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Staff
Pastor: Ext 13
Rachel Laughlin
Youth Minister: Ext 12
Megan Floyd
Administrative Assistant: Ext 10
Tamara Preston
Bookkeeper: Ext 17
Sarah Maurer
Volunteer Coordinator: Ext 15
Mike Whately
Director of Music:
Janet Hill
Worship Team Director:
Scott Walker
Custodian:
Steve Haddix
Nursery: Ext 23
Amanda Bischof
Mariana Bringas Acevedo
“Touched by
the Gospel,
we seek to be
instruments of
God’s Peace,
for the sake
of the world.”
Tidings of Peace Prince of Peace Lutheran Church ◊ 1747 W. Milham Avenue, Portage, MI 49024 ◊ 269-343-3453 ◊ popportage.org
June 2021
Pastor’s Page
Volume XXV11. Number 6
A few years ago I took a class that dove into the writings of Christian mystics and began
keeping a little notebook of quotations and ideas that helped me perceive God in new
ways. I think much of the beauty of the Christian faith is in the many ways God has
spoken to God’s people throughout the generations – in the life, death and resurrection
of Jesus, in scripture, prayer, song, and in the voices of the saints.
Here are a few of my favorites I’ve collected over the years:
God can be loved, but not thought. Love itself is a kind of knowing. – Gregory the Great
Hallowed be thy name: not described or analyzed be thy name. – Evelyn Underhill
As the source strikes the note, humanity sings – the Holy Spirit is our harpist, and all strings
which are touched in Love must sound. - Mechthild of Magdeburg
Whoever conquers the world and takes from his body all useless desires and overcomes the devil
this is the soul that loves God. If the world gives her a shove she does not suffer much. If the flesh
gives her a jolt, the spirit does not get sick from it. If the devil gives her a push the soul pays no
heed. She loves. And keeps on loving. And she does not know how to do otherwise. –
Flowing Light of the Godhead
Just as it is impossible to see your face in troubled water so also the soul, unless it is clear of alien
thoughts, is not able to pray to God in contemplation. – Anonymous
How does God speak to you? Whose voice has God used to help you perceive God in
new ways?
Consider keeping your own notebook of sketches, quotations, lyrics, and ideas that cross
your path. Review them from time to time. Share them with a family member or friend.
Pray through them and listen again for God’s voice.
Shalom,
Pastor Rachel
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What’s Happening at POP!
Zoom Mid Week Bible Study
If you are interested in participating
Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Email Pastor Rachel & she will send you an invitation.
They are use the Augsburg Adult Study. The focus for
this quarter is: Confident Hope Contact the office to
make arrangements to get a study book.
WOMEN’S SMALL GROUP . . .
WSG-Come join us this month as we continue our study of Philippians and Joy!! We'll meet June 7 via Zoom at 7 p.m. We will take the summer off after the June meeting. Contact Diane Snyder ([email protected]) for further details.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
We are planning on getting the Prayer Shawl group together We will meet on Friday June 4 at 10 a.m. in the
Social Hall. Please put this on the calendar. If we can't meet as a group, we will divide ourselves up.
Prayer Shawls are still available during this trying
time. If you, or someone you know, would like the
comfort of one of these shawls, call Dianne Hellman,
323-9392, and she will get one to you.
Welcome summer!
As some people return to the area, others are making plans for visits elsewhere. The
first Tuesday of June this year is the day after Memorial Day. The Quilters Group will not be meeting formally. As always,
pick-up/drop-off times continue to be available during office hours. We look forward to seeing everyone on June 15th!
Questions: Sheryl Swodzinski 267-6274.
Lunch Bunch June 15, 11:45 at the Food Court in the mall.
Bunko Tuesday, June 8 @ 1:00 PM
No lunch, just Bunko! Meet in the Social Hall and
Flex Room. Contact Carla Hannemann at 269/216-3498
with questions.
Book Club
We will not meet in June, July or August. If you would like to read some good books over the
summer, the books we will discuss in the fall are:
―Whistling Past the Graveyard‖ by Susan Crandall (for September) about a little white girl, a black woman and their journey from Mississippi to Nashville in the 1960’s.
―A Long Petal of the Sea‖ by Isabel Allende (for October) about people fleeing to Chile from Spain during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930’s.
