3S Pentecost Picnic in the Park

3S Pentecost Community Event

Spirit of Peace Church

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Lunch

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, June 29, 2014 from 11 am to 2 pm

Schedule: 11:00 Service 11:40 or so Fellowship 12:00 Potluck Picnic Lunch

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes Me!” Matt. 10.

Activities for the Entire Family!
Of course rocket science will be available!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Valley City Park Pavilion
400 West Vass Street Valley, NE 68064

Price: Free will offering (sweet!) Thank you!

Questions: Please contact Michael or Cathy Hanus

Spirit.Peace@icloud.com

https://blog.peacelcmc.org

402-541-7019 – Pastor

LORD070910 (567-307-0910) – Church

Twitter: @SpiritOfPeaceCh

Please See the Church Blog for Information Updates –

https://blog.peacelcmc.org

Thank you!

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2S Pentecost Picnic in the Park

2S Pentecost Community Event

Spirit of Peace Church

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Lunch

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 11 am to 2 pm

Schedule: 11:00 Service 11:40 or so Fellowship 12:00 Potluck Picnic Lunch

(“Have No Fear!” Matt. 10).

Activities for the Entire Family!
Of course rocket science will be available!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Valley City Park Pavilion
400 West Vass Street Valley, NE 68064

Price: Free will offering (sweet!) Thank you!

Questions: Please contact Michael or Cathy Hanus

Spirit.Peace@icloud.com

https://blog.peacelcmc.org

402-541-7019 – Pastor

LORD070910 (567-307-0910) – Church

Twitter: @SpiritOfPeaceCh

Please See the Church Blog for Information Updates –

https://blog.peacelcmc.org

Thank you!

Living with a Grief Experience

Teacher, How do we manage to survive grief in our lives?

Grief is a challenge and a journey.
The Holy Spirit comforts believers. (John 14). The Holy Spirit gives us God’s peace, even in the midst of suffering. Philippians 4 tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The peace of The Lord comes from drawing close to Him; not from those circumstances that challenge our peaceful lives and spirits.

Jesus promises, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matt. 5). The Lord calls us into His loving arms so He can heal our wounded hearts.

Jesus is the believers’ role model for discerning faith and grief. (John 11). When Jesus saw Mary and Martha anguish over the death of their brother Lazarus, He wept. Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, yet He allowed Himself to feel and express the depths of human sorrow.

We take comfort in our knowledge and belief that Jesus has experienced all of our pain, including loss, rejection, betrayal, and death. As our Savior and Redeemer, He took all our sins to the cross and forgives us when we ask forgiveness. As our Good Shepherd, He leads us safely through “the valley of the shadow of death.” (Psalm 23).

Faith in Christ does not prevent grief in believers when a loved one and fellow believer passes away, but it infuses our grief with hope! For believers in Christ, death is a passage to eternal life (John 5). We experience death to sin and are gifted eternal salvation through Jesus. Paul said, “To live in Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1). He also said, “I want you to know what will happen to Christians who die so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back all the Christians who have died with Jesus.” (1 Thes. 4).

Managing Grief

Grief can and may affect our thinking, behavior, emotions, health, and eventually, relationships with others. We can and may experience indigestion, lack of appetite, sleeplessness, among so many physical and emotional responses. Reaching out to friends, joining a prayer group, or asking a pastor or Christian Faith counselor for assistance can and may help us work through the grieving process.

How do we manage to adjust to the new environment without our loved one who has died or departed in some way? How can we manage to cope with the ever-present memories of our loved one, make obvious lifestyle changes, or form new relationships? We find the answers as time passes and recovery progresses. The Lord will show us His timing and His direction as we seek Him.

Here are three steps to recovery

Grieve – Though grief is bitter, we must let sorrow run its natural course. Isaiah 53 describes Jesus as “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Denying or repressing pain may lead to emotional problems.

Believe – We need to put our faith in God’s promises, trusting that our Heavenly Father knows best and that His understanding is perfect. Isaiah 55 states, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Receive – God desires to give us comfort, but we must reach out and accept it. Through prayer and meditation on His Word, we can find a place in God’s presence where He will wrap His arms around us as a loving father would console a concerned child.

Merciful Lord, how mysterious are Your judgments and Your will beyond understanding. We are troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; dejected, but not destroyed. Your grace in Christ is all we need, for Your power is greatest when we are weak. In these dark hours strengthen us by Your Word and Sacrament, and grant us Your abiding presence in the midst of what we cannot understand. Take into Your care those whose hearts are heavy with sorrow and grief, and lead them to look to You for confidence and strength as they face the future. Sustain them with Your comforting love, and finally receive them and us into glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

– Credits to Scripture, Martin Luther’s teaching, the Christian Broadcast Network series on Managing Grief and life’s experiences.

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Natures Fury Strikes Pilger Community

On June 17, an unusual but significant twin tornado swiftly descended upon Pilger, Nebraska with little warning. This child was in the community with her family visiting her grandparents. Mom and her daughter were swept away by the aberrant fury of nature. Today Mom is in critical condition, her daughter is called home to heaven.

