WORSHIP IN FEBRUARY

We continue to worship together Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the building, in-person or on Zoom, Facebook Live, or webpage (princeofpeacebrookfield.org).

• Please sign in upon arrival.

• We have a seasonal bulletin to be used each week. Please return the bulletin to the tall table to be used again.

• Communion can be received around the altar. Please pick up a communion kit. 

• The offering will be gathered when worshipers arrive and brought forward during the service.

Sundays at 10:00 a.m. will also be on Zoom and streamed to our Facebook page.

IMPORTANT WORSHIP UPDATE

PLEASE READ

Due to the upsurge in cases of Covid and other infectious diseases this winter, the Prince of Peace church council has requested a return to "Masking Guidelines based on the Covid-19 Community Level”. These guidelines are established by the CDC and reviewed by the Connecticut state government. Fairfield County has recently been moved into the “High” risk level, with “Masking expected”.

In light of this new development, the Church Council is asking the following of all worshippers and church visitors for the safety of themselves and others:

   1. The wearing of masks when in worship and with a meeting group at Prince of Peace. (masks will be available)

   2. Intentional spacing at the communion rail.

   3. Special care if using intinction.

   4. Understanding and patience as we work through this latest wave of illness.

Masks are annoying. We’re tired of them. But masks work. There is overwhelming evidence that masks, hand washing, and extra caution have made a huge difference in lessening the pandemic.

There are many people at Prince of Peace that have some vulnerabilities. Let’s care for one another, and get through this together.

CEMETERY COMMITTEE MEETING

There will be a cemetery committee meeting on Tuesday, February 7^th at 7:30 p.m. via zoom.

Thanks to all who have submitted their financial commitment letters for the coming year of ministry at Prince of Peace.

To date, we have received 44 commitments!

Our goal is to reach at least 50 commitments. 

Can you help by returning your commitment letter soon? This is one important way in which Prince of Peace plans the budget and acts as good stewards of the gifts you entrust to your congregation.

Thank you again for your generosity!

Daily Bread

Food Pantry Update

Donations have been down, and Daily Bread is in need of everything. 

With the cost of food, the pantry is giving out approximately 200 bags of groceries every three days that they distribute food. 

They need everything especially mac and cheese, peanut butter and pasta. 

Please note the items that are listed below for the pantry. They tend to be the most nutritious and are easy to distribute. 

Avoid glass jars and fragile packaging. 

• Canned tuna, salmon or chicken
• Beans (canned or dry)
• Peanut butter
• Meal-in-a-can (beef stew, spaghetti & meatballs, etc.)
• Soup (especially chicken noodle)
• Rice (1, 2 or 3 pound bags)
• Pasta
• Macaroni and cheese
• Canned corn
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit
• Breakfast cereal (hot or cold)
• Marinara sauce and canned tomato products

Toiletries:

Shampoo

Deodorant

Toothpaste

Drop off your food items or checks (payable to DAILY BREAD FOOD PANTRY) to the church's front door anytime.  

Monetary donations are a good choice and easy to do on-line by clicking on the link below.

Thank you for your donations and prayers.

Church Contact Information: 

By email – [email protected]

By phone – (203) 775-9070

Facebook Message – https://www.facebook.com/popbrookfield

The church office is open most weeks Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please call first.

Need to contact Pastor Grorud?

At this point, he will be in the church office on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week and other times as the calendar requires. 

If you would like to visit with him about anything, please contact him or call Rene in the church office to set up a time to chat.

He is also available by phone at any time. His home phone is 203-210-7762. His cell is 402-620-8032. Please feel free to call if you have an immediate concern or question.

A NOTE FROM PASTOR MARK

Dear Members and Friends of Prince of Peace Lutheran:

I always get a little irritated when I hear someone on radio or TV say, “The church is just another business.” It’s not. First and foremost, the Church is the Church. It is totally unique in the world in which we live. The Church is where we learn about God, where we grow in faith, where we challenge ourselves to be a different kind of person with our lives, where we are challenged to love and serve others, without distinction, without prejudice.

The Church is a totally unique entity in the world. The Church is not a business. But having said that, the Church still needs to operate with good business principals.

To do the ministry we have been called to do, we have to manage our finances and prudently manage the work we have been called to do.

This Sunday is our Annual Meeting. This is the opportunity for members of Prince of Peace to do the “business” of the church. We have many important decisions to make and discussions to have. 

Please join us in the sanctuary after worship this Sunday, February 5. Or join us on Zoom. This is Christ’s Church, but it is also your church to manage and support for the work of Christ. 

Thank you for all you do.

Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Mark A. Grorud

CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING

Our Biannual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 5^th at 11:00 a.m.

The main purpose of the meeting is to discuss and vote on the 2023 proposed Program of Ministry and the 2023 Cemetery Budget.

We will also elect the 2023 Nominating Committee and be voting on the revised constitution. The revision of the constitution was made to be aligned with the model constitution from Synod.

Please see a draft of the constitution by clicking below as well as a comparison of the 2022 Constitution to the 1989 Constitution. 

All confirmed members of the congregation are requested to attend.

Please click below to see more information.

LETTER FROM COUCIL

Please see this important letter from Lorraine Lavery, Council President regarding the Prince of Peace 2023 budget.

ALTAR GUILD

Altar Guild is in need of a few new members. 

The responsibilities include setting the altar and cleaning up after the service.  We also purchase and arrange the altar flowers when someone requests a special dedication. (We are reimbursed for the purchase).

Help is always available. We work in teams of two or three each weekend.

On festival weekends there are more duties. You would never be working on your own until you feel confident in what is to be done. You will be trained after you join.

Please contact Susan Lehmann for more information. Thanks!

[email protected].

203.744.2033

A note from Nan

The CT Department of Health is recommending that we use masks while indoors.

The numbers of hospitalizations and cases remains high and Fairfield County has been designated as Orange, or high risk of transmission.

Let's stay as healthy as we can by using masks while indoors and having adequate spaces between families and groups. Additional masks are available at church.

Respiratory viruses can affect your enjoyment in the winter months. Facial masks may become a major defense.

Most of us are aware of the presence of three respiratory viruses. Covid -19 , as well as RSV and the “Flu”.

Prevention consists avoiding exposure to sick people and crowded spaces, vaccinations, frequent handwashing and good ventilation.

Effective masks have been proven to prevent respiratory viruses. According to the CDC, cloth masks are only 56% effective in decreasing positive tests, But the protection was 66% for those who consistently wore a surgical mask, and prevention rose to 83% who wore N95 or KN 95 masks. Masks have been proven to reduce Coronavirus but are equally effective for the other viruses. Masks should be disinfected between wearing or left to air for several hours.

The third booster has been enhanced to prevent the newest variants. Complete vaccination includes 2 vaccines and 3 boosters.

Stay healthy.

Nancy Carlson