Category Archives: Health and Wellness

Love One Another

Love One Another for the Missional Community

All Are Welcome to Join Spirit of Peace in its mission to serve the community in ministry sharing resources and concern in helping one another.
Chat Bench allows for confidential discussion of topical interest and fellowship between people.
Spirit Health and Wellness is an activity that presents a health topic, discusses nutrition found in foods and shares healthy food and fellowship with one another.
Community Garden introduces growing foods from plant starts through harvest life cycle.
Recovery Circle allows for interested people in a group setting to engage readings and reflections that support the spirit within us.
Community Activities and Events scheduled about once every month allow for fun and entertainment.
Church services allow for regular structured formal Christian worship.

Love One Another
Love One Another, John 13:34-35.

Scripture
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35.

Prayer
Dear Lord thank you for the opportunity to practice your command in the community. Our time and our efforts come together to fulfill your command that we should love one another as you loved us.

Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus and the Spirit of Peace Missional Community.

Christmas Spirit

Spirit of Peace Missional Community Invites All Interested People of All Ages to Celebrate a Joyful Merry Christmas this Year!

The Spirit Missional Community Engages in many Focused Spiritual Religious Christmas Spirit Activities throughout the Christmas Season.

Two of These Activities Are Faith Hope Love Joy Peace and Twelve Days of Christmas.

Merry Christmas! Spirit Missional Community
Merry Christmas! Spirit Missional Community

All Are Welcome to Join Our Missional Community in the Presentation of Faith Hope Love Joy Peace FHLJP which discusses and assists in preparing for the Grand Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.

All Are Welcome to Join Our Missional Community in the Presentation of Twelve Days of Christmas which May Surprise You the First Time You Experience this Activity which Walks Us from Christmas Day through Epiphany. Hint: One item Discussed is a well-known Christmas Season song!

Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus and the Spirit of Peace Missional Community.

Tree lighting

Spirit of Peace Supports the Community Tree Lighting event!

Spirit of Peace served the community freshly prepared homemade ham sandwiches with artisan ham and homemade whole wheat or white bread along with a choice of variety of donut holes for a dessert.

Everyone received a Merry Christmas invitation along with their choice of sandwich.

Merry Christmas! Spirit Missional Community
Merry Christmas! Spirit Missional Community

We are pleased to share our freshly prepared health and wellness resources with the community.

We appreciate the compliments on the well prepared dinner.

All Are Welcome! Community Tree Lighting
All Are Welcome! Community Tree Lighting

Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus and the Spirit of Peace Missional Community.

Got More Cruciferous Vegetables. Indeed.

Got More Cruciferous Vegetables. Indeed.
Pastor Cathy Hanus Holistic Health Coach
All Are Welcome at Our Table

Two weeks ago, we saw hard frost at night, several nights in a row. Since then, our weather has been windy and warmer. Glorious Day! The time passes so quickly!

Thanksgiving Prayer for Our Blessings
Thanksgiving Prayer for Our Blessings

Opening Prayer:
Glorious Day!
Giving Thanks to the Lord, with a Grateful Heart, Thanksgiving Prayer.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today, not to ask for anything but humbly giving thanks for all You have done for us.
We appreciate You, Father, for sending Your Son to die on that old rugged cross to redeem us of our sins.
Thank you Jesus, for enduring so much pain and suffering for our salvation.
We pray that we will be blessed with the same kind of strength to endure life for Your sake.
We give you thanks for giving us, and our family and loved ones, health and strength.
Oh Lord, thank you for your unconditional, undying, never-failing, endless love that graces us each day. Ps. 118:1., 1 Thess. 5:16-18.

Thanks for this Day
Redeemer, we also want to give You thanks for waking us up on this glorious day. We thank You for protection, not only over ourselves, but for our loved ones as well.
We give thanks for health, strength, grace, forgiveness, peace, joy, for loving us unconditionally and never failing us. Lead us, Lord that whatever we do, we do it in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Ps. 107:1., 2 Cor. 9:15.

Thank You for Blessings
We thank You for every blessing and also for every trial for they shape us into who we are meant to be and who You want us to be.
Thank You for new mercies and blessings each and every day. We thank You for wonderful families, spouses, food on the table and roofs over our heads.
Thank You, Father, that You know us, You hear us, and You see our tears. We gratefully give thanks for all You have done Messiah, as well as all You are going to do in our lives. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen! 1 Chron. 16:34., Col. 3:17. – adapted from Thanksgiving, Cheryce Rampersad.

