Peace Lutheran Church

President’s Pen February 2012

peace762 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:13:12 +0000

I can hardly believe that we are going into the second month of 2012. I realize more and more as the years pass, that time truly waits for no one. I try not to complain, as I wait patiently for the next season. The trees will soon begin to bud, and the weather will once again be warm enough to wear short-pants and short-sleeve shirts. Every season has something new and exciting to look forward to. Each day of every season is truly a gift from God. I look around at all the many gifts that are in each day, such as the sun that rises, and gives light and warms the day; the birds that sing, the animals, and the trees and plants. I could name many things that are all gifts from God, but most of all are friends and family. That is a special gift, and we can celebrate and be thankful, by joining together with the family to worship with God at church at least on Sunday. What a great way to be together with your family and all your friends. Make this a habit and you might find it becomes hard to break. It’s a good habit to have.

God bless us all.
Ron Vahovick

Pastor’s Pondering February 2012

peace762 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:36:32 +0000

Each time I’m in Honduras I’m reminded that I am an alien (non-citizen) in a strange land. The language is different, as well as the culture, food and living conditions. My skin and hair coloring immediately set me apart as a gringa. People take one look at me, label me as a gringa and then assume all sorts of things about me from being arrogant, stupid or rich. I’m always so grateful for those who go out of their way to accept me and make the effort to get to know me as simply another human being. Because of the language/culture issues this is not easy. They are those who have the gentle patience to teach me their way of life. Because I’m keenly aware at every turn that I’m a stranger in a foreign land, it is such a relief to encounter those who are welcoming.

Over and over throughout scripture we are commanded to welcome the non-citizen. Leviticus 19:33-34 and 24:22 says “When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” This verse from Deuteronomy 27:19 uses even stronger language, “Cursed be anyone who deprives the alien…of justice.” In Matthew 25 Jesus states the criteria for sorting the sheep from the goats, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”

Recently I have had the chance to learn about the one of the biggest challenges facing our country – and our state – immigration. Conversations churn about how to integrate newcomers into a society in a fair and human way and recognize they, too, are made in the image of God. Unfortunately, the national conversation has devolved into a polarizing debate often characterized by misinformation and fear at every level. It seems to me that a great deal of the legislation that has passed and is being proposed is not only unwelcoming but mean-spirited.

As a Christian – a follower of Jesus Christ – we have no option. We must be welcoming. For me the first step involves becoming aware of the unjust manner in which non-citizens are being treated. And because I am a Christian I cannot simply be a hearer of the word but I must also be a doer. Not sure where the journey will lead, however, we walk by faith not by sight. Won’t you walk with me? And in the words of Martin Luther we say, “Here we stand, we can do no other, may God help us!”

Pastor Ann Bassett

Ring in the New Year with Financial Resolutions

peace762 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:11:28 +0000

With the New Year comes the opportunity to improve your financial well-being. Here
are five financial resolutions to get you started:

Establish your 2012 financial goals, including your retirement and overall savings goals. Post them where you’ll see them often.

Establish a budget based on what you spent last year, taking rising gas, heating and food prices into account.

Cut back on debt by paying off a credit card balance, foregoing unnecessary purchases or adding $50 a month to your mortgage payment.

Prioritize major purchases you want to make and figure out how to pay for them out of your current income.

Meet with a legal professional to review your will or estate plan to ensure it reflects your current life situation.

For help achieving your 2012 financial strategy, contact Jack Ficken, FICF, FIC, Financial Associate at 615-266-2548 or jack.ficken@thrivent.com today or visit Thrivent.com.

January 2012

peace762 — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:45:52 +0000

While I was waiting for a new set of tires to be put on my car, I picked copy of the Highlights magazine that was lying on a table in the waiting room. I immediately searched for the Hidden Pictures page. That has always been my favorite; finding all the items that are hidden in the picture. Some I could find right away, others took a while and some I never found. Finding that allusive object would often mean turning the magazine sideways or upside down to get a different perspective. There were times when I was trying so hard to find an item that I saw things that weren’t there.

