Words of Peace. Words of Peace. Advent Carol Festival. Sunday, December 4, :00 pm

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1 Words of Peace Words of Peace Peace Lutheran Church December 2016 The Words Inside: Christmas Service Schedule 2 A Word from Council 3 Thank You/Transitions 4 Annual Advent Carol Festival Sunday, December 4, :00 pm Come and celebrate the beginning of the Christmas Season! Peace Lutheran Church is holding their annual Advent Carol Festival on SUNDAY December 4th, 2016 at 4 pm. There will be a Bell and Choral Concert followed by delicious food in the Fellowship Hall! All are welcome!! There will be a freewill offering benefiting ACCA (Annandale Christian Community for Action) and the Peace Lutheran Music program Announcements 5 Christmas Pageant Gifts of Hope Christmas Preparation 7 Women s Retreat 8-9 Faithful Families Wreath Making Brothers of Peace 12 Serving Schedule 13 December Calendar December 4 Advent Carol Festival December 7 Brothers of Peace Discussion Group December 11 Children s Christmas Pageant December 17 Greening of the Church December 24 Christmas Eve Services at 5pm and 8pm December 25 Christmas Day worship with House of Faith International, 10:30am Electronic giving is now at Peace! To make an online gift through our secure site, scan the code with your smart phone. The Rev. Sarah Scherschligt Pastor pastorsarah@sharingpeace.org The Rev. Brian Erickson Pastor Emeritus brianerickson50@gmail.com Dr. Adela Peeva Music Director Adela_peeva@yahoo.com Paul Sticha Director, Messengers and Bell Choirs psticha@cox.net Cathy Kroohs Council President councilpresident@sharingpeace.org Nadia Fitzcharles Children, Youth and Family Ministry nadia@sharingpeace.org Kris Rinnert Parish Administrator info@sharingpeace.org The Rev. Nana Opoku House of Faith International nopoku@cox.net

2 December 2016 Words of Peace Page 2 Christmas Services From Pastor Sarah Pastor Sarah continues her maternity leave. The family continues to enjoy getting to know Lydia Ruth. We wish her a restful and meaningful time with her family. CHRISTMAS SERVICES Christmas Eve: 5:00 pm - Family Worship Service with communion and candlelight 8:00 pm - Traditional Worship Service with communion and candlelight The Rev. Bishop Richard H. Graham presiding Christmas Day: 10:30 am - Traditional Worship with House of Faith International Pastor Nana Opoku presiding First Sunday after Christmas, January 1, 2017: Informal Worship with communion, 8:00 am Lessons and Carols Service, 10:30 am The Rev. Terry Hannon presiding

3 December 2016 Words Council of Peace News Page 3 From Council President, Cathy Kroohs So, here we are coming into one of the most hectic times of the secular year, which sometimes (always?) means that while we might want to quietly prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth, what we are actually doing is shopping, baking, planning, wrapping, and generally going nuts. I frequently have to be reminded that Christmas will come, whether I am "ready, or not!" Sometimes it helps. In this newsletter, in the weekly blast and in the bulletins you will see notices of what will be going on at Peace this month. Please participate in as many of the activities at Peace as you can without burdening yourself. Skip the ones you cannot get into your schedule (or simply aren't interested in) without guilt. Give yourself the opportunity to feel the joy - Christ is born for you! An Alternative Advent Calendar!!! "Consider observing Advent by filling an Advent calendar box. Rather than opening an Advent calendar (or in addition, if you prefer) put a box somewhere in your home, and add something to that box every day. It could be clothing for a homeless person, food for a food bank, money to be donated to charity, something else you think of. Then during the season of Christmas (which, of course, lasts 12 days) distribute the items in the box."

4 December 2016 Words of Peace Page 4 THANK YOU!! / FLOWERS / TRANSTIONS Many thanks to all who have donated yarn to the Peace Prayer Shawl group this year. We truly appreciate it. Due to your generosity, our yarn baskets are overflowing. " The Prayer Shawlers Church Office Help Needed Volunteers needed to help cover the office January 11-13, January and January 23. Duties include answering phones, sorting mail and and greeting visitors along with some light clerical duties. Contact Kris in the office if you d like to help. Thank you to everyone for the prayers, cards, phone calls, and meals. They have been greatly appreciated. And if you want God to laugh, tell him your plans, because I said I was going to stay out of the hospital this year. Susan and Stewart DeHaven Year End Gift Reminder For proper accounting of your year-end gifts, please have your offerings to the church office by Tuesday, December 27th so they can be deposited in Ray and Debbie Marquardt will be in to count and summarize all the last minute donations on Wednesday, December 28th. Altar Flowers Please check the Fellowship Hall for the 2017 Flower Chart. To sponsor the Altar Flowers for Sunday morning worship please choose an available date and then fill in your information. You may dedicate the Altar flowers in honor or memory of loved ones or to the Glory of God. The suggested donation for Altar Flowers is $55. Liesa Kirste s son Manfred Kirste passed away in November. Click here to visit his online obituary.

5 December 2016 Words ANNOUNCEMENTS of Peace Page 5 Lunch Bunch The Lunch Bunch will meet on the SECOND Tuesday of this month, December 13, We will meet at 12 noon at the Samurai Hibachi located in the Foxchase Shopping Center, 4603 Duke St. in Alexandria, Va. Lunch Bunch is a group of individuals who meet monthly for fellowship and food. A sign up sheet is located in Fellowship Hall. This will be the last luncheon for Lunch Bunch. It has been an honor and pleasure during the past ten years to arrange a monthly lunch for Peace members and friends. Programming Schedule Changes There will be NO Adult Forum until January 8, The Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana will lead an adult forum on January 8, 2017 when she returns to preach at Peace Lutheran. Watch the weekly Blast for updates. Sunday School and Confirmation will not meet December 25th and January 1st The Family Meeting scheduled for December 4, 2016 has been CANCELLED. The topics will be covered at the January 22, 2017 meeting. Pastor Brian continues his sermon series, titled Why Christian? In a world and society in which church is on the decline, why would one still choose to be Christian? Pastor Brian will share his biblical and personal reflection on why one might choose to be Christian today, and what that means. Dec. 4: What Difference Does Following Jesus Make? Dec. 18: Why Church and Why Hope?"

6 December 2016 Words of Peace Page 6 CHRISTMAS PAGEANT/GIFTS OF HOPE Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 11, :30 Service Calling all families interested in participating in this year s spectacular Christmas pageant. Parents, youth and others young at heart are welcome. December 4th - Rehearsal during Sunday School December 11th - Pageant - during the 10:30 service. Contact Kara Danner for more information. GIFTS OF HOPE Give more hope to children. Give more hope to the homeless. Give more hope to those who seek work. Give more hope to those who need sustenance. Give more hope to those who need medical or dental care. Give more hope to those who want to improve their daily lives. YOU can give hope by purchasing Gifts of Hope cards and giving the cards as gifts. An insert in the card explains how hope is given and describes the organization distributing the gift. The catalog is available soon on line at and will be available in the fellowship hall beginning Sunday, Nov. 27 following both services. If you are willing to monitor the Gifts of Hope table one Sunday in Dec., please contact Sue Clark, chezclark@verizon.net.

7 December 2016 CHRISTMAS Words PREPARATION of Peace Page 7 Greening of the Church Saturday, December 17th 8:30 am - Noon We will gather to get the church ready for Christmas Eve. Much fun is to be had crawling into the attic to find the decorations, assembling the trees, arranging poinsettias on the altar and more! If you have an electric screw driver, wire snips or clippers for greens, please bring them. With your help, the church will be beautiful by noon. All Are Welcome The More the Merrier! Poinsettia order forms are available in the Sunday bulletin or on the Bulletin Board in the Fellowship hall. Poinsettia Order Form Description: 6 pot with multiple blooms Price: $10 each Order deadline: Thursday, December 15, 2016 Make checks payable to Peace Lutheran with poinsettia in the memo. Order totals: X $10 = Dedications will appear in the Christmas Eve Bulletin Name:

