Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church 2106 South Cushman Ave Tacoma, WA 98405 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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Peace Lutheran Church

The Call to Peace

Volume 14 · Issue 1 · Lent 2018

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Lent, Holy Week & Easter Special Worship Services

+ Wednesday, February 14 at 7 pm Ash Wednesday – We receive the sign of the cross in ashes and begin Lent with confession, prayer, and Communion.

+ Wednesdays, February 21 - March 21 at 7 pm Holden Evening Prayer – Soup supper at 6 pm,

intergenerational activity at 6:30 pm, faith activities for kids at 7 pm while Holden Evening Prayer is in the sanctuary.

+ Sunday, March 25 at 8:30 and 11 am Palm/Passion Sunday - We tell the story of Jesus’

triumphal entry into Jerusalem and then his suffering and death.

+ Thursday, March 29 at 7 pm

Maundy Thursday - We tell the story of Jesus’ last supper, where he washes his disciples’ feet and commands them to love one another, and we share Communion.

+ Friday, March 30 at 7 pm Good Friday - We tell the story of Jesus’ suffering

and death on the cross, God’s deep and abiding love for us.

+ Sunday, April 1 at 8:30 and 11 am

Easter!!! - We tell the story of the empty tomb and God’s power for life over death! Praise God! Jesus is risen! Special Easter breakfast, with a chance to give to support youth ministry.

Adult Education in Lent Sundays February 25 - March 25 at 9:45 am “A Lenten Journey Towards Wis-dom,” led by Rev. Lynn Longfield. “Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice.” Prov-erbs 1: 20-21. Who is she? Where can she be found? What does she offer us in a world desperate for God’s guid-ance? Come join us as we read scripture together, share our experiences with wisdom, learn to listen more pro-foundly to the wisdom of Christ, and once again commit to a journey of transformation. This class has no required reading but materials will be made available each week for your Lenten reflection.

Community Bible Study on Break The Community Bible Study on Wednesday evenings led by Pastor John is taking a break for Lent, starting February 14. Please come to Lenten Wednesday evening offerings.

Men’s Breakfast The Men’s Breakfast and Bible study meets the second Saturday of each month from 8:00–9:30 am in the multipurpose room. Connect with God and share fellowship with other men!

Women’s Bible Study All women are invited to participate in the Women’s Bible Study every second Thursday at Peace from 10 am – noon. After the study, women usually stay to eat a brown bag lunch, so bring your lunch if you would like.

Peace Concert Series Next Event A lecture recital for Black History Month with the Peace Gospel Choir on Thursday Feb. 22 at 7 pm in the sanctuary. Suggested donation is $10 for music ministry.

Conversation Around Race Presents…A Free Storytelling Event “You Wouldn’t Know This By Looking at Me.” Friday Feb. 23 6 – 8 pm at the People’s Community Center, 1602 S. MLK Way, Tacoma.

The Writing Group will meet at the Swayse Library the last Wednesday of the month in February & March from 6-7:45 pm. For more information contact Shari Shelton.

Prayer Chain Do you know that Peace has a Prayer Chain, a group that prays regularly the thanksgivings and needs of our community? Want to add a request to the Prayer Chain? Want to be part of the group that prays

Peace Lutheran Church 2106 S. Cushman Avenue Tacoma, WA 98405, 253-383-1317

Fat Tuesday Paint Night

Come to Peace on Tuesday February 13 from 5:30 - 7 pm for a pancake meal and intergenerational painting evening of fun and fellowship! This is our last big hur-rah before we enter the Lenten season of 40 days (not including Sundays), a journey with Jesus to the cross.

