For Sunday, April 17, 2011 Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday 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. A Message from Pastor Galen This Sunday is Palm Sunday. We begin Holy Week following in the footsteps of Jesus as he made his way into Jerusalem. People welcomed him with shouts of praise, waving of palm branches. He was welcomed as a king. But this king came riding on a donkey, a symbol not of power, but humility. Soon the enemies of Jesus found a way to silence him, and then kill him. Our Palm Sunday worship service, that begins with joy, turns quickly to the Passion of Jesus. This Sunday is also called the Sunday of the Passion. In preparation for this day you might read Matthew 21:1-11, which is the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Then, read the full Passion Story, Matthew 26:14--27:66. Our Second Reading on Sunday will be from Philippians 2:5-11, which is the interpretive lens for the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Blessings, Pastor Galen Congratulations To… Stephanie & Rey Mendoza and Zach on the birth of Liliana Jean Mendoza on March 31st. Family Seder Meal: April 20th at 6:30 PM During Holy Week, where we will come together to celebrate a family friendly seder meal. After our meal, our Jr. High and Sr. High will perform their Easter production of The Case of the Empty Tomb. It’s going to be a time to come together for fellowship, come together in prayer, and come together to learn more about our shared Christian history. Please sign up by on Sunday so that we can have enough food for everyone. A sign up sheet is in the narthex or you can RSVP the church office. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert. Youth Garage Sale and Leftovers! To help raise funds for Camp Hope and summer ministries this summer, we are going to host a garage sale here at Peace on Saturday, April 16th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. All funds raised will be supplemented by the Nassau Bay Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. We will also be serving lunch and washing cars at the garage sale. On April 17th, we will have what is left of the garage sale items for the congregational members. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert. Volunteers Needed For Maundy Thursday Worship The Maundy Thursday evening worship service on April 21st will include the rite of foot washing. We will need 12 volunteers (children and adults) to participate. If you would be interested, please call Monica Clark at (281) 991-7151, or the church office. Sign-up sheets are also available on the servant’s bulletin board in the narthex. Easter Lilies If you would like to donate a lily to be used for our Easter services, please be sure to write your name on the sign-up sheet in the narthex. Lilies should be brought to the church on April 21st or 22nd, and can be taken home following the 11:00 worship service on Easter Sunday. Easter Breakfast on April 24th! Our Youth are going to be up early in the morning so that our congregation can enjoy a warm breakfast a church. From 7:15 am to 10:15 am, we will be flipping pancakes, pan frying sausage, and serving you. If you feel so moved, we are accepting donations for summer camp scholarships for Camp Hope and Lutherhill. Checks should be made out to Peace Lutheran Church, and write in the memo line “Scholarship - Camp Hope or Lutherhill.” Buck-A-Chick for ELCA World Hunger Relief This Easter, we are going to join congregations from across the nation by having a “Buck-a-Chick” sale. For one dollar, you can purchase and decorate a paper chick for yourself or in honor of a loved one and your gifts will help provide families living in poverty with chicks to provide a source of food and income. If you are going to write a check, please make your checks out to Peace Lutheran, with “Buck-a-Chick” in the memo line. Communion Instruction- April 17th at 1:00 PM We are just approaching our final class today where our kids will be baking their bread and also stomping on grapes! We have learned about what are sacraments, the origin of Holy Communion, what Lutherans believe Holy Communion stands for, and how we practice communion. Our children will receive their first communion on April 24th with their families. We will have another class in the fall. Please contact Ben Remmert for more questions. Easter Extravaganza 2011 on April 23 At 10:00 Am – 12:00 Pm It’s almost here. Our time together for our Easter Extravaganza where we will have our church wide Easter Egg Hunt for our 2 year olds to 5th graders. We’ll also decorate our flower cross for Easter Sunday worship, create Easter Baskets for our shut-ins, and come together for a light meal. It’s going to be a lot of fun and we hope that all of our children and families can make it out to this very memorable event. The hunt starts promptly at 10:20 am, so don’t be late. We would also like the kids to bring fresh flowers to help decorate the cross. If you would like to donate individually wrapped candy for the hunt, there will be a box in the narthex for your donations. Call Committee Notes of April 10, 2011 The Call Committee met today with all members present. We continued work on the Ministry Site Profile (MSP). We appreciate the input from the congregation on the Congregational Survey. This information will be very useful in helping us input information into the MSP form. Thought for the week: What are some ways to be a