Words of Peace “Peace Through Christ”

January 2016 A monthly publication of Peace Lutheran Church

Camarillo, CA

Let us consider… There’s a Catholic saint you probably never heard of. Her name is Saint Ebba and she was the Mother Superior of an ancient monastery in Coldingham, Scotland. The province was at times subject to the English, at other times to the Scots. Sometime around the year 870, Viking raiders from Denmark landed in Scotland. Monasteries were prime targets for looting treasure like gold crosses, but when it came to the nuns who resided there, they rarely stopped at pillaging. The abbess at Coldingham became anxious, not for her life, but for her chastity. She assembled all the nuns in the chapter house where large meetings were held, and after delivering a moving speech to the sisters, she took a razor and cut off her nose and upper lip. Courageously, one by one, the whole community of nuns did the same. When the Vikings arrived they were so repulsed by the women’s

frightening disfigurement that their virginity was indeed left intact. Unfortunately, the raiders also became enraged at their disappointment. They set fire to the monastery and the virgin nuns inside died in the flames, spotless victims dispatched to their heavenly spouse.

Pastor’s Message Pastor’s Message

On one hand, it’s a lesson about a time when purity and virginity were seen as supreme virtues. On the other hand, the story is one possible origin of the phrase, cut off your nose to spite your face. It is usually associated with an act of anger or revenge that ends up doing oneself harm as an unplanned side effect. A man might be so angry at his wife, for example, that he burns down her house. The thing is, it is also (was also) his house. Not a very bright idea, but then a lot of things we do for seemingly good reasons at the time, even things having nothing at all to do with revenge or anger, can have similar unexpected, harmful side effects. I often wonder where all the Peace people are on Sunday morning who are not in worship. Churches average about fifty percent of their members in attendance on any given Sunday. We used to beat the average by having about two-thirds of our church family here in person. Now our numbers are trending down toward average and we are not an average congregation. My suspicion is that people in general these days think that once or twice a month in church is plenty, but when did that ever become okay? Has worship become no more than a spiritual version of grabbing a bite to eat? Like skipping lunch once or twice won’t kill you, neither will missing church once in a while? Or taking a pass on the Lord’s table? Not according to God’s Word. From the earliest days of the Church, Christians have understood that being a Christian isn’t simply a private matter. We are called to be Christians together. While private worship, devotional time and prayer throughout the week are important, our primary form of worship is public and communal. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, Let us consider how to stir up one another in love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another. Will you get a perfect attendance pin in heaven for never missing a week? Probably not, but the Church

was God’s idea, not ours. It is where he has promised to meet us in his Word and Sacraments. Every Sunday worship is where we raise our praise to God together as one, the Body of Christ. It is where we raise our prayers together, as one, the people of God invited by God to offer our petitions, expecting that for Jesus’ sake he will hear those prayers and answer according to his good will for us. It is pretty hard to stir one another up in love and good works if we’re not in the habit of seeing one another each week. Sure there are valid reasons for missing Sunday worship now and then, but those weeks should be the exception, not the rule. Each believer should examine his or her own heart to determine their motives for missing church. Maybe a change of priorities is in order. Maybe a New Year’s resolution is an idea that will work for you. It can’t hurt you to be in church on Sunday morning, but it might hurt you not to be. It’s a mean, dark world out there, especially when you find yourself alone in it. Besides, those weeks you’re not with us? We miss you. We really do.

Don’t turn being your pastor or your elder into a game of Where’s Waldo? when he gets his attendance report each week. On the other hand, if that’s what it will take to get you back, then game on! Because we love you!

Important

Please mark your calendars – Our next voters Meeting will be Sunday, January 31st

at 12:30 p.m. A light lunch will be served. Come and participate in vital happenings at Peace.

Happy Anniversary to:

Mike & Lori Schultze 1/10 Jim & Kerry DeVries 1/26 Stuart & Norma Regalia 1/27

Anna Pettit 1/6 Edith Anderson 1/7 Derek Olewiler 1/7 Lyle Lehman 1/8 Nicholas Pettit 1/10 Jim Pedersen 1/10 Dan Harden 1/12 Eunice Harter 1/13 Vivian Cheng 1/14 Kelly London 1/15 Camille Farrell 1/16 Bill Ullerick 1/19 Al Fox 1/20 Matt Ullerick 1/24 Clint Harding 1/25 Tim Force 1/30 Jim DeVries 1/31

PEACE YOUTH NEWS

Wonderful World of Winter…Attn: Sr. High students:

JANUARY 22-24

It’s the 2016 Winterblast! We are going to try out a NEW camp this year: The YMCA camp right in Big Bear Lake City! This is a great time to invite friends, put this on your calendar, clear the weekend & prepare for some winter fun! Also, join us Wednesdays in January for Bible study & dinner with friends at Christ the King from 6pm-8pm.

