Sunday School has begun and we are meeting in person. On Sundays, we start in the fellowship hall across from the kitchen at 9:15, then at 9:30 children will go to their classrooms with their teachers. Masks are required for all participants and all classrooms will have hand sanitizer and wipes. We want to make this a meaningful and safe place for all. All classes have two adults present. Please send your children to Sunday School so we can introduce them to Jesus’ Love and Care. We want them to know about God, and to also KNOW GOD in their lives.

Worship Flag practice will resume on Sunday, October 3rd. We will be meeting in the Sanctuary from 4-5 pm. Children and Adults may come for a few minutes, or the whole hour. We have it set up, so that the kids can join either before or after choir practice. Waiting for your child? Come into the sanctuary and worship with us! No experience needed.

M.E. Sorenson | sorenson.me@gmail.com

Assist Pregnancy Center is a local, life-affirming clinic that helps women and men experiencing an unplanned pregnancy with practical medical care, counseling, and relational support. Because of Assist, families are empowered to choose life for themselves and their unborn children. All of their services are provided at no cost and benefit our community. (Learn more about Assist at www.assistpartners.org).

The Banquet on October 15th is a special gathering allowing the community to learn more about Assist and partner in this local ministry to rescue lives and build up families. There will be ministry updates, stories of lives changed, a delicious dinner, and an opportunity to partner with Assist in this work. There is no ticket cost to attend this event, but there will be an opportunity to give presented during the program.

Did you know? Assist provides Gospel-centered care for patients from an average of 60 countries each year. We utilize bi-lingual staff and volunteers as well as medical translation services to provide care to patients from around the globe. This summer, we’ve provided translation support to Thai, Amharic, Farsi, Spanish, and Korean speakers!

Registration details are all available HERE.

When registering, you can select my name as your Table Host. The event is held at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, VA and starts at 6:30PM on October 15th.

Hope you can join us on October 15th!

Sincerely,

John & Patty Bryant

P.S. If you can’t attend on October 15th but are still interested in giving to support Assist’s vital work click HERE.

The Education Search Committee was recently formed and is currently working on filling the vacant Minister of Families and Education staff position. We are grateful for Pastor Gary’s foresight to begin formation of the committee so that, upon Pastor Hayes’ arrival, the committee could begin the work of filling the position with his guidance.

Presently, the committee is working to execute the following:

All of these measures are being done in accordance with the POPLC Governance Policy as well working closely with the Education Team as we consider how best to fill this position. We are confident that the Lord will lead us to the person He has chosen to guide this important aspect of ministry. We appreciate and are grateful to have had several volunteers come forward to continue the work of supporting the programs that the Minister of Families and Education oversees in the interim. Continued prayers from the congregation are appreciated.

On October 4, 2021, the Care Ministry Team will introduce a different type of caring for one another in the places where we live each day. Historically, there is an ancient tradition in Christianity that is known as a “House Blessing.” The tradition is practiced by numerous Christian faiths and takes the form of short intercessions, prayers, and blessings. The intention of the tradition is to bring protection, blessings, well-being and the presence of Christ to the home and all those who live there.

A candle representing the presence of Christ is lit and the short service begins. Leaders and family members follow the candle and move through each room in the home. As the groups stop at a room the blessing is given in the form of prayer and Scripture. The house blessing is completed with a final prayer and benediction.

If you would like to schedule a House Blessing or have questions please contact Deaconess Cassie at Cassie.Brown@POP.org or cell: 703-798-7499.

In Christ’s service,

Deaconess Cassie

From Pastor Gary & Nancy

We have received a multitude of cards and personal messages from dozens of Prince of Peace members and friends. Our hearts have been warmed once again by your generosity and gracious appreciation. Thank you.

As we reflect on the more than four years we have been serving as Vacancy Pastor (and wife) we find that we have received as much from you as you have told us you received from us. We have found again that as we seek to share God’s blessings in Christ, many blessings come to us in return.

We believe that the Lord has many more opportunities for Prince of Peace to thrive in the mission the Lord has given you and we look forward to watching from Stafford as you model servant leadership in West Springfield, in Northern Virginia and beyond. May God continue to bless you with mercy and steadfast love.

Prince of Peace, Vine and Branches, and St. John’s Lutheran Church are working with two agencies in support of several recently immigrated Afghani families in the area. First, we intend to provide support, as needed, to 5 families hosted by the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC). Parents in these families are registered for English Classes which begin on September 14, 2021 and are provided by the Franconia Area Church Cooperative, centered at and led by St. John’s members.

Second, we are working with connections at The Kingstown Communion, to find out if they need support for their hosting of 3 large families, of which one is 7 and one is 9 people.

The link for this dedicated donation fund is active. It can be found by selecting: https://www.sjlc.com/give and then clicking on the One time or Recurring donation. Then add an amount and select Afghan Allies Support as the designation. A matching gift of $14,000 has been given by a member of Vine and Branches.

Gift cards to local grocery stores, Target, Wal-Mart or Visa can be dropped off in the church office. Gift cards are appreciated since it gives the families the freedom of choosing exactly what they want or need.

Welcome Home Gift Boxes. Individuals, families, or small groups can assemble all the items for one gift box, or you can buy individual items that we will put together with other donations to form a complete gift box. See the display in the Narthex for more information. As Welcome Home Gift Boxes are assembled, volunteers will drop them off at the Lutheran Social Services-National Capital Area drop-off locations. All donations need to be dropped off by Sunday, October 3rd.

We are partnering with local NGO’s who are on the ground in the impacted region and a portion of the funds we collect will provide food kits, hygiene kits, and tarps for those directly impacted by the earthquake.

We seek your prayers and your financial gifts. You can give immediately at: https://villageofhopehaiti.org/donate/ or mail your gift to Village of Hope, 300 E Yamato Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Please specify that your gift is for the emergency fund.

Thank you for your prayers and gifts! Your faithfulness provides HOPE!