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Peace NotesPEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA

Volume 18, Issue 8 April 2014

Inside This Issue

Laugh for Your Health! . . . . . . . . . . 2

Evangelism & Social Media . . . . . . . 2

Call Committee Update . . . . . . . . . . 3

Come to the Easter Fair! . . . . . . . . . 4

Events for All Ages . . . . . . . . . . Insert

From Good Friday to EasterLarge rusted spikes were wedged into the post salvaged from the fence pile behind the barn . It had no use other than as firewood . Except that this was Good Friday and later children were gathered for worship .

The pastor set the post in front of them . It leaned into the chancel and small pieces of bark fell onto the rug . The children stared at the post and the spikes . The pastor imagined the children were wondering about what they saw in front of them .

Then the pastor asked the question: “How is this like Good Friday?”

The hands flew up and the answers tumbled out . Each response was a single word: nails, suffering, pain, wood, dead .

The children seemed eager to respond, so the pastor went further . “Tell me in one word what Good Friday is?” he asked them . They were quiet for a moment . Then one said, “Dying .” Another said, “Suffering .” A third said, “Hurting .”

Then came the answer all understood: “Ouch!”

Good Friday is Ouch! Everyone agreed . When ‘Ouch!’ was said, no other words were offered . ‘Ouch!’ said it all . Everything had been said on the subject of Good Friday .

The pastor had a final question: “If Good Friday is ‘Ouch!’, what is Easter?”

A tiny voice volunteered the answer . It was not one word, but three words: “All is well .”

They all nodded . Easter is “All is well .”

Pastor Jim

World Malaria DayMake Your Donation on Sunday, April 27

World Malaria Day is coming up on April 25, and it’s another great opportunity to do something big for the ELCA Malaria Campaign . For the last several years, the ELCA observed World Malaria Day by dedicating an entire week to raising funds and awareness for our companions’ programs . To date, we have joined hands in 12 African countries to help fight malaria, and we have seen great progress . Peace Lutheran will observe this day on Sunday, April 27, by taking a special offering for the campaign . We will have opportunity to learn about malaria, the work being done in Namibia, and more!

Sean H

awkey / A

CT

Alliance

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Peace Notes3695 County Road 101 N, Plymouth, MN 55446tel: 763-478-9406 • fax: 763-478-9561email: peace@peaceofplymouth .orgwww .peaceofplymouth .org

Peace Notes is a monthly newsletter for members and friends of Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth . The deadline for submissions is the fifteenth of the month prior to publication .

Interim Senior Pastor James NelsonInterim Youth & Family Sue MegrundDirector of Music Benj CramerOrganist Daniel CorneliussenVolunteer Ministries Judy LubbenParish Nurse Sondra WeinzierlOffice Administrator Anita AndersonNewsletter Layout Donna Daubendiek

COUNCIL COLUMNNotes from the March 11 meeting: Treasurer Diane Johnson reported that combined (general fund and mortgage fund) income received in January was $35,502 . While this was under budget, we have been able to meet expenses . The Council determined the distribution of benevolences for 2014 . In addition to the ELCA, we will also be giving support to Families Moving Forward, Operation Bootstrap Africa, IOCP, the Latvian Chaplaincy Program, Luther Park Camping and Retreat Center, TreeHouse and the West Suburban Grief Coalition . The Call Committee has moved to second interviews for two candidates . Council President Valerie Sorensen praised the work and commitment of our Call Committee . Council approved a motion to extend the contract for Sue Megrund (through InterServe Ministries) to August 15 . Committee reports were approved as received . Committee chairs are invited to attend a Council meeting and let the Council know more about the great work they are doing . Full, approved meeting minutes can be found in the meeting minute binder in the church office . Respectfully submitted,

Joni Sutton, secretary

We Need Your Help!“LIKE” our Facebook page . Search for Peace of Plymouth (all one word) and “like” our page . Remind EVERYONE to like our page . Parents tell your kids; kids tell your parents . Tell your siblings, spouses, partners, kids at college and your friends to find us and click “Like” on the Peace page . There you will find announcements, photos, event reminders and comments from members . “SHARE” posts . As you see interesting information, press the little word “Share” under the post . This will share with your friends what has happened at Peace and what’s coming up . Sharing with others will extend our visibility to literally hundreds of people . We think it is a wonderful evangelism tool; a new version of word of mouth . Wikipedia says word of mouth “relies on the added credibility of person-to-person communication, a personal recommendation .” It may seem odd to think of using the internet to make a personal connection but these ARE personal connections you have made . Sharing gives you the opportunity to tell all of your friends about your faith and your church . You may be surprised one day to find a friend ask you about Peace . It may start a discussion or someone may be looking for a church home . It’s an easy and interesting way to let your friends and family know of your church and faith . We do such wonderful and interesting things as a community brought together to worship . If you have any questions about this, or if you would be interested in helping the Evangelism Committee with new media, social networking, print or promotions, contact Judy Lubben or the Evangelism team: Paul Boettner, Pam Hughes, Scott Rusten or Joni Sutton (Council liaison) .

