News of Peace February 2017 Please keep the men and women that are in the Armed Forces, at home and abroad, in your daily prayers. We especially want to remember those that are loved and missed by our members

of Prince of Peace, including: Jeremy & Kimberly Meadows 820 Boyd Street Watertown, NY 13601 (Army) (Eileen Gilbert’s granddaughter & husband) MAG Scott Weeman MSgt. Lee Nickel 16002 Gertrude St. Stateside Omaha, NE 68136 Marines Michael & Megan Skoda 2114 Presidio Street Navarre, FL 32566 (Air Force) PFC Woelmer, Tyler R SGT Stoll, Charles 3rd Recon BN Stateside 3rd Mar Div (nephew of Mark & Darla Mruzek) Unit 36180 FPO AP 96389-6180 LTJG Travis Iott (Marines) PSC 477 Box 512 FPO, AP 96306-0007 (Navy) PFC James Franks 112A Faisin Loop Ft Huachuca, AZ 85613 James A. Hurley (Army) Fox Co 2DBN 20BN (Rachael Weeman’s 20 MAR20 MARDV husband) PSC20095 Camp Lejeune, NC 28542-0095 (Marines) “Adopted” Grandson of Shirley Ingall This page last updated December, 2016.

As I write this I am still “recovering.” Recovering from jet lag, from jumping right back in

to our crazy-busy schedule that is Prince of Peace, and from the amazing, and incredible gift that you all are as our congregation (although that is a good recovering). Our Annual Meeting was one of the most well-attended in recent years. We give thanks for those who have so faithfully served these past two years: Tim Smith, Jackie Lampkowski, Barb Deland, Terry Wain, Chuck Vagt, Kim Cramer, and Tom Fruchey. And those who took over/or served for one year terms: Kim Jennings and Fritz Kaminska. Also for this year’s nominating committee of Jill Burgess, Marge Kreps, Norma Rauch, and Doug Scharer.

We look forward to our new leadership and where God will lead us: Lynn Zabawa, President; John Gerweck, President Elect; Paul Marks, Treasurer; Trudy Hill, Financial Secretary; Jason Adler & Sharon Aksamit, Deacons (along with Cheryl Stotz); Dave Lorenzo & Jim Roderick, Trustees (along with Ivan & Dick Kamprath); Korrin Opferman & Megan Winkelman, Parish Ed (along with Cindy Schumaker); our nominating committee of Leonard Fox, Martha Kamprath, Jeannine Marks, & Ron Zabawa; our IKC Board of Erin Hearl, Mindy Stadler, Carol Whitaker.

We also have organized a Youth Director Search task force. Tim Smith, Erin Hearl, Mindy Stadler, Grace Stadler and myself. We will be meeting soon to firm up the job description and put together an ad. In the meantime, if you know of interested candidates, please send them our way.

A few years ago around this time of the year I also put together a “dream list.” Many of those things have already been accomplished, so I’m going to challenge us again. As we already approved, a new furnace and AC unit will be going into the community center soon. We already have memorial gifts set aside for doing the same on the sanctuary side. They are small, but you have to start somewhere. I am also

challenging us to upgrade our outside road sign to a digital sign. This will enable us to better advertise our busy calendar of events in a timelier manner, as well as increase our visibility in the community. It will also help to be a little less “wear and tear” on Kim or other volunteers who have to change it in inclement weather.

And one more dream… to continue to work on our attendance and bring visitors and friends to church with you to experience the love and grace of God in our fellowship. I know that we all have busy lives filled with LOTS of activities, but we also have to be grounded in a good foundation that helps us face our daily struggles. That begins with dedicating ourselves to being a part of the community of believers that we are, as Paul says in Acts 2:42-46 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” See you in Church! Peace, Pastor Ted D. Kerr III

       Israel Potluck #1  We will be having a potluck on 

Sunday, February 26 for the “first round of pictures” from Pastor and Diane’s trip to Israel. We’ll begin at 5pm with slideshow to follow at 6pm. Watch the weekly bulletins for updates. Michael will also offer one at a later date when he can come home for a weekend. 

