Sunday Preview: July 10, 2022
Why does Ecclesiastes talk about life being meaningless? That doesn’t sound like an idea the Bible would talk about. But maybe there is something profound to learn about what it means to be human wrapped up in the wisdom of this strange and complicated book.
We will celebrate Communion together during worship. Afterwards, interested people may join Amanda and the Summer Book Club in discussing about the first four chapters of Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.
Jason’s Jots: Reflections from Last Sunday
When it doesn’t work to invite someone into our world, it might be helpful to find a way to engage theirs. We find interest in the things they are passionate about. We get curious and ask questions.
(Read more below in Jason’s Jots!)
Summer Events for your Calendar
July 24 – Family Game Night
August 7 – Outdoor worship and blessing of the animals
August 7-12 – Storm Mountain service trip
August 14 – Communion, Summer Book Club
August 28 – Last worship experience with Dave and Cindy Tidball on staff
August 28 – Family Game Night
September 4 (Labor Day weekend) – outdoor worship
Good Neighbor Meals: Volunteers Urgently Needed for Saturday, July 9!
Use this link immediately to volunteer to help prepare and serve meals (this Saturday or any other meal opportunity this summer!) to food-insecure individuals down by the capitol. The link is also found–any time!–on the Connections and Partnerships page of our website.
Sunday, July 17
Pastor Jason will be out of town, but available by email if needed. In his absence on Sunday morning, Pastor Linda Koelman will bring us a message based on one of her favorite scriptures. In the event of the need for pastoral care, you may call 612-598-7743.
Prayer Request
Please remember Tom Jacobson’s younger brother Jerry in your prayers this week. He has had a return of cancer that is now in his lungs and liver, etc. He started immunotherapy last week.
Peace is Turning 60 Years Old!
The Steering Committee is looking for someone with the skill set to create a 5- to 10-minute video summarizing our faith community’s 60-year history. Interested volunteers, please contact Pam Jacobson at 651-214-7701. Watch for details on our celebration plans.
Family Ministries Update
Family Ministry Summer Plans At Peace
Hello, Peace Families! At the June Family Game Night, we enjoyed the Dominos pizza and the strong breeze–the wind made the kites a main attraction.
Save the date now–July 24–for our next Family Game Night.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, would like to see any particular events or activities, or just to say ‘Hi!’ Find me at amanda@peaceumc.com or 651-587-3451.
Children’s Church and Nursery
Children’s Church is ideal for our elementary-age participants, and we will hang out all summer long! This week we will be painting rocks as a response to the scripture.
We are also looking for volunteers who love to hang out with young children. Each Sunday we would like two nursery volunteers (9:45-11 am) and one or two volunteers to assist with Children’s Church (10:15-11 am). Please let Amanda know if you’re interested (amanda@peaceumc.com or 651-587-3451).
Summer Book Club
Sundays: July 10 and August 14
11:15 am-12:15 pm in the Gathering Place
Any interested readers may read and discuss segments of Brene Brown’s book, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Contact me (amanda@peaceumc.com or 651-587-3451) if you need a copy of the book. We will read through Chapter 4 to discuss this coming Sunday, and Chapters 5-7 for August 14.
Family Game Nights
Sundays: July 24 and August 21 (Note: the August date has changed!)
5:30-7:30 pm in Outdoor Worship Area
(Fellowship Hall in case of rain)
Let’s have a summer potluck and grill out! Bring a friend, all are welcome! Peace will provide dinner ware, hot dogs (including a veggie option), buns, and some outdoor games. We will have tables set up for eating and board games. A bonfire will be available for s’mores. Families bring a friend, their own games, lawn chairs and beverages.
Storm Mountain Service Trip
Save the dates: August 7-12
Interested youth and adult chaperones may contact Amanda (651-587-3451 or amanda@peaceumc.com). Our reservation is confirmed, so now we need to know who (both youth and adults) wants to come. Lodging is provided because this is a service project, so your only expense for Storm Mountain is your food ($125), plus transportation and fees.
