For 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

October 24, 2010

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.

Stone Soup Appeal
On October 24th we will celebrate “Stone Soup” Sunday. Each family unit should have a packet with an estimate of giving card that can be turned in for 2011 Estimate of Giving. We have also included a “Wish Stone”. Make this your “Wish Stone” – what do you wish you could give to Peace Lutheran? How much time do you wish you could share with Peace in worship, learning, prayer, and service? If you could, how much financially would you like to give? Let’s see what we can do by building our own “Stone Soup”! No names will be written on the stones.

Also on Stone Soup Sunday, Oct 24, we will be making stone soup in the kitchen. Everyone is asked to bring a little something to go in the pots….vegetable, meat or starch, as part of their worship that day. We will have someone there to organize everything. We will then enjoy our soup in a meal after the 11:00 service.

Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night. "There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on." "Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.

By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism. "Ahh," the soldier said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat." Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the soldier. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king." The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and traveled on the next day.

The moral is that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.

Is the “Stone Soup” story just an old fable or can it we use it at Peace Lutheran to guide our actions for 2011? As we journey into the coming year, we are faced with a lot of hurdles – a weak economy, declining membership, and stressful schedules. Sometimes, it seems like we take one step forward, but two steps back. What can anyone do to build and grow our Mission at Peace Lutheran Church?

The “Stone Soup” story shows us what can be accomplished with the combined efforts of “a village.” With the contributions of the village, no one went hungry; the people all came together to create a bounty “fit for a King.”

How do we create a “Bounty”? We all know the “King” – Jesus Christ has blessed us time and again with faith, friendship, love, and joy.

If you cannot attend on the 24th or other Sundays you can mail in your stone, drop it by the office or bring it on the first Sundays in November.

Congregation Council Meeting
We will be meeting at 1:30 to conduct the work of the church

Top Agenda Items:
Evaluation of Staff and Pastor
Hiring of new nursery attendant
Financial Situation
Preliminary 2011 Budget
September Congregation Meeting Survey Evaluation
Other Business

Other News..................

Journeying Faithfully Together: Human Sexuality and the ELCA
It has been a year since our church voted to allow a congregation to call a minister who is in a same sex publicly accountable relationships. I know that people in our congregation and community have some lingering resentments because of this decision and think that the ELCA is losing a moral compass. I have heard this and I totally respect a person's right to have and share their feelings, opinions and thoughts. I don't think someone else has to be wrong in order for me to be right. I, however, hope and pray that our community will stay focused not on laws of conduct, but on the bigger question of how we might lift the burdens of others and invite them to live lives of dignity and grace. Say what you will about this decision, but it is obvious to me that allowing such ministers is lifting a burden off those who for many years struggled with accepting who they are and loving who they want. The decision is allowing congregations that dearly love their minister the freedom for him or her to serve them with the good gifts of the Gospel.

I am very saddened by those who seek to disassociate over this decision or any policy or social statement of the church. I think such a decision to separate or not support helps no one to grow. Thus, on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm I am inviting all who struggle with this issue to come to Peace and join in weekly study of human sexuality that will include study of homosexuality and the ELCA policy. The approach to such issues is not polarization, but study, prayer, reflection and open minded dialog.

We have about 10 of us who are meeting in the upstairs conference room.

We have completed the study of sexuality and now are embarking on a six week study of homosexuality.

Journeying Faithfully Together: Part Two, The Church and Homosexuality

Thank You’s
We thank Dan Ward for his wonderful story about contributing to the God's Stone Soup.

To the women of Peace and all those who served to make the Bazaar a huge success and to all those who supported it.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Will not meet this coming Wednesday due to Senior Citizen’s day.

Pastoral Care Notes
Bill Cook: Memorial Hermann Burn Unit
Laverne Wolff: Kindred
Herman Young: Memorial Hermann Southwest
Dale Taggart continues his treatment for cancer
Jason Elliott continues his treatment for cancer.

See you on Sunday!
Pastor Tart

General Operating Fund deposits for September 26th:
9-05-10 $10,895.50
9-12-10 $6,381.50
9-19-10 $7,411.50
9-26-10 $9,322.90

To meet our budgeted income, we need $10,673 a week.

