Please let the church office know if you are in need of prayers, pastoral visits

or anything else.

Please call (354-2774) or email [email protected] or [email protected]

Happy Fall Peace Family!

It’s maybe a challenge to think of it being Fall when it’s 90 degrees as I write this, but September has come upon us, and with that, a plethora of fall programming and opportunities at Peace! It is my hope that you’ll take the time to scroll through / read this FALL INSTALLMENT of the VOICE OF PEACE. We are excited to be returning to our regular educational programming for our youth, such as Sunday School, Kids Club and Wednesday Night Education. We’re also excited about launching a few new faith-growing opportunities, such as PEACEMAKERS…a fellowship group for adults, the GOOD GOD QUESTIONS adult classes and BIBLE 101, a great overview for anyone wanting to be more familiar with the book of our faith. Scroll a little further and you’ll find an update from our Call Team about our ongoing search for a 2^nd full-time pastor as well as an update on how we’re doing with our capital campaign projects. Throw in an October Hayride and Christmas Eve in a Barn services, and you’ll see that this VOICE OF PEACE is jam-packed with some reeeeeaally good information! So find yourself a comfortable place to read / scroll / explore the many facets of our shared ministry, and get excited about this Fall at Peace!

Shine on!

Pastor Todd Mattson

We have enjoyed a full summer of all of your "God spots"! Check out the four full boards in the Gathering Space or visit the online gallery on our webpage to see all the places God was spotted!!

Check out a glimps of all the GREAT things WE have been up to this Summer!

Interested in learning more about Peace? Considering joining as a member? Give our office a call or sign up for one of our upcoming New Member Classes!! You will have an opportunity to learn more & ask questions without obligation.

Info Meetings are:

Sunday November 5th at 11am

Wednesday November 8th at 7:30pm

For those who chose to continue with membership, we will be welcoming at worship on Sunday, November 19th.

SUNDAYS:

9:00 a.m. Worship at Peace

This Service will be available live-streamed

10:10 a.m. Faith Formation Hour

Coffee Fellowship, Table Talk, Sunday School & Sunday Sweets

WEDNESDAYS:

6:00 p.m. Camp-Style Worship at Peace

November 30th - December 21:

5:30 p.m. Hotdish Meal

6:30 p.m. Advent Vespers

First Rehearsal Wednesday September 13th at 6:30pm

The Choir will be singing September 17th at 9am Worship!

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

Contact Brian Pearson at 320-212-8782

SEPTEMBER 17th - RALLY SUNDAY

Plan to join us for worship, stay for coffee & fellowship, and have some fun as we kick-off a new season of children & youth programming! We'll be doing an indoor balloon launch during worship along with a Back To School Blessing. Following worship we'll have muffins & breakfast breads for coffee hour! Would you be willing to provide store-bought or homemade bread or muffins for our this breakfast? Please sign-up online here (or call the office):  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BAAAD23A3F8C70-rally#/

Kids, be sure to check out the bouncy house in the gym, meet your program teachers, complete the scavenger hunt for fun activities and prizes, & get registered for Sunday School and/or Wednesday Programs!

OCTOBER 1st - GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS.

Join us for a short worship at 9:00 a.m. followed by a time to put our hands & hearts together in service to others!  This year's projects include:

• Special Help for some of Peace Member's
• Sole Hope Shoe Party
• Road Clean-up -- Hwy 9
• Singing/Games at Nursing Home
• Shores of St. Andrew Clean-Up

A Sign-up Form will be available beginning September 10th!  Or Sign-Up now using this online form: https://forms.office.com/r/d8LXZXd4Dp

From 9:30a -12p, a PANCAKE BREAKFAST will be served as a fundraiser for the next Jamaica Mission Trip Team!

OCTOBER 29th - REFORMATION SUNDAY

NOVEMBER 5th - ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

Join us in lighting candles for in memory of loved ones passed.

