PEACETALK. From the Pastor. Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference? Pastor Obed. Saved by God s grace, we are called to be instruments of God s peace

PEACETALK Volume 25 - Number 3 - March 2015 5509 W. 41st St. - Sioux Falls, SD 57106 (605) 361-3683 Saved by God’s grace, we are called to be instrum...
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PEACETALK Volume 25 - Number 3 - March 2015 5509 W. 41st St. - Sioux Falls, SD 57106 (605) 361-3683

Saved by God’s grace, we are called to be instruments of God’s peace. peacelutheran.com facebook.com/PeaceLutheran twitter.com/PeaceLutheranSF

From the Pastor… Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference?

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ear Peace friends, I hope many of you are having an interesting time with this question as a part of our Lenten experience this year. I have enjoyed reading the book by this title as, no doubt, some of you are doing. Or perhaps you are part of a small group discussing aspects of prayer. When my mother died at the age of 93 we were living in Anchorage. Susanne and I flew back to Sioux Falls for her service. This was a time of grieving, as well as relief and gratitude. My brothers and I stood by the baptismal font at Our Saviors as we sang together “Borning Cry.” We were grateful that the promises given to her in baptism were realized. But as weeks and months passed, there was one thing painfully absent from my life. My mom was a person who had this intimate prayer life with her Lord. It was a great source of strength for me to

know Mom was communicating daily with her Lord on behalf of me and our family. Did it make a difference? Absolutely yes. And I remember her fondly to this day and offer my continuing gratitude to God for both she and my dad and the legacy of faith they passed on. One of my earliest memories involved prayer. I was about four years old. And the memory involves a big square farmhouse belonging to George and Lettie Larson near Nunda, SD. I remember gathering around their big dining room table with my mom and dad and brothers along with the Larson’s two boys. My dad was leading devotions after supper. At the end everyone joined in the Lord’s Prayer. I found myself saying the prayer out loud along with the big people. It was the first time I had been able to say it from memory. I walked away from that table standing a bit taller and feeling I really belonged.

Prayer is about relationship. Prayer is about communicating with God what is on our minds and in our hearts. James Montgomery wrote these words in 1818 as part of a hymn: Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire unuttered or expressed; The motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast. Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear The upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near. Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try; Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high. May God bless your prayer journey.

Pastor Obed

PEACE STAFF: Pastors: Paul Stjernholm Rolf Svanoe Obed Nelson Betsy Hoium Staff: Lynn Bethke – receptionist Jackie Hensley – receptionist Mary Lunde – receptionist Anita Solberg – financial secretary Dean Ebbinga – facilities manager Joe Sheaffer – custodian Mike Johnson – custodian Fern Swearingen – librarian Jackie Hensley – worship volunteers Pam Tetzlaff – Food Ministry

Directors: Renae Boehmer – Children’s Ministry Pam Tetzlaff – Assistant Children’s Ministry Holly Marty – Confirmation/Adult Ministries Kelsey Lyndoe – Youth Ministries Jackie Bailey – Worship and Music Bob Levesque – Asst Worship/Music/Comm. Colt Foutz – Communications Cara Hetland – Communications Kristi Leisinger – Administration Jim Ahrendt – Seniors Ministry Sue Olsen – Preschool Tara Foley – Peace Care and Kids World Maurine Pederson – office manager Jay Heintz – finance manager Sarah and Jason Andera – Heartland Ephphatha

The Power of Prayer:

Music Groups: Darya Levesque – Children’s Music Tammy Beintema – Youth Bells/Chimes Nancy Lenander – Adult Choir Kyle Quanbeck – organist Maurine Pederson – Adult Bell Choir Rolf Svanoe – Peace Brass Ann Okins – Saturday service pianist Wedding Coordinators: Vickie Appino Erin Wescott Crystal Ehresmann

From Back to Front (& Back Again)…

Turn to page 13 for our spotlight this month on the power of prayer and Carla Beeners’ moving story of her son Max’s cancer fight.