Overview of actual vs. estimated income for 2010:

                                Actual                     Estimated
January                    $44,549                  $53,365 (five Sundays)
February                  $41,879                  $42,692
March                      $41,563                  $42,692
April                         $42,518                 $42,692
May                         $45,594                 $53,365 (five Sundays)
June                         $36,092                 $42,692
July                          $33,586                 $42,692
August                     $42,457                 $53,365 (five Sundays)
September               $34,486                 $42,692
October
November
December

Designated deposits for January 3rd through September 26th:
Adult Education $70
Building Fund (Mortgage) $13,952
Building Maintenance $200
Building Rental Fee $50
Capital Repairs (A/C) $100
Fair Trade Coffee $575
Good Samaritan $128
Habitat for Humanity $1,340
Haiti Relief Fund $1,390
Labyrinth $852.25
Loose Offering $6,607.17
Lutherhill Camp Registration $170
Memorial Fund $5,371
Office Supplies $30
Parish Life (free-will offering 4th July) $220
Pasadena Community Ministries $4,217.70
Pasadena Faith in Action $130
Pastor Discretionary Fund $250
Pony Express $660
Ruth Petty Kitchen Fund  $1,490
Sheet Music $1,020
Souper Bowl $454.70
Sound System $7,005
Sunday School $357.07
Telephone Refund $174.40
TX/LA Gulf Coast Synod$5,800
Vacation Bible School$518
Wedding Deposit $550
World Hunger $170
Youth Expense/Confirmation$701.32
Youth Education/Concert$464
Youth Mission Trip $30

September Preliminary Financial Numbers:
Actual Income $370,091 Estimated Income $416,250
Actual Expenses $413,240 Budgeted Expenses $416,250

Income vs. Expense ($43,149) deficit

YTD Expense Breakdown:

                             YTD Actual                        YTD Budget
Salaries                  $177,744                           $202,504
Administrative        $32,502                             $24,410
Mortgage               $110,424                           $110,424
Insurance               $16,928                             $16,800
Utilities                  $30,669                              $27,675
Property                $31,470                             $24,075
Education              $3,058                               $1,500
Parish Life             $642                                  $563
Stewardship          $1,961                               $1,500
Worship                $6,541                               $3,000
Music                   ($15)                                  $375
Youth                   $1,278                               $1,125

From The Youth Director
It’s Stone Soup Sunday! Our church pot has been overflowing with all the stones that you have contributed to our soup. I am so thankful for this congregation and all the diverse talents and gifts that we have at our disposal. This may seem like something that we always talk about at Peace, but I really want you to take the time to think about this. God created each one of us completely different from another. While there are some people with the same gifts and abilities, we have our differences in experience and culture which makes us unique. So I challenge you sometime this week to really look at what gifts and experiences God has given you.

Remember that our Young Adults Chillin’ events are going to be on Wednesday from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm and our Senior High Youth Group is going to be on Sunday from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Mark your calendars, we are going to try and see if this helps with schedules for our youth. If you have any questions you can contact me.
God Bless,
Ben Remmert, Dir. of Youth and Family Ministry
benr@welcometopeace.com

Next Sports Ministry Meeting- November 21st. SIGN UP IF YOU’RE INTERESTED!
Every third Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm, we will meet at Peace Lutheran for some time to come together to play. I have had many people express an interest in this ministry, but I have had only a handful of people show up for this ministry. We are about to begin our bowling league in two weeks so if you’re interested, please sign up in the narthex. If you’re interested in helping this ministry grow or want to participate, please sign up in the narthex.

Sr. High- Walking On the Boardwalk - October 30th. 5:00 PM
We have a change of plans because the Haunted Houses were too scary, so instead we are going to meet together for some good old fun on the boardwalk! We will meet at the church first and then we are going to head over to the Kemah Boardwalk for dinner and ride some of the rides there. We will leave the boardwalk at 8:00 pm and be back at Peace around 8:30 pm. Cost is $40 which includes your dinner and your rides on the boardwalk!

Next Parent Huddle Time and Deep Leadership Meeting: November 18th, 5:30 PM & 7:00 PM
Every Third Thursday of the month, I am asking for parents and youth to come together where we can share together. We are also developing our Youth and Family Leadership Team “DEEP” where we are going to dive into our ministry together, head first. We had our second huddle this past week. There will also be a time for us to come together in devotion where we explore our faith together. I would love to have our parents and youth at these meetings so we can build further on our community together!

“Money & Stewardship” Milestone Coming Up: Nov. 14 at 9:45 Am and Nov. 21 At 11:00 am
Well we have gone through two milestones where we learned more about worship with our preschoolers and the Bible with our first and second graders while celebrating their milestone. Now our next milestone is for our 4th- 5th graders where we are going to talk about value of money, what to spend it on, and how it is a useful tool in one’s life. This is also a time where we will discuss about who to be good stewards of what God has given to us. This is an event for the parents as well, so make sure to mark your calendar for Nov. 14th at 9:45 am for the classroom instruction and Nov. 21st at 11 am to be recognized and blessed (with a special gift to remember this milestone). For more information, please contact Ben Remmert.

