PEACE TIDINGS

Sunday Worship 10:00 A.M.

 

 

 

JULY 2008

 

 

PUSH FOR PEACE

 

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** ATTENTION**

Anyone wishing to read the Peace Tidings online can view it at http://keysystemsplus.com/peace. By choosing to do this you will be saving the church money in postage and copy paper. Mary will not be sending the newsletter via email to those that previously agreed to getting it by email due to the trouble she had sending it and those receiving it.  Thanks, Mary.

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SNIPETTS FROM SUSAN…….

 

“Come to the Wilderness!”  Come to a place where you can get away from those daily, external distractions.  Come to a place where you can get closer to Christ by spending time alone with him or as a group.  Pray.  Read God’s Word.  Sit outside and look at Rice Lake and other beauties in God’s creation, read your devotions or some inspirational book.  “Come to the Wilderness!”

Pastor Susan has recently accepted God’s call to help at the Wilderness Prayer Center (formerly the Rice Lake Church).  I will be volunteering as director, and along with the prayer center’s board, hope to see the center become a place where Christians can come and spend time with God (alone or with a group). Dreams of worship and prayer events are unfolding. We expect to not only see people grow closer to Christ, but receive Christ as Lord and Savior.  I soon hope to get interested folks from Peace Church rallied together for a group encounter with Christ. Watch for details.  Anyone who wishes to help me with mailings and telephone calling will be appreciated.  Prayer is central to our relationship with Christ, our growth in Christ and the effectiveness of God’s ministry and plan.  If you wish to know more about the Wilderness Prayer Center, please give me a call.

This is an exciting time in southwestern and south central Minnesota.  God is doing a new thing and I smell revival in the air.

 

CHRISTIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

   Taken from the http://www.heartlight.org website

Today is the business holiday extension of the most treasured national holiday in the United States. Independence Day is a yearly reminder and celebration of our national freedoms. It is also a time to ponder the cost of that freedom. There can be no doubt that freedom often comes at a high price — with the recent Memorial Day remembrances; the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.; the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the site of all those crosses on Normandy's hillside; and the ongoing issues in Iraq that continue to claim the lives of Iraqis, Americans, and people from other nations as well; this conclusion seems inescapable. The high cost of this freedom for those who signed the original Declaration of Independence is confirmation of this truth.*

Many of Heartlight's readers are not from the United States. They often carry a different perspective on world events than those from the U.S. However, on issues of faith, we share deep bonds that transcend our geographical boundaries, primary languages, skin color, and national allegiances. We all know the high cost of our freedom as children of God. The recent release of The Passion of the Christ has once again confronted us very graphically with this incredible cost to God himself. Our freedom came at a huge price.

The early followers of Jesus didn't have a yearly celebration to mark this event. Instead, they celebrated their Independence Day each week. From all indications, the first followers of Jesus shared in the Lord's Supper as a gathered group at least every first day of the week. (Acts 2:42-46; Acts 20:7; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34) This day of remembrance became known as the Lord's Day among believers by the end of the first century. (Revelation 1:9-10) During The Supper, Christians remembered the Lord's death on the day of the Lord's victory over death and they anticipated the Lord's return and liberation from a world of decay and death. (Romans 8:18-25; cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) As they shared in this special time, they also recognized that they were the Body of Christ in the world; his people called to live his life for the world. They were challenged to recognize that each person in Christ's Body is vital to it actually functioning as the presence of Jesus in the broken world. They were reminded that their ultimate allegiance was to a higher calling and a heavenly community that is more important than national and ethnic allegiances (Philippians 3:20-21) and they anticipated the celebration that awaits when all of earthly differences are lost in the wonder and praise of heaven itself. (Revelation 7:9)

Each Sunday, every Lord's Day, is the Christian's Independence Day. Let's not forget to celebrate it. Let's not forget to remember the high cost of our freedom and to anticipate the day of our ultimate and glorious experience of that freedom when we see the Lord face to face. (1 John 3:1-3) Let's not forget that our church family crosses all of earth's boundaries and awaits the Savior of all peoples, languages, tribes, and nations. Let's be reminded that each believer, each brother and sister in God's Kingdom, is precious and vital to the work of the Kingdom in the world. Let's learn to more completely, more universally, more joyfully celebrate our Christian Independence Day and more fully demonstrate the character and compassion of our Lord and King who made this freedom possible                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

Each Sunday, every Lord's Day, is the Christian's Independence Day.