Spotlight: One Family’s Prayer Story – 13 Library Focus: A Place for Prayer – 12 Families & Faith (Ministries) – 9-12 New Groups for Moms – 9 Wednesday Night Meals – 8 Meet the New Church Council – 8 Applause for Peace, Pizza & Projects – 7 Prayer Shawls for Graduating Seniors – 7 A Prisoner’s Heartfelt Thank You – 6 Dreams of Peace: Prayer Menu – 5 Lenten & Holy Week Worship Schedules – 4 Fifty Years Creating Peace: 1980s – 3

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Part Three: The Defining Years In 1988, the Argus Leader asked Peace Lutheran Pastor Paul Sanders about opening his church’s doors to other denominations. Sanders told the newspaper that when he served a Lutheran church in Wisconsin, he had asked a Catholic parish for candles, but was told they were blessed and probably wouldn’t burn in his church. “Times have changed,” Sanders said. At the close of the 1970s, Peace welcomed the Catholic church and mass was celebrated in the sanctuary. The new west side congregation known as St. Michael’s worshiped at O’Gorman High School, but the bridge was under construction making it difficult for people to get to mass on Saturday nights. The parish worshiped at Peace from July 1979 until Christmas 1981. St. Michael’s congregation also used Peace for its Bible studies, organizational meetings, choir practice, religious education, weddings and funerals. Holy Cross utilized Peace for meetings, fellowship and special events before having its own church building. In 1984, Erik Hamilton was installed as an Associate Pastor with a focus on Maurine Pederson, youth ministry. A new education wing was built and the church council approved Janet hired as church Steinwand’s proposal to operate secretary in 1985, a Christian oriented preschool. has worked with 1984 was also the year every senior pastor members were assigned in the 50-year “Families of God” as a way to history of Peace support worship services and to Lutheran Church. keep people connected in a small group. The idea was to get people to serve together at church and also socialize together in their neighborhoods. This is also the time Kyle Quanbeck started playing the organ in church. As the congregation grew, there were still struggles emotionally and financially. Pastor Sanders suffered from a brain tumor and was away for three months. Financially, the congregation struggled to make ends meet. The Management Committee reported that bills were “paid as funds were available.” Maurine Pederson became church secretary in 1985. She has served with all three senior pastors in the first fifty years of the congregation Contemporary worship began in 1988. The worship committee voted to hold the service on the fourth Sunday of the month at 11. At the annual meeting a motion was defeated for the church council to hold a fundraising appeal to pay the cost of installing air conditioning in the sanctuary and fellowship hall. Pastor Paul Sanders retired in spring 1989. Growth of the congregation slowed to a near standstill. Peace Lutheran approved the merger between the ELCA, ALC, LCA and AELC. Pastor Dave Johnson (pictured, left) was installed as Senior Pastor in September 1989. Next month: Read about new traditions begun in the 1990s.

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WORSHIP & MUSIC Weekends in Lent: Listening to Jesus Feb. 28, March 1 – The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. Matthew 20:1-16 March 7-8 – The Parable of the Wedding Banquet. Matthew 22:1-14 March 14-15 – The Parable of the Talents. Matthew 25:14-30 March 21-22 – The Parable of the Judgment of the Nations. Matthew 25:31-46 March 28-29 – Palm Sunday. Matthew 21:1-13

Wednesdays in Lent: Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference? March 4 – How Can I Be More Authentic with God? Matthew 18:1-5, 19:13-15 March 11 – How Do We Pray? Luke 11:1-13 March 18 – Why Doesn’t God Answer Me? Mark 14:32-42 March 25 – Does Prayer Change Anything? John 17:1a, 20-26

