Fall 2023 Worship Service Schedule

Sunday Mornings | 8 am  • 9:40 am

REMINDER: Fox Cities Marathon THIS Sunday!

The Community First Fox Cities Marathon, ThedaCare Half Marathon, and Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists Relay Marathon are happening THIS Sunday, Sept. 17! The races start at 7 am at the UWO-Fox Cities campus in Menasha and will finish at Riverside Park in Neenah. This is the 32^nd year of the event!

Please be aware that it may take longer than usual to get to services that morning due to road closures for the race, so please plan accordingly. Please be cautious of runners and walkers in the road while driving or walking as you arrive to church for services and when you’re leaving the parking lots. 

Feel free to check out the interactive course map. Thank you!

Growing in Faith Together (GIFT)

Small Group Ministries Meeting

THIS Sunday, Sept. 17 | 9 - 9:40 am

Join us THIS Sunday, Sept. 17 in the CLR from approx. 9 - 9:40 am for a discussion on Prince of Peace small groups. Members of the Connections to the Cross (CTTC) Ministry will share their past experiences with PoP ChristCare groups, as well as facilitate a discussion on the future of PoP small group ministries. We invite EVERYONE to come and participate in this valuable discussion session. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Dave Erickson at [email protected] or 920-257-8041. See you there!

PoP Fall 2023 Kickoff Sunday Recap!

Despite the damp and cooler temps, we hope you all had a fantastic time at PoP's Fall and Faith Formation Kickoff this past Sunday!

During the 9:15 am Faith Formation Open House, nearly 40 children ages 3K through 5th grade enjoyed various stations throughout the Fellowship Hall with their parents/families to get acquainted with what's in store for them this fall. Each student received a cross and Jesus fish bead and made either a keychain or a bracelet to help them remember that God is always with them. Faith Formation leaders and students also laid hands on backpacks and Miss Barbara led a backpack blessing prayer.

The kiddos enjoyed singing some favorites, including a PoPKids Praise Song or two and having fun with the Boomwhackers during Music Time with Colleen before joining their families back in the Sanctuary for the remainder of the worship service.

Our youngest Faith Formation members and all students new to the PoP Faith Formation Program were invited to come up during the 9:40 am worship service to be crowned the newest Princes and Princesses of Prince of Peace. Five children were blessed and welcomed into the Prince of Peace family and were given a "Milestone" gift to commemorate the occasion.

We are so pleased and proud to have these children learning about the life, love, and ministry of Jesus Christ here at Prince of Peace — thank you, parents and caregivers, for sharing them with us!

A big thank you and congratulations to our newest staff member, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Barbara Ekern, as well as our Faith Formation teachers and helpers, who made the morning a huge success and lots of fun!

This past Sunday also kicked off our 2023-2024 sermon series, Essential Jesus. FREE copies of the book, The Essential Jesus, as well as study guides were available on Sunday. In fact, the books were so popular that we ran out! As Pastor Roger announced during the 9:40 am worship service, he ordered more copies just that morning, which are set to arrive at the end of the week. More copies will be available again in the Narthex THIS Sunday!

And perhaps best of all, vanilla AND chocolate CAKE were enjoyed by all following both worship services! Only kidding, but it was a delicious added bonus!

Check out the fun that was had at Prince of Peace Sunday morning, as we celebrated the start of a new year of Faith Formation and coming together in fellowship as we wrap up the summer and head into the fall season.

The Essential Jesus Sermon Series — More Book Copies Available!

Did we run out on Sunday before you could get your own copy?? Fear not! We will have 60 more copies of The Essential Jesus available THIS Sunday in the Narthex!

We talk about Jesus every week at worship, but how about going on a trip with the entire congregation, all your spiritual siblings, to learn more about him together?

Coinciding with the PoP Fall 2023 Kickoff this past Sunday, we kicked off a new sermon series to take us through April 21, 2024. The PoP Connections to the Cross (CTTC) Ministry has purchased The Essential Jesus book for the entire congregation – available to you for FREE – which will serve as the basis for this year's sermons. Feel free to check out the reading guide & schedule for more info on this exciting new sermon series!

So, if you haven't done so already, grab your FREE copy and schedule/reading guide this Sunday, lace up your hiking boots, and let's start our journey together to learn more about Jesus with The Essential Jesus Challenge!

It's Not too Late to Register for PoP Youth Ministry Programs!

If you haven't already done so, please register your children for Faith Formation and Confirmation!

Faith Formation (3K/Preschool - 5th grade) kicked off last Sunday, Sept. 10.

