Peace Lutheran Church
Weekly Notes

TABLE CHAT & DAILY TOUCH

Are you looking for a safe, inclusive space to chat about faith, its questions, doubts and strengths?

Are you looking for some time of abiding with genuine feelings, be they fearful, regretful, worrisome, reflective, expectant, and more?

Thursday Table Chat at 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 is the place!

The Daily Touch offers a devotion, prayer and often a recipe, Monday thru Saturday at our Facebook Page and sent to the e-list.

Not on the list and want to be?

Send your request and email to Pastor Debbie.

ASH WEDNESDAY OBSERVANCES

Two prayer services will be offered at Peace Church, 1021 W. Wooster, BG to begin this most holy and somber season.

Morning Service at 7:30 a.m., Evening Service at 6:30 p.m.

Both include Music, Prayer, and an Imposition of Ashes Ritual.

Individual prayer and self-imposition of ashes will be available throughout the day at Peace, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All are Welcome! There are no requirements, no restrictions, and no judgement placed on what you choose to participate in or not.

ONGOING EVENTS

One Sunday morning worship experience at 10 a.m.

In person and broadcasted live at our Facebook page.

A Thursday Evening Contemplative Prayer Service at 6:15 p.m. [returns September 26] A half hour of prayer, silence, song and communion.

Midweek Supper Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Simple, vegetarian friendly supper and gentle conversation. Wine is known to be served!

Attendance at one or the other is not required for the other!

There are no requirements, no restrictions or judgement placed on what you participate in or not. You are truly welcome to come as you are able and stay as long as you like!

MONTHLY SPECIAL OFFERING

Special Offering Designations are offered by the Share Team throughout the year to offer thanks for God’s kindness and generosity toward us, and to participate in God’s desire for a just and loving world.

March: Lutheran World Relief LWR

Lutheran World Relief envisions a world where all people, in every corner of the world can live full, dignified lives. Founded by Lutherans in the United States at the end of World War II, grounded in Lutheran theology and building on decades of experience, LWR tackles global poverty by helping people adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being. It works with people based on need, regardless of race, religion or nationality. It does not evangelize.

When a disaster hits — whether it’s a drought, tsunami or civil war — Lutheran World Relief works over months and years to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to help people recover and adjust to new realities. In the days and weeks after a disaster, LWR is on the ground helping to meet people’s immediate needs. And in the months and years following, it is dedicated to working with them to ensure that they can rebuild better and stronger than before.

Recently, the U.S. administration’s demise of USAID eliminated congressional approved funding to LWR. Misinformation and baseless doubt was cast upon all funding that supports LWR. Our presiding bishop, Rev. Elizabeth Eaton posted a video in response. She assured the church that the ELCA remains steadfast in our commitment and work with our many Lutheran partners and expressions of our church.

Donations can be sent to: Peace, 1021 W. Wooster, Bowling Green OH 43402. Make checks payable to Peace and put LWR on the memo line.

ON-GOING: All non-perishable food and hygiene items welcomed. Old cell phones may be donated to help fund services for the Cocoon Shelter. Place items in the blue tub under table near north door in the church lobby.

COMMUNITY GARDEN

The PEACE COMMUNITY GARDEN is wrapped up for another successful year.

Dozens of neighbors, friends, and others from the community benefited from the fresh produce provided for the picking!

Bruce Kidder, our master gardener, is already at work making plans for next year!

The people of Peace are happy and grateful for the opportunity to serve the community this way!

Check out the Solar Picnic Table near the garden.

Feel free to plug in and charge up your devices or play a happy tune!

Prayer Requests / Ministry

Please keep in mind Patient Privacy Act precludes hospitals or other care facilities to contact Pastor Debbie without your permission. Please include her as a contact on your registration so that she may be notified.

Those requesting prayer are asked to notify Pastor Debbie by calling 419-266-5865 or emailing pastordeb@peacechurchbg.org. With permission, she will include them in the Sunday Weekly Notes and Prayers for the People at worship. If desired, she will also share them with the Prayer Wheel Ministry, a confidential email list.

To join this ministry, please contact Pastor Debbie.

Holy God, help us to be quick to understand and eager to assist where we can. Let no one in our midst celebrate without companions, grieve without consolation, sin without mercy, suffer without loving care, live without respect, hunger without food, or die without being tended with love and surrounded by prayer. Amen.

CERTIFIED COOL CONGREGATION

Upon applicaton and approval, Peace Church has been awarded Cool Congregation Status by Interfaith Power & Light for reducing our carbon output by 30%. This was a result o four solar panel installation and our change to LED lighting. A framed certificate is displayed near our south entrance. 

You can monitor our solar panel performance in real time online, and you can learn more about Cool Congregations across the country at coolcongregations.org. The mission of Interfaith Power & Light is to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. This campaign intends to protect the earth’s ecosystems, safeguard the health of all Creation, and ensure sufficient, sustainable energy for all.

SOLAR PANELS POWERING PEACE

Check out the roof of Peace Church on the east end of the south side: We have solar panels up there!

They look really great and they are operating great as well. You can monitor via a computer app each panel's production and whether there are any failings or concerns. We expect to see as much as a 25-percent savings in our utility bills, which we will be able to apply to ministry!

This project was made possible with the gift we received from the Leonard and Margaret Davis trust and was one of four environmental projects. They proclaim God's resourcefulness and generosity by embracing and practicing good creation care, doing what we can to lower our carbon footprint, reduce our negative impact on the environment, and promote this calling to the larger community in a positve and inviting manner.

Approximately $40,000 is accomplishing this effort in four ways. We have:

• Partnered with Ohio Interfaith Power and Light and Energy Stewards to monitor and analyze our energy use. (This is an ongoing effort.)
• Upgraded our facility to LED lighting.
• Purchased a picnic table equipped with solar-powered lighting and electric outlets.
• Installed solar panels on the south side to both promote and practice energy efficiency.

Other projects made possible by the trust gift include new playground equipment, sponsorship of a Syrian refugee family, and debt reduction.

Thanks be to God for generous neighbors and for granting us a vision to keep striving to Create Christ-Connected Community!