Grade school friends are invited to come out this Friday, January 8 from 6-7:30pm. We will toss some “snowballs” and engage in “wintery” activities (whatever the temperature)!

This is your chance to wear some winter-themed clothes for a group picture, too. Group pizza is on the menu along with hot chocolate & marshmallows. So, invite your friends and join us!

Also, Peace kids and friends in grades 4-6 are encouraged to SAVE THE DATE for this year’s Summit in Spring. This is a one-day district event held in Irvine for kids all around the Southland! More info to come!

NEXT PEACE OUT TO EAT:

FAT TUESDAY, FEB 9th Toppers Pizza in Camarillo

F&FF So Cal SNOWDAY

Winterblast 2016

YMCA CAMP, BIG BEARJanuary 22-24, 2016

JR HIGH DISTRICT GATHERING

Going all the way back… Genesis: “In the Beginning” is the theme for this year’s exciting DYG to be held

SAT/SUN MARCH 5-6, 2015

At Concordia Univeristy in Irvine. We will be staying 1 night at the Hilton Inn at the airport in Santa Ana (10 min. from campus). S tudents w i l l en joy mus ic , speakers, games and fellowship. $99 (plus lunch $ at Balboa Island).

Sunday Mornings 9:30 & 10:42 Monday Morning Prayer Vigil 8 :00 Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study 9:30 LifeLight Wednesday 6:00 PM Men’s Bible Study 6:45 AM LifeLight Thursday 10:00 AM

Receiving cancer treatment: Aiden Farinella, (Rawlin & Toni Radle’s nephew), Nancy Johnson, and Clara Smith (Joyce Snow & Melissa Hamilton’s cousin).

Prayers for healing and strength: Lily Baehr, LaJoyce Brennan, Ada Bruns, Cindy Fox, Hedy Pein, Joshua Kappel, (John & Karen Johnson’s friend), Madison,

(Donna Pickler’s great-granddaughter), Otto Klittich, Dorothy Lewis, Ruth London, Gloria McLeod, Bee Muenich, Hedy Pein, Lorna Randall, Jim Richardson, Tom Taylor, Noreen Taylor, and Jim Warczak. Our sympathies go out to the family of former member Irmgard Hild. Please pray for comfort and healing as these families go through these difficult times.

Pray for all military men and women especially: Jeremy Bronner, Jacob Chiles, (Bill & Linda Young’s son-in-law) Daniel Gross, (LaJoyce Brennan’s grandson), Davis Kelly, (Melodie Kelly’s son & Sonja Manzer’s grandson) Brian Miller, (Dave & Sandra Miller’s son), Brett Taylor, (Gary & Karen Taylor’s son), Stephen Volpei, (Connie Morris’ grandson), Brady Wentlandt, (Duane & Caroline Wentlandt’s grandson) and also remember their families in your prayers.

...because he first loved us... As we start a new year the Stewardship committee would like to thank those many members who work together to reach out to our community in many ways.

x Thank you to our dedicated team of Many Meals volunteers who give of their time to make food, serve it ,clean up and help those in need feel special and cared for.

x Thank you to our team of Reading Mentoring volunteers who reach out to build relationships

with students in our local schools by helping them with their reading skills.

x Thank you to those who are reaching out to the parents of our Reading Mentoring students by building friendships and helping them with their conversational English skills.

x Thank you to the many members who brought soup or other food for our Soup Suppers, those who helped set up and clean up, ushers, choir members, acolytes, greeters and everyone else who helped to make our Christmas season services a blessing to many.

We are so appreciative for the faithful men and women that God has blessed us with here at Peace Lutheran who quietly serve The Lord in their daily lives and for those who have given years of their lives to help protect our country through their participation in the armed services. Thank you for your service! ... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25: 40 NIV

Working with the Camarillo Sheriff office to do a Camarillo Homeless Count for 2016. Volunteers needed to do the headcount for Tuesday, January 26. 6:30 to 9:00 AM 4 participants still needed

9:30 AM to Noon 2 participants still needed Volunteers will receive a 30 minute training prior to going out at the Camarillo Police Department 3701 E Las Posas Blvd.

