd 8:00 am! Only $30. https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

Calendar

July 19th 9:30 am Christian Theology

July 20th 9:30 service and catechism

July 25th 6:30 Family Game Night

August 2nd 8:00 am Otsego Ready or Not 5K https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday and Carnival (10:30)

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for July 3rd

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

Happy Independence Day!

Christians know freedom is good and we love it.

God says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17) A spirit cannot be stopped by boundaries and limitations. It is free in the sense that it can go where it wants and do what it wants. God is free like that, since he is spirit.

Christians have this true freedom “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free” (Romans 8:2). Jesus has fulfilled the law for us and given us the Holy Spirit. In the same way the Holy Spirit is free to conform to his own essence, so are we. We aren't dependent on a nation or state or country or political figure or speaker or therapist or anyone else. We aren’t constrained by arbitrary rules and boundaries.

We are still physical creatures and live in certain countries. We are limited by the laws of time, space, and country. Nevertheless, in our spirit, with the Spirit, we are free like no one else.

Friends, this 4th, use your freedom to set others free. Give them the Spirit so they can be free. Share the Word. Give the gospel. Live with grace. Let us be free.

And use your freedom with the rest of us to set people free. Be an active part of Peace. Serve your fellow Christians and the people who live around us. Our freedom should be a blessing.

Don't abuse your freedom. Don't use it to avoid God and his Word. Read his Word daily. Pay careful attention to what he says.

This weekend, practice your freedom in real ways. I'll see you Sunday to celebrate with you.

Have a happy 4th of July! How will you celebrate this great day? Let me know! (outdoor service weather permitting this Sunday).

Congregational Forum and Voters’ Meeting

The congregation held a special voters’ meeting this past Sunday. We conducted a number of small business matters but chiefly focused on facility sharing.

After discussion, the congregation voted to pursue facility sharing.

What this means is that we are beginning to actively consider other organizations who might like to use our facility alongside the congregation. We are not looking for another church. We had an initial long list of nonprofits, white collar businesses, daycares, preschools, and more.

We’ll share more in the coming weeks and if you have a question please ask! For more information see the notes linked in the agenda. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oTfqV4lJPSP_N9sdOTUivv5-iBJnttFX_3veO7Q5L1k/edit?tab=t.0

All members of Peace may sign up to receive regular notices regarding our gospel work at https://peace.breezechms.com/form/62dd85

Native Prairie

As we look at the future of this site and facility, we’re considering what to do with the field. For a few reasons, we are not looking to sell it (although we can reconsider that often) and are testing out a more “native prairie” style of habitat.

There is plenty of information available about native prairies. Western Michigan University has tested one. https://wmich.edu/asylumlake/ecology/restore We are not committed to one, but are exploring it.

We are interested in what is in the “seed bank”. For this reason, we are currently not mowing the field. Later this fall, we’ll see what has grown and what could develop. We hope to have something of a site and facility plan this fall.

Would you please help pastor and the council on a site plan focused on the landscape? Please reach out to pastor and the council. Thanks! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JO-N5PPcvyOz8JiWcnpncqZsfvuGB149z2y3e0h7TlQ/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.6wd8oorhx0td




Ramp installed

Thanks to the ramp crew for the recent ramp installation!

Would you like us to help out someone with a ramp? Help them get to church and family life? We’d be happy to help.

Please reach out to the office.

Friendship Sunday Carnival

Let's be friends.

People of Otsego, Plainwell and beyond are invited to a chill community carnival on Sunday August 3rd from 10:30 - 12:30 (all are welcome to the service at 9:30 too!)

We'll have food, a cruise-in, games, bingo, andd a bounce house!

No cost, come make some friends!

Jesus says, I no longer call you servants but friends

Share with your friends! https://www.facebook.com/share/1CEWd7U4qZ/

Run!

The Otsego Ready or Not 5K kicks off the fall running season. If we put together a team, we can enter the fastest church competition!

August 2nd 8:00 am! Only $30. https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

Calendar

July 6th 9:30 am Service

July 19th 9:30 am Christian Theology

July 20th 9:30 service and catechism

July 25th 6:30 Family Game Night

August 2nd 8:00 am Otsego Ready or Not 5K https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday and Carnival (10:30)

September 21st 9:30 am Fall kick off/Welcome Home





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for June 26th

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses”.

