Years ago I saw a cartoon that depicted a disgruntled, elderly gentleman standing in rumpled pajamas and robe at his apartment door. He just finished securing the door for the night with four locks, two deadbolts, and a chain latch. Later he noticed a small white envelope stuck beneath the door. On the envelope was a large sticker in the shape of a heart. It was a Valentine. Love finds a way.

Only love can change a person’s heart. The Russian author Dostoevsky, in his book The Brothers Karamazov, tells the story of a hardened cynic, Ivan, and his resistance to the love of the Lord. On one occasion his brother Alyosha, a man of deep faith who was confounded by his brother’s resistance, leans over and kisses Ivan. This simple act of love burned into Ivan’s heart.

Perhaps you have a friend who is resisting the Lord’s love. Show His love to him or her, just as the Lord showed love to us when He brought salvation into the world through Jesus. Shower upon others the kind of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 – a love that is patient, kind, humble, and unselfish. – Daily Bread.

God’s Love Finds a Way – Harvest Church –

http://youtu.be/5jCN-g9TXHY

Real love is a gift from the Lord that we can keep on giving.

Dear Lord, Teach me to love as You love, and let the whole world know that Jesus Christ lives in my heart, His glorious light to shine. – Brandt.

The Lord pours His love into our hearts to flow out to others.

AMEN.

Spirit of Peace Church Community Event

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Meal

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, February 8, 2015 from 8 am to 10 am
Rising sun Morning Modern Traditional blend themed
Schedule: 8:00 Service 8:40 or so Fellowship 9:00 Potluck Picnic Meal

Proclaim Good News! Mark 1.

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!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Chapel in the Woods Mercer, Nebraska
Please contact Michael or Cathy

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!

Well, Who is the Boss?

As my wife was babysitting our two young grandsons, they began to argue over a toy. Suddenly, the younger (by 3 years) forcefully ordered his older brother, “Cameron, go to your room!” Shoulders slumped under the weight of the reprimand, the dejected older brother began to slink off to his room when my wife said, “Cameron, you don’t have to go to your room. Nathan’s not the boss of you!” That realization changed everything, and Cameron, smiling, sat back down to play.

Who’s the Boss? Theme Song – Sanfranchino –

As followers of Christ, the reality of our brokenness and our inclination to sin can assume a false authority much like that younger brother. Sin noisily threatens to dominate our hearts and minds, and the joy drains from our relationship with the Savior.

But through the death and resurrection of Christ, that threat is an empty one. Sin has no authority over us. That is why Paul wrote, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Rom. 6:14.

While our brokenness is very real, Christ’s grace enables us to live in a way that pleases God and expresses His transforming power to the world. Sin is no longer our boss. We now live in the grace and presence of Jesus. His dominion in our lives releases us from the bondage of sin. – Daily Bread

God pursues us in our restlessness, receives us in our sinfulness, holds us in our brokenness. – Scotty Smith

All I have is Christ – Sovereign Grace –

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.

INSIGHT: In Romans, Paul teaches about our redemption and justification – how through faith in Jesus Christ, God made us right with Him (Rom. 3:21–4:25). Paul now presents another aspect of our salvation – sanctification (Rom. 6:1–8:39). Because we have been given a new life and a new relationship with God (Rom. 6:4-14), He expects us to live differently and to mature in holiness.

Thank You for Your grace, Jesus, that cleanses us inside.
Your grace is greater than all our sin.
We know we can’t live without it.
And we’re grateful that we don’t have to.

AMEN.

Spirit of Peace Church Community Event

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Meal

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, February 1, 2015 from 8 am to 10 am
Rising sun Morning Modern Traditional blend themed
Schedule: 8:00 Service 8:40 or so Fellowship 9:00 Potluck Picnic Meal

Even the Unclean Spirits Obey Him! Mark 1.

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!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Chapel in the Woods Mercer, Nebraska
Please contact Michael or Cathy

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!

“Trust in God” Today’s 7 minute Reflection Devotion.

“I climb because I love the mountains,” Lygon said, “and I meet God there.” In January 2008, she died in an avalanche while climbing Little Bear Peak in southern Colorado with her brother, who survived.

Her parents discovered her journals. They were deeply moved by the intimacy of her walk with Christ. “Always a shining light for Him,” her mother said, “She experienced a depth and honesty in her relationship with the Lord, which even seasoned veterans of faith long to have.”