 

Here are a few notes from Sharon Vogelsang:

A big Thank You to those that responded to the Red Alert Letter. We are still a bit behind so you may still donate to the red alert.

Also a thank you to all that have mowed, pulled weeds, or helped in any way to our church property.

The church needs your donations all year round.  The church does not take a vacation during the summer or winter. We keep receiving the bills for electricity, insurance, salary, LP gas, etc. all year long.

Please be aware that Phillip Schroader will be asking for donations to his building of a small storage shed. This shed will house our mowers, snow blower, and misc. items.

There are many areas in our church to volunteer. Please prayerfully consider adding your help.

 

 

Needs List:

Church Staff

            Pastor                                                     The Rev Susan K.Cline

                Organist/Pianist                                    Connie Roessler

                Director of Christian Ed                     Heidi Beske

                Director of Missions                            Tanya Redfield

                Pastor’s Assistant                                Mary Evenson Wentler

                Treasurer                                               Eric Boertje

                Financial Secretary                             Chris Schroader

                Custodian                                             Sharon Vogelsang

                                    Email Addresses

            Pastor Susan                                                         skcline@bevcomm.net

                Pastor’s Assistant                                                rmeven@bevcomm.net

           

 

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS

            Sharon Vogelsang- President              553-5542

            Arvilla Kain                                        462-3296

            Tanya Redfield                                   462-3309

            Tom Thiesse                                        462-3742

            Krista Schroader                                 524-3788

            Carol Malzahn                                     462-3261

 

 

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PRAYER: At Myrna Foley’s, Tuesday’s at 9:00 a.m. You don’t have to be a member of Peace Church to attend. This is open to the community. If you don’t want to come, but know of someone who needs prayers, please call me at 507-462-3660. Everyone is welcome!       

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Since July 4th is a time of picnics and get-togethers, why not give this recipe a try? 
STARS AND STRIPES DESSERT PIZZA

 

1½- (8oz each) packages refrigerated crescent rolls

8 oz package cream cheese

1cup confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1-2 pints strawberries, hulled, washed and drained

1 cup blueberries (at least 50) washed and drained

2-3 bananas

Lemon-lime soda or additional lemon juice

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll crescent roll dough into 3 long strips. Arrange dough over a 12”x15” baking sheet to cover, pinching seams together to seal. Bake 15 min. or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.

 

In a mixer bowl, beat cream cheese, confectioners sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice; beat on low speed until smooth. Spread evenly over cooled crust. Spread strawberries and blueberries on paper towels to blot water. Slice strawberries and bananas. Immediately dip banana slices in lemon-lime soda to prevent browning.

 

To assemble: Arrange blueberries over upper-left hand corner of crust to represent stars. Make alternating rows of strawberries and bananas to represent stripes. Cover with plastic wrap and chill up to 6 hours. Yield: 16 servings

 

PEACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

COUNCIL MEETING

 Thursday, June 19, 2008, 6:30 p.m.

 

Present were Pastor Susan Cline, Sharon Vogelsang, Arvilla Kain, Dean Stille, Carol Malzahn and Krista and Phillip Schroader. Absent were Tanya Redfield, Tom Thiesse.

Pastor led us in prayer and Bible study. We are reminded to continue to pray for our church, community and one another that we might go God’s way, doing his will.

            The meeting was called to order by President Sharon.

            The secretary’s report was approved as read.

            A financial handout, prepared by Treasurer Ric Boertje, was discussed. Net income is down by $5,000 as compared to this time last year.

OLD BUSINESS

            We could not find the door knobs to be replaced in the parsonage. Tom T. should have them yet.

            Food Shelf is progressing slowly. We need shelving and food donations.

            Blueprints were found and have been stored in the safety deposit box at the bank.

            The visitation contract with Heitner’s funeral home was found. Pastor Susan will discuss it with Sue Nasinac since she is the owner of the funeral home now.