Glorious Day
Casting Crowns
Glorious Day https://youtu.be/VXp6xcY5IqU

Presentation:
Cruciferous vegetables.
Cruciferous vegetables are among a winter cold crop group withstanding reasonable chill that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes. Cruciferous is a classification for members of the mustard family, from the Latin cruciferae meaning “cross bearing,” as the four petals resemble a cross.
Cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients lower inflammation and reduce the risk of developing cancers. Cruciferous vegetables are rich in fiber and low in calories, this will help you feel satisfied without overeating.

Meal:
For our meal today, we selected fresh Cruciferous vegetables from the garden. They all survived last nights hard frost under a cloth cover.
You will see we are dining on broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes; all steamed under pressure in a stainless steel pot for two minutes.
For variety in nutrients and color, we added in fresh sweet potatoes, carrots, asparagus, apples and pears; all picked fresh from the garden.

Fellowship:
Today we discuss further plans for our annual Free Thanksgiving Day Community Meal.

Exercise:
Today we stretch in the setting sun with Pastor Michael Hanus, practicing yoga on mats.

Closing Prayer:
Thankfulness.
Dear Jesus, we are thankful for all you have given us. You stood with us in recovery from the spring flooding in March, loved and healed us as we did our best to start plants from seed in weather that suddenly went from frost and wet to hot and dry, watched over us through some violent summer storms, brought us a bountiful harvest of garden fresh fruits and vegetables, and sustain us as we thankfully gather and eat your bountiful harvest. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Closing Song:
No Longer Slaves
Jonathan David and Melissa Helser
No Longer Slaves https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k

Blessings, Peace Be With You! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus

Got Cruciferous

Got Cruciferous Vegetables?
Pastor Cathy Hanus Holistic Health Coach
All Are Welcome at Our Table

This last sunset we saw a hard frost, 26 degrees F., frosting everything exposed in the vegetable garden and some plants that were covered hoping to evade the damage the hard frost brings.

Autumn Frost Prayer

How glorious Your paint box, Lord, and the copper, gold, rust and amber You color Your creation. I listen to the crunch of an apple and hear the music of autumn. O, taste and see. How innumerable the seeds in a pumpkin, as wondrous as Your thoughts. But why do I never notice Your acorns until they fall from the tree? Marching bands, homecoming floats, tail-gating picnics and touchdowns,
we give thanks for these. The last of the corn and the first frost, they come with the harvest moon. But guard us, Lord, from the first cough and the first cold. For your mercies extend farther than any shooting star that drops from the sky. We dig out our woolens and parkas and warm up by the fire. Soon with turkey and stuffing and the sweetest yams, we will give our best Thanksgiving to You. – adapted from Rick Hamlin, Guideposts.

Presentation:
Cruciferous vegetables.
Cruciferous vegetables are among a winter cold crop group withstanding reasonable chill that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes. Cruciferous is a classification for members of the mustard family, from the Latin cruciferae meaning “cross bearing,” as the four petals resemble a cross.
Cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients lower inflammation and reduce the risk of developing cancers. Cruciferous vegetables are rich in fiber and low in calories, this will help you feel satisfied without overeating.

Meal:
For our meal today, we selected fresh Cruciferous vegetables from the garden. They all survived last nights hard frost under a cloth cover.
You will see we are dining on broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes; all steamed in a stainless steel pot for two minutes.
For variety in nutrients and color, we added in fresh sweet potatoes, carrots, asparagus, apples and pears; all picked fresh from the garden.

Fellowship:
Today we discuss initial plans for our annual Free Thanksgiving Day Community Meal.

Exercise:
Today we stretch with Pastor Michael Hanus, practicing yoga on mats.

