William Blake. A Fridge Worthy Quote. Here is a quote to ponder this month. I m printing it and putting in on my fridge. FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 2

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1 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER GRACE AND PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 2 A Fridge Worthy Quote Here is a quote to ponder this month. I m printing it and putting in on my fridge. William Blake

2 Connect Let s Get Ready! and Peace has a team of seven people who have been taking a twoyear training course in Transformational Ministry. This program is called Connect. As we approach the last session of training, we have an assignment for our congregation. We have our purpose statement that we say each week during worship. It is to leave each Sunday empowered by Jesus to serve all with open hearts and minds. With this purpose in mind we are now ready to design an action plan for six areas of our ministry. These areas are and their Team Member Leaders: Sharing Our Faith/Outreach (Ben Daugherty and Vicki Young ) Leadership Development (Toni Beumer and Linda Heidorn) Stewardship (Jeff Byrne ) Faith Formation (David Meyer and Jazzma Brewer) Worship/Hospitality (Vicki Oshodi and Mary Weimer) Communication/Website/Social Media (Luke Anderson and Larry Johnson) Each Connect Team Member and Council Member has chosen one of these areas. However, they cannot do this assignment. They are to help and guide members of the congregation in coming up with one or two action plans for each of these six areas. So, let s get ready. Look at these and see which one strikes your fancy. Then let the connect team member leader of the one you like know you are interested. You can also let me know. Who knows, you may even be getting a call. These action plans are to be ready to go before the next training in May. What an opportunity to work together and plan for our church s future. Peace to all of you, Pastor Roberta

3 Lenten Services Exploring Luther s Small Catechism During Lent March 1 is Ash Wednesday. We are having our midweek services again this year with St. Luke s and Shepherd of the Hills and possibly Emanuel. Their new pastor comes in March. Our focus, on this 500 th anniversary year of the Reformation, is Luther s Small Catechism. Each week we will take one aspect of the Small Catechism and ponder how it is a tool for our faith formation and ministry today. The Pastor s will rotate to the different congregations. So plan on joining us on Wednesdays in Lent starting with Ash Wednesday. If you want a copy of Luther s Small Catechism, there are some on the table in the entryway. I will publish the schedule for the services soon. Pastor Roberta

4 Finding Treasures in the Looking Glass Ecumenical day of play, prayer and reflection as we journey through Lent at and Peace Lutheran Church 200 S. Boeke Rd. Evansville, Indiana Saturday, March 18, :00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Lunch is provided Join us in this hands on, playful, and soulful experience to explore how we all mirror God and participate in the beautiful gifts given to all God s children. Facilitated by Maryann Joyce, local spiritual director and faith formation leader, and Roberta Meyer, Pastor of and Peace Lutheran and certified spiritual director. A donation of $30.00 is appreciated. This is waved for and Peace members Reservations by March 12, 2017 Contact us for more information and to make a reservation. Maryann Joyce (812) maryannjoyce@sbcglobal.net Roberta Meyer (812) rjhmeyer@gmail.com

5 In the News... ELCA presiding bishop addresses President Trump s refugee executive order 1/30/2017 4:50:00 PM CHICAGO (Jan. 30, 2017) The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued a pastoral message addressing President Trump's executive order to restrict entry by refugees and visitors into the United States from seven predominately Muslim countries. Eaton's message follows. January 30, 2017 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Yesterday, we heard these words in the Gospel reading from Matthew 5:1-12, the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes, Jesus lays out a vision for life in God's realm, characterized by seeing those who are often most disregarded, including the meek, the mourning and the peacemaker, as bearers of God's blessing. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to hear this Gospel, including Jesus' call for his disciples to be carriers of God's light and hope and reconciliation to a world deeply in need of them. In this spirit, earlier last week I communicated with the Trump administration asking that it not stop the U.S. refugee admissions program or stop resettlement from any country for any period of time. The Bible calls us to welcome the stranger and treat the sojourner as we would our own citizens. I agree with the importance of keeping our country secure as the administration stated in its executive order last Friday, but I am convinced that temporarily banning vulnerable refugees will not enhance our safety nor does it reflect our values as Christians. Instead, it will cause immediate harm by separating families, disrupting lives, and denying safety and hope to brothers and sisters who are already suffering. Refugees being resettled in the United States have fled persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political views and/or associations. They wait for years for the chance to go home. But sometimes, there is no home for them to go back to. We know from our partners at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) that only 1 percent of all refugees are chosen for resettlement. People of faith helped start and still sustain the refugee resettlement program in the United States following World War II. As Lutherans, many of our ancestors faced the pain of having to flee their homes and the joy of being welcomed in new communities across the United States. As we have done throughout history, millions of Lutherans across the country honor our shared biblical values as well as the best of our nation's traditions by offering refuge to those most in need. We are committed to continuing ministries of welcome that support and build communities around the country and stand firmly against any policies that result in scaling back the refugee resettlement program. We must offer safety to people fleeing religious persecution regardless of their faith tradition. Christians and other religious minorities suffer persecution and rightly deserve protection, but including additional criteria based on religion could have discriminatory effects that would go against our nation's fundamental values related to freedom of religion. *Continued on Next Page*