Volunteers needed to put together bag lunches consisting of sandwiches, chips, drink, New Testament Bible, and either socks or knitted hats. Thrivent has donated $250 for us to purchase the food supplies to make the sandwiches.

Please contact Diana Wanke or sign up in the courtyard if you can help in any of the above areas.

Community Outreach Winter wear collection for the homeless

Our winter wear collection was a huge success. We worked with the City of Camarillo Ventura County Sheriff Joe Preciado, with Project H.O.P.E., a task force on homelessness “Helping our community progress efficiently”.

The generosity of Peace members was much appreciated by those in need. We collected a over 100 jackets, plus sweatshirts, sweaters, wraps, socks, gloves, hats, and shoes. We were able to give everyone who came in for some winter wear a jacket plus a sweater or sweatshirt and a pair of socks, or gloves or a hat. The recipients expressed their gratitude to those of us who helped pass out the items.

A new home has recently opened in Ventura for homeless Veterans, one of our Camarillo residents recently went there to live. We were able to provide all 12 men with jackets, sweatshirts and socks.

The items that were left over, Sherriff Joe Preciado collected to give to Rain, the Mission, and the Lighthouse just to name a few. You can see the article “Amazing Collaboration and Outreach!!!” about Peace Lutheran Church at https://www.facebook.com/Project-HOPE-of-Camarillo-PD-1438382516415672/

9:30 Service Elder Readers 1/3 Tom Waddell & Bob Weaver Linda Elbert 1/10 Tom Waddell & Bob Weaver Mike Elbert 1/17 Tom Waddell & Bob Weaver Craig Frye 1/24 Tom Waddell & Bob Weaver Steve Herman

1/31 Tom Waddell & Bob Weaver Dale Larson 2/7 Dave Hutter & Greg Olewiler Peter Lee

ACOLYTES: If you have any conflicts, please call Mike Schultze 302-0888 or the Elder in charge.

READERS: If you have any conflicts, please call Marsha Larson (805) 482-3313.

DATE ELDER USHERS ALTAR READERS GREETERS ACOLYTES January 3 Communion

Blaine Wanke

++++++++++++

Bob Hutchison

Craig Frye* Gary Taylor Karen Taylor Bill Young ++++++++++++ Rick Poore* Dave Miller

Tom Taylor

Carol Yung

Sarah Harter

++++++++++

Linda LaJeunesse

Stepp Family

+++++++++++++

Peter & Irma Sandstrum

+++++++++++++

January 10

Blaine Wanke

++++++++++++

Bob Hutchison

Lyle Lehman* Jim DeVries Bob Lacy Helmut Klein ++++++++++++ Dave Schmidt Roy Poehler Mike Hale

Carol Yung

Susan Klein

++++++++++

Rita Reuter

Pat Lehman

+++++++++++++

Dick Mahlke

Chandler Supple

+++++++++++++

Logan Farrell

January 17 Communion

Blaine Wanke

++++++++++++

Bob Hutchison

Ken Anderson* Glenn Benitz Scott Ehlers Art Schmidt ++++++++++++ Scott Klittich* Matt Schultze P.Sandstrum Mike Elbert

Carol Yung

Bob Lacy

++++++++++

Ken Reuter

Eunice Harter

+++++++++++++

Mike & Linda

Harter

Sean Farrell

+++++++++++++

James Miller

January 24

Blaine Wanke

++++++++++++

Bob Hutchison

Blaine Wanke* Gene O’Neal Keith Hedrick Todd Harter ++++++++++++ R.Hochhalter L.Hochhalter M. McCracken

Carol Yung

Dick Mahlke

++++++++++

Dave Schmidt

Todd & Janet

Harter

+++++++++++++

Sharon McCracken

Mary Larson

+++++++++++++

Melissa Poore

January 31 Communion

Blaine Wanke

++++++++++++

Bob Hutchison

Craig Frye* Gary Taylor Karen Taylor Bill Young ++++++++++++ Rick Poore* Dave Miller

Tom Taylor

Ingrid Poehler

++++++++++

Lori Schultze

Bruce & Sharon

Fraser +++++++++++++ Kevin & Sharon

Krumdieck

Sean Farrell

+++++++++++++

Ryan Tsai

January 2016 Servers

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2

3 8:00 & 11:00 AM Traditional Service (Sanctuary) 9:30 AM Sunday School 3 yrs-Adult 9:30 AM Praise Service (FH) 10:42AM Adult Bible Study(PCH) 12:15 PM New Life Church (FH) 4:00 PM Boy Scouts

