March 1, First Sunday in Lent

We invite you to become a friend of Peace on the Peace Facebook webpage. Facebook is an online social networking site that helps communities of friends stay connected on an on-going basis. The cost is free. Facebook is a lot fun and you will enjoy the connections. You will need a Facebook account to join.  Go to http://facebook.com for more information and search Facebook for Peace Lutheran Church, Pasadena Texas. We look forward to you joining.

 Our Lenten Journey has begun with the imposition of ashes this week. I am moved by placing this mark of death and mortality on so many people. Yet our mortality is reality and by facing it, we become more open to the power of the cross and empty tomb.  This is only the first step and we will end up with Peter and disciples peering into the empty tomb in amazement.

This Sunday my sermon title is “Tigers, Lions and Bears” and I will be preaching about the power of temptations and evil that prowls around us.  Yet we know that Grace and Faith are more powerful and that Jesus fights by our side with weapons of the Spirit.  I hope that you will be blessed by it.

This Sunday is Pasadena Community Ministries Food Collection Sunday and we ask people to bring a canned food item to share with the hungry. The collection center is by the kitchen.

Our Wednesday Lenten lunches and service will begin this next Wednesday at 11:45 for the lunch and 12:30 for the service.  Our evening soup supper begins at 6:00 and the service is at 7:00.  I will be preaching on Martin Luther’s catechism. This Wednesday we will begin with the 10 commandments.  We will be distributing free pocket catechisms to all who attend.  I am hoping that the series will re-root us in our Lutheran identity.

On Saturday March 7 we have Lay Leadership Workshop to work on identifying, supporting and recruiting lay leadership at Peace. As will all of our workshops, this is an open workshop and we invite you to come and participate. The time is from 9:00am-12:00. Our church lives and thrives on the leadership of our members.

 

Pastoral Care Notes:

We extend our sympathy to Mark Beinvenu and Susan Chappell and their families on the loss of their father, Warren. His service will be Tuesday at 12:00 at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park.  

Prayer Intercessions for this week:

For our Lenten Journey to continue to grow our church in the power of the Spirit and enthusiasm for reaching out to others by inviting them to the Gospel

For our Lay Ministry Workshop that we will find new and exciting ways to call people into leadership in our congregation and give encouragement to those who serve.

Thanks for a safe construction of our new roof and guidance as we continue to repair and improve our property.

For our Pony Express Sunday Leadership and that this appeal will awaken generous support for outreach to our community.

For our national church:

March 1   First Sunday in Lent

Holy God, we give you thanks for the witness of Christians in Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino.  Grant renewal and strength to the churches in these countries, that the Gospel might reach those who have not yet heard the words of our Lord.

March 2   Thank God for the pastors and people of St.  Peter Lutheran Church, Marble Falls, Texas, and Shepherd of the Hills, Austin, Texas.  They are sharing their pastors, people and resources to start a new congregation -- Spirit in the Hills -- in a growing area west of Austin.  Pastor Danielle Casey and Pastor Heidi Schwerdtfeger-Jones are the developers.

 

March 3   Thank God for Claudia Bergmann and Scott Moore, who serve the congregation of St. Andreas-Nicolai-Petri in Lutherstadt Eisleben, Germany, where Martin Luther was baptized and where he preached his last sermons.  May Claudia's and Scott's ministry help strengthen the church.

 

March 4   Let us pray for Pastor Jensen Seyenkulo and Pastor David Muench as they continue to work with the Inter-Lutheran Committee on Health and Wellness.  May this ministry help the church and its leaders live health lives.

 

March 5   We pray for Pastor James Foster and the people of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Holland, Mich., as they construct a new facility.  May their church building and faith community be built with Christ as their cornerstone.

 

March 6   Pray for the 10 young ELCA members who are serving in the United Kingdom this year through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program, including Kandisa Skaff, Tyler Moe-Slepica and Jacqueline St. Pierre.

 

March 7   Ask the Holy Spirit to guide newly-appointed mission developers Newman Chu-Sheng Chiu, Torrance, Cal.; the Rev. Kristina Johnson, Greensboro, N.C.; Nadia Bolz-Weber, Denver, Colo.; the Rev. Benjamin Ingelson, Channahan, Ill.; Andres Leone, West Columbia, S.C.; Doris Ng, Richmond, Cal.; and the Rev. Mark Borseth, Harvest, Ala.