Greetings PoP Family! Words cannot even begin to describe how grateful and truly blessed I am to have had the amazing opportunity to start this year off byvisiting the Holy Land! This trip is something I will truly remember my entire life (especially since I have about 1,800 pictures to flip through…). From visiting the sites where Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist were born, to visiting Tabgha (where Jesus performed the miracle of the

loaves and fish), and many more, I was able to learn so much that I will be able to apply to my lifetime in ministry. The most spiritually moving part of the trip, for me, was the first Sunday morning of our trip, when we worshiped on the Mount of Beatitudes. This is where Jesus taught his disciples the beatitudes: Matthew 5 (NRSV) 1When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Out beyond the bread and wine that Sunday morning was the Sea of Galilee. I’ll never forget the wind blowing across my face as I looked out over the sea, worshiping where Jesus had once taught. Amazing! Walking the Via Delarosa (actual Stations of the Cross) was another powerful experience. As much as I would love to write an entirely positive article on my trip, I would be leaving out a HUGE piece of what I experienced. Beyond visiting some of the holiest sites on Earth, and following the steps of Jesus, we learned a lot about the current political situation in Israel/Palestine. This was a very eye-opening experience, and certainly something we could not avoid, as we had young IDF (Israeli Defense Force) officers with AK-47s walk onto our bus a few times. The first time this

happened was at what they call a flying checkpoint. There are several regular checkpoints through the small country, but the military will also set up random checkpoints making life difficult for Palestinians in the area. Long story short, we were required to turn around and hade to make alternative plans for the day; we made lemonade of lemons: having the restaurant drive the food to us in a nearby valley. Beyond that, I want to briefly talk about the wall and settlements. The separation wall is actually much more than that – this wall stands 26 feet tall and is over 440 miles long, and it does more than separate - it actually cuts into land that does not belong to Israel. In short, this wall separates people from their land, their families, and their places of worship. We saw one section of the wall that was built between two brother’s houses. Instead of being able to walk across the yard to say hi or share a meal, they have to drive approximately 45 minutes. Though that is surprising, the little town of Bethlehem was what surprised me the most. In all the years I have been singing that song at Prince of Peace, I have always imagined a small beautiful town. As we pulled in, I quickly learned that this is not the case any longer. The wall entirely surrounds Bethlehem, and those who live there cannot travel beyond it. Settlements have also been built on disputed (or Palestinian) land to help ensure Israel would gain more territory if a two state solution is set. The injustice is extremely obvious in Israel/Palestine, and it is hard to understand. The even tougher part to accept is that people are using the Bible, our Holy Scriptures, to justify this behavior. I understand that the situation is extremely difficult and that both sides are not innocent, but the lack of care for people is devastating. I just pray that sometime soon, those in high places remember what Jesus taught on that Mount… 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” I was extremely blessed to have been able to travel with Pastor and Diane, along with such an amazing group of people. We were blessed with the best tour guide, Khalil, and bus driver, Amin, in all of Israel. And most of all, I am beyond blessed for my savior Jesus Christ, who was born, taught, and died in that land for all our sins. Amen. Singing His Praises, Michael Opfermann

Our Christian sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Reverend Donald A. Kuhn, who passed away on January 2, 2017. Our Christian sympathy is also extended to the family and friends of Ellen Fisk, who passed away on January 20. Her funeral was held at Prince of Peace.

May the God of comfort be with them all in their time of need.

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Needed: two delegates, one male & one female (a husband & wife team is permitted) to represent us along with Pastor at the Synod Assembly.  We 

will be staying in Port Huron, May 4‐6. Last date to register is April 9th. See Pastor for more information if you are interested.  We have a Seminary Fund. Donations to this fund help our seminarian Michael Opfermann with expenses not covered by his financial aid (i.e.‐books, supplies, etc.). Please consider a donation to assist him in his education. You may use the envelopes in the narthex, or designate it on your regular envelope so it can be credited to your Giving Record

The February “Noisy Offering” will be sent to Stacy’s Sparkles

There will be a mini Retreat for all the

new and returning Council members on Saturday, February 4 from 9am-noon or so in The Gathering Place. This meeting will take the place of the

February Council meeting. Council members will be installed

on Sunday, February 5. Returning Council Members: Lynne Zabawa – President Robin Opfermann - Secretary Cheryl Stotz – Deacon Dick Kamprath and Ivan Kamprath – Trustees Cindy Schumaker – Board of Parish Education Jill Burgess, President Elect, Jen Abram, Allison Roderick, Gaye Wilt, Kim Zietlow – IKC Board Outgoing Council Members: Tim Smith – President Fritz Kaminska - Treasurer Barb DeLand and Jackie Lampkowski – Deacons Chuck Vagt and Terry Wain – Trustees Tom Fruchey - Financial Secretary Kim Cramer and Kim Jennings – Board of Parish Education Jill Burgess, Marge Kreps, Norma Rauch and Doug Scharer, - Nominating Committee Sharon Aksamit, Brandi Gedelian, Tim Smith – IKC Board New Council Members: John Gerweck - President Elect Paul Marks - Treasurer Trudy Hill - Financial Secretary Jason Adler and Sharon Aksamit – Deacons Dave Lorenzo and Jim Roderick – Trustees Korrin Opferman, Megan Winkelman - Parish Ed Leonard Fox, Martha Kamprath, Jeannine Marks, Ron Zabawa–Nominating Committee Erin Hearl, Mindy Stadler, Carol Whitaker - IKC Board