Autumn
Vivaldi
https://youtu.be/sgh5xjjgS_A

Steamed Cruciferous Vegetable Medley
Steamed Cruciferous Vegetable Medley

Closing Prayer:
Thankfulness.
Dear Jesus, we are thankful for all you have given us. You stood with us in recovery from the spring flooding in March, loved and healed us as we did our best to start plants from seed in weather that suddenly went from frost and wet to hot and dry, watched over us through some violent summer storms, brought us a bountiful harvest of garden fresh fruits and vegetables, and sustain us as we thankfully gather and eat your bountiful harvest. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Got Daikon

Got Daikon?
Pastor Cathy Hanus Holistic Health Coach
All Are Welcome at Our Table

Autumn Prayer

Comfort Me in Suffering
Loving God, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering, lend skill to the hands of my healers, and bless the means used for my cure. Give me such confidence in the power of your grace, that even when I am afraid, I may put my whole trust in you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessed Assurance
Fanny Crosby (1873).
https://youtu.be/rDeiy9-t2GE

Health Wellness Nutrition Presentation
Daikon Radish
Daikon, (“great root” Jp), Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus Bailey, brassica family, is a mild-flavored winter radish usually characterized by fast-growing leaves and a long, white, napiform root.
This summer, I am turning out an excellent healthy crop of Daikon. It is a large versatile crop used for root and green top harvest; eaten raw or prepared in various ways.
This harvested member of the brassica family is best known for its anti-inflammatory effects after it is eaten raw or prepared in various healthy ways.
Today, We prepare the Daikon we freshly harvest by slicing it into suitable French fry pieces and cooking it in coconut oil; air frying would be another excellent possibility.
It has a taste quite similar to a French fry along with a mild peppery taste for our culinary selected cultivar.
We use the fresh Daikon tops in a tossed salad with fresh garden heirloom tomatoes, carrots, red pepper slices and balsam vinegarette dressing.
We steam red beans, kohlrabi, and ripe black olives to accompany our Daikon.
We prepare a mix of fresh apple, cherry, raspberry and pear sauce for dessert, with mild green tea.

Got Daikon Culinary Experience

  • Art of Mindfulness
    At Fellowship today we discuss the Art of Mindfulness. Mindfulness is described as the state of being aware of something or
    a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, as a therapeutic technique.
    We present mindfulness technique, role play and practice its applications, and visit over the experience and its value in our daily lives.

Autumn Closing Prayer:

When I must go, dear God, please let it be, A golden autumn day; when red leaves fall,
When purple grapes in shining clusters hang, And bittersweet glows bright against the wall,
When o’er the barren fields and russet meads, Their last farewells the crickets cry.
Let me make my silent journey, When the homing birds fly south across the sky.
When I must go, dear God, please let me go, As silently as autumn rain,
As still as lacy shadows ‘neath the willow trees, As calm as is the moon above the hill.
So let me go, and may there be no grief, When life is done and I must say goodbye.
I will take my leave with flowers and falling leaf, And lie in peaceful sleep beneath the sky.

  • Anonymous

Parting Blessing:
May the Peace of God which Surpasses All Understanding, Guard Your Hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7.

Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus. SpiritofPeace.us

Bat House Fun

Free Bat House Build Fun

Bat House Fun

Bats are God’s creatures sent to us in order to assist in maintaining a safe environment with fewer disease carrying mosquitoes. One bat feeds on many mosquitoes in one night. During our waking daylight hours, bats need a restful, comfortable, safe home for rest and relaxation. We will Design, Build and Launch this Project!

Bat House
Bat House

Please Join Us! All Are Welcome!

Bat House Build

Light Meal, Engaging Fellowship!

Saturday, June 29th, 11 am – 1 pm or so

Spirit Mini-Park 105 N Spruce St. Valley, NE 68064

GPS Coordinates: (41.3127693,-96.3459044).

Peace and Joy! Pastors Michael and Cathy Hanus

SpiritofPeace.us 402-541-7019

RSVP Appreciated for Supplies Estimations

Farro and Gut Health

Farro and Gut Health 

Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach 

Springtime Luncheon
Springtime Luncheon

Opening Prayer 

Springtime luncheon 

Blessed be the Earth for providing us this food

Blessed be the Sun for helping it to grow

Blessed be the Wind and Birds for carrying its seed

Blessed be the Rain for the water’s loving flow.

Blessed be the hands that helped prepare this meal,

May those hands and our hands, bodies too, be well and quick to heal.

Blessed be our friends, our families, and all of our loved ones.

Blessed be our mother earth, our father sky and sun. Amen. 

 – Christian Prayer, Wanderlust. 