NOVEMBER 19th - CELEBRATION SUNDAY

Following a series of Sundays showcasing ministries happening here at Peace, we will end with a THANKFUL CELEBRATION featuring a decorated sanctuary & music at worship, as well as special treats at fellowship hour.

NOVEMBER 22nd - THANKSGIVING EVE

Join us for this special evening service to give thanks. All offering taken will go to ELCA World Hunger Relief.

WEDNESDAYS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 29th - ADVENT VESPERS

Reflective mid-week candlelight services offering pause during an important season.

DECEMBER 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Four Christmas Eve services to choose from!

FAITH FORMATION:

SUNDAY SCHOOL KIDS:

(3 y/o - 3rd Grade)

REGISTER Sunday September 17th!

Meets Sunday Mornings after Worship

SUNDAY SWEETS:

(Grades 4+)

Sunday Sweets is our Sunday School time for students in grades 4 and up. On Quentin’s Sundays here, he will lead it, and when he is not a volunteer will lead it. At Sunday Sweets we have plenty of games, a short devotion, and free time in the Youth Room with our new foosball table! If you are interested in leading one or more of the Sundays Quentin is not here this year, please contact Quentin at [email protected]. 

Registration is not required! Simply join us in the Youth Room after worship.

Wednesday Night Education Orientation - 4th - 9th Grade Students and parents, please attend this important meeting September 13th @ 6pm!

BIBLE 101 (formerly known as Divine Drama Act 1)

Basic knowledge about the most impactful book of all time. How well do you know the Bible? It's the owner's manual of our faith. Here is a great opportunity to get an easy-to-understand overview.

Join us Tuesday Evenings at 6pm Beginning September 26th

SUNDAY'S TABLE TALK

Grab a cup of coffee and cookie from the Fellowship Hall and then join us most Sunday's in the Chapel for guided discussion on a variety of topics. Come to one or come to them all!

TUESDAY MORNING MEN'S BIBLE STUDY

Meets weekly on Tuesday Mornings at 7am in the Fireside Room.

TUESDAY MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

Tuesday mornings at 9am. We meet for one hour to discuss how the Bible interacts with our lives. Currently, we are studying the book of Isaiah. Please join us as you are able.

Book Club Selection for

SEPTEMBER

The Sentence

by Louise Erdrich

Discussion:

4th Thursday of the Month,

Next one: September 28th,

10:00 a.m.

Fireside Room

All are welcome!

CALL THE OFFICE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO GET A COPY OF THE BOOK.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

This group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1pm in the Fireside room. We knit or crochet shawls to be given to those who are in need of a reminder of God's loving embrace. As we knit, prayers are knit into the shawl for those who will receive them. Patterns and yarn are available, as well we would love to teach. Come for conversation, prayer and connection. 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th at 1:00 p.m.

(Meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month)

In the Fireside Room

PEACE QUILTERS

Meets the first Thursday of each month. Quilts made are gifted to newly baptized members of our congregation as well as sent to those in need. No quilting experience is necessary!

YOUTH EVENTS:

THEY'RE BACK!!!......

5^th Quarter @ Peace (Grades 6-8)

Fridays Sept. 15^th & 29^th After the Varsity Game until Midnight 

Join Quentin at Peace Lutheran in New London for snacks, games, and fun right after the Varsity Football Game until Midnight. Friends are always welcome, there is no sign-up for registration necessary. Students will be asked to sign in and out. Quentin is looking for 5 parents to help volunteer at each night. Parent support is desperately needed for both of these events. If you are able to volunteer at either or both of these events, please call, text, or email Quentin at [email protected]

MEA Paintball (Grades 6-12)

Thursday October 19^th from Noon-5:30pm. Anticipated Cost: $45

Forms Needed: Faith/Peace Medical Liability Waiver (if not completed this calendar year)

                                Faith/Peace Registration Form

                                Online Waiver for Annandale Paintball (will be emailed to you)