Stacy's Sparkles was created to benefit any

individual who has lost a loved one and provide a

comfort bag during their time of grief through

Gabby's Ladder. Any person can receive a comfort

bag in Monroe County. If you know of a family who

has experienced a loss, simply refer the person’s

name to Gabby’s Ladder and we will see to it the

individual receives a bag.

Stacy Wain was assisted and supported by her town

so her family wants to give back to the community.

Stacy was a sparkles and dazzle young lady. She

loved zebra and leopard prints, so in her honor each

bag will have a zebra or leopard ribbon. The bags

will be purple representing her disease of MPS

which has a purple theme. Our goal is to provide a

moment of happiness even if it's just a brief time. By

helping others Stacy Wain's spirit will continue to live

on making people happy.

The “Noisy Offering” will be collected on Wed., Feb. 8 & Sun., Feb. 12.

January’s offering to God Works Soup kitchen was

$100.59. Thank you Prince of Peace for your outward reach   

Our next Contemporary service is on Sunday, February 12 at 6:30 PM.

Bring a friend, dress casual, and join us in worship. We’ll enjoy fellowship after the services.

Our next roast beef dinner is on Fri., February 24 from 4:30-7 PM. It takes plenty of help to put these dinners together. Donations are needed, too. Please sign up on the sheets in the narthex and help out where you are most able. The meals include roast beef, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw or applesauce,

dinner roll, dessert and beverage. Cost is $10 for adults; kids 3-11 $4; under 3 are FREE. Hot dog dinners & carry- outs are available.  

We will have one worship service on Ash Wednesday, March 1@ 7 PM.

Please join us for a meal at 5:30 PM  

each Wednesday during Lent before service.  

For Lent this year, we will be using a series titled “At the Crossroads.” The author, Rev. Ted Schroeder, describes it this way: “Many of those involved in the story of the Passion of Christ came to a crossroads and had to decide which way to go. Some chose well, some did not, and the stories of each of these experiences at various crossroads help us to know what to do and what not to do when we

encounter similar crossroads in our lives. In the end, each service in the series reveals in some way how Christ and his cross leads us to follow the path of God’s will.” At press time, we are still deciding on a pulpit exchange within our River Raisin Conference. Either way, we begin with Imposition of Ashes on March 1 at 7pm. Please join us for your Lenten discipline of prayer, fasting, and sharing of your gifts.

 

WE NEED YOU! FOR “JOURNEY TO

THE CROSS” OUR 16th YEAR!

Our Prince of Peace Good Friday presentation, “Journey to the Cross,” is already being diligently worked on by many members of our congregation as team captains. Your help is needed to once again make this program, our Easter gift to the community, come to life. We have openings for both SPEAKING AND NON-SPEAKING PARTS. If you have not had an opportunity to be part of this Good Friday drama, please consider volunteering this year. In addition to “actors”, we need MUSICIANS in the sanctuary. If you are interested in providing music, (piano, instrumental or vocal), for a short time, please contact Ray Smith. We are also in need of two CD STEREO SYSTEMS with working CD players. Speakers are not needed but the ability to plug ours into them is necessary. Please see Barb DeLand In addition to drama parts and music YOU MIGHT CONSIDER: 1. Providing food for the Saturday construction 2. Providing food for the Good Friday lunch – contact Kim Kibat 3. Providing cookies for dress rehearsal – contact Paul Marks 4. Helping with construction (Set-up and Take-down) – contact Ed Burgess

5. Providing financial assistance. This program costs about $2000 annually to cover all expenses, including publicity and tent rental. Envelopes will be available beginning Ash Wednesday. Be sure to add your name/number and place these in the offering plate.

Please consider becoming involved and let us know how

you can help by contacting either Barb DeLand or Paul Marks

Thank you for your support over the past 15 years!

