NEWS BLOG

Guest Preacher

April 8 we welcome guest preacher, Jarell Wilson. Jarell is a graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a Social Media addict, and a blogger. He attended Baylor University and graduated from the University of North Texas. He’s a proud Austinite; a Reconciling Ministries Board Member and a scented candle aficionado.



Stewardship Notes for April, 2018

This initial installment of “Stewardship Notes” marks the beginning of Peace Lutheran Church’s new Stewardship Planning Committee, whose current members are Tom Winn, Bob Van Gulick, and Darrell Bailey.  The purpose of the Stewardship Planning Committee is to plan, recruit, organize, and coordinate a year-round program of Stewardship themes at Peace.  

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2018 Ministry Plan Update

It is great to report good news! At our November 12, 2017 meeting, Peace passed a “bare bones” ministry plan for 2018 based on 2017 projected giving. Because of the uncertainty about our projected giving levels and available income, the Finance Committee recommended we reevaluate the ministry plan during the 1st quarter of 2018 based on actual income for 2017 and revise estimates for 2018 if needed. The Finance Committee has completed this reevaluation and we are happy to report that 2017 General Operating Fund income exceeded the forecast by 19%. 


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CROP Walk

April 15, 1:30 PM,  Twin Lakes YMCA
Team Captains: Laura Eichner, Rodger Ericson,  Linda Parsells
 
If you can, please join the Leander-Cedar Park CROP.   Give and invite friends, to donate and walk in the CROP Walk to fight hunger.  The reported total from all walkers as of March 28 is $4,221. Inviting others is our opportunity.  Friends from far and near.  Gifts have come from Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Leander.  Members have donated and others have yet to donate.  Small donations and large ones all matter. Please send this link to friends and past and present and invite them to join the unselfish cause, BECAUSE it is important. 


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Congregational Meeting April 15

10:00 AM (between services)  Agenda items include election of voting members of the Synod Assembly, election f Preschool Board members, approval of the 2018-2019 Preschool Budget, and consideration of revisions to the congregational budget for 2018. ​ To view the meeting materials, please click the Congregation Meeting link.


Holy Week Evening Worship Opportunities

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Night Prayer Service 7:00 PM
 
MAUNDY THURSDAY Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 PM
 
We Remember. At the heart of this night is Jesus’ commandment to love one another. At the Lord’s Table we remember Jesus’ sacrifice of his life, even as we are called to offer ourselves in love for the life of the world. Worship offers the opportunity to receive individual forgiveness of sins, to share in the loving service of foot-washing and to witness as the altar is stripped bare…as worship ends in silence. 
 
GOOD FRIDAY Friday, March 30 at 7:00 PM

It is finished. At the heart of Good Friday is the passion story of Jesus, which proclaims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from the cross. In the ancient bidding prayer we offer petitions for all the world that Christ loves. Worship begins and ends in silence 

EASTER VIGIL Saturday, March 31 at 7:00 PM

This is the night! This is our Passover with Christ from captivity to freedom, from death to life. The resurrection of Christ is proclaimed in word and water, bread and wine. We gather around a pillar of fire, hear ancient stories of our faith, affirm and celebrate the gift of Baptism, and share the food and drink of the promised land. Raised with Christ, we go forth into the world with the good news of the resurrection.

NIGHT PRAYER SERVICE Sunday, April 1, at 7:00 PM
 
Even as the promise of resurrection is proclaimed, we live surrounded by death, in lives of conflict and struggle. We pray this Easter Night around the story of the disciples who were walking away in despair after Jesus’  death…wondering what they would do next. We gather for reflection, healing prayer, and simple music.


Chili Cook-Off & Talent Show

Saturday, April 28:  Dinner 6:00 PM, Show  7:00 PM

The Peace Talent Show will benefit the youth attending the National Youth Gathering! This year we will also be having our Chili Cook-off as the meal! Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for children under 13, with a family max of $40. Tickets go on sale Easter Sunday! Mark your calendars, and if you have a talent or a chili recipe, we hope you’ll show it off at Peace’s Talent Show! 



Resuming Mobile Loaves & Fishes

Mobile Loaves and Fishes provides meals and clothing to the homeless and working poor. Peace will be supporting the truck from St. Thomas More Catholic Church. We will be providing the truck team on the second Saturday of each month beginning April 14 at 5:00 PM. 

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2018 Vacation Bible School

June 11th-15th  VBS will be “Babylon: Daniels Courage in Captivity”.  Registering Now, at $35 per child, in cash or check. Children from 4-12 years are invited to participate, and each day of VBS is from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM. We are also recruiting volunteers! Contact Jacob Thogmartin with any questions.  Download Registration Form here.



2018 Spring Congregational Meeting

Spring Meeting: April 15 10:00 AM (between services)
Agenda items include election of voting members of the Synod Assembly, election of Preschool Board members, approval of the 2018-2019 Preschool Budget, and consideration of revisions to the congregational budget for 2018 



2018 PreSchool Carnival

April 7:  11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Rain or Shine
All funds raised from the carnival will go towards meeting the preschool’s 2017-2018 budget goals as well as support goals of Peace Lutheran’s Youth. Come out and support our preschool and youth!


