There is no shortage of evil in the world in which we live! Mass shootings, murder-suicides, drugs, rape… and the list goes on. Two friends, one an unbeliever and the other a Christian, were enjoying their morning coffee together. They began to discuss the latest news and how much evil there was in the world. After discussing several news events one of the ladies gasped, “If there is a God why is there so much evil in the world? Why doesn’t He do something about it? Her friend, a Christian, was ready with the answer! She reassured her friend that God was real and that He does care and that He has done something about it. Using a few Bible accounts and verses she explained how and why she believed it to her friend. She recounted the creation story from Genesis 1 and pointed out that everything God had created was perfect. “Then God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. Genesis 1:31” She next turned to Genesis chapter 3 and recounted how Adam and Eve had disobeyed God thereby ushering sin into the world. From that point on sin, with all its evil, would negatively affect the lives of every living being. Pain, suffering, and death would be a part of every person’s life. Once again, the question came, “Why didn’t God do something about it?” “He did!” came the resounding answer. He promised to send a Savior into the world to save the world from all sin. He sent His Son to earth to live as one of us. He lived His life perfectly without sin. He did so on our behalf as God demands that we live a perfect life but cannot. Then according to God’s timing His Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross thereby paying for all the sin in the world. He rose from the dead three days later. Everything that Jesus promised was and is true including this promise. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not will be condemned” Mark 16:16. The unbelieving friend, still not sure, countered, “Did God really do all that?” The Christian friend quickly quoted Romans 8:32, “Indeed, he who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for all us – how will he not also graciously give us all things along with him?” Amazed, the unbelieving women asked her friend where she could learn more. Continued on page 2 Newsletter October 2019 Peace Lutheran Church 2090 Commerce Drive North Mankato MN 56003 The Peace Messenger Worship Schedule Sundays 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. Serving Peace Pastor Tim Hartwig Cell – 507-382-6826 [email protected]Pastor Matt Moldstad Cell – 507-382-0045 [email protected]Office - Karen Wold Phone – 507-385-1386 [email protected]Church Council President: Eric Woller Vice President: Eric Halvorson Secretary: Greg Miller Spiritual Leadership: Jeff Huber Christian Education: Joel Kom Property Management: Jesse Wolff Stewardship: Sergio Salgado Gospel Outreach: Jon Stadler Jesus’ Lambs Preschool Joslyn Moldstad – 507-385-7752 [email protected]Crossed - Youth Group www.peacemankato.org/crossed [email protected]Special Interest Dates 6 th Bake Sale for Missions AM 6 th & 20 th Sudanese Service 1p 9-11 th General Pastoral Conference 13 th Special Voters’ Meeting 12p 26 th Mission Rally @ Peace 9a 26 th Trunk or Treat 4:30p 31 st PreK Harvest Festival 10a 31 st – 1st Reformation Lectures @ BLC 10:30a If There Is a God, Why Do Bad Things Keep Happening?
Transcript
There is no shortage of evil in the world in which we live! Mass shootings, murder-suicides, drugs, rape… and the list goes on.
Two friends, one an unbeliever and the other a Christian, were enjoying their morning coffee together. They began to discuss the latest news and how much evil there was in the world. After discussing several news events one of the ladies gasped, “If there is a God why is there so much evil in the world? Why doesn’t He do something about it? Her friend, a Christian, was ready with the answer! She reassured her friend that God was real and that He does care and that He has done something about it. Using a few Bible accounts and verses she explained how and why she believed it to her friend.
She recounted the creation story from Genesis 1 and pointed out that everything God had created was perfect. “Then God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. Genesis 1:31” She next turned to Genesis chapter 3 and recounted how Adam and Eve had disobeyed God thereby ushering sin into the world. From that point on sin, with all its evil, would negatively affect the lives of every living
being. Pain, suffering, and death would be a part of every person’s life.