Thank you to my PoP family for all of the concerns and get well wishes after my surgery. How do people get through tough times without a church family like the one we have at Prince of Peace? Lana To My Prince of Peace Family, Thank you so much for the generous box of goodies you sent at Christmas. It is very nice to be remembered. God Bless All of You, Bernice Rath I would like to thank everyone for the cards, flowers, visits, phone calls, hugs and prayers during my recent bump in the road. Tom and I have been so blessed to have such a wonderful church family to lean on. I met so many wonderful people along my journey at rehab: we all shared the love of our Lord together. God has a purpose and all we have to do is listen. May all of you feel my big hug for everything you have done for Tom and I. Our Blessings, Tom and Jan Prince of Peace family - Thank you so much for the beautiful gifts you got for us three girls! I love the angel jewelry box and the girls love their bracelets! Thank you so much for thinking of us! Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year! Love Amy, Lexi & Eva Dear Friends and Family at Prince of Peace Church! We both want to “thank you” for your kind prayers, concert and Best Wishes for our recovery from our surgeries. We are improving every day & are very thankful for our full recovery! God’s many blessing to each of your as well for a wonderful new year! Sincerely, Val & Verle Knapp Thank you to everyone who helped with and/or donated to the Roast Beef Dinner. Thanks to your efforts $1631.02 was raised! THANKS! For the “crew” who cleaned, painted, and redecorated Pastor’s Office while he was away. It has a whole new “feel.” Stop in and check it out.

On Sunday, January 15 the Children’s Handbells played Away in a Manger at the 8:30 service.

Our adult choir practices on Thursdays at 7 PM. All voices are welcome and encouraged to join in the fellowship and fun.

We are so very grateful that this January has had pretty mild temperatures and low snow totals. I’m sure the school age children are wishing we could go back to a few more snow days! As always, the gym provides an amazing place for the children to all run around and get exercise even on unseasonable January days. As many of you have heard, I applied for and received a grant from Great Start to Quality totally almost $4500.00. We plan to use these funds for curriculum and assessment tools for our children and families. It is a very exciting way to begin a new year! The keypad entry system is a year old on this end of the building. It feels so good to offer a safe and secure environment for the children. We hope Prince of Peace members continue to be proud of this outreach to the community. January was a wonderful time to be able to explore the themes of arctic animals, snow and hibernation. The hallways are filled with snowmen, mittens and hats and MLK day projects. The preschoolers enjoyed a teddy bear picnic with hot dogs and other goodies. The older preschool classes had pajama day and were able to enjoy getting out of bed and coming to school with fuzzy slippers, robes, and their favorite p.j.’s. They also were able to help prepare hot chocolate and toast. These were our first special days of the year, and the children all seemed to have a great time. February will be a very busy one for such a short month! A dental assistant from Sylvania Pediatric Dental Care will also be visiting this month. She always brings goodie bags and the groups have a great time watching the video and the demonstrations on brushing, flossing and healthy eating. Of course the big event of the month will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. We have parties in every room, many wonderful treats, fun crafts and of course all of the children are able to pass out and receive Valentine cards. It is fun to watch the kids get so excited to have the cards dropped in to their bags. The Ida Kids Center wishes everyone a safe and happy month. The center transferred $500 to the church for the month of January. Stay warm and God Bless, Nancy Hunter, Program Director

The Pictorial Directory proof should be arriving soon. When it does, Kim Cramer will have it available in the narthex for everyone to make sure their names, etc. are correct before it goes to print.

Our Dartball games continue. All games are played on Monday evenings at 7:30 PM. Contact Ed Burgess is you have any questions at 734-244-5229. Following is the February schedule: Feb. 6 - PoP @ Temperance St. Paul Feb. 13 - PoP @ Summerfield Zion Feb. 20 - Dundee St. John @ PoP Feb. 27- PoP @ North Blissfield Immanuel Your 2017 offering envelopes will be available for pick up on the table across from the coatroom. Please look at them and make sure that the number on the label matches the number on the envelopes in the box and that your name is correct. If you notice any problem, or cannot find your envelopes, contact the church office.

The current issues of Word in Season, a booklet of devotions, and Spark, a booklet with devotions for families are available. They are all located and in the narthex and are free of charge. Large print editions of Word in Season are also

Available.

AA Meetings are held at Prince of Peace on Tuesdays at 7 PM.

This month the meetings will be held in The Gathering Place.