In her final journal entry, written from her tent 3 days before the avalanche, she said: “God is good, and He has a plan for our lives that is greater and more blessed than the lives we pick out for ourselves, and I am so thankful about that. Thank You, Lord, for bringing me this far and to this place. I leave the rest – my future – in those same hands and say thank You.” – Daily Bread.

God of Wonders – Third Day – Chris Tomlin –

Lord of all creation
Of Water, Earth and Sky
The Heavens are your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high. …

… It’s early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
As I stumble in the darkness
I will call Your name by night.

King David trusted in the Lord throughout his journey through life.

Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains –
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip –
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you –
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm –
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Still be our guard while troubles last
And our eternal home. – Watts

AMEN.

Spirit of Peace Church Community Event

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Meal

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 8 am to 10 am
Rising sun Morning Modern Traditional blend themed
Schedule: 8:00 Service 8:40 or so Fellowship 9:00 Potluck Picnic Meal

Follow Me Become Fishermen. Mark 1.

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!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Chapel in the Woods Mercer, Nebraska
Please contact Michael or Cathy

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!

Spirit of Peace Church Community Event

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Meal

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, January 18, 2015 from 8 am to 10 am
Rising sun Morning Modern Traditional blend themed
Schedule: 8:00 Service 8:40 or so Fellowship 9:00 Potluck Picnic Meal

I saw you under the fig tree! John 1.

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!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Chapel in the Woods Mercer, Nebraska
Please contact Michael or Cathy

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!

Spirit of Peace Church Community Event

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Meal

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Sunday, January 11, 2015 from 8 am to 10 am
Rising sun Morning Modern Traditional blend themed
Schedule: 8:00 Service 8:40 or so Fellowship 9:00 Potluck Picnic Meal

Baptized with the Holy Spirit! Mark 1.

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!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Chapel in the Woods Mercer, Nebraska
Please contact Michael or Cathy

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!

Prayer represents a significant part of our identity in the Spirit of Peace Missional Community. We engage in formal and informal prayer, together and as individuals, led by our Pastor or any one of our congregation as the Holy Spirit moves us and the example of Jesus Christ teaches us. We pray while seated, standing and even walking. We pray in our waking and sleeping times. We pray throughout the seasons in celebration and supplication. We pray out loud in speech, music and song. We pray in silence. We pray in conversation with Jesus Christ, expressing thankfulness and petition. We pray because we are believers.

Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ LCMC has organized a formal Three Days of Prayer. This is our third annual formal “Three Days” event. As children of the Lord we believe Prayer is a conversation between the Creator and us in Christ Jesus.
http://www.lcmc.net/three-days-of-prayer/537.html
This milestone prayer event is organized in the following manner:

Day One: January 6. Confession.
This is a day focused on confession. We have made our lives, our relationships and even our church in our own image. We confess that the church belongs to Jesus and not to us. We gather to lay down our pride, our sin and our agenda and ask the Lord of the church for forgiveness, which He gives freely and with mercy.

Day Two: January 7. Petition.
This is a day of petition. Pray for your congregation, for the pastor, for the leaders, for those who carry out ministries, for the Sunday School teachers, for the Confirmation leaders, for those leading adult Bible studies and for those leading small groups. Pray for those in hospital and nursing home ministries. Pray for all those connected to your church that they might know God’s redeeming love for all in Christ.

Day Three: January 8. Vision.
This is a day for vision. Pray that the Holy Spirit will again move through the hearts and minds of leaders and pastors that God’s vision for His church might be revealed and fulfilled. This is a time of prayer for renewal, revival and encouragement. Pray for God’s vision.

After participating in the prayerful event, your congregation will experience the wonderful and joyous sense of purpose and closeness to our awesome Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Amen.

Questions? Please feel free to contact us as you wish for prayer will bring us together in His Name. Amen.

Spirit of Peace.
blog.peacelcmc.org
peacelcmc@gmail.com

Spirit of Peace Church Community Event

Service, Fellowship, and Potluck Picnic Meal

Everyone is Welcome!

When: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 8 am to 10 am
Rising sun Morning Modern Traditional blend themed
Schedule: 8:00 Service 8:40 or so Fellowship 9:00 Potluck Picnic Meal
Followed by Flash Christmas Caroling in the Community!

The Wise Men were Overwhelmed with Joy! Matt. 2.
Twelfth Day of Christmas!

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!
Contact Us with Special Requests!

Where: Chapel in the Woods Mercer, Nebraska
Please contact Michael or Cathy

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!