Irene Manley dancing an Easter praise hula on Easter

Sunday last year

February 2

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Jesus said, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” — John 14:6 People of Peace, One of my favorite ways to describe following Jesus in the faith community is with the word journey (or way). We are walking together with Jesus. It’s a theme rooted in scripture. Early Christians called themselves people of the Way (see Acts 9:2), and Jesus referred to himself as, among many other names in John’s Gospel, “the Way” (John 14:6). Luke 24:13-35 is a guiding Bible story for me. On Easter evening, Jesus walks together with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, but they don’t recognize him until later when they are sharing a meal and their eyes are opened—he is made known to them in the breaking of the bread. We study this passage each time I lead the “Foundations of Faith and Peace” class that serves as preparation for new members of Peace Lutheran Church. Why do I like the image of the journey so much? Because when you’re walking a journey, you never know what you will encounter along the way—twists and turns, danger and joy, awe and wonder, major setbacks, magnificent views. That’s real life. Leigh and I are discovering that parenting is like that. (I know, many of you are saying, “Newsflash, Pastor John!”) And the promise is, God is present with us at every step. We’re never alone, and in the church, we have a whole community to walk with us, too. Along the way, God encourages us to have our eyes and ears and hearts open to see, hear, and experience God. When there are decisions to make—which path should I take?—we’re encouraged to ask, “Where is God leading us? What would God’s Spirit have us do or say here?” Lent can help us on our journeys of life. We do Lent together, as a community. Lent is the church season before Easter beginning Ash Wednesday February 14 (worship at 7 pm). Lent is a journey with Jesus to his death on the cross and beyond to his resurrection. We’re invited to practice the three disciplines of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (acts of service). When we intentionally walk with Jesus to the cross in Lent, the Easter promise of resurrection is more meaningful! Don’t miss these Lenten opportunities: Midweek Gatherings in Lent. Five Wednesdays in Lent beginning February 21, come to a soup supper (6

pm), intergenerational prayer and service activity (6:30 pm), and Holden Evening Prayer worship (7 pm), during which there will be kids’ faith activities. Worship (about a half hour) will be a rest stop on the jour-ney, a time to pause and contemplate the goodness and love of God for us. We incorporate all three Lenten disciplines—prayer (worship), fasting (simple supper), and acts of service.

Sunday Morning Adult Series on Wisdom in the Bible. We are blessed that Rev. Lynn Longfield will lead a five-session series Sunday mornings at 9:45 am to help us seek God’s guidance from scripture on our Lenten journey.

Holy Week Worship. Let the story of Jesus’ passion connect with you on your journey as we gather to worship on Palm/Passion Sunday (March 25), Maundy Thursday (March 29), Good Friday (March 30), & Easter Sunday (April 1).

This Lent and Easter, God’s blessings on the journey!

Pastor John

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Pastor’s Reflection

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worship one Sunday and spoke about

his encounter with Jesus.

Greetings Peace Family, I enter 2018 with anticipation and gratitude. I know God is at work among us. It is exciting to see him at work through the children and each one of you. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as the Children’s Outreach and Ministry Coordinator. I am enjoying getting to know all of the kids and seeing their beautiful love for Jesus. We had an amazing Christmas play! The kids were able to act out the Christmas story and dress up in really cute costumes, sing and have a good time. We had one wandering sheep named Betty and she was perfect! Thank you to everyone who helped, all the teens who were willing to play instruments and narrate, to Carmen for all of the decorations and artistic contributions and Jeanie for her amazing ability to always do whatever is needed. Thank you all! Kids@Peace is going well. We have had had a small but consistent turn out of about 8-11 kids. They are enjoying hearing Bible stories, singing, playing games, coloring and eating yummy snacks. Thank you to everyone who has brought snacks, donated treats and has prayed for these precious kids. I also want to thank Becky who has faithfully driven the van to pick the kids up from McCarver. Angel Choir has transitioned from Saturdays to the first and third Sunday at 10:30 at the end of Godly Play. Having practice on Sundays allows the children who attend to worship together, learn new songs and be prepared to sing on the third Sunday of each month at the eleven o’clock service.. Godly Play has been a great, consistent time to share God’s Word in a way that allows the kids to see and hear the story and in turn, respond to God in creative ways. Thank you to all the faithful Godly Play teachers. We are always looking for more teachers. Do you love to have kids full attention and be able to speak truth and life to them? Do you like peaceful, contemplative settings? Do you like to interact with kids through paint, coloring, stories and art? If any of these interest you, please contact me and we will get you trained, signed up and ready. Children’s Worship is going well and is really fun. The kids enjoy worship time with mini tambourines and streamers, some dance around, while others wave their streamer and march around the room. The kids are learning about God and practicing praying aloud for one another. I am really excited to begin teaching Bible stories using a Flannel graph board, which is a story board with felt figures and pictures to actively show and tell the story. It is very interactive and allows the children to participate while seeing and hearing the Bible story. My desire is to build a strong team of individuals who have a heart and desire to serve in Children’s Ministry. Do you want to help teach our young ones about God’s love? Do you have a gift or talent that could be used to strengthen Children’s ministry? Do you like to drive? Bake snacks? Plan events? Pray at home for the kids of Peace? There are many ways to serve, how are you willing to share the gifts you have been given? Please contact me if you are interested in helping in any way. If you desire to work with the kids we have a few papers for you to fill out and then we will find a way to get you connected.

