Acts 4:23-31, Luke 4:14-21

 

Dear friends and family of Jesus,

I want to take a minute and reflect on the work God let us be part of in 2021. As we look at highlights and challenges, we can use that information to guide us through 2022.

Highlights and Blessings

Services

In 2021 we focused on improving our outdoor services by

  • providing live music outdoors each week after purchasing a keyboard

  • getting a new tv

  • developing a strong, consistent crew to set up

Everyone - members and neighbors enjoyed worshiping outdoors with us. It was fun to invite people to this unique experience!

Worship attendance increased more than 10% this year. That alone was a huge blessing in a tough year.

Christmas Eve service attendance was up 25% from last year! We’re so thankful for this blessing.

Team and Task Time

Task and Team Time was formed to bring us together to organize and accomplish tasks both small and large that benefit the church and our local community.

  • met most months

  • at least 5 people each time

  • lots of good projects - teacher training, Ramp It Up, newsletter, organize Senior Luncheon, plan Welcome Home, clean up

Gingerbread Bash

Gingerbread Bash teaching both kids of Peace and friends about the love of Jesus and playing games. 25 kids! 20 non-members.

Gifts from Guests

Gifts from Guests is our new initiative.

  • Small gifts are given to a local non-profit in honor of a first-time guest

  • This token of appreciation was well-received.

  • People participated the first week we did it!

Welcome Home

It was great to see so much of our church family at the fall Welcome Home celebration!

Bylaws

We switched to new bylaws and a new structure at the beginning of the year. It always takes time to learn how to live differently. Thanks for all your work!

Summary

  • Average weekly worship attendance = 79

  • Baptisms = 1

  • Professions of faith/confirmations = 3

  • Giving = $153,781.44

 

Challenges

As we navigated through 2021, we were not without challenges. We experienced many internal struggles and external hindrances.

We continued to navigate COVID-19 and the variants that have impacted our community.

As shown in the chart below, our giving was about $20,000 below what we had budgeted for. Our team had to adjust our spending in several areas. Still spending was about $6,000 more than income.

Our main musician Cindy Commissaris has retired from her regular job. She will come to help out around Peace, but her role will adapt. We deeply appreciate all the service she has provided to Peace.

As we step into 2022, we look forward to growing with you! Next week we’ll share more on the 2022 plan for gospel ministry.

Upcoming events (full calendar)

  • January 20th, 6:30 pm Choir

  • January 21st, 11:00am CANCELLED Ladies Guild

  • January 22nd 7pm 131 Youth Crew

  • January 23rd, 11:45 am Congregational Forum

  • January 30th, 11:45 am Voters’ Meeting

 

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Peace Lutheran Church

805 S Wilmott St

Otsego, MI 49078

269-694-6104

https://peaceotsego.org