F r o m P a s t o r K a r e n

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1 W h e r e t h e W o r d o f G o d i s p r e a c h e d a n d p e o p l e c o m e t o k n o w t h e L o r d DECEMBER 2015 Special Points of Interest: Pastor Karen s Article Visitation List Advent I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e : New ELW s 2 Upcoming Dates Ministry Stewards Committee News Shut in List 6 Birthdays and Anniversaries 7 Calendar 8 T H E T I D I N G S O F P E A C E P e a c e L u t h e r a n C h u r c h A s h l a n d, O h i o F r o m P a s t o r K a r e n VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God; you have spoken also of your servant s house for a great while to come. May this be instruction for the people, O Lord God! And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have wrought all this greatness, so that your servant may know it. Therefore you are great, O Lord God; for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Who is like your people, like Israel? Is there another nation on earth whose God went to redeem it as a people, and to make a name for himself, doing great and awesome things for them, by driving out before his people nations and their gods? And you established your people Israel for yourself to be your people forever; and you, O Lord, became their God. And now, O Lord God, as for the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, confirm it forever; do as you have promised. Thus your name will be magnified forever in the saying, The Lord of hosts is God over Israel ; and the house of your servant David will be established before you. For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, I will build you a house ; therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant; now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you; for you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever. -2 Samuel 7:18-29 This passage from 2 Samuel is a prayer of great thanksgiving, which David offers to God. In it, David asks that God s promise to reside in him and in the lives of his people. David realizes and has truly come to know that all the positive things in his life are gifts from God. They are not his own doing. Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and made them know to your servant (7:21). This promise given by God would also extend beyond David s own lifetime. It is a promise for the benefit of all Israel, one to be fulfilled in the person of Jesus the Christ.

2 Page 2 This same promise remains among us as we wait, hope, and prepare for Christ s coming, both as the baby in the manger and as triumphant Lord of all. So as we Advent, we too offer thanks to God for all that God has, is, and will accomplish in the world. We offer thanks for the promise that live in us as we seek to live out our call to be the hands of God in this world. We give thanks for the opportunity to share God s grace and love with others, the grace and love that we have so freely received in Jesus our Messiah. Blessings to you this Advent/Christmas season. Thank you for your continued ministry in Christ, our Savior and our Lord. And may the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guide your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. In Christ, Pastor Karen N E W E L W H Y M N A L S M i d - We e k A d v e n t S e r v i c e s We have purchased Evangelical Lutheran Worship books (ELW, also lovingly referred to as the cranberry hymnal) for our church. The new hymnals give us access to new liturgies and hymns as well as containing the hymns in both the LBW (green book) and With One Voice (blue book). The hymnals were purchased out of our Memorial Fund, which is a fund that is outside of budgetary items that we can use to make additions to our worship life. There is also the opportunity to sponsor and dedicate the ELW s. If you would like to sponsor and dedicate one of the new hymnals, the cost is $25. There are papers available at the church for you to write out your dedication, which will be placed inside the hymnal. Money and dedications can be returned to Pastor Karen or the church office. This will go on throughout the month of before we begin use of the hymnals in January. If you have any other questions, please see Pastor Karen. This year at Peace we will be celebrating the season of Advent with mid-week Advent services. The service will be similar to our mid-week Lenten services, and we will be using Holden s Evening Prayer. It is a brief, beautiful setting of Evening Prayer that lifts up Advent themes. Service is approximately a half hour. Please join us for worship on Wednesdays in Advent, 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd at 7pm as we anticipate the coming birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

3 FAIR TRADE SALE Page 3 The youth in the Jr High and Sr High Sunday school have been learning about Lutheran World Relief. As a result they have started selling fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate to raise money to give a gift to LWR. These items can be purchased in the narthex before or after Sunday services through, or until items have been sold out. Bags of coffee will be $10 each, tea is $4.50 a box and chocolate is $3.75 each, or 3 bars for $10. Checks can be made to Peace Lutheran Church. Feel good about gift giving this year by purchasing products that will benefit hard working farmers and communities in rural South American, African, and Asia. You re invited to join us for the Christmas Home Tour on Sunday, 13, We will meet at the church at 4:00 and then carpool to the homes of Dan & Amy Long, Joe & Bekah Sparr and Freda Cook. Come and enjoy good food, fellowship and fun! There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex if you would like to attend. UPCOMING DATES 2nd Mid Advent Service, 7pm 9th Mid Advent Service, 7pm 16th Mid Advent Service, 7pm 20th A Cantata 23rd Mid Advent Service, 7pm 24th Christmas Eve Service, Pre-service music is at 7:00pm Worship is at 7:30pm