8 December 2016 WOMEN S Words RETREAT of Peace Page 8 Women s One Day Retreat at Bon Secours Nadine, Karen and Chris are all smiles Kari and Anne enjoy some conversation

9 WOMEN S RETREAT December 2016 Words of Peace Page 9 Marcia, Maria, Karen and Carol Cathy keeps count of her stitches Maria does a little bird watching Carol models her completed hat

10 December 2016 Words of Peace Page 10 FAITHFUL FAMILIES Making Advent Wreaths

11 December 2016 FAITHFUL Words of FAMILIES Peace Page 11 Getting ready for Advent means making your own Advent wreath. Faithful Families gathered on November 20th to do just that.

12 December 2016 Words of Peace Page 12 BROTHERS OF PEACE Brothers of Peace Wednesday, December 7, :00pm This new men s group meets in the church narthex on the first Wednesday of each month for fellowship, discussion, support and prayer, from 7pm to 8:30 pm. Our next gathering is December 7. We had 10 men at our first gathering in October. This is your opportunity to get to know other men at Peace better, and to participate in discussing the significant issues and challenges men face in our world today. Please join us! For more information, talk to any of our leadership team, Jim Nice, Ron Maree, Steve Rinnert, or Pastor Brian Erickson or contact Pastor Brian for more information.

13 Words of Peace December 2016 DECEMBER SERVING SCHEDULE Page 13 For December December 4 December 11 December 18 Christmas Eve December 24th Assisting Minister Mary Malmberg Laura Maul Alison Samuels 5:00pm TBD 8:00pm TBD Acolyte TBD TBD TBD 5:00pm TBD 8:00pm TBD Lector Judy Gallagher Kara Danner Ray Marquardt 5:00pm TBD 8:00pm TBD Communion Assistant Lynne Fishburn TBD TBD 5:00pm TBD 8:00pm TBD Ushers Bill Mitchell Alan Byroade Michael Stumpf Bill Mitchell Alan Byroade Michael Stumpf Bill Mitchell Alan Byroade Michael Stumpf 5:00pm TBD 8:00pm TBD Altar Care Christine Howlett TBD TBD 5:00pm TBD 8:00pm TBD Serving on Sundays Alison Samuels Kristin Stone Jacque Hill --- Tellers Ron Porten* Linda Porten Donna Thiessen Jacob Thiessen Ray Marquardt* Karen Grubbs Ray Marquardt* Tammy Heppner Bill Duerre Ed Axthelm* Kathy Nice

14 December 2016 Words DECEMBER of Peace 2016 Page 14 Sunday Monday Tuesday 4 First Sunday in Advent 8:00am Informal Worship with Holy Communion 9:15am Sunday School and Confirmation 10:30am Traditional Worship with Communion 12:15pm House of Faith International (HOFI) 4:00pm Advent Carol Festival 7:00pm Brass of Peace 11 Second Sunday in Advent 8:00am Informal Worship with Holy Communion 9:15am Sunday School and Confirmation 10:30am Traditional Worship with Communion and Children s Christmas Pageant 11:45am Liturgy Planning Meeting 12:15pm House of Faith International (HOFI) 7:00pm Brass of Peace 3:00pm Bethany House Event Set up 18 Third Sunday in Advent 8:00am Informal Worship with Holy Communion 9:15am Sunday School and Confirmation 10:30am Traditional Worship with Communion 12:15pm House of Faith International (HOFI) 5:00pm Faithful Families 7:00pm Brass of Peace 5 12:00pm First Monday Lunch at Greensprings 10:00am Beading for Haiti 7:00pm Voices of Peace 8:15pm Bells of Peaces 7:30pm Al-Anon Lauxman House 12 7:00pm Voices of Peace 8:15pm Bells of Peace 10am - 4pm Bethany House Facility Use 7:30pm Al-Anon Lauxman House 19 10:00am Beading for Haiti 7:00pm Voices of Peace 8:15pm Bells of Peace 7:30pm Al-Anon Lauxman House 6 10:00am Morning Bible Study 6:30pm Cub Scouts 7:00pm Spirit and Scripture Group 7:00pm Bells con Brio 8:00pm Haiti Mission Trip Packing 8:15pm Messengers of Peace 13 10:00am Morning Bible Study 12:00pm Lunch Bunch - Samurai Hibachi 7:00pm Spirit and Scripture Group 7:00pm Bells con Brio 8:15pm Messengers of Peace 10am - 4pm Bethany House Facility Use 20 7:00pm Spirit and Scripture Group 7:00pm Bells con Brio 8:15pm Messengers of Peace 25 Christmas Day 10:30am Worship led by House of Faith International (HOFI) 26 10:00am Beading for Haiti 7:00pm Brass of Peace rehearsal 7:30pm Al-Anon Lauxman House 27 5:00pm Brass of Peace Alumni Concert and Dinner 7:00pm Spirit and Scripture Group