Laborers in the Vineyard, Jordan Levesque

Holy Week April 1 – First Communion 5:30 & 7:05 p.m. April 2 – Maundy Thursday 11:30 a.m., 7:05 p.m. April 3 – Good Friday 11:30 a.m., 5:30 & 7:05 p.m. April 4 – Easter Eve 5:30 p.m. April 5 – Easter Sunday 7, 8:30, 9:45 & 11 a.m. The Compassion Song Benefit Concert featuring Justin Ehrman and local “Friends of Music,” including our own High Palm Sunday, Joseph Levesque Impact Band, will be 7 p.m. March 15 at Peace. Come listen to some great music and support the goal of Compassion Song, which is to assist youth in need with music lessons and instruments. We are in for a double treat at 7 p.m. Monday, March 16 when the Augsburg Choir and Roosevelt High School Choir put on a joint concert here at Peace! We are proud to be able to support our church colleges as well as our local community. Our Celebration and Jubilation choirs are excited to be singing the National Anthem for the Skyforce game at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 21! Come support the kids and enjoy the game against Westchester. Darya Levesque, Director of Children’s Music, will lead the kids. Our 21st Annual Variety Show – “Peace Turns 50” will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22. We welcome our audience, but we also need participants! We would really like to try and resurrect some of the acts from the past 20 years, so if you are someone who has your “act intact” please sign up at the Welcome Center. Registration deadline is March 15. To join the planning team for decorations, programs, publicity, etc. please contact [email protected].

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DREAMS OF PEACE The Power of Prayer – A Prayer Menu for March “Lord, teach us to pray,” the disciples said to Jesus after they had known him for quite some time. During Lent we will be learning about prayer together because when it comes to prayer, we are really all beginners. During the congregation’s Dreams of Peace discussions last fall, many people talked about sermon themes, expressing a desire that pastors would talk more about what is relevant to the congregation’s lives today. Specifically, people said they would like the message to be something children, teens and adults can relate to each week. Drawing upon this feedback, we have designed our Lent Wednesday series to My Whole Family Prays, Joey Shaw, age 4. focus on prayer. How can you join in? We suggest these opportunities – a kind of prayer menu:          



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Wednesday Lenten worship at 11:30 and 7:05 focusing on Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference? Lenten prayer small groups Buy prayer cubes at the Welcome Center – $2 while supplies last. Daily prayer suggestions on Facebook! facebook.com/PeaceLutheran Prayer text emailed to you each day. Go to www.livingingodsstory.com Prayer Tree: write a prayer request on a leaf, take a prayer request leaf home with you to pray for Minute of silent prayer after the sermon in weekend worship Prayer Pillows for Preschoolers on March 7. To sign up contact [email protected]. Sign up for the Prayer Chain and have prayer requests from people at Peace emailed to you. Email [email protected] to be added. Like to knit or crochet? Join the Prayer Shawl group. Make prayer shawls on your own time and meet for conversation once a month. Contact Millie at 336-7186 or [email protected]. Know someone who might want to receive a prayer shawl? Contact a pastor. They are available to give to anyone you know. A $25 donation is requested. Sixth and seventh grade confirmation students are studying Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference in large and small group time during Lent. Eighth and ninth grade confirmation small groups are worshiping together during Lent followed by small group discussion on prayer. Talk to any 3-year-old through fifth grader about what they learned recently in Sunday or Wednesday School about prayer. Pick up a prayer suggestion handout at each Wednesday worship service. Jesus Blesses Children, Kaylor Ragels, Miss a Wednesday? Pick one up at the Welcome Center next time you are 10th grade. here Ask someone how you can pray for them.