4 Page 4 D E C E M B E R & J A N U A R Y M I N I S T R Y S T E WA R D S USHERS Robert Forbes, Skip Hamler, Dave Kowalka, Eric Akers January list not complete yet. LECTORS 12/06 Mason Myers 12/13 Elizabeth Warren 12/20 Shelbe Oberholtzer 12/24 Parker & Paige Swanson 12/27 Will Long ACOLYTES 12/06 Mason Myers 12/13 Elizabeth Warren 12/20 Shelbe Oberholtzer 12/24 Parker & Paige Swanson 12/27 Will Long ALTAR CARE COMMUNION PREPARER Kathy Wharton & Lucille Vaas January Freda Cook & Barb Dreher COMMUNION ASSISTANT Ken Rinehart & Jim Anderson January list not complete yet. 01/03 Larry Oberholtzer 01/10 Wendy Wasnich 01/17 Chris Swanson 01/24 Lisa Blackley 01/31 Ron Pagano GREETERS 12/06 Nevanka Fulk & Betty Harper 12/13 Skip & Jill Hamler 12/20 Jim & Natalie Anderson 12/24 Larry & Ed Oberholtzer 12/27 Tom & Sheryl Budd January list not complete yet. 01/03 Paige Swanson 01/10 Parker Swanson 01/17 Ty Bolen 01/24 Will Long 01/31 Mason Myers WORSHIP TAPE DELIVERER Lucille Vaas January Sharon Johnson CHANCEL FLOWERS 12/07 Cathy King 12/14 Emily Anderson 12/21 Tom & Sheryl Budd 12/24 Bob Bolen 12/28 Chancel Flower Chart for 2016 will be up soon! FLOWER ARRANGER Diana Kowalka January Jill Hamler FLOWER DELIVERER Lucille Vaas January Barb Dreher

5 Page 5 W O R S H I P C O M M I T T E E Worship Committee Meets on the 2nd Sunday of every month following Worship PEACE MAKERS Meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month 9am. Anyone who is interested in wood working please contact: Dick Armstrong or Pastor John Wanamaker M E N S M I N I S T R Y MEN S BREAKFAST 1st Saturday of every month! Men of ALL ages are invited to the monthly fellowship breakfast. 7am at Buehler s Come and enjoy good food, good conversation, and share the Good News for our lives. We are on our way for our busy lives by 8:00am FAITH CIRCLE W O M E N S C I R C L E S DORCAS CIRCLE Faith Circle meets the 3rd Thursday of each month in The Meeting Room at 2:00 p.m. except for January & February. Our next meeting will be Dec. 17th with Phyllis Barr as study leader. Her topic will be, "Imagining, An Advent Lesson", which is perfect for this time of year. Please join us for study and fellowship. All are welcome to join us for study and fellowship. Dorcas Circle meets the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month in the Fellowship Room at 1:00 p.m. Due to the Christmas holiday we will only meet on Dec. 9th. All are welcome to join us as we continue to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief's distribution around the world.

6 Page 6 We give thanks for our Christian community as we gather together for worship each week. There are faithful people in our congregation, however, whose health no longer allows them to join us on Sunday mornings. We think of our shut-ins and keep them in our prayers, but as we continue reflecting how we, at Peace, are gathered in grace and sent in service, I would like us to remember those who are not able to gather with us. Hanni Talpas Kingston of Ashland 20 Amberwood Pkwy Miriam Cunningham & Bonnie Wuthrich 417 Katherine Ave. Marjorie Feth 1449 Baney Rd. Eileen Johnson Lutheran Village 330 David Rd. Apt. #145 Joanne Offhaus 50 Lodgewood Drive Nova Skidmore Belmont Towers, At #280 Betty Smith Brethren Care, Brookwood Room# Center Street Ashland, Oh Mona Kratzer 5241 Sunnybrook Rd C-14 Kent, Ohio Bob Winters 1970 Woodmount Rd. Mansfield, Ohio Nick Pagano Hatti Larlham Foundation 9772 Diagonal Rd. Mantua, Ohio Ruth Anslem C/O Brenda Marker 1515 Edgewood Drive