Sewing & Craft Day
Join us for our Sewing & Craft Day on
Saturday, June 12, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Bring your own craft to work on
or help tie blankets for
Bronson Pediatrics.
We will be able to spread out in the social hall, the flex
rooms and even the gym, if needed. As CDC and Health
Department guidelines are changing daily, please plan to
bring a mask. If we are at a point that they are not
required that will be wonderful, but please have yours
with you.
Box lunches will be provided by the Fellowship
Committee from Panera. Select your sandwich and
cookie choice: 1) Sandwiches—Mediterranean Veggie,
Turkey, or Chicken Salad; 2) Cookies—Chocolate Chip or
Oatmeal Raisin. Bring your own beverage. Please
sign-up on the PoP website by Wednesday, June 9.
3
Social Concerns
Worship Updates
Social Concerns update - With some restrictions changing, one of our annual service event/project will happen in a little different format late this summer. Project Connect - Wednesday, August 25 Noon to 4pm, outdoors at the Kalamazoo Co. Fairgrounds. This area-wide event serves the homeless, marginalized, and anyone who needs help. Services will include vaccinations, medical checks, legal support, food baskets, a free clothing store, household supplies and toiletries, a served lunch, haircuts and many more needed essentials. PoP will again be helping supply household supplies and toiletries.
We’ll need help gathering items. Those include: small toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, bar soap, disposable razors, deodorant (men’s and women’s), new washcloths (not heavy), feminine products, diapers ( all sizes), baby wipes, toilet paper, disinfect-ing wipes, and medium size laundry detergent. We’ll also need help putting packages together and distributing on that day. You can drop off any of the above items at church or call and we can pick them up. Contact: [email protected] for information and thank you very much for helping.
Communion will resume on Sunday, June 6.
Prepackaged elements (wafer and grape juice) will be
used at both services. A Gluten Free wafer is available
upon request.
Home Visits
We will return to celebrating Holy Communion during worship in June. If you aren’t able to attend worship in person and would like to receive communion at home or would just like a visit from the pastor, Pastor Rachel would love to see you. She is fully vaccinated and happy to follow whatever COVID guidelines may be in place where you live. Please contact the church office if you are interested in a home visit.
Worship Updates
9 AM Outdoor Service
•No masks required (unless you enter the build-ing) •Singing allowed •BYO chairs/blankets for sitting outside or listen from your car •Bulletins provided
If there is bad weather:
•We will alert the congregation via e-mail and social media posts by 8 AM on Sunday.
•Service will move inside. •Masks will be required indoors.
11 AM Livestream Service
• Masks required • Singing allowed • Bulletins and PowerPoint provided
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Youth and Children
Vacation Bible School
We’re trying something new this year VBS for Backyards (hybrid edition). This program was developed for adults who wanted a VBS program for them, and then it morphed into a family-based program that you can do at home. There are five lessons total, each with a set of activities and intended to span five weeks.
We’ll launch the program by doing the first lesson’s activities together – a big family event at the church for everyone, any age. Then you’ll get a kit of materials so that you can do them at home with your family over the next three weeks. Finally, we’ll come back together for another big family event and do the concluding lesson together. I think it’ll be super fun!
We’ll do as much as we can outdoors, but when indoors, we’ll use masks since our youngest kiddos cannot yet be vaccinated. You are encouraged to invite your extended family, friends, and neighbors. All are welcome! But all families will need to register so we have materials for everyone.
The launch date is Sunday, July 11, and our concluding date is Sunday, August 8.
Peace Kids & Families
Our families with elementary-age kiddos are ready to come back together. We will plan on having activities after the 9AM service. Stay tuned for more details
Middle School Youth Group (grade 6-8)
The middle school youth want to continue meeting twice per month. So that’s what we’ll do! While there are no specific activities planned, they will include dinner.
Mark your calendar for the following
Wednesdays from 5:30-8 PM:
June 16 & 30
July 14 & 28
August 11 & 25
The kayaking retreat will be on a Saturday, date to be determined.
Incoming or outgoing middle schoolers, are welcome anytime!
High School Youth Group
Reserve your calendars for:
June 17
July 8 & 22
August 5
There are no specific activities planned and they may be offsite, but they will mostly likely all feature dinner.
The kayaking retreat will be on a Saturday, date to be determined
ELCA Youth Gathering – 2022
It’s that time! Time to start thinking about the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, MN on July 24-28, 2022! Eligible youth are those who, in the summer of 2022, are incoming 9th graders through outgoing 12th graders.