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March is National Kidney Month

According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 3 American adults is at risk for kidney disease. What puts you at risk for kidney disease? Major risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure, and being age 60 or older.

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IHM – March 25

High school youth are invited to join us for some food, fun, and fellowship at Becky Reinhart house  on March 25th at 6:00 PM. These meetings are held regularly by members of the congregation. Contact Jacob Thogmartin if you’re interested in hosting!


Movie Matinee – Coco

All are welcome to join us for a screening of the movie “Coco” which won an Oscar for Animated Feature Film, and was nominated for a Best Original Song. Join us on March 25th at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary for the viewing and stay afterward for a group discussion on the film’s themes. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks!


2018 CROP Walk Update

April 15, 1:30 PM,  Twin Lakes YMCA Team Captains: Laura Eichner, Rodger Ericson,  Linda Parsells
 
Congratulations to Peace Lutheran!!!
CROP Walk 2017 – Peace Lutheran Church, Austin, was 68th in the entire nation in raising funds for fighting poverty last year through Church World Service”s CROP Walk.!  What a joy for the many participants to be recognized for their hard work.  Our goal to provide the equivalent of a well in Africa was met and then some:  $7294, 25% for local and 75% for national and international needs.

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Out & About Dinner Group

Dinner Group – March
SATURDAY, March 17,  2:30 PM at Dahlia Cafe.
 

Spring Break is here and it’s time for our annual visit to the Dahlia Cafe in Liberty Hill! Since Friday night is super crowded there, we go on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM.  If you haven’t been there, check out their website at www.dahliacafe.com. Bring your appetites and celebrate St. Patty’s Day with us! Be sure to email Gerri West  to make your reservation by Friday at 12 noon. Thanks a bunch!



Missional River Reflections

This past weekend, March 2-3, six Peace folks traveled to Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Maxwell, Texas for the first of three learning gatherings that will be a part of the Missional River process which we are just beginning.
 
The Missional River is a journey guided by Southwestern Texas Synod Staff and trainers from LEAD (Living Every day As Disciples). Peace’s core LEAD team will be inviting participation in many forms from everyone at Peace, and we have a great journey of listening and learning ahead of us.

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Monthly Night Prayer Service

On Easter evening, April 1, at 7:00 PM, we will begin a monthly practice of joining for a contemplative Night Prayer Service. It seems that there is so much heartache in the world, so much that needs our prayer, that we are going to begin to gather monthly to gather up the concerns and joys from our lives and the world around us and offer them up to God at the close of the day. 


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Easter Lily Donations

With rising shoots of green piercing though the ground to find the sunlight, we continue our Lenten journey into spring. Soon we will wave palm branches to celebrate Christ’s triumphant entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  Donations for Easter Lilies will be collected on March 11 and 18, following the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM services.  You may honor or memorialize someone with a $10  donation for a lily plant to beautify Peace’s sanctuary at Easter.  Plants may be taken home after Easter to plant in your garden or may be left at the church to add to Peace’s gardens.


Book Discussion: Enlightenment Now

… and sometimes the book reads you.
A Community Connections cluster for March 11 and 18: A modern christian’s reflections on Steven Pinker’s new bestseller “Enlightenment Now”  led by Walid Nasrallah.

The supposed conflict between religion and science seems to be heating up again in the popular conscience with a new book, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress, trending in the news and on the best seller charts. 


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Super Bowl Sub Thank You

People of Peace: You are SUPER!  Thank you to all those who bought a Super Bowl Sub and enjoyed pancakes at the Transfiguration Breakfast!  The sub sales raised $719, which will cover the van rental for the National Youth Gathering. Though we don’t know how many pancakes were eaten, we know $520 was raised to go towards scholarships for summer camp.  On behalf of the youth, thank you!
In gratitude,  Board of Spiritual Development members


Work Day -Thank You

A big thank you to all who participated in the Spring Workday. We had plenty of fun, fellowship, and food. We were blessed with a beautiful morning, blooming flowers, and plenty of leaves. In case you missed the Spring Workday, planning has started for a Summer Workday on June 30 so save the date.


CROP Walk 2018

CROP Hunger Walks (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) are sponsored by Church World Service, a national ecumenical and international relief organization.  Peace Lutheran Church is excited to be joining again with the Leander-Cedar Park CROP Hunger Walk to raise money for combating hunger. This year the Walk will be held on Sunday afternoon, April 15, at the Twin Lakes YMCA in Cedar Park. Walkers last year enjoyed the shady paved path along beautiful Brushy Creek. The path is stroller and pet friendly, too. 

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Adopt a Garden Plot

Did you notice our landscaping improvements last spring? Did you see some donated annuals as you entered the parking lot? MANY THANKS to those who have worked on beautifying the Peace grounds to date.
As Spring 2018 approaches, consider giving these folks a hand by adopting a garden area on our church grounds as we re-vitalize our ADOPT A PLOT for 2018 program:

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Thrivent Choice & Amazon Smile

Thanks to member recommendations, we received $1,283 in 2017 from Thrivent Choice. If you are a member of Thrivent Financial, please remember to designate Peace for your Thrivent Choice dollars. If you shop Amazon, you can designate Peace as the recipient for Amazon Smile. Just use this link to sign in: smile.amazon.com/ch/74-1898677.