Following Pastor on an April Sunday.
Today I woke at 5 am, did a few chores, made breakfast and was out the door to greet Pastor, who was already preparing for 7 am service at 6 with Matins.
We presented “Love One Another Celebration” for the Community.

Love One Another Celebration

Baptism at 10 am for happy parents, their active children and an infant that did not cry.
Luncheon at Noon begun with a prayer. So many people to visit!
Squeeze in a few hours “Walking the Street” visiting the Homebound and inviting everyone to next Sunday’s service and Mother’s Day Celebration the following Sunday.
There are several waves of raining buckets from occasional ominous clouds throughout the day.
Check some of the flyers and signs posted for Spirit’s upcoming events.
Community evening meal begun with a prayer of course. More people to visit.
Celebrate Recovery meeting to wrap up the official daylong schedule. Prayer.
Several unscheduled stops to visit and pray that always seem to find their way into the schedule.
End of the day Vespers.
Time to retire for this day.
Dear Lord, Thank you for a day fulfilling your plan! Amen.

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

Love One Another Celebration Introduction:
In Acts 11, Peter must convince the “Chosen” (Jews), that he follows the Lord in communing with Gentiles. Peter does this through a “dream” that the Lord used to instruct him.
Psalm 148 is a poem of praise.
How do we explain to a non-believer what order and life we will experience in the place Jesus has prepared for us? Not an easy task, as John is challenged here in Rev. 21.
In John 13, we see how Jesus Christ showed unconditional love for all people. Scripture tells us of this love of Jesus that transcends all that we can muster in our daily lives as believers. Jesus does not want our piety, He wants us to perform loving acts toward others, even those we do not normally get along with.

Love One Another Celebration Scripture:
God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life. Acts 11:18.
Praise the LORD! Ps. 148:1.
He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Rev. 21:6.
Where I am going, you cannot come. John 13:31.
Come Lord Jesus
James Tealy
performed by Redemption City

Before the mountains could lift their heads, Before the stars drew their first deep breath,

Before the ocean embraced the golden shore, Jesus, You were there as the world was born.
Prayer:
Creator of the universe,
you made the world in beauty,
and restore all things in glory
through the victory of Jesus Christ.
We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured
by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed,
the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace,
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
Daniel Iverson (1929).
performed by Michael Daly.

Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.

Prayer:

Holy Lord God,
you have called us to follow in the way of your risen Son,
and to care for those who are our companions,
not only with words of comfort, but with acts of love.
Seeking to be true friends of all,
we offer our prayers on behalf of the church and the world.
Guide us in the path of discipleship,
so that, as you have blessed us,
we may be a blessing for others,
bringing the promise of the kingdom near
by our words and deeds. Amen.

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

John Newton (1774).

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
in a believer’s ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
and drives away our fear.
Prayer:
Alpha and Omega, First and Last,
glory outshining all the lights of heaven:
pour out upon us your Spirit
of faithful love and abundant compassion,
so that we may rejoice in the splendor of your works
while we wait in expectation
for the new heaven and the new earth you promise
when Christ shall come again. Amen.
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Doxology
Thomas Ken

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
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!

Waterloo Fire Department went all out on its Pancake Feed.

Spirit goes all out to support this fundraising activity. This is a community engaging and educational opportunity. We are pleased to participate. We recommend everyone give it a try next time it comes around! Need more information? Contact Pastors Michael or Cathy Hanus: Spirit.Peace@outlook.com

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

Promise of Eternal Life Introduction:
In John’s gospel message today, the Jews are divided. Some believe, others do not. Jesus, the great and patient teacher, praises the believers and admonishes those who do not believe. Believers receive eternal life.
Luke in Acts tells us of Tabitha, a woman filled with the Holy Spirit and good works, generous with concern and resources, who provides for the poor. We should live to emulate Tabitha.
Our Psalm 23 reminds us of the beauty in life that comes to faithful people. Our Lord provides for His flock time and time again.
The futuristic focus of Revelations allows believers hope and promise that despite today’s misfortunes, brighter times lie ahead. Christians are called to anticipate the heaven that awaits.

Promise of Eternal Life Scripture:
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. Acts 9:36.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Ps. 23:4.
For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. Rev. 7:15.
My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27.

Holy, Holy, Holy
Reginald Heber (1826).
performed by Hillsong

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

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.

The Lord is My Shepherd
Francis Rous (1650).
Pianist Brother James Air

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

Prayer:
O 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.

I heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Horatius Bonar (1846).
performed by Westminster Abbey Choir

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down,
Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting-place,
And He has made me glad.

Prayer:
God of comfort and compassion,
through Jesus, your Son, you lead us
to the water of life and table of your bounty.
May we who have received
the tender love of our Good Shepherd
be strengthened by your grace
to care for your flock. 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!

FREE NESCIFEST Valley Community Event
Everyone is Welcome! Come as You Are!
Sponsored by Spirit of Peace, Valley, NE and AcademyScience.us

Nebraska Science Festival for ALL to Explore!
– Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10 am to 2 pm or so.
Where: Valley City Library
​ 232 North Spruce Street Valley, NE 68064

Many Science exhibits including Rockets, Robots, Microscopes, Fossils, Paper folding, and MORE!
Price:​ Free! (sweet!) Thank you!