Once again, the question came, “Why didn’t God do something about it?” “He did!” came the resounding answer. He promised to send a Savior into the world to
save the world from all sin. He sent His Son to earth to live as one of us. He lived His life perfectly without sin. He did so on our behalf as God demands that we live a perfect life but
cannot. Then according to God’s timing His Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross thereby paying for all the sin in the world. He rose from the dead three days later. Everything that Jesus promised was and is true including this promise. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not will be condemned” Mark 16:16.
The unbelieving friend, still not sure, countered, “Did God really do all that?” The Christian friend quickly quoted Romans 8:32, “Indeed, he who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for all us – how will he not also graciously give us all things along with him?” Amazed, the unbelieving women asked her friend where she could learn more.
Continued on page 2
Newsletter October 2019
Peace Lutheran Church 2090 Commerce Drive North Mankato MN 56003
The Peace Messenger
Worship Schedule Sundays 8:15 & 10:45 a.m.
Serving Peace Pastor Tim Hartwig Cell – 507-382-6826 [email protected]
Church Council President: Eric Woller Vice President: Eric Halvorson Secretary: Greg Miller Spiritual Leadership: Jeff Huber Christian Education: Joel Kom Property Management: Jesse Wolff Stewardship: Sergio Salgado Gospel Outreach: Jon Stadler
Crossed - Youth Group www.peacemankato.org/crossed [email protected]
Special Interest Dates 6th Bake Sale for Missions AM 6th & 20th Sudanese Service 1p 9-11th General Pastoral Conference 13th Special Voters’ Meeting 12p 26th Mission Rally @ Peace 9a 26th Trunk or Treat 4:30p 31st PreK Harvest Festival 10a 31st – 1st Reformation Lectures @ BLC 10:30a
Her Christian friend gladly invited her to go to church with her; stating that, “God has much more for us to learn.”
That same invitation stands for you, “Please join us for church this Sunday.”
- Board for Home Outreach
The purpose of our congregation is to worship God, who gives life through Word and Sacrament; to serve one another in love and fellowship; and to proclaim forgiveness and salvation to all through Jesus Christ alone.
Please welcome our newest members: Jody Bloemke Reece Boucher Anthony Cordes Craig & Teresa Ferkenstad Elsa Ferkenstad Joshua & Danielle Hoflock Logan Howe Madeline Johnson Ben & Sarah Kohls, Malachi, Ian, Joshua & Amy McCabe, Trent, Carter Tucker, Titus, Lucia, Margaret Mike & Annie Moldstad, Noah Mark & Mary Peterson, Austin Nommensen Rachel Schlawin Brandon Smith Elizabeth Tut Lam
Just a reminder of the option you have of using “electronic giving” for making your regular church offerings or special fund offerings. Contributions can be debited automatically from your checking or savings account or processed using your debit or credit card (Peace is charged a larger percentage of your donation). The electronic giving program offers convenience for you and much needed donation consistency for our congregation.
If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year or prepare 52 envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program will allow your weekly offerings to continue in an uninterrupted basis.
You can set it up yourself by going to our website, www.peacemankato.com, click the “Online Giving” box and put in your information. You choose how often you donate (weekly, monthly, certain date(s), etc.).
Our Mission
The following was taken from ‘Martin Luther’s Little Instruction Book’:
BEARING OTHERS’ FAULTS
“The love toward our neighbors must be like
the pure and chaste love between bride and
bridegroom, where all faults are connived at
[overlooked] and borne with, and only the
virtues regarded.”
† † †
Are you unable to care for your feet? Your church home is offering a service to help you care for your feet and toenails.
By appointment, a registered nurse, using sanitary equipment, will soak and wash your feet, trim toenails, and finish with a lotion foot massage. If the nurse feels further medical attention is needed, she may suggest an appointment with your health care provider. This service is free; however, donations will be accepted to go to a church cause. For more information, or to set up an appointment, please call Amy Jo Reiner at 507-340-2061.