Once I was packed in the car traveling with a bunch of family members to something or other. To pass the time my niece got out her I Spy book. Together we searched for the objects that were hidden on each page. The stunning full color pictures of ordinary things were amazing. A big contrast to the black and white pictures in Highlights magazine I grew up on. Some of the pictures with hidden items were busy – overwhelmingly so. Other pictures were simple, serene. However, regardless of the picture it always took concentration, patience and effort to find the hidden objects.

My younger brothers had the book, Cars, Trucks and Things That Go. I say “had” because all of us wore it out rereading it so many times. Each page is dizzy with all the things that go. Somewhere on each page is Goldbug. Sometimes it would be all of Goldbug, other times it would only be Goldbug’s eyes peeping through the window of a vehicle.

During this season of Epiphany we are reminded that God’s presence is always behind our ordinary reality. Like the items hidden in the pictures sometimes God’s presence in our lives is easily recognized while at others it is more slowly perceived. There are those times, when for whatever reason, it’s as though an invisible curtain right in front of us has been pulled back and we are standing in the presence of a different reality altogether.

A good deal of Christian faith is a matter of learning to live by this different reality even when we can’t see it. Sometimes, at decisive and climatic moments, the curtain is drawn back and we see, or hear, what’s really going on. Most of the time it is a glimpse of the divine. We know God’s presence is always there, but quiet often can’t see it like some the items hidden in the pictures. We walk by faith, not by sight, as we constantly look for God’s hidden heavenly dimension in our ordinary lives. Sometimes it takes a different perspective but it always involves some combination of concentration, patience and effort.

January 2012

peace762 — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:57:53 +0000

New members were needed this year to serve on council. Once I became aware of the need I decided to step forward and serve as a council member. These are important decisions for all church members, especially if the church is to function and grow as planned. After being duly elected and installed, at our first meeting we were informed that one of us would have to be the president. Kathy Smith had completed her two years and had done a fine job. I was surprised and proud that the council members thought I should, and was capable of taking over this position.

With full support of the council, I accepted the position and look forward to do my best with God’s help, and the council members, to make this a year of growth in membership and financially as well. This will be a challenge, but I believe we can do this together, because at Peace Lutheran, we care about our church, congregation, and our community. I
am ready to move forward, and hope and pray that all members will continue to
work with me in the positions they now hold and move forward together.

Thank you for your continued support.
God Bless Us, One and All.
Ron Vahovick

President’s Pen December 2011

peace762 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:34:56 +0000

Well, here I am writing my last President’s Pen. Whew! I made it! This has been a hard part of the duty for me. But, as I look back on the past 24 months, I realize that God sent me the words to put down. Once I said okay, I can do this and started the articles, they’ve kind of flowed. Thanks be to God!

I appreciate the opportunity to serve as President of this Council. I feel I’ve growth with and through the responsibility. Thank you for all the support you have given Peace Lutheran Church in Spring Hill. Let’s go out and make 2012 an even better year with outreach and service to our community!

Remember, when two or three are gathered in God’s name, he is present and WE CAN DO GREAT THINGS!!

May the peace and love of this season surround you and yours!

Kathy Smith

Prayer Concerns

peace762 — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:26:43 +0000

PRAYER CONCERNS
for the family and friends of
Peace Lutheran Church

For Linda Kempf who is preparing for a bone marrow transplant.

For those in in-patient treatment

For those who are grieving

For those who are caring for their parents.

For those who are struggling with difficult family relationships.

For those living with cancer.

Rick Lehrman, Jack Smith cousin, who has severe heart complications as well as struggling with advanced diabetes.

For Carol Wildey, Pamela Luken’s mother, who is battling an aggressive form of breast cancer.

For Cheryl Green Andrews, a friend of Don Ehm’s, who is struggling with major complications from breast cancer.

For the victims of natural disaters that occur around the world. And for all those who are struggling to provide aid to the victims.

Donnie, Linda Olson’s nephew, who is struggling with a multitude of issues.

Elaine Moon, co-worker of Linda Olson, who is battling breast cancer.

Luke and Brett (grand-nephews of Ron and Karen Wiese) who have Cystinosis, a very rare disease

To submit a prayer request, click here.