Presentation 

Gut regulation of the body 

 Microbiome care 

  Unhealthy bacteria, cancer cells feed on sugar 

  Healthy bacteria feed on ketones 

   Energy 

Stress 

Inflammation 

Gut – Brain messaging 

Probiotic role 

Vitamin B 

 Absorb vitamins from dietary foods or take proper supplements 

Farro 

Ancient Grain, derivative of wheat from Mesopotamia 

nutritious, fiber, antioxidants, protein, weight loss friendly

sufficient carbs for standard diabetic diet 

Chia Seed and yogurt topping 

Hemp Hearts, Omega 3, fiber 

Meal 

Strawberries 

Mango, Papaya 

Farro, steamed 

Chicken, braised 

 Coconut oil 

Spaghetti squash 

Broccoli 

Beverage 

Ginger Tea 

Activity 

Planning Community Garden 

Heirloom vegetables 

Flowers for vases 

Closing Prayer 

As we come together at this special time, let us pause a moment to appreciate the opportunity for good company and to thank all those past and present whose efforts have made this event possible. 

We reap the fruits of our society, our country, and our civilization, and take joy in the bounties of nature on this happy occasion. 

Let us also wish that, some day, all people on Earth may enjoy the same good fortune that we share. 

 – Red Bank, Wanderlust. 

Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness

Post Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness
Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach

Post Valley Flood 2019 Health Wellness, Spirit of Peace

Opening Prayer and Lesson
Flood Prayer, Martin Luther

Almighty and eternal God, according to Your strict judgment You condemned the unbelieving world through the flood, yet according to Your great mercy You preserved believing Noah and his family, eight souls in all. You drowned hard-hearted Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea, yet led Your people Israel through the water on dry ground, prefiguring this washing of Your Holy Baptism. Through the Baptism in the Jordan of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified and instituted all waters to be a blessed flood, and a lavish washing away of sin. We pray that You would behold (name) according to Your boundless mercy and bless him with true faith by the Holy Spirit that through this saving flood all sin in him which has been inherited from Adam and which he himself has committed since would be drowned and die. Grant that he be kept safe and secure in the holy ark of the Christian Church, being separated from the multitude of unbelievers and serving Your name at all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope, so that, with all believers in Your promise, he would be declared worthy of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Three things that Luther’s Flood Prayer teaches us about Holy Baptism:

First, Holy Baptism drowns sin. Just as the flood drowned the evil and violent people in Noah’s day, and Pharaoh and his army were drowned in the Red Sea, so all sin in you is drowned and put to death. This includes both the original sin you inherit from Adam along with all the sins that you have ever committed. This drowning is not something that happens only at your baptism, but every time you confess your sins you are drowning them again. Luther says in the Small Catechism, “What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that that Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die, with all sins and evil desires.”

Second, Holy Baptism saves you. Noah and his family had a new life after the flood. The Israelites were set free from death and slavery in Egypt through the Red Sea. You have a new life in Holy Baptism. This is a pure gift of God because of His grace and mercy. In Holy Baptism you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who creates faith for you to trust in God and His gifts. The Holy Spirit will also keep you safe in the church until our Lord returns, just as He kept Noah and His family safe in the ark.

Third, Baptism leads to a life of service and praise. Luther prays that the one being baptized would serve God “all times with a fervent spirit and a joyful hope.” In baptism you are made a member of God’s holy priesthood and called to a life of service to Him. The sacrifices you offer are not the blood of sacrificial animals but the sacrifice of praise to God and acts of love towards your neighbor. This is the life to which you are called through your baptism.

That is just the tip of the iceberg. There is much more about baptism here in this prayer to meditate on throughout our life. In fact, you do not have to pray this prayer solely at baptisms. You can continue to pray this prayer for yourself as you give thanks for your baptism and pray that God keep you in true faith through His Holy Spirit, and you can use this prayer to pray for all of God’s baptized people. – Rev. Dr. Mark Birkholz. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oak Lawn, IL.

Opening Hymn

Living Hope
Phil Wickham
https://youtu.be/9f2FXxDVO6w

Health and Wellness Presentation

Managing Physical and Emotional Stressors with Nutrition

  • Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach

Meal

Fresh fruit

Ham

Assorted Prepared and Raw Fresh Vegetables

Fresh fruit Dessert

Bug Out Bag BOB Presentation
BOB
Go Bag

Exemplary Bug Out Bag. You may choose to keep specialized personal items you keep ready to go.

A Bug-Out Bag or BOB is a portable kit that normally contains the items one would require to survive for 72 hours when evacuating from a disaster.

Discussion.

Exercise

All Are Welcome to Exercise with Pastor Michael!

Just 10 Minutes of Exercise a Week May Be Enough to Extend Your Life, Study Says; But more is better.