7 Flu News from your Health Cabinet As we head into flu season Reminder to get your Flu Shot, wash your hands often, and wear a mask especially if you are in a medical facility Page 7 What symptoms should you expect if you have the flu? Sore throat Body aches Fever Headache Chills Fatigue Cough Possible diarrhea and vomiting The difference between the flu and the common cold - Once flu symptoms begin, you will feel very sick quickly with the common cold symptoms tend to come on gradually. Generally, the flu lasts 7 to 9 days. You are contagious during this time and should avoid contact with others. **There are some new care notes in the tack on the table in the Narthex. Please take a look. Thanks! 12/13- Art & Rosemary Littleton 12/14-James & Natalie Anderson 12/20-Tom & Sheryl Budd 12/27-Cindi & Ron Twining DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 12/31-Chris & Linda Swanson -Al & Marjorie Poorman ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS: Dec 13 Art & Rosemary Littleton 57th 2450 St. Rt. 96 E Ashland Birthday Highlight: 12/04-Ed Oberholtzer Hanni Talpas 12/05-John Cook 12/07-Carter Riley 12/10-Amberlyn Maar 12/12-Connie Armstrong Tyson Shafer DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 12/15-Frank Strickling Marcy Myers 12/17-Brenda Marker 12/18-Faith Huffman Amy Crist 12/21-Rusty Cook 12/22-Judy Strickling Birthday Highlight: Dec. 4 Hanni Talpas 92 years! Kingston of Ashland 20 Amberwood Pkwy Ashland

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 Advent 2 9am Youth Choir 9am S.S Classes 10-Worship/Comm. 11:30am Confirmation 13 Advent 3 9am Youth Choir 9am S.S Classes 10-Worship 4pm-Christmas Home Tour 20 Advent 4 Cantata 9am S.S Classes 10-Worship/Comm. YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY 27 Lessons & Carols 10am Worship pm Mid Advent Service Choir Practice pm Dorcas Circle pm Mid Advent Service Choir Practice after service 7pm Mid Advent Service Choir Practice after service 7pm Mid Advent Service Choir Practice after service 3 11am Bible Study 10 11am Bible Study 17 11am Bible Study 2pm Faith Circle 24 Christmas Eve 7pm Prelude 7:30 Christmas Eve Service NEW YEAR S EVE 4 Pastor Karen s Day Off 11 Pastor Karen s Day Off 18 Pastor Karen s Day Off am Men s Buehler s FLUMER/MAAR WEDDING 12 Life Screen 19 9am Peace Makers (woodworkers)

9 F O O D B A N K Our needs for this are: Complete Pancake Mix and Syrup Cereals, boxed or oatmeal Tuna White and Brown Instant Rice Page 9 Jelly-Grape or Strawberry Juices-any! Sugar and Vegetable Oil Canned Fruit C O N G R E G AT I O N M E E T I N G Our annual congregation meeting will be held 6th, following service. Please attend on attending to vote on council members and the 2016 annual budget. A D V E N T C A L E N D A R S There are Advent calendars available on the table in the Narthex for our families with small children. Please take one G I V I N G E N V E L O P E S Giving envelopes for 2016 will be available soon. Please look for them later this month on the table in the Narthex. If you need someone to bring them to you, please call the church office and let Tabatha know. FINAL DATE FOR 2015 GIVING IS DECEMBER 28, I N O U R P R AY E R S Miriam Cunningham, Eileen Johnson, Mona Kratzer, Eric Swanson, Rev. Grotjohn, Linda Pittinger, William Morrison, Pat Daniels, Bev Stiner, Barb Dreher, Nick Pagano. The family and friends of Jeff South (Nancy Boyd s brother) as they mourn his passing. Staff of Peace Lutheran Church, the Congregational Council and the members of the standing committees. Those serving in the Military, those who have been injured, those who have died, and their family and friends. S t a ff P h o n e N u m b e r s Pastor Karen Liddy (Cell) Jim Anderson, Council President Ron Blackley, Director of Music Cell Tabatha Wagner, Office Manager (church phone) Skip Hamler, Custodian Cell Larry Oberholtzer, Property/Grounds

10 Peace Lutheran Church 1360 Smith Road Office Website: Where the Word of God is preached and people come to know the Lord