Charissa Carroll, Children’s Outreach and Ministry Coordinator

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Children’s Ministry

Those who celebrate… · All God’s children journeying through Lent and celebrating God’s power for life and hope at Easter · The Peace community as we reach out to Hilltop families, especially through affordable housing, April

community meals, academic support, enrichment opportunities, mentoring, & faith offerings for all · 14 New Members to Peace Lutheran Church in December, and the newly baptized: Lexi Austin

Those who are hurting... · The hungry, those struggling with extreme poverty, those without homes, those without hope... · All who grieve the death of loved ones · All who are ill, facing surgery, recovering from hospitalization, for healing... · All suffering from malaria and HIV/AIDS, for God’s deep healing presence... · All who struggle financially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, for hope… · Refugees fleeing war and poverty… · All who live midst violence, war, or unrest, especially the people of Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan,

Iraq, Ukraine, Holy Land, and Central African Republic

Our work… · Our ministries in affordable housing and community development · Our ministry of sharing Jesus’ love with children, youth, and families · Our work for justice and peace in our world, building bridges among people

Partners in mission & service… · Peace Community Center--tutoring, mentoring Hilltop kids · Our global partners: Davis family in Africa, Rev. Jane Kagochi in Kenya, our companion synod in

Namibia, the church in South Sudan, the church in China, the Preston family in China, the Sevigny family in Japan, House of Prayer Navajo Lutheran Church in AZ

· Living Stones prison congregation in Shelton · Faith Action Network leading in advocacy for justice for all, and for political leaders

For the complete list, see Sunday’s bulletin.

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Remember in Prayer

What We’ve Been Up To!

Thanksgiving Meal

and Worship

Children’s

Christmas

Program

Angel

Choir

Welcome to 2018!

To kick off the 2018 year, Peace Community Center and our scholars celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a focus on strength. Students from the Center and the community joined to share their tributes to Dr. King through song, dance, and spoken word. Interactive events like the strength photo booth let community members share why strength is important to them. Special performances included a lyrical Hip Hop dance by our McCarver Scholars and a rousing keynote speech on how Dr. King inspired him by awesome young man by the name of Glean, a 5th grader and McCarver Scholar. It was great to see so much of the community come out to support students and show that the strength of Dr. King’s dream lives on.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event!

Peace Community Center

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Peace Community Center Highlight

Starting February 21 for 5 Wednesdays until March 21, here’s the schedule: 6:00 pm Simple Soup Supper 6:30 pm Intergenerational Activity of Prayer and Service 7:00 pm Holden Evening Prayer (adults), Faith Activity (kids) 7:30 pm Depart in peace… Simple Soup Supper: At 6 pm, we will gather in the multipurpose room to share fellowship and a simple supper, a modified fast for Lent. To help with the supper: Sign up at the Koinonia Corner to provide a soup and bread one Wednesday.

Intergenerational Activity: At 6:30 pm, from the youngest to the eldest, we will join together in activities that help us reach out to our neighbors in prayer and service. Here is the schedule for the intergenerational activities:

Wednesday February 21. Theme: Prayer. Activity: Prayer Walk. Groups will gather to walk together in the neighborhood, read scripture, and pray needs and thanksgivings. We also reflect on Lenten questions: What will you give up? What will you take on to grow deeper in relationship with God this Lent?

