Prince of Peace
Weekly Update
April 17 - 23, 2020

"I know that you are now... asking profound questions about life, death, and God’s Will. ...Questions such as: if God loves us why would this pandemic happen? I prayed that my dad would recover and he died from the virus, why? Is this pandemic God’s punishment for our/my sin? I found that the only response that makes any sense is: God is with you, God loves you, no matter what.  
 
Gary Wollersheim
Bishop Emeritus
Northern Illinois Synod
Out of an abundance of caution and following Gov. Ned Lamont's injunction to 
"Stay Safe. Stay at Home."
The Prince of Peace building is closed for the foreseeable future (but not the people) .
 
In the meantime, we are 
being the "church" (God's people) in the world.
Christ in Our Home is available for pick up.
Please pick up your copy of this devotion by driving to the church building and walking up to the front door. Please wear gloves and keep 6 feet away from any others you may find there.

Pastor Lutz is available
to drop Christ in our Home devotion to your home per your request.
You may reach him at 609.578.7921 or
by email or by Facebook.
Offering,Tithes and
Special Donations 

Please help us stay current with our financial obligations
during this difficult time.
We say "Thank you" to all who have mailed in their offerings.
We are now able to offer online giving here.

Please click below.  
HOW TO BE A STEWARD IN TODAY'S ECONOMY:
MONEY FROM THE GOVERNMENT

I want to give you something to consider. It is looking as many citizens will receive a check from the government sometime in the near future. Like with all of your income, I invite you to join with me in considering a tithe.

A tithe is the giving of a percentage (typically 10%) of salary, financial gifts, interest, winnings or other income to others out of Christian concern. Jesus taught that "tithing must be done in conjunction with a deep concern for justice, mercy and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23).

I invite you to consider any payment from our government as subject to tithing. There are many worthy organizations, small businesses, and efforts that would benefit from your generosity. Supporting “Brookfield Recovers”, the Dorothy Day House, your favorite local business, restaurant, coffee house, or favorite charity, to name a few. (See the list of local open business below).

To be clear, this is not a request to send money to Prince of Peace. This is an invitation to see this government payment as an opportunity to practice tithing. I am encouraging you to continue to be the church in the world by helping others in need with an act of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Let me know where your tithe goes. I will pray for the business.

Easter Blessings,
Pastor Paul Lutz

At the April 15 Zoom Council meeting the following items were discussed:

  • Affirmed the building closure until further notice

  • Applied (April 4th) for a Cares Act/Payroll Protect Program grant

  • Reviewed virtual worship services, Fellowship/Coffee Hours, and the new online giving options

  • Discussed current and projected deficit budget and agreed to reduce payroll across the board, (Preschool Director, Assistant Director, Choir Directors, and Pastor) by 20% effective 5.1.2020

  • Heard a Preschool update

  • Discussed possibilities of a social distancing congregational meeting in June
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How to reach the Pastor

And as always, Pastor Lutz is easily accessible. You can email him (poppastorpaul@ sbcglobal.net) call him on his cell (609.578.7921) or post on his Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/plutznj ). Although there will be no regular office hours, the church phone is checked every couple of days for messages.
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Looking for an Outdoor Project?

Here are a few activities you and/or your family can do at PoP on any sunny day wearing masks and keeping social distance:

1. Walk around the property (church building and Misty Hollow) and pick up trash deposited there over the winter.

2. Paint the front door of the church with a new coat of Pentecost red.

3. Work in partnership with others to prepare the courtyard for Spring.

If you have an interest in any of these activities, please let Pastor Lutz know.
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Let us Pray

O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope. Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance. Where i mpossibilities close every door and window, grant imagination and resistance. Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination. Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen. 

(Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Additional Prayers, pg. 72-87)
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I'll say it again!!!

If the school closures have you concerned about your child not being able to eat breakfast or lunch let me know. I will do what I can to help. A box of cereal, gallon of milk, bread, pb&j- just let me know. Feel free to contact me - no judgement!

This also goes for the elderly! If you know someone in need -please reach out!

I have heard from several members also willing to help as needed, Please be in touch. It is what church is all about, helping each other.

P.S. if you are ever worried about how you are going to feed your kiddo(s) or yourself we will figure it out together.
Social Distancing with Social Solidarity?
 
