JULY 2008 ISSUE Prince of Peace Lutheran Church * 209 Eastern Avenue * Augusta, ME 04330-5951 * (207) 623-9486 Cover Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Inside This Issue Rolling on the River Mission Statement Adventures in Ministry Women of the ELCA Stewardship Message Message from Kathleen Brennan Serving our Country Birthdays/Anniversaries I Am the Flag Council Officers POP Ministries Sea Dogs Baseball Kid s Nite We Celebrate with... Trading Graces Transportation Gifts in Action/Opportunities Shelter Needs Community Dinners Addie s Attic New England Synod Report How to Reach Pastor Jon Newsletter Deadline Feed the Hungry Page 9 Sonshine Nursery School Registrations/Scholarships Giving Plus Program Bible Garden Food Bank needs Page 10 July Calendar Page 11 Lutheran Disaster Response Back Page - Church Schedule Church 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. Highlight: Date: Sunday, July 27th Church Picnic: 11:30 AM Please join us for a canoe and kayak trip and a church picnic. Picnic will begin after Late Service at 11:30 AM. Drinks, grill and condiments will be provided. Please bring something to grill, and a salad or dessert to share. Also don t forget to bring a beach chair. (Coolers may be stored at the church). Remain at the church for games and activities or join Pastor Jon in paddling the river. Shove-off time from the Sidney Boat Launch (off route #104) will be approximately 1:00 PM. If you would like to paddle, but do not have a boat, please see Pastor Jon. Paddlers will put in at the River bank park located behind Augusta City Hall. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex.
Adventures in Ministry! Over the years my family and I have been blessed to travel across the United States of America several times. We have camped our way from Maine to Washington State. On one trip, when we left Casper, Wyoming, to return East, we visited Fort Larned in Kansas, one of the places where soldiers gave their lives protecting others. We drove through Oklahoma and Missouri, with their miles of corn and wheat fields. Fields which through the dedication and hard work of Americans help feed the world. We traveled through Missouri, Indiana, West Virginia, and Washington DC. We saw the majesty and power of our country! Altogether we crossed dozens of borders on our travels. Traveled thousands of miles across America. Do you know what we did not see? No border patrols. No guards. No military checkpoints. I ask you to consider: how many places in this world is such a journey possible? This morning I woke up in our home. In South China, Maine. I ate breakfast with my wife and children. Do you know what we did not see? No bars on our windows. No walls or fences protecting our property, our safety. I ask you to consider: how many places in this world is such a morning possible? This past weekend I gathered with the people of Prince of Peace in worship to hear God s word, to raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving. We gathered openly, not in hiding or in fear of being arrested. We gathered in freedom; freedom to worship, freedom to speak, freedom to pray. Some of you, perhaps, did not gather in worship. If so, you did not gather in freedom; freedom not to worship. I ask you to consider: how many places in this world is such freedom possible? It is important to consider these things. For these things are possible only at a price, and at times, a terrible price. The men and women who paid this price for our freedom, our security, our peace, did not do so to be thanked. They did so out of their understanding of duty, of honor, of their sense of moral obligation to neighbor, to us. It is our duty, our moral obligation, to remember. To give our thanks, however unasked. The United States of America is the greatest country this world has ever known. Daily, you and I enjoy the privilege of being citizens of this country. I ask you to consider: it is exactly for our daily privilege, so often taken for granted, that we celebrate and give thanks this July 4 th. Pastor Jon
