After four years of service, Pastor Gary is wrapping up his time with us on the weekend of Sept. 11-12. He will be preaching at all three services, and we will pray a prayer of blessing and sending for him and his wife Nancy at each service. Following each service, we will have a reception in the Narthex so all have an opportunity to express their thanks for their faithful service during a long time of transition. You are also invited to write a card of thanks to Pastor Gary and drop it off in the church office before September 11. Let's bless them with plenty of words of encouragement and thanks as they move into a new phase of ministry!

A HUGE thank you to all who donated to the Back the School Supply drive! M.E. Sorenson dropped off the donated supplies at Keene Mill Elementary School and Irving Middle School this past week. We had at 37 binders, 66 folders, 29 notebooks, 10 packs of loose-leaf paper, 40 packs of crayons and colored pencils, 400 pencils and pens, 175 erasers, big boxes of disinfecting wipes and Kleenex, and even some backpacks! One of the Keene Mill counselors was very appreciative of the donations, saying that they had just run out of the majority of their supplies.

The Children's Sunday School kick-off went very well, and we were pleasantly surprised at the turnout. We did not know what to expect coming back from COVID, and it was wonderful to see children and their families back in the building. Many thanks to the adults who helped to make the day a success.

We understand that we are all feeling our way through this new normal and we want the best for all of our children. Our plans for Sunday School will be evolving and changing based on volunteer numbers, numbers of children, and COVID. It takes a whole congregation to minister to our children, and we need YOU to be a part. To continue with Children's Sunday School, we need volunteers to lead classrooms. 

Can you help us make Children's Sunday School a success? You will not be making a lifetime commitment and you will be partnered with other adults. The curriculum is from Concordia Publishing House, called Enduring Faith, and all you need for leading Sunday School will be given to you. Please let us know as soon as you can if you can help with:

Although we will hold Sunday School (9:25a-10:15a) this weekend, we hope to be fully staffed and running on September 12. Please consider how God could use you as we figure out our new normal together. We are doing everything we can to ensure that PoP Children’s Sunday School moves forward positively. Unfortunately, if we do not have the volunteers needed, we may have to cancel until we can figure out a rotation for parents to lead. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Please email us at info@poplc.org to let us know how you can help. We look forward to working together to make this year of Sunday School a success.

In Christ's Service,

Liz Taylor & Katherine Einspahr

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.

Knit for Kids is a charity to get kids outfits for cold weather and is part of World Vision. Knit for Kids unites thousands of knitters to fight poverty with their knitting needles. Together they give hope and warmth to vulnerable children living in poverty or other difficult situations around the globe. Join the Women of POP to knit or crochet hats and scarves for Knit for Kids. We will have yarn and needles for you to use and will have some rectangles knitted or crocheted ready to be sewn into hats. All skill levels are welcome. Hope to see you there! Darlene McCoy: mccoyfamily18@msn.com

Hello Friends,

Bethany House of Northern Virginia is our community outreach for the month of October. Join us at the Springfield Country Club, if you can, on October 7, 2021 as we gather for a night of food, fun, fellowship and fundraising to provide for victims of domestic violence. I have purchased tables in order to get the early bird discount. If you would like a ticket to attend, you may purchase your ticket from me for $125 per person. Or Purchase your tickets here: bhnv.org/garden-of-light. A portion of your ticket is tax-deductible. Thank you and God’s rich blessings on you as you continue in your service to Him.

Blessings, Brad

Brad.Womble@poplc.org

Prince of Peace Lutheran School is welcoming back teachers, children and young families for our 2021-2022 school year. We appreciate the congregations love, support and prayers! "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:16

We would love to invite you to try one of Prince of Peace Music Ministry’s Ensembles which include children, teen and adult choirs for singers and Handbells and Orchestra for instrumentalists. All you need is your voice or instrument and a love for music.

There is no obligation to join, and you do not need to have any prior experience. If you don’t read music, but would like to learn how, please come and our ensemble directors will show you.

Click HERE for a list of ensembles and information on how to join. If you have any questions and are interested in attending, please email Michael Rossi, Music Ministry Director, at Michael.rossi@poplc.org.

Prince of Peace is in need of additional Video Camera and Live Stream Operators to help run our weekly Live Steam Services. No experience is needed but a love for filming and video creation is helpful. Volunteers will be trained how to operate the handheld and joystick Cameras and Live Stream Computer Equipment. Anyone interested can contact Michael Rossi, Michael.Rossi@poplc.org

Starting September 12th, at 9:15 am, the Sunday Women's Bible Study will be studying N.T. Wright's "Acts." This 24 weeks study looks at how Jesus continues to act within the real world, informing and empowering our acts today. We will be meeting upstairs in Room 21 or virtually. Come and join us!

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

Join this dynamic group of mothers paired with mentor moms to encourage each other in our walks of motherhood. MOPS and Moms Next is a ministry of Prince of Peace led by Lulie DiMauro and Colleen Raezler.

Registration is now open for moms of infants through high school-aged children. We gather the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the Fellowship Hall and the 4th week of each month in host homes from 7:30 pm-9:30 pm. Scholarships are available. You can register directly at this link: https://www.mops.org/myaccount/membership.php Code: I192 More questions? Email princeofpeacemops@gmail.com

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!

Need to contact POP leaders about something? Take a look at the lists provided below and email info@poplc.org to request their contact information.