The gospel is not information or advice. It is news. Even if it is the best news in the world, it can be hard to share.
Our evangelism workshop develops the skills essential for every day gospel sharing:
noticing and enhancing spaces and places for gospel sharing
gospel sharing tools
personal coaching
Our next workshop is Saturday May 20th 9:30 am. It’s a chance to be filled with the gospel and share that gospel.
One hour. Refreshments provided. :-)
What a wonderful Easter! Thanks for celebrating with me. We got to see many old friends and make some new ones. We feasted (in our own way!) And we ran through bubbles. Could the day get any better?
Oh, wait. Jesus lives. And if he lives, that changes everything for us.
Thanks for being part of Easter with all of us. Thank you for honoring the risen Lord. Thank you for declaring God’s work. Don’t give up.
We’ll have a congregational lunch on May 21st at 11:00 am (after service). Bring a dish to pass and let’s give thanks for a great year.
We’ve started a process to clean out our facility. We want to have a simple, effective, clean space to fill people with the gospel so they can fill others! For more and updates, visit https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/2023cleanout
Our middle school and high school students are welcome to skate night! May 6th 6:00 - 10:00 pm, starting at $10.
Love to see you! Contact pastor
Want to see worldwide mission work? Want to even taste it?
Join Taste of Missions, in person at Wisconsin's Lutheran Seminary or online on June 11th.
For more and to register, visit https://tasteofmissions.com
We’re praying for these future musicians. Keep praying with me for them.
We’d like to join you in thanking God for our mothers.
During the service on May 14th, we’ll recognize and pray for mothers and grandmothers. We’ll recognize them by putting a picture of your family on the screen, and then praying together for them.
Please send pastor a picture of your mother and family to pastor by May 12th. Email church@peaceotsego.org or text 269-694-6104.
Need space for your party this summer? Peace’s facility is available for graduations, baby showers, family reunions, and a host of other gatherings. Contact church@peaceotsego.org or 269-694-6104
How do learn faith? How do we gain hearts that believe what is a good and true, and lives that live what is good and true?
Our answer is catechism - a special class designed for middle school students.
After our children receive education from preschool to 5th grade, middle school students (grades 6-8) receive the next level of instruction in catechism class. Catechism class systematically instructs students in the basic teachings of the Christian faith. Catechism doesn’t teach Bible stories; it teaches doctrine so we can gain the mind of Christ.
If you’re a 6-8th grade student now or in the fall of 2023, I hope you’ll join me for this class. I love spending time with you and helping you learn to follow Jesus.
If you are a parent of a 5th grader, please contact me so that I can get your student registered for the class. Call or text 269-694-6104.
Our 2023 group will start June 4th at 10:45 am!
Lonnie and Linda Hart
Pastor Don Seelhof
Justin Buskirk
May ushers are Eric Szczembara and Kart Wedge
Work day - Spring work day and clean up is May 6th 9:00 am. Please come add your hands! https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/202305workday
May 2nd 10:00 am Craft time
May 2nd 6:30 pm Team and Task Time
May 6th 9:00 am Work day
May 6th 6:00 pm 131 Youth Crew bowling
May 12th 12:00 Senior luncheon
May 21st 9:30 am Student recognition
May 21st 11:00 am Congregational lunch
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
It's been an awesome year. Thanks for the whole time. I'm grateful to see you live after Jesus!
Let's wrap up the year with some fun.
May 6 Cookout and Roller Skating
GR Skate and Event Center in Byron Center
3651 84th St SW, Byron Center, MI 49315
6:00 pm Cookout and Devotion
7:00 pm Roller Skating
End by 10:00 pm
$10 for regular skating, $13 for roller blades. Non-skaters are $4.
Please RSVP to your local leader.
I can't wait to see you one last time this year.
For more information, please contact your local leaders or email back.
For all the Youth Crew gatherings for 2022-2023 https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews?tag=131youthcrew
Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/131youthcrew
Want to invite a friend or neighbor to participate? Pass on this link so they can sign up for updates! https://peace.breezechms.com/form/0e38d3
In Jesus,
The 131 Youth Crew team - Pastor Dave Rockhoff, Principal Luke Schershel, Pastor Al Kirschbaum, the Wedge family, Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann
Work day is a great chance for us to keep our entire facility safe and functional.
May 6th 9:00 - 12:00
Plenty for everyone!
Coffee, donuts, snacks provided. Bring rakes, shovels, gloves.
A big part of the day will be hauling items to the barn to give away.
See the list of tasks below.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1opjgGW3Zpt_M8DwoG1pRc4tmaI2wkp9T7YZvSjXe1z8/edit
Status: Beginning May 21st, most items are available to members. See below
Our work has changed a lot the last 5 plus years. We are a different congregation doing different work.
We want to be a congregation that equips people to fill the homes, workplaces, and lives of others with the gospel. By God’s grace, we can fill 15% of the homes in Otsego - Plainwell with the gospel.
We need a facility and equipment that supports our work:
space and equipment that equips children, high school students, and young adults
flexible space for training, classes, and workshops
quality equipment that is simple, easy to use - it works
equipment that looks good for our time and place
make good use of our financial resources
In order to accomplish this, we’re going to CLEAN OUT!
