Prince of Peace
Weekly Update
August 6 -14, 2020

"The world is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our senses to get sharper."
-W. B. Yeats .
We are in the dark!

No electricity or internet since Tuesday at the church (or Pastor and Janet's house) as of Saturday.
We will record tomorrow's worship in the blue room this
afternoon. We don't need
electricity only light for that.
PICTURES FOR CHURCH ARCHIVES

I am presently putting together the archives for Prince of Peace and there are no pictures or information about the 50th anniversary celebration. Plus, there are few group photos of Confirmation classes from recent years. If anyone has any information or pictures you are willing to share, please give me a call. Thanks...Marci Sharp (203) 775-4657
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The Virtual Coffee/Fellowship Hour may NOT happen Sunday!

If we do not have electricity and internet on Sunday the Coffee hour will not take place!

********

Join us this Sunday at
11:00 a.m. for our weekly Fellowship/Coffee Hour.

We are collecting stories to better understand the power and influence of Prince of Peace in our membership.

Members of the Forward Leadership Team will be present to share their stories and to capture yours.

Sign into a Virtual Coffee Hour by clicking on the link below.
If prompted

Meeting ID: 988 8813 8373 Password: 735006

It is always helpful to test your ability to join and visual & audio sounds on your computer or tablet prior to the meeting.

See you Sunday at 11:00 a.m.!
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Where is Prince of Peace?

During this pandemic Prince of Peace’s doors may be closed, but God’s work continues through our hands! Our Social Ministry has sprung to the task of bringing Prince of Peace to our community and the world.

Here is a sample of what is happening:

Prince of Peace Community Sewing Group- a group of both POP members and community members worked together to respond to the needs of those who were working closely with COVID patients. These items were donated to Danbury Hospital (Emergency Room, 8th and 12th floors), Greenwich Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, and Danbury Visiting Nurses. Also face masks are being made for church members, family and friends and any community member who was in need. The group’s sewing machines are still humming with face masks being made for Nursing homes and Food Banks (Filosa/ Hancock Hall, Bethel Health Care, Brookfield & Bethel Food Pantry, & Daily Bread Food Pantry). Approximately 1,500 scrub caps and face masks have been created by this talented group!
Loaves and Fishes- small groups of 2 are serving food on the 2nd Sunday of each month following state guidelines for safety. Meals are being prepared and handed out in bags.

Daily Bread- members provide food and monetary donations to support those in need of food at this time.

Naomi Circle- blankets, quilts, baby blankets and hats created by POP members and then shipped to those in need in the world.

LOVE fund- monetary donations that Pastor Lutz can pass onto those in the community in need.
Alleluia! POP is alive and well, serving those in need!

~ Monica Walsh
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.

Now you can give a one time gift or a reoccurring gift through a checking account or a debit/credit card.  
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VIRTUAL WORSHIP

Please join us whenever convenient for your household for virtual worship. Each Sunday service is posted by 8 a.m. on our website. The abbreviated virtual worship experience including hymns you can sing along with, a gospel story worth telling, a sermon that speaks to our current reality, prayers for the community and world and community announcements about what's happening at PoP. Check your email for the link or go our website (http://princeofpeacebrookfield.org/) and click on the date of the service you would like to experience.   

Virtual Lectors Sought!

If you have a phone you can record yourself reading one of our Sunday scripture passages to be included in our virtual worship.

We will include all four of the Sunday readings.

Speak to Pastor Lutz if you'd like to serve as a "virtual" lector.
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.
COUNCIL UPDATE

PoP’s new Council (see list below) met over Zoom for the first time on Wednesday, July 15th. The following items were considered:
 
  • Shared results of leadership self-assessment styles based on the Leadership Compass exercise provided by the Forward Leadership Team. There is a nice balance of action, analysis, empathy, and vision styles on the council.
  • Elected Council/Congregation officers, who also serve as the Executive Committee.
  • Reviewed Zoom Congregational meeting with 69 valid ballots returned with both motions passing.
  • Heard about the outside Confirmation worship service planned for Saturday, August 1st at 5:00 p.m.
  • Heard update on church musician for recording worship services.
  • Discussed what is necessary to return to in-person, in-building worship. Also talked about the possibility of offering an outdoor worship opportunity.
  • Heard about the previous Council actions to monitor cash flow – reduction of salaries by 20% and not spending beyond salaries and utilities without Executive Committee approval.
  • Reviewed expectations of Council members from the Congregational Constitution.
  • Made liaison assignment to committees – Property/Cemetery – Doug Berendsohn, Worship & Music – Tina Giubileo, Faith Formation – Lorraine Lavery, Social Ministry – Nan Carlson, Parish Life – Liz Davies, and Forward Leadership – Julie Parker.
  • Closed with the Lord’s Prayer 
2020-2021
Congregational Council
  • Gerry Nabozny (President)
  • Susan Lehmann (Vice President)
  • Julie Parker (Vice President)
  • Lorraine L. Lavery (Secretary)
  • Rich Mercado (Acting Treasurer)
  • Doug Berendsohn
  • Nancy Carlson
  • Phil Curatilo
  • Elizabeth Davies
  • Tina Giubileo
  • Casey Johansen
  • Kevin Peterson

Executive Committee
  • Gerry Nabozny
  • Susan Lehmann
  • Julie Parker
  • Lorraine L. Lavery
  • Rich Mercado
"Creating Community" Email Devotions sent on Mondays
 
Creating Community is an email devotion to guide your preparation for worship for the following weekend. 

Imagine how much more clear and relevant God's Word will be if you have had an opportunity to read, reflect, and dwell in the Word prior to worship. You may do this devotion as an individual, with others, as a family, or over Zoom as a small group. 

Each devotion arrives on Monday and can be engaged in anytime before Sunday's worship. 
 
The devotion includes three simple steps:

1. Read through the text (provided)

2. Respond to the questions (select one of the sets of questions from the three possibilities )

3. Offer a Prayer (one is provided)
 
Click below to see devotions for this Sunday.
The New Christ in Our Home (July, August, September) is available for pick up.

The Gather Magazine is also available for pickup.

Please pick up your copy of this devotion and magazine 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 or the Gather Magazine to your home per your request.

You may reach him at 609.578.7921 or
by email or by Facebook.
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DAILY BREAD
FOOD PANTRY IS SEEKING DONATIONS
 
Please consider a food or monetary donation to the DAILY BREAD FOOD PANTRY during this pandemic. 

Your food-insecure neighbors will benefit from your donations of:

  • Black beans or any kind of canned or bagged beans
  • Rice in 1,2 or 3 lb. bags
  • Pasta - any kind
  • Cereal - Cheerios, Corn Flakes. Rice Krispies (no sweet cereals)
  • Tomato sauce in cans
  • Tuna
  • Chicken in cans
  • Peanut butter
  • Pork & beans or meals in cans
  • Canned vegetables (especially corn)

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

Your neighbors thank you.
203-775-9070
popluthernchurch@sbcglobal.net