Questions?: Interested in VOLUNTEERING?: RSVP assists Planning Purposes!
Please contact Pastors Michael or Cathy Hanus
Spirit.Peace@outlook.com 402-541-7019

FREE NESCIFEST Valley Community Event

AcademyScience.us

NESCIFEST Valley History

Take Heart! Heaven’s Delights will Far Outweigh Earth’s Difficulties.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

I like to watch birds at play, so I built a small sanctuary in our backyard to attract them. For several months I enjoyed the sight of my feathered friends feeding and flitting about, until a Cooper’s Hawk made my bird refuge his private hunting reserve.

Such is life: Just about the time we settle down to take our ease, something or someone comes along to unsettle our nests. Why, we ask, must so much of life be a veil of tears?

Lord, You are powerful, loving, in control, and eternal. We trust You and love You.
I have heard many answers to that old question, but lately I am satisfied with just one: “All the discipline of the world is to make [us] children, that God may be revealed to [us].” (George MacDonald, Life Essential). When we become like children, we begin trusting, resting solely in the love of our Father in heaven, seeking to know Him and to be like Him.

Cares and sorrow may follow us all the days of our lives, but “we do not lose heart. … For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:16-18). – David Roper. Daily Bread.

Can we not rejoice, then, with such an end in view?

Lord, we do rejoice even in our struggles because we are rejoicing in who You are and Your good purposes for us. You are powerful, loving, in control, and eternal. We trust You and love You. Heaven’s delights will far outweigh earth’s difficulties.

Despite our text telling the story of Paul’s suffering as a follower of Christ, it also carries an implicit message of hope in the phrase “but not.” (2 Cor. 4:8–9). Though Paul suffered in a variety of ways, he was not overwhelmed by his experiences. His hope, and ours, is expressed in verse 17: “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” – Bill Crowder. Daily Bread.

LCMC Leadership Monday Conference Presenters
Shift: Retooling Church
#LCMCshift
From Consumer Christianity to Discipleship Producing Christianity

Game Changing Lineup:

Rev Jo Saxton is a leader, visionary, and practitioner that church leaders and lay people need to hear!

Rev Jeremey King has a passion for seeing people in all walks of their faith be awakened by God’s Word in new ways, living a life of incarnational ministry. Rev Jeremey encourages Radiant to “be the church” by tangibly loving God and their neighbors.

Rev Steve Turnbull has a particular passion for discipleship and leadership development in the church. Rev Steve encourages the people of First Lutheran to see themselves not as mere church goers but agents of the Kingdom of God on location in their homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces.

Ms Stephanie Nelson is on the Core Leadership team at Mission Point Church. She oversees the amazing leaders in Prayer, Student Ministries and Children’s Ministries.

Ms Ashley Nelson is part of the Mission Point’s Outreach team. She oversees mall outreach, through weekly cookie delivery to the stores.

LCMC Leadership Tuesday Conference Presenters

Rev. Dan Clites serves as the LCMC’s Coordinator for New Ministry Development. Rev Dan coaches and encourages our existing pastors and church leadership teams on becoming missionally-minded and discipleship-driven.

Laurel Swanson has been part of several “shifts” in ministry that have fueled her excitement for the future of ministry. Ms Swanson encourages people in her congregation to think beyond their past experiences of what church has been to find a way to launch disciples into their neighborhoods and communities.

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

Third Appearance Celebration Introduction:
“Follow me!” The command in the statement is clear. But will we? Can we? Jesus appears to His apostles for a third time after His death. Follow me is quite familiar. We heard this earlier when Jesus gathered His apostles to teach them as He did His Father’s work. Now Jesus beckons them once more to be more complete in the work He taught them.
In Acts, Luke tells us about Saul. Up to this point Saul is a very bad man. When Saul hears Jesus speaking to him, Saul turns his life around and becomes Christian. Ananias will be the spokesman that will turn Saul into Paul. Wonders in the world occur when Jesus speaks.
Our Thanksgiving psalm applies to individual healing and the dedication of a home. We see the Lord’s life giving powers as we journey to wellness in body, mind and soul. We see the Lord looks after us with shelter and comfort even in life’s storms.
In Revelations, John summons us to be loyal to our Triune God.
If Jesus appears to us and says, “Follow Me!” what will we do? Follow and Lead!

Third Appearance Celebration Scripture:
The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” Acts 9:10.
Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper!” Ps. 30:10.
“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Rev. 5:13.
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. John 21:7.

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.

All the Ends of the Earth
Bob Dufford
performed by St Louis Jesuits

All the ends of the earth, sing a joyful song.
Sing to the Lord, there is salvation.

Prayer:
O 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.

Summons
John Bell

Will You Come and Follow Me If I But Call Your Name?

Prayer:
God of victory over death,
your Son revealed himself again and again,
and convinced his followers of his glorious resurrection.
Grant that we may know his risen presence,
in love obediently feed his sheep,
and care for the lambs of his flock,
until we join the hosts of heaven in worshiping you and praising him
who is worthy of blessing and honor,
glory and power, 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!