We want to clean out and give away items we no longer use or need for ministry.
Phase 1 - Remove - COMPLETE
Up to May 6th, pastor will work with team members to select items
May 6th (work day) team will work through the building
All items selected to give away will be put on the tractor side of the barn
Phase 2 - Appeal - UNDER REVIEW
May 7th to 14th APPEAL PROCESS
Any member go look through the items in the garage (let the office know you are going to come unless you have a key)
Let the office know that we should keep an item
Questions will be reviewed and decided by the office
Phase 3 - Selection - IN PROGRESS
May 21st to May 28 MEMBER SELECTION
Any member can look through the items and select what you’d like.
Put a name on the card for larger items. If multiple people want the same item, council will review.
You are welcome to make a donation if you’d like.
Phase 4 - Community Give Away
Phase 5 - Rummage Sale
June 16th 9:00 - 5:00
Phase 6 - Salvation Army Pick up
Phase 7 - Pitch
Pitch remaining items
I’m optimistic this process will set us up for our next phrase ministry. Let’s get this done and get to work!
Thanks
Pastor T
Jesus took his last steps to a dining room, a hill, and a tomb.
What is that?
What is it that the greatest man the world has ever known would end his life, not on a stage, not on a throne, not in a quiet home ….
but first with friends at a table….
then alone on a hill….
until he reached a tomb?
Let us walk his final steps together:
Holy Thursday 6:30 pm
Good Friday 6:30 pm
Easter Sunday 8:00 and 9:30 am, brunch at 10:45
I’m ready to walk with you.
With love,
Pastor T
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
Be part of a service or study via livestream? https://v.ringcentral.com/join/273136645
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
If Jesus lives, ___________. How do you fill the blank?
If Jesus lives, there is love. If Jesus lives, there is hope. If Jesus lives, there is peace.
Discover what makes Easter different this year.
For more on Easter, visit https://peaceotsego.org/events/easter2023
We’re welcoming the blue hymnbook with open arms. Along the way we have a chance to remember years and memories gone by. Sunday after service we’ll have materials available to make ornaments! You’ll be able to use the old hymnbooks and make keepsakes for years to come.
Sunday 10:45
Easter Help- Easter is quickly approaching. We’re well underway with planning - breakfast, some decorating, Easter baskets for the kids, and flowers. We’d love a little help with some of the following:
Fruit donations: please drop off clementines, apples, bananas the week of Easter!
Candy donations: Purchase individually wrapped small candy (smarties are too big) and leave it in the office
Flowers: Donate flowers in memory of a loved one
Decorating:
Invites
Prayer team
We’d love to have your help with any and all of this. Get ahold of pastor and I can get you on the team!
April 1st Invite Otsego - Plainwell to Easter 10:00 am
April 4th Easter prep 9:00 am
April 4th Team and Task Time 6:30 pm
April 6th Maundy Thursday 6:30 pm
April 7th Good Friday 6:30 pm
April 9th Easter services 8:00 and 9:30 am
April 9th Easter lunch, egg hunt 10:45 am
April 12th Midweek studies restart
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
Hymnals are here!
We've put them out in the pews. If you find your row needs another one, please graciously borrow one from another place.
If you bought a personal book and you have paid for it, they are on the counter in the entry area. Please pick up your book. If you haven’t paid, please put a marked check or cash in the plate or pay online.
This Sunday we’re going to walk through the book a little. Watch this little video to learn a little about it!
(PS for more about the hymnal, read https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/hymnal2023
Have you ever checked out the way of sorrows - the last steps of Jesus? The Via Dolorosa is the famous last steps of Jesus.
Check out this neat description and video of the steps. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/media/video/onsite-via-dolorosa/
We’re going to do the same this year. Be sure to join us for Lent this year https://peaceotsego.org/events/lent2023
February 22 John 11 “Final steps led to a tomb”
March 1 Matthew 21:12-17 “Final steps to his father’s house”
March 8 Luke 20:9-19 “Final steps led to his enemies”
March 15 John 12:1-11 “Final steps led to a dinner celebration”
March 22 John 12:20-33 “Final steps led to some Greeks”
March 29 Mark 11:12ff “Final steps led to a fig tree”
April 6 Mark 14:12-17 “Final steps led to the upper room”
April 7 Luke 23:26-33 “Final steps led to the place of the skull”
Jesus asks for everything from us. He wants us to follow his steps each day. He wants us to sacrifice ourselves and all we have for him and his kingdom. He expects us to always forgive, always hope, and always give.
Those kinds of demands require remarkable proof.
As you make plans to celebrate Easter with us and invite others to be part of it, be sure to think about the evidence for Easter. Be ready to say, “he lives! And here is why….”
For more on Easter, visit https://peaceotsego.org/events/easter2023
Ushers for March are Josh Gower and Tom Wright
Monitor/small TV screen - We’re looking for a large monitor or a small TV screen for the slides. If you have one you aren’t using, please consider donating it. Contact pastor for more information. 269-6964-6104
March 7th 10:00 am Craft time
March 7th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time
March 10th 12:00 pm Senior luncheon
March 11 11:00 am 131 Youth Crew service project
April 9th Easter services 8:00 and 9:30 am
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
If you get a new hymnal, here is what you are going to get.