PARISH NURSE NEWS

APRIL IS HUMOR MONTH!Can you believe that one of the most helpful things you can do for your health is LAUGH? It’s true! Laughter has many benefits including improving your respiration, digestion, heart rate, immune system, attitude and relationships . Small children laugh 200-300 times a day … adults are lucky if they laugh more than 10 .

Prescription: Deliberately laugh at least 15 times a day! Even if you have to “fake” it, the benefits occur .

Check out the Health Ministry Bulletin Board for more tips and information . Laugh just for the HEALTH of it!

Laughter Is the Best Medicine

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Congregation CongregationVotes

CandidateAccepts

MinistrySite Profile

ELCA

Candidates

Candidate

CallCommittee

CallCommittee

We AreHere

CandidateInterviews

“TO YOUR HEALTH” FAIR EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS!Saturday, March 1 was a busy place at Peace . Over 50 people attended and learned about their sleep, health behaviors, and how to do CPR/AED . Our children made delicious, healthy desserts, and others learned tangle art . From all the feedback the Health Ministry has received, participants all had a very great day! Thanks to all who made it possible!

UPDATE:

CALL COMMITTEEWe are moving along in the process and we are very excited for our next steps . We have interviewed all our candidates and have moved on to second interviews . Some of the next things we’ll be involved in are: trips to experience worship, background checks, and checking references . There is a lot of concern with confidentiality until we make a call to the pastoral candidate . We would love to be able to say more, however, we cannot . Just know that the process is moving, and we are all very excited with how things have been progressing . Thank you for your patience as we continue to narrow in on the right pastor for this church . As always, if there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any of the call committee members .

Rummage Sale / Bake SaleThursday, May 1 – Saturday, May 3

Pre-Sale for Peace Members Only Wednesday, April 30

Collection Begins Saturday, April 26

As you do your spring cleaning, please set aside your gently used furniture, housewares, books/media, sporting goods or lawn and garden items . We’re always looking for children’s clothing, toys and books . Drop off items at church April 26-29 . Bake sale items are accepted on April 30, May 1 and 2, so we have fresh baked goods for all to enjoy . Also needed are volunteers! It takes hundreds of hours to make this sale a success every year . So if you have time during those dates, please put your name on the sign up board at church and let us know we can count on your help . Flyers will be available at the information center . If you have questions, please speak to Deb Weir, Evonne Carlson or Pam Jette .

CALLING A NEW PASTOR

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Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth3695 County Road 101 NPlymouth, MN 55446-2907www .peaceofplymouth .org

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWAYZATA, MNPERMIT NO. 86

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDFollow Us on Facebook

Easter FairSunday, April 13 from 9:30–10:30 am

This event is open to all ages . Bring your family and invite a friend to join us for music, prayer box crafts, snacks and egg hunt! Come and join the fun! If you are interested in volunteering the day of the event, please contact Annie Bonow 612-384-4515, or sign-up on the Youth & Family bulletin board .

First Communion InstructionSunday, April 13 from 12:00–2:00 pm

First CommunionMaundy Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 pm Worship

MISSION 2014 Hunger TourJune 15–20

This summer’s trip will take us from Plymouth to Concordia College in Moorhead to Valley City, ND, and to Theodore Roosevelt National Park — ending back in Plymouth . Join us for a week of service, having fun, getting to know one another — and learning about how YOU can make a difference in the world . Estimated cost is just $200 . More information will be available in April!

APRIL hot sheetWhat’s hot and happenin’ at Peace!

LENT, HOLY WEEK & PEACE-FULL NIGHTS SCHEDULEWednesday, April 26:45–7:30 pm Midweek Lenten Worship Sanctuary

Wednesday, April 95:15–6:30 pm Soup and Sandwich Dinner Fellowship Hall5:50–6:40 A Walk to the Cross (K–5th grade) Activity Room6:00–6:40 Confirmation Class Room 1156:00–6:40 High School Handbells Music Room6:45–7:30 Midweek Lenten Worship Sanctuary7:30–8:30 Adult Handbells Music Room7:30–8:30 Senior Choir Sanctuary