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GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS Necessities for Neighbors – Twice! – Sunday, March 1 & 29 Three ways to help: Bring toilet paper, diapers and feminine hygiene products to church. Drop by at 9 a.m. Saturday to set up for distribution. Email [email protected]. Help distribute goods from 2:30-5 p.m. Sunday. Contact [email protected]. St. Dysmas Prison Worship – 6 p.m. April 2 & 16 Anyone 18 or older is invited to worship at the State Penitentiary. St. Dysmas is the Lutheran Congregation behind the prison walls. We will join in services and discuss the experience afterward. Sign up at the Welcome Center or email [email protected] by March 4 for Maundy Thursday worship, and by March 25 for April 16 worship. How important and moving to prisoners is the experience of sharing worship with their Christian community outside the walls? Pastor Bob Chell shared this letter of thanks from an inmate following a meal and worship provided by Peace and other churches. The name has been omitted at Chell’s request. Dearest Brethren, I wanted to thank you for the invitation and the St. Dysmas dinner on Sunday, January 11 at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. This truly meant a lot to me to be invited and to be a participant in a communal gathering of the congregation. I am honored to have shared this with you but even more so for the charity, compassion and kindness you have shown us all. With or without the food it was a pleasure to be present and feel a sense of acceptance and community amongst the brethren of St. Dysmas. My stomach was filled for a day but my heart will be filled for a lifetime. This was the real treat for me. I am very thankful for the time and efforts you put into sharing the love of Christ amongst all of us who are in need…. And that truly is all of us. Thank you for your generosity, your gift of spiritual nourishment and love, your gift of community and acceptance, your encouragement and your example. I have been touched by the Christ-like love you continue to show at every service and am honored to be in your company and learn from your example. I have been incarcerated in South Dakota State Prison since 1996…. I have never been a member of any church nor attended religious services in free society. As a child in my household we were left to our own upbringing because Mom was always busy working. So religion, community and church were not a part of my upbringing. Though I did have that desire, I never got to feel that sense of belonging or a sense of community. Thanks to Christ’s works through you I am now understanding and beginning to feel this new life and experience. You have truly touched my heart and I desire to continue to learn from your examples and develop greater growth and depth in character and spirit. Thank you for everything. (Signed) Forever in Christ.

Food to You -- Upcoming Opportunities to Serve: April 23, June 4, August 27, November 5

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The Power of Prayer: Quilts for Graduating Seniors One tradition we have – and love – at Peace Lutheran is to wrap our graduating high school seniors in our prayers in the form of a quilt. It takes many hands to make this happen. Parents and graduates start early by selecting and purchasing their material and personalizing their center square. Volunteer quilters do the cutting and sewing. And families come together to tie the quilts before volunteer sewers do the finishing touches. All the while prayers are sent along the way for the students. When the quilts are presented it’s an opportunity for students to thank the congregation for all the events and education they received growing up at Peace. It’s also an opportunity for the congregation to bless the students, see them off and offer our continued prayers. We’re always looking for volunteers to help with the process. Please email [email protected] and let her know if you have a gift to share in this milestone ministry.

Peace, Pizza and Projects: a-PPLAUSE!!! Our debut congregational service night was a resounding success. More than 200 of you braved the blustery cold Wednesday, Feb. 11 and gathered at Peace for a night of socializing, nine service projects and closing worship. The results? Projects included packing hygiene packs for Food for You, making dog bones for the Humane Society, tying a quilt for Lutheran World Relief, making Peace Meals for people experiencing health issues or grief, crafting scrapbook pages for families through Lutheran Social Services, making Communion bread for Pueblo de Dios, knitting prayer shawls, and serving at The Banquet West offsite. We can’t wait for the next one! You?

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT PEACE Meet Your 2015 Church Council – Based

Back: Jason Domagalski, Bob Nady, Craig Holmen, Jerad Shaw, Jared Nesje Front: Susan Thie, Cassie Gusso, Kolby VanderWoude, Rebel Hurd. Not pictured: Gayleen Riedemann

on changes made by the congregation last year, the church council now serves as a strategic, policy-making body asking the question, “How is God calling us as Peace Lutheran Church?” All members serve at-large. The president serves for two years. President Craig Holmen is in his second year in that role. “I’m looking forward to this year,” Holmen said. “It seems like a great group of leaders. We work hard but we also have fun. Life is too short not to laugh!” Cassie Gusso begins serving as presidentelect. “This is a great congregation,” She said. “This past year has been a lot of policy writing. I’m looking forward to setting big picture goals for Peace.” More about each council member:

