JULY 2010 Inside This Issue Cover Celebrate America! Page 2 A Note from Pastor Don Page 3 Celebrate Life in America & The Miracle Of Melanie Lajoie Prince of Peace Lutheran Church * 209 Eastern Avenue * Augusta, ME 04330 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Letter from Paul Rhoda, Council President Augusta Food Bank Info Council Highlights Prayers for our Military Christmas in JULY Botanical Garden Trip Vacation Bible School We Celebrate with. Page 8 Sonshine News POP Yard Sale Page 9 Stewardship Article Page 10 Servants & Contacts Page 11 Church Calendar Page 12 Office Hours & Staff Prince of Peace Lutheran Church MISSION STATEMENT Recognizing the love of God in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we confess Jesus as our Savior. Further being empowered by the Holy spirit to respond to the love of God, we confess Jesus as our Lord. It is the mission of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church to proclaim Jesus Christ as Savior, and to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we grow following Jesus Christ as our Lord. God bless America, Land that I love, Stand beside her, And guide her, Through the night, With a light, From above.. Make sure to check out our special upcoming celebration on July10th! Celebrate Life in America & The Miracle of Melanie Lajoie SEE PAGE 3 FOR ALL THE DETAILS!!!
A NOTE FROM PASTOR DON Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30 Summer is about to begin and Jesus words give me hope and courage as I begin my duties during Pastor Jon s three month sabbatical. We are indeed fortunate to have Pastor Ron Bagnall and his wife, Joyce, as part of our church family; Pastor Ron will be sharing the pulpit with me this summer and Joyce will see that we have a weekly children s message. This helps lighten my burden and adds variety and quality to our summer worship. We hope to see our regulars as well as our summer visitors (why not bring a friend?) during the next three months. I plan to be in the church office most Monday through Thursday mornings and would love to have you visit. Sometimes real ministry happens during the interruptions; in fact I have often heard Pastor Jon say, the interruptions are the ministry. Come, and let s talk about life, church, the world and relationships. I ll even put the coffee on the stove. In Genesis, chapter 1, we are told God saw everything He had made, and WOW (slight paraphrase here) was it ever good! Perhaps He was looking at Maine in the summertime for this truly is a blessed land. Why not make this a summer of recommitment to God s marvelous creation and come and worship and give thanks at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. We will look for you, Sundays at nine o clock. God s peace to you all, Pastor Don Davenport 2
The Fellowship Committee invites the congregation to Celebrate Life in America and the Miracle of Melanie Lajoie to a fundraising picnic on July 10th, see the above flyer! We are asking you to please sign up if you are attending. AND! We are providing Strawberry Shortcake, Chips, Pretzels, and Goldfish Crackers. AND! We will need willing workers to help at the event. Will you please help us out by signing up for one or more of the items? Thank you. For more info, please call or email Bobbi-Jo Burdin, 582-3070 or bjab58@yahoo.com
A MESSAGE FROM PAUL RHODA Congregational Council President Dear members and friends of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, As of today (Sunday June 21) our financial situation is nearing a crisis. Our overdue bills are currently $12,000 and projecting to be $16,000 by the end of June. Where in past years being short in June was manageable (we had some room to defer budget spending), we are now operating on a bare bones budget and have no good place to defer or stop spending. What is most troubling about these latest shortfalls is we are now impacting local vendors and the community in which we reside. We are unable to pay our bills in a timely manner. Several businesses are calling or writing for their money. Hats off to the financial secretary and treasurer for setting good priorities and managing our cash flow. Also to Patti Gardiner in the church office, who many times is the first recipient of these calls. Analysis indicates that our offerings are down by the same amount we are short ($12,000). At the start of the year we actually were in reasonable shape, able to pay all bills and benevolences. Things started to get behind a little in March, concerning but not overly so as we see fluctuations from time to time but the last several months have seen a dramatic drop in donations. I don t know why. The Congregation Council's obligation is to inform and develop plans to manage the business of the Church and we will continue to do this. However, we do not have adequate funding to support the current mission of this church. Monday night at Council meeting, we authorized the transfer of $5,000 from several savings accounts, to be used to pay the most urgent creditors. Our savings are now mostly depleted, and it is only a stop gap anyway. The real issue is that our current cash flow does not support the barebones costs of running the church. The financial water is rising and starting to lap at our noses. The best answer is pretty straightforward, we need to prayerfully consider how we can give more to support the continued operation of our church and through that its ministries. It s now time we paid more attention to Our House. The first step in this process is to let the congregation know there are problems (this note being part of that process) but there will also be a series of educational opportunities, testimonials and funding programs available over the next months. These are being planned by Stewardship and by Council. Together, as the community of Christ, we will overcome this current difficulty. I pray that each of us turns God s blessings in our lives into blessings for others. God s Peace be with you all, Paul AUGUSTA FOOD BANK NEWS The Augusta Food Bank is always accepting donations, in particular, this month they are looking for some of the following items: canned tuna, canned pasta (Spaghetti o s, Beef Ravioli etc., muffin mixes, and canned fruit. The Augusta Food Bank regularly serves over 330 families per month, including more than 200 kids. That s enough to fill an elementary school! We thank you for your generosity and support. Abigail Perry Tel. 622-5225 Monday - Thursday 12:30 to 2 PM & Monday evenings 5:30 to 7PM 4
Highlights of June 14, 2010 Council Meeting 1) Council had a lengthy discussion about POP s dire financial situation. We are about $13,000 behind on our bills with several businesses threatening to terminate services. Council approved the transfer of $5,000 from several Special Fund accounts ($3,000 from the Building Fund, $1,000 from Pastor s Sabbatical Fund, and $1,000 from the Capital Improvements Fund) to help pay for past-due bills, especially Pastor s Board of Pensions bill and the electric bill. Council began devising a long-term plan for overcoming our financial shortfall. 2) Council made the following Council and committee assignments for 2010-2011: President: Paul Rhoda Vice President: Darryl Praul Secretary: Joanie Rhoda Financial Secretary: Duane Scott Education: Myrna Duplessie Youth: Liz Burgess Property: Brady Joslyn Evangelism: Beverly Savage Sonshine Nursery School: Linda Scott Stewardship: Betty Balderston Worship: Lauret Crommett Fellowship: Bobbi-Jo Burdin Social Awareness: Dee Benn 3) Linda Scott and Bev Savage were elected to the Board of Trustees, joining Paul Rhoda, Darryl Praul, and Joanie Rhoda. 4) Council voted to make the Sonshine Nursery School room peanut-free, starting this September. The room will be used only for SNS, Sunday School, and Sunday Morning Worship Nursery. Only food allowed in the room will be that listed by Donna Bansmer. The room is to be locked when above groups are not using the room. 5) Betty Balderston and Dee Benn were elected to the Nominating Committee, joining Don Sproul, Nancy Grover, and Dave Doreau. 6) Dee Benn volunteered to take over Darryl Praul s responsibility for the Christmas Day Dinner. 7) There will be a fun-filled benefit pot-luck dinner for Melanie Lajoie on July 10 with Thrivent to provide matching funds. DOUG & SUE FOSTER WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THEIR FRIENDS AT PRINCE OF PEACE. Please visit their BLOG site at http://wirfost.blogspot.com/ or email them at wirfost@gmail.com 5