Thankoffering Service July 13th The women of the Lutheran church have been gathering for Thankoffering services since the early 1900s. It is a tradition grounded in our celebration of community, in meeting together as faithful women joyfully giving thanks and praise for what God has given us. The Prince of Peace Women's Thankoffering Service is Sunday, July 13 th. This coincides with the national women's triennial gathering Come to the Waters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Preaching is Sarah Groleau, member of the New England Synod Council and a LTSP deployed staff member working to foster better partnerships between the congregations of the NE Synod and the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia. Sarah is also a longtime Calumet staff member. Presiding is a daughter of the Prince of Peace congregation, Rev. Kathleen Brennan, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, Springtown, TX and PHD candidate in New Testament Interpretation at Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth. Women of Prince of Peace may donate a thankoffering gift in kind of dry milk for the Augusta Food Bank. Bring your gift to present during the service. The sanctuary will decorated with quilts made by the Prince of Peace Quilters. Yearly this dedicated group ships off many handmade quilts to Lutheran World Relief. Finally there will be a special monetary thankoffering. This offering is sent to the Women of the ELCA and dedicated for use in a variety of ministries. Questions? --please contact Cindy Gyorgy or Liz Burgess. THANKOFFERING COFFEE HOUR You are invited to join the women of Prince of Peace in welcoming Sarah Groleau and Kathleen Brennan at our coffee hour between services (about 9:15 AM) on Sunday July 13th. Sarah will have information from the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia on the Building in Faith campaign. Kathleen will share her recent experiences from a June trip to Israel. Please join us! The Women of the ELCA at Prince of Peace The Women of the ELCA meet quarterly for a business meeting. The leadership is rotated among members. Treasurer is Liz Burgess. The events we plan throughout the year are the Christmas Fair, Maine Conference Spring Gathering and the Church-wide yard sale in August. Weekly and monthly bible study and devotional- gatherings are: Tuesday mornings the 6:30 AM Women's prayer breakfast group (Anna's Circle), the first Tuesday at 9:30 AM Dorcas Circle and periodically scheduled Miriam Circle meets in the evening. Come join any of these gatherings. You are welcome. For more information please contact Jutta Hartung, Cindy Gyorgy, Carol Durkee or Joan Morgan.
Extra Money - How Should We Use It? by Betty Balderston, Stewardship Chair Many of us have already received our Economic Stimulus Refund from the federal government, while others will be receiving this rebate in the near future. If your household is anything like mine, your first response when this money arrives may be "yipee...free money!". Your second response might be "what's the best use of this money?". While some of us may use this money to pay last winters heating bills or bring some other household account up-to-date, some of us may consider using this money as extra cash for a vacation, a new household item or even saving it to get a headstart on next winters heating costs. Have you considered giving a portion of this "free" money to the Lord? The Old Testament standard was 10 percent (a tithe) of income. However, the New Testament standard is a Gospel response, a love response. Please consider an offering response of 2 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent or even 15 percent plus to support Prince of Peace and the ministries we serve. During these difficult economic times, our church - just like many of us - struggles with out monthly finances. Although offerings have increased since last year at this time, we are still below what is needed to support the budget approved by the congregation earlier this year. St. Paul writes: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work". (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). From Rev. Kathleen Brennan: I wanted to follow up on the email I sent you earlier about my participation in the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I've been spending the past few months preparing for the event and have really made a lot of progress. So far I've raised $1,470 - only $730 to go! My training is also starting. I can hardly wait to hit the route with the thousands of other women and men who are joining together for this common cause. There is still time for you to support my efforts with a donation. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Again, I'm walking for all those women in my church family who have suffered with breast cancer. Follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Kathleen Brennan Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://08.the3day.org/site/tr/walk/dallasftworthevent? Click here to view the team page for Dab of Hope If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://08.the3day.org/site/tr/walk/dallasftworthevent?