President Craig Holmen has been a member for six years. He plays trombone in Peace Brass. Craig works in construction management. He and wife Carol have three grown daughters and two granddaughters. President-Elect Cassie Gusso has been a member 11 years. She and husband Trent have two boys, ages 1 and 4. Cassie is a stay-home mom. Secretary Jerad Shaw is in his third year on the council and has been a member five years. He and wife Tammy have two boys, ages 4 and 7. Jerad works at EROS Data Center. Treasurer Susan This is in her second year in this role and has been a member two years. She and husband Terry have four children and one grandchild. She plays French horn in Peace Brass and works as Comptroller at the University of Sioux Falls. Jason Domagalski has been a member 14 years and is a new member of the council. He and wife Shauna have two children, 14 and 18. He works as a physician’s assistant at the VA. Bob Nady has been a member 30 years. He and wife Jan have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. He is a retired elementary school counselor. Rebel Hurd is a new member of council. She and husband Jeff have three daughters and an exchange student from Germany, ages 15, 16, 17, and 18. They live in Bridgewater. Rebel works for Sioux Falls School District. She serves on the Hope Area Strategy Table and loves to be involved in outreach projects. She also owns a quilting business. Kolby VanderWoude is a junior at Roosevelt High School where he is involved in Show Choir, Concert Choir and Drama Club. Kolby has been on a mission trip to Haiti and represented Peace at the Synod Assembly last year. Jared Nesje is in his second year on council and has been a member 15 years. He and wife LaDawn have two sons ages 11 and 12. Jared is an architect. Gayleen Riedemann is in her second year on the council. She and husband Karl have been members 40 years. Gayleen recently served on the Governance Task Force.

Wednesday Night Meals – March Menu March 4 – Meal provided by Peace youth as fundraiser. March 11 – Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, peaches, lemon and caramel bars. March 18 – Pizza, tossed salad, garlic bread, oranges, ice cream cones. March 25 – Mac-n-cheese, corn dogs, pineapple, cherry pie. Join us for meals and fellowship Wednesday nights. Serving is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A $4.50 freewill donation is suggested. Stick around for worship at 7:05 p.m. Questions? Suggestions? Want to help? Contact Pam Tetzlaff at (605) 361-3683 or [email protected].

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Take a Peep into the Bible – Version 3.0 Calling all members! Join us for our third annual “Take a Peep into the Bible” on Palm Sunday, March 29. Here’s how: 1. Grab a friend or family member (or two or three or six) and read a Bible story (or two or three or six). 2. Pick out one of the Bible stories. 3. Get some marshmallow Peeps and a box. 4. Create a scene from your Bible story in the box using Peeps and any other supplies you have available. 5. Bring it to church by Palm Sunday to be included in the Peep Gallery in the Gathering Place.

Even More Moms’ Groups at Peace Ask anyone who has tried it and they will tell you that being a mom is the most wonderful, most difficult, most demanding and most rewarding role there is on the planet! Whether you have your first infant and are adjusting to incredible changes in lifestyle or are a seasoned parent of multiple teenagers, you know that one thing moms crave is the support and understanding of other moms. In the last month, three new moms’ groups have started meeting – and you are invited to join one or get started on creating a new one that fits your schedule. Mommy and Me is a group of moms and preschool-age children who get together twice a month in each other’s homes for play and informal conversation. Typically meeting at 9 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month, this is a group you can pop into whenever you’re available. Mom’s Coffee is a group of moms of young children – primarily preschoolers and lower elementary kiddos – who meet once monthly at 9 a.m. Saturdays for coffee and conversation. We are currently discussing the book, For Heaven’s Sake: Parenting Preschoolers Faithfully. Single Moms – name pending – is a group who are busy parenting children on their own who meet twice a month on Friday evenings, once with kids for supper and fellowship and once for Mom’s Night Out. For information about the above groups, contact [email protected]. Each group has a Facebook page to keep you updated about what’s happening or you can request to be added to the email list. Are you a mom who would love to connect with other moms but the above groups don’t describe you? Chances are you’re not the only one. Contact Renae and we’ll get you connected!

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FAMILIES & FAITH Preschool News Peace Seeking New Preschool Director – The Preschool Program has served families for 30 years, providing a loving and stimulating Christian environment that encourages growth in all areas of development for nearly 100 kids weekly. The director teaches, sets yearly calendars, supervises staff, and is responsible for financial management. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in early childhood development or elementary education with a preschool endorsement and at least two years in a preschool setting, or have previous experience as a preschool director with relevant education. For a full job description, please visit peacelutheran.com. Send resume and cover letter to Pastor Paul Stjernholm at [email protected] or Peace Lutheran Church, 5509 W. 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. Resumes must be received by March 31.

