Welcome to Peace Lutheran Church
May 13, 2013

Please pardon our "bare bones" website as we are undergoing a major rebuild at the moment.

Below are some important church announcements and activities coming up at Peace

Church Mailing Address:
Peace-Tohickon Lutheran Church
100 Old Bethlehem Road
Perkasie, PA 18944

Church Phone Number: 215-257-3294
Church Fax Number: 215-257-9143

Church Email: pastor@peace-tohickon.org or secretary@peace-tohickon.org

********************************************************************

SERVICE TIMES

8:15 Brief Communion

9:00 Sunday School

10:15 Communion

We are handicapped Accessible
Children are welcome

*********************************************************************

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How is your Spirit?
Or maybe more to the point, how is God’s Spirit (in you)?
You see the thing about Pentecost is that it is not about our spirit, but about the Spirit of God living in us.  One of my theology professors in seminary used to stress that God comes down to us.  We don’t go up to God. 
God initiates creation.  The annunciation is not the elevation of Mary to God, but the descent of God to Mary, so that Christ can come to us, and abide with us, as one of us. Finally, the Holy Spirit is God reaching down into creation through us, enlivening our flesh and bone, heart and soul.
Our spiritual life isn’t a journey to the heart of God, but a recognition that we are already there.  Anything worthy and beautiful that we accomplish isn’t a way of earning God’s favor, but the result of God’s favor.  God is with us, and equips us to be on the side of wonder, grace, love and perfect justice.
When the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, God not only overcomes the distance between creator and creation, God overcomes the barriers between people.  When the Spirit falls on those first disciples they begin to speak all of the languages of the people
around them.
We need never question whether God is on our side.  But we must never stop asking whether we are on God’s side. 
So I ask again… How is God’s Spirit?
You will know the answer to this question when you determine whether you are living in a way that breaks down barriers, and increases wonder and love in the world.  The mission of our congregation is all about inviting, encouraging, and equipping us to do just that.  Whether in worship, outreach or welcome- everything we do seeks to strengthen the reach of God’s Spirit in our lives and
in God’s world.
Join with us in this Pentecost season as we welcome the children of our community to Vacation Bible School, worship God with rejoicing at our youth service and in the celebration of baptisms, and Reach out with God’s love into our wider community, sending Youth to do service in South Dakota, and serving those closer to home.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Sellers

****************************************************************************************************************************

Weekly Announcements May 12th - 18th

Are You Graduating?  We would like to recognize everyone who has reached this special milestone in their life! Graduation Sunday is June 9th.  Scholarship Applications are now available on the tract rack.  The deadline for applications is June 1st.  Questions… please contact Debbie at 215-538-2679 or email rdbagg@verizon.net

May 20th is the Ladies Spring Banquet All Are Welcome!  The dinner will start at 6:30 pm in Peace Fellowship Hall.  We will have ham, rolls & butter, macaroni & cheese, green bean casserole, coleslaw, fruit salad, dessert, lemonade & iced tea.  Tickets are on sale through next Sunday, May 19th.  Adults - $7, 6-12 years - $3, Under 5 are free. There will be entertainment by the Peace Youth Group!  Please join us for food, fun & fellowship!Mark the date for our Annual Spring Picnic/Dinner – June 17th, 6:30 pm – Nancy Cygan’s house - Please bring a wrapped white elephant gift and an appetizer or salad to share.  Beverages and ice cream sundaes will be provided.
From the Bible Goal Task Force
Until May 18th will have a “Living Waters for Loving Christians” pitcher in the Narthex.  We would like you to contribute your favorite bible verses to be used on the (new & improved) website for others to enjoy! Is there a verse that helps in times of sadness or joy, inspiration or consolation, or just to celebrate life and life’s events? Then please write it on the available paper and put it in the pitcher. Thank you – The Bible Goal Task Force

Property Committee Meeting – This Tuesday, May 14th at 7:00 pm in the library.  Any interested members are welcome to participate.  The Property Committee will be meeting the second Tuesday of February, May, August and November at 7:00 pm.

Mutual Ministry has been revived!  Sandy Miller, Gary Schaeffer (chair), Heidi Gerth, Kathy Deck, and Linda Gonet are the members of this ministry.  Our first meeting will be held on May 13th and there will be four additional meetings through March.
Carry the Light of Christ and Lift High the Cross!
We are currently looking for teenagers – AS WELL AS ADULTS – who would like to serve during our Sunday Worship Services as an acolyte or crucifer. Prayerfully consider giving this important role a try!  Please call the church office or contact Nancy Cygan at lewisbrothers@comcast.net or call her at 215-872-4498. Thank You!

FISH SPRING FEST - Saturday, May 18th
FISH will have a table at this event and is looking for volunteers to help.  Weber, Kracht and Chellew are organizing the Perkasie Springfest 5K this year and are donating the proceeds to Pennridge FISH.  The race will be held on Saturday May 18th at 10:00 am, Lenape Park off of Constitution Avenue.