MILITARY PERSONS, SERVING OUR COUNTRY that are connected to Prince of Peace members. Co-Worker of Bill Burgess - Michael Stultz Ed & Shirley Churchill s Family - Son, Edwin Churchill II. LouAnne Story s Family - Son, Brady Joslyn. Bill & Jane Peterson s Family - Son, Kurt and his wife, Jayne; Granddaughter, Alicia Peterson. Bob & Kelly Landry s Family - Grandsons: Patrick Landry, and Scott & Michael Wirth 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 - Son, Sean Wilkins. Katherine Olvey s Family - Great granddaughter, Lauren Doughtertyl 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. JULY BIRTHDAYS 4. Mark Ames Diane Krause 5. Myrna Duplessie Leah Peachey 8. Vance Wheelock II 9. Gary Dawbin Gary Otterson 12. Laurie Curtis 14. Dan Grover 15. John Shaw Phyllis Tessman 17. Shannon Ruopp Ken Tjelmeland Jim Waterman 20. Rebecca Brooke Beverly Friend 21. Jordan Genest 96 Seth Wilkins 24. Lelia Belanger 96 Justin Hasch 26. Jordan Waterman 91 27. Irene Hill 30. Forest Bumford 92 Anniversaries 14. Ron & Donna Bansmer 79 16. Michael & Phyllis Tessman 88 22. Lee & Terri Blake 78 I am your flag. I was born on June 14 th, 1777. I am more than just cloth shaped into a design. I am the refuge of the world s oppressed people. I am the silent sentinel of freedom. I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth. I am the inspiration for which American patriots gave their lives and fortunes. I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to the bloody ridges of Viet Nam. I walk in silence with each of your honored dead, to their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses, row upon row. I have flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity, and amidst it all, I have been respected. My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation. My white stripes signify the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons. My blue field is indicative of God s Heaven under which I fly. My stars clustered together, unify 50 states as one, for God and country. Old Glory is my nickname, and proudly I wave on high. Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and your fortunes. Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return. Keep alight the fires of patriotism, strive earnestly for the spirit of your republic. Worship eternal God and keep his commandments, and I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind. I AM YOUR FLAG
CHURCH COUNCIL OFFICERS President Paul Rhoda 845-2437 rhodas@fairpoint.net V-President Darryl Praul 445-2330 edpraul@fairpoint.net Secretary Vacant Education Myrna Duplessie 923-3128 Evangelism Vacant Stewardship Betty Balderston 377-4293 bettyb969@fairpoint.net Fellowship Linda Lowell 623-1532 Worship Sandy Bernard 622-7918 sabernard@roadrunner.com Finance Bill Burgess 622-3570 billbosox@gmail.com Soc. Awareness Bev Savage 446-1238 bevjeansavage@aol.com Property Doug Ames 582-8262 mmae84@roadrunner.com Youth Joe McVety 621-9920 ajmcvety@roadrunner.com SNS Board Linda Scott 623-2092 lmsteach@roadrunner.com Trustees: Paul Rhoda, Darryl Praul, Vacant, Joe McVety, Doug Ames. Nominating Comm.: Bill Woodward, Darryl Praul, Paul Rhoda, Liz Burgess, Dee Benn. 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) Men s Prayer Breakfast - Bill Burgess (622-3570) 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) Heavenly Bodies - Lauret Crommett (622-7437) POP Quilter s Group - Millie Mauthe (547-3752) Kid s Nite - Beth Pfeffer (582-3651) Nursery School - Donna Bansmer (623-4845) Women of the Church - Joan Morgan (622-1761) Dorcas Circle - Jutta Hartung (623-2040) Miriam Circle - Ellen Woodward (933-3002) 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) POP s Contact Food Bank at St. Mark s, Augusta (622-2424) POP s Contact - Shirley Churchill (622-3844) SEA DOGS BASEBALL GAME and PIZZA at RICETTA S The Sea Dogs are in town on August 3rd at 1:00 PM. We will be car pooling and leaving the church directly after the morning service. Following the game, we will meet at Ricetta s in Falmouth for pizza (around 4:00 p.m.). Tickets are available @ $3.00 each. Please contact Liz or Bill Burgess for more information. Phone 622-3570. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex. KID S NITE / VACATION Next Kid s Nite in July will be on Friday, July 18th at 5:30 - Bring a friend! No Kid s Nite in August - Beth and Kate are away camping. Please mark your calendars for September 19th when we ll get right back on track. Hope to see kids grade K-6. Bring a favorite game and a friend. WE CELEBRATE WITH... is a column for those with connections in our congregation who have been honored, achieved something special, or had some recent success. If you have such news, please write the news and leave it in the office, or send it by e -mail or snail mail.