(If you are an adult and you’d like to volunteer, the applications are open now.)
The ELCA Youth Gathering is an incredible event, unlike any other, and I hope everyone decides to go! But, there’s no pressure. Check out the website (www.elca.org/YouthGathering) and talk it over with your family. We will register our group in the fall.
5
Thank You’s
Job Opportunities
Thank you for all the cards and well-wishes. For the delivery of food and the rides to rehab. I couldn't have made it home without the help from my church family.
Diane Reames
SPECIAL GIFTS FOR PATHWAYS OF GIVING
Loaves and Fishes - Gail Hoover In memory of John Gallagher –Martha Irons Good Samaritan - Jim & Anne Vogt, Randy & Marilyn Lund, in memory of John Gallagher - Carol Padley, Martha Irons, Norm & Elfie Schuen ELCA World Hunger - Dale & Micki Holder, Diane Snyder, Pete & Tammy Olsen, John & Gloria Beatty, Walt Arntson Sherman Lakes Food Distribution– Randy & Marilyn Lund Memorials in memory of Tomi Mursch - Gail Hoover in memory of Doris Bernlohr - Carol Christianson in memory of John Gallagher - Randy & Marilyn Lund, Gail Hoover, Claudia Lee, Nancy Mason, Joan Morgan Ray & Sandy Williams, Sandy & Don Noble, Deanna House, Jerry Anderson, Patricia Calone, Linda Mellinger, the Holland School District , Dale & Micki Holder, Lynne Wathen, Jerry & Kay Spade, Bob & Carla Hannemann, Don & Carol Brockman, Claudia Blahnik, Don Anderson, Dolores Jennings, Judith Downie, Mike McIllece
Positions Available Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Portage has immediate openings for three part-time, hourly positions, two of which are new positions.
The Technology Manager (new) is responsible for providing leadership and direction in identifying and maintaining the technology needs, including operation of audio/visual equipment for worship services and other events, computer hardware and software for the church. The Communication Manager (new) is in charge of providing leadership and direction in developing and executing the communication's strategy and conveying the message, vision and mission of the church to external and internal audiences.
Church Accountant (existing) is responsible for handling day-to-day accounting matters and maintain-ing financial and personnel records.
For more information,
please visit https://popportage.org/pages/our-team
to see staff openings. If interested, please email a cover
letter and resume to [email protected].
Dear Church Family,
I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all your love and support you have shown myself and my family since John's passing. The countless ways you came alongside me and truly showed the love of Jesus is something I will never forget. Your cards, flowers, food, time and especially your prayers helped me focus my attention on John. The way our church family surround-ed my extended family the day of the visitation and memorial service is something I will cherish forever. A special thank you to Pastor Rachel, Pastor Tom and team for the beautiful service honoring the love of my life.
Love and Prayers,
Karen Gallagher
6
Megan’s 10th Anniversary Celebration News from Council and Committees
Church Council met on
Wednesday, May 19.
Good News: Our meetings always start with announcing
good news items. This month, among others, we learned:
the middle & high school youth met on May 16 and
planted the entire Jubilee Garden;
the Wednesday Bible Study group has expanded to
about twice it’s original size during the pandemic and
includes two non-members—one from across the
state. They have all agreed to meet personally once a
month for a picnic in June, July & August;
Angie, one of our home-bound members, is now able
to participate fully in live-stream worship. Addition-
ally, she is taking on the responsibility as our
YouTube monitor from home (Thanks, Angie!);
While the Prince of Peace riding mower was being
serviced, Bill Hellmann loaned the church his own
personal mower (Thanks, Bill!);
Evangelism is planning a community picnic later this
summer. Bill Floyd designed some banners for us
and Mitch Maurer’s company had them printed as a
donation (Thanks Bill & Mitch!);
Two young women from the Matrix Program at
WMU are helping the Prince of Peace Quilters.
April Statistical Report: In the month of April we
received 8 new members and baptized one adult.
Stewardship Update: The Stewardship Committee will
soon be sending out a letter and survey to all confirmed
members. This will help them focus their efforts for 2022.
The Extended Ministries Endowment Committee is pleased to announce that $3,874.31 remains available in 2021 for disbursement to potential extended minis-
tries beyond the operational budget of POP.