            We could not find a contract for the furnace. Perhaps we never had one from Bill’s Hardware. We did find the invoice.

            We did find the square footage details Tanya needed for the Red Cross requirements to become an emergency sanctuary in case of a natural disaster.

            Steve Birkemeyer and Brent Redfield have agreed to be captains for the designated teams during the PUSH FOR PEACE challenge. They will select their co-chairs. We will kick off the challenge on Sunday June 29th. It will run through October or until we raise $5,000. Once the amount has been “earned” we will then decide what portion will go in the PIN (People In Need) fund.

            Phillip Schroader was present to discuss his Eagle Scout project of building a 10 X 12 utility shed to store the mowers and snow blower in. Donations of wood and/or money will be needed. The estimated cost is $700 – 900. He will also need a building permit.

            Krista moved to accept Phillip’s proposal to build a shed as long as it is approved by the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) committee. Dean 2nd. Motion carried. Phillip will keep the council posted on his progress with this project and the council will need to decide where it should be placed before he begins.

            Craig Schroader donated the new battery for the church lawn mower.

We discussed increasing the fee for renting the church. Guidelines are posted on the kitchen refrigerator for using the kitchen and fellowship hall.

            Dean moved to charge non-members $30.00 rental fee and set church cleanup at $20.00 per function for the fellowship hall. Krista 2nd. Motion carried.

            Sharon, Susan and I did meet with Bill Minks. We discussed our current insurance policy coverage and the cost. The premiums have decreased over the past 3 years. Dean will be checking into church insurance through the UCC. We are paid up and covered until March 2009.

            Garage door opener needs to be programmed properly to get the new opener to work. Sharon will contact Tom to see if he has the instruction booklet and get the opener programmed.

NEW BUSINESS

            Culligan has changed check out the Culligan website. Dean will check with Watercraft in Wells. Tabled until its policy. We will need to buy or rent a new water softener. Sharon will go online and next meeting.

            W.O.O.F. on Friday night. Carol will bring some wood and get supplies to make s’mores after worship. The July WOOF was set for Friday, July 25th, at 7:00 p.m.

            Pastor Susan expressed her concern about our Christian Education Committee, Sunday school and VBS. We need to get the Sunday School going again. Pray to energize people that someone might step up and take charge of this again. We need to decide where our current strengths are and build on them.

            VBS will be in the park June 23 – 27, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Forrest McMann and Christina Kain leading. Flyers have been distributed door to door. Bars and cookie donations will be needed.

 

            The next meeting will be July 9, Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. Meeting was adjourned at 8:45. Carol Malzahn, Secretary

 

 The following is a note I received from Carol Beske:

I am back and living in Mankato with my son Randy and family.  Things have very busy getting settled in and organized. I plan on coming to Peace church one of these first Sundays but so far have not had the opportunity to get there.  There is nothing special for you to put in the news letter except that I am back from China and it was a wonderful experience and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve in the mission field over there.  Carol Beske

PEACE Women's Guild has elected to 'man' the Legion Food stand again this year for Festag on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15th and 16th.
Co-Chairs are Marilyn Beske 462-3784 and Carol Malzahn 462-3261.

Please be willing to work a shift when one of us gives you a call or donate generously. We are asking for donations of pies, bars or cookies. (Sign up sheets are at the church.) Please bring bars and cookies to the church on Monday and Tuesday, July 14 and 15th. We will be cutting and packaging them at the church before taking them to the Legion.

 

This year's menu will feature the Hot Beef Meal Deal or the Hot Dog Meal Deal.  Meal deals will include your choice of sandwich, homemade potato salad or beans, chips, bar or cookie and beverage at a great price. (Items will also be sold individually.)  Homemade Pies will be featured and of course alamode will be another option. Only thirsty? Stop in for an icy cold bottle of water, can of pop or sit and have a nice cup of coffee.

 

We are currently planning to have the Legion open from 3:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, with it being closed during the Big Twilight Parade on Wednesday beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Proceeds earned through the Legion Food stand will be matched through our Push for Peace challenge.