Fredrich Nietzsche wrote, “What is good?—All that increases the feeling of power, will to power, power itself, in man. What is happiness?—The feeling that power increases—that a resistance is overcome.”

Can 2 sentiments be any more different? Weakness, or strong will? Which will you choose? Power or suffering?

When we follow Jesus, we know that we will experience weakness and suffering. How can we do weakness well?

Join me Sunday at 9:30 (indoors) as we enjoy God’s power in our weakness.

PS Big thanks to Tom Wright for his help last week. Appreciate you Tom and the work of God in you :-)

Dietriech Bonhoeffer (1906 - 1945) was a Christian Lutheran pastor in Germany.

He was spiritually renewed through the Christian life with the people of Bethel. After that, he returned to the Berlin area and started an underground seminary that resisted the Nazi regime. He was compassionate to the poor, the widow, the disabled, and the outcast. He was moved by the Spirit. He had a profound inner life shaped by meditation and lived humbly in community. He is said to have helped the resistance plans in significant ways.

Join my family for a movie night June 28th 4:30 pm.

Pizza and snacks over the dinner hour :-)

We just wrapped up an awesome Easter series answering some really hard questions. If any of these can help you, please feel free to use and share.

Let’s gather Sunday at 9:30 to answer these questions!

Question for you: Who are you preparing to answer? What questions are they asking?

Congregational Forum and Voters’ Meeting

The congregation will hold a voters’ meeting on June 29th to review our current situation and to decide on facility sharing. Please join us after service at 10:45 in the family center for this key business meeting. Our voters will conduct the business.

All the documents for the meeting, including the facility sharing info, are linked in the agenda: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oTfqV4lJPSP_N9sdOTUivv5-iBJnttFX_3veO7Q5L1k/edit?tab=t.0

All members of Peace may sign up to receive regular notices regarding our gospel work at https://peace.breezechms.com/form/62dd85

Team and Task Time

Team and Task Time is a chance for all the people connected to Peace to work together.

We meet at 6:30 pm and update on the people, then assign work and divvy up tasks.

We’re working on all kinds of things right now - our prayer initiative and friendship Sunday

I would be glad to have your help Tuesday July 1st at 6:30!

Calendar

June 28th 4:30 pm Bonhoeffer movie

June 29th 9:30 am Service

June 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting

July 1st 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

July 6th 9:30 am Service

July 19th 9:30 am Christian Theology

July 20th 9:30 service and catechism

July 25th 6:30 Family Game Night

August 2nd 8:00 am Otsego Ready or Not 5K https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Voters' meeting notes on June 29th 2025

 

Hello friends of Peace,

A special voters’ meeting will take place on June 29th at 10:45 am. All members are welcome to attend; voting members should attend. A forum will take place on June 8th to prepare.

Voting members will conduct the business.

Voting members are those who have signed the constitution prior to the meeting. Please speak with Pastor if you need to do so.

Our main focus at these meetings is to assess our 2025 ministry progress and to decide regarding facility sharing.

Everything needed for the meeting, including the documents on facility sharing, are linked in the agenda.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oTfqV4lJPSP_N9sdOTUivv5-iBJnttFX_3veO7Q5L1k/edit?tab=t.0

All members of Peace may sign up to receive regular notices regarding our gospel work at https://peace.breezechms.com/form/62dd85

 

Got this from a friend? Sign up here!

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us Know!

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

Good news for Peace for June 6th

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

The resurrection of Jesus gives us a good reason to trust God. In the weeks after Easter, we’ve been practicing explaining and defending our faith with the resurrection.

We need to answer a number of questions:

Let’s gather Sunday at 9:30 to answer these questions!

Question for you: Who are you preparing to answer? What questions are they asking?

PS Send us a photo of your graduating student so we can pray for them.

Congregational Forum and Voters’ Meeting

The congregation will hold a forum on June 8th and a voters’ meeting on June 29th to review our current situation and decide on facility sharing.

As documents are available for the meeting, they will be posted here. https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/202506voters

The key document most of you will be interested in is the “Facility Sharing and Memorandum of Understanding” document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TF_ig0aUbT1lknwh3htX6AB9l5GVBd4pVi3G-M9FsBk/edit?usp=drive_link

Prayer Walking

Want to get out in our neighborhood and slowly start to meet people without knocking on doors? Come prayer walk with me on Saturday June 14th at 10:00 am.

Prayer walk is an easy way to serve and support the people of Otsego - Plainwell. It goes like this:

  • Meet at church just before 10

  • Pray together, get instruction for walking, and pick a route

  • Walk the route, pray for homes and ask for God to lead us to particular people


Calendar

June 8th 9:30 am Service

June 8th 10:45 am Congregational Update/Forum

June 8th 2:00 pm St Peter’s Dorr 125th Anniversary Service

June 11th 1:00 pm Ladies Lunch Out at Lynx

June 11th 1:00 pm Mens Lunch Out at 4 Roses

June 12th 12:00 pm Senior Luncheon

June 12th 6:00 pm Class for those Interested in Peace

June 14th 10:00 am Prayer Walk

June 15th 10:45 am Service and catechism

June 22nd 10:45 NO catechism

June 28th 9:30 am Christian Theology

June 28th 4:30 pm Bonhoeffer movie

June 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting

July 25th 6:30 Family Game Night

August 2nd 8:00 am Otsego Ready or Not 5K https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for May 29th

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

Outdoor service this Sunday weather permitting! :-)

The resurrection of Jesus gives us a good reason to trust God. In the weeks after Easter, we’ve been practicing explaining and defending our faith with the resurrection.

We need to answer a number of questions:

Let’s gather Sunday at 9:30 to answer these questions!

Question for you: Who are you preparing to answer? What questions are they asking?
PS: St Peter’s Dorr is celebrating 125 years on June 8th. Stop by the counter and sign a card for them.

Graduating Students

Students are graduating all over the place - preschool, middle school, high school, and college. Are you or your kid graduating? Send pastor a photo so we can recognize and pray for them over the coming weeks.

God be with and watch over our graduates. May he lead them to godly fruitful lives!

Congregational Forum and Voters’ Meeting

The congregation will hold a forum on June 8th and a voters’ meeting on June 29th to review our current situation and decide on facility sharing.

As documents are available for the meeting, they will be posted here. https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/202506voters

Bonhoeffer Movie Night

Dietriech Bonhoeffer (1906 - 1945) was a Christian Lutheran pastor in Germany. He was spiritually renewed through the Christian life with the people of Bethel. After that, he returned to the Berlin area and started an underground seminary that resisted the Nazi regime. He was compassionate to the poor, the widow, the disabled, and the outcast. He was moved by the Spirit. He had a profound inner life shaped by meditation and lived humbly in community. He is said to have helped the resistance plans in significant ways.

Join my family for a movie night June 28th 4:30 pm.

Pizza and snacks over the dinner hour :-)

Native Prairie - Calling Gardeners

We are working to develop the field into a native prairie. We are trying to cultivate native plants in it and destroy pests.

In order to see what the field could become, we’ve created a test wildlife area between the barn and the pavilion. This small area includes various natural plants that might fill the field one day.

Here is more info developing. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JO-N5PPcvyOz8JiWcnpncqZsfvuGB149z2y3e0h7TlQ/edit?tab=t.0

Enjoy! Please don’t mow or run them over :-)

Calendar

May 31st 2:00 pm Ethan Wedge Graduation gathering at. the Wedge house

June 3rd 5:00 pm Team and Task Time

June 5th 6:00 pm Class for those Interested in Peace

June 8th 10:45 am Congregational Update/Forum

June 8th 2:00 pm St Peter’s Dorr 125th Anniversary Service

June 11th 1:00 pm Ladies Lunch Out at Lynx

June 11th 1:00 pm Mens Lunch Out at 4 Roses

June 12th 12:00 pm Senior Luncheon

June 14th 10:00 am Prayer Walk

June 15th 10:45 am Summer Catechism begins

June 28th 9:30 am Christian Theology

June 28th 4:30 pm Bonhoeffer movie

June 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting

July 25th 6:30 Family Game Night

August 2nd 8:00 am Otsego Ready or Not 5K https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/OtsegoReadyorNot5K

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for May 24

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

Students, you did a great job learning God's Word this year.

How many Bible stories do you think you learned? Keep up the good work!