Encore Returns in the Fall
Encore is our group for middle and high school grades. During the academic year, we meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays in the Gathering Place after church (11:15-noon). We have a lot of busy young people and it can be a challenge to get together over the summer. Heads up, Pastor Jason or I will be reaching out to you to get coffee and connect 1:1.
Employment Openings
With joy and sadness, we are nearing the retirement of Dave and Cindy Tidball at the end of August. Their shoes will be impossible to fill, but we are attempting to do our best. We have four open positions (Director of Administration, Worship Leader, Choir Director, Audio Technician) that are now posted on our website. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for one of these roles, please click on the above links to see a description of the position and how to apply. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jason (jason@peaceumc.com).
Rod Hanson’s Memorial Service
Some of you may remember Rod and Diana Hanson, former members of Peace Church, who have since moved to Lacey, Washington. Rod recently passed away and Diana has shared his memorial service with us.
Sign up now to help mow!
Summer lawns don’t go on vacation! They just sit outside our churches and homes and keep on growing! Sign-Up Genius offers opportunities for mowing both at Peace and at Sadie and Joe’s house this summer.
What? Another 5th Sunday so soon!
Yup, July has 5 Sundays, too. You may contribute to our 5th Sunday fund, now or anytime, to help reduce the principal on our mortgage. Write us a check or go online. Thank you–every little bit helps!
Musical Montessori
Preschool openings for 2022/2023 school year
The Musical Montessori Preschool has full time (8:15 am-3:45 pm, M-F) openings for the upcoming school year. Ages served: 33 months – Pre-Kindergarten.
For more information, call Katherine at 651-274-6569 or visit themusicalmontessori.com.
Morning Preschool Assistant needed for the upcoming school year
The Musical Montessori Preschool is looking for a special someone to assist in the classroom.
Must be 18 yrs of age; background in music and/or child development/psychology preferred. Above average pay and fantastic positive, peaceful work environment. Hours are 8-11:30 am, M-F.
We follow the Mounds View school calendar for all days off.
For more information, call Katherine at 651-274-6569.
Emma Norton News
Emma Norton has a long history with the United Methodist Church in Minnesota. Emma Norton Residence is a home for single women who often have experienced trauma, and Emma’s Place is comprised of residences for single moms and homeless families with three or more children. Both are located in the St. Paul area.
Their Summer of Opportunity campaign pays for fun and educational activities throughout the summer. They’ve already put out patio furniture, strung fairy lights, and installed a fire pit on the main patio at Emma Norton Residence, as well as hosting a Juneteenth event at Emma’s place; and they’re just a quarter of the way to their goal of $5,000. Donate at www.GiveMN.org/EmmaNorton/.
If you’re looking for a way to give back to your community this summer, consider a volunteer opportunity such as gardening, leading crafting activities with kids, or hosting a bingo night. To volunteer, contact Victoria at vvirsasy@emmanorton.org.
Jason’s Jots
Reflecting on Sunday’s Message…
When I was working in higher education I had over 70 student volunteers that served as small group leaders on our campus. My job was to train and equip them to connect with other students. Many of them would invite students to the things they loved to do. But the trick to a good small group leader wasn’t just inviting people to the things they loved, but to learn what made the other students passionate. My phrase was always – don’t simply invite them to your turf, find a way to love them on their turf.
I wonder if being neighborly could be three different things.
1. Like the Good Samaritan, we show up in the midst of life’s hardest moments and offer our care and our presence. We recognize our common humanity and humble ourselves to meet needs. People remember who showed up in the difficult times.
2. We invite people to join us on the journey. Sometimes people are looking for a place to belong. Sometimes the people we least expect to need a place to belong are actually looking for one. So an invitation might be the nudge someone needs. That invitation leads to an opportunity to do life with someone and create dynamic community.
3. We love them on their turf. People are complex and wonderful. They are also stubborn and difficult. When it doesn’t work to invite someone into our world, it might be helpful to find a way to engage theirs. We find interest in the things they are passionate about. We get curious and ask questions. This can be hard work. But it can humanize us to our neighbor. When we step into their world, we become the vulnerable one – willing to be taught.
Being neighborly is vulnerable work. But what more could we expect from a God who moved into our neighborhood in the person of Jesus?!