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
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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