Jr. Hi Gathering at Lutherhill!: Nov. 19-21
WE NEED AN ADULT SPONOSOR! As a teen, challenges are constant. It’s not always easy to remember that you have a firm foundation in God and His Word. Lutherhill is here to show how God’s wisdom and power and love and grace are guiding and protecting you. Lutherhill is opening its doors to all our Jr. High students in our synod to come for the weekend to worship, meet new people all over Texas/Louisiana, small group discussions, open mic night, an ultimate frisbee tournament and so much more. The cost of the event is $160 which includes registration, meals for the weekend, and transportation there. Sign ups are in the Narthex and youth bulletin board. More questions? Contact Ben Remmert.

It’s Coming! Reformation Day: Oct. 31 12:30 Pm-2:00 PM
WE NEED SOME HELP IN PREPARING! It’s coming up next week, our Reformation Celebration for our families. We are going to have a free lunch for our kids and parents and then we are going to have some fun learning about Reformation Day through large group games and activities. It’s going to be a lot of fun and we are asking our youth to wear your Halloween costumes to church. Lunch will be provided! So come one come all!

Family Movie Night Devotions: November 6 At 7:00 PM And December 4 At 7:00 PM: Family Event For All Ages of Kids!
With the release of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader coming out December 10th, we are going to host two nights of CS Lewis movies! On November 6th we will play The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe where we will have movie, snacks and watch this movie together. Afterwards we will have fun activities focusing on Thanksgiving and fellowship to talk about what are the Christian elements in this movie. On December 4th, we will watch Prince Caspian and where we will have a time together to talk about the themes of what we saw in the film and also fellowship learning how to wrap Christmas presents and other Christmas celebrations and games. So if you are interested, please sign up at the narthex. More questions, please contact Ben Remmert.

Lutherhill Upper Elementary (3rd-6th Graders) Advent Retreat: December 10-11
SIGN UP IN THE NARTHEX! Join the conspiracy as we head to Lutherhill Camp as we get back to the basics and take a deeper look at how a crying baby in a manger changed the world. Jesus’ birth can still change the world. Advent conspiracy will re-focus us on worshipping fully, spending less, giving more and loving all. We will meet here at Peace at 6:00 pm and depart back to Peace at 3:00 pm. Lots of fun and activities include: worship, fellowship, giant swing, making cookies, canoeing, campfires & s’mores. Cost is $50 per person. Please sign up in the narthex or the youth bulletin board if you’re interested. More questions, please contact Ben Remmert.

More Sunday School Teachers Needed!
We are having a wonderful time together with our Sunday School program as we are learning more about how we are to activate our Christian faith through Spark curriculum! But we need more help! We NEED 3 more Sunday School teachers as a few had to step down. Please take some time to really consider this ministry. One of the most influential people in the lives of our youth are our teachers! I know we have many talented people in Peace that will only make our Sunday School program better, so if you are interested, please contact Julie Shaw, Jennifer Saunders, or Ben Remmert.

Jr. High and Sr. High Graffiti Service- November 13th, 10 AM – 2 PM
Event is open for Junior High, Senior High, and Parents!
On November 13th, I am asking for some help to repaint the barn outside in the field. Supplies will be provided by the church, but we ask that you bring a sack lunch and to wear clothing that you do not mind getting dirty, a white shirt to paint on. After we repaint the barn, then we are going to have our Graffiti party where we are going to paint all over our white shirts and become walking pieces of art. Sign Ups will be in the narthex and Youth Bulletin Board. For more questions, please contact Ben Remmert.

Peace Lutheran T-Shirts for $10! For A Limited Time Only!
Be the first to own our first line of Peace Lutheran t-shirts. We reserved shirts for those that have signed up for one. However if you do not pay for shirts in the next two weeks, your shirt will be up for sale. We will be making more shirts throughout the year so be on the lookout! For more information, please contact Ben Remmert for more information.

Help Feed a Starving Jr. High, Sr. High or Young Adult Youth Group
As everyone is aware, the best conversations and fellowship are over a meal. This is the same case for our youth here at Peace. I will have a sign up sheet out in the narthex to see if you would like to help your Youth and Family Director feed our kids as we conduct ministry throughout the year. If you are interested in helping please sign up. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert.

So, if you like to play cards, Mexican Train dominoes and “42” or Skip-Bo, why not plan on bringing a dish to share for lunch and a friend and join the seniors from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Girls’ Night Out: Friday, October 29th, 6:30 PM To 8:30 PM
Spookiness and fright are in the air, please join us for October Bunco if you dare. Our crypt is ready and it’s a scary sight, filled with frightening creatures of the night. Costumes are encouraged. Cost is $5.00. Last names A-L bring main or side dishes, and last names M-Z bring desserts. A sign-up sheet is located on the table in the narthex.