Wednesday February 28. Theme: Church Service. Activity: Generation Affirmation. Youth and adults will write affirmations uplifting and supporting one another across the generations at Peace Lutheran Church.

Wednesday March 7. Theme: Local Service. Activity: Blessing Bags. We will assemble and bless outdoor hospitality kits (blessing bags) for those experiencing homelessness in Tacoma. NOTE: we are collecting items for these blessing bags—see the list of items needed at the Koinonia Corner—due Sunday March 4 in the church office.

Wednesday March 14. Theme: World Service. Activity: Supporting a Global Ministry. We will work together on a project to serve the vulnerable in our world.

Wednesday March 24. Theme: Prayer. Activity: Prayer Walk. Groups will gather to walk together in the neighborhood and pray for the Hilltop community. We will also reflect on how Lent has helped us grow in faith and service to God. What did we give up? What did we take on? Faith Activity for Kids—Holy Week in Handprints: At 7 pm, children and youth are invited to participate in an experiential learning time called “Holy Week in Handprints,” exploring the story of Jesus in Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter, the story of God’s deep love for us and power for life! Youth are invited to help children or go to the Holden Evening Prayer service.

Wednesday Evenings in Lent

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People of Peace,

There are times when you see how the Holy Spirit works so clearly. One of these instances was just recently. I had been going back and forth with some changes I thought should happen in regards to youth and family ministry. I shared with Pastor John my ideas and he affirmed the direction we were going and encouraged me to share with the congregation so that we are all on the same page. Through careful prayer and discernment we have a new focus for youth and family ministry.

This year we will place heavy emphasis on intergenerational experiences. There is huge impact of cross-generational sharing of faith journeys and life-experienced wisdom when the art of Christian relationships is learned, experienced and practiced together. The deep relationships formed through these experiences will play an invaluable role in the development of lifelong disciples, and in the renewal of energy and vitality in our congregation.

God has placed each one of us in this congregation and He has given us the tools and provisions to do the work. You are the gifts He has placed in my life to work alongside and to support, to grow with and to serve with. There are exciting things ahead and I invite you to step into the story with me as we explore new opportunities to serve youth and families in our community. I ask your continued prayers and support and if God might be calling you to get involved, come talk to me. I’d love to hear your ideas and explore ways for you to get involved. This ministry we do here together, not on our own. I look forward to our growth together in 2018.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Brendan Nelson, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry

Youth Ministry

Youth progressive dinner to church families in in the Hilltop!

Glean, a 5th grade McCarver Scholar speaking at our 2nd annual

Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.

Greetings Peace Family, Blessings to all of you in this new year. The appreciation was certainly felt with regard to the developments of the Music Ministry, and I believe there are many more blessings ahead in 2018. Tracey and I are thankful for all the prayers and support as we settle on the wonderful realization of two months of married life, with all of its blessings, challenges, and commitments to God’s calling to us as a young American African couple.

The Christmas Eve candlelight service was very special this year musically, presenting ‘Sing Joy’ a cantata-esque work for choir featuring soloists from our Gospel Choir, who did an amazing Spirit-filled job, leading us through the many musical styles, telling the story of Jesus’ birth. CDs of this evening are available. Please ask myself or another choir member about them. In 2018 I look forward to the next Concert Series event. On Thursday February 22 at 7pm we will present ‘A lecture Recital’, a survey of the early African American musical experience during Black History Month. There will be songs performed by our Gospel Choir, solos, and interactive discussion. Also, at the end of March, look forward to hearing about another Concert Series event featuring Molly Crane, Soprano. Molly is one of the vocal and musical theatre teachers at the Tuned in Academy in Olympia. This will be a wonderful concert to attend as well. We invite you to participate in choir and other musical activities. Gospel Choir rehearsals are each Thursday evening at 7:00pm. Children can participate in Angel Choir which now meets on the 1st and 3rd Sunday mornings at 10:30am. Peace and Blessings, Jimothy Rogers, Music Director

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Music Ministry

Opportunities To Serve & Give

Ambassadors for Christ Group A group will soon meet regularly to give leadership, ideas, and strategies for all types of outreach for Jesus as we follow our calling as a congregation to reach out to our neighbors with God’s love. Interested? Contact Teresa Jackson (212-1040) or Pastor John.