December Pastor’s Pondering

peace762 — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:23:42 +0000

Pastor’s Pondering

December, 2011

It’s pretty easy to sanitize Luke’s account of the Christmas story into a serene Christmas card picture. The holy family with halos around their heads, the shepherds on one knee in adoration, the wisemen presenting expensive gifts and all the while the angels are singing lullabies. However, Matthew’s account is a whole another story. Take verses 18-25 of the first chapter.

Mary becomes pregnant and she and Joseph are not yet married. Her life is tittering on the edge. She is about to go over the cliff without benefit of a parachute. Joseph, being a righteous man, decides to put Mary away quietly. It is the most compassionate thing he can figure out to do in this incredibly awkward situation in which he finds himself. However, God comes to him in a dream and tells Joseph to ratchet up his response; to take Mary as his wife. He goes out on a limb to protect Mary.

We have all tittered on the edge of our own version of disaster. And have been so thankful for the Josephs God has sent into our life to soften the embarrassment and walk with us in angst of the situation.

As we journey towards Christmas we all participate in caring actions for other. We give money to the bell ringers, we buy presents for a child on the Angel Tree at the mall and we send canned goods to school with the kids for the Christmas food drive. We like Joseph are doing the good things we know to do. Yet, all around us people are tittering on the edge of disaster. Could it be that during this Advent season God is calling us to ratchet up our response?

Advent Blessings,

Pastor Ann

November President’s Pen

peace762 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:13:22 +0000

God’s Plan Revealed?

Anyone who studies the Bible, reads over and over again that God is in control of our lives, not us. I think it was demonstrated to all of us this past Saturday with our Disaster Relief Bar B Que Cook Off.

God placed Jon Sadler in Alabama just after the devastating tornadoes so he was a witness to the tragedies there. He brought the stories home to Peace Lutheran Church and our lives were touched also. At first he just asked for water. Then Jon pondered on a way to help them after the immediate responders left and he came up with the idea of a barbecue. His idea was for teams to compete with their barbecue receipes and then sell the food to raise money for disaster relief. Our church members brought baked beans, sides and desserts to complete the meal. Bluegrass and country western music were added – Johnny Cash made a surprise appearance!! We were entertained by the All That Dance troupe. All in all it was a great presentation.

On the way home it hit me that what made this event so great was that it was all about outreach to communities in need of help. We have been working so hard on paying the bills that we’d lost sight of the real plan for God’s churches. Help the needy! Love those who are in want! Look beyond the walls of our church to serve others! I think we’ve stumbled upon a mission for our church! It may be God’s plan revealed to us. I’m pretty sure it is what God intends for us to do again and build upon it to serve many more!

So, thanks to you Jon Sadler! Your heart was open. You responded. You’ve brought your whole church into the plan and it just may be God’s Master Plan for us! Yea! What a relief to have it revealed to us in such a fun way!

Thanks be to God!

Kathy Smith

November Pastor’s Pondering

peace762 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:12:18 +0000

November, 2011

Dearest Saints of God,

Last month Joel and I were at Lutheridge for our synod’s leadership convocation. As we were driving through the mountains on interstate 40 the trees were just simply beautiful. The trees at Lutheridge were also full of vibrant orange, yellow and red leaves. The other morning as I was eating breakfast I noticed the tree just down the street was a flame with red leaves. This time of year it’s easy to notice how gorgeous the trees are.

When leaves are full of color they are, for all practical purposes, dead. It seemed odd to me that at other times of the year when the leaves are alive we hardly notice them. If I remember my 5^thgrade science lesson correctly, leaves work really hard for us converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. And during the hot summer months they provide refreshing shade and a cool breeze. It’s a shame we don’t fully notice or appreciate the leaves on the trees until they are dying.

November begins with All Saints and ends with Thanksgiving. In our worship we give thanks for all the saints who have gone before us. However, like the leaves on the trees remind us, it’s important to notice and give thanks for those who are with us day in and day out; and to be thankful for their presence in our lives. All of life is a gift. None of us know how long we’ll be on this earth. As November heralds the dying of the landscape, let us give thanks for all God’s people, dead and living.

Without a doubt I am so thankful for all the saints with whom I worship and labor alongside, but especially those at Peace Lutheran Church. It is way more joy than duty to partner with you doing God’s work with our hands!

With Thankful Heart,
Pastor Ann Bassett