Confirmation (6th - 9th grade) kicked off this past Wednesday with a Parent/Student Orientation meeting at 6:30 pm. Classes begin NEXT Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 6 pm, with a grilled cheese meal beforehand at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

Visit the PoP website Youth Ministry pages for all the details and fall schedules!

We are looking forward to another fun and fantastic year of serving our youth in His name as we learn and grow in God's teachings together!

NEW! - Mission Endowment Outreach Fund

The Mission Endowment Outreach Fund (MEOF) is a means by which special financial gifts of members, friends of the congregation, organizations and corporations can be received and distributed to enhance the programs and ministries of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Applicants are welcome to use these funds for any of the following causes:

• Ministry opportunities within our congregation
• Community outreach efforts
• ELCA synod agencies and institutions
• ELCA ministry opportunities nationally and internationally

The next application deadline is November 1^st. Please find the application on the church’s website or in the narthex. Submit the application to the office by November 1, 2023. Any questions – feel free to contact Pam Gruner.

Play Date at the Park THIS Sunday!

Calling all kids and kids at heart! Join us for some outdoor fun THIS Sunday with "Play Date at the Park!" Following the 9:40 am worship service, meet fellow PoP families and members at Lions Park directly across the street from the PoP east parking lot. Stay for as long as you'd like and let's pray for beautiful weather! We'll see you there!

SAVE THE DATES!

Prince of Peace Food Drive: October 1 - 5, 2023

Prince of Peace will be holding 4 Food Drives during the 2023-2024 school year to address the hunger needs in our congregation and church neighborhood:

• October 1-5, 2023
• November 26-30, 2023
• February 4-8, 2024
• April 14-18, 2024

Prince of Peace’s first food drive of the school year will be held October 1 - 5, 2023. We will support approximately 70 families through this month’s food drive ministry. To meet this need, we need YOUR help.

To read all the details, including food donation requests, ways to volunteer, and when and where to provide your financial and physical donations, please READ MORE. To sign up to volunteer, please use the online sign-up form.

 Thank you for your support in this important community effort!

Pitch in & Volunteer for PoP’s Pumpkin Patch!

To make this the best Pumpkin Patch EVER, we are looking for a Pumpkin Patch-worth of PoP member volunteers, as well as donations of materials.

As Becca announced during worship this past Sunday, we received news that pumpkins will TENTATIVELY arrive on Monday, Oct. 9 at around 1:00 pm! We will need a large crew of volunteers to help unload the pumpkins from the delivery truck that day/evening. Please consider signing up to help with this important job in kicking off our Pumpkin Patch.

Please note that the "Unloading the Truck" sign-ups are for both Oct. 9 and Oct. 10. As we experienced last year, there is a chance the delivery could be delayed. Please include an email on the sign up to ease the ability to communicate with large groups of people.This was a fun event last year and a wonderful time to connect with others! We would love to see everyone that can make it!

The Patch will be open from 10:30 am - 6:30 pm every day, from Tuesday, Oct. 10 (assuming the pumpkins have arrived) – Monday, Oct. 31, and we will need volunteers to staff it during these open hours! Please check back at the sign-up table for additional times you are able to sign up and to join others in their times – it's a great way to spend time with friends while volunteering for a great cause!

Please note: if you are a student and/or in need of volunteer hours, you are welcome to volunteer with another adult from the congregation.

Becca also informed us that the 2^nd Annual Trunk-or-Treat and Bake Sale has also been scheduled! This event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 22 from 11:15 am - 1:15 pm. There are many opportunities to sign up for this event, as well, including providing vehicle trunks, donating baked goods, selling items at the bake sale, refilling candy buckets and much more! Please visit the sign-up table in the narthex to see how you can get involved in some fun!

Sign-up sheets will be on the table in the Narthex again this Sunday, so be sure to find them and sign up!

There's MUCH MORE info to inform yourself on PoP's Pumpkin Patch, so PLEASE READ MORE and get involved in and help out with these super fun fall activities! THANK YOU!

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Kits Update

Members of the PoP Women of ELCA (WELCA) have been busy pulling together items needed for the kits that will be shipped to countries around the world, including the United States, for LWR. We plan to prepare 20 - 70 Child Care, Personal Care, and School kits. There are a few items that we still need to complete the kits. We are asking our PoP members to look for the following:

• School Kit Items: 30-cm rulers; boxes of 16 or 24 crayons; pencil sharpeners; 70-sheet spiral notebooks

• Personal Care Kit Items: Light weight, dark color, bath size towels (52” x 27”); nail clippers; adult toothbrushes; bath-size soap bars (4-5 oz.)

Please drop your supplies in the marked baskets on the shelves in the room behind the Church Library by Sunday, Sept. 24. Thank you for helping us provide these very much appreciated and needed supplies for families and children all over the world.