There are lots of good reasons for hymnbooks. Check out this article (click the link to read the whole thing)
https://www.christianworship.com/articles/2020/4/1/service-builder-and-books
Now is a great time (last chance!) to get the best tool to organize and enhance your personal worship. Take these steps:
Either sign up below or on-site
2. Pay cash/check (if you didn’t pay above) in the offering plate marked “hymnal”.
I am so glad that we get to bring you and others the gospel like this!
Pastor T
(PS for more about the hymnal, read https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/hymnal2023
We aren’t the only ones who want to trace Jesus’ last steps.
For two thousand years, pilgrims have retraced Jesus final steps. They have wept, laughed, knelt, and loved.
We’re going to do the same this year.
February 22 John 11 “Final steps led to a tomb”
March 1 Matthew 21:12-17 “Final steps to his father’s house”
March 8 Luke 20:9-19 “Final steps led to his enemies”
March 15 John 12:1-11 “Final steps led to a dinner celebration”
March 22 John 12:20-33 “Final steps led to some Greeks”
March 29 Mark 11:12ff “Final steps led to a fig tree”
April 6 Mark 14:12-17 “Final steps led to the upper room”
April 7 Luke 23:26-33 “Final steps led to the place of the skull”
Richard Ueck
Olivia and the McNees family
Christian Neighbors items for February are pasta and pasta sauce
Ushers for February are Bill Harris and Dan Doran.
Easter Team - I know it’s early, but it’s time to get ready for sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. Pastor is putting together a team. Here are some things to help with:
prayer team
invites
meal
decorating
service
egg hunt
We’d love to have your help with any and all of this. Get ahold of pastor and I can get you on the team!
February 17th 11:00 am Ladies Guild
February 17th 6:30 pm Bunco
February 22nd 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday (and 5 following Wednesdays)
March 7th 10:00 am Craft time
March 7th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time
March 10th 12:00 pm Senior luncheon
March 11 11:00 am 131 Youth Crew service project
April 9th Easter services 8:00 and 9:30 am
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
Thanks for all the fun at Peace in March!
Our next gathering is March 11th at Spirit of Life in Caledonia. We're doing a service project together.
We're going to help those with special needs and seniors enjoy the Easter story.
March 11th 10:30 - 1:30 pm plus travel time
The Youth Crew (students) will help teach the story, help participants do the activities and crafts, serve lunch, and help participants navigate around for the morning. We need students to commit to being there and helping these dear souls.
Please RSVP as student helpers to your local leader.
For more information, please contact your local leaders.
For all the Youth Crew gatherings for 2022-2023 https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews?tag=131youthcrew
Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/131youthcrew
Want to invite a friend or neighbor to participate? Pass on this link so they can sign up for updates! https://peace.breezechms.com/form/0e38d3
Can't wait to see how God grows our faith together this year!
In Jesus,
The 131 Youth Crew team - Pastor Dave Rockhoff, Principal Luke Schershel, Pastor Al Kirschbaum, the Wedge family, Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann
Tension. Balance. Harmony.
Tension exists in life and that is good. Gravity pulls you down. Your muscles push you up. When gravity stops, you float. When your muscles stop, you are crushed to the ground.
Balance is helpful. The water flows down the Kalamazoo River, but it never empties. Lake Michigan never overflows. The water completes its cycle and maintains a balance.
Harmony enriches and deepens life. Musical notes combine to form more beautiful sounds – harmonizations. The new sound is more than both sounds individually played.
Tension. Balance. Harmony. We experience them regularly. Each has its place.
God points out many areas of tension, balance, and harmony in our lives. We reject them to our detriment; we embrace them to our benefit.
For example, Paul writes, “creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay”. That must mean creation is decaying right now. We could even say the world is falling apart. At the same time, Isaiah says, “I am making all things new”. These points aren’t in conflict. They reveal tension to us.
James tells us “confess our sins”. The Psalm writer says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous.” We are filled with sin and yet we never overflow, because God the Holy Spirit also makes us righteous.
And for harmony, God says we are saved by faith and we should not give up meeting together.
Can I offer you a little tip? Don’t run from tension, balance and harmony. There is something more to be found where ever there is a little tension, balance, or harmony.
(P.S. Missed our recent sermons? Check ‘em out!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOWUKAz9EOI&list=PLJqdAdeyrHjfK0hw3jLZFFC5hsQjJntLE
Who would you like God to B.L.E.S.S?
My neighbor lost his job lately. I took him out to coffee. I’ve texted with him a few times. I connected him to some job opportunities and helped him network.
I’ve done all this because I care for him and his family. I want God to bless him.
Who would you like God to bless in your life?
I want to invite you to join me in our BLESS initiative.
Either get paper materials on-site or grab your own copy of the electronic materials
Grab a prayer bookmark and fill it out
Get a neighborhood map and fill it out
Start listening.
Let’s pray!
Dear Lord, you are the Lord of heaven and earth. You work in all things with justice and mercy. You lift up those who have been brought low and you tear down those who have lifted themselves up. We pray that you would work through our work and bless these people in our lives who need your help. In Jesus name, Amen.