Thank you to those of you who showed up and encouraged the students. Appreciate you!

We’ve got a couple of little things going on: -

PS: Easter take down this Sunday after service. Could you please stay for a few minutes and help clean up?

PPS: Ascension service on May 29th at 6:30 pm https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/ascension2025

PPSS: St Peter’s Dorr is celebrating 125 years on June 8th. Stop by the counter and sign a card for them.

PPPSS: Friendship Sunday August 3rd - how are your friendships? https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/friendship2025

The resurrection of Jesus gives us a good reason to trust God. In the weeks after Easter, we’ve been practicing explaining and defending our faith with the resurrection.

We need to answer a number of questions:

Let’s gather Sunday at 9:30 to answer these questions!

Question for you: Who are you preparing to answer? What questions are they asking?


Facility Sharing

Thank you to those who have taken a little time to ask questions and discuss the idea of facility sharing. This is helping me and the rest of the council work through the issue

Please remember right now that we are focused on the big question, “Should We Share This Facility”. We won’t go forward seeking any other users without congregational input.

We’ll keep working on this question and share information as it develops. The council will meet this Tuesday May 27th to attempt to formalize a first draft of a sharing agreement.

Memorial Day

This week we honor those who gave their life to serve us. We would also like to thank our service members listed below for the sacrifices they made for us.

Even if you won’t be able to be with us this weekend, please pray for those who have served:

Heavenly Father, as our nation pauses today to remember thosechurchandstate in the military who have given their lives for freedoms we enjoy, we pray you would have us all look to you for strength, comfort and guidance. Be with all who serve in our Armed Forces. Bless them and their families. Grant your loving protection. Let peace prevail among all the nations, O God. Especially let your mercy rest upon our land, even as we acknowledge with thanksgiving your past goodness on this country. If it is your will, preserve the lives of the men and women in uniform as they defend our citizenry. Most of all, we pray that you would turn the hearts of all – military and civilian – to your holy Word where we find the true peace for our sinful souls that surpasses all understanding. Keep us repentant of sin. Move us to know, take hold and treasure your saving grace. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Your beloved Son, who alone gives this peace and hope for eternity, we pray. Amen. (https://els.org/prayer-for-memorial-day/)

Irwin Bolenbaugh Ralph Holewa Paul Myers

Gary Coombs Richard Ueck

Shawn Gavan Don Hutchinson

John Gazley Jim Walkley

David Grimm Daton Wright

Gretchen Handley Allen Keller

Charles Handley Thomas Klein

Tom Handley Ron Miller



Graduating Students

Students are graduating all over the place - preschool, middle school, high school, and college. Are you or your kid graduating? Send pastor a photo so we can recognize and pray for them over the coming weeks.

God be with and watch over our graduates. May he lead them to godly fruitful lives!

Congregational Forum and Voters’ Meeting

The congregation will hold a forum on June 8th and a voters’ meeting on June 29th to review our current situation and decide on facility sharing.

As documents are available for the meeting, they will be posted here. https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/202506voters

Ladies Lunch Outing

All ladies are welcome to a summer lunch on June 11th at 1:00 at the Lynx (outside Otsego).

All ladies will receive an invite in the coming weeks.

Question: Will you please join us? Please RSVP to Jane Holewa (269-680-9060).

Mens Lunch

All men are invited to a summer lunch on June 11th at 1:00 pm at the 4 Roses.

Questions or to arrange rides, please contact Paul Retberg (269-382-6677)

Bonhoeffer Movie Night

Tough times make hard men.

Dietriech Bonhoeffer (1906 - 1945) lived through some of the toughest times of the last 100 years. He was resilient in the face of Nazi oppression. But he wasn’t tough like many others. He was compassionate to the poor, the widow, the disabled, and the outcast. He was moved by the Spirit. He had a profound inner life shaped by meditation and lived humbly in community.

Want to know more about this fascinating figure?

Join my family for a movie night June 28th 4:30 pm.

Pizza and snacks over the dinner hour :-)

Calling all Gardeners

We are not planning to mow the field this summer. We’d like to save the time and gas. We’d like to see what the field might become.

We know we can’t just let the field go wild. Unproductive and destructive plants will likely grow right alongside good and productive plants.