Anticipated Cost: $45

Forms Due: Sunday October 8^th

We will leave from Faith Lutheran at 12pm bound for Annandale Paintball in South Haven, MN. Cost includes transportation and paintball equipment rental. Paintball Equipment includes the weapon, paint, and a safety mask. Students will want to wear athletic clothes that covers arms and legs, as well as shoes that are appropriate for running and quick movements. A few adults are needed to help supervise. Adults attend at no cost as our thanks and are eligible to play Paintball, as well. If these interests you, please contact Quentin via call, text, or email him [email protected]

SW MN Synod Jr. High Youth Gathering (Grades 6-8)

Friday/Saturday November 17^th and 18^th^^ from 5:30pm Friday to 12pm Sunday.

^^Please Note: This is a state tournament football weekend. Due to the need for us to register well in advance, this event is NON-REFUNDABLE. Students could get picked up earlier than 12pm on Saturday if this is communicated to Quentin on your registration sheet^^

Anticipated Cost: $90

Forms Needed: Faith/Peace Medical Liability Waiver (if not completed this calendar year)

                               Jr. High Youth Gathering Registration Form (both identical halves)

Forms Due: Sunday October 8^th

"This year's theme is “Where God Guides, God Provides” (based on Isaiah 58:11), and we’re so excited to have both Rachel Kurtz and Jodi Hogue join us as our special musician, speaker, and guests!"

This is one of the finest events I have been to for our Middle School students. The event is held for students all across Southwestern Minnesota and includes moving speakers, snacks, worship times, and the most popular “Nightlife” free time. Cost includes all of these activities as well as lodging, meals, and a free T-Shirt. We will be staying in the Holiday Inn or Best Western in Willmar. Multiple adults are needed to make this weekend successful. If not enough adults volunteer, some students may not be allowed to go. Those who turn in forms and money first OR whose parents are volunteering will be given priority.

Board Game Night @ Faith (Grades 6-12)

Saturday December 9^th, 6pm-9pm. No registration required. Just show up J

Forms Needed: Faith/Peace Medical Liability Waiver (if not completed this calendar year)

Quentin will be at Faith with some of his favorite board games for a fun evening of hanging out and trying new games. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite game to share. We will have snacks and light refreshments to share. 

FALL FESTIVAL  

Date: 10/7/22

Time: 11 am - 1 p.m.

Location: Peace Lutheran Church

“Just a Little Bit of Ketchup”

On behalf of your church council, I want to thank each and every one of you for the generous giving related to the capital campaign we recently had. We are so blessed to have such a giving congregation, and we are so excited to work on the projects ahead of us!

At this last council meeting, as is typical, we spend some time going line by line on the financials. Having served on the council now in my 6^th year, I can attest that the various council members in that time have done a wonderful job of being good stewards with the churches money. Especially post-covid, I feel the staff and council have mastered expense management, leaving us to move more attention to income management. As I mentioned at this last meeting, our summer slump appears to have been ‘slumpier’ than budgeted and compared to summers before. While this could be an anomaly, we would be remiss if we didn’t appeal to our congregation to help us bring that top line back to budgeted. It’s possible that some of us gave to the capital campaign instead of our regular giving, and if that’s the case, please consider getting back to regular giving. 

In closing, I think Cliff always said it right when he said, “Please continue to give as you are able.”  With that, we should be able to make up for that summer slump with just that little bit of “catch-up”!

Thank you!

Dave Feist, Council President 

2023 Church Council                                                                                     

Jon Austvold - [email protected]

David Feist, President - [email protected]

Cliff Gesellchen - [email protected]

Margaret Knisley - [email protected]

Cindy Lundberg - [email protected]

Preston Mattke - [email protected]

Melanie Netland - [email protected]

Gail Olson - [email protected]

Carol Roverud - [email protected]

Mary Semmler - [email protected]

Melissa Straus - [email protected]

Peace is fortunate to have such a dedicated group of call team members prayerfully interviewing candidates and discerning the right fit for the needs at Peace. To date, they have conducted 3 interviews with a new interview scheduled for late September. Continue to keep this team and this process in your prayers as they work to find Peace’s next Associate Pastor who will work alongside Pastors Todd and Linda. 