TRADING GRACES "Trading Graces". Trading Graces is an opportunity to offer assistance to and seek assistance from our brothers and sisters at Prince of Peace. Please call the church ACCEPTANCES ALTAR CARE HELP Additional volunteers are needed for altar care. Our altar care volunteers serve a very important role in worship as they prepare the altar for Communion each Sunday. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please see or contact Heidi Joslyn, 623-2284. ACCEPTANCES Bread of Life has a new website. It is very well done and very informativewebsite is: www.mainebreadoflife.org. If interested in volunteering, contact the BOLM office at 626-3434. Sunday Nursery Coordinator Needed A coordinator for our Sunday morning nursery care is needed, as soon as possible. This volunteer position has responsibility for obtaining nursery care workers each Sunday during regularly scheduled worship services. Providing nursery care to parents of young children is essential for some families to attend worship services. If you are called to work with children and wish to serve with this important ministry, please contact Sandy Bernard, Worship Committee Chair, at 622-7918, evenings. ADDIE S ATTIC A community clothing exchange housed at St. Mark s Episcopal Church, 9 Summer St. in Augusta is open Tuesday & Thursday, 9 to 11a.m. Free clothing is provided free of charge to anyone who comes in. Donations of clean, usable clothing are accepted only during operating hours, please. Anyone interested in volunteering or getting more information, please call Anne Cormier at 623-9434. Please call Laura Peckham at 582-1882 for all other inquiries. ACCEPTANCES Looking for a volunteer to take responsibility for the POP sign on the front lawn. Duties include changing the message regularly and advertising any special events. If interested, contact Bill Woodward at 933-3002. TRANSPORTATION Every child of God who participates here AT Prince of Peace is a blessing and a joy! Some do not drive. Others could be blessed by providing rides to worship or other congregational activities. Irene Rice and Cindy Gyorgy have offered to be co-coordinators for TRANSPORTATION. They are looking for people who will drive occasionally, and want to set up a schedule. Please call Irene at 547-4935 or Cindy at 685-4988 if you are willing to share in this very important ministry. COMMUNITY NETWORK DINNERS The dinners are sponsored by local Augusta Area Churches. Please check your local newspaper for the Church that is sponsoring the next Saturday Community Dinner. Prince of Peace sponsors a dinner every fifth Saturday of a month at the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen. Please check your weekly bulletins in the scheduled month. If interested or for more information, please call Beth Pfeffer (582-3651). SHELTER NEEDS Please remember when you are getting ready for yard sales (and throughout the year), that Bread of Life Shelter now has storage space for quality used furniture and other household items. Please contact the shelter when you have items to donate. Could you please call Mara at 485-2511. Thank you!
New England Synod Assembly Theme: God s Work. Our Hands Date: June 5-7, 2008 Place: DCU Center, Crowne Plaza, Worcester The synod assembly was an interesting and informative event. The structure of the meeting guidelines was blended with Scripture, Prayer, the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book c 2006, and the hope to do God s Work with our hands. Resolutions: 08-01 (Resolution on the Book of Faith Initiative) Adopted 08-02 (Resolution for Youth Representative at Synod Assemblies) Referred to synod council for additional study, which will include the voices of youth and young people. 08-03 (Resolution on Working to End the Genocide in Darfur) Adopted unanimously Marian Marks, who worked with us at Prince of Peace, was elected to the Synod Council. The election process was diligent and dedicated to the election of our hands for God s Work. Bishop Margaret G. Payne and Bishop Lloyd Allen of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras, one of our companion relationships, lead and shared about using our hands for God s Work. This was highlighted when the Rev. William Kroeze and the Rev. Joshua Rinas were ordained at the annual Assembly Eucharist. As is Prince of Peace - the assembly was bustling with people using their hands for God s Work. Peace and Hope, Willie and Nancy Grover Voting Representatives to the New England Synod Assembly AUGUST NEWSLETTER DEADLINE JULY 15th is the deadline for the AUGUST 2008 edition of the Peace Chimes. Please have your articles or possible events in by that deadline. If possible, please send by our e-mail: bunnie@poplink.org. IF YOU NEED TO REACH PASTOR JON Please try the church office first (623-9486). Next number would be his cell phone (557-3637). His home number should be the last number you try (445-2705) FEED THE HUNGRY by saving Shaw s register receipts. There is a deposit box in the narthex marked for this purpose. The Food Bank receives a percentage of every $5,000 worth of receipts. THERE IS NO DEADLINE, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROJECT. For more information, please see or call Bud Walters, POP s Representative at the Food Bank (685-3676) The Augusta Food Bank has distributed more than 1,700 bags of groceries this year, into May (more than any other year).