Christmas in July! A "Christmas in July" giving tree is coming to Prince of Peace! Throughout the month of July, a giving tree with opportunities to adopt a variety of POP's monthly expenses will be available. Simply choose an envelope, write a check for the specified amount, include your check in the envelope and leave it in the gift box. Why wait for December to share what God has blessed you with? Generosity encouraged But just as you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7 MILITARY PERSONS SERVING OUR COUNTRY that are connected to Prince of Peace members. Sandy Bernard & John Merrill s Family - Nephew & Brother, Kristopher Merrill Brother of Bobbi-Jo Burdin - CMSgt. Jeff Ames USAP Co-Worker of Bill Burgess - Michael Stultz Ed & Shirley Churchill s Family - Son, Edwin Churchill II. LouAnne Story s Family - Son, Brady Joslyn. Bob & Kelly Landry s Family - Grandsons: Patrick Landry, and Scott & Michael Wirth Bill & Jane Peterson s Family - Granddaughter - Alicia & Joseph Pruitt & Jayne Peterson Paul & Joanie Rhoda s Family - Nephews, David & Joseph Quimby. Paul & Kathi Ruopp s Family - Son, Paul III & Daughter, Shannon Ruopp Alice VanDerwerken & David Sprague s Family - Alice s brothers: Roger & Mark. Michael & Phyllis Tessman s Family - Grandson, Rodney Fontaine. Catherine (Couture) & Robert Whittemore s Family - Son, Steven. Karl & Flo Wilkins Family - Sons, Sean & Seth Wilkins Please keep these families in your prayers and the other names of those serving our country: Bill Pieyton, Chris Soucy, Geoff Adams, Heidi, Jeff Mason, Josh Kurtzman, Scott Ludwig, Zach Benson. PRAYER FOR OUR SOLDIERS, SAILORS, and AIRMEN - Lord, hold our troops in Your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, Amen. 6
4. Dianne B. Krause 5. Myrna Duplessie Leah Peachy 9. Gary Dawbin Gary Otterson 12. Laurie Curtis 14. Dan Grover 15. Phyllis Tessman 16. Jackie Millett 17. Shannon Ruopp Ken Tjelmeland Jim Waterman 20. Rebecca Brooke Beverly Friend 21. Seth Wilkins Jordan Genest 24. Justin Hasch Lelia Belanger 26. Jordan Waterman 27. Irene Hill 14. Ron & Donna Bansmer 16. Phyllis & Michael Tessman 22. Lee & Teri Blake 26. David & Lisa Hasch Sears 28. John & Ashley Denis 30. Forrest Bumford BOTANICAL GARDENS TRIP In Boothbay on July 13th ALL ARE WELCOME! Contact Millie Mauthie @692-8302 The group will meet at Prince of Peace at 9:00 AM. Admission fee is $8 for seniors or $10 regular admission. We will be having lunch at the Garden Café. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL HIGH SEAS EXPEDITION Come explore the mighty love of God! Where: RiverRock Christian Fellowship Please call Myrna Duplessie at 923-3128 or Patti at Prince of Peace When: July 12th to the 16th Church Office to register. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Time: 9 am - 12:00 noon Ages 3 to 10 years old. Everyone welcome!!! Come join in the fun!!! 7
SONSHINE NURSERY SCHOOL NEWS Another year has gone by much too fast. We are sending four children to kindergarten, three to public prek, welcoming back eight, three maybes and seven first timers. Wow! Our Monday-Wednesday-Friday session is full and we are hoping for a couple more in the Tuesday-Thursday session. We are blessed to be able to offer this school to our community. Thank you to all of you for your support. We couldn't do it without you. Thank you to Miss Patti for all you do. From bookkeeping to friend, you are a big part of us. The children love to come to your office to get mail or to just say "Hi". Thank you Doug and Tim. You're always there to fix things, help get the fire system straightened out or keep our walkway shoveled and lawn mowed. Welcome aboard Brady!! Thank you Karl and Flo for your continued service of keeping our room swept and toilets cleaned. I greatly appreciate that! Thank you Mrs.G for coming to each class once a week to sing with us and help share the good news. The children love to play your guitar and share their songs - nonsensical and sometimes very looong! Aren't they great? Thank you Rebecca (or Miss Becca as some know her ) for your willingness to serve in this way. I can't think of anything better, can you? I appreciate your support and the sharing of ideas to fulfill our goal of offering a quality Christian preschool to the Augusta area. Sonshine has been a huge and wonderful part of my life. I love sharing the Bible and teaching Christian values to the children. They all come from different backgrounds and different religious upbringings, and for a child to hear a Bible story