Greetings Peace Family,

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to your fellow members and our mission partners outside of our church walls. Since August of 2022, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team who’s goal has been raising funds for transformational projects.  Without them and your support, completing the projects identified in the campaign would not be possible.

I am filled with gratitude and joy that to date, collectively, we have pledged approximately $714,000 toward these important projects.  Equally as exciting, approximately $276,000 of those commitments has been received.  That means projects are moving forward! I encourage you to read the Council Update provided by Council President Dave Feist below for a summary of the projects already completed and the status of those in the planning and implementation stage.

Now for even more exciting news.  The Campaign isn’t over! It is a three-year investment in our congregation and extended family members.  This means that if 2022 wasn’t a year you could participate, there are still two more years for you to commit to these important projects.  If your commitment was, or was not, your best gift in 2022, you can “out give” your commitment. The capital campaign projects will leave a legacy not only for our church family, but also our extended family. Of course, as we are all aware, our commitments to these important projects must be above and beyond our regular giving which fuels the heart of our congregation. Without our regular giving, the impact of the capital projects will not be realized.  Thankfully, we have specific direction to guide us– Matthew 6: 19-21.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact a council member, church staff, or me.

Thank you for your continued commitment and generosity!

Jared Voge

Capital Campaign Chair

The Kitchen project has been given the go ahead, with that project cost estimated at around $92,200.00. 

The digital sign intended to go on our lower parking lot down by the corner of has been given the green light, pending permit approval of said location at a cost estimated at around $60,000, including an estimate for electrical work.

While we have a cost estimate for construction on the child care, the council has tabled approval of that project pending the securing of some grant funding as well as negotiations with childcare providers on the term and possible contributions towards the project. That construction estimate is sitting at $244,000.00, considerably higher than was anticipated. In discussions with the contractor, there will be some ability for us to contribute some savings on that project by providing some of our own labor with demo, painting, etc.  Until we can lock in the possible grant and contributions, as well as some of the estimated savings we can provide, your council will not move forward on this project. Hopefully we will learn more in the next 60 days on where estimated actual costs could land, including any grants and savings as mentioned earlier.

While the updated estimates are for the most part higher than expected, please understand that we are challenged by rising construction costs, labor costs, and some supply chain shortages as well. Add that most contractors have more business than they can handle and it has made trying to pin some of these projects down extremely difficult. My hats off to the committee’s listed earlier, as they are working hard behind the scenes with the various vendors and contractors.

We’re still waiting on an updated estimate on the parking lot and I think that’s the only outstanding project we don’t have quite firmed up. The council has approved hiring a striper to get the lot striped this fall, and we should have some estimates in time to look at some work for next spring/summer. On that note, you will be happy to hear that the parking lot lights have been upgraded with some new, brighter LED lighting already.  

Dave Feist, Council President 

MISSION OF PEACE UPDATE:

Thanks

We had a great book sale in July. Thanks to everyone who donated books, shopped, helped out with the sale or helped with cleanup. We made $3883.82 for Peace missions.

Thanks also for your participation in the United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” event. Bins were filled with school supplies both at Peace and at the Shores of St. Andrew services. Your help in getting students get ready for a new year of school was greatly appreciated!

September

Gods Work/Our Hands – This ELCA service day will take place on Sunday, October 1. There are a number of service projects planned including: road clean up (Peace is responsible for a section of hwy. 9 in New London), yard work for Peace members who need help, a project at Shores of St. Andrew, visits with elderly members of our congregation, and denim cutting. The recent Sole Hope 4K run made enough money for nearly 80 pairs of shoes for Uganda. We need to cut more denim pieces to equal that many shoes! There will also be a representative from Sole Hope at Peace that day to tell us more about the project. There’s a project for everyone! Mark your calendars and decide where you can serve.