Exercising for just 10 minutes a week is linked to a longer life, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Several recent studies have found that even low-intensity exercise, done for a short amount of time, can have a meaningful impact on health. Still, the idea that exercising for 10 minutes a week, less time than it takes to watch a TV show, do a load of laundry or make a pot of pasta, may be enough to increase your lifespan is novel. It is also somewhat controversial, since the federal physical activity guidelines recommend getting at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise or 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week.
http://time.com/5553504/exercise-to-live-longer/

Citation
Beneficial associations of low and large doses of leisure time physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality: a national cohort study of 88,140 US adults. – British Journal of Sports Medicine https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2019/02/26/bjsports-2018-099254

Chris Tomlin
Our God
https://youtu.be/O5d_gm9zrnY

Closing Prayer

Compassionate God, source of all comfort; We pray for the people whose lives have devastated by rain and flood.
Bring them comfort, we pray. Protect the vulnerable. Strengthen the weak. Keep at bay the spread of disease. Have mercy on all those working to rescue the stranded and to feed the hungry. May our response to their suffering be generous and bring you praise.
We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. – Christian Aid.

Go in Peace to Serve the Lord.
Amen.

Saint Patrick Health Wellness

Saint Patrick Health Wellness 

Pastor Cathy Hanus, Holistic Health Coach 

Opening Prayer 

I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock. 
I arise today Through God's strength to pilot me; God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's hosts to save me Afar and anear, Alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today Against wounding Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today Through the mighty strength Of the Lord of creation.
- Anonymous. 

Message 

Saint Patrick 

Today we all remember Patrick, Missionary to Ireland

Patrick is one of the best-known of the missionary saints. Born to a Christian family in Britain around the year 389, he was captured as a teenager by raiders, taken to Ireland, and forced to serve as a herdsman. After six years he escaped and found his way to a monastery community in France. Ordained a bishop in 432, he made his way back to Ireland, where he spent the rest of his long life spreading the Gospel and organizing Christian communities. He strongly defended the doctrine of the Holy Trinity in a time when it was not popular to do so. His literary legacy includes his autobiography, Confession, and several prayers and hymns still used in the church today. Patrick died around the year 466. 

There are times when God calls upon each of us to be attentive to the needs of our brothers and sisters, all people, with special concerns, in the Missional Community. It is our responsibility to engage and follow the call. 

Nutrition Presentation 

March is Natural Health Month 

St. Patrick’s Day comes along mid March. Wherever and whenever we should aspire to make informed food best choices and continue to develop and share best eating and physical activity choices. Our theme is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right.” We will savor some healthy flavors this St. Patrick’s Day. 

Healthy St. Patrick’s Day tips

Be festive with Green:

Add more dark greens to your salad, such as baby kale, spinach, romaine and green leaf lettuce, green peppers, cucumbers, etc.

Be inspired to Go Green with your side dishes. Try Brussels sprouts, broccoli, edamame or green beans.

Pistachios and pepitas. Sprinkle on entrees, side dishes and salads.

Green tea is a good way to warm up and get antioxidants at the same time.

Sweeten up that fruit salad with kiwi and green grapes

Spinach. Add to your fruit smoothie to add extra fiber and iron.

More colors of the rainbow food possibilities: 

Red – watermelon, apples, tomatoes, strawberries. 

Blue/purple – blueberries, eggplant, grapes, red onion, blackberries  

Yellow – banana, pear, pineapple  

Orange – clementine, mangos, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe  

White – cauliflower, mushrooms, garlic  

 – some of our nutritional lesson today is borrowed from HyVee Foods 

Saint Patrick’s Day Traditional Themed Meal 

Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage 

Natural grass raised lean beef 

Vegetables

Organic red and green cabbage 

Kale and Spinach 

Roasted Brussels sprouts 

Organic red spring potatoes 

Irish Soda Bread 

Fresh Butter 

Beverage 

Green Tea

Dessert 

Pineapple 

Red Black table grapes 

Exercise 

 with Pastor Michael 

Saint Patrick’s Day Workout 

Saint Patrick’s Day Themed Exercises

Seven choice exercises accomplished seven times each 

 – Bumble Bee Foods 

Saint Patrick’s Day song 

Closing Prayer 

Saint Patrick, Ireland 

May the Strength of God pilot us. 
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us
Against the snares of the evil ones,
Against temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.