Lunch Bunch
Parish Life Committee invites you to bring your family and join us for lunch at Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant located at 7325 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, on October 24th from 11:00 am until after 1:00 pm. A sign-up sheet is located on the Parish Life bulletin board in the back of the narthex. Any questions, please contact Owen King at (281) 961-0803.

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner-November 21
On Sunday, November 21st we will join together and give thanks for all we have, and we hope that you will plan to bring your family and a dish to share and join us. We will have two seatings. Our first seating will be at 11:00 am and the second seating will follow the 11:00 service. Sign up sheets for items can be found on the table in the narthex.

Baked Potato Sale - Labyrinth Fundraiser
On Sunday, November 14th we will have a Baked Potato Sale to help raise funds for our labyrinth. White or sweet potatoes with all the trimmings, a salad and dessert will be served beginning at 9:45 through 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will also offer food to go.

Women of Peace Bazaar
Thanks to everyone who participated in making our Women of Peace Bazaar so successful. Especially thanks to Lin Peterson, Pam Cronan, Jeanene Konviska and Carol Young. These ladies graciously and willingly chaired this event and without their hard work and the work of all the volunteers who willingly gave of their time on Saturday and all through the year, especially Creative Hands, we would not have had such a great event. To date we made $5200 on the bazaar.

Again, thanks.
Women of Peace

Calling All Ringers
We are starting the handbell choir once again, and will need 11 people in order to get started. We are a unique bunch in that we play beautiful music but you do not have to read music in order to participate. The music is color coded and counted in 3s in 4s. We will play one Sunday a month. If you are interested in trying out for the handbell choir, please add your name, phone number, and email address to the sign up sheet on the table in the narthex.

Dawn Lambert
Handbell Choir Director

50+ Bus Trip
Our next trip is to Galveston to see the Elissa and then to the Strand on November 23rd. Afterwards we’ll drive around Galveston to see the carved trees. The bus will leave at 9:00 am from the Peace Lutheran parking lot. Cost is $7.00 plus lunch money plus Program donation ($3.00). Wear good walking shoes and appropriate attire.

For more information or to register for this trip, please call Virginia (281) 487-4961 or Judy (281) 470-0407.

Remember: If you are signed up for a trip and won't be able to go, please call Virginia or Judy and let them know as we have people on waiting lists for our trips that would like to have your spot.

Lutheran World Relief
LWR Health Kits are given to people who must flee their homes quickly and do not have time to pack essential items. Health kits can help refugees maintain personal hygiene while living in exile. Items may also contribute to a new start for those who can return home.

Items need to complete a health kit are as follows:
Hand Towels - Dark Colors
Wash Cloths - Dark Colors
Bath Size Bars of Soap
A Comb - Wide Tooth
Band Aids
Nail File or Nail Clippers with Nail File (Please No Emery Boards)
One adult toothbrush in original packaging (Please No Toothpaste)

Look for the collection basket in the Narthex marked Lutheran World Relief. Have a blessed day.

Sarah’s House Needs Your Help
Sarah's House is a shelter for women who are in crisis and their children. These women have lost their jobs and can't afford housing. Many have to sleep in their cars. Sarah's House provides safe housing, help with getting the children back in school, and also rehabilitation and training for the mothers. Items they are in need of include:

Non-perishable Food Items
Cleaning Products
Paper Products
Personal Hygiene Items (Tooth Brushes, Toothpaste, Shampoo, Deodorant, etc.)

Please prayerfully consider making a donation for Sarah's House. Look for the baskets in the Narthex under the Parish Life table for your donations. Have a blessed day.

Brotherhood Breakfast
All men of the congregation and their spouses are invited to join us on November 6th at 7:30 am at the Golden Corral on Spencer Hwy in Pasadena for our monthly meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Weldon Wilkerson at (713) 941-1184.

An Evening of Norwegian Genealogy
Blaine Hedberg, Executive Director and Naeseth Chair for Research and Publication for the Norwegian American Genealogical Center [NAGC] and Naeseth Library, will be visiting Texas in late October of this year. Blaine will be speaking at the Bay Area Genealogical Society (BAGS) on Friday, October 29.

The Society meets at the University Baptist Church at 16106 Middlebrook Drive, Clear Lake City (.4 miles off of Bay Area Blvd). Visitors are welcome. Meeting starts at 6:30 in the evening for coffee and socializing.

For more information on BAGS or the program check our website at http://www.TxBayAreaGen.org, email president@TxBayAreaGen.org or call Jeanine 281-334-6100 or Tina Chatham at 281-479-6455.