UN International Day of Peace Event THIS Sunday!

Sunday, 9/17 | 1 - 4 pm | Erb Park

You are invited to a free, fun and family-friendly event to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace!

The spiritual community, Unity of Appleton, community partners and sponsors are hosting the event THIS Sunday, Sept. 17 from 1 - 4 pm at Erb Park. Join your neighbors and friends for live music, storytelling, peace pole painting, games and crafts for the kids, dancing, treats and more!

Visit the Facebook event for more info and to RSVP, or just show up that day for some fun!

SAVE THE DATE: Linwood Community Summer Concert Series

Sunday, Sept. 24 | 2 pm

Bring your lawn chair and enjoy fantastic music with family and friends for the 3^rd and final show of Linwood Community’s 3^rd annual Outdoor Summer Concert Series! From 2 - 4 pm on Sunday, September 24 on the south lawn at Linwood Community, 425 N Linwood Ave, Appleton, Voices of Peace (Gospel music), will be entertaining us. Voices of Peace has been sharing the gospel through music for over 20 years.

Please access the community using Packard or Franklin Streets. Parking will also be available on Linwood, Packard and Franklin Streets and in both of their parking lots.

A free will offering will be accepted to support the ministry of Linwood Community. Check out the flyer and Facebook event page.

See you there!

Job Opening: Financial Administrator - Apply Today!

With Ruth Nelson’s retirement, Prince of Peace is looking for a Financial Administrator. This individual would be asked to work 25 hours per week and can manage accounts receivable and payable, keep financial records of the congregation and report regularly to Council on the congregation’s finances. Accounting/bookkeeping experience is preferable. We will provide support and training.

Contact either of the pastors for more info or send your resume to [email protected]. Click for the complete job description. Thank you!

Upcoming September Youth Ministry Events

• THIS Sunday, Sept. 17: Installation of Youth Ministry Coordinator, Barbara Ekern, during BOTH worship services and Youth Ministry Volunteers during 9:40 am worship service

• Wednesday, Sept. 20: Confirmation Classes Kickoff, 6-7:05 pm in Fellowship Hall / Meal at 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall

• Sunday Sept. 24: 2^nd Graders Receive Bibles during 9:40 am worship service in Sanctuary / Class w/ Pastor Jennifer immediately following 9:40 am worship service in Fellowship Hall

Ring Them Bells!

Look who's all polished and shiny for a new season of ringing! Fall 2023 Soli Deo Handbell Choir rehearsals kicked off this past Wednesday, September 6 at 9:30 am. We are always looking for substitutes, both for Wednesday morning rehearsals and Sunday morning performances. Even if you've never picked up a handbell in your life but are interested in trying it out, we would LOVE to hear from you! Email Sondra for more info OR call: 920.213.2713 OR 920.739.5255 ext.8. Thank you!

PoP Advocacy Update

Truth & Healing Movement | Learn & Act

The ELCA’s Truth & Healing Movement is an opportunity for this church to increase our understanding of our colonizing impacts on Indigenous people in the past and present. Over the next several months, there will be opportunities to learn, raise awareness and engage in other ways to impact hearts and lives across this church. We believe that the truth, and our knowing and embracing it, is the first step toward healing for all of us.

September Opportunities

September is the month of remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools for the ELCA’s Truth and Healing Movement. Click the button below to learn about all the upcoming opportunities.

PoP Nursery Open Again For Fall | Help Watch our Littles!

Summer is quickly winding down, and we are gearing up for another fun year at Prince of Peace! To better meet the needs of our youngest members (4 years old and younger) and their families, we are now ready for the nursery to be filled again with the laughter and busy-ness of our youngest PoPs during the school year!

Nursery supervision coverage began again on Sunday, August 20 during worship. Coverage will occur during the 9:40 am worship service only.

Our nursery is 100% volunteer-run. We could always use more help from qualified volunteers: parents, grandparents, supervised youth, etc. If you are interested in serving in this important area of our church, or have questions about this opportunity, please connect with Anna Reinhold, Pastor Jennifer or Pastor Roger.

We are eager to offer this service once again to our members, and thank you in advance for your consideration of helping to staff the Nursery!