4 8:00 AM Prayer Vigil (Sanctuary)

5 10:00 AM Women’s Bible Study (FH) 5:00 PM Reading Mentoring (CoffeeHouse) 7:00 p.m. Church Council Mtg. (FH)

6 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM LifeLight Bible Study

7 6:45 AM Men's Bible Study (FH) 10:00 AM LifeLight Bible Study (Wanke’s) 5:15 p.m. Hand bell Practice 7:00 PM Choir Practice 7:00 PM Lifetree Cafe (PCH)

8 6:00 PM Faith & Fun Friday 6:30 PM Storytellers

9 10:00 AM Praise Band Rehearsal (FH)

10 8:00 & 11:00 AM Traditional Service (Sanctuary) 9:30 AM SS 3 yrs-Adult 9:30 AM Praise Service 10:42AM Adult Bible Study(PCH) 12:15 PM New Life Church (FH)

11 8:00 AM Prayer Vigil (Sanctuary)

12 10:00 AM Women’s Bible Study (FH) 5:00 PM Reading Mentoring (CoffeeHouse) 7:00 PM Super Tuesday (FH)

13 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM LifeLight Bible Study

14 6:45 AM Men's Bible Study (FH) 10:00 AM LifeLight Bible Study (Wanke’s) 5:00 PM Many Meals 5:15 p.m. Handbells 6:00 PM Girl Scouts(FH) 7:00 PM Choir 7:00 PM Lifetree Cafe

15 6:00 PM Confirmation (FH)

16 10:00 AM Praise Band Rehearsal (FH)

17 8:00 & 11:00 AM Traditional Service 9:30 AM SS 3 yrs-Adult 9:30 AM Praise Service (FH) 10:42AM Adult Bible Study(PCH) 12:15 PM New Life Church (FH) 4:00 PM BSA mtg. (FH)

18 8:00 AM Prayer Vigil (Sanctuary)

19 10:00 AM Women’s Bible Study (FH) 5:00 PM Reading Mentoring (CoffeeHouse)

20 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM LifeLight Bible Study

21 6:45 AM Men's Bible Study (FH) 10:00 AM LifeLight Bible Study (Wanke’s) 5:15 p.m. Handbells 7:00 PM Choir Practice 7:00 PM Lifetree Cafe (PCH)

22 6:30 PM Asperger's Support Group (Coffeehouse)

23 10:00 AM Praise Band Rehearsal (FH)

24 8:00 & 11:00 AM Traditional Service (Sanctuary) 9:30 AM SS 3 yrs-Adult 9:30 AM Praise Service 10:42AM Adult Bible Study(PCH) 12:15 PM New Life Church (FH) 4:00 PM BSA mtg. (FH)

25 8:00 AM Prayer Vigil (Sanctuary) 7 PM Boy Scout Committee Mtg. (Fellowship Hall)

26 10:00 AM Women’s Bible Study (FH) 5:00 PM Reading Mentoring (CoffeeHouse)

27 9:30 AM Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM LifeLight Bible Study

28 6:45 AM Men's Bible Study (FH) 10:00 AM LifeLight Bible Study (Wanke’s) 5:15 p.m. Handbell Practice 7:00 PM Choir 7:00 PM Lifetree Cafe

29 6:00 PM Confirmation

30 10:00 AM Praise Band Rehearsal (FH)

31 8:00 & 11:00 AM Traditional Service (Sanctuary) 9:30 AM SS 3 yrs-Adult 9:30 AM Praise Service (FH) 10:42AM Adult Bible Study(PCH) 12:15 PM New Life 12:15 PM Voters Mtg.

1 8:00 AM Prayer Vigil (Sanctuary)

2 10:00 AM Women’s Bible Study (FH) 5:00 PM Reading Mentoring (CoffeeHouse) 7:00 p.m. Church Council Mtg. (FH)

3 9:00 AM Adult Bible Study 6:30 PM LifeLight Bible Study

4 6:45 AM Men's Bible Study (FH) 10:00 AM LifeLight Bible Study (Wanke’s) 5:15 p.m. Handbells 7:00 PM Choir Practice 7:00 PM Lifetree Cafe (PCH)

5 6:00 PM Faith & Fun Friday

6 10:00 AM Praise Band Rehearsal (FH)

January 2016 Calendar