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/