Serving the month of October: Altar/Communion preparation
13th Tom/Connie Schulz & Hannah Taylor
27th Emily Wolff & Mark/Becca Zenk
Communion Assistants
8:15am 10:45am
13th Jason DeWitt Paul Fries
Eric Halvorson Adie Harstad
27th Bob Paulsen Paul Wold
Doyle Holbird Greg Vandermause
Ushers 8:15am 10:45am
6th Bob Paulsen Rob Paulsen
Will Brueske Mark Zenk
13th
Tim Paulsen Ben Petzel Matt Riehl Josh Ringen
Rick Brennhofer Al Clennon Terry Field Lucas Fricke
20th Pete Schuch Tom Schulz
Adie Harstad Chris Harstad
27th
Marc Flygare Nick Peters Jason Westman Keith Wiederhoeft
Dan Holz Richie Kammer Ron Lorensberg Derick Lyngholm
Counters
1st Sunday: Mike Madson & Todd Olsen
2nd Sunday: Phil Novak & Marilyn Paulsen 3rd Sunday: Chris Harstad & Brian Koch 4th Sunday: Matt Riehl & Jon Stadler
5th Sunday: Ernie Geistfeld & Karen Wold
Sarah Hartwig 9 years old Eisley Lin 4 years old Emmalynn Olsen 3 years old Natalie Harstad 1 years old Elie Wendinger 15 years old Nataliya Chopp 6 years old Allie Bach 3 years old Adeline Risto 9 years old Renae Donahue 18 years old Oliver Schuch 9 years old Leo Harstad 12 years old Isaac Hartwig 7 years old Owen Manthe 10 years old Amelia Ringen 2 years old Bridger Woller 11 years old Andy Wendinger 17 years old Owen Jordan 14 years old Colten Evers 8 years old
Also – Paul Wold, Ernie Geistfeld, Jeanne Lorensberg, Emily Peters,
Emily Bents, Kari Loe, James Londgren, Joslyn Moldstad, Ken Fenger, Andy Madson,
Joni Wiederhoeft, Alan Barnett, Jon Geistfeld, Aaron Bleess, Zach Riehl,
Rachel Olsen
May the Lord bless you, today and always.
Happy Birthday!
October Anniversaries: Nick & Emily Peters 10/01/05 14 years Dave & Tammy Kammerer 10/02/93 26 years Harvey & Karen Loe 10/04/59 60 years Kory & Tara Meyers 10/04/14 5 years Wayne & Kathy Karlsrud 10/07/89 30 years Jeremy & Lori Blackwell 10/10/15 4 years Jerad & Meghan Bach 10/12/13 6 years Isaiah & Faith Allen 10/14/06 13 years Rick & Karen Brennhofer 10/14/17 2 years Lucas & Aline Fricke 10/15/18 1 year August & Kaitlyn Jeske 10/17/15 4 years Tim & Tonya Paulsen 10/17/98 21 years Brandon & Jodi Evers 10/23/10 9 years
Congratulations! May the Lord continue to bless you, and may your Christian marriage serve as an
inspiration to others.
To watch our service live, go to: www.peacemankato.com/livestreaming or our Facebook page. The service will start automatically when it is live (8:15AM regular service).
For recorded services, go to: www.vimeo.com/peacemankato and you can choose which service you wish to watch. We are currently only streaming and recording during the 8:15 service.
Jesus Lambs at Peace Preschoolers have been enjoying the new school year and the fall season. Your prayers for our preschoolers have been much appreciated. The Bible stories are also in season, as usual, and it is lovely to see the interest in God’s word, in the eyes of these precious little ones. One of our students commented that the Bible story of Noah and the Great Flood was coming next! (I did not even tell her!) It is enjoyable to see their eager anticipation to hear again the Bible stories they have heard before!
We again have enjoyed our walk around our park-like church grounds, finding God’s treasures in His creation, with every turn. This year we found cicada shells, a caterpillar and a very green grasshopper among the trees, grass, flowers, leaves and acorns. The children also learned that those round green things on the ground are not apples, but walnuts!
