Click here to access November's Newsletter

10:00AM  In person and livestream

Core values are the guiding principles we live by no matter what. Peace has adopted four core values to live by. But the pillar of all the values is grace.

Grace is that which has been solely given to us. You cannot earn grace through your achievements, goodness, money, status… Grace is pure gift shared by God.

Join us this Sunday in worship as we explore what it means to be given grace and how it transforms everything.

Join us for worship on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 5^th, and remember those who are alive and also now alive in Christ’s heavenly kingdom. We light a special candle for our loved ones and remember their witness and love God shares through them.

Remember also, Daylight Savings Time ends, and we fall back an hour. Unless of course you want to come early for Bible study and fellowship.

We give thanks for the life of Cody Smith who after a long struggle with cancer has been welcomed into the heavenly kingdom of God. We grieve with his family and friends, and pray for God’s comfort and resurrection promise to give peace.

A funeral service is being held at Redeemer United Church on 11/2/23 @ 6pm. Visitation is from 4:30pm-6:30pm.

7415 Gin Rd.
Marion, TX 78124

https://www.schertzfuneralhome.com/obituaries/cody-smith

As a cost-saving measure, Peace Lutheran Church is doing away with bulletins for the foreseeable future. All worship materials can be found on the worship slideshow and on our website. While this action is saving the church's funds, we are also moving towards a more sustainable future so that everyone can expereince God's way in years to come!

We continue our stewardship campaign this fall season inviting you on the journey of generosity to share in the mission of Jesus transforming lives. This week we ask you to consider God’s gifts of grace. Just as you cannot earn grace (it is pure gift), that means you are gifted for a purpose to bless and honor God. How might you join God as a gracious person giving of yourself to the mission of Christ?

Commitment cards are being mailed out next week in preparation for our commitment Sunday on November 12^th. Please fill out your cards and bring them to worship as we dedicate our lives to God’s mission.

We will be hosting our last time of the year from November 26th - December 3rd. We will need the following volunteer areas filled to welcome our guests:

• Serve as overnight hosts (2 individuals each night)
• Help with the afternoon/evening set up, clean up, and engagement with families (2 individuals each day)
• Support meal preparation, cooking, and serving (1 to 2 individuals each day)

Interested? Please sign up for a slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ACAC23AAFBC34-45781087-peace

Thanks,
Peace Lutheran Family Promise Team

Peace's Little Pantry stands as a ray of hope for numerous individuals grappling with food scarcity in our community. As we embrace the spirit of gratitude during this season of Thanksgiving, we extend a heartfelt invitation for you to contribute to the pantry, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

If you would like to support this cause financially, please make checks out to Peace Lutheran Church. Giving online is available as by clicking the button below. Regardless of your method of support, please be sure to include "Mission Spotlight" in the memo.

Each year CASA of Central Texas hosts an annual Holiday Gift Drive. Community members are able to sponsor kids’ wishlists. Peace will have a Christmas Tree out in the narthex at the beginning of November with Angels on display with different wishes. Angels will be on display from November 5th - November 26th. Please make your selections and follow the instructions on the back of your Angel. We ask that you return your gift/s unwrapped (ensure the original Angel is attached to the unwrapped gift) under the tree by November 29th.

Further instructions and information will be out on display near the Angel Tree in the narthex starting this Sunday! Should you have any questions, please reach out to Brandi Raschke- raschke.brandi@gmail.com

In our “Exploring the Bible Together” study, we meet by Zoom as a small group for about 45 minutes each week. Our study covers a wide range of topics, examining more closely the history, content, context, development, message, and interpretation of the Bible. As we do this, we grow in our understanding of the relevance and application of the Bible for our lives today.

Sign up in the Narthex or online with SignUp Genius HERE

If you're eager to lend a hand with the live nativity, explore the various areas where your assistance will make a difference by clicking on the link below.

If you want to hear more, call Becky Voges at 830-587-4003 or email beckyvoges@yahoo.com for more information.

