Reformation Sunday

October 31, 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.

This Sundays Events

Sunday's Sermon
We will be celebrating our Lutheran identity this Sunday in our reformation worship. We will be remembering the boldness of Martin Luther nailing his 95 thesis to the Castle Church door on Oct. 31, 1517 in Wittenburg, Germany. These statements were meant to call the church back to the Gospel of grace and the freedom of each Christian to stand alone before God.

The title of my sermon is the "Boldness of Grace" and will be about the freedom God's grace brings to our lives. I hope that you will enjoy it. We will also be reciting together Luther's explanation of the Apostle's Creed so that we might hear his voice speaking to us about our faith.

Wear red if you think about it just to make the day festive.

Of course, don't forget about the Reformation Celebration after worship. We will have meal, games for children and then a special reformation worship led by our confirmation class. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume. We will have reformation bags for the kids.

You can read more about the texts at http://www.textweek.com/festivals/reformation.htm

You can still turn in your estimate of giving for 2011 as part of worship this Sunday. These estimate of givings are to help you prayerfully consider your financial giving for 2011 for Peace. You should have received one in your packet mailed to you. We also have extras in the narthex. You can also bring it by the church office or mail it.

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 7pm I am invite 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

Community Thanksgiving Communion Service and Pot Luck November 17 at First United Methodist in Pasadena on Fairmont.
Pot Luck begins at 5:45 pm and worship is at 7:00 pm. We did this last year at Peace and it was a huge success. This year we go to their house and I hope you will make it a point to attend. It was awesome last year to break bread and worship with our Methodist brothers and sisters. This year we are inviting more congregations to attend. Should be fantastic.

Thank You’s
We thank Jay Tillis and his many helpers in the kitchen. The stone soups were a huge success. They were absolutely delicious.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Will not meet this coming Wednesday due to me being out of town.

Pastoral Care Notes
Bill Cook: TIRR Rehabilitation
Laverne Wolff: Kindred
Herman Young: University Place Skilled Care Unit
Meagan Lambert: Texas Children's
Dale Taggart continues his treatment for cancer
Jason Elliott continues his treatment for cancer.

See you on Sunday!
Pastor Tart

From The Stewardship Committee
Thank you to all those who participated in our "Stone Soup" campaign. We received approximately 80 Estimate of Giving Cards last week that will help Council in preparing the proposed 2011 budget. If you were unable to turn in your Stewardship Card, please help Council by completing your Estimate as soon as possible. Estimate Cards will still be available at church and will also be mailed out in the November monthly newsletter.

Kami Guertin is compiling the "Time and Talent" section so that we can pass on your interests to the right folks.

Big Thanks to the "kitchen crew". We received enough ingredients to make five huge pots of soup with the items that were left over given to Sarah's House. Jay Tillis did an amazing job of creating the delicious soups and running the kitchen with help from Sandy Tillis, Virginia and Leo Rodriguez, Judy Etzel, and Darla Haygood. I would also like to thank Joe DeKunder, Daren Guertin, Tina Chatham, Jeanene Konviska and Judy Griffin for help in getting us ready for Sunday's Soup. Last of all, thanks to all who brought food and attended - it was a good time!

Ellen Cumbie
Stewardship Committee

Introducing Our New Director of Administration
Hello…. I am Bernadette “Bernie” Anderson, and as most of you have heard, I’m the new Director of Administration here at Peace. What I would like to do is take a couple minutes of your time to tell you a little bit about myself.

I am 51 years young! Married 14 years to the absolute love of my life Alan Anderson, the mother of 1 son Michael Foster and the “Granny” of 4 awesome grandchildren Mackenzie, Andrew, Kolin and Nicholas Foster who live in Humble, Texas. Alan and I are currently living here in Pasadena while our HOME is being rebuilt after we lost it to Hurricane Ike in 2008. I would be remiss in mentioning my mother-in-law, Billie Jean Anderson, who has lived with Alan and I for 13 years. She is an awesome lady and a 2nd mom to me. I’m sure you will have the opportunity to meet her, as I’m sure she will be in and out and around with me. We are also the proud parents of 4 Dachshunds (Weiner Dogs) who are the loves of our lives.

I was born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas where I graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School, Class of 1977. I married right out of high school and later moved off to Austin, Texas where I spent 18 years before moving back to the Houston area.

I have always had a passion for helping others, especially children and the elderly, which led me to my current position as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Jeanette Williams Foundation a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that raises money for the Rainbow Connection through UTMB-Galveston to send children afflicted with Cancer to Summer Camp (Camp for All) near Brenham, Texas. I would also like to let everyone know that I am a Notary and offer my services to each of you. There will not be a charge for this service; however, donations will be accepted with those funds being designated to the “Good Samaritan Fund”.

A few of my favorite things to do are bay fishing and deer hunting with my husband, and spending time with family and friends.

