Peace Lutheran Ministries Blog

The LWML will be sponsoring two events in May and one in June.

• On Sunday, May 11 is our annual Mother’s Day Rose Sale that benefits the Sacramento Life Center. The roses are $5.00 a piece. All proceeds go to the Sacramento Life Center. We are requesting matching funds from Thrivent.

• On Saturday, May 31 from 1 – 3 pm the ladies will proudly sponsor a Ladies Tea (Mother and Daughter Tea). Our speaker, author Susan Maxwell Skinner, watched Princess Diana from up close. One of the Princess of Wales’ accredited press people; she followed in royal footsteps for eight of the incredible Diana Years. Susan gained insights into what spurred Diana as a mother, humanitarian and survivor. She has written three books about Princess Diana. The latest is “Diana, Memory of a Rose.”

At the tea, Susan will share her memories in a multi-media presentation that show us what everyone has in common with the Princess and how Diana’s message of love and charity remains an inspiration.

Susan will offer her latest book for purchase and signing. A portion of book sales will benefit our fundraiser for Ed and Lynee Beringuel, who are beginning their service at the University of Hawaii as Campus Crusade staff. Matching funds raised by this event will be requested from Thrivent Financial Company.

Reservations are a must. E-mail suechevo@aol.com (subject-line Tea with Susan). Or call Susan A. at 927-0469. Admission of $10.00 donation includes a wonderful selection of cuisine fit for royalty, presented gracefully. Hats and elegant clothes are suggested.

We hope to see all our friends at an event that will definitely touch hearts.

• On Sunday, June 15, we will hold our annual Father’s Day Bake Sale during both fellowship times. Donations of baked good are welcomed. All proceeds go to Concordia Theological Seminary, Food and Clothing Co-Op in Fort Wayne, Indiana to benefits the seminary students and their families. Matching funds are being request from Thrivent. We have sent over $500 in the last 2 years. Let’s we generous again this year!

God bless you all, Susan Ambriz

The Festival of Pentecost, the birthday anniversary of the Christian Church, is May 11, 2008.

There’s something about Pentecost, the third great Christian festival (Christmas and Easter, as you may have guessed, are the other two), which separates the believer from the unbeliever. The nature of the day is totally spiritual, and that’s totally beyond the grasp of the unbeliever. Historically, Pentecost commemorates that great miracle which took place fifty days after the first Easter. On that day, Christ, who had ascended into heaven just ten days earlier, kept His promise and sent the gift of the Holy Spirit upon His disciples who were together in Jerusalem.

What’s so significant about Pentecost is that it reminds us of the indispensable role of the Spirit of God, not only in the conversion of a sinner, but also, and especially, in the spiritual life of the believer….you and me.

The Bible makes it clear that no one can step from spiritual death to spiritual life unless that person is brought to spiritual life by the Holy Spirit. And spiritual life comes only through repentance of sin and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. And “no one can confess ‘Jesus is Lord’, unless he/she is guided by the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:3). This same Spirit also keeps a person in faith in Jesus, unless that person blocks or denies the Holy Spirit’s access into his or her heart and life.

The questions we must personally ask ourselves are these….Has the Holy Spirit ‘sealed upon our heart” and “comforted” us with the pledge of Jesus, our Savior?…the pledge of full and free forgiveness?…the pledge of victory over life’s troubles and temptations?…the pledge of eternal life with Jesus in heaven? Have we given the Holy Spirit full access into our heart and life for DAILY guidance and spiritual blessing?

May this hymn of Pentecost be our prayer:

Holy Spirit, truth divine, Dawn upon this soul of mine; Word of God and inward light, Wake my spirit, clear my sight.

Holy Spirit, love divine, Glow within this heart of mine; Kindle every high desire; Purge me with your holy fire.

Holy Spirit, power divine, Fortify this will of mine; By your will I strongly live, Bravely bear, and nobly strive.

Holy Spirit, peace divine, Still this restless heart of mine; Speak to calm this tossing sea, Stayed in your tranquility.

Holy Spirit, right divine, King within my conscience reign; Be my guide, and I shall be Firmly bound, forever free.

Pentecost blessings to you and yours. Pastor Paul

On April 22nd we received news that Peace is being blessed with new leadership in the form of a Convertible Vicar whose name is Ryan Alvey. A Convertible Vicar is one who has had all his seminary training and completes his last year in the field as a Vicar working directly with a congregation under the leadership of an experienced Pastor. For example, Pastor Mark Hass was a Convertible Vicar.

Ryan, who is a native of Reno Nevada, will be joined by his wife Juliet, a native of Southern California. Both are graduates of Concordia Irvine which is where our own Alyssa McMurphy and Elliott Ames are currently attending.

Ryan is one of only four being placed from the seminary that was part of a specialized outreach and mission development educational track. Our District President Dr. Robert

Newton went to bat for us to make sure Ryan would end up at Peace as he is an especially sought after candidate.

Other “big” news is that, with the support of District, we were visited and interviewed by a group from Synod that reviews candidates and advises them regarding future direction. This was a very constructive review. They had many enlightening observations and left us with a suggested plan of action, which if we agree to, will result in continued counseling and support over the next three years.

It was clear, from this process, that Peace is not alone in its struggle and their report went on to say that many of the steps that we have taken have been significant and in the right direction. Although sometimes the journey toward redeveloping Peace seems long, it is good to hear that experts who are flying all over the country and working with numerous congregations are quite encouraging and have communicated that we are going in the right direction.

I believe that we are about to experience new opportunities for individual and congregational growth. I am looking forward to our future and the opportunities God is placing before us.

Philippians 4:6&7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God’s got a plan.

Steve