Dear friends of Jesus connected through Peace,
Christmas
Will an app, AI, or another technology save us from the injustice, conflict, and pain we experience every day?
If technology can’t do it, perhaps spirituality can. Prayer, meditation, or even angels might save us.
But the Lord of heaven and earth isn’t sending an angel for you or a superhuman AI. He is sending someone exactly like you. A human baby. Laughing. Crying. Eating. Dying. And one day, rising again.
Christmas gives the one thing you and I really need. Someone to do it all right for us. An infant.
Be sure to share an invite with infant feet with someone this Christmas season.
Christmas Choir will practice December 14th and December 21st.
The Giving Tree is 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 is up. We collect new mittens, hats, gloves, socks, slippers, and blankets to keep people warm. 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.
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
Merry Christmas from all God’s people at Peace. Enjoy this Christmas message December 24th at 5:00 or 10:00 pm.
Visit https://peaceotsego.org for more or call 269-694-6104.
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
This week our brother in Christ, Andy, is seeking prayers for his daughter Allison who is battling cancer.
“Gracious God, we mourn all the heartache and sorrow that has infected our world. We get another chance during Christmas to remember just how important it is that the child was born to save us. We cling to that child and the new life he brings, even as Allison struggles for life. May the life of Christ renew her life.
“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.
Ushers
Ushers serve a simple but important role in the life of our congregation. Ushers
welcome people to the service
provide a friendly face
pass out service outlines and other materials
direct people to seats
watch for emergency situations
keep the doors locked as needed
We’d like the men among us to get this done. We’ll have a training in the new year.
Here is a description of the ushering work. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t197IyxfQ1yFJ_CG4jO42jp5DCkuXmyd-yVAU5Swa9A/edit?tab=t.0
Please reach out to the office (269-694-6104) if you can take a month or stop by the next steps table to sign up.
There are a number of spots open for ushering for next year still.
End of year donations
Thank you for all your gifts in support of Peace’s ministry in 2025. It was a joy to work with you. Please make final end of year donations by December 28th. Donations may be given on-site (cash or check) or online.
Calendar
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