I am not a member of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church and am not Lutheran. Yes, I am an outsider who was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church, so please do not hold that against me as it will have no bearing on how I perform my job duties.

I look forward to my new position as the Director of Administration here at Peace Lutheran Church and am excited about the possibilities of growth in my spiritual walk with God and helping others in their walk of faith in some way, shape or form. I also look forward to the learning opportunities both professional and personal. I look forward to assisting the pastor, staff, council, committees, and the congregation as a whole in whatever way possible. My office hours are generally 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. You can always reach me via email at bernie@welcometopeace.com or banderson59@sbcglobal.net (Personal e-mail) or by phone at 281-487-1635.

Creative Hands Ministry
We will take part this year in the "2010 Cultural Arts Christmas Tree Circle". This event is presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Cultural Arts Committee. Area Churches have been invited to take part in the Table Top Trees. We will do a table top tree with an Inspirational theme. We plan to make our ornaments beginning Monday night, November 1st at 6:30 pm upstairs, and will have the ornaments prepared to paint and trim. Our time is short as the trees are to be decorated on Monday, November 15. We need an 18” metallic gold tree skirt or fabric to make a skirt (need a volunteer to make the skirt). Please join us. We are proud to be asked to take part. The exhibit will be open to the public November 16 - December 30 at Pasadena City Hall 1211 E. Southmore.

Jany and Sherri

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. Cost is $8.00 per plate.

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.

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

Upcoming 50+ Bus Trip
November 23 – Galvestion to see the Elissa and then to the Strand on. 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.

December 21 - Old Town Spring for some last minute Christmas shopping and some "good deals" and also to enjoy the sights and smells of Christmas. Bus will leave Peace parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Cost: $3.00 for the bus plus lunch money.

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.

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.

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.

Loss Is Part of Being Alive: A New Class on Grief Recognition and Response
Loss and grief are a universal experience and bad things do happen to good people of all ages. Death is not the only loss that causes us to grieve. Many problems in our lives stem from grief unresolved and unhealed. When we do not recognize and work through our grief we lose an opportunity to heal our soul and heart, and to be a help to others who walk these paths.

This new class, led by Carole Martin, will begin on Sunday, November 7th during the Sunday School hour in classroom 201 upstairs. Areas that will be covered are:

• Bible’s response to grief and loss
• Ways Religion helps
• Ways Religion hurts
• Faces of grief
• Recognizing different types of grief
• Stages of grief
• What to say and what not to say when a person is grieving
• Healthy and unhealthy grief
• What can hinder recovery
• Satan is an opportunist
• The transition process
• Four key facts about grief
• How to handle holidays and special occasions
• Paths to healing
• Growing through loss

A sign-up sheet is located on the table in the narthex.

Women of the ELCA Gathering
All women of the congregation are invited to an ELCA Gathering at Salem Lutheran Church, 4930 W. Bellfort Ave., Houston, TX on Saturday, November 6th. Refreshments will be served at 8:30 am; the meeting and program start at 9:00 am. Please bring a friend and a breakfast type snack to share.

The Program, presented by: Linda McCormack, Education Specialist, Money Management International is as follows:

Important Papers
The importance of good financial record keeping.
• Identifying important documents
• Where to keep (wallet, home, safe deposit box, family, attorneys, etc.)
• Recognizing which documents should be shredded
• Papers to include in a “grab and go box”

From the Youth Director
“This is Halloween, This is Halloween, everybody make a scene; Trick or Treat…” This is the opening line from my favorite Disney movie The Nightmare before Christmas. I would have to say that this is my favorite holiday out of the entire year, not because of the candy, the costumes, or the decorations. It’s because of the tradition of gathering together with friends. From trick or treating when I was a child to touring the haunted houses in college, I would always be around people that I call my friends, my community. But for Lutherans, we are celebrating the love that Martin Luther had for the Holy Scripture. Luther believed that we all should have access to the Word of God and that our lives should be centered on Word and Sacrament. What does this mean to us now in our American culture? I challenge you to ponder this question and see where your mind wonders.

Remember that our Young Adults Chillin’ events are going to be on Wednesdays 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.

With that said, have a safe Halloween and Reformation Day Celebration!

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.

Next Parent Huddle Time & Deep Leadership Meeting: November 18, 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 in this 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!

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.

“Money & Stewardship” Milestone Coming Up: Nov. 14 at 9:45 Am and Nov. 21 at 11 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 how 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 11:00 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 Sponsor!
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.

Family Movie Night Devotions: November 6th at 7 pm and December 4th at 7 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 together 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 play Prince Caspian 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 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 your interested. More questions, please contact 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, and 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 Sold Out...For Now!
We have had just enough people sign up and we are completely sold out of our first line of shirts. If you have signed up for your shirt(s) please pick up your shirt between the services and make sure to pay $10 per shirt. However if you do not pay for a shirt 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.