Hello friends of Jesus and Peace
A joyous Ascension to you all!
Christians celebrate the Ascension of Jesus 40 days after Easter. Luke tells us in the writing we call Acts:
3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
The ascension of Jesus tells us that Jesus has bodily left the region of Israel and his twelve disciples, but he has ascended to the right hand of the Father so that he can be with all of his people, everywhere. He can rule and reign for all of us.
Enjoy this wonderful Ascension day and meditate on the truths of the day. https://forwardinchrist.net/ascension-paradoxes/ You can enjoy a good Ascension service below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F64Vcczm8dQ
Mother’s Day
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.
Look forward to honoring women with you this Sunday. We’ll have flowers for all the ladies!
(Content taken from https://wels.net/dev-women/what-mother-do/)
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church, the second largest denomination in the United States, finished its national conference the past week. This was a particularly difficult gathering. Religion News reported that the denomination removed its bans on same-sex marriage and gay clergy. https://religionnews.com/2024/05/06/a-milestone-reached-in-mainline-protestant-churches-decades-old-disputes-over-lgbtq-inclusion/. There is a lot to consider here and something that affects many people we know. If you have any questions or thoughts, please reach out to pastor. In the meantime, keep praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
For a slightly longer summary of the recent developments, you can check this out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=HPf0m2lG6DrIxn_V&v=nbwIxBM1-0Q&feature=youtu.be
Convention Delegate
Every other year the congregations we are affiliated with in the greater Michigan area gather for a district convention. The convention conducts the business of the congregations. For example, we make recommendations to the synod. We provide counseling and care to called workers. We collaborate on new mission starts in our area. We plan youth events. And much more.
Each congregation sends a pastor and a voting member to the convention.
This year’s convention will be June 3rd to 5th. We can head out either the night of June 2nd or the morning of June 3rd. We’ll return June 5th, usually in the afternoon. The church covers the costs of the convention.
Pastor and the council are looking for a voting member to attend with pastor. Think about helping out!
Spring Work Day
Thanks to all those who helped clean up our site for gospel ministry this summer. Big thanks to Jo Markwart, Bill Harris, Les Gregerson, Ron and Ellen Miller, Roger Commissaris, Dan and Julie Doran, Kart Wedge, and the Timmermanns for their work.
End of year student recognition and celebration
Our students will wrap up their Sunday morning classes June 2nd. We’ll have a recognition, lunch, and celebration. Church will provide hot dogs and hamburgers. Plan to bring something to share! https://www.PerfectPotluck.com/DOKN3083 Can’t wait to see you!
Catechism
How do learn faith? How do we gain hearts that believe what is a good and true, and lives that live what is good and true?
Our answer is catechism - a special class designed for middle school students.
After our children learn the narrative of the Bible through Old and New Testament stories (PreK4 - 5th grade, middle school students (grades 6-8) receive the next level of instruction in catechism class. Catechism class systematically instructs students in the basic teachings of the Christian faith. Catechism doesn’t teach Bible stories; it teaches doctrine so we can gain the mind of Christ.
If
you’re a 6-8th grade student now or in the fall of 2023
you’ve attended our Sunday School classes to learn the basic stories (or learned them another way)
I hope you’ll join me for this class. I love spending time with you and helping you learn to follow Jesus.
If you are a parent of a 5th grader, please contact me so that I can get your student registered for the class. Call or text 269-694-6104.
Our 2023 group will start June 9th at 10:45 am!
Calendar
May 11th 2:00 pm Noah Szczembara and students piano recital
May 17th 11:00 am Ladies Guild
May 17th 6:30 pm Bunco
June 1st 9:30 am Evangelism workshop
June 2nd 9:30 am End of year celebration and outdoor service https://www.PerfectPotluck.com/DOKN3083
June 15th 9:30 am Christian Theology class #1 https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/christiantheology
June 15th WELS Taste of Missions https://tasteofmissions.com/
July 30th WELS Worship Conference https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/welsworshipconference
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Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078
269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org