As you may be aware, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) has come out with new hymnals that includes liturgy, psalms and hymns - all kinds of wonderful resources (see https://www.christianworship.com/).
We are going to purchase these books for our seats in the near future. We intend to have them in our building by March 1.
Yes, this is a big change for us all, but we have been through this before with our previous hymnals. Remember how you felt about the red book? And now look how familiar it is!
Our musicians, including our cantors, will help you become familiar with the hymns/liturgy. We should all remember how well we did with the new liturgy for Lent that we've used the past 3 years. I (Cindy Commissaris) don't think it was too painful and I think a lot of us came to like it.
We will still use hymns/liturgy from the previous hymnals in our services, but we will concentrate more on the large blue hymnals.
Peace is covering the cost for hymn books in the building. These will belong to the congregation and will stay on site.
I (again, Cindy Commissaris), as well as pastor, encourage you to order your own hymnal. Add it to your home devotional life. Sing a hymn. Pray a prayer. Put it right under your Bible on your table and use it to help you grow each day. At the same time, it will help you become familiar with the music.
The cost for an at-home hymnal will be $25.00 each. Peace is helping out with shipping, etc. If you would like your own you can order these ways:
1. Sign up on the sheet in the entry area on the next steps table
2. Sign up on our website at https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/hymnal2023
3. Notify Cindy Commissaris at 269-370-7313
Please get order requests in by February 19th. Thank you!
If you have any questions, Pastor or Cindy Commissaris would be glad to answer them.
Our journey had advanced;
Our feet were almost come
To that odd fork in Being’s road,
Eternity by term …
(Emily Dickinson)
“It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game.”
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”
“To travel is to live.”
“Begin with the end in mind”.
Even Jesus walked the journey of life, and even Jesus’ journey drew to an end. The choices he made during his last days and the last steps he took speak volumes about the man he was.
This Lent, join him for his final steps and you might just find that he will change your steps.
We’ll gather for services weekly of prayer, meditation, and hearing God’s Word.
All services take place on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm, except for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Service start February 22nd.
February 22 John 11 “Final steps led to a tomb”
March 1 Matthew 21:12-17 “Final steps to his father’s house”
March 8 Luke 20:9-19 “Final steps led to his enemies”
March 15 John 12:1-11 “Final steps led to a dinner celebration”
March 22 John 12:20-33 “Final steps led to some Greeks”
March 29 Mark 11:12ff “Final steps led to a fig tree”
April 6 Mark 14:12-17 “Final steps led to the upper room”
April 7 Luke 23:26-33 “Final steps led to the place of the skull”
God often uses the weak or small things of this world to show us his power and emphasize his grace: a thorn in Paul’s flesh, “so that the power of Christ” may rest on him; a baby in a manger, born to be the Savior of the world; the foolishness of the cross, used by God to redeem the world from sin.
Join us as we spend a weekend together, gathered around God’s Word. We will be diving into God’s word, refreshing our souls, and edifying each other. We will learn how God’s grace is sufficient, and how he uses weakness in our lives to show us his perfect love and power.
April 14-16, 2023
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
Michigan State University
219 S. Harrison Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48824
It seems like a long ways away, but we want to see you all there. Save the date for Easter 2023!
Easter Team - I know it’s early, but it’s time to get ready for sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. Pastor is putting together a team. Here are some things to help with: prayer team, invites, meal, decorating, service, egg hunt. We’d love to have your help with any and all of this. Get ahold of pastor and I can get you on the team!
Gwen Miller and Darin, Miller family - wedding
Shirley Price
Richard Ueck
The Wright family - passing
Olivia and the McNees family
Christian Neighbors items for February are pasta and pasta sauce
Ushers for February are Bill Harris and Dan Doran.
Easter Team - I know it’s early, but it’s time to get ready for sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. Pastor is putting together a team. Here are some things to help with:
prayer team
invites
meal
decorating
service
egg hunt
We’d love to have your help with any and all of this. Get ahold of pastor and I can get you on the team!
Voters’ meeting - Notes and results from the January 2023 voters’ meeting are available here https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/2023/01/30
February 10th 12:00 pm Senior Luncheon
February 17th 11:00 am Ladies Guild
February 17th 6:30 pm Bunco
February 22nd 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday (and 5 following Wednesdays)
March 7th 10:00 am Craft time
March 7th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time
March 10th 12:00 pm Senior luncheon
March 11 11:00 am 131 Youth Crew service project
April 9th Easter services 8:00 and 9:30 am
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
Voting members will conduct the business.
Voting members are those who have signed the constitution prior to the meeting. Please speak with Pastor if you need to do so.
