Peace
May 2015
Offerings
A Publication of Peace Lutheran Church of Robbinsdale
Peace Lutheran Church
4512 France Avenue North
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Church Office: 763-533-0570
Office Administrator’s Hours:
Tues. - Fri. 9:30-1:00 PM
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 763-533-0026
Day Care: 763-533-5517
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Mission Statement
The mission of
Peace Lutheran Church of Robbinsdale,
as members of the body of Christ, is to:
gather to receive and share
Word and Sacraments;
to worship and serve the Triune God;
to minister to the needs of all members
and the larger community.
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Worship Service Times
Sun., Worship at 9:15AM
Sun. Education Hour at 10:30AM
Nursery Available
From the Pastor
"A PAST TO REMEMBER,
A FUTURE IN THE LORD'S HANDS!"
WOW! Pastor Bode has taken a call to another part of
God’s Kingdom. With the departure of Pastor Chris,
many of you remember the day that he began at Peace
Lutheran and others only know him because of his
contact with you and your appreciation for his ministry
during the past few years. Some probably ask: "Now
what? Where do we go from here? What about the
church?" My honest answer at this time is: "I don't
know but I do know that the Lord already knows and
that is good enough for me and it should also be good
enough for you."
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Staff
Interim Pastor: Dan Matasovsky
Organist & Director of Music:
Leah Galaudet
Peace Choir and Hand Bell Director:
Jason Hernandez
Director of Peace Praise Singers:
Julia Fahey
Interim Youth Director:
Tom O’Neill
Resource Coordinator:
Jacalyn Schulze
Office Administrator:
Annette Flaig
Webmaster:
Stephanie Hofhenke
Daycare Director:
Rachel Kraus
Pastor Chris Bode has been called by the Lord to serve
in another part of the Lord's Kingdom. It has nothing to
do with the people here or in New York. Don’t forget,
God is the master planner of ministry for each one of us.
You can only catch that vision if you realize that the
church is not “our” church but it is the Lord’s Church
and we are only servants in the Kingdom. You gather
here for worship and opportunity to serve HIM. The
leadership can be changed, the staff can be changed, and
the pastor can be changed; but God's Kingdom because
of the Lord Jesus Christ remains the same. You are
saved by Grace through Faith as you look to the Lord
Jesus Christ for your salvation. You are His
workmanship created in Christ Jesus to live and serve as
His Disciple. Eph. 2:8-10
(Pastor’s article continues on pg. 2)
(Pastor’s article continued from page 1)
Let me suggest a couple of initial items that need
your attention:
 Pray daily that God would guide the future
of His Church in this area.
 Talk with fellow believers about the
direction of the Church.
 Share your thoughts with the leadership
and Call Committee as the Church and the
District assist in finding ‘the Pastor’ the
Lord has in mind for the future.
 Don’t give up on regular worship or study
of the Word of God as you seek guidance
for your future.
My task as vacancy pastor is to serve Peace
Lutheran Church until a new pastor is installed.
Let me assure you it is my privilege to serve as
your vacancy pastor. Since I have an office in my
home, much of my preparation work will be done
there, but I will have office hours at the church
once we have determined what days I need to be
here at Peace for meetings, etc.
I pray that you will faithfully worship, commune,
and serve the Lord in the future. God calls each of
you into His church for a reason and I pray that
each of you will seek ways to serve Him in some
capacity in the future. In the mean time, I will
pray for you and I covet your prayers for my wife
Mary and myself as together we build up the Body
of Christ in this place. God’s Richest Blessings!
Pastor Dan
SMORES
(Summer Midweek
Outdoor Reflection Experiences):
Our summer midweek SMORE services begin in
June. A potluck meal will be held before each worship service starting at 6:00 p.m. This is a wonderful
family opportunity for fellowship and worship. Bring
meat for your family (hot dogs, polish sausage, etc.
and buns) and a dish to share. Plates, napkins, cups,
silverware, ketchup and mustard will be provided. Water will be available. Bring a blanket or chairs
if you like, a few chairs are available. Grilling begins
at 6:00 pm and worship service at 7:00 pm. After
worship, s’mores are served. The service will move
inside in case of bad weather. If you have any questions please contact a member of the Board of Worship.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
We extend a welcome to all knitters & crocheters.
We meet the 3rd Thursday each month in the parish
center at 10am. Please consider joining us. Any questions contact Lois Brue 763-504-2501 or
Mary Lou Gorres 763-560-4875.
If you know of someone who would like a prayer
shawl please contact either Lois or Mary Lou at the
numbers listed above.