Children’s Ministries Workers in the Vineyard -- One of the top phrases out of kids’ mouths – especially those with siblings – must be “It’s not fair!” And even adults aren’t immune. In Matthew 20, Jesus tells the story of a farmer who hired workers for his vineyard – some early in the morning, others at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Yet, when the day was over, they were all paid the same wage as those first hired to work all day. Talk about not fair! In Sunday and Wednesday school, we will talk about being fair and we will talk about being more than fair – generous – something that God always is! When we realize that our only hope is in this generosity, and that we wouldn’t ever measure up if God were truly “fair,” we thank God for the incredible grace we have received through Christ. After class, engage in some of the following discussions with your family:  Tell about two times that you experienced something that was “not fair” – once when you got the benefit and once when you felt slighted.  If God was fair, we would have to always keep all ten commandments in order to live with him forever. Which commandment is most difficult for you to keep?  Thank God together in prayer for his generosity. Share at least three things each person in your family is thankful for. Prayer Pillows – Saturday, March 7 Preschoolers and their families are invited to come to church on Saturday, March 7 for one of three sessions to create a free prayer pillow(case) to take home. We’ll talk about prayer, get messy and share a snack. Contact renae@ peacelutheran.com for more information and to sign up. Registration is required.

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First Grade Ten Commandments Event 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 All families with first graders are invited to join us for games, activities, learning a creative and fun way to memorize the Ten Commandments, time with a pastor – and fun! We promised to teach them to our children, so let’s learn them all together! First Communion For families with kids in second grade and older. Attend sessions from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14 or from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 20. First Communion worship will be 5:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. Email [email protected] with questions or to register. Everest Vacation Bible School Be sure to sign up for VBS, which will be June 15-18 at Peace. As in past years, classes are available in the morning starting at 9 and in the evening starting at 6 for all age groups. Registration begins online at peacelutheran.com on Palm Sunday, March 29. Limited space is available at each session so register early for your first choice. Registration for volunteers is going on now! For questions, or to find out more about volunteer opportunities, contact [email protected].

Confirmation News 

Eighth and ninth graders will be participating in the Lenten study featured at Wednesday night worship. They will attend 7:05 p.m. worship with their small group and meet for 15 minutes after the service to discuss the week’s topic. The study is “Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?” by Philip Yancey.

Middle School Youth Text plms to 59769 

2:30 p.m. March 1 – Movie Day, in the Shalom Room! Bring your favorite movie snack to share and we’ll bring the popcorn. We’re going to watch How To Train Your Dragon.



3-5 p.m. March 15 – Special guest Phil Hammond will speak. We are also invited to a Compassion Song Concert at 7 p.m. at Peace. Our own HS music group High Impact will be among those performing.

High School Youth Text plsh to 59769 This month, we’ll gather in homes for a Lenten study on prayer. Come join us!     

5 p.m. March 1 – Lenten Study on Prayer – 5412 S. Landsdown Dr. 5 p.m. March 8 – Lenten Study on Prayer – 4108 S. Portice Circle. 3-5 p.m. March 15 – Special guest Phil Hammond, plus Compassion Song concert at 7 p.m. 5 p.m. March 22 – Variety Show & Dinner! Come celebrate 50 years of Peace with a fun night of food and laughter. The show kicks off at 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. March 29 – Lenten Study on Prayer – games included!

Called and Sent – South Dakota Synod High School Youth Gathering April 10-12 at Joy Ranch in Watertown. Join HS students from all over the state for a weekend that will focus on John 20:21 and a great chance to grow in faith. Cost is $95 and you can register by e-mailing [email protected]

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Seniors Ministries Contact Jim at 361-8637 or [email protected]. Shuttle bus – Our shuttle bus brings members and non-members to the 10:10 a.m. Sunday traditional service. Please call ahead to the church office (361-3683) for a ride. Deadlines are noon Thursday for Sunday services. Call at least 10 days in advance if you need a ride to your first medical appointment by Project CAR. You will contact Project Car directly for your appointment after being approved by Jim. XYZ Potluck & Program – 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 30. Program: “Behind the Lens of L.T. Butterfield,” by Kevin Gansz from Siouxland Heritage Museum. Schedule for food: A-H salad, I-P dessert, Q – Z hot dish. Come at 6 for the program if you do not wish to eat. All ages welcome! Game Day: First and third Thursdays each month in room CE. Future Events:  Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant, De Smet.  Day trips to local and area churches, museums, and other points of interest.  Joy Ranch retreat Sept. 3-4.  Possible weeklong trip to Outlaw Ranch and buffalo roundup this fall.