Mission (Why do we exist?)
To love like Jesus so that each person experiences God’s Way.
 
Vision (What kind of community is God calling us to be?)
A world made whole through love.

Core Values (What guides our daily actions and decisions?)
Shalom – Actively pursuing reconciliation and wholeness. [John 14:27]
Compassion – Recognizing and entering into our shared humanity. [Luke 10:25-37]
Service – Responding to the needs of others. [Matthew 25:31-40]
Grace – Sharing the love that God first gives us. [I John 4:7-10]

Perspectives (Which parts of our church will we focus on?)
Stewardship (Time, Talents, Treasure) (e.g., Healthy Fund Balance)
Loving Our Neighbors (e.g., Family Promise Program)
Ministry/Processes (e.g., Dynamic Worship)
Discipleship (Learning and Growth) (e.g., Life of Faith Initiative)
 
Objectives (goals) (What do we want to accomplish?)
Measures (metrics) – How will we measure progress?
Targets – What are our targets for the next year? Two years? Five years?
Initiatives – What can we do so that we reach our targets?

SEEKERS AND SPONGES:   meets on Sunday mornings @  8:30AM in-person and ZOOM   

Seekers and Sponges has started a "Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith."  The ELCA Task Force on Studies for Civic Life and Faith has released a study curriculum for use throughout our church as we engage the question, what does it mean to be a Christian in civic life.

The study invites participants to delve into the nature of politics, the meaning of the Scriptures, the purpose of government, the responsibility of congregations and church-related organizations, First Amendment issues, the relationship of faith-based living and civic life, connections between worship life and serving neighbor in society, the nature of citizenship, and other relevant topics.

Printed materials will be available in the classroom or you may access the material at www.elca.org/civics and faithstudy

In our class, everyone in our group becomes a teacher for one another, sharing experiences and perspectives that facilitates a respectful, enlightening approach to adult learning.      

Please join us in the multimedia classroom at the end of the hallway.  You will find the discussion engaging, insightful, and challenging, and it will expand how you look at your faith! 

Click HERE to join by Zoom. 

PEACE PRAYER MINISTRY:

Did you make any resolutions for the New Year? Many of us have a desire to have a more intimate prayer life, so might I suggest carving out more time for prayer and reflection? Peace Lutheran Church has an active Prayer Ministry. We have an Email Prayer Chain, we have a Zoom “Sweet Hour of Prayer” Group that meets every Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. and we have a Prayer loom that is included in our Sunday morning prayers. I would like to welcome new members to join our email Prayer Chain and our Monday morning Prayer Group. We have experienced some amazing, answered prayers this year and we have given comfort to many of our members in their times of distress. Please consider being a part of our Prayer Ministry in this new year. You can email me at beckyvoges@yahoo.com for more information.

Our weekly Prayer Group Zooms every Monday at 9:00 am  via Zoom only.   Click HERE to join by Zoom.  We have a devotion, share prayer requests and pray over each request. The group is led by Becky Voges.  If you would like to be a part of the group, please email Becky (beckyvoges@yahoo.com).  All prayer requests will be kept confidential. 

Prayer Chain Requests - email Becky (beckyvoges@yahoo.com).

PASTOR'S VIRTUAL CONVERSATION:   
Every Monday from 3 pm - 3:30 pm; Come join Pastor Jake on Zoom to ask questions, check-in, and lift up prayers. Join HERE - Meeting ID: 991 3660 5065; Password: 015347

TECH SUPPORT:
Need some technical support? Trying to stay connected in a virtual world can be frustrating when things don't work or the technological learning curve seems steep. If you need some help, contact: Patti Kassel @ kasselpatti@gmail.com 

We are part of one church body organized in three expressions — congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization. Each expression has its particular functions but all three together share a common mission of doing God’s work in the world and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Together, they ensure a solid foundation of leadership, active involvement in communities, opportunities for dialogue and diverse perspectives, creative partnerships, and support for members and ministries of the ELCA.