Following the work time, there will be a Pancake Breakfast which will raise funds for the Jamaica trip. The team will be heading to Sunbeam Boys Home to spend time with the 40 boys living there, departing December 30 and returning January 6. Watch for more projects to raise money for this venture.

Habitat for Humanity is holding a fund raiser, the “Raise the Roof Gala,” on Thursday, Sept. 21, 5:30 pm, at the Willmar Conference Center. Book your tickets through Habitat; cost is $50. Enjoy fabulous food (walleye or bacon wrapped pork), inspiring stories and amazing live and silent auction item while helping fund important community projects! Plans are for a Habitat build in Spicer this fall. We hope Peace will be involved in part of this build.

Did you know the Habitat ReStore has moved? Their new location is 4722 Hwy. 71 NE. The ReStore accepts new and used building materials, appliances in working order, furniture, light fixtures and more. They can pick up items if needed. You are invited to shop there from 10 AM to 5:30 PM Wednesday through Friday and 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday. Volunteers are also needed. Call 235-9000 with questions or to volunteer.

October

Shoe boxes will be available by the end of October for Operation Christmas Child. You are invited to take an empty shoe box and fill it with items for a child. You can choose boy or girl and an age range (2-4, 5-9 or 10-14) for your gifts. There will be suggestions of what to include (and what to leave out) and you can enclose a letter to the child who will receive the box.  Filled boxes will be due not later than Sunday, November 19. A donation of $10 per box is requested to help with shipping.

October 23-29 will be Peace’s week to help at Family Promise. This ministry, supported by many churches in our area, helps provide lodging and meals as well as support and guidance to families who are working to move from a homeless situation into a home. It’s easy to help with this project. Families are housed in a rehabilitated building in Willmar (near the Kandiyohi Food Shelf). Volunteers from different churches bring evening meals and eat with the residents. Peace is a supporting congregation to Faith so call Lynn Dwyer (Faith) to get your name on the “Sign Up Genius” list. An email is sent out when it’s Faith’s turn to serve (4 or 5 times a year). You will see meal requests for each night of the week (a suggested main dish and vegetable or a dessert and fruit) and you can respond electronically indicating what you will bring. Sign up with a friend! Talk with Carol Roverud or Barb Johnson if you have questions.

November

We will again be packaging food with the Norway Lake Parish. This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, November 15 at First Lutheran Church (on hwy. 40). This is a fun event for families, confirmation students and adults. We will be packaging either oatmeal or rice meals for hungry people around the world – and in our area! Every year, we send some meals to the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf in Willmar. We serve a light meal at the event for a minimal cost so you can plan to eat there too! Don’t miss this service (and fun!) opportunity.

Tuesday's Table - Tuesday's Table is resuming in September. Peace will be serving the fourth Tuesday of each month. Volunteers will be needed; watch for a sign up sheet.

Check out these Fall Retreat opportunities at Green Lake Lutheran Ministries:

LUTEFISK TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!!

Saturday, October 28, 4:00-7:00pm - doors open at 3:30pm

• ADULT (ages 13+): $18 ($20 at the door)
• YOUTH (ages 7-12): $15
• KIDS (ages 6 and under): Free

BUY TICKETS AT THE WELCOME CENTER OR ONLINE AT: https://faithspicer.org/

**No physical tickets are being given out - when you sign up online or at the Welcome Center, your name will be added to the list and we will check you off the list when you come to the event.

The Link was busy serving our community this summer! Below are the latest number reports from July's Update. Visit their website to learn more!

OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 2:30pm

Friday 9am - 12pm

Please note: the Peace Staff Meetings will be on

Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.

Staff Email addresses:

Pastor Todd:

[email protected]

Pastor Linda:

[email protected]

Quentin Markfort

[email protected]

Lindsay Freeland

[email protected]

Gail Olson

[email protected]

Mike Lagergren

[email protected]