15 December 2016 Words DECEMBER of Peace 2016 Page 15 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 1:00pm Prayer Shawlers 10:00pm Late Night Prayer Service (HOFI) 3 10:00am HOFI Prayer Meeting 8pm AA Meeting in Lauxman House 6:00pm Facility Use Watchmen Holistic Ministry 7 1:00pm Project Boomerang 7:00pm Brothers of Peace 7:00pm Girl Scout Daisies 8 9:30am Quilters 12:15pm Women s Renewal at Peace (WRAP) 9 1:00pm Prayer Shawlers 10:00pm Late Night Prayer Service (HOFI) 10 9:30am Senior Quilt workshop 10:00am HOFI Prayer Meeting 4:00pm Yoga Lauxman House 8pm AA Meeting in Lauxman House 6:00pm Facility Use Watchmen Holistic Ministry 14 1:00 PM Project Boomerang 10am - 4pm Bethany House Facility Use 4:00pm Yoga Lauxman House 15 7:00pm Council Meeting 12pm - 10pm Bethany House Facility Use 8pm AA Meeting in Lauxman House 16 1:00pm Prayer Shawlers 10:00pm Late Night Prayer Service (HOFI) 6:00pm Facility Use Watchmen Holistic Ministry 17 8:30am Greening of the Church 10:00am HOFI Prayer Meeting 6:00pm Parents night out Babysitting 21 1:00pm Project Boomerang 7:00pm Girl Scout Daisies 22 8pm AA Meeting in Lauxman House 23 1:00pm Prayer Shawlers 10:00pm Late Night Prayer Service (HOFI) 6:00pm Facility Use Watchmen Holistic Ministry 24 Christmas Eve 10:00am HOFI Prayer Meeting 5:00pm Christmas Eve Family Service 8:00pm Christmas Eve Late Service 28 10:00am Brass of Peace Rehearsal 1:00pm Project Boomerang :00pm Prayer Shawlers 10:00pm Late Night Prayer Service (HOFI) 31 10:00am HOFI Prayer Meeting 8:00pm AA Meeting in Lauxman House 6:00pm Facility Use Watchmen Holistic Ministry

16 Peace Lutheran Church 6362 Lincolnia Road Alexandria, VA Place Stamp Here Address Correction Requested THE NEXT DEADLINE FOR THE WORDS OF PEACE ~ DECEMBER 22, 2016 (Inputs should be ed to: info@sharingpeace.org or leave in secretary s mailbox) Peace Events Contact Info info@sharingpeace.org Phone: Fax: Sunday Services 8:00 a.m. Informal Worship and Holy Communion 10:30 a.m. Traditional Worship 12:15 p.m. House of Faith International Service Nursery & Preschool Care Provided from Weekly Services Friday Prayer Service (HOFI) 10:00 p.m. December 4 Advent Carol Festival December 7 Brothers of Peace Discussion Group December 11 Children s Christmas Pageant December 17 Greening of the Church December 24 Christmas Eve Services at 5pm and 8pm December 25 Christmas Day worship with House of Faith International, 10:30am Editor: Kris Rinnert Contributors: Cathy Kroohs, Sue Clark, Nadine Krutzky-Mitchell, Ray Marquardt, Elaine Peoples, Pastor Brian Erickson Electronic giving is now at Peace! To make an online gift through our secure site, scan the code with your smart phone.