Annunciation of the Lord Celebration
for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!

Annunciation of the Lord Introduction:
Ladies, can you imagine birthing and raising Jesus? Men, look in the mirror; can you be dad to the Lord?
This is the point where all of us, in meditation and contemplation of what certainly is challenging for a human, will deliver us from who we think we are to what God has called us to be, from observant believer to confessing apostle.

Annunciation of the Lord Scripture:
The LORD spoke to Ahaz saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. Is. 7:10-1.
Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him. Ps. 45:10-1.
It is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb. 10:10.
The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Luke 1:30-1.

Prayer:
O God,
we rejoice in your salvation,
for your Spirit brought to life in Mary
the one who saves your people from their sins.
Send your Spirit on your church
to quicken all that is barren in us,
that we may give birth to Christ
for our world today. Amen.

Jesus, Name Above All Names
performed by Marantha Singers
http://youtu.be/iBVFvtM9SzM

Jesus name above all names
Beautiful Savior glorious Lord
Emmanuel God is with us
Blessed Redeemer living Word.
Prayer:
O Loving One,
your daughter Mary prayed to be your faithful servant.
Hear the prayers of our hearts on behalf of your world.
Ever-surprising One,
as your messenger came to Mary
with words of your favor
and the pledge of wondrous new life,
may we, in our day,
prove ourselves
as ready to serve you,
and as willing to bear the life you offer,
for the blessing of our world. Amen.

Jesus Shall Reign
Isaac Watts (1719).
performed by Enfield

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun, Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
Prayer:
God of impossibilities,
you chose to enter human flesh
through the one who called herself lowly.
Teach us who daily receive announcements of Christ’s coming
to live as Mary did,
trusting in your power
to bring your desire to fulfillment. Amen.

Wedding Song

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!

Doubting Thomas Celebration
for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!

Doubting Thomas Introduction:
Jesus Christ Is Risen! Jesus lives as man taking our sins, all of our most grievous thoughts and deeds, to the cross and dies so we may be gifted salvation through our belief in Him. Praise the Lord!
So why do we have a pool of sinfulness to bathe in today? Let’s work through it. Salvation is Ours!
Many of us may have knowledge of the “Doubting Thomas” narrative and its conventional interpretation; that is Thomas wants proof that he is witnessing a resurrected Jesus.
Consider this … We are reading John 20 today. Translated from its original Greek, John does not use the word for “doubt.” Matt. 28 does raise the doubt issue in his gospel. Consider the interpretation that John’s gospel text recounts and blends events of many people of the day reacting to the Resurrection of Jesus. All too often we protect ourselves from the obvious truth with speculation. We are among many caught off guard by the obvious and seek a best guess logical explanation of what we should otherwise be believing.
John 20 translated from Greek is a logical If … Then rather than doubt. If the conditions are not met, Then Thomas will not believe. In John’s text, Thomas did not inspect to see if his conditions were met, rather Thomas was awestruck by the sight and presence of Jesus, believed, and remains a believer. Thomas performed many good works for the Lord in his lifetime that simply do not merit remembering him for a transient moment of assertion.

Doubting Thomas Scripture:
We must obey God rather than any human authority. Acts 5:29.
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. 118:24.
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come. Rev. 1:4.
These are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31.

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Lyra Davidici
Charles Wesley

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Prayer:
Mighty Lord God,
in whom we know the power of redemption,
you stand among us in the shadows of our time.
As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,
uphold us with knowledge of the final morning
when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,
we will share in his resurrection,
redeemed and restored to the fullness of life
and forever freed to be your people. Amen.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
Yoachim Neander (1680).

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,
join me in glad adoration.

Prayer:
O Lord God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection,
teaching them to love all people as neighbors.
As his disciples in this age,
we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe
in which we are privileged to live
and our neighbors with whom we share it.
Open our hearts to your power moving
around us and between us and within us,
until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy,
in communities transformed by justice and compassion,
and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen.

Will You Come and Follow Me? The Summons.
John Bell

Will you come and follow me
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown
In you and you in me?

Prayer:
O Lord God,
you raised up Jesus Christ
as your faithful witness and the first-born of the dead.
By your Holy Spirit, help us to witness to him
so that those who have not yet seen
may come to believe in him
who is, and was, and is to come. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!

Valley Community Easter Sunday Egg Hunt and Picnic Lunch
Awesome! So many people turn out for this Community Celebration on this chilly Nebraska day!
There are dozens of people, some for the picnic, some for the Easter eggs, some for fellowship! We are thankful for supporters donating their time and resources. Spirit of Peace Pastor Michael Hanus told a story of the Easter Hare tradition and How an Empty Egg Represents a Risen Christ before dozens of children chased after several hundred Easter eggs. Young children were given a head start to collect Easter eggs. The record breaker egg collector scooped up two dozen eggs. Spirit’s Best Easter Celebration Costume Award Winner is Miss Shyenne Swolley. Miss Shyenne had her choice of a Beanie Baby donated for the cause by a generous volunteer. We are grateful for our generous volunteers! We thank everyone for participating and supporting this successful community event!
Spirit of Peace Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus may be contacted at: Spirit.Peace@outlook.com or 402-541-7019.