Lay Eucharist Visitor Training
This is just a reminder that Lay Eucharist Visitor Training will be held on May 18, 2013 at St. Michael’s, Sellersville from 9:00 am-4:30 pm.  If you have any questions, please call Kathy Reyher at 610-770-9205 between 8:00 am-noon and 1:00-4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please advise Pastor Sellers - Deadline is Monday, May 13th!

THANK YOU!!! To WELCA and the Peace members for such a successful clothing drive for ‘Swaziland Relief’!  We are so grateful for your enthusiasm for the mission.  We can’t wait to see what God has planned for this year’s trip.  We look forward to sharing our trip with everyone.  – Khara, John, Emma Woehr and Eve Marschark

SOFTBALL HAS BEGUN FOR THE UPPER BUCKS CHURCH LEAGUE!  Please be sure to pick up a copy of the 2013 schedule located on the entryway bulletin board.  Our home field is located at the Pennridge North Middle School on 5th Street in Perkasie.  Come root for our team this season!  Games begin at 6:30 pm.
Upcoming Game Dates… May 13 - Hilltown, May 14 - Home, May 21 - Penn Red, May 22 - Home, May 28 - Home, May 29 - Home

Needed… Baked Goodies
The South Dakota Mission Group will be hosting a bake sale at Landis Supermarket in Perkasie from 8:00 – 12 Noon on Saturday, June 15th. They will be looking for baked goods to sell. If you would like to contribute a baked good, please contact Teresa Kramer @ 215-872-1844 or by email at kramerkrew@verizon.net. Thank you for your support!  -South Dakota Youth; Amanda, Rachel, Jenn and Kendra 

Attention Married Couples… Do you want a Fall Get Away… Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends. September 13-15th at Olmsted Mansion in Ludlow and October 11-13th at Mount Laurel Resort in the Poconos. Visit –  www.GodLovesMarriage.org

A NOTE FROM OUR SEXTON:  If you notice that the pencil in your pew needs sharpening, please PLACE IT UPSIDE DOWN.  This way we will be able to tell which pencils need to be sharpened. Thank you!

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richlandtown
Presents the Coventry Singers for a “Musical Feast”
Sunday, May 19th – 4:00 pm

***********************************************************************************************************************

This Month at Peace

June 2 – Communion

June 9 – Graduate Recognition              

                Sunday

June 15 – Youth Lock In

June 16 – Father’s Day/Youth Sunday

                 Summer Schedule Begins

                  Brief Communion 8:00 am

      New Spirit Outdoor     

      Worship Service 9:00 am

June 17 – WELCA Dinner at 6:30 pm

June 23 – Lutheran Charities Sunday

June 23-27 – Vacation

                       Bible School

June 27 – Youth Mission Trip to

                  South Dakota

June 28 – Movie Night

Looking Ahead

July 7 – Communion

July 8 – Youth Return from South

              Dakota Mission Trip

Pennridge FISH News

Fundraiser at the Perk Restaurant on Monday, June 17

From 5:00 – 9:00 pm – 10% of Eat-In Food Sales will benefit the FISH Building Fund.

Fish has also received two challenge grants: $25,000 from First Savings Bank of Perkasie and $100,000 from the Becky Felton Memorial Fund.  Becky was a beloved volunteer at FISH and they so appreciate her and her family’s generosity to them.  If FISH can raise the matching funds for these two grants they will be able to move into their new building mortgage-free.

Please help them get the word out!

FISH Hours: Monday & Wednesday,

3:00-5:00 pm

Thursday, 6:00-8:00 pm

Friday & Saturday, 9:00-11:00 am

Phone: 215-257-7616

Music Notes June 2013

June continues the season after Pentecost.  The Men’s Quartet will be back for the first Sunday of the month, singing “O, Strengthen Me”.  June 9th will be the Senior Choir’s

last “official” anthem of the season. It’s the choir’s chance to choose a favorite anthem and it's always a good one - hopefully one of your favorites also!  Our contemporary service on the 16th will be led by the Youth Group.  This will be our first service at 9:00 am, in addition to being an outdoor service, so bring your chairs and sunglasses!  

Starting on June 23rd, our summer music season begins. The Senior, Bell, and Youth Choirs all get a well-deserved rest from rehearsal. If you have a desire to offer your gifts of music to the Lord, this is a great time to do it. The entire summer is available

for solos, duets, playing along with a hymn, whatever. If you would like to sing, play, sing and play, anything musical, we would love to have you. If you have a special song you want to share, we will work to find an appropriate Sunday for it, if you want to participate, but don’t know how or what to sing, just let Ed, Jen, or Linda know and we will help you find something you like. The summer schedule is in the planning stages, so if you have an interest or are curious about how you could participate, please let us know. The more the merrier! The senior choir will continue to sing on some Sundays, interspersed with other special music.  

The final Sunday of June will be a hymn sing, so start picking out your favorite hymns to sing!