At the meeting, we’ll
This presentation will guide us https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lQEu2iRJB8FflTreqb41FCbthnpPf6fGntiZqWbMwYc/edit?usp=sharing
Put the agenda into action
Approve the minutes and decisions from the October 2022 voters’ meeting https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7Y2F_1IEB-dPzZGMLvnqf6zoH5l3BWF/view?usp=share_link
Review 2022 ministry, discuss roadblocks, and seek assistance to overcome them (these are drafts at this point and will be updated later)
Pastor's report https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aUt2rbMXRviMpHTXgOHe0OGID117qphI/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114785614165381582809&rtpof=true&sd=true
Minutes of last meeting https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7Y2F_1IEB-dPzZGMLvnqf6zoH5l3BWF/view?usp=share_link
Treasurer’s report (statement of income and expenses) https://drive.google.com/file/d/15dT5kfvYoZ5W-Cj6SK8gTD3mI6ouI9i9/view?usp=share_link
Financial Secretary's reports (report on giving) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mWOxirKPjG6lxgeosKjFcyYUE-exbixi/view?usp=share_link
approve the purchase of the new hymnal with memorial funds for $2,000 https://online.nph.net/music-video/sheet-music/christian-worship-hymnal-suite
Review the ministry plan and budget for the 2023
Review the unapproved minutes from the January 2023 voters’ meeting https://docs.google.com/document/d/1km4KzenDI69WX_FJgyWFHF2j7MAoZD3g/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=114785614165381582809&rtpof=true&sd=true
You can participate in the meeting on-site or online https://v.ringcentral.com/join/273136645.
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
As you may be aware the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) has come out with new hymnals that includes liturgy, psalms and hymns - all kinds of wonderful resources (see https://www.christianworship.com/).
We are going to purchase these books for our seats in the near future. We intend to have them in our building by March 1.
Yes, this is a big change for us all, but we have been through this before with our previous hymnals. Remember how you felt about the red book? And now look how familiar it is!
Our musicians, including our cantors, will help you become familiar with the new hymns/liturgy. We should all remember how well we did with the new liturgy for Lent that we've used the past 3 years. I (Cindy Commissaris) don't think it was too painful and I think a lot of us came to like it.
We will still use hymns/liturgy from the previous hymnals in our services, but we will concentrate more on the new hymnals.
Peace is covering the cost for hymn books in the building. These will belong to the congregation and will stay on site.
I (again, Cindy Commissaris), as well as pastor, encourage you to order your own hymnal. Add it to your home devotional life. Sing a hymn. Pray a new prayer. Put it right under your Bible on your table and use it to help you grow each day. At the same time, it will help you become familiar with the music.
The cost for an at-home hymnal will be $25.00 each. Peace is helping out with shipping, etc. If you would like your own you can order these ways:
1. Sign up on the sheet in the entry area on the next steps table
2. Sign up on our website at https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/hymnal2023
3. Notify Cindy Commissaris at 269-370-7313
Please get order requests in by February 19th. Thank you!
If you have any questions, Pastor or Cindy Commissaris would be glad to answer them.
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
CrossExplorations New Testament
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TzJuq5iDkL33f9QQL_2blY17hGVGecWV31UHrfHpT-k/edit?usp=sharing
Dear friends, remember this? God built his church among us and we came together as the pieces - each represented by a lego. We are Bold Builders (if you want to check out those sermons again, https://peaceotsego.org/sermons?tag=Bold+Builders).
Here are a couple of ways God built us up in 2022:
we baptized 2 and witnessed 4 profess faith in Jesus
as part of our effort to raise up musicians, we added 2 new musicians to the team https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/weworship
we added a 4th study and life group, bringing people into regular contact with God’s Word and each other
God is doing work among us. I see the fruits his Word and Sacrament make and for that I am eternally grateful.
I’d love to enjoy more of God’s good work on Sunday at our voters’ meeting. Please join me/us.
The gospel is the best news in the world, and it is the hardest to share. In a world filled with noise and chaos, the gospel struggles to stand out.
We’ve got an evangelism workshop scheduled for Saturday January 28th. It’s a chance to be filled with the gospel and share that gospel.
See you at 9:00 am! One hour. With donuts!
Ladies Guild is having a calendar fun(d) raiser. If you would like to participate, please do so. The calendar is on the next steps table in the entry area.
Thanks!
God often uses the weak or small things of this world to show us his power and emphasize his grace: a thorn in Paul’s flesh, “so that the power of Christ” may rest on him; a baby in a manger, born to be the Savior of the world; the foolishness of the cross, used by God to redeem the world from sin.
Join us as we spend a weekend together, gathered around God’s Word. We will be diving into God’s word, refreshing our souls, and edifying each other. We will learn how God’s grace is sufficient, and how he uses weakness in our lives to show us his perfect love and power.
April 14-16, 2023
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
Michigan State University
219 S. Harrison Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48824
www.SistersInChristRetreat.org
We have participated in in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society for a number of years. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) is a national organization of women committed to the mission of the gospel. They do special mission projects and support missionaries around the world.
We’re considering ending our participation in the society. We have not found it helpful. if you would like to stay in LWMS, or you have any thoughts, please reach out to pastor 269-694-6104.
Our annual voters’ meeting will take place on January 29th at 10:45 am. All members are welcome to attend; voting members should attend.
Voting members will conduct the business.
Voting members are those who have signed the constitution prior to the meeting. Please speak with Pastor if you need to do so.