Lenten Soup Suppers Sign up at the Koinonia Corner to bring soup and bread for the soup suppers 6 pm on Wednesdays February 21 – March 21. Questions? Ask Nancy Heavey, 752-8450.

Community Meals The Community Meal Program runs weekdays in April from 5:30-6:30 pm. Come, eat and share conversation with community folks, listen and encourage, and help clean up.

Meals Needed for High School Open Center on 2nd and 4th Fridays Able to help? It’s a great way to connect with youth. Sign up at the Koinonia Corner or contact Brendan.

Help Lead Worship Interested in serving God by ushering, reading scripture, or being assisting minister in Sunday morning worship? Sign up at the Koinonia Corner. If you have not been trained to usher or be assisting minister, speak with Pastor John.

Our Lenten Offering: ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving This Lent, we are lifting up several programs through ELCA World Hunger in India, Malawi, and the US in urgent need of support: Food and agriculture and women’s rights in India Education and income, health and wellness in Malawi, Africa Accompanying migrant and refugees in the US If you would like to walk alongside our neighbors in these places as they address hunger in their com-munities, write a check to Peace Lutheran Church earmarked “Lent Offering.” 5

Pastor: John Stroeh, ext 101, pastorjohn@peacetacoma.org

Office Coordinator: Damishe Greenwood-Walker , ext. 100, plcadmin@peacetacoma.org

Interim Finance Coordinator: Jean Kampen, ext. 111

Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministry: Brendan Nelson, ext. 103, brendan@peacetacoma.org

Children’s Ministry Coordinator: Charissa Carroll, ext., 114, charissa@peacetacoma.org

Music Director: Jimothy Rogers, 443-623-4005, jimothy@peacectacoma.org

Vision & Call Intern - Children: Ariah Phillips, ariah@peacecommunitycenter.org

Vision & Call Intern - Youth: Juwan Banks, juwan@peacecommunitycenter.org

Nursery Care: Rebecca Valencia

Custodian: Ana Sanchez

Who’s Who on the Peace Lutheran Church Staff

Christmas Caroling at People’s Retirement Center

A Personal Reflection

Years ago, after a particularly bumpy descent over the Rocky Mountains into Denver International Airport, I started to dread turbulence while flying. My stomach ached as I gripped the armrest whenever the plane would hit the waves of wind, clouds and air. One time I even clutched the swaddled baby Nora close to my face to hide as I cried during takeoff.

But recently, that fear has begun to shift to acceptance. I have started to recognize how much the waves, with their peaks and troughs, are a natural part of our world: from light and sound waves, to the waves of the Pacific Ocean hitting the coast in Washington, or the bumps in the dirt road our car bounces over on the way to camping in the Olympic Mountains. I was even struck one morning at my exercise class at the Y as I whisked the heavy training ropes up and down and side to side – the resulting shape was a wave. Somehow, this recognition that waves are part of everything has helped me to unclench the armrest and instead just breathe through the turbulence. My faith also helped me to trust that the Creator who designed these waves must also be with me along the ride.

It is only in our imagination that we can inhabit a world without waves, and the picture is pretty bleak. In Lois Lowry’s dystopian novel, “The Giver,” the community implements “the Sameness” and does away with physical hills. But along with this flat land, Sameness means no seasons, no colors, no true love, no actual happiness. No lows, and therefore, no true highs.

Of course, waves are not only part of our natural world, they are part of our lives in the highs and lows of both the monumental and mundane moments of our days. The recognition that these waves are a part of every aspect of our natural earth can make the lows a little more tolerable and hopeful and the highs a little more cherished. We also know that because of injustice and brokenness in our world, for many, the troughs are much more challenging and last longer than necessary; for our family, this means that we seek to be in relationship with people along the journey, sharing and learning in community.

