WEEKLY EMAIL FOR THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
OCTOBER 4, 2009

For a list of upcoming activities go to http://www.mychurchevents.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=G1K5L6N8L6I3N8

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 to http://facebook.com for more information and search Facebook for Peace Lutheran Church, Pasadena Texas. We look forward to you joining.

This Sunday's Events:
Jesus certainly loves the "little children". This is three weeks in a row that we hear him challenging the disciples to see the broad hospitality of the kingdom. We are to welcome children as "you welcome me". And we have heard a threat from Jesus that if we put a stumbling block in the way of "the little ones" then we might as well have a millstone tied around our necks and be thrown into the sea. This Sunday we will hear the great admonition, "Do not hinder the children". Jesus loves the little children.
But even more so, he makes becoming like a child a sign of belonging to the kingdom. This does not mean that we are to be immature. No, it means to say that our status before God and each other is on the same level. We all stand before God as children of God. There is no hierarchy. No one is any more of a child than the other.

What this means is that we all have open access to the kingdom. This Sunday the title of my sermon is "Open Access" and I will be preaching about the doors we are to open to everyone to the grace of Jesus. I hope that you will enjoy it.

This Sunday we have our new banners hanging in our nave. Everyone who has seen them remarks about how beautiful they are. Jeanette Baugh purchased these for us before she passed away. We will have a dedication of them on October 11 at the 11:00 service. Her family is planning to attend.
This Sunday we will also be receiving new members. What joy it is to have people share in loving what we love and walk with us in the Gospel. We thank God for them.

Tuesday Evening Manna
My Tuesday Evening online program is a lot of fun. If you get a chance, click on the program. This past week I had a chat with someone about "religion-less Christianity." We also had a good chat about "little ones" in the text for this Sunday. Evening Manna is a 20-30 minute live broadcast. In the program we look at the upcoming Sunday biblical texts and offer reflection and interaction with them. At the end of the program there is an opportunity to lift up prayer concerns. This will be each broadcast each Tuesday at 9:00 pm. You will need your Bible with you. You can find the station either through the "Peace Connection" on our website or at DrDTart Station.
Council Meeting Last Sunday
We met for 4 hours for Bible study, prayer, sharing in the Lord's Supper and, of course, discerning the will of God in our work as a congregation. Highlights included the following:

•Adoption of a "Good Samaritan Fund" policy
•A call for all touched by the Churchwide Sexuality Statement and Ministry Policies to prayer and discernment and to endorse my September 2009 newsletter article on this subject and to host an open forum in October and/or November to give opportunity for discussion, discernment and prayer (see below about forum)
•Discussion and decision to work further on bids for the playground and sanctuary improvement projects (please be patient. We are working to get these projects right. We are also involving members who have only so much time to share.)
•Discussed Goals for 2009 and 2010, 2010 budget, nominations, finance policies, Lutherhill Capital Campaign participation, current financial situation.

The meeting went fast and because of the "spiritual climate" no one left tired or burdened. We also make good use of online collaboration between meetings and are printing our online communication for the unwilling and unable. We also decided to have a special meeting when the bids for the sanctuary and playground are ready. Our next meeting is Nov. 2.
Annual Meeting was set for December 13 after the 11:00 service.

Thank you for your prayers. We are grateful for those who have answered the call to serve as our leaders.

Open Forum on Human Sexuality Statement and Ministry Policies: Oct. 20, 7pm
The council will host an open forum to better understand the significance for Peace the Human Sexuality Social Statement and Ministry Policies voted on by our Churchwide Assembly in August. We will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 7:00-8:30 in the sanctuary.

Please read the social statement and ministry policies before you come. They are available on the elca.org webpage and in the narthex.

David Booher Resignation as of Dec. 6
The council also accepted the resignation of David with sadness, thanksgiving for his ministry and God's blessings on his future. His last Sunday is Dec 6.

David has been a great blessing to our church and we will miss him. I have enjoyed immensely working with him. We will be saying more about this in the time ahead. I encourage all of you to make personal time to say thanks to him and wish him well.

We will have a "Youth Minister Transition" workshop on Monday, Oct 19 at 7pm for the purpose of working on the transition to a new youth minister. The workshop is open to everyone who has interest in being a part of the process. This includes youth. We want to begin as soon as possible to find someone.



Pastoral Care Notes
DeLores Sturm: Triumph in Clear Lake Sympathy to the family and friends of Shirley Carpenter. Her funeral was this past Monday. Also, to Hunter & Teresa Outlaw on the death of Teresa’s cousin,
Jason Elliott continues to his treatment for cancer.
Vickie Hildebrand continues recovery from cancer surgery.
Cindy Smith awaits a liver transplant.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Tart

Care Packages
We are going to send “Care Packages” to our members who are serving in the military. A list of items that are wanted and needed will be made available.

We ask the families to update the addresses and contact us by October 11th with a wish list. For more information contact Greg Hanna at (281) 842-9446 or Bob Peterson at (281) 476-0632.

Stewardship Workshop
We will have a workshop to grow the Stewardship Ministry at Peace on Wednesday October 7 at 6:00 pm at Daren and Kami Guertin's home, 2706 White Sands Drive Deer Park, TX 77536. This is open to everyone interested in growing this ministry at Peace. Dinner is included.

First Communion Instruction
Eucharist, Lord's Supper, Communion, Body of Christ, that other Sacrament - whatever you call it, it's time for more students to learn about it! We will be holding our First Communion Instruction Classes at 12:30 pm on October 4, 11, and 18. Students in 3rd grade and up are encouraged to attend this important class to learn everything about Communion. On November 1st all these students will receive their First Communion at their Sunday worship service. On October 25th, we will also be making our own bread for the November 1st worship services.

PCM Food Drive Sunday
On the first Sunday of the month we hold our monthly food drive for Pasadena Community Ministries, Thank you for your donation of non-perishable food items for this very important ministry. You can place your donations by the cabinet outside of the fellowship hall. Of course, monetary gifts are also accepted. Please make your check payable to Peace Lutheran Church and write “PCM” in the memo section. Please remember to keep PCM in your prayers, and thank you for your caring and sharing.

Come Celebrate With Us
The family of Joshua Jorgenson invite you to celebrate with them on Friday, October 9th at 7:00 pm, when Joshua will receive the Eagle Scout Award. The ceremony will be held here at Peace Lutheran. Refreshments will follow in the Fellowship Hall.