Every night from 7:00-7:02 p.m. go outside or open a window and clap, bang some pots, ring a bell, make some noise to show support for health care workers and everyone on the front lines and to remind us that we are united even as we are separated. This started in Ridgefield. Let the sound be heard all over Connecticut. 
We are observing Earth Day next Sunday
 
Next Sunday's, April 19, 2020 worship will celebrate Earth Day. Please send us photos of signs of spring in your yard and we will make a collage to share as part of our worship. Send them to Pr. Lutz at: poppastorpaul@sbcglobal.net  and look at the link for Easter 3 next Sunday at 
It's noon. Let us Pray

Join Pastor Lutz each day at noon (until further notice) in prayer. Set an alarm, mark your watch, etc.

May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors remembers those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health and making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools closed, remember those who have no options.

May we who have to cancel our trips remember those who have no safe place to go.

May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of our economic market remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country let us choose Love. During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other.

Let us find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.

Amen.
(Cameron Wiggins Beld)
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Need a mask?

Our sewing ladies as well as women from the community have been creating scrub caps and masks for the Danbury Hospital Emergency Department.
As of yesterday, the total is over 220 scrub caps and 320 masks.
 
There is now a mandate for face covering for all of us, particularly when around other people or outdoors.

If you need a mask and will wear it, we will make one for you, and possibly your family, as necessary.
 
Many people are wearing medical masks but use the same one over and over. That’s like not washing dishes in your house.

Cotton masks can be washed and worn again. These are free of charge but if you wish, you can donate money to the church.

Unused cotton and narrow elastic are always in demand.
 
You may also hop on the bandwagon and help with cutting, ironing, button sewing. It’s a pleasure to do something for the treatment and prevention of Covid-19.
Call either Monica Walsh 203-740-7632  Or Nan Carlson  203-778-1171 or nancsew@gmail.com
 
 
Interesting fact about the virus:

Hand washing is stressed for prevention of spread. You are encouraged to remove the mask and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds.
The virus has a fatty layer around it and the soap actually penetrates the virus and deactivates it.
So keep a good lather on your hands before rinsing.
Change or wash the mask frequently.
 
Peace and love,

~ Nan Carlson
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Faith Formation at Home

Parents of Sunday School children, we are supplying several options for faith formation at home. Download the Taking Faith Home insert from our website for daily family prayers, rituals and traditions. In addition there is on the web page Sunday School readings, questions, and activities that correspond to the bible story presented in the worship clip.

Parents of Confirmands, we have moved to a Zoom class every Tuesday. Let me know if you have any questions

Adult learners, I would like to also create an Adult Faith Formation blog to continue our learning. How many would be interested in such an experience? We could also hold the Women's Bible Study online with Zoom. Ladies, are you interested?

As a friend of mine said recently, .... it is also a time to recall that our God is an abundant, enduring and fiercely caring God who responds to our prayers by reminding us we are all ministers capable of serving our neighbors and the common good at ANY time.

Time in worship and study are perhaps more needed than ever before.
New Way to be the Church 

So, what ideas do you have for new ways to be the church at a time like this? Here are some thoughts that may trigger some ideas for you.

  • Take care of yourself. Read. Try to relax. I’ve rekindled a new music listening habit that had gone away because of a busy life. Restoring the practice has been such a gift. Exercise 30 minutes a day if you can. Taking a walk works.

  • Reach out to others in new ways. Social distancing does not have to mean social absence. Try a Zoom meeting. Stay in touch with PoP friends by cell phone, email or by writing a compassionate note.

  • Renew or energize family relationships and relationships with other friends with whom you’ve lost touch. You may have “forced” free time now to build on relationships that have lagged.

  • Check on your neighbors. You can still knock on a door and give the gift of a smile, showing that you care. (That would be a group of less than 10, right?)

  • Have a grudge against someone? No time like the present to mend fences.

  • Say thanks to a doctor or nurse or EMT volunteer you know who may be having a tough time right now.

  • Keep your offerings to the church going. Thanks to you, the ministry of PoP continues in the hardest of times. Remember PoP, its pastor and faithful staff and leaders in your prayers

  • Others?
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“Brookfield Recovers” is a special fund created to assist residents impacted by the Covid19 emergency. Brookfield is an extremely generous town, so it’s not surprising that we’ve been overwhelmed with inquiries from residents about “how can we help?” This is how you can help Brookfield residents. Donations will be administered by the town’s Department of Social Services with 100% of all contributions directly benefiting residents in need. 

Funds will be used to purchase items to resupply our food pantry and to assist clients impacted with basic needs to help them stay in their homes.  Your gift will have a measurable and immediate impact on friends and neighbors. Please consider a donation to Brookfield Recovers.

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

You may send a donation via check, payable to:
Town of Brookfield 
(note Brookfield Recovers on the memo line)
Brookfield Social Services
100 Pocono Road
Brookfield CT 06804
203-775-9070
popluthernchurch@sbcglobal.net