SONSHINE NURSERY SCHOOL A Christian based Nursery School NURSERY SCHOOL REGISTRATIONS We accept registrations for preschoolers who are 33 months old, up to and including kindergarten age for our nursery school. They must be toilet trained at the beginning of school in September. Our younger students attend Tuesday & Thursday mornings, 8:30 to 11:30 and our 4/5 year olds attend Monday, Wednesday, & Friday mornings, 8:30 to 11:30. Interested families can call 623-9486 to receive a handbook and preregistration form. Sonshine Nursery School invites students of any background and religious affiliation to attend. SCHOLARSHIPS - SNS periodically grants scholarships to families with children in the school. We will never turn away a child simply because they cannot afford our tuition. Have you noticed the FLOWERS in bloom in the The Bible Garden? All the plants are purchased with your donations. If you wish to donate and assist with the care of the gardens, please see or call Ruth Kelley at 933-5135. These gardens are developing to: Give Glory to God, the Creator. Thrivent s GivingPlus Program Over the years, Sonshine Nursery School has been blessed with many generous donors who demonstrate their support of our ministry. Their financial donations have been supplemented through a wonderful one-of-a-kind member-directed gifting program from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. It s called the GivingPlus Program. The resulting supplemental contributions have helped families send their children to Sonshine by using the scholarships we can offer. This school year, the scholarship program has benefited four families who would not have been able to send their children without scholarship help. Thank You. For more information or to receive a GivingPlus Member Gift Form, please call the church office and speak to Bunnie, Program Coordinator (623-9486). Food Bank Needs The Food Bank uses about 500 plastic bags per week. We double bag everything - When we run out of donated bags, we have to buy from Hannaford - so keep bringing them, please. The Food Bank is in dire need of boxes of dry powdered milk and canned milk. Donated food may be left at St. Mark s Monday- Thursdays between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Financial donations can be mailed to: Augusta Food Bank 9 Summer St., Augusta, 04330.
JULY 2008 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Women of the Church are in charge of July 13. ACOLYTES: 6-E-Jordan Waterman, L- Chris Vogel; 20-E-Paul Joslyn, L-Roland Pease; 27-E-Jake McVety, L-Maggie Priest. GREETERS: -6-E-Ruth Epperson, L- Dan Hewins; 20-E-Bev Savage, L-Arnie Hills; 27-E-Anita Wyman & Lil Stresser, L-Roland Pease. 1 6:30-Women s Prayer Breakfast 9-Bible Study 9-July Newsletter Mailed 2 7-Thrivent Financial Rep. Long Time Care - (CCR) 3 6:30-Men s Prayer Breakfast 5:30-Al-Anon (Grace Room) 7-AA (Library) 4 HAVE A SAFE And HAPPY 4th of JULY 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Deacon Duane Scott Home Communion & Feed the Hungry Sunday 8 & 10 AM Communion Services 5:30 Heavenly Bodies 6:30-Women s Prayer Breakfast 9-Bible Study 9-POP Quilting 6-9 Girl Scouts 6:30-Men s Prayer Breakfast 5:30-Al-Anon (Grace Room) 7-AA (Library) 8-Deacon s Meeting 10AM Education Workshop at McVety s 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Deacon Cindy Gyorgy 8 & 10 AM Communion Services Women s Thankoffering Services (see page 3) 5:30 Heavenly Bodies 6:30-COUNCIL Meeting 6:30-Women s Prayer Breakfast 9-Bible Study 9AM August Newsletter Deadline 6-9 Girl Scouts 6:30-Men s Prayer Breakfast 5:30-Al-Anon (Grace Room) 6-9 Girl Scouts 7-AA (Library) 5:30-8:30 Kid s Nite 7-Praise, Prayer & Meditation 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Deacon Tom Benn 8 & 10 AM Communion Services 5:30 Heavenly Bodies 6-All Committees Meeting Night 6:30-Women s Prayer Breakfast 9-Bible Study 9-POP Quilting 7-Writer s Group 5:30 to 9-Girl Scouts 6:30-Men s Prayer Breakfast 5:30-Al-Anon (Grace Room) 7-AA (Library) Wedding 27 Deacon Tom Benn 8 & 10 AM Communion Services 11:30 Church Picnic and Rolling on the River (see page 1) 28 5:30 Heavenly Bodies 29 6:30-Women s Prayer Breakfast 9-Bible Study 9AM August Newsletter Mailing 30 31 6:30-Men s Prayer Breakfast 5:30-Al-Anon (Grace Room) 7-AA (Library) USHERS: 6,20,27-E-Willie Grover, Don Gallagher, L-Karl & Flo Wilkins. NURSERY: 6-E-Myrna Duplessie, L- Joan Morgan; 20-E-Margaret Simpson, L-Molly Crate; 27-E&L-Cindy Gyorgy. ALTAR CARE: 6-Beth Pfeffer, Ellen Woodward; 20&27-Millie Mauthe, Donna Bansmer