Jesus Christ is Risen Today Celebration
for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!

Scripture Introduction:
He is Risen Indeed!
We see darkness and light enveloping the story about the tomb Jesus was placed in. The reference to the cloth that covered the face of Jesus is interesting in terms of Jewish cultural practice. A reference to the practice of a folded cloth indicating “I will return” is remarkable. The relationship between Jesus and this Mary, clearly Teacher and Rabbinical student is clear. Jesus clearly communicates that His obedience to the Father has fulfilled prophecy. This allows Mary the privilege of being the first to preach the Resurrection as fact.
In Acts 10, Peter witnesses his faith as fact. If Peter believes so should we. Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead. Prophecy is fulfilled. Our Lord welcomes ALL people! No one is at all insignificant or unreachable to our Lord.
In Psalm 118, David is overwhelmed with joy and we should be also. Even today in our world, it is important to understand and practice the message of salvation!
In 1 Cor. 15, Paul persuades all who hear to join in the belief that the resurrection is fact and meaningful to all believers. Death is no longer an end, but rather a means to enter on to everlasting life.

Scripture:
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear… . Acts 10:39.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. Is. 65:19.
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Ps. 118:1.
For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 1 Cor. 15:22.
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Acts 10:43.
He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. John 20:6.
Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. Luke 24:6.

Prayer:
Living God,
long ago, faithful men and women
proclaimed the good news
of Jesus’ resurrection,
and the world was changed forever.
Teach us to keep faith with them,
that our witness may be as bold,
our love as deep,
and our faith as true. Amen.

Hear the Bells Ringing
Anne Herring Keith Green
CBUniversity Choir

Hear the bells ringing, they’re singing
That You can be born again
Here the bells ringing, they’re singing
Christ is risen from the dead
The angel up on the tombstone
Said, He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell His disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead!

Prayer:
Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world
to God who raised an obedient Son Jesus to new life.
Through the resurrection of your Son, O Lord,
you destroy the power of death
and remove your people’s shame.
By the power of the Spirit,
raise us from sin
and seat us at the paschal feast,
that we may rejoice in the gift of salvation
Jesus has won for us. Amen.

In Christ Alone
Adrienne Liesching

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Prayer: We exult in your love,
O God of the living,
for you made the tomb of death
the womb from which you bring forth your Son,
the first-born of a new creation,
and you anointed the universe
with the fragrant Spirit of his resurrection.
Make us joyful witnesses to this good news,
that all humanity may one day
gather at the feast of new life
in the kingdom where you reign
for ever and ever. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!

Valley Community Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic Lunch

Awesome! So many people turn out for this Community Celebration on this chilly Nebraska day!

There are dozens of people, some for the picnic, some for the Easter eggs, some for fellowship! We are thankful for supporters donating their time and resources. Spirit of Peace Pastor Michael Hanus told a story of the Easter Hare tradition and Three Nails and One Cross Equals Forgiven before dozens of children chased after several hundred Easter eggs. The record breaker egg collector scooped up two dozen eggs. We thank everyone for participating and supporting this successful community event! We plan to repeat the Community Picnic Lunch and Easter Egg Hunt in the Valley City Park on Easter Sunday. Everyone is invited!
Spirit of Peace Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus may be contacted at: Spirit.Peace@outlook.com or 402-541-7019.

Love Wins Good Friday Reflection
for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!

Scripture Introduction:
Isaiah prophecies our mystery of faith. Christ has taken on our sins, He has died so that as we believe, we shall be saved. Christ is risen, death and the tomb can not hold him. Christ will come again!
Our psalm so eloquently and emotionally meets the emotional laden challenge of describing what we have come to believe. Yet in our daily human lives we relive the pain, anguish and torture that Jesus took on upon himself so that we may have life everlasting. Thank God the price is paid.
Hebrews 10 builds upon Jesus as our High Priest and the Son of God.
John eloquently and chronologically factually describes the mortal human torture Christ experiences taking on the sins of mankind. Thank you Jesus!

Scripture:
We like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Is. 53:6.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? Ps. 22:1.
Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?” John 18:11.

Prayer:
We veil our faces before your glory,
O Holy and Immortal one,
and bow before the cross of your wounded Christ.
with angels and archangels,
we praise you, our Mercy,
and we bless you, our Compassion,
for in our brokenness
you have not abandoned us.
Hear us as we pray through Jesus, our high priest:
heal all division,
reconcile the estranged,
console the suffering,
and raise up to new life
all that is bound by death. Amen.

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
performed by Rethink Worship

Prayer:
In this holy time,
as we remember the sacrifice of the cross,
we offer the prayers of our hearts,
that through them we may be transformed
to be servants of justice, love and peace.
Make us steadfast witnesses of our Savior’s reign,
that we may live in the pattern of Christ,
who was faithful in all things,
even death,
and whose darkest hour gives light and hope. Amen.

