APRIL 2024
As the seasons turn, we can begin to see the return of life after the long winter slumber. It always seems slow at first. Sometimes it feels like it isn’t even happening. The brown grass stays brown, and the trees stay bare. But then, a few shoots are visible, and a few buds appear on the trees. The following day, there are a few more. And then suddenly, life bursts forth and the world is green again. Life is in full bloom.
We are a resurrection people, so to see life return, year after year, is a reminder to us of that identity. We are reminded that Christ burst from the tomb, alive again after the horrors of the cross. We are reminded that because we have joined with Christ through our baptism into a death like his, so we are joined with him in a resurrection like his. Christ’s resurrection is our resurrection.
So, we know, as a resurrection people, that death is not the end. It is not the end for us. It is not the end for those we love. It is not the end for creation. And it is not the end of hope, even when hope seems dead and buried.
That last part is important to remember. Hope itself rises to new life in Christ just as we do. And it is not a false, Pollyanna hope. It is the real hope of God, where things will be made well, justice will be done, and love will reign. I think of our church, shaking itself free of the long, tomb like slumber of Covid. Like a person stretching their limbs are staying stationary for so long, we can feel the life slowly returning to our limbs.
I think of the fear of what it will mean to have so much transition in the church over the next year. What will that look like, and will the right people be elected to places of leadership? But we can also trust that God will lead the church where it needs to go and bring forward the people that are necessary for that future.
We may feel atrophied or even dead sometimes, but God is a God of life. God won’t let us linger in our deathliness. God will bring hope to life again and inspire us by its presence. We can see that all around us. God is still there. The darkness has not won the day.
We are an Easter people. May you cling to that fact even when everything around you feels like it is fading, even dying. We are an Easter people. Our God is a God of life and God will never let hope truly die nor will God abandon us to despair. We are an Easter people and God is with us.
- Submitted by Pastor Matt
NOTES FROM CHURCH COUNCIL
– MARCH 2024 -
The Standing Committees have now been updated.
The Communications Committee members are Mary Handwerker (Chair) Dorothy Gummer, Gary Wedman and Shelly McCubbing. The Worship & Special Services Committee is now chaired by Megan Tym, other members are Pastor Matt Lyseng, Bill Casey, Anita Kuntz and Walter Goos. The Finance Committee members are Colleen Zimmerman (chair), Larry Barkley, Phyllis Brown, Wayne Pederson and Jim Hansen. The Strategic Committee members are Oystein Guren (Chair), Deloris Rahier, Robyn Bolstad with Reta Penrod and Lynmarie Clark.
We are happy to see a few new people at Peace and we will be implementing a New Members Sunday in the fall in conjunction with the “Church Kick Off”. We will be looking at our membership to see who needs to be added.
Mulhurst Camp is fundraising since they did not receive any government grant money last year and are not anticipating any this year. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Thorsby has challenged their members to raise $5,000.00 by May 19, 2024. They are also challenging all other congregations to challenge themselves in a similar manner. Council discussed our own current fundraising campaign and felt that we were not in a position to participate in their fundraising campaign. We encourage members of Peace to help with these projects as each family sees fitting.
We have not heard of the status of our CFEP grant application yet, but we have several upcoming events in our fundraising campaign. Some important dates to remember are: Saturday, May 4 – Garage Sale from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and Thursday, June 6 – Martin Kerr Concert with silent auction. Watch the newsletter for more information.
We are blessed with a new Sunday School program starting at Peace. Council is very thankful to Anita Knutz and Ali Doherty for taking the lead on getting this important part of our service started again. It brings smiles of joy seeing these youngsters performing in front of the church.
Volunteer Appreciation week is coming up April 14-20. This year’s slogan is Every Moment Matters. Our volunteers are our lifeline to serve our congregation. We look forward to recognizing all volunteers on Sunday April 14. Everyone is invited to stay after the service for some fellowship and cake and coffee. Council thanks everyone for the role each person has found to help this congregation and fellowship.
- Submitted by
Oystein Guren, Council Chair
FLOORING FUNDRAISING
ACTIVITY TO DATE/TARGET
Sponsor A Square 326/600 squares sponsored $24,450.00/$45,000.00
EVENTS
Pie Sale –September: $330.00
Spaghetti Dinner –October: $2,231.00
Beverage Container -November: 352.00
Christmas Cookie Sale -December $2,880.00
Beverage Container –January: $286.00
Pancake Supper: $1,132.00
Free Will Donations to Flooring: $2,025.00
Events Total: ____________ ___
$9,236.00/$30,000.00
The total funds raised:
(March 28, 2024) $33,686.00/$75,000.00
Please continue to support the events coming up. Your support for
the fundraising is very much appreciated.
THANK YOU for supporting the large endeavor.
-submitted by Bill Casey
Fundraising Campaign Coordinator
Events To Come In 2024:
May 4 - Community Garage Sale,
May 25 - Beverage Container Collection #3,
June 6 – Martin Kerr Concert with Silent Auction
September – December – Fun Script Gift Cards Sale
September-October** - Beverage Container Collection #4
October** - Fall Supper
November-December** - Christmas Cookie Sale
** Tentative
Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) Grant
It is with great excitement that Council announces that we have received confirmation that Peace Lutheran Church will be the recipient of a CFEP Grant in the amount of $40,330 for facility upgrades. These funds, together with ongoing fundraising dollars, will be directed to the flooring project, which includes the fellowship hall, classrooms, offices, kitchen office areas of the church.