6 (continued) I invite ELCA congregations into learning, prayer and action on behalf of those who seek refuge on our shores. The ELCA "Social Message on Immigration," AMMPARO strategy and LIRS resources are good places to start. You can also make a donation to Lutheran Disaster Response. Those who have been part of resettling refugees or have their own immigration experience have important stories to share with their communities and testimony to make. I also encourage you to consider adding your voice by calling your members of Congress to share your support for refugees and using online advocacy opportunities through current alerts at ELCA Advocacy and LIRS. In Matthew 25:35, Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." Our Lord not only commanded us to welcome the stranger, Jesus made it clear that when we welcome the stranger into our homes and our hearts we welcome him. God's peace, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Budget Update From The Treasurer Budget Update January 2017 Pastoral & Personnel Costs $5, Utilities/Insurance All properties $2, Church programs $1, Facility Costs $2, Total Expenses $11, Offering $6, Mission of $ Rent $ Memorial Gifts $1, Total Income $8,310.56

7 This Month at & Peace 11 - Robert & Adena Kerney 1 - Kari Dart 2 George Relyea 5 - Zaima Lawrence 9 - Sinclair Jones 13 -Roberta Meyer 13 -Quentin Jones 14- Tony Moricca 18 - Shane Lawrence 18 - Madeline Stewart 20 - Ashton Stewart, Sr Lorene Adcock 21 - Linda Heidorn 22 - Benjamin Junker 27 - Carol Anderson 28 - Desmond McNary Please contact the church if you or someone in your family is sick, shut-in, hospitalized, or if there is a death in your family. Our Pastor, Roberta Meyer, will be available to come and visit you. Call the church office to set up an appointment (812) Or gracepeacelc1937@gmail.com If you had any major life changes in 2016 or are new to and Peace, please fill out a Vital Information Form and turn it into the church office! We want to make sure we have you on our list as well as our birthday and anniversary list so we can celebrate with you in 2017! Hidden Stories of Lights Concealed so Long A Black History Program Hear the Untold Stories Featuring music by the Sounds of Choir with Gina Moore and Warren Hale On February 26 3:00 pm Central Time and Peace Lutheran Church 200 South Boeke Rd. Evansville, Indiana

8 Scripture Readings Scripture Readings for February As a tool for your prayer and Bible study we will be including the readings for the Sundays of each month February 2017 Readings Sunday Feb 5 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 112: Corinthians 2:1-16 Matthew 5:13-20 Sunday Feb 12 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 Sunday Feb 19 Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119: Corinthians 3:10-11, Matthew 5:38-48 Sunday Feb 26 Transfiguration of Our Lord, the Last Sunday after Epiphany Exodus 24:12-18 Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9

9 ALL ARE WELCOME!! On the 3 rd Tuesday of every month Mission of Our Next Dinner is Tuesday, February 21st 6:00-8:00 p.m. Breakfast Theme The Mission is now accepting Spring/Summer Clothing! The Mission of An outreach ministry of and Peace Lutheran Church, Emanuel Lutheran Church, Christ Lutheran Church, Fresh Air Community of Faith, and Unity Church of Evansville Please drop off any unwanted clothing or household items in the Narthex. Thank you for your support. Friends Of Compassion Friends of Compassion will meet Thursday, March 9th at 10:00 am at the church. Our purpose is to bring together those who have experienced the loss of a loved one recently or at a time in the past.

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11 Meeting Information Meeting of the Evansville ELCA Lutheran Churches Tuesday, February 28, :30 pm At St. Luke s Lutheran Church Food will be provided Leader: Nancy Nyland This meeting is to explore ways we can do ministry projects together. Plan to come meet our friends and partners in ministry in Evansville.

12 February 2017 and Peace Lutheran Church 200 South Boeke Road Evansville, IN Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:30-1 Mission of 10:00 Bible Study 5:30 Women s Bible Study 2 6:30 Fresh Air Com. 7:00 Bible Study 3 4 9:30-1 Mission of 7:30 AA Mtg. 5 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship Communion 6 7:00 Overeaters Anonymous 7 8 9:30-1 Mission of 10:00 Bible Study 5:30 Women s Bible Study 9 10:00 Friends in Compassion Mtg. 6:30 Fresh Air Com. 7:00 Bible Study :30-1 Mission of 7:30 AA Mtg. 12 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship Communion 13 7:00 Overeaters Anonymous :30-1 Mission of 10:00 Bible Study 16 6:30 Fresh Air Com. 7:00 Bible Study :30-1 Mission of 7:30 AA Mtg. 19 YMCA Pancake Days (Sounds of preforming early AM) 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship Communion 11:30 Youth Group 20 7:00 Overeaters Anonymous 21 6:00 MOG Meal Breakfast Theme 22 9:30-1 Mission of 10:00 Bible Study 23 6:30 Fresh Air Com. 7:00 Bible Study :30-1 Mission of 7:30 AA Mtg. 26 9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship Communion 3:00 Hidden Stories Black History Program 27 7:00 Overeaters Anonymous 28 Meeting E ville ELCA Lutheran St. Lukes 6:30 pm Deadline for March 2016 Newsletter: THURSDAY, February 23rd

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14 Church Council Members Pastor Roberta Meyer President Luke Anderson Secretary Mart Weimer Christian Education Congregational Life Larry Johnson Fellowship Linda Heidorn Finance/Stewardship Team Jeff Byrne Property David Meyer Social Outreach - Vicki Oshodi Treasurer Toni Beumer Worship and Music - Vicki Young Our Mission is: To Proclaim God s And Share God s Peace Through Love And Service To All. Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Children s & Youth Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Church Office: (812) Monday - Friday 9:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. Roberta Meyer (812) Website: gracepeacelc1937@gmail.com and Peace Lutheran Church 200 South Boeke Road Evansville, IN ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED