P A S T O R H I L L A L A H T I N E N A N D P A S T O R R O N N I E S M I T H P A R I S H N U R S E : H E D D I G R E G O R 1 0 : 3 0 A M W O R S H I P S E R V I C E & C O M M U N I O N S U N D A Y S C H O O L D U R I N G C O F F E E H O U R April 2019 E: peacepickering@bellnet.ca Facebook: (Pickering, ON) 928 Liverpool Road, Pickering, ON L1W 1S6 Tel: (905) 839-3521 Pastor s Thoughts Inside this issue: Stations of the Resurrection 2 Travelling/Progressive Dinner 2 Lent and Holy Week 3 Olive Branch Update 4-5 Gratitude Corner 6 Qualities of Christ Poem 6 Youth Group Calendar 7 Food Garden Project proposal 8 PLC Youth - Reboot 9 PLC Spring Clean-Up Day 10 Church Building Needs Help 11 Joke Corner 11 Coffee Hour Schedule 12 Next Month 12 MISSION STATEMENT: Celebrating and Sharing God s Love for All VISION STATEMENT: is a welcoming, worshipping and witnessing community in Jesus Christ through whom healing, wellness, love and peace are offered unconditionally to all. Greetings People of Peace, I hope and wish that you ve been having a blessed Lent so far. Our wilderness journey to this point has taken many interesting twists and turns, bringing us in to contact with many interesting stories and people. We began with Shrove Tuesday (Thanks Zorn Family!) and Ash Wednesday; we ve experienced prayer stations; we ve journeyed in faith with Christ the King for our Lenten soup and suppers each Wednesday; we ve had many activities associated with a visit from Deborah McCracken and her family to update us on the Olive Branch for Children; we ve had Rev. Dr. Allen Jorgenson as a guest preacher with updates from Martin Lutheran University College. Pastor Hilla, as the new Director of Worship Ministries, has recently led a delegation from Peace to Niagara Falls for the lay retreat with the Bishop. That s a lot to experience in just a few short weeks! We ve accomplished so much together and yet we still have so far to go. Before we know it, Holy Week will be upon us. Half way through our adventure in divine mystery we look with anticipation toward the coming Holy Week. But don t look too far ahead and overlook the precious gifts of this day, and every day in between. It is never wise to wish time away. In Matthew 6:34 Jesus tells us; so do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today s trouble is enough for today. Let us be grateful for this precious Lenten time we share. Amen Pastor Ronnie
Page 2 Welcome to! As a community in Christ, we gather together in service and fellowship to discern the call of our Christian faith. Strengthened by Word and Sacrament, we are always seeking creative ways to enrich our community, both locally and globally. Our congregation is defined largely by its warm and friendly people, a vibrant intergenerational mix of young families, youth and adults. Come as you are! We invite you to be part of our community. We hope that you will find your time here nourishing and energizing. We look forward to learning from you as well. We listen! We care! Our worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. After the service, you are invited to join in fellowship and refreshments. During our Coffee Hour, we offer an engaging Sunday School program. May the love of God and the Peace of Christ find you here! May the fire of the Holy Spirit burn in your heart always! Office Hours The pastors office hours are as follows: Monday - Thursday 11am-3pm During these hours, anyone is welcome to drop-by for a conversation. If possible, please call ahead of time to make an appointment as we may be out visiting people or in meetings. STATIONS OF THE RESURRECTION PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR! PLW is inviting everyone to join us on: SUNDAY, MAY 5TH, 2019 (after service and refreshments) For a devotional walk, scripture and prayers from one station to another (inside and outside the church - weather depending) FOLLOW IN JESUS FOOTSTEPS FROM HIS RESURRECTION TO HIS ASCENTION (LIGHT LUNCH TO FOLLOW) Sign Up Sheet will be posted in the Narthex in April! Congregational Life - Reminder TRAVELLING/PROGRESSIVE DINNER - Just a reminder for those who have signed up! On Saturday, April 6th, we will start our travelling dinner - meeting at the church for appetizers at 5 pm. At 6 pm, you will be travelling to a Host house for either soup or salad (their choice). After an hour, you will travel to another "Host House" for the entree course. Then, after another hour, you will all be meeting back at the Church for dessert. We are looking forward to an evening of fun, interesting conversation, lots of laughs and fellowship. If you have any questions please call Gloria: (905) 839-4024. P.S. There is about a 15minute travel time between courses. The "Hosts" will know when to send you on your way.
Page 3 LENT & HOLY WEEK - ALL ARE WELCOME! Lenten observations continue for two more weeks in April. Christ the King, Whitby is hosting on April 3rd and PLC is hosting on April 10th. Please join us for soup and bread supper at 6:00 pm, followed by the Lenten service at 7:00 pm. There is a sign up sheet located in the Narthex. PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION and WORSHIP SERVICE - On Sunday, April 14th at 10:30 a.m. MAUNDY THURSDAY, on Thursday, April 18th SEDER MEAL at 6:00 p.m., and WORSHIP SERVICE at 8:00 p.m. GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP SERVICE - On Friday, April 19th at 10:30 a.m. CONGREGATIONAL LIFE POT LUCK EASTER BREAKFAST on Easter Sunday, April 21st Again, this year, on Easter Sunday at 9 a.m., we will be hosting a pot-luck breakfast in the Fellowship hall downstairs. There is a sign-up sheet located on the board in the Narthex. Please join us! EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE - On Sunday, April 21st at 10:30 a.m.
Olive Branch Update Page 4 We wish to thank everyone who volunteered their time, made/or donated items, baked/cooked/prepared food, helped to set up/clean up, all who pitched in, contributed and more! We especially thank Shirley for the beautiful quilts she made and donated, as well as the Sievers family for hosting Sunday Sundaes and helping us enormously with set up and clean up together with the confirmands at the Olive Branch Luncheon, and to Gloria Zorn for donating the proceeds of the Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper to our daughters! On March 24 th, we welcomed Deborah and family! Deborah spoke to us about the many academic goals achieved by Mlombwa and Winnie specifically, she talked about the many community outreach programs, schooling, medical and financial assistance offered to thousands, and that the Peace Home will be finished in June this year! After many years of struggle, hardships and more, the children and surrounding communities are thriving and Flying on the Wings of Their Love. After service, there were about 60 PLC members and friends who enjoyed the wonderful lunch (lasagna, bread, salads and dessert)! During the luncheon, people could peruse and bid on the many items on display for the Silent Auction and purchase those items on the sales table - including several items that Deborah generously donated, which she brought with her from Tanzania! There is one more chance to purchase items from the sales table on April 7th! If there are any items left over that you have contributed, can you please either take them home with you or bring them to another worthy cause. Thank you. Our goal, as in the past few years, is to raise $4,000 for Mlombwa and Laudia. There is no matching grant anymore from Faith Life Financial. We are over halfway there in achieving this goal. If you are making a monetary donation (cheque or cash), please clearly mark your Offering envelopes with Olive Branch and the amount designated, then you will be given a tax receipt for your contribution. Thank you again for your generous ongoing support and contribution for our daughters! Rosie Lantzsch, Acting Chair of the Olive Branch Committee Sundae Sunday servers great job!
Page 5 Olive Branch Luncheon Highlights
Page 6 Gratitude Corner Every month, we will celebrate the work different people do here at Peace! TAPIO HAAPALEHTO The people of Peace sincerely thank Tapio for all his hard work in motivating us as well as in maintaining our church building. Let us all learn from his example to care for our church home! Tapio is also on council and is involved in many aspects of our church community. We are very grateful that Tapio continues to live out his faith at Peace. QUALITIES OF CHRIST POEM SHINE - You great mighty light WARM - With such beauty bright HEAL - My soul in despair LOVE - So pure beyond compare PROVIDE - For those in need of your Grace GUIDE US - Through life s challenges we face COMFORT - Those who grieve BLESS - Those who believe TEACH - Us to be more like you HELP US - Share your Good News DELIVER US - From harm s way TRUTH AND JUSTICE - Guides us each day REDEEMER - Of our sins and death s wrath SAVIOUR - The cross was your path EMPOWER - Us to do your Will we pray CHRIST - IS IN OUR HEARTS ALWAYS! Written by: Rosie Lantzsch
- Youth Group What s On Next Fridays 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. here in the Hern Room unless otherwise noted Page 7 March 29 th April 5 th April 12 th Saturday, April 13 th April 19 th April 26 th May 3 rd May 10 th May 17 th May 24 th May 31 st June 7 th June 14 th Curriculum and Games Night Curriculum and Games Night Movie Night Reboot - tickets required. See Helen Good Friday Games Night Curriculum and Games Night Curriculum and Games Night Movie Night Laser Tag Whitby Curriculum and Games Night Curriculum and Games Night Escape Room or Archery Tag Games and Treats Helen: (416) 807-5367