for the very first time is amazing. I will always remember a little girl who was appalled that I said a bad word. When she learned that Jesus was a person she exclaimed loudly, "He's a man?!" Donna Bansmer, Director CHURCH YARD SALE COMING SOON Believe it or not, it's nearly time for our Annual Lawn Sale! On Saturday, August 7, 9:00-Noon, our church will be filled with treasures just waiting for new homes. Your unwanted "stuff" is needed to make this important fundraising event a success. Quality household items, furniture, sporting goods, tools, small appliances, books, etc. will be accepted from Sunday, August 1 through noon on Friday, August 6 (no text books, clothes or opened paints/ chemicals of any kind, please!). The Triple Room (the 3 rooms between the Mens Room and Pastor's Office) will be set up with designated receiving areas during that week, so look for the appropriate signs when sorting your donations. Proceeds from the Lawn Sale are designat ed for the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen and the Augusta Food Bank, with Thrivent matching funds available. New this year: An opportunity to contribute non-perishable goods for the Chelsea Food Bank at the sale! For more information on donating or working at the Lawn Sale, contact Betty Balderston at 377-4293. 8
A MESSAGE FROM BETTY BALDERSTON Stewardship Committee As Prince of Peace struggles once again with financial issues, the following excerpt from "Stewards of God's Mysteries: Stewarding as a Model for Congregational Ministry" an article by Rolf Jacobson, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn, may be helpful in understanding the role Christians have as Stewards of all God has created. In his article, Rolf shares the basis for good stewardship. As you read this short excerpt, please consider your role as a Steward at Prince of Peace and how you might help with our current budget shortfall. "In 1 Corinthians, when St. Paul was rummaging through the vocabulary of the faith, searching for a metaphor that would aptly describe Christian ministry, he landed on the concept of stewardship: "Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries"(4:1). In the ancient world, the word steward described a person -- normally a slave -- who was placed in a position of responsibility over the property, possessions or household of another person, to whom the household actually belonged. The concept thus offers promise as a model for Christian congregational identity and mission. According to St. Paul, a congregation -- its building and grounds, its finances and assets, its people and programs, its mission and ministry -- do not belong to us. Rather, each Christian congregation belongs to God. God is the owner. We are merely the stewards; we are the servants or slaves who have responsibility for the Master's household, for the Master's mission, for the Master's ministry. Again, to emphasize the point, a steward is a servant or a slave who has been placed in a position of (temporary) responsibility over the household of another. Paul's point, in part, was that the ministry of the church belongs neither to the members of a specific Christian community (in Paul's case, not to the squabbling factions in the community at Corinth). Nor does the church's ministry belong to competing members or factions of the clergy (in Paul's case, not to Apollo's, Cephas or Paul). As Roy Harrisville puts it, "There is no confusion of the roles of appointee and appointer, no contradiction" with what Paul had written earlier in his letter: "What is Apollo's? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe"(3:5). "The adjunct has a superior; the steward has a master -- servants of Christ."" As a "Servant of Christ", how is God calling you to respond to the needs of God's household known as Prince of Peace Lutheran Church? The time, talents and money that God has blessed you with are needed to continue the mission of God's church. Please prayerfully consider your response to upcoming stewardship opportunities to support God's household. To discuss stewardship issues, please contact Betty Balderston, Stewardship Chairperson, at 377-4293 or at bettyb969@fairpoint.net 9