Robin Opfermann is the WELCA Chairperson for the month of March. She will be contacting each person on the March list of helpers to line up coffee hours throughout the month. Feel free to recruit your own helpers and let Robin know at 734-652-0120 which Sunday you’d like to provide for. March WELCA helpers include: Kaitlyn Connor; Alice Harris & Leora; Anne Hathaway; LeAnn Hendrick; Brittany Kleinow; Sherry Kuhn; Darla Mruzek; Kellie Kull; Brittany & Korrin Opferman; Sarah Opfermann; Kris & Bailey Ridner; Amber Smith; Diane Snow; Mindy & Grace Stadler; Amanda Stevens; Nancy Wain; and Holly Williams WELCA chairs please pick up your yearly booklets from the church office counter, if you haven't already gotten them. Pass out as many as you can to those on your monthly list and then by February 5 leave them for Kim in the office to mail out. If you need them mailed out, please write the name on the front and the booklet will be mailed to their home. Thanks again to all the WELCA chairs that head up each month and thanks to all the families that help to provide for our weekly fellowship hours. Big or small, if you host the fellowship hour, provide cookies, purchase the milk, etc. it ALL adds up and every Sunday morning there are many that appreciate the cup of coffee or tea and a cookie to two as well. The refrigerator in The Gathering Place will be replaced by WELCA in the near future. If you are interested in the old refrigerator for your basement or garage, please let Kim Kibat know. When we get our new appliance, you will be contacted to make arrangements to pick the old refrigerator up. If no one wants it, we'll make arrangements to have it taken away when the new one is delivered.

God’s conversation hearts

Those familiar conversation hearts that show up every February can be more than just trite romantic or friendly sayings. Use them to remind you — or to teach a child — of the greatest love of all: God’s love for us, which empowers our love for others. For example: • TRUE LOVE: What love is truer than giving up one’s only Son so people might have everlasting life? (John 3:16). • MINE: Jesus knows us intimately, as a shepherd knows his sheep. No one can snatch us from him (John 10:27-29). • FOREVER: God loves us with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). • LOVE ME: The greatest commandment is to love God with our whole being (Luke 10:27). • TRUST ME: “Let not your hearts be troubled.” We can count on Jesus, now and for eternal life (John 14:1-3). • SWEET TALK: God’s words are sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103). • BE GOOD: We show our love for Christ by keeping his commands (John 14:15). • CALL ME: God longs to be in fellowship with us. We can talk to him anytime in prayer (Jeremiah 33:3). • FRIENDS: The greatest love involves laying down your life for your friends (John 15:13) — precisely what Jesus did. • #1: “We love because [God] first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

We are looking for people who might be interested in providing a simple dinner for our A†OMIC Band on the nights of our Contemporary Worship Services. Many of you may not be aware that our A†OMIC praise band, made up of nine youth and young adults, come together before each of our monthly Contemporary Services to prepare, practice, and share in a meal and fellowship together. We are looking for church members who would be willing to provide and serve the meal. This would help tremendously in lightening our load of responsibilities, and it would be an opportunity to share and show support for this ongoing ministry. The meals are usually quite simple (i.e., tacos, sloppy joes, pizza, spaghetti, etc.) and always greatly appreciated. If you would like to help in this way, please contact Gina Staelgraeve (734-347-3109 / gstaelgraeve@gmail.com) to sign up for a month. The service is always on the second Sunday of every month and the meal is served at 5:30 p.m. Paper products and beverages are already on hand, so would not be needed.

Sunday School for all ages, preschool through high school meets on Sunday mornings at 9:50 AM. If you have a child that isn’t attending but would like to, simply take them to the classroom designated for their age group.

Boy Scout Sunday is February 5. All Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venture Crew, and leaders, etc. are encouraged to wear their uniforms.

Confirmation classes resume for 7th & 8th graders on Sunday, February 5. If you have a child in that age group or older that has not yet been confirmed, but would like to be, contact Pastor Kerr.

College care packages are being made up by the LYO and the Board of Parish Ed this year. Donation items are needed. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex next to the sub sale information and donation board. You are welcome to donate any other items you might feel would be good to go in the boxes as well. We have 9 students away at college this year. If you have any questions please see Kim

Cramer. A trip to the Toledo Ice House is planned for the KoK, our 3-5th graders, on Sunday, February 12 We will meet in Community Center lobby at 11:30. Cost is $5 to skate and $3 for skate rental. There is a snack shop at the rink. We will return to church by 2:30. All kids will need a signed permission slip. Please contact Sherry Kuhn with any questions 734.260.6248

Yes, it is that time already. We will be attending camp at Stony Lake near the Silver Lake sand dunes, July 9-14. Camp is available for grades 3 through high school. Costs range from $395 to $440 for the high school group. However there is a $35 discount for registrations

done before March 15. You can register on-line at www.elcalivingwater.com Be sure to register with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Southeast Michigan Synod. Please let Pastor know when you register. Also, we can always use sponsors to pay for a young person to be able to go to camp. Because of your generosity we usually have almost half of our youth attend on scholarship. Please contact pastor if you are interested in sponsoring a camper. Remember we also collect pop cans throughout the year (in the closet by the office) that provides for spending money while our youth are at camp.