servant to those in your life? How do you think your actions will affect those around you? Thank you for your prayers and trust in us. Please feel free to contact any of us if you have questions or comments about the call process. God’s blessings, Peace Lutheran Call Committee Some Questions From Jesus… If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I am a healer? If you never had to pray, how would you know that I am a deliverer? If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer? If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I am a comforter? If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I am a forgiver? If you knew all, how would you know that I will answer your questions? If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue? If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole? If you never had a problem, then how would you know that I can solve them? If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what I went through? If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure? If I gave you all things, then how would you appreciate them? If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you? If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me? If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you? If your life was perfect, then what would you need me for? Love, Jesus Your Prayers Are Needed—Be mindful to pray for: The Call Committee, Pastor Galen, Ben and the Youth & Family Ministry, and the pastor the Lord is preparing for Peace. The Call Committee Prayer Team wishes you a good and Godly day. Election of Church Council Officers Last year, PLC amended our constitution regarding the election cycle of Council positions to occur with terms starting September 1st each year to allow new Council Members an opportunity to be involved in the annual budget process for the term of their position. Council positions up for election this year are as follows: President, Treasurer, Personnel and Policy Chair, and two Member-at-Large positions. We will hold elections for these positions at a called Congregational Meeting to be held Sunday, May 15th, 2011, immediately following the 11:00am Worship Service. The Nominating Committee for 2011 is actively seeking candidates to serve in these two year positions. If you are interested or would like to nominate a qualified member of PLC, please contact the Nominating Committee by phone or fill out a form located on the table in the Narthex and drop it in the Church Council comment box. The Nominating Committee members are: Darla Haygood (281) 487-7173 Vernon Vanderford (713) 455-4975 Monica Clark (281) 991-7151 Carolyn Jones (713) 649-6954 Toni Bowman (281) 998-0230 Please contact the Committee by phone or fill out a form located on the table in the Narthex and drop it in the Church Council comment box. If you are nominating someone else in the congregation, please ask that person prior to submitting their name. We ask that all names be submitted by Sunday, May 8th, so that the names may be included on the ballot at the Congregational Meeting. Council members are eligible to serve two consecutive terms. Of the positions above, Mary King, our current President, has agreed to serve a second term. Additionally, Randy Shaw, Member-at-Large, has agreed to serve as well. The Nominating Committee has also recruited a member to head the Personnel and Policy Chair. Please prayerfully consider if God is calling you to serve Peace Lutheran in this ministry of church leadership. Girl’s Night Out: Friday, April 29th 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm April showers bring May flowers, that is what they say. But if all the showers turned to Buncos, we’d have quite a wonderful day. Join us as we celebrate Garden Bunco. Cost is $5.00; last names A-L bring desserts and last names M-Z bring main or side dishes. Mark Your Calendars Ladies!!! Join the Women of Peace on Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm and bring a friend for a “Creating Chrismons” afternoon. We will have a light meal and spend time not only creating chrismons but having fellowship as well. What’s A Chrismon???? Chrismons are a type of Christmas tree decoration used in many churches and often in the homes of Christians. We use them to decorate trees during the Advent and Christmas season. The symbols used represent a variety of biblical and theological concepts that are comprised mostly of Christian symbols which represent the life and ministry of Jesus. Chrismons are white with gold decorations of beads, ribbon, glitter etc. This will be an ongoing project for the Women of Peace and we would love for you to join us! We will have more information/details to follow. From The Youth Director I want to thank everyone for your prayers and blessings as I was commissioned as an Associate in Ministry in Word and Service. As I was commissioned, our Bishop informed me that accepting this call is a call to be ready to die for Christ. Which got me to think, what does this mean for me? What does this mean for me who is blessed to be an American in this day and age? I really do not have an answer for you, but I know in my heart that Christ loves me and that I am called to help our youth and families here at Peace to know that Love that God has for all of us. I feel that this is a calling that we have as Christians and I hope that we all feel this way as we come together in our ministries together. Take care everyone and have a blessed holy week experience. God Bless, Ben Remmert Camp Hope & VBS Mentors and Volunteers Sign Ups We are coming closer to summer, as April is almost done. We are beginning our volunteer drive for those that would like to help out with Camp Hope and VBS this summer. There are many ways you can help: Games mentor, Crafts mentor, Small group leader mentor, or maybe you would like to help behind the scene of these two ministries. If you feel that you are called to help as a volunteer or mentor, please go to our Camp Hope and VBS signs in the narthex to sign up. We hope for these two ministries to be very successful, but only with your help. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert. Camp Hope Registration for Summer! Camp Hope this summer is themed as our own circus! Camp Hope is a ministry where our youth who are 5 years old through 5th grade are invited to our three week Day Camp. Expect an action packed day for school children which include Bible Stories, crafts, games (indoor & outdoor), songs, & more. Campers are cared for by trained High School and College age Small Group Leaders and Support Staff. Camp Hope is from July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29. So make sure to register now to get in on our early bird discounts by April 30th. Registration forms can be found in the church office or the Camp Hope bulletin board in the narthex. Turn in applications in staff office. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert or Camp Manager Jessica Gaul. The New Sr. High Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO): The Zone! Youth who are currently in 8th grade through 11th grade are invited to be part of our synod’s youth leadership team. This is an opportunity for our high school students to practice their faith in Jesus together while increasing their leadership skills, study scripture, and grow as disciples. We are going to be going to the synod Assembly in Galveston on May 20-21st to be part of the launching of this new LYO. If you can’t come, complete an LYP leadership Team Covenant to be connected to an action team. This is a one year commitment from June to June. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert. Jr. High, Sr. High, and Youth Group! Are you a youth and are searching for a community to belong to? Do you want to have fun with people your own age? Why not come and give youth group a try. This is a time where we are going to build on our community through fellowship, prayer, devotion, and a meal together as a group. We are wanting this to be an engaging time for our youth so the more the better! Here is the schedule for our youth groups for 2011. Jr. High- Sundays at 5 pm- 6pm Sr. High and Young Adults- Wednesdays at 7 pm- 8:30 pm Children and Families Trip to the Bible Museum on May 7th! With the help from our Brotherhood, we are going to go to the Bible Museum at Houston Baptist University. The museum has creative exhibits to help awaken and enhance an appreciation of the history, preservation, and influence of the most influential in individual lives and in the culture of civilizations. Cost is free to the museum, but there is a cost for lunch so bring $10 dollars. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex. Sunday Refuge for Jr. & Sr. High @ 9:45 Am! Are you ready for a new experience? Are you needing a time to be amongst people your age? Why not come to a place of Refuge where you can explore your faith while having a blast doing it! This will not be your typical Sunday School class you have experienced in the past. There will be food, games and activities, and time to listen to the gospel in a new light with a message that reflects our world today. Bring a friend! Lutherhill Summer 2011: Payments & Sign Ups! If you are planning on going to Lutherhill this summer, we need you to sign up as soon as possible. Remember that if you are in 1st-5th grade, we are going to Lutherhill on August 7th-12th, 2011 and 6th-8th are going to Lutherhill on June 19th-24th. Payment to Peace Lutheran Church by today! If you need a scholarship, please fill out a page. More questions? Contact Ben Remmert. Jr. High Pool Party on May 7th! What better way to kick off the end of confirmation classes than to have some fun in a pool. So on May 7th we are going to have a pool party to celebrate the confirmation year with good food, good fun, and good people and look forward to our summer. Please contact Ben Remmert if you have any other questions about this event. Youth Anti-Prom Lock-In: May 28-29th! Because you demanded it, we are going to have our end of the year lock-in for our Jr. High and Sr. High youth. This is a time where we are locked in the church to celebrate our school year and send off our senior high students who are about to go off to college. This is also a time to celebrate our ministry together as we have fellowship together, worship together, and pray together. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert. Family Roller Skating on May 14th! Bring out your disco fever as we take our children and youth out to the Skate World on May 14th at 12:00 pm where we will roller skate and have fun together. Cost will be $15 per person to cover cost of skates and using the facilities. This event is for our 3-5th graders! Be on the look out for more information as we come closer to the event. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert. VBS 2011- PandaMania – July 31 – August 5 It’s just around the corner! A wild celebration of God's unconditional love! At PandaMania VBS, kids will discover that God has a purpose and a plan for everyone and that he crafted each of us with his own loving hands. Make sure to check out our VBS board in the narthex for more up to date information as we move closer to our event! If you would like to register online, here is the link: https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/welcometopeace. For more information, please contact Ben Remmert. Father/Son Fishing Trip- June 3rd-4th Fishing, what can bring a father and son together better? Our Brotherhood here would like to invite our fathers and son for the first weekend of June 3-4th to come over to fish, swap stories together, and learn what it means to be a Christian man. We are going to be meeting here at Peace Lutheran Church at 6:00 pm and head over to Lake Livingston. The event is over on June 4th right after lunch and we will return back to Peace Lutheran Church so we can go to church on Sunday. Cost will be a meal at a local restaurant ($10 per person) and a donation to Brotherhood to help cover costs for fishing and staying the night. More information, please contact Ben Remmert. A sign up sheet is on the table in the narthex. Sr. High Summer Adventure in Corpus Christi, TX For this summer, we are going to head down to Corpus Christi, TX from June 15th-18th where we will camp on the beach, go deep sea fishing, catch a hooks game, and so much more. While down in Corpus Christi, we are going to talk about what it means to be Lutheran in the South and how rich our Lutheran identity is in this time of age. Sign ups will be on the youth and family ministry board. Cost will be $150 which will cover transportation, room and board, and meals. If you have any more questions, please contact Ben Remmert. Deep Leadership Meeting: May 8th @ 2 PM Upstairs We will not have our meeting in April as it falls on Easter. Our leadership team is called “DEEP” because we are going to dive into our ministry together, head first. We are going to begin our times together discussing about the research done on the spiritual lives of American youth by Kendra Dean in Almost Christian. Kendra Dean has made some new discoveries that can help us grow in our ministry. This meeting will be about finalizing our ministries for the summer and discussions about the upcoming 2011-2012 year. So if you are interested in becoming a leader in our youth and family committee, please contact Ben Remmert. Krause Center Please remember to save your motel toiletries. We will need 60 plus shampoo, soaps, conditioners, and lotions. We are also collecting chapsticks, decks of cards, beanie baby-size stuffed toys, ladies’ size fun sport socks, men’s size sport socks, tooth brushes. We make up gift bags for the boys and girls with the items listed and they are well received. Sarah’s House Just a reminder, as we do our spring cleaning, don't forget Sarah's House. They are always in need of clothing for women and children. Shoes and hand bags also accepted. Clothing must be clean and in bags, which may be placed in the collection baskets under the Parish Life table. Please prayerfully consider making a donation. Upcoming 50+ Bus Trips On May 27th we have 16 tickets for the Pasadena Little Theater performance of “Getting Sara Married” (comedy). Tickets are $6 per person. Contact Carol Thacker (281) 481-5202 or Virginia Rodriguez (281) 487-4961 to purchase a ticket. Church Facility Keys If you have a key to the church but have not notified the Administrator yet, please be sure to stop by the church office as soon as possible and complete the form needed for insurance purposes. Thank you for your help. HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE APRIL 17, PALM SUNDAY 8:30 am Worship (Communion) 9:45 am Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes 9:45 am Worship (Communion) 11:00 am Worship (Communion) APRIL 20, WEDNESDAY 6:30 PM Seder Meal, followed by the Youth Group Easter play. (We will need a count for food, so please be sure to sign the sheet on the table in the narthex or call the church office by April 17th.) APRIL 21, MAUNDY THURSDAY 12:30 pm Worship with Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar 7:00 pm Worship with Foot Washing, Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar APRIL 22, GOOD FRIDAY 7:00 pm Tenebrae Service APRIL 23, EASTER EGG EXTRAVAGANZA 10:00 am Church wide Easter Egg Hunt for our 2 year olds to 5th graders. We’ll also decorate our flower cross for Easter Sunday worship (children are asked to bring fresh flowers), create Easter Baskets for our shut-ins, and enjoy a light meal. The hunt starts promptly at 10:20 am, so don’t be late. APRIL 24, EASTER SUNDAY 6:30 am Outdoor Easter Sunrise Service (No Communion) 7:15-10:15 am Easter Breakfast being cooked by the Youth of the Congregation 8:30 am Easter Service with Holy Communion. (Word for Children, led by Ben Remmert & Jamie Davis) 9:45 am Easter Service with Holy Communion. (Word for Children, led by Ben Remmert & Jamie Davis) (No Sunday School) 11:00 am Easter Service with Holy Communion. (Word for Children, led by Ben Remmert & Jamie Davis) May 1, Sunday after Easter ONLY ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10:00 am (No Sunday School). Following the worship service we invite you to bring a favorite dish to share and join us for a pot luck lunch. A sign-up sheet for the lunch can be found on the table in the narthex.