Prayer Shawls are available to bring to a friend or
loved one. Please check with Annette in the Parish
Center during the hours 9:30AM to 1:00PM Tuesday
through Friday. Be sure to record in the registry book
provided. Thank you.
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You are invited to our
2015 Trinity First School
Spring Musical!
May 21-10:30 A.M. & 7:00 P.M.
This is an original production written by Terri Bentz
with music by Rev. Tom Gundermann
We are blessed by Concordia University - St. Paul to
perform at the E.M. Pearson Theatre, located on their
campus at 312 Hamline Ave. N. St. Paul (near the
corner of Concordia Ave and Hamline Ave.)
SERVING IN MAY
Communion Preparers
10 Bill Lindig
24 Kay Niederloh
Van Drivers
03 Bill Niederloh
10 Bob Frank
17 Gary Schmidt
24 Bob Wadsworth
31 Bill Niederloh
Greeters
3 Ryan & Tiffany Schmidt & girls
Peace Children
10 Berit Gerhardson, Wendla Young,
Dale Behrens
17 Peace Youth, Bob & Vicky Frank
24 Peggy Gaspard, Betty Werner, Margo Burk
31 Darlene & Dale Hauschildt
Elizabeth Reiter
Lectors & Communion Assistants
03 Annette Flaig
10 Nancy Wadsworth
17 Youth
24 Steve Galaudet, Jeff Niederloh
31 Mark Hervey
Children’s Message
03 Tom O’Neill
10 Tom & Heather MacPherson
17 Katrina Schmidt
24 Karen Pitschka
31 Annie Pitschka
Welcome Center Hosts
03 Bonnie Lindgren
10 Roger & Carol Sandau
17 Katrina Schmidt
24 Lois Brue
31 Tamara Foley
Ushers
3 Team 3: S. Van Tassel, G. Schmidt, K.
Schmidt, A Wrayee, W. Mohr
10 Team 4: D. Spotts, J. Zimmermann,
G. Johnson, N. Allshouse, W. Mohr
17 Team 5: D. Neumann, J. Wawrzyniak, P.
Pitschka, Steve Galaudet, W. Mohr
24 Team 1: L. Tomperi, D. Hauschildt, C.
Nelson, R. Vomhof, W. Mohr
31 Team 2. D. Minke, T. Flaig, J. Reiter III, J.
Reiter Jr, W. Mohr
Acolytes
03 Youth Sunday
10 Haiden Spotts
17 Tyler Eskro
24 Gabe Allen
31 Brynn Zimmermann
Nursery Attendants 9:15AM-24,31 TBD
03 Jeff & Lisa Niederloh
10 Kay Niederloh & Rebecca Reiter
17 Karen Pitschka, Cynthia Odens
Nursery Attendants 10:30AM -24,31 TBD
03 Jennifer O’Neill & Angela Bode
10 Tiffany Schmidt & Jodi Odens
17 Education Celebration
Worship Video Recorders
03 Isabel Galaudet
10 Molly Mills
17 Kyle Johnson
24 Nick Allshouse
31 Rebecca Reiter
Fellowship Time Hosts: 10-31 TBD
03 Perkins
An Easter Thank You
A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed
their time, talents and support during Holy Week.
In addition to our regular volunteers (lectors, children’s message presenters, candle bearers, ushers,
communion assistants, greeters, welcome center
hosts, nursery staff, communion preparation, van
drivers, bulletin preparation).
We had additional volunteers in many different
and challenging roles. Several people shared their
musical talents and provided us with wonderful
music during multiple services.
Others assisted during Lenten services with readings and acting roles (both speaking and silent).
The Sanctuary was beautifully decorated and lovely flowers adorned the altar on Easter.
We enjoyed a scrumptious Easter breakfast that
was prepared by many, and families participated in
an entertaining Easter egg hunt.
God bless all of our talented volunteers! Alleluia!
Resourcefully yours…
Well, Sherman and I tried official off-roading on
April 12th. I remember it as if it were just this
week - oh, it was! My pulled back "muscle" and
aching leg continue to remind me of the importance of trusting the signage popping up all
around me. You know the type I mean; bright orange, often around huge digging vehicles or leading up to them, usually containing the word No in
one form or another.
(It's odd, isn't it, how often we might find ourselves begging God for a sign, just one sign, to direct us in His will for this or that thing in our lives.
Then we seek, search, locate a possible indication
but discern it as definitely NOT meant for us and
continue to repeat the process until just the sign we
thought would appear suddenly make itself
known!)