Our Field Trip travels brought us to the Children’s Museum with many parents in attendance for fun inside with the tree house, construction area, health area, restaurant, pretend vegetable garden and bank area. The weather was lovely, and the children also enjoyed the outside area with chickens, water play and a real garden area! We thank God that Mankato has this wonderful museum for children to learn so much outside the classroom, too!
Our Harvest Festival is right around the corner. If you have little ones and would like your child to participate in our costume walk, fall games with prizes, face painting, food and more, you are invited to come on Thursday, October 24th (10-11 a.m.) and Friday, October 25th (10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.) Please help us give glory to God as we celebrate the beautiful fall season!
If you would like to give to our Preschool Scholarship Fund, please write your check to Jesus’ Lambs at Peace Preschool. It is tax deductible and will help our young students, who otherwise could not attend Jesus’ Lambs at Peace Preschool.
First Day of School – T/TH class
At Children’s Museum – MWF AM
At Children’s Museum – MWF PM
Upcoming Events:
Peace Lutheran’s Fall Bake Sale will be held on Sunday, October 6th in the kitchen after both services. All funds will be donated to the E.L.S. Missions. Bring your items to Peace on, or before, Sunday, October 6th. Bring anything you like to make: muffins, breads, cookies, pies, cakes, bars, candy, jam... Package them any way you like and we will offer them for a free-will offering.
Don’t like to bake? Come and buy some of the best goodies around AND help support our missions. The ELS Missions (and your tummy!) thanks you!
If you have questions, call Karen Wold at 507-514-0639
Special Voters’ Meeting on October 13th, at 12:00 PM. There will be two agenda items: the establishment of a Sudanese Ministry Leader position and the 2019/2020 Budget. The council minutes contain details for both of these items.
Trunk 'R Treat - Peace will be hosting its 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. If you would like to decorate the trunk of your car, please sign up at the table or on the bulletin board in the church narthex. We ask that each trunk provide
their own candy and arrive by 3:30pm the day of the event. There will be prizes for the top three best decorated trunks voted on by our Trunk or Treat visitors! Concessions will be available for purchase to help raise funds for our CROSSED youth group. Volunteers are also needed the day of the event. If interested, please sign up at the table in the church narthex. All are invited to attend this fun event! If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
DONATIONS NEEDED - The Trunk or Treat planning committee is looking for donations. We are in need of smaller-sized pumpkins, apples, hay bales, corn stalks, and plasma balls (you will get this back) for our event. Please contact [email protected] if you are willing to help. We'd
also love to have a stash of emergency candy just in case cars run out during the event. Last year we had 600+ people attend our event and we used ALL our emergency candy! A box is available in the narthex to donate candy.
Mark your calendars now for the 12th Annual “Got Lefse?” Party!
Let’s get together and make Lefse on Saturday, November 9th, at 9:00am.
This is for ALL ages, males, females, and all ethnic backgrounds (you don’t have to be Norwegian to love it!). The more, the merrier!!
Sign-up sheet and Lefse directions will be posted on the bulletin board.
If you have questions, call Karen Wold – 507-514-0639.
Moms On a Mission Bible Study Fall Schedule: The Peace/Mt. Olive Moms On a Mission (M.O.M.s) bible study has begun our Fall 2019 Session! There are both morning and evening bible study opportunities. Moms, pick the study that works best in your schedule! Come and enjoy getting to know other Christian moms in similar walks of life, while studying God’s promises to us, His chosen daughters.
The morning M.O.M.s group will participate in a study called Ruth, Living in God’s Unfailing Faithfulness. Study materials and childcare will be provided. The evening M.O.M.s will be working though the People’s Bible Study Commentary of the book of James. A People’s Bible is helpful, but not imperative. New and returning moms, please register by emailing the appropriate contact so we can have study guides prepared for you!
