Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,
Christmas
We’re going to make Christmas great together at Peace!
Enjoy the wonder and happiness of Christmas at Otsego’s Hometown Christmas on Saturday December 6th from about 4:00 - 7:00 pm.
We’re serving cocoa under the Otsego pavilion from 4-7 (except for the parade).
We provide parade security. Meet at Our Table restaurant at 5:30.
We’ll have a wagon in the parade. Thanks Charlie and Kart!
We made the news https://wwmt.com/news/local/hometown-christmas-otsego-holidays-celebration-yuletide-activities-performances-community-allegan-county-west-michigan
On Sunday December 7th decorate Peace so that we can see Christmas really come to life. Sunday December 7th 11:00 am. Lunch will be served!
Christmas Choir has its first practice. All welcome!
The Giving Tree will get going. We’ve got a family from Sylvia’s Place - a mom and 4 kids. There are tags available (on the table for now). If you’d like to donate a gift to a family in need this Christmas, consider choosing this family. We can love a neighbor that is genuinely in need. A couple of guidelines: pick a gift similar to what is suggested on the tag; return the unwrapped gift to Peace by December 16th; return the tag with the gift.
The Tree of Warmth will be up. We collect new mittens, hats, gloves, and socks to keep people warm. Slippers and blankets are new this year based on a request from Sylvia’s Place. Donations will go to local elementary schools Dix Street elementary, Washington Street elementary school, Gilkey, Alamo, Sylvia’s Place, and those who come to Peace. Please return donations by Sunday January 4th. We’ll distribute them after that.
Monday December 8th 1:00 pm the ladies will celebrate Christmas. Ladies Christmas Party at Berries Pancake House on Gull Rd in Kalamazoo https://www.berriesfamouspancakehouse.com/. If you’d like to join, call the office.
Kids Christmas December 21st 9:30 am students will share the Christmas message! https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/childrenschristmasservice2025
We’ll hand out small gift bags to the children that attend our Christmas services. We suggest small oranges (cuties), Christmas cards, coloring books, crayons, activity books, and individually wrapped candy. We plan to give away 40 bags. Drop off items in office by December 18th. We can’t wait to share Christmas with your family and friends!
Christmas Eve 5:00 pm “Not an app or an angel, but an infant”
Crazy Christmas Cookie Sharing after Christmas Eve service. Bring a dozen cookies and share with friends.
Christmas Night 10:00 pm
Christmas Day 9:30 am
Advent
This week we began Advent. That’s what Christians call the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Advent asks us - if you knew someone important was coming to see you sometime soon, but you didn’t know exactly when, what would you do?
Historically, Christians have prepared in a number of ways:
Repentance
Lighting candles - usually put in an Advent wreath. Candles are a sign of our watching and waiting with light in the darkness. Here is a simple wreath https://a.co/d/59VdFiH and some candles https://a.co/d/20xvcbW.
Special reading of God’s message before his coming. You can read lessons and prayers here. https://issuu.com/mlc.edu/docs/2025_advent_devotion_-_all_things_new?fr=sMTY5YTg0MTE0NDM
Listening to certain music and singing https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2M0SnW9zXQ5UCzZbmOhRky
Don’t wait for the next year to do the real work of life change. Change your soul with the infant this Christmas.
Can’t wait to see you!
Pastor T
Christmas Choir - We’re having a choir to celebrate Christmas this year. Join the choir to practice December 7th, 14th, and 21st to practice for Christmas Eve December 24th!
Gospel Spotlight
The Christmas season is a great time to share the gospel. I’m grateful for all of you who are taking those opportunities. This week a number of people helped me love someone who was living out of their car and needed a tire to get around. I know they saw the grace of God.
That was a great chance to share the gospel. Where did you see the gospel at work this week?
Prayer Highlight
Let’s pray that God will make us ready for Christ’s coming.
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength, and save us from the threatening dangers of our sins; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
“In Jesus’ name we pray,
“Amen.”
Our sick or homebound friends - Judy Haugh, Brenda Grimm, Shirley Kling, Darlene Syers, Irene Haas, Maxine Sandahl, and Marge Gavan
Forward in Christ/Mediations - Publications
Our synod offers two main periodicals: Forward in Christ (a monthly magazine) and Meditations (a quarterly devotion booklet).
We help individuals who want to receive paper editions subscribe. We receive a discount that way. If you’d like to subscribe to either of these, now is the time. For new sign-ups or if you have questions contact the office or Charlie Kling @ (269) 903-7091
These periodicals are also available electronically.
Officer elections and appointments
At the end of the year, we typically look for nominations for officers in the coming year.
The council at Peace appoints a nominating committee to nominate qualified individuals to positions. There are many qualifications to serve in these positions; for example, at a minimum, individuals must be members of the congregation.
We are blessed with some consistency as we look to 2026. We’re primarily looking for individuals to serve as
Congregational Vice- President
Maintenance Coordinator
Elder (not on council)
Head usher
Some of these positions are elected positions, others are appointed. If you would like to nominate an individual for any of these positions, please speak with Pastor Timmermann.
Calendar
December 6th 4:00 pm Hometown Christmas
December 7th 9:30 am Service, catechism
December 7th 10:45 am Christmas decorating, First Christmas Choir practice
December 8th 1:00 pm Ladies Christmas Party at Berries Pancake House
December 11th 12:00 pm Senior lunch
December 11th 6:30 pm Bible study at Peace
December 14th 9:30 am Service, catechism
December 19th 5:30 pm Kids Christmas practice
December 21st 9:30 Kids Christmas service (no catechism)
December 24th 5:00 pm Christmas Eve
December 24th 10:00 pm Christmas Night
December 25th 9:30 am Christmas Day
January 19-21st Lutheran Leadership Conference https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/lutheranleadership2026
July 14-17 Youth Rally
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Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078
269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org