"As Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, I appreciate the work of non-profit organizations that aim to foster healthy, vibrant communities across Alberta. The Government is proud to support organizations that improve the quality of life in our communities", wrote Honorable Tanya Fir (Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Ministry of the Alberta Government.
Our thanks to Barry Clark and Colleen Zimmerman for their time spent completing the grant application, and to the Flooring Committee for their input and work on this project. A very special THANK YOU to our congregational members, and those in the community, who have committed their support to this special initiative. It will be exciting to see the upgrades come to life over the next few months.
- Church Council
GARAGE SALE
SATURDAY, MAY 4TH
9:00am – 3:00pm
“NO JUNK FOR JESUS!!”
Drop off of items - Thursday May 2nd and Friday May 3rd from 1:00pm – 4:00pm both days.
No clothing, footwear, or large items that will not fit into a car. Donations of saleable items would be greatly appreciated.
Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board if you wish to help us with the set-up/sale/clean up. For additional information contact Deloris Rahier, Mary Handwerker or Susan Perry.
This is a fundraiser for the Church Flooring Replacement Initiative.
Sponsor a Square
We are in desperate need to replace our church flooring.
Your gift can help us achieve this goal.
Sponsorship Levels
1 Square $ 75.00
2 Squares $ 150.00
5 Squares $ 375.00
10 Squares $ 750.00
20 Squares $1,500.00
Sponsorship Forms Are Available From The Church Office
780-986-2688
MARTIN KERR CONCERT
and SILENT AUCTION
Thursday, June 6, 2024 7:00pm
Martin Kerr is a British/ Canadian singer-songwriter. After 15 years going it alone as a street-performer, and visiting 35 countries, he signed with his “dream label”, Netwerk Records and released 2 acclaimed EPs – “Don’t Listen to Me” and “What You Don’t Know.” He can be followed on Instagram and Tiktok.
SILENT AUCTION
The silent auction in conjunction with the Martin Kerr Concert being held on June 6 here at Peace is a fundraiser for the flooring replacement campaign. Currently, we are seeking donations from the business community or individuals with a special talent, to contribute to the auction. Suggestions: crafts, woodwork items, gift cards, gift baskets, even food items such as pies, cabbage rolls, perogies, cookies.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
April 14 -20, 2024
Every Moment Matters
Highlights the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make at a moment when we need support more than ever. The sharing of time, skills, empathy, and creativity is vital to the inclusivity, strength and wellbeing of our communities.
To honor all our dedicated church volunteers we are hosting coffee/ cake after church on Sunday, April 14. Join us to acknowledge the tremendous work all our volunteers do. Big thank you to all our volunteers.
“Ode to Church Volunteers”
There are so many among you who volunteer here,
You volunteer tirelessly and (usually) with cheer.
Even though we ask you at the last minute,
If it needs to be done, we can count on you to be on it.
You teach our children or dry the dish,
You plant or uproot stuff based on our wishes.
Some flip pancakes, some fetch donuts,
How coffee gets made is quite beyond us.
You decorate the Church and then take it down.
You host the fun things we do around town.
You greet and usher and serve communion,
Every Sunday is like a volunteer reunion!
Some of you sing and hit the right notes,
Others play music great composers wrote.
You shuffle papers for mailings fold the bulletins.
You lead classes and meetings no matter what room they’re in.
You commit for a day, a month or the year.
When you see staff coming towards you, you cower in fear.
It is not that you’re “Done”, you are just overcommitted
As you are kind, generous, gorgeous and quick witted!
Every great volunteer is in great demand.
Without you these little jobs can get out of hand.
We know you have lives and it’s hard to commit
We hope the difference you make, makes all this....worth it.
The impact of your kindness brings many folks cheer,
Peace Lutheran Volunteers: we are in awe of you this year!
Thank you, thank you, and thank you again,
Well done, faithful servants, well done, dear friends!!
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT VOLUNTEERING AND SERVICE
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35
“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased”. Hebrews 13:16:
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
Join us after service on
Sunday, April 14, for cake and coffee.
As we recognize all our volunteers for the great work they do throughout the year to support our church.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
This spring we started a kids Sunday School during worship which consists of a Bible story and a craft. It is currently set up to run until the end of May, when we will re-evaluate to see if any changes need to be made.
The goal at this time is to keep the simple message and theme in line with the gospel readings, however, we are always open to suggestions. If this is something you are interested in getting involved please call Ali at 825-966-7980.
The Miracle of Carrots
I don’t know why but each and every Spring I am always in awe thinking of
the miracle of carrots. When I plant them the seeds are so incredibly tiny, tinier than other seeds yet they do marvellous things. How do they know that they need to produce two colours and the green needs to grow up and the orange needs to grow down and the orange needs to taste good?? And yes, other plants are miracles too and I do marvel at each one but for some reason carrots always remind me to be thankful for every miracle, large or small or even tiny! 💕🥕
- Submitted by Ruthie Morck