Three Nails and a Cross
George Strait

He was sitting on the front porch of a half-way house
Chainin’ cigarettes and drinkin’ coffee
I was walkin’ by on my way home
Stopped and said, hello, how are ya.
He looked at me and said, I’ve seen better days
I looked at him and said, there’s a better way.

Prayer:
Grieving God,
on the cross
your Son embraced death
even as he had embraced life:
faithfully and with good courage.
Grant that we who have been
born out of his wounded side
may hold fast to our faith in him exalted
and may find mercy in all times of need. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!

Last Supper Reflection
for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!

Scripture Introduction:
Mandy Thursday. Last Supper. Matthew, Mark and Luke describe the Last Supper Jesus shared with His apostles. Imagine the emotion we might feel if we knew that we would be crucified on the next day! Many of us might choose to not participate in supper. Yet once again our Lord, the Great Teacher, the Obedient Son, the Sacrificial Lamb, took this opportunity to share the glorious celebration that we as believers will engage in communion with one another as we share in the Body and Blood of our Savior, who unselfishly died with and for our sins so that we are saved through our belief in Him! Thank God!

Scripture:
The Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Cor. 11:23-6.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. Ex. 12:12-4.
What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me? Ps. 116:12.
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-5.

The Summons
Jon Bell

Prayer:
God of the covenant,
as we celebrate the beginning of the paschal feast,
we come to the table of the Lord
in whom we have salvation, life, and resurrection.
Renew the power of this mystery
in our service to one another and to you,
so that with Christ we may pass from this life
to the glory of your kingdom. Amen.

The Last Supper
JC Superstar (1973).

Prayer:
Eternal God, in the sharing of a meal
your son established a new covenant for all people,
and in the washing of feet
he showed us the dignity of service.
Grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
these signs of our life in faith
may speak again to our hearts,
feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies. Amen.

Servant Song
Donna Marie McGargill

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!

Spirit of Peace Celebrates Easter Environment Preparation Volunteers

There is so much to do in order to organize and present a successful event!
Spirit of Peace is blessed to have helpful volunteers generous with time, energy and other resources. We do our best to show our appreciation for our fantastic generous volunteers.

Some of Easter environment volunteers are pictured here.

Spirit of Peace celebrates and thanks every one of you!
Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus

Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Passion Reflection
for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!

Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Passion Reflection Introduction:
Where the unjust hateful of the time intend to inflict evil upon our Savior Jesus Christ, our Lord brings us Salvation, the finest of the good. Luke skillfully moves us, the audience brought into the story, with examples such as the previously uncaring, pain inflicting Roman centurion praising a God he formerly did not believe in, now speaking the words, “Certainly this man was innocent.” Luke 23:47.

Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Passion Reflection Scripture:
Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. Is. 50:8.
Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. Ps. 31:16.
Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:11.
Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23:43.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Matt Redman

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful,
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name.

Prayer:
God of wilderness and water,
your Son was baptized and tempted as we are.
Guide us through this season,
that we may not avoid struggle,
but open ourselves to blessing,
through the cleansing depths of repentance
and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen.

I Love to Tell the Story
Katherine Hankey (1866).
performed by Alan Jackson

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Prayer:
Caught between joy and despair,
we yearn for the fulfillment of God’s desire
beyond the brokenness and neediness of this life.
We offer thanksgiving for God’s presence with us
and petitions for the transformation
of the church and the world. Amen.

It is Well with My Soul
performed by Wintley Phipps

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Prayer:
Compassionate God,
your love finds full expression
in the gift of Jesus Christ your Son,
who willingly met betrayal and death
to set us free from sin.
Give us courage to live obediently in these days
until we greet the glory of our risen Savior. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!

Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Palms Celebration
for the Community.
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!

Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Palms Celebration Introduction:
There are no palms mentioned in Luke for this Liturgy of the Palms gospel. John 12 will bring us palms. Luke focuses on Jesus. What is our Savior’s expectation? Jesus visits Jerusalem on Passover. This is a time of social and political unrest. The feast of Passover runs deep in Jewish history with many strong reactions. The Roman Empire of the day was not a welcome place for spiritual ministry. We see Jesus entering Jerusalem with honor, pomp and circumstance, but not necessarily with all the trappings of a king of that era.

Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Palms Celebration Scripture:
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Ps. 118:1.
He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” Luke 19:40.

Hosanna!
JC Superstar (2000).
Glenn Carter as Jesus

Prayer:
Artist of souls,
you sculpted a people for yourself
out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting.
Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity,
that the discipline of these forty days
may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship,
and whet our thirst for the living water you offer
through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine!
Fanny Crosby (1873).

Blessed assurance; Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Prayer:
Caught between joy and despair,
we yearn for the fulfillment of God’s desire
beyond the brokenness and neediness of this life.
We offer thanksgiving for God’s presence with us
and petitions for the transformation
of the church and the world.

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Edward Parronet

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.

Prayer:
Giver of light,
your steadfast love endures forever.
Open our hearts to the Blessed One who comes so humbly,
on a borrowed colt.
Open before us the gates of your justice,
that we may enter,
confessing in heaven and on earth
that Jesus is Lord. Amen.

We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!

Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!