In order to see what the field could become, we’re creating a test wildlife area between the barn and the pavilion. This small area will include various natural plants that might fill the field one day.

  • First, please don’t mow or run them over :-)

  • Second, we could use a few gardeners to help get it going. Would you help with some planting? Please get ahold of pastor/the office.

Calendar

May 25th 9:30 service, bake sale

May 29th 6:30 pm Ascension service

June 3rd 6:30 pm Team and Task Time

June 8th 10:45 am Congregational Update/Forum

June 11th 1:00 pm Ladies Lunch Out at Lynx

June 11th 1:00 pm Mens Lunch Out at 4 Roses

June 12th 12:00 pm Senior Luncheon

June 13th 10:00 am Prayer Walk

June 28th 9:30 am Christian Theology

June 28th 4:30 pm Bonhoeffer movie

June 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for May 15

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

Are you okay? The storm was pretty bad in some places last night. As best I know, our people are okay. I praise God that he protected us.

Thanks mom for your service. God be with you in your work.

PS: Ascension service on May 29th at 6:30 pm https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/ascension2025

PPS: Friendship Sunday August 3rd - how are your friendships? https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/friendship2025

Student Recognition this week!

Our PreK to 5th grade students will wrap up their Sunday morning classes on Sunday May 18th. They’ll take a break for the summer and have a kids lesson with pastor each week.

On May 18th, we’ll have a recognition during service and a lunch/celebration to follow.

  • Peace will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and root beer floats.

  • Someone is bringing veggies to share.

  • For fun we are …

    • Flying kites!

    • Roasting peeps!

    • And playing kickball if we want

Please encourage the students this Sunday. Hope to see you!

The resurrection of Jesus gives us a good reason to trust God. In the weeks after Easter, we’ve been practicing explaining and defending our faith with the resurrection.

We need to answer a number of questions:

Let’s gather Sunday at 9:30 to answer these questions!

Question for you: Who are you preparing to answer? What questions are they asking?

Christian Theology

Jesus is the most divisive character in history. Christians have been very careful to explain who he is and what he has done.

Join me May 17th at 9:30 for our next talk in our Christian Theology series.

What do you think about Jesus?

Congregational Forum and Voters’ Meeting

Two key events coming up:

June 8th 10:45 there will be a congregational forum.

  • All are welcome to attend

  • Pastor and council will share an update on the “Three Paths Forward” in 2025

  • Update on the financial status

  • Discussion on facility sharing

June 29th 10:45 there will be a voters’ meeting (Business meeting)


  • Vote on facility sharing

As you can see, the big question we want to discuss is facility sharing.

We mentioned back on April 11th that some people at Peace have suggested we consider sharing the facility with another group or organization. https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/20250411

The council considered this idea and weighed some options. As we did so, we ran into another local organization that was looking to share a facility - a church.

Facility sharing is different from facility use. Currently, people and organizations use Peace’s facility for lots of activities outside of Peace’s gospel ministry. A piano recital. A baby shower. A family reunion. These are occasional events connected to an individual or organization to use the facility. Facility sharing is regular use by an organization. It brings with it a whole host of questions - who will use it? When? What will the legal arrangement be? How much money is involved? Insurance? Facility maintenance? And lots more.

One organization that WELS congregations have relied on in the past is “SpaceTogether”. They equip congregations to share space. You might find some of their information useful. https://www.spacetogether.com/. If you’d like to learn more about the concept of facility sharing, you could listen to this podcast. https://churchanswers.com/podcasts/rainer-on-leadership/should-churches-share-their-campuses-with-other-non-profits/

We are looking to have the congregation address the general question: Should we share our facility with another organization?

  • We plan to publicize a statement on facility sharing for approval or rejection

  • We will release a facility sharing agreement for approval or rejection

What do you think about facility sharing? Do you think Peace could share our space with another organization?

Ladies Lunch Outing

All ladies are welcome to a summer lunch on June 11th at 1:00 at the Lynx (outside Otsego).

All ladies will receive an invite in the coming weeks.

Question: Will you please join us? Please RSVP to Jane Holewa (269-680-9060).

Calling all Gardeners

We are not planning to mow the field this summer. We’d like to save the time and gas. We’d like to see what the field might become.

