WEEKLY EMAIL FOR THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AUGUST 30, 2009
For a list of upcoming activities go to http://www.mychurchevents.com/
Be sure to check out our website http://welcometopeace.com
If you cannot attend this Sunday, you can still make an offering using our online service at Contribute Online. Thank you for your commitment to our mission and ministry.
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 tohttp://facebook.com for more information and search Facebook for Peace Lutheran Church, Pasadena Texas. We look forward to you joining.
This Sunday's Events:
The title of my sermon is "First Things First" and I will be preaching about how we should not let the little things get in the way of the big things in our lives. For background for this Sunday's readings go to http://textweek.com.
We will begin our new Sunday School year with a kickoff Rally at 9:45 am. We will have a new curriculum this year called "Witness". Go to this website http://www.augsburgfortress.
We will be serving breakfast in the fellowship hall. We ask everyone to be there.
We will also be installing our Sunday School teachers and leaders at the 8:30 and 11:00 services. We will also be blessing our new Sunday school year.
We will also be having an inquiry luncheon for those interested in Peace Lutheran. We will meet after the 11:00 service in the Fellowship Hall for a meal and conversation.
ELCA Assembly
In August our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America met in a churchwide assembly with voters from all the synods to conduct the work of our national church. The theme of the assembly was "God's Work, Our Hands". I encourage all of you to go to the ELCA website to read and watch videos of the week’s events. http://elca.org. Our synod's voters also have a blog at bishopmike.posterous.com.
The most controversial issue by far was the votes in support of the new social statement on sexuality called, "Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust". You can read about it at:http://www.elca.org/What-We
This teaching document allows the church to have a standing disagreement about the ethics of homosexuality and lifelong same sex relationships. The statement does not support any position, but just states the obvious conflict on this issue in the ELCA. The statement calls for all members to respect "the bound conscious" of each other on this issue.
The assembly also voted to allow ordination of clergy who are in lifelong, publicly accountable same sex relationships on a local basis. You can read this statement athttp://www.elca.org/What-We-
The statement allows for a "structured flexibility". What this means is that no congregation will be forced to call a pastor they do not want and congregations will have the flexibility, in certain approved circumstances, to call the pastor they do want. The statement tries to find a middle ground. We are still waiting to see how the national church will implement these new ministry guidelines.
Even in our own congregation there is division on these sexuality issues. Here is my guidance.
First and foremost the church is always and forever local. What matters most in our congregation is our proclamation of the Gospel and our living out this evangelical mission in our community. God has sent us here and we stay focused on how we believe the Spirit is leading us to do mission and ministry in this community. What this means is that we do not let ourselves become distracted with issues that are not relevant to us. No pastor in a same sex publicly accountable relationship is seeking to serve our congregation. Same sex marriage is illegal in the state of Texas. We have enough challenges as a church without adding controversy that is not directly relevant us.
Second, we affirm the great gift of baptism and the love poured out on all people. We do not preach condemnation, but John 3:16, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". What this means is that we respect everyone's conscience on this matter. We lay before people the teachings of the Word of God on sexuality and let them decide how they should respond. We do not excommunicate people about this issue.
Furthermore, I am not comfortable discussing sexuality in public and I leave it as a private matter as long as it is not abusive or exploitive of others. Because of my reluctance, I will not preach about this or have classes. If you want to discuss this privately, I am available.
The bottom line is this: God needs our hands to do his work here in our area. Let us roll up our sleeves and concentrate on the mission field before us. We have children to nurture. We have care to offer. We have the hungry to feed. We have prayer and worship to do. We have great truths from scripture to learn. We have a Gospel centered community to build. We have people lost in brokenness and despair all around us and we have a Gospel to share with them.
Remember: Stay focused on God's work, our hands.
Vocational Sunday, September 6
On this Sunday we will be recognizing the ministry of our vocations as part of our Sunday worship. We ask that you wear your work clothes if you want and we will have a bulletin board for you to share what you do during the week. Special note: This includes homemaker or those staying at home. Martin Luther teaches us the biblical truth that all vocations are callings from God and holy work. We practice our Christian service to others in daily work. We will have a special blessing as part of the service.
Bible Studies Resume
We will resume both the Wednesday Morning and Evening Bible Studies next week. I will be teaching a study of the upcoming Sunday readings on from 10-11:30 and Pastor Gary Morgan-Gohlke will be teaching an evening program from 7-8:30 on the Trinity with a discussion of the book, The Shack. Both are great opportunities to grow in your faith life and discipleship.
No Brotherhood Meeting in September due to holiday weekend
Pastoral Care Notes
Helen Shoppa: Kindred
Alice Parker: Kindred
Jason Elliott continues to his treatment for cancer.
Cindy Smith is awaiting a liver transplant
Our Christian sympathy is extended to Bill & Pam Dahse on the death of Bill’s sister, Maureen Jost, this past week.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Tart
From The Choir
We’re always looking for more people to join the choir. Our new rehearsal time is on Sunday mornings from 8:00 am to 9:30 am, and we now sing at the 9:45 service instead of 11:00. If you have ever thought about joining the choir, why not start now? If you have any questions, please see Martha Digges.
Adult Classes
Now that summer is over, we encourage you to join one of our adult classes offered on Sunday mornings:
"1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About the Bible". Begins August 30. Led by Pam Cronan, Room 202.
“Meeting God in Familiar Places”. This study can help us rediscover God in His intimacy, His majesty and His awesomeness. Begins September 13. Led by Joann Hutton, Room 201. A sign-up sheet and sample copy of the study is found on the table in the narthex.
Inspire Class: An ongoing study of the books of the Bible. Led by Geri Warren, upstairs conference room.
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