LIBRARY NOTES by Fern Swearingen There is a quiet space in the library to sit and meditate. I hope you have a special place. For me it’s a quiet walk in my neighborhood when the weather is warm. And it’s a daily devotion and prayer each night before I go to bed. I truly believe in the power of prayer. It was 1972 and I was forced to give up teaching. The congregation answered my prayer and gave me a job as librarian. Recently when Don was hospitalized we had to make decisions about his life. It was the prayers of many that pulled us through. My dad was a Bible reader and prayed daily right up to his death at 103 when the Bible was lying on his bed open from his morning reading. We have numerous books in the library about prayer, especially in the children’s section.    

Thank You for This Food by Debbie Trafton O’Neal – full of finger plays and songs that can be prayers. Big Thoughts for Little People by Kenneth N. Taylor – ABC book that has a letter with a rhyme, story questions and a Bible verse. God, I’ve Gotta Talk To You by Anne Jennings and Walter Wangerin, Jr. – a child’s day of prayer. Mary Alice Jones has a very interesting book about why we pray, when we pray, and whether our prayers are heard by God, and are they answered in Tell me More About Prayer.

There are several books about the Lord’s Prayer:   

Illustration book by Heidi Holder W. Phillip Keller has written A Layman Looks At The Lord’s Prayer The Lord’s Prayer by R.T. Kendall

Families might enjoy The Power of Praying Together and That Prayer Changes Everything. Here’s a prayer my father taught me called “God Answers Prayer”: Keep on believing God answers prayer / Keep on believing He’s still up there; Trials and sorrows will soon disappear / Nothing can harm you when Jesus is near; Keep on believing the storm will pass / Look for the rainbow ‘twill come at last; Trust in His promise ‘twas written for you / Keep on believing and pray your way through.

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SPOTLIGHT: THE POWER OF PRAYER by Cara Hetland t’s been 16 years since Max Beeners died, a week after he graduated from high school. His mom, Carla, still tears up when she talks about his battle with cancer. But when asked if she had any stories about the power of prayer, she didn’t hesitate to share her memory. Max had been in the hospital for several months in Rochester, Minn. while receiving treatments. Most of the time he was in isolation. The doctors allowed Max to come home to Sioux Falls for Christmas. “He wasn’t back four days,” remembered Carla, “and he got an infection and then he became violently ill.” By violently ill, Carla meant throwing up every ten minutes for three straight days. The family had to make some decisions. Doctors in Sioux Falls said Max needed surgery to stop the vomiting. But they were sure the procedure would kill him. The local docs wouldn’t do the surgery, remembered Carla, but there was a team waiting for Max in Rochester. “We all said our goodbyes. Even the doctors said goodbye.” So they loaded Max on a jet and flew him to Rochester. “You could hear a pin drop on that plane,” said Carla. “All we could do was pray.” Once they arrived at the hospital and the team examined Max, he was no longer getting sick. “I still remember the doctor saying to me, ‘I don’t know what happened.’ I do,” said Carla. “Prayers! Max told me, ‘Mom, I never prayed so hard in my life.’” It’s the kind of story that can bring chills and tears – and prayers of thanksgiving. This Lenten season we’re discussing prayer as a congregation. We’re discussing the book Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Phillip Yancy. Many people are in need of prayer and there are several ministries at Peace to care for them. The Prayer Shawl Ministry is made up of a group of people who knit and crochet shawls. All shawls are unique because everyone has a different need. Each are symbols of wrapping someone in prayer who has a serious health issue, emotional trauma or deployment. If you don’t knit or crochet, the group can always take yarn donations. Another ministry is the Prayer Chain. Prayer warriors receive prayer requests either over the phone or email. Sharon Pearson was asked several years ago to manage the Prayer Chain. She personally called upon the power of prayer when her son-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. Pearson believes the Prayer Chain is a group of people who care about your joys and sorrows and are there to focus on your needs. She says when a prayer request is made known either through the church office or an email, she says a prayer first and then gets it to the other 50 or so people on the chain. “And then I pray again later,” said Sharon. “It makes me feel closer to God. There’s someone that needs my help.” If you’d like to be on the Prayer Chain or have a prayer request, just contact the church office at [email protected]. Max Beeners and his mom, Carla.