Food Garden Project proposal Page 8 We are considering starting a Food Garden here at Peace. This Spring we hope to start with one or two small plots and then begin expanding in the Fall if there is sufficient interest. Our vision is to provide fresh vegetables for our Community Lunches and donate to local shelters or food banks so that their clients will have access to fresh produce. This is a great opportunity for our avid gardeners to share their knowledge with others, foster community and promote healthy food choices. As we expand, we hope to include features that will allow everyone to participate, especially those whose homes do not include gardening space. Some enhancements (raised beds and pathways to facilitate walkers and wheelchairs) require more work and resources than we can manage this Spring. However, we could include a children s garden so they can dig, plant, water and harvest. As the garden grows, we anticipate welcoming community members to join us. There are plenty of opportunities for experienced and amateur gardeners to participate, plus anyone with skills in signage (for the garden and individual crops), construction (raised beds Fall project), logistics (rain barrel for water, drip lines). Time commitments will be split between Spring (establishing the beds and planting), Summer (watering and weeding), mid-summer/fall (harvesting) and Fall (preparing for next Spring). There are many possibilities and we ll develop the project based on the skills and time available. We will have a meeting after worship on Sunday, April 14 th to see who is interested and to draft a project plan. The meeting will not exceed an hour. To that end, if you have ideas for the agenda or garden please let Helen know by Friday, April 12 th. Also, if you are interested in participating but cannot join us on April 14 th, please let us know so we can include you in the planning. Looking forward to playing in the dirt with you, Helen Ehlers and Karen Bunbury In anticipation of our meeting we will be attending the Durham Integrated Growers (DIG) Community Garden workshop on March 30 th to learn from the experience of others. Another networking / learning opportunity is being offered by City of Pickering Great Events on April 17 th. They are hosting an evening Vegetable Gardening workshop. The event is free but registration is required. Details are on the City of Pickering Great Events Facebook and webpages.
Page 9 Ajax Pickering Youth Network is attending (REBOOT) #noquestionofflimits at Forest Brook Community Church, 60 Kearney Drive, Ajax, on Saturday, April 13 th from 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. and hope Peace Youth and their parents (optional!) will join us! (REBOOT) is an interactive day for youth ages 12-18 to ask their big questions about God. (REBOOT) meets in major cities across the globe to provide a place for young people, with or without any faith or church background, to raise their objections and investigate different perspectives on life. Our team of world-class apologists want you to have confidence in what you believe, and the chance to be honest about your doubts. (REBOOT) will have a bunch of TED-talk style speakers on hot topics (Are all religions the same? If God is good, why is there suffering? Why does God care about my sex life? Why trust the Bible? Does science disprove faith in God? And more!) followed by youth Q&A sessions (parents and YLs will have separate Q&A sessions) and a performance by Da T.R.U.T.H. Speakers include Logan Gates, Nathan Betts, Alycia Wood and Brett Ullman. Discover Answers Encounter God Meet New Friends Tickets are available on Eventbrite. However, Youth Group will pay half the cost for any Peace youth who pre-order their ticket through Helen. Youth tickets are $30 (advance purchase) and Parent tickets are $35. Adults/Parents must be accompanied by at least one student!
Page 10 PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY Saturday April 28 th 10:00 am to 1 pm NOTE - Due to Zumba Class ending at 11:00 A.M. clean up begins ONLY upstairs Please come out to help. Many hands make light work. Bring your own gloves & cleaning supplies if possible. Your participation would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance, Church Council
Page 11 The Church Building Needs Your Help! The Church Council continues to post a list of property maintenance items on the south wall bulletin board in the Narthex. We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to work as a team to tackle them. This month we are highlighting two issues that need to be addressed. install handrail on south wall of old Narthex stairwell landing fill in potholes in parking lot If you would be willing to help repair one or both of these items, please contact Tapio Haapalehto at 416-752-6342. CHILDREN ARE QUICK! TEACHER: Why are you late? STUDENT: Class started before I got here. TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor? JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables. TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell crocodile? GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L TEACHER: No, that is wrong GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it. (I love this child) TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water? DONALD: H I J K L M N O TEACHER: What are you talking about? DONALD: Yesterday you said it s H to O. TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating? SIMON: No sir, I don t have to, my Mum is a good cook. TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty? GLEN: Well, I m a lot closer to the ground than you are.
Sunday Coffee Hour schedule Page 12 I want to thank those who signed up to host the coffee hour after the service for the past many years. We are able to enjoy our visits after worship because of you! The sign up sheet is available downstairs by the kitchen. Please sign the sheet or call or email me to let me know the days that you will be able to host refreshments on Sundays. Volunteers who serve Sunday refreshments are responsible for providing treats, setting up the coffee, and cleaning up in the kitchen (we ask everyone for their help with putting the chairs and tables away). If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact Lena Sievers (lenasievers2@gmail.com or 647-685-5884). Next Month: If you have any articles, upcoming church events, jokes, poems, reports, a special event or a personal celebration that you would like to include in our PLC newsletter for the month of May 2019, please submit them to Rosemarie Lantzsch (rosielanch@hotmail.com) by no later than Tuesday, April 23rd.