Last summer's construction hindered our appearance of a welcoming, accessible church. This
year's has begun even earlier with multi-colored
sidewalk sprays, asphalt roads disappearing into
chunky dirt-filled ditches and previously clear cement covered paths morphing into sinking, uneven
segments and miniature sink holes!
I suppose Sunday's newly appearing signs, lack of
appearing shrubs, trees and another entire block's
access should have been an obvious clue that
something had changed from the Holy Week walk
before Easter. My usual - not so short - shortcut
seemed no longer to exist! I had counted on a fairly safe thoroughfare at least until the end of school
because of the placement of Lakeview Elementary
and its promised clear access. Instead, Lake Drive
ceased to exist at the nifty one-push pedestrian
light traffic signal light! Two choices: turn left
where the bright sign clearly warned "No Outlet"
or give up, turn around and return home! Well, the
choice was obvious - to me! Pastor Chris only had
two Sundays left and I wasn't going to miss them
or the Book Discussion Group. I am, after all, the
leader! This sign couldn't possibly be meant for
me; not today!
I began the turn intending only to check it out.
Surely those apartment buildings had a secret path
known only to residents. Such a nice looking park
butted right up next to the parking lot. And my
Sherman is much more narrow than a car...we
could squeak through almost anything...especially
on the #4 power setting! Oops, what's this mean the battery bars are dropping a bit more quickly
than expected. Where is that energy going? I'll
deal with it later. At the moment an open space
between two of the boundary logs around the
park's perimeter have become visible! Now don't
picture us as sneaking, exactly...we went boldly
forth, confident that Peace Lutheran Worship was
where we were meant to be in just about 15
minutes! It's what God wanted! Right? (At exactly
what point did I mix up God's will and mine?)
First hurdle - check! Making our way over some
very uneven, bumpy and lurching ground. Trying
to counterbalance my posture to prevent our tipping over while simultaneously figuring out how
to describe my location to 911 dispatcher. Oh, I'm
so sorry, Sherman! Perhaps that sign meant what it
said...intended for me??? Phew - cut to the end of
that phase; we made it, barely. Now on to through
the neighborhood, up and around into the back
parking lot and then the door; please God. I know I
messed up! Battery don't fail me now! Ah...we are
a wonderful, welcoming, comforting and celebrating Peace Family! Still uncertain how I would
make it home again. Will deal with that later. I'm
sure there'll be a sign (winking happy face)!
God is good. He caused my need to be shared,
moved two fine people to offer their companionship back across the field and right up to my door.
It was a beautiful day, good conversation, safe passage. Even a misread, or refusal to acknowledge
does not deter God's desire and love for each of us.
Next time you seek a sign...keep an open mind and
heart so that the Holy Spirit can be your Guide and
Discernment.
Jacki Schulze
Bring Red Geraniums
May 24th for Pentecost
(check out Daycare Fundraiser
article below )
Pentecost Sunday is May 24th. A sign of Pentecost
is the color red which symbolizes joy and the fire
of the Holy Spirit. It is suggested that we wear red
clothing in celebration on Pentecost. Also, it is an
ideal time to adorn the altar with red flowers. Red
geraniums, a typical decoration for the Pentecost
service, symbolize the renewal of life, the coming
of the warmth of summer, and the growth of the
church at and from the first Pentecost. On Sunday,
May 24th, we are asking the congregation to bring
in red geraniums to adorn the altar. Later, the
flowers will be planted in the outside gardens to
beautify the church property.
May Daycare Fundraiser
at Malmborg’s Greenhouse &
Garden Center
Pick up a form in the Coatroom off of the Narthex
and bring it to Malmborg’s on Sunday May 17 or
23 and 10% of your pretax purchase will be donated to Children of Peace Daycare.
.
ARTFEST 2015
“For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ
Jesus, so we can do the good things he
planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST is the theme for
Peace Lutheran’s ArtFest that will be displayed in
the Sanctuary, May 3rd through May 31st.
Information Maps are located in the Narthex on
the orange table. Please take time to walk through
and look at all the artwork. Thank you to all the
artists who contributed their work!
Perkins Donate Cookies
Thank you to the Crystal Perkins for their generous donation of 75 cookies to Sunday morning fellowship time on the first Sunday of the month.
Remember to bring this Newsletter article with
you next visit for 20% off your entire bill.
Lunch after Church Anyone?
Would you like to get better acquainted with other
parishioners? If you are interested in going out for
lunch as a Peace group, please talk to Vicky Frank
(763/535-1818) for more information. Peace
members meet for lunch after services on the 2nd
Sunday of each month.
