Sunday’s Preview: August 7
Power. Humans will do almost anything to get it, and almost anything to keep it. The cross is the most powerful symbol of our faith, yet it seems to be the most powerless place. Why is God on the cross? What can Jesus’ death teach us about being human? Let’s try to simply scratch the surface of this all-important topic.
AND – Let’s bless some animals too! Bring your pets to our outdoor worship space and we will offer a blessing on the creatures that often bring us such joy.
Preview…Jason’s Jots (read more below)
At the end of the day, it might come down to how we see our own choices. We don’t control the illnesses, the economy, the choices of others, but we do choose how we show up in the world. We choose to trust that good is present. We choose to believe that God is not done yet. We choose to hope that love will win in the end. And when we can’t muster the belief, we simply say, ‘help my unbelief.’
Events for Your Calendar
August 13 – Good Neighbor Meal (Youth and Families)
August 14 – Communion, Summer Book Club
August 20 – Peace Service Project and Movie Night (Youth Grades 6-12)
August 21 – Family Game Night
August 28 – Dave and Cindy Tidball Retirement Celebration (after worship)
September 4 – Last Outdoor Worship (Labor Day Sunday)
September 11 – Blessing of the Backpacks, Communion
September 18 – Rally Sunday
October 2 – Communion (back to first Sundays)
October 9 – 60th Celebration Sunday
October 20-21 – MEA
October 28-30 – Women’s Retreat
October 30 – All Saints Sunday
Peace has a New Director of Administration
Danelle Redding has accepted the part-time position and will begin work on August 18. Join us in welcoming her to the staff of Peace Church!
Check out Today’s Shoreview Press
There’s a great article (and photo) about our new pastor, Jason Steffenhagen. He is quoted as saying, “Anyone wanting to partner with people and be about the work of reconciliation, want to grow, include people, love others and be about the work of justice in the world, we have a home for you at Peace.”
Peace is Turning 60!
The Steering Committee is looking for someone with the skill set to create a 9-10 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.
We also need up-to-date addresses (US mail and/or email) for former members of Peace. If you have stayed in touch with former members, we’d appreciate your sending their addresses to Lesa Monroe (clcmonroe@comcast.net) so we can invite as many people as possible and celebrate well together.
Family Ministry Updates
Community Service Project and Ice Cream
Saturday, August 13, 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Youth (grades 6-12 or families with younger kids) will serve the Good Neighbor Meal and then go out for ice cream. Meet at church at 8:30 to carpool to the Good Neighbor Center. Please sign up here.
Summer Book Club
Final session on Sunday, August 14, 11:15 am-12:15 pm in the Gathering Place
If you can, read Chapters 5-7 of Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly ahead of time.
Peace Service Project and Movie Night
Saturday, August 20, 3-9 pm
Youth (grades 6-12) will help with indoor and outdoor projects at Peace. Once work is completed, we will get pizza and watch a movie together. All supplies and food are provided by Peace.
Family Game Night
Sunday, August 21, 5:30-7:30 pm
Outside, weather permitting
Peace will provide hotdogs for grilling, buns, plasticware, outdoor games, and a bonfire. Families may bring a dish to share, friends, more games, lawn chairs and beverages.
Volunteer Opportunities
Peace is helping keep Sadie and Joe’s lawn trim and neat this summer while Joe undergoes treatment. Sign up here to help with lawn duty.
The next Good Neighbor Meals are on August 13 (youth and families especially) and 27. Sign up here to help prepare and serve.
Jason’s Jots
Sunday’s message was particularly heavy. Anytime you talk about asking, searching, knocking and you face the reality that you might not receive, find, or have the specific door open that you had intended – it’s a sobering reality.
When we are without a job, we want that door to be opened. When we are sick, we want to find a cure. When we are lonely, we want to receive hospitality. And when it doesn’t come, it not only crushes our spirit, but makes us question if God is really all that good.
In Matthew 7, we read that God is the giver of good things. I want to trust that. I want to believe that. On most days I do believe that. And like the song that we sang (based on the story found in Matthew 9:24), I ask God to ‘help my unbelief’ when I just can’t believe that any good is coming.
Humans are much more complex than we think. People aren’t always what they seem, and we are capable of more than we think. I believe that God designed us this way.
Here’s an example: Some of the most generous people I know have the least amount of material wealth to share. It makes no sense to share and give, but they see a need and offer support. They trust there is enough.
Maybe we should allow for simplicity and complexity.
When someone is sick, they may only be capable of hoping and longing for healing. Anything else is too much. Imagining that they might not get better is not possible. We can hold hope with them – pray with them.
AND. Maybe someone can be complex. They hold onto hope for healing…hold on with every fiber of their being. And they see all the small joys of love and care and relationship and sacrifice and patience that come in the most mundane and most painful moments. These joys are good gifts. Healing can be relational and spiritual.
At the end of the day, it might come down to how we see our own choices. We don’t control the illnesses, the economy, the choices of others, but we do choose how we show up in the world. We choose to trust that good is present. We choose to believe that God is not done yet. We choose to hope that love will win in the end. And when we can’t muster the belief, we simply say, ‘help my unbelief.’ And that’s enough for today.