 

PEACE PIES............Too busy to make pies for Festag? Leave the baking to us!!  Ladies at Peace Church will be baking "PEACE PIES" on Monday, July 14th. For $9 per pie we will bake and deliver your pies to the food stand or Legion. Order your pies for Festag NOW by calling LeAnna Nelson at 462-3451, Joy Hamann at 462-3716 or Sharon Vogelsang at 553-5542 Orders must be taken before Thursday, July 10th, to purchase the necessary supplies. 

If you would like to donate pie filling to this fundraiser, we are accepting Cherry, Blueberry, Apple,and Pumpkin canned filling. Please leave it at the church before July 10th.

 

Thank you to all volunteers for giving of their time, talents and gifts. Special thanks to those who go unnoticed or we forget to mention. You are appreciated. The Good Lord knows ALL!!!   

 

Lawn Mowers - Dean Stille, Ken Hiscock, Sonny Malzahn, Tim, Sarah, and Seth Anderson, Craig Schroader.

 

Donations of paper products and kitchen supplies- Ardis Esser, Emma Albrecht, Ethel Townsend. Mary Wentler

 

Peace Pie/potato salad donations - Marilyn Stille, Carol Malzahn, Sharon Vogelsang, Joy Hamann

 

VBS - Forrest McMann, Christina Kain, Myrna Foley, Dean Stille, BettyJean Collins, Barb Blackstad,  Everyone who brought juice and cookies, bars and snacks.

 

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W. O. O. F.  (Worship Outside On Friday) will be held on July 25th, at 7p.m. Please join us in the backyard of the church for worship and a campfire. Bring your own lawn chair, bug spray, roasting fork and whatever else might make you comfortable outside!

We will make s'mores and enjoy a lovely evening around the campfire after worship. Come join the Fun and Fellowship! Bring your friends!

 

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NOTE FROM MARY: I have set a goal for myself to have YOUR Peace Tidings available to you on or before the first of every month! In order to due this, I need your cooperation with getting the “news” to me in a timely manner. PLEASE have your items and reports for the AUGUST newsletter to me by JULY 28th so I can get it put together and make it available to you by August 1st. Thank you for you cooperation.

 

JULY CALENDAR

 

 

Sharon V and Heidi B are coordinating a Peace float for the Festag Parade again this year. We are looking for adults & children who can help that night as well as ideas for a theme or suggestions on what we should give out. Please consider helping with this one night mission event for our community


PUSH FOR PEACE!

 

Women’s Guild Meeting

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008, 6:00 p.m.

Peace United Church of Christ

 

  Joy Hamann demonstrated making her homemade potato salad. I did Rhubarb Bread Pudding. We enjoyed a delicious potluck supper together. Marilyn Beske presented a short program about aprons and we enjoyed looking at all the aprons ladies had brought or worn to share with us.

  In the absence of President LeAnna Nelson, VP Sharon Vogelsang called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. with 9 members present.  The secretary’s report was approved as read.  Marilyn Beske gave the treasurer’s report. Total assets are $3514.

OLD BUSINESS

  We discussed the bus trip. We have 36 signed up and ready to go. We would try to get 10 more to fill up the 46 passenger bus.

NEW BUSINESS

  We discussed whether or not we should bake Peace Pies for Festag this year.

            Marilyn Stille moved and Carol Malzahn 2nd to make the pies. Motion carried.

  We will ask LeAnna Nelson if she would take orders. They will not get to choose which kind of pie they want us to make. It will just be a matter of knowing how many pies they want us to make for them. Carol will put the ad in the paper. They must place their orders by 7/10/08. Pies will be $8.00 each with a $1.00 delivery charge per pie. We will make apple, blueberry, cherry, pumpkin and peach. We will ask for donations of cherry and blueberry pie filling. We will make the pies on Monday, July 14 at 9:00 a.m. Helpers are needed.

  Marilyn Beske and Carol Malzahn will co-chair the Festag food stand at the Legion club. Carol will make sign up sheets for workers, pies and bars. Joy offered to make homemade potato salad. She has some ladies who will help her. The potato salad will be made on Monday afternoon of the 14th. We discussed raising the prices from last year’s.

  It was brought up that the kitchen needs a new stovetop. Marilyn B. will get a bid from Bill’s hardware.