Peace Financial and
Attendance Statistics for
the last 4 weeks
General Fund Weekly Needs Budget:$5,192
Actual Giving Totals:
04.12.15: $5,505.96
04.5.15: $8,054.37
03.29.15: $7,891.43
03.22.15: $6,266.75
Missions Weekly Budget: $403
Actual Giving Totals:
04.12.15: $280.50
04.05.15: $391.50
03.29.15: $225.50
03.22.15: $465.50
Attendance:
04.12.15: 126
04.05.15: 300
03.29.15: 157
03.22.15: 116
Peace’s general fund (this fund pays the
monthly bills) is at present operating with
a $36,000 cash deficit.
Thrivent Choice Deposits:
For the month of Mar. $1,049
Total for 2015: $1,832
Total since Dec. 2010: $22,204
CPR/First Aid Training
FROM YOUR BOARD
OF WORSHIP
In order to meet the deadline for this may
newsletter, it is being composed in the middle of April. Pastor Chris and family have
now left us; we are trying to adjust to not
seeing Pastor Chris in the pulpit on Sundays;
and St. John Lutheran Church in Hamlin, NY
is adjusting to having their pulpit occupied
after a spell of not having a permanent pastor.
We have formed a call committee to find a
pastor to fill in the interim while the search
for our next full-time pastor gets underway. We all should pray that these tasks are
accomplished together with God's help.
It is hoped that all of our members will continue to worship together on Sundays and
attend other classes and programs that will be
held through this transition time. At this
time we anticipate the same schedule we
have now will continue.
Some special services that will be held this
month are the Children's Service on May 3rd;
the Music Sunday Service on May 10th; the
regular service on May 17th and Pentecost
on May 24th. These are just added attractions to our regular Sunday services and hope
all members will plan to attend. Watch the
bulletin for any additions or changes of
events and times.
So now let us all pray for peace and Peace
Lutheran Church. God is watching over us
and he will surely provide us with a new pastor in due time.
Enjoy the flowers popping out of the ground
and the leaves returning to the trees. Yes,
God's creation again continues to marvel us.
PRAISE HIM,
PRAISE HIM,
PRAISE HIM !
There will be a CPR/First Aid Training session after the worship service on Sunday,
May 17th. All ushers and anyone else interested should plan to attend.
From Rachel Kraus
Hello from Children of Peace Daycare and
Preschool,
Thank you all for the warm welcome to
Peace Lutheran Church, and for sharing a
special blessing with me on April 12th.
I have enjoyed getting to know the families of
Children of Peace. My favorite time of the
day has been morning worship time. During
worship I have the privilege of sharing a
song, a prayer, and a short Bible lesson with
the children. They are a great audience. A
special thank you to Pastor Chris who joined
us for one last worship time on Thursday
April 16th.
I am honored to be serving as your Daycare
director.
Warmly,
Rachel Kraus
From Leona Reuss
Dear Friends at Peace,
Thank you so much for the beautiful Easter
Lily.
I like to think the blossoms are like little
trumpets proclaiming “Christ Is Risen.”
I appreciate very much being remembered in
this special way.
Gratefully,
Leona Reuss
Peace Lutheran Church
of Robbinsdale
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
TWIN CITIES MN
PERMIT 90921
4512 France Avenue North
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Website: www.atpeace.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 763-533-0570
Change Service Requested
MAY 2015
Save These Dates!
Continuing 30 Hour Famine Fundraisers for Peace Youth
The weekend of April 17th, the youth of Peace
Lutheran spent Friday and Saturday fasting for
the 30-Hour Famine. This served as the kickoff for a month-long fundraising event. All
monies raised will help feed starving children
around the world. To reach our goal of $1500
(feeds 3 kids for 1 year), we will be doing the
following:
1. Penny Wars: Men vs. Women! Fill the
jars out in the narthex with your spare
change. Pennies count as positive
points, with quarters/dimes/nickels/
dollars counting as negative points. If
the girls lose, Izzy Galaudet will shave
her head. If the boys lose, Tom will
perform a dance routine for the entire
church.
2. Car Wash: Come to Peace Lutheran
on Saturday morning, May 8th, and
get your car cleaned for Mother's
Day! $5 for a wash, $10 for a wash
and vacuum! 9am-11am, May
8th. Tell a friend!
3. Individual Fundraising: The youth
will be asking friends, family and congregation members to individually
support their efforts to raise a combined $1500.
Please prayerfully consider personally contributing to one of our youth.
Interim Youth Director,
Thomas O'Neill