We know we can’t just let the field go wild. Unproductive and destructive plants will likely grow right alongside good and productive plants.

In order to see what the field could become, we’re creating a test wildlife area between the barn and the pavilion. This small area will include various natural plants that might fill the field one day.

  • First, please don’t mow or run them over :-)

  • Second, we could use a few gardeners to help get it going. Would you help with some planting? Please get ahold of pastor/the office.

Privacy and Security at Peace - Security Cameras

At Peace, we don’t feel the need to watch and video tape what people do on campus. We want to protect your privacy.

Nevertheless, we’ve got a couple of places we’d like to watch at times. We’d like to see packages and visitors at the front doors during off hours (since we don’t staff the office) and pastor would like to be able to check on the parsonage.

The council is looking into a few security cameras.

What do you think of security cameras?

Calendar

May 16th 6:30 pm Bunco

May 17th 9:30 am Christian Theology (Jesus the Messiah)

May 18th 9:30 am End of Year Student Recognition service

May 29th 6:30 pm Ascension service

June 8th 10:45 am Congregational Update/Forum

June 11th 1:00 pm Ladies Lunch Out at Lynx

June 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday





Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Friendship Sunday 2025

Friendship Sunday

We’re planning to connect with friends on Sunday August 3rd. We’ll have a little party together to build better relationships.

Question: How are your friendships? Time to start working on them!

Grab a neighborhood map and start praying for the people around you - both physical and relational.


Visit https://peaceotsego.org or call 269-694-6104

Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

Good news for Peace for May 8

Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,

Rejoice! Christ lives!

The resurrection of Jesus gives us a good reason to trust God. over the next few weeks, I want us to practice explaining and defending our faith with the resurrection.

We need to answer a number of questions:

  • Is Christianity legitimate or valid? Should we let Christianity stay around? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07ilpWCx7wk

  • Is Christianity good?

  • This week: Why does God allow so much suffering, especially if Jesus has risen fom the dead?

  • Does Christianity take all the fun out of life?

Let’s gather Sunday at 9:30 to answer these questions!

Question for you: What do you think is the biggest challenge to Christianity these days? What questions do you have a tough time answering?

PS Want some great music from kids? Enjoy the piano recital at Peace next Saturday May 10th 2:00 pm

PPS Summer outdoor services will begin June 1st. For more, see last week’s news: https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/20250501

What’s a mother to do?

Sadly, since we live in a sinful world, the mother/child relationship is tainted with sin. Children from little on throw tantrums, disobey mom, and are sometimes even disrespectful. Children lie, steal, hate, and the list goes on. Much has been written about motherhood, but you can’t buy one self­-help book that offers a solution to every problem mothers face in life. “Surely I was sinful at birth, in sin my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5) So what’s a mother to do?

“I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5

Here, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we see what one believing mother and grandmother did. We do not know much about Timothy’s mother or grandmother, other than what we are told here. Eunice and Lois were faithful believing women. They knew they were sinners, and that young Timothy also had inherited that sinful nature. They also knew the good news of Jesus, their Savior from sin. There was no reason to despair or wonder what to do. Their problem of sin had been removed through the blood of Jesus, which had taken away their sins and Timothy’s too. Timothy, Eunice, and Lois were God’s forgiven children. This mother and grandmother shared Jesus’ forgiving love, which prompted Timothy want to share it also.

We hear in his letter to Timothy that Paul wants to take Timothy with him on a missionary journey. Paul mentions Eunice, Timothy’s mother, and Lois, Timothy’s grandmother as having an influence on Timothy. And now Timothy wants to share the good news of Jesus’ love with others. We are told he got that foundation from a faithful believing mother and grandmother.

It is the privilege and joy of every Christian mother to instruct her children in the love of Jesus. Remember your Christian mother, if you were blessed with one. If you are a mother, give your children that godly foundation and pray that God will make that something great for his kingdom.

Question: Children, can we help you thank God for your mother this Sunday? Send a picture of your family so we can join you in prayer. Email church@peaceotsego.org or text 269-694-6104.

(Content taken from https://wels.net/dev-women/what-mother-do/)

Formal Wear for “Senior” Prom

Thanks for the donations so far!

Plainwell LifeCare Center is hosting a prom for its residents. They are looking for nicer attire that will fit senior adults.