Library Corner

Many of us find ourselves being caregivers, whether it’s for a spouse or a parent, an adult child with disabilities, or a friend. Caregiving can be difficult and can leave even a strong person feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

The Heart of the Caregiver: from Overwhelmed to Overjoyed is written by Mary Tutterow, who is a caregiver herself. She walks with the reader on their caregiving journey. Grounded in biblical truth, the book reminds caregivers to care for themselves; they are not alone; and ultimately, they are serving Jesus. Her guidebook can be used by an individual or by a small group. She outlines 5 steps to transformation: Assess—Acknowledge—Align—Affirm—Act. The book is a springboard for journaling your thoughts as you go through the readings, so have a notebook handy. It may sound like a lot of work in your already very busy life, but the encouragement and hope it can offer may be just the respite you need.

Mary Tutterow’s, The Peaceful Caregiver: from Stressed to Blessed, is suited for the individual or for group study. Mary understands the stress you face as a caregiver, but her 27 years as one herself (which are still ongoing) will demonstrate what she learned on her journey—how-to-find-peace-with-God in caregiving. It is much more than a how-to caregiving book. Mary’s message is based on Scripture and her own experiences and those of others she's connected with on her journey.

Visit her website to sign up for free insight and inspiration sent right to your inbox. You are also invited to join the closed Facebook group where you can meet other caregivers from around the world and share your thoughts and needs.

WANTED: Youth Ministry Volunteers!

Thank you to our Faith Formation and Confirmation helpers and teachers who have agreed to volunteer again this year — your dedication to the faith journey of our children and youth is greatly appreciated!

We would LOVE to see some new faces step up and help out with our Youth Ministry programs! If you'd like to help by being a Faith Formation Teacher or Helper and/or a Confirmation Small Group Leader, Service Project Helper or Faith Mentor, or would like more information on what these opportunities entail, please email Youth Ministry Coordinator, Barbara Ekern. She would be happy to chat with you and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for considering these important and fun volunteer opportunities at PoP!

Help Greet at PoP this Fall!

Thank you to everyone who has helped in our Usher and Greeter Ministries over the summer — it is very much appreciated!

Please consider greeting THIS Sunday during the 9:40 am worship service! Sign-up opportunities for GREETING THIS FALL are available online. Feel free to check out the form and choose some Sunday mornings in Sept. and Oct. to greet at PoP!

Make a Sanctuary Flower Donation for the Fall!



If you would like to provide sanctuary flowers for a Sunday worship service sometime this fall, you may do so by signing up on the Worship Support bulletin board in the narthex OR, easier yet, by signing up online.

You can access the online form through our website or mobile app. After signing up, plan to purchase your plant/flower (home-grown garden flowers are just fine, too), and contact Cindy in the church office to arrange a drop-off.

If you have any questions, please contact Erin Larson or Sondra Joten.

Thank you for helping to beautify the sanctuary, this summer and throughout the year!

September 2023

Fox Cities Marathon – Sunday, 9/17 | 7 am

Barbara Ekern's Installation – Sunday, 9/17 | During 8 am & 9:40 am Worship

Youth Ministry Volunteers Installation – Sunday, 9/17 | During 9:40 am Worship

Confirmation Classes Kickoff – Wednesday, 9/20 | 6 - 7:05 pm (meal at 5:30 pm)

Fellowship Hall

2^nd Graders Receive Bibles & Class – Sunday, 9/24 | During 9:40 am Worship / Class Immediately following 9:40 am service in Fellowship Hall

Summer Music Concert: Voices of Peace (Gospel) – Sunday, 9/24 | 2 - 4 pm

Linwood Community • South Lawn | 425 N Linwood Ave, Appleton

New Member Orientation – Saturday, 9/30 | 9 am

Congregational Life Room (CLR)

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October 2023

New Member Sunday – Sunday, 10/1

PoP Fall Food Drive – Sunday, 10/1 – Saturday, 10/7

Stewardship Campaign Kickoff Sunday: I Love to Tell the Story – Sunday, 10/8

PoP's Pumpkin Patch – Tuesday, 10/10 (TENTATIVELY) - Tuesday, 10/31

PoP Trunk-or-Treat & Bake Sale Event! – Sunday, 10/22 | 11:15 am - 1:15 pm

West Parking Lot / Fellowship Hall

Commitment Card Sunday – Sunday, 10/29

NO FAITH FORMATION – Sunday, 10/29

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November 2023

Confirmation Retreat! – Friday, 11/3 - Sunday, 11/5| Details to Come!

Imago Dei Village Crossways Camp

All Saints Sunday – Sunday, 11/5

WELCA Thankoffering Sunday – Sunday, 11/12

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service – Wednesday, 11/22 | 6:15 pm

NO FAITH FORMATION – Sunday, 11/26

Midweek Advent Worship Services – Wednesdays, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20 | 6:15 pm

Lots of exciting things happening now and on the horizon at Prince of Peace and in the community! Please also check out the archive of Weekly Announcements on the PoP website!