The committee welcomes written requests with the following information:
1) Name of requestor
2) Name of extended ministry
3) Brief description and potential impact of the ministry
4) Amount of monies requested.
The Endowment Committee will then review the request and determine if monies will be distributed.
Please contact Mark Clyne via email ([email protected]) or any of the other Endowment Committee members (Pat Boulis, Kevin Jawahir, Heather Maurer, Mike Wathen) or fill out a paper form available from the church office with any requests and place them the Endowment Fund mail-box in the workroom. If you use a paper form, please notify an Endowment Committee member as we currently do not monitor the mailbox regularly.
In-Person Worship: Recommended protocols were
presented to Council from the Safe Start Committee and
the Worship Committee. Council discussed the recom-
mendations and approved them as presented. These
include wearing a mask for worship in the sanctuary,
allowing congregants to sing in the sanctuary and, not
requiring the pastor, readers and/or prayer leaders to be
masked when at the pulpit or altar. Masks are not
required for outdoor worship.
Social Concerns: Prince of Peace will hopefully be
adopting another refugee family (or more) with support
from Samaritas. Watch for more information as they
learn about the needs of these families.
7
Facts and Figures
May Attendance:
5/2 218 Live stream - In person 22 5/9 162 Live stream In person 74 5/16 152 Live stream In person 47 5/23 NO live stream In person 108
Per instructions from the ELCA, we multiply the digital views by 2 to get a virtual attendance.
General Fund April
Contributions $ 32,926
Expenses $ 33,397
Surplus/deficit $ 471
Birthdays and Anniversaries
6-1 Scott Walker Sydney Jawahir Kayla Morin Eva Esch Greg Hannemann
6-2 Joelene Pedersen
6-3 Bill Hellman Eli Cartier
6-4 Sabrina Floyd Dylan Lampos Larry Mallak Mae Pederson Rod Hokenson
6-5 Joseph Beuker Katherine Lago
6-8 Elayna Creed
6-9 Cate Pederson Norah Preston
6-10 Jennifer Palarz
6-11 Tom Askew
6-12 Martha Irons Mary Clyne Samuel Stagray Bill Bye
6-13 Sheryl Swodzinski Karen Devries
6-14 Steve Haddix Melissa Mickelson Oliver Bovenkerk
6-15 Laura Bovenkerk
6-16 Lee Pakko Ella Bischof Bob Hannemann Thom Cooper
6-17 Louis Jean Dean Knuth
6-18 Staci Esch Julie Winklepleck
6-19 Gary Krebill Hazel Zaleski
6-21 Greg Bovenkerk John Thommen Kristine Pioch
6-22 Barbara Leaser
6-23 David Maurer Karen Gallagher
6-24 Michael Preston
6-25 Joyce Stout
Jason French
6-26 Paul MacNellis
6-27 Carla Hannemann
6-28 Dick Hewitt
Laurel Hopper
David Cooper
Logan Emrick
6-29 Christine Bigelow
Heather Girand
6-30 Dan Thompson
On-line Giving Has Never Been So Easy!
You can click or copy and paste the link
https://tithe.ly/give?c=2250097
or use the QR code.
You can also go to the
Prince of Peace website & click on the giving button.
For questions contact either Sarah or Tamara.
Andy & Carolyn Anderson 6-7
Dan & Erin Smith 6-8
Orville & Linda Smith 6-8
Chris & Laurel Hopper 6-13
Jim & Linda Timm 6-13
Larry Mallak & Jocelyn Steinke 6-14
Greg & Laura Bovenkerk 6-17
Thomas & Nancy Pederson 6-18
Laila & Chris Poisson 6-19
Dave Morin & Gretchen Kauth 6-20
Sarah Lindmark & Derek Stepanski 6-24
Bill & Dianne Hellman 6-25
Chad & Christine Tarpley 6-25
Bill & Denise Bye 6-26
Peter & Tammy Olsen 6-27
Dan & Shirley Thompson 6-27
Bill & Gena Baldwin 6-29
Adam & Sarah Beuker 6-30
Anniversaries
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9
10
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Prince of Peace Calendar
Legend:
AA-–Alcoholics Anonymous ESL—English as a Second Language
FA—Food Addicts in Recovery WMU—Western Michigan University
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
269/343-3453
www.popportage.org
Facebook: Prince of Peace, Portage, MI-ELCA