Lastly, I know I speak for Jen and Linda when I offer up a sincere and gigantic “Thank You” to all of our choir members and other musical volunteers. We, quite literally, could not do it without you. But even more wonderfully, you offer your time and talents willingly, fervently, and lovingly, without complaint, week after week, year after year. Your talents make our music joyous and beautiful, but it’s your ongoing efforts and fellowship that make this job continually rewarding. Again, thank you.

Yours in Peace, Love and Music,

Ed and Jen  

Peace Youth Group LOCK-IN Saturday, June 15   

Sunday morning will be

       Youth Sunday Worship                                             Calling all Youth in grades 7-12

Come to our LOCK-IN at the church.                                                         Remember your sleeping bag and a pillow and keep a watch for further details in the bulletins or on FACEBOOK!

Friends are always WELCOME!

WELCA

A great big THANK YOU to everyone who collected for ‘Swaziland Relief’!

June 16 – 6:30 pm is our Annual WELCA Dinner at Nancy Cygan’s house (please try to carpool).  Please bring a wrapped white elephant gift and an appetizer or salad to share.  Beverages and ice cream sundaes will be provided. 

Please Join us for Food, Fun

& Fellowship!!!

Vacation Bible School

June 23-27

‘Tell It on the Mountain’

Volunteers are Needed…

Learn about our one true God through five Bible accounts where God meets His people on a mountaintop.  Sunday 1:00-4:00 pm, Monday – Wednesday 9:00-NOON, Thursday Closing Ceremony at 1:00 pm.  If you are in need if childcare, please let us know ASAP.  Adult & teen volunteers are needed.  We look forward to having fun with your children while we all strengthen

our faith!

Graduation Sunday, June 9th

Attention

 High School and

College Graduates

Please be sure to contact the office if you will be graduating this year. We want to recognize everyone who will be reaching this special milestone in their lives.                                                    

Joyful Noise Saturday, June 29 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

St. Paul’s Lutheran – Applebachsville

FREE ADMISSION, Thank Offering benefits Quakertown area food pantries so bring a can or two of food!

Music, Basket Raffle, Craft Exhibits, Antique Car Show, Games & Activities for Children, Tours of the Church, Pulled Pork & Many More Good Eats!

The Dawn Herrmann Memorial Cancer Run – April 20, 2013

How AWESOME was that!  Thank you to everybody that walked, ran, cheered, and rocked out to the ‘Narcoleptic Sheep’ and a special thanks to all of our volunteers!  You are incredible!  Can’t wait until next year!

OUR SPONSORS: Homelift of America, Inc., Thrivent Financial, Glenn A. Hissim Woodworking, Moondog Yoga,

Zaveta Homes, Thorton Reproductions, Costco  & others too!

We raised over $3,000 for the American Cancer Society!

Great Job!

SENIOR LUNCH BUNCH

Wednesday, June 5th at Noon

At our JUNE gathering we will be playing BINGO and have a delicious pot luck luncheon.  Please bring along your favorite dish and a gift for the BINGO prize table. 

This July our synod is sending 116 youth and adults to serve

on South Dakota American Indian reservations. The teams will be doing repair work for homes and other buildings, projects throughout the community and putting on a day camp for kids

of the reservation. The trip runs from June 27 – July 8, 2013.

Please keep them in your prayers…

Lutheran Disaster Response, EPA, Bringing Help & Hope

Since the devastating impacts of Hurricane Sandy, many generous volunteers and donors have come forward to help LDR-EPA to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors who were affected.  To read about our volunteers please visit www.libertylutheran.org/blog.  So far we’ve raised $71,300 towards our goal of $100.000.  To make a donation go to www.libertylutheran.org/donate, please write LDR in the comment section.

For volunteer opportunities please contact Julia Menzo, SEPA LDR Coordinator at 267-464-7740.

How You Can Help…

Collect Supplies for Cleaning Buckets, instructions for assembling ‘cleaning buckets’ can be found at http://www.lutheran congregationalservices.org/disaster/response

Supplies Needed: 5 gallon buckets with resalable lids, powdered laundry detergent, liquid household cleaners (Lysol, Mr. Clean), dish soap, scrub brushes, handiwipes, non cellulose sponges, non rusting scouring pads, clothespins, clotheslines – 100 ft, heavy duty trash bags – 3ml, dust masks, disposable waterproof gloves, and work gloves.  Supplies can be delivered on Tuesdays or Saturdays between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to Lehigh Valley Outreach Depot, 1866 Auburn St, Bethlehem, PA 18015. 

Please call first:

610-865-5715

Looking Ahead

May 3-4 – SEPA Synod Assembly
May 12 – Mother’s Day & Music Sunday
May 19 – Pentecost Sunday & Confirmation
May 31 – Lutheran Night at the Phillies  7:05 pm
June 9 – Graduate Recognition
June 15 – Youth Lock- In
June 16 – Summer Schedule Begins
Outdoor Worship 9 am
Father’s Day
June 23-27 – Vacation Bible School
“Tell it on the Mountain”

*****************************************************************************************