Palm Sunday / Sunday of the Passion, April 138:30 & 10:45 am Worship Sanctuary

Maundy Thursday, April 177:00–8:00 pm Worship Sanctuary

Good Friday, April 187:00–8:00 pm Tenebrae Service Sanctuary

Easter Sunday, April 208:30 & 10:45 am Worship Sanctuary

Wednesdays, April 23 and 305:15–6:30 pm Buffet Dinner Fellowship Hall6:00–6:30 Large Group Confirmation Activity Room6:00–6:30 High School Handbells Music Room6:15–7:00 Hallelujah Chorus (2nd–5th grade) Sanctuary6:30–7:00 Confirmation Handchimes Music Room6:30–7:30 High School Oasis Youth Room6:30–7:30 Adult Bible Study Fireside Room7:00–7:30 Small Group Confirmation Assigned Rooms7:00–7:45 Celebration Singers (April 30) Sanctuary7:45–8:45 Adult Handbells Music Room7:45–8:45 Senior Choir Sanctuary

Families Moving ForwardMarch 30 – April 6

There is still time to sign-up! Volunteers are needed to cook dinners, serve as evening and overnight hosts, shop for lunch and breakfast groceries, set up bedrooms and take them down again on Sunday morning. Volunteers of all ages are needed to make a welcoming, comfortable home for our guests. Please say you’ll come and help the children by sharing your time. If you have any questions about how you may serve this ministry, please contact Tim and Pam Hughes or Dave and Jean Swanson.

Highway Clean UpSaturday, May 17 from 8:00–10:00 am

Mark your calendars! Sign up at church!

OWLS Volunteer OpportunityThursday, April 24

Older, Wiser Lutheran Seniors will be going to the Chanhassen site to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children. Our scheduled time is 9:30 to 11:30 am. We will meet at Peace at 9:00 am to organize the carpool, and meet for lunch afterwards. Please sign up to join us! Talk to Ann Baker at 952-473-0150.

BLOOD DRIVEWednesday, April 23 from 4:00–7:00 pm

March 21, 2014

8 :30 am Worship with Holy Communion Celebration Singers 10:45 am Worship with Holy Communion

Adult Handbell Choir

8 :30 am Worship Senior Choir

10:45 am Worship High School Handbell Choir

8 :30 am Worship with Holy CommunionSenior Choir and Handbell Choir

10:45 am Worship with Holy CommunionSenior Choir and Handbell Choir

8 :30 am Worship Senior Choir

10:45 am WorshipHigh School Handbell Choir

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5

6 Fifth Sunday in Lent

7 8 9 10 11 12

13Palm Sunday

14 15 16 17Maundy Thursday

18 19

20 Easter Day

21 22 23Blood Drive4 — 7 p

24 25 26

27 Second Sunday of Easter

28 29 30

9:30 a Staff Mtg5:30 p Executive Committee Meeting7:00 p All-Church Committee Night

— FMF —

NoPeace-Full Night

6:45 p Worship— FMF — — FMF — — FMF — — FMF —

8:30 a Worship 9:30 a Ed. Hour Blood Pressures10:45 a WorshipFMF Ends

8:00 a ROMEO5:30 p YogaDevotion Class6:00 p Den #37:00 p WWC

9:30 a Staff Mtg12:30 p Faith and Hope Circles7:00 p Congregation Council Meeting

Peace-Full Night#236:45 p Worship

9:00 a Quilting2:30 p Den #1 2:30 9:30 a Yoga

Devotion Class

8:30 a Worship 9:30 a 10:45 a WorshipNoon First Communion Class

5:30 p YogaDevotion Class6:00 p7:00 p WWC

9:30 a Staff Mtg8:00 a Women’sBreakfast Club

7:00 p Worship 7:00 p Worship9:30 a YogaDevotion Class

8:30 a Worship 9:00 a Easter Fellowship 10:45 a Worship

5:30 p YogaDevotion Class7:00 p WWC

9:00 a Quilting9:30 a Staff Mtg

Peace-Full Night#24

9:00 a OWLSFeed My Starving Children 2:30

8:30 a Worship 9:30 a Ed. Hour10:45 a Worship

Rummage Sale Set –up

7:00 p WWC

Rummage Sale Set –up9:30 a Staff Mtg

Peace-Full Night#25

The Qué Tal Language Program meets at Peace Mon-days—Thursdays (school days) from 2:20 to 3:40 p.m.TreeHouse meets at Peace on Tuesdays and Thurs-days from 5 to 9 p.m.

Rummage Sale Drop-Off Continues

p Troop 14192

Easter Fair Troop #15036

p Troop 14192Rummage Sale Drop-Off Begins

6:15 p Troop #14513Rummage Sale/Bake SalePre-Sale Members Only

Newsletter Deadline Good Friday

World Malaria Day

Church Office Closed

Calendar of Peace Lutheran Church of Plymouth

April 2014

April 6 — Fifth Sunday in Lent

April 13 — Palm Sunday

April 20 — Easter Sunday

April 27 — Second Sunday of Easter