At the meeting, we’ll
This presentation will guide us https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lQEu2iRJB8FflTreqb41FCbthnpPf6fGntiZqWbMwYc/edit?usp=sharing
Put the agenda into action
Review 2022 ministry, discuss roadblocks, and seek assistance to overcome them (these are drafts at this point and will be updated later)
Pastor's report https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aUt2rbMXRviMpHTXgOHe0OGID117qphI/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114785614165381582809&rtpof=true&sd=true
Minutes of last meeting https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7Y2F_1IEB-dPzZGMLvnqf6zoH5l3BWF/view?usp=share_link
Treasurer’s report (statement of income and expenses) https://drive.google.com/file/d/15dT5kfvYoZ5W-Cj6SK8gTD3mI6ouI9i9/view?usp=share_link
Financial Secretary's reports (report on giving)
approve the purchase of the new hymnal with memorial funds for $2,000 https://online.nph.net/music-video/sheet-music/christian-worship-hymnal-suite
Review the ministry plan and budget for the 2023
You can participate in the meeting on-site or online https://v.ringcentral.com/join/273136645.
It seems like a long ways away, but we want to see you all there. Save the date for Easter 2023!
Easter Team - I know it’s early, but it’s time to get ready for sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. Pastor is putting together a team. Here are some things to help with: prayer team, invites, meal, decorating, service, egg hunt. We’d love to have your help with any and all of this. Get ahold of pastor and I can get you on the team!
I’m excited to join with you in an effort to bless our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances with the gospel of Jesus. This is an initiative we’ll be developing over the next few months.
For now, join me in asking this question:
Who do I know who I would like God to bless?
Come up with 5 names, including a few new names. Try to pick people other than your family.
Grab a bookmark at church to begin blessing them!
Let’s pray!
Dear Lord, you are the Lord of heaven and earth. You work in all things with justice and mercy. You lift up those who have been brought low and you tear down those who have lifted themselves up. We pray that you would work through our work and bless these people in our lives who need your help. In Jesus name, Amen.
Jo Markwart and family challenges
The gospel ministry of Peace
Christian Neighbors items for January are canned soups and ramen noodles
Christian Neighbors items for February are pasta and pasta sauce
Ushers for February are Bill Harris and Dan Doran.
Easter Team - I know it’s early, but it’s time to get ready for sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. Pastor is putting together a team. Here are some things to help with: prayer team, invites, meal, decorating, service, egg hunt. We’d love to have your help with any and all of this. Get ahold of pastor and I can get you on the team!
January 28th 9:00 am Evangelism workshop
January 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting
February 7th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time (6:00 pm dinner)
February 22nd Ash Wednesday
March 11 11:00 am 131 Youth Crew service project
April 9th Easter services 8:00 and 9:30 am
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
Thank you so much for all your generous gifts to Peace in 2022. Two months before Christmas, the 131 Youth Crew had a lock at Holy Trinity in Wyoming. A young lady came. Not a part of our churches, a friend. She was concerned about her dating relationship. Was it good? We sat in the kitchen and talked for more than a hour, just her, another pastor, myself, and another guy. Mostly, we listened and tried to ask questions. We told her about the real love of God. We pointed her to the hope for unending love with Jesus.
The next day the other pastor got a message, hey, I enjoyed the Youth Crew. Can I come again? The next day, she signed up for the 131 Youth Crew news.
Friends, this is what we do - together. We bring people the good news of Jesus and watch the Spirit work.
Can you believe how much God did among us this year? Here are a couple of other highlights from our gospel work together last year.
We most attended and participated in our Easter service this yearhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWLfyRb4mRg
We most watched our Advent sermon, “Come and Help” https://youtu.be/_Vdte_Lpwbg
The most popular Bible study was the study on building a “Forever Family”, https://peaceotsego.org/studies/foreverfamily
Our most popular news of the year was the funeral announcement for Don Knobloch, https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/knoblochdon
We gave $151, 485 for God’s work in Otsego-Plainwell
We’ve reported those gifts to Peace in your 2022 giving statements. You can find these statements in your box. Please pick them up and as you have the time, reflect on them. Do they reflect the amazing love Jesus has shown you? Are they the first gifts you have to give to God?
Friends, I’m so thankful to work with you to bring people the wonderful, life-giving news of Jesus. Our generosity makes that happen.
In the coming weeks, we’ll look at all God has asked us to do in 2023. May God be with us for his work!
Thank you to the many hands that made Christmas undecorating go quickly. We had a great time. If you miss our Team and Task Times, plan to be part of the next one on February 7th at 6:30 pm (dinner at 6:00 pm, bring some food to share).
Our next chance to explore Christianity and the gospel begins this week January 19th. Invite your friends and family today!
Please let Pastor T know if you’ll attend.
Our affiliated Pregnancy Care Center would like to thank you for your support and provide the following encouragement.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vmPFb33_SeCUAwXqFlJvjF6LLffnVB3Q/view?usp=share_link
God often uses the weak or small things of this world to show us his power and emphasize his grace: a thorn in Paul’s flesh, “so that the power of Christ” may rest on him; a baby in a manger, born to be the Savior of the world; the foolishness of the cross, used by God to redeem the world from sin.
Join us as we spend a weekend together, gathered around God’s Word. We will be diving into God’s word, refreshing our souls, and edifying each other. We will learn how God’s grace is sufficient, and how he uses weakness in our lives to show us his perfect love and power.
April 14-16, 2023
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center
Michigan State University
219 S. Harrison Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48824
A few weeks before Christmas, I received a call looking for housing assistance. The person thought they would get evicted. My first call when I got off was Christian Neighbors.