Election of officers: 
Betty Jean Collins and LeAnna Nelson will be co-Presidents

Sharon Vogelsang – Vice President

Carol Malzahn – Secretary

Marilyn Beske – Treasurer

            Joy moved to accept slate of officers nominated. Arvilla seconded. Motion carried.

  We discussed changing the monthly meeting back to Thursday nights. We would not interfere with WOW, confirmation or council meetings this way. It was tabled until the planning meeting, which will be held in August. The time and date of the August meeting will be decided later. There will be no meeting in July.

  At 8:50 the meeting was adjourned. Secretary, Carol Malzahn

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God’s Cake

Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or
'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong:
she's failing algebra; her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely, Mom, I love your cake.'
'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck,' says her daughter.
'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!'
'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?'
'Mom, those are all yucky!'
To which the mother replies: 'Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves.
But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you.
He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.
He can live anywhere in the universe and He chose your heart.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we may as well dance! I hope your day is a piece of cake!

 

JUST WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

The word "gospel" means "Good News."1

In a nutshell, the Good News is that God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to deal with our sins so that we can be forgiven, be drawn close to our Maker, and live with him forever. We come to God because we believe that this is indeed true.

That's it. Simple. And, when you think about, it is very, very good news! Being simple, however doesn't keep it from being profound. Someone once said the gospel is simple enough for a toddler to wade in and deep enough for an elephant to swim in.

One famous Bible verse sums it up pretty well. The verbs in this verse tell the story:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." John 3:16

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WHAT IS AMERICA’S MOST FAVORITE HYMN????

If Jesus Sent A Church Newsletter by William G. Menter,

First, he would make it funny. Some of his stories were hilarious - especially those reported by John. People could see the irony of how they and others were living - laughed at themselves - and remembered the stories - hopefully even change lives.

Second, Jesus would discuss politics. He didn't run away from sharp issues the way that we Americans say, "never talk about religion or politics." He most certainly understood that those are the two most important subject in the world. When our nation taxes people who earn incomes under the poverty level - it's like taking food away from a starving baby. He would add pictures. He talked in pictures (parables) - no doubt he would publish with pictures in order to capture the reader's attention .He would follow the K.I.S.S. Rule - "Keep It Simple Son." He would write so people could understand - not write so as to impress. Again, he taught with parables. Jesus would eliminate the weather reports in his church newsletter.

Watch church newsletters and you often will see the pastor's opening article begins with: "Well, its May now and warm weather is going to follow." "In October, we experience the first swirling winds of winter." Most of us had that pretty well figured out a few years ago. There's more to talk about with The Faith than the phase of the moon.

He would not report offerings or enter church budgets into the newsletter. Some have noticed that he was more interested in the widow's mite than in the grand gifts of those who were wealthy. Besides, Jesus seemed to be more about relieving guilt, than building it. I doubt Jesus would enter church council proceedings into the copy.

As far as we know, Judas never gave a treasurer's report. That was not of essence to the disciples activity. What he and his disciples did was feed the hungry and heal the sick. Along the way, hundreds discovered "love" in the middle of all those activities.

Without a doubt, Jesus would keep the newsletter short. In his case, a ream of paper was at a premium. Cairo Pacific had only recently opened production. It was necessary to use resources and energy in the most cost effective way.

Jesus went where people gathered and chatted with them where they were. Sometimes, that was even in pagan temples. "Come unto me" means "join me in my attitude," not "I'll be sitting here until you get good and ready to drop by and listen to me."

Jesus would talk human growth rather than church program. I endured a sermon this last Palm Sunday, which proved little more than announcing worship schedule throughout Holy Week.

Jesus would show us the heart of the Father - and the response of the Son. Jesus rode into Jerusalem not on a proud stallion as the Roman Centurions did. Jesus didn't even ride into Jerusalem on a donkey - but on the colt of a donkey. There's a lesson about living with humility somewhere in that story which could help us learn how to live with God and with each other.

Oh - and I doubt that Jesus would use staples to seal his newsletters. If the Father was concerned about even the smallest sparrow - Jesus would be concerned about broken fingernails from pulling the staples out