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
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Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078
269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org