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Monday: 6:00 PM – ASL Class Tuesday: 6:45 AM – Men’s Breakfast 7:00 AM – High School Breakfast 6:00 PM – ASL Class 6:30 PM – Peace Brass 7:30 PM – Lifeline Rehearsal 7:30 PM – Marty’s Mug Wednesday: 6:30 AM – Women’s Bible Study 10:30 AM – Lenten Study 11:30 AM – Lenten Worship 4:15 PM – 6th & 7th after school 5:00 PM – Wednesday Meal 5:00 PM – Youth Bells 5:00 PM – Jubilation! Choir 5:15 PM – Wednesday School (also 6:15) 5:15 PM – 6th & 7th Confirmation 5:30 PM – Youth Chimes 5:30 PM – Celebration! Choir 5:45 PM – 6th & 7th Confirmation 6:00 PM – Adult Bell Choir 6:00 PM – Lenten Study 6:15 PM – 6th & 7th Confirmation 7:05 PM – Worship 8:00 PM – Adult Choir 7:00 PM – 8th & 9th Confirmation 8:00 PM – Spirit of Peace Friday: 10:30 AM – Crossways Bible Study Sunday: 9:00 AM – Adult Forum/Lenten Study 10:10 AM – Lenten Study 10:10 AM – HS Peer Ministry 10:15 AM – ASL Bible Study 5:00 PM – High School Youth Group 7:00 PM – High Impact

March at Peace

Weekly Worship Schedule Saturday: 5:30 p.m. – Traditional Worship+ Sunday: 8 a.m. – Traditional Worship 9 a.m. – Contemporary* 10:10 a.m. – Traditional Worship 11:20 a.m. – Contemporary+ Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. – Lenten Worship^ 7:05 p.m. – Lenten Worship^ Communion Served First and Third Sunday and following Wednesday. + Communion Weekly * Interpreted Worship for the Deaf

Sunday School: 9, 10:10, 11:20 a.m. Wednesday School: 5:15, 6:15 p.m.

PeaceTalk 14

Mar 1 – 1-2:30 PM MS Youth Group 3:00 PM Nec. for Neighbors Mar 2 – 7:00 PM Grief Group Mar 3 – 9:00 AM Mommy and Me Mar 5 – 9:30 AM Women’s Quilting 1:00 PM Seniors Game Day Mar 7 – 9:00/10:30/12:30 Prayer Pillows 11:00 AM Baptism Class Mar 9 – 7:00 PM Grief Group Mar 12 – 7:00 PM Church Council Mar 14 – 9:00 AM Mom’s Coffee 9:00 AM First Communion Mar 15 – 3:00 PM MS Youth Group Mar 16 – 7:00 PM Grief Group Mar 17 – 6:30 PM Prayer Shawls Mar 18 – 9:00 AM Mommy and Me Mar 19 - 1:00 PM Seniors Game Day Mar 20 – 6:00 PM First Communion Mar 21 – 11:00 AM Baptism Class Mar 22 – 5:00 PM Youth Dinner 6:30 PM Variety Show

Mar 23 – 7:00 PM Grief Group Mar 20– 5:30 PM XYZ Potluc Mar 29 – 3 PM Nec. for Neighbors Maundy Thursday: 11:30 a.m., 7:05 p.m. Good Friday: 11:30 a.m.; 5:30, 7:05 p.m. Easter Eve: 5:30 p.m. Easter worship: 7, 8:30, 9:45, 11 a.m.

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