Lutheran Disaster Response Issues Statement on Midwest Flooding ELCA NEWS SERVICE June 13, 2008 Lutheran Disaster Response Issues Statement on Midwest Flooding 08-088-FI CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) has issued a June 13 statement regarding recent and current flooding in several Midwest states -- Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. LDR is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Here is the text of that statement: June 13, 2008 One right after another, terrible storms have left indelible marks this week on individuals and communities across the Midwest, and it seems as though the news headlines have continually focused national attention on the region. As the long effort of cleaning up and rebuilding begins, Lutheran Disaster Response is poised to bring help and hope, and to walk side by side with those affected. This week, Michael Nevergall, LDR associate, and Cindy Johnson, LDR coordinator for Minnesota, traveled to Iowa to assist LDR coordinator Michael Stadie with assessments and response there, and to accompany leaders from the ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod. At the same time, Rev. Kevin Massey, LDR Director, traveled to Wisconsin to accompany leaders in the ELCA La Crosse Area and South-Central Wisconsin synods during these trying times. Major flooding continues to spread south through Iowa, with Des Moines and other cities now under a voluntary evacuation. Across the state, fifty-four different counties have been declared state disaster areas. The city of Cedar Rapids is nearly at a standstill, with water rising into the 500-year flood plain and the downtown completely flooded. The ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod has postponed its synod assembly, scheduled for this weekend in Waverly, due to the difficulty of traveling on roads throughout the state. At least two Lutheran camp properties are under water and a number of Lutheran congregations have been directly impacted. In Wisconsin, where we saw stunning video of the water powerfully leaving Lake Delton and ripping homes apart in its path, the waters continue to rise across the southern portion of the state. Farm fields throughout the region are completely under water, raising questions about the long-term economic impact of these floods on the region's agriculture. Highways throughout the state are closed, making travel nearly impossible. Similarly, in Indiana, thirty counties have been declared as disaster areas, with waters still rising in portions of the state. Flooding also is affecting, or threatening to affect, communities in Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Additionally, two major systems of tornadoes swept through portions of Iowa and Kansas this week, including the storm that killed four Boy Scouts at a camp. Scherer Memorial Lutheran (ELCA) in Chapman, Kansas sustained severe damage to its building, and the entire town is completely shut off, even to residents, at this point. Today, Bishop Bruce Burnside of the ELCA South-Central Synod of Wisconsin traveled around the affected areas with Rev. Massey and Gary Grindeland, LDR coordinator for Wisconsin. In describing the impact of this flooding on his synod and congregations, he related the importance for the church to meet this new challenge. "God's gift of this water seems to now be our enemy, but we are reminded that out of the waters, new life is born," he said. "God tamed the chaos of the waters to form the earth, and God, in Jesus, calmed the stormy seas," said Bishop Burnside. In addition to your prayers, we invite you to consider giving to support the long-term response to this disaster. You can donate through your congregation, or you can give a gift directly by mail, by phone, or online. If you would like to designate your gift for this response, please be sure to note it for "Flooding - United States." Gifts designated for a particular disaster will be used in full - 100% - for that response. - - - Information about Lutheran Disaster Response is at http://www.ldr.org/ on the Web. DOMESTIC DISASTERS: Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds to aid survivors of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764 Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522 / Credit card gifts via Internet: http://www.elca.org/disaster For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org / http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
JULY 2008 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri PRINCE OF PEACE CHURCH STAFF PASTOR Jonathan Vogel-(O) 207-623-9486 (H) 207-445-2705 / (Cell) 207-557-3637 E-Mail: pastorjon@poplink.org OFFICE MANAGER, Bunnie Picher 207-623-9486 E-Mail: bunnie@poplink.org/web Page: www.poplink.org ORGANIST, Alice VanDerwerken - 207-397-4214 CHOIR DIRECTOR, Don Davenport - 207-215-6838 WORSHIP SERVICES Fall Schedule (September-May) - 8:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Communion both Services Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. (Children & Adults) Summer Service Schedule: Memorial Weekend thru Labor Day Weekend - 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. 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 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 is usually the last Tuesday of the month.