Christian Neighbors provides professional, thoughtful, appropriate assistance for people of Otsego - Plainwell. Unlike most assistance organizations, Christian Neighbors is supported through donations. When it comes to food, they primarily rely on local congregations.
Thank you for your donations. They make a huge difference.
Total donations for 2022 were 583 items.
The bathrooms are going to be repainted starting January 23rd. If you are in the building around that time, please be aware of the paint and consider trying to use other bathrooms.
As said above, we have produced statements of offerings from 2022. Those statements are available in your box. Please pick them up and help us out.
What God says, he means. Whenever he says a Godpliment, you can take them to heart.
Nothing does better for your faith than those Godpliments.
We’ll have dinner, games, study, and prayer all together on Saturday January 21st! Look forward to seeing you!
https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/2023/01/21/youthcrewjanuary
Our annual voters’ meeting will take place on January 29th at 10:45 am. All members are welcome to attend; voting members should attend.
Voting members will conduct the business.
Voting members are those who have signed the constitution prior to the meeting. Please speak with Pastor if you need to do so.
At the meeting, we’ll
Put the agenda into action
Review 2022 ministry, discuss roadblocks, and seek assistance to overcome them (these are drafts at this point and will be updated later)
Pastor's report https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aUt2rbMXRviMpHTXgOHe0OGID117qphI/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114785614165381582809&rtpof=true&sd=true
Treasurer’s report (statement of income and expenses) https://drive.google.com/file/d/15dT5kfvYoZ5W-Cj6SK8gTD3mI6ouI9i9/view?usp=share_link
Financial Secretary's reports (report on giving)
approve the purchase of the new hymnal https://online.nph.net/music-video/sheet-music/christian-worship-hymnal-suite
Review the ministry plan and budget for the 2023
You can participate in the meeting on-site or online https://v.ringcentral.com/join/273136645.
We got to distribute the hats, gloves, scarves, coats, socks, and all the other warm items you donated this week. We took items to Dix Street Elementary School, Washington Street Elementary School, the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, and Sylvia’s Place. They all appreciated it. I showed up at the Gospel Mission at 6 pm. I stopped by the front desk and said, “hey, I’m sorry I’m so late. I’m on my way to an appointment and probably need to come back during business hours. I’ve just got some donations.” And they said, “Oh no, anytime, we’ll absolutely take them. Thank you!” It was good to help.
Thanks for your donations!
Thanks to the Powells and Joan Retberg for making it happen.
Lonnie Hart and his family
Thanksgiving with Dolores for great-granddaughter Audrey
Carlene White on the passing of her mother https://www.winkelfuneralhome.com/shirley-brainard/
Christian Neighbors items for January are canned soups and ramen noodles
Ushers for January are Bill Harris and Dan Doran.
Ushers for February are Bill Harris and Dan Doran.
Easter Team - I know it’s early, but it’s time to get ready for sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. Pastor is putting together a team. Here are some things to help with: prayer team, invites, meal, decorating, service, egg hunt. We’d love to have your help with any and all of this. Get ahold of pastor and I can get you on the team!
January 19th 6:30 pm Christianity Explored
January 20th 6:30 pm Bunco
January 21st 5:00 pm Youth Crew at Peace
January 28th 9:00 am Evangelism workshop
January 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting
February 7th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time (6:00 pm dinner)
February 22nd Ash Wednesday
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
We had a crazy good time at our lock in in November. Thanks Holy Trinity for hosting!
Our next gathering is January 21st at 5:00 pm at Peace in Otsego.
Our theme this year is “Hold on to Your Faith”. This time we’re listening to “Godpliments”. What’s a godpliment? Let me tell you this story. The other day my kid came into the kitchen and asked for a glass of milk. I was busy doing a couple of other things but stopped to get the glass of milk. As I handed my kid the milk, I said, “Thanks dad, you’re the best dad.” My kid said back to me, “Thanks dad, you’re the best dad.” I made my kid compliment me.
It wasn’t a real compliment. It didn’t even really make me feel good, because I know it wasn’t real. Sadly, I feel that way about most compliments. They just don’t feel real.
God doesn’t talk to you and I like that. What he says, he means. Whenever he says a Godpliment, you can take them to heart.
Nothing does better for your faith than those Godpliments.
We’ll have dinner, games, study, and prayer all together on Saturday January 21st! Look forward to seeing you!
For more information, please contact your local leaders.
For all the Youth Crew gatherings for 2022-2023 https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/2022/8/2/131-youth-crew-2022-2023
Follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/131youthcrew
Want to invite a friend or neighbor to participate? Pass on this link so they can sign up for updates! https://peace.breezechms.com/form/0e38d3
Can't wait to see how God grows our faith together this year!
In Jesus,
The 131 Youth Crew team - Pastor Dave Rockhoff, Principal Luke Schershel, Pastor Al Kirschbaum, the Wedge family, Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann
Your friends and family at Peace would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
God sees sickness, death, loneliness, inflation, conflict, job loss, violence, theft, pain and all the other hurts of our lives and he still wants us anyway. He sees exactly who we are and he came for us. Love came down.