A natural fury from this world has taken her away, but we know that she is with The Lord, and in that sense, He has taken her to a better place.

In grief we cry out, “Perhaps something must have gone wrong! Why must this happen in our lives?” By the grace of The Lord and the strength of the Holy Spirit we have the courage to accept unfortunate challenges in life. Through His love for us, The Lord has given His only Son for us on the cross. He knows our pain. He understands. He is there to help.

Dear Lord, Maker of heaven and earth and Giver of life, we thank You for all the mercies You grant to our brothers and sisters in Christ, during their earthly lives, especially for calling them to faith in Jesus Christ. Please comfort the survivors who mourn their deaths with the hope of the glorious resurrection and a joyful reunion in heaven. Keep us mindful that we are your beloved children so that we will be prepared to die in the faith and receive the glory promised to all who trust in Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Library Hosts Academy Science Rockets

Valley Library hosts a Summer Reading Program. Twin Rivers YMCA co-ops with Valley Library in the Summer Reading Program. The library staff reaches out to the community with interesting and educational children’s activities throughout the summer.
In June, on Wednesdays 11th and 18th, from 10 am – Noon, Academy Science is visiting the Valley Library with its STEM focus on air rockets build and launch competition demonstration.
All participating youth and adults get personalized instruction in building a performance style competition air rocket and an opportunity to launch in sandlot style competition. It is typical performance for a first time rocketeer in this program to get one hundred feet altitude and two hundred fifty feet in lateral flight distance on the first or second try with the air rocket launch shot.
So come on down for some fellowship and science FUN!

Trinity Sunday Fathers Day Picnic in the Park

Trinity Sunday Fathers Day Community Event

Spirit of Peace Church

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Lunch

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, June 15, 2014 from 11 am to 2 pm

Schedule: 11:00 Service 11:40 or so Fellowship 12:00 Potluck Picnic Lunch

(“Remember, I am with you always!” Matt. 28).

Activities for the Entire Family!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Valley City Park Pavilion
400 West Vass Street Valley, NE 68064

Price: Free will offering (sweet!) Thank you!

Questions: Please contact Michael or Cathy Hanus

Spirit.Peace@icloud.com

https://blog.peacelcmc.org

402-541-7019 – Pastor

LORD070910 (567-307-0910) – Church

Twitter: @SpiritOfPeaceCh

Please See the Church Blog for Information Updates –

https://blog.peacelcmc.org

Thank you!

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Dad and Jesus Fuel Rockets Devotion

Teacher, How do we bridge Scripture and the realm of science in youth ministry?
We may choose a creative example inspired by Scripture through the working of the Holy Spirit in the Rockets Devotion for Youth.
With a timely tribute to Father’s Day, Dad can engage this one and be a model teaching example to youth.

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Presentation Theme Guidance.
Discuss how the rocket is only seen by a few people when it is on the ground, but when it has the power and launches, it is seen by many people all around.
When we have the power of the Holy Spirit inspiring us, we are able to be a greater witness to all nations (people).

Isaiah 40:28-31
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Presentation Theme Guidance.
Talk about when we pray for God’s help, He gives us all the strength that we need on the inside to do what He asks us to.
We are also able to go farther, higher and accomplish goals once we have recieved His strength.

Zechariah. 4:4-6
4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my Lord?” 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my Lord.” 6 Then He said to me, “This is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.

We are like rockets when it comes to serving The Lord. We need high power fuel.
The Holy Spirit brings us strength and inspiration.
The Lord tells us to rely on His spirit.
We have The Lord’s spirit in us.
We choose to do something pleasing to The Lord.
We rely on The Lord’s power.
Stand back while we do something powerful for The Lord.
What do we do?
What can we do to serve The Lord this week?
Remind the youth to show everyone their high power fuel rockets and what they do to serve The Lord.

Closing Prayer.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Dear Jesus,
For our youth all over the Lord’s bountiful creation,
as precious believers in You,
Please give our youth the patience to wait on You,
Please send them the Holy Spirit,
so You may lead them in the path of righteousness and
they may soar like rockets to engage your call.
For all who lead youth in ministry,
May The Lord bless you and guard you,
May The Lord show you His favor and be gracious to you,
May The Lord show you His kindness and grant You His peace.
Amen

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Pentecost Sunday Service and Potluck Picnic in the Park

Pentecost Sunday Community Event

Spirit of Peace Church

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Lunch

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, June 8, 2014 from 11 am to 2 pm

Schedule: 11:00 Service 11:40 or so Fellowship 12:00 Potluck Picnic Lunch

(“Receive the Holy Spirit!” John 20).

Activities for the Entire Family!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Valley City Park Pavilion
400 West Vass Street Valley, NE 68064

Price: Free will offering (sweet!) Thank you!

Questions: Please contact Michael or Cathy Hanus

Spirit.Peace@icloud.com

https://blog.peacelcmc.org

402-541-7019 – Pastor

LORD070910 (567-307-0910) – Church

Twitter: @SpiritOfPeaceCh

Please See the Church Blog for Information Updates –

https://blog.peacelcmc.org

Thank you!

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