They intend to clean the clothes and send them back; please be aware that there is always a risk.

If you have clothes you can lend, please consider doing so. I work with these adults regularly with Bible study, prayer, and worship. I would love to see them have a happy celebration.

Do we still have clothes we can share?

Student Recognition

Our PreK to 5th grade students will wrap up their Sunday morning classes on Sunday May 18th. They’ll take a break for the summer and have a kids lesson with pastor each week.

On May 18th, we’ll have a recognition during service and a lunch/celebration to follow.

  • Peace will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, and chips

  • Someone is bringing veggies to share.

  • Someone else is bringing root beer floats

  • Let’s play some kickball!

Will you play kickball? Good times!


Ascension

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” Philippians 2:9

Jesus of Nazareth has ascended to rule and reign for his Father over all things for the good of his people. We may no longer see him, but he is still with us - just like we carry our spouses in us all the time.

Question: Will you join me to proclaim the Ascension of Jesus on May 29th at 6:30 pm.

Ladies Lunch Outing

All ladies are welcome to a summer lunch on June 11th at 1:00 at the Lynx (outside Otsego).

All ladies will receive an invite in the coming weeks.

Question: Will you please join us? Please RSVP to Jane Holewa (269-680-9060).

Congregational Forum and Voters’ Meeting

Two key events coming up:

June 8th 10:45 there will be a congregational forum.

  • All are welcome to attend

  • Pastor and council will share an update on the “Three Paths Forward” in 2025

  • Update on the financial status

  • Discussion on facility sharing

June 29th 10:45 there will be a voters’ meeting (Business meeting)

  • Vote on facility sharing

As you can see, the big question we want to discuss is facility sharing.

We mentioned back on April 11th that some people at Peace have suggested we consider sharing the facility with another group or organization. https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/20250411

The council considered this idea and weighed some options. As we did so, we ran into another local organization that was looking to share a facility - a church.

Facility sharing is different from facility use. Currently, people and organizations use Peace’s facility for lots of activities outside of Peace’s gospel ministry. A piano recital. A baby shower. A family reunion. These are occasional events connected to an individual or organization to use the facility. Facility sharing is regular use by an organization. It brings with it a whole host of questions - who will use it? When? What will the legal arrangement be? How much money is involved? Insurance? Facility maintenance? And lots more.

One organization that WELS congregations have relied on in the past is “SpaceTogether”. They equip congregations to share space. You might find some of their information useful. https://www.spacetogether.com/. If you’d like to learn more about the concept of facility sharing, you could listen to this podcast. https://churchanswers.com/podcasts/rainer-on-leadership/should-churches-share-their-campuses-with-other-non-profits/

We are looking to have the congregation address the general question: Should we share our facility with another organization?

  • We plan to publicize a statement on facility sharing for approval or rejection

  • We will release a facility sharing agreement for approval or rejection

What do you think about facility sharing? Do you think Peace could share our space with another organization?

Friendship Sunday

We’re planning to connect with friends on Sunday August 3rd. We’ll have a little party together to build better relationships.

Question: How are your friendships? Time to start working on them!

Grab a neighborhood map and start praying for the people around you - both physical and relational.

Calendar

May 10th 2:00 pm Piano Recital (Noah Szczembara)

May 11th 9:30 am Service (Mother’s Day) and catechism

May 15th 6:00 pm Class for those interested in Peace

May 17th 9:30 am Christian Theology (Jesus the Messiah)

May 18th 9:30 am End of Year Student Recognition service

May 29th 6:30 pm Ascension service

June 8th 10:45 am Congregational Update/Forum

June 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting

August 3rd 9:30 Friendship Sunday




Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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

He rules - Ascension 2025

He rules - Ascension 2025

He Rules - Ascension 2025

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” Philippians 2:9

Jesus of Nazareth has ascended to rule and reign for his Father over all things for the good of his people. We may no longer see him, but he is still with us - just like we carry our spouses in us all the time.

Question: Will you join me to proclaim the Ascension of Jesus on May 29th at 6:30 pm.


Visit https://peaceotsego.org or call 269-694-6104

Got this from a friend? Sign up here: https://peace.breezechms.com/form/news

Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org

Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting.

Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share? Let us know!

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