No matter where you find yourself on this waveform, we wish you a peace that goes beyond all understanding, and the courage to continue to journey in community, no matter the terrain.

Kathy Hanawalt and family

I got an email from Damishe the other day telling me that my letter for the Lent newsletter was due very soon. My first reaction was, “Lent? Is Christmas over already?” It seems to me that for as much as we prepare and for as long as we wait, especially children, Christmas shouldn’t be over yet. My second reaction was,” I’ve got time; I’ll work on the letter later.” Oops. It’s later. Advent is about preparing for the baby Jesus and waiting for His coming. Lent is about Jesus’ ministry and leads up to His death and resurrection. How do we prepare for that? Why would we want to? Maybe because in Jesus’ ministry he walked, taught, healed, fed, and loved. So the council is preparing by shaking off the lethargy of holidays, and too many cookies, and excess in general, and diving in to the ministry and work of Peace. We had our first meeting of the year last night and opened with prayers of thanksgiving and concerns, followed by devotions by Pastor John. He had us look at the decisions we make and asked “how do we arrive at them?” Do we do what we think is right or do we ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit? How do we know which is which? Good questions; I think we start by listening. It was interesting to hear what each council member was planning for this year and how that was relevant to our ministry. We want to focus on our core values: Spirit filled, Reconciled, Compassionate, Healthy, and Just. We want to do the work that supports these values and the ministry that accomplishes them. We want to listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice. Please pray for us and for Peace. Say yes when asked to help. Listen.

Peace,

Ben Flesher, Council President

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From the Church Council

Compelled by the love of God and our faith in Jesus Christ, Peace Lutheran Church, a diverse people of faith, in partnership with Peace Community Center, seeks to realize God’s dream for the world through worship, learning, giving, and serving.

Core Values… Serve with COURAGE Embrace DIVERSITY

Cultivate COMMUNITY Seek JUSTICE

Mission Statement

Vision Statement

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Stewardship Highlight: Asset Mapping

Women’s Ministry at Peace looks a little different moving into 2018. Our trusted Bible Study leader, Carol Plaehn, has been unable to continue that role due to her stroke. We pray for her continued recovery and pray for the day when she will resume that role. In the meantime, others have stepped up to continue Bible Study on the second Thursday of the month at 10 am. Teresa Jackson and Jean Kampen have both filled in to lead the Bible Study. Nancy Heavey graciously volunteered her home (and her delicious food) for our annual Christmas Bible Study and luncheon.

We were so blessed to have both Holle and Carol Plaehn attend that! We know that Carol would want us to continue, so we do. Please join the Women’s Bible Study on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10 am – men are welcome too! We discuss the Bible Study from the Gather magazine and then share in a time of fellowship while we have our brown-bag lunch.

Women’s Ministry

Women’s Ministry

Giving God Our All……

What an awesome God we serve! Lent being such a wonderful time for reflection and discernment, it is the perfect time to consider where and how we have given our Lord our “all”.

Are we availing ourselves where we are best serving Him? Are we sharing our gifts with confident hearts that we each have very special and unique talents? Do we give our “first fruits” or do we hold back our treasures out of fear or doubt that God will provide? God shows us every day, in every area of our lives that He is a mighty God that loves us each so dearly. There is so much work to be done here and in our community, we walk boldly in that work and every one’s gifts allow us to be so bold! Looking back over the past year there is no question that God carried us along in our work. He wove us together, each of us different, so that we could do His work with our special blessings. Looking ahead in the coming year, can we each ask ourselves “am I giving my all?” During this Lenten season, may you all use that question for direction, in thankfulness for all the blessings you have, and as reassurance that God’s blessings flow through us mightily and we do indeed have so much to offer our community!

Carmen Lampman, Stewardship Chairperson

We believe God’s vision for Peace is to be a diverse community of faith in the Hilltop where all are welcome-a community that is Spirit-filled, compassionate, healthy, reconciled, and just.