DEACON: 4 - Joan Morgan Servants for Sunday Worship Services in JULY USHERS: 4 -..11, 18 - Roland & Tom ALTAR CARE: 4,11, 18 Cindy Gyorgy & Nancy Allen ACOLYTES: 4 - Roland Pease, 11 - Peter Matthies, Jr., 18 - Keith Priest, 25th - Roland Pease GREETERS: 4 -.. 11 = Joanie & Paul Rhoda, 18 - Jutta & Willie Hartung, 25 - Bud Walters NURSERY: 4 - Cindy Gyorgy, 11 - Diane Richard, 18 - Erika Praul CHURCH COUNCIL OFFICERS President Paul Rhoda 845-2437 rhodas@fairpoint.net V-President Darryl Praul 968-2023 edpraul@fairpoint.net Secretary Joanie Rhoda 845-2437 rhodas@fairpoint.net Education Myrna Duplessie 923-3128 myrnaleemac@gmail.com Evangelism Beverly Savage 446-1238 bevjeansavage@aol.com Stewardship NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS JULY 15TH. If possible, please send by the church s email: office@princeofpeacemaine.org Betty Balderston bettyb969@fairpoint.net Fellowship Bobbi-Jo Burdin 582-3070 bjab58@yahoo.com Worship Lauret Crommett 622-7437 lauret.crommett@maine.gov Finance Duane Scott 622-2092 DScott760@roadrunner.com Social Dee Benn 549-7186 Awareness opal7@roadrunner.com Property Brady Joslyn 549-7377 Youth Liz Burgess 22-3570 weburgess@gmail.com SNS Board Linda Scott 623-2092 lmsteach@roadrunner.com Trustees: Darryl Praul, Joanie Rhoda, Paul Rhoda, Bev Savage & Linda Scott NEED A PASTOR? Adjunct Pastor Don Davenport can be reached at #215-6838. You may also call the church office at 623-9486. REACHING OUT MINISTRIES of PRINCE OF PEACE Please read your weekly bulletin for current information on the different ministries or get in touch with the contact person listed. Head Deacon - Duane Scott (623-2092) Women s Prayer Breakfast-Nancy Merrill (737-8105) Prayer Shawl - Liz Burgess (622-3570) At Your Side Committee - Liz Burgess (622-3570) Helping Fund - POP Office (623-9486) POP Quilter s Group - Millie Mauthe (547-3752) Sonshine Nursery School - Donna Bansmer (623-4845) Women of the Church - Joan Morgan (622-1761) Dorcas Circle - Jutta Hartung (623-2040) We Celebrate with...church Office (623-9486) Sunday Nursery - Cindy Gyorgy (685-4988) Bread of Life Ministries - Office-Karen (626-3434) *Soup Kitchen on Water St. (621-2541) *Shelter on Hospital St. (626-3479) Food Bank at St. Mark s, Augusta (622-5225 *POP s Contact - Bud Walters (685-3676) Nominating Committee: Betty Balderston, Dee Benn, Dave Doreau, Nancy Grover & Don Sproul. 10
JULY 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 7:00 PM AA (CCR) 4 9:00 AM Worship Baptism Coffee Hour (Dorcas Circle) 5 2:00-5:30 PM Support Groups (TR) 6 7 6:30 AM Women s Prayer Breakfast 8 7:00 PM AA (CCR) 9 10 CELEBRATE AMERICA All Family Celebration And The Miracle Of Melanie Lajoie 3:30 7:30 PM 11 9:00 AM Worship 12 2:00-5:30 PM Support Groups (TR) 13 9:00 AM Dorcas Circle @ Millie s House & Boothbay Botanical Garden 6-9PM GS (TR) 6:00-8:30 PM Small Group (CCR & L) 14 6:30 AM Women s Prayer Breakfast 15 5:00-8:30 PM AA Outdoor Meeting & BBQ (Back Lawn) 16 17 18 9:00 AM Worship 1:00-5:00 PM Burgess Private Party (CCR) 19 2:00-5:30 PM Support Groups (TR) 20 21 6:30 AM Women s Prayer Breakfast 9:00 AM - 12:00 Maine Asso. Of Community Service Providers (CCR) 22 7:00 PM AA (CCR) 23 24 9:30 AM 2:30PM AA Workshop (CCR) 25 9:00AM Worship Baptism Annual Seadogs Game & Supper 26 2:00-5:30 PM Support Groups (TR) 27 9:00 AM POP Quilters 6:00-8:30 PM Small Group (CCR & L) 28 6:30 Am Women s Prayer Breakfast 5:30 PM Worship *Newsletter Mailing 29 7:00 PM AA (CCR) 30 31
JULY 2010 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri PRINCE OF PEACE CHURCH STAFF During the Summer please use the following contacts: Adjunct Pastor Don Davenport Cell 215-6838 Patti Gardiner - Parish Secretary Office Telephone 623-9486 Email: office@princeofpeacemaine.org Web Page: www.princeofpeacemaine.org SONSHINE NURSERY SCHOOL September through May Director, Donna Bansmer 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (Monday thru Friday) 2½ to 4 year olds attend Tues. & Thurs. mornings Four/Five year olds attend Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings To register, call the Church office - (207) 623-9486 WORSHIP SERVICES 9:00 AM Communion Service No Sunday School during the Summer. Everyone Welcome. The Prince of Peace Peace Chimes is published once a month to distribute news and keep members & friends informed of our many ministries & activities. DEADLINE for articles is usually the 15th of every month. MAILING DAY has now moved to the last Wednesday of the month with some exceptions.