We’d like to be part of that love with you at our ….
Candlelight Christmas Eve service December 24th @ 4:30 AND 6:30 pm
All events on-site and online at https://peaceotsego.org/worship
Friends, family and neighbors are welcome. Invite them all! https://www.facebook.com/events/1116911462339789/
Christmas Day service December 25th 9:30 am
As you decorate for Christmas and clean up after, if you discover decent unused Christmas decorations, please consider donating them to church. We would be glad to try to use them some more.
Thank you for all your gifts in support of Peace’s ministry in 2022. Please make final end of year donations by December 25th. Donations may be given on-site (cash or check) or online.
Our next chance to explore Christianity and the gospel will begin January 19th. Start inviting friends and neighbors today!
All who are sick
Those affected by the storm
Christian Neighbors items for December are mac and cheese and canned pasta.
Usher for January
2023 offering envelopes are not available due to manufacturing delays.
No news next week.
December 24th 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Love Came Down (Christmas) — Peace Lutheran Church (peaceotsego.org)
December 25th 9:30 am Christmas Day service
December 26th - January 6th Office closed for winter break. Please take care of any business you might have in advance.
January 8th Study and life groups restart
January 10th 6:30 pm Team and Task Time, including Christmas decoration takedown
January 19th 6:30 pm Christianity Explored
January 20th 6:30 pm Bunco
January 21st 5:00 pm Youth Crew at Peace
January 28th 9:00 am Evangelism workshop
January 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
I’ve appreciated the chance to talk with you as I’ve considered where to serve the Lord’s kingdom. People are excited about the friends who have joined our congregation lately. We’re happy about the progress on the musician initiative - so happy to have Helga, glad for the partnership Ellise offers, and the 15 people we’re praying for. There seems to be a small core group or team reforming, which is encouraging.
At the same time, there are certain concerns and realities. Some people are unsettled about all the change we’ve experienced, especially because of COVID. We wonder what the congregation will be like in 5 years. We’re needing hope for the future of Peace.
I’m hopeful for Peace and for God’s work among us. I see our love for God, our love for people, and a commitment to bring people the only message that helps us love - the gospel of Jesus.
We're facing a significant challenge. We’re facing our own unique challenges and they’ll require your unique service.
I’m here with you. I’m returning the call to Reedsville, WI and staying at Peace. Thank you for your love and gospel partnership.
Friends, I'm sure that in five, ten, twenty years, there will be a vibrant and faithful group of people filled with the gospel and filling others with the same gospel.
Let’s be part of that.
We get to do that Sunday as we encourage the kids and let them share the Christmas message with us.
The Children’s Christmas service will be on December 18th at 9:30 am.
Special practice December 17th 10:00 am.
Kids, please arrive Sunday at 9 for a final practice.
Can’t wait to hear them!
Children's Christmas Service 2022 — Peace Lutheran Church (peaceotsego.org)
God sees sickness, death, loneliness, inflation, conflict, job loss, violence, theft, pain and all the other hurts of our lives and he still wants us anyway. He sees exactly who we are and he came for us. Love came down.
Candlelight Christmas Eve service @ 4:30 AND 6:30 P.M.
All events on-site and online at https://peaceotsego.org/worship
Friends, family and neighbors are welcome. Invite them all! https://www.facebook.com/events/1116911462339789/
We collect donations for a Christmas gift for pastor. Gifts may be put in the offering marked “Staff gift” or online at https://peaceotsego.org/give marked “Staff gift”. The last day to make gifts is December 19th. Thank you for your love and encouragement of Pastor Timmermann.
A few people have asked again about streaming our services.
We are NOT currently streaming on Facebook, Youtube, etc. If you would like to stream our services,
1) please go directly to our website https://peaceotsego.org
2) click on “worship”
3) click on “worship with us live @ 9:30”.
4) click “watch in your browser”
Once you’re on, be sure to say “hello” and text with your fellow viewers.
As you decorate for Christmas and clean up after, if you discover decent unused Christmas decorations, please consider donating them to church. We would be glad to try to use them some more.
Thank you for all your gifts in support of Peace’s ministry in 2022. Please make final end of year donations by December 25th. Donations may be given on-site (cash or check) or online.
Our next chance to explore Christianity and the gospel will begin January 19th. Start inviting friends and neighbors today!
Bill McNees - The Lord has blessed Bill with renewed health. Please continue to pray for him.
Don Hutchinson - health improves, still faces challenges
Christian Neighbors items for December are mac and cheese and canned pasta.
Usher for December is Roger Commissaris. He could use 2 people to help out. Can you help? Please let pastor know.
December 18th 9:30 am Children’s Christmas Service
December 21st Last day of fall studies, groups break for winter
December 24th 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm Christmas Eve Love Came Down (Christmas) — Peace Lutheran Church (peaceotsego.org)
December 25th 9:30 am Christmas Day service
December 26th - January 6th Office closed for winter break. Please take care of any business you might have in advance.
January 10th 6:30 pm Christmas decorating takedown
January 21st 5:00 pm Youth Crew at Peace
January 29th 10:45 am Voters’ meeting
Got this from a friend? Sign up here!
Unsubscribe? Email church@peaceotsego.org
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
