House of Prayer on Parker and MainPeace TalkNEWSLETTER

January 2015

January brings a new year, a new begining, and in the case of our church, a new member of the staff here at Peace Lutheran Church. Many of you have seen me with my family at church on a Sunday morning or vacation bible school. You all know the artistic talent of my husband Ky Betts. My daughter Nora has joined the acolyte team this year and attends Sunday School and youth night. All this to say, our family loves Peace Lutheran Church and being active members of the congregation.

I grew up in the Episcopal church. We moved A LOT and church was the best way for us to meet people and feel connected. As a youth, I was very active in my church youth group and served as an acolyte.

I met my husband, Ky, while attending college at the University of South Dakota. I completed a degree in Communications wth an emphasis in Public Relations.

Ky joined the Army after college and our adventures took us from South Dakota to South Carolina, Alaska and New York before settling here in Scranton. It was in the move to Alaska that I made the conversion to the Lutheran church. Ky and I led Sunday morning bible study classes for the young adult and then young parent crowd. When Nora came along in 2004, she was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairbanks, Alaska. Soon after, I started a weekday bible study and fellowship for moms & tots. Right before the move to New York, I was part of a committee exploring expanding our church’s existing preschool and Kindergarden program to include elementary grades. It is so fabulous to once again, through my seat on The Lutheran Academy Board, to be exploring expanding a school.

Before leaving the corporate world to

raise my children, I utilized my communications degree and worked as an education consultant for a Medicare contractor. And then as an employee trainer. In Alaska, I worked as a case manager helping at risk youth, and Older Adult Workers complete education and job training to get into the work force.

I look forward to hearing from you and most of all serving you through this position as Parish Administrator. My office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to noon. I invite you to pray for me, Pastor and the entire church council as we work together to make Peace Lutheran Church thrive and grow.

~ Amy Betts

COMING UP ON A CENTURY!On Dec. 31, 1916 a group of poor immigrant families gathered and signed the first constitituion of Peace Lutheran Church. It was the following spring of 1917 that the constituion was ratified and the congregation was registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

What can we say? Looking back through all these years, what do we see? We see how God has done amazing things through sinners like you and me. God has been faithful for almost 100 years. Do we somehow thing he will stop being faithful in the next? The Lord willing, I am looking forward to seeing the beginning of another 100 years here at Peace! Can we just imagine?!!! - Pastor Bjornstad

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Pray without ceasing!!!

• Our Peace Church

• Our parents and children!

• Our elderly and homebound!

• Our community and nation!

• The whole world!

That all would come to Christ and be

saved!

“Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…” Heb. 12:1

Meet the Parish Administrator

Working in partnership with God's people to raise up a new generation of faithful Christian men and women!

The Immanuel Preschool and the Lutheran Academy!

Church website: www.yourpeace.org.... email: pastor@yourpeace.org

Academy Board Update

The Academy Board is hard at work exploring options to expand the Academy to include 7th and 8th grade. There are many factors involved, and the Board asks for your prayers for wisdom and discernment as we move forward in the coming months.

FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLSOn Wednesday, December 17th students from The Lutheran Academy presented a festival of lessons and carols for family, friends and congregation members at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Students each had a turn reading a part of the scripture lessons. The students also delighted attendees with special musical offerings. The Academy Bell Choir performed “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlmen” and then joyfully ended the program accompanying the organ and congregation ringing bells to the song Joy to the World.In addition to singing various selections of hymns as a choir, the program featured a string trio, recorder solos, and voice solos on a Magnificat and the medieval christmas carol "Down in Yon Forest". Marja Bjornstad, an alumnus, participated in the favorite "Jesse Tree" selection.

To see additional photos, and even a video clip, you can visit the Academy Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lutheranacademyscranton

Preschool and Academy

OPEN HOUSE

January 27

6:00-7:30 pm

Interested families are invited to stop by the Immanuel Preschool and/or The Lutheran Academy. Meet the teachers, see the facilities and find out how a Christ-centered school can benefit their child.

Annual Academy Christmas TeaOn Tuesday, December 16, 30+ guests came to celebrate the Christmas season with the students and faculty of the Academy. Attended were treated to an array of musical performances and yummy refreshments. This year’s refreshment theme was Winter Wonderland and guests enjoyed snowman soup” aka Hot Chocolate with all the trimmings, “used snowmen” aka bottled water, and hot coffee. The students were each given a task (welcoming guests, handing out programs, serving the hot chocolate, passing out thank you favors) and throughly enjoyed hosting this event.The Christmas Tea, in it’s 8th year, is an annual gift to the families and supporters of The Lutheran Academy. All who attend the Academy are grateful for the loving support of congregation members, friends and family. This tea was just another way to say thank you.

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Remember to ask: "How can I pray for you?"

Pray without ceasing - 1 Thes. 5:17

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HAPPY NEWS AND NOTES:

+CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS ANNOUNCED: JANUARY 18 AND 25TH!!!AFTER WORSHIP WE WILL BE DECIDING AND VOTING ON THE PURCHASE OF THE MONSEY ST. CHURCH! If it is determined on the 18th that we cannot and should not attain this purchase, the 25th meeting will be cancelled.

+ YOU ARE INVITED! Open Discussion on Race and Police Issues: Wednesday, Jan. 14 at Shiloh Baptist Church, Wayne and William Street in Scranton. You are invited to participate in this evening event. Pastor Bjornstad will be there along with Father Edwards of Mary Mother of God. Also in attendance will be Chief of Police Carl Graziano.

+ CONGREGATIONAL MEETING WILL BE SUNDAY JANUARY 18th AFTER WORSHIP! Discussion on the Monsey Ave property. If you have any other issues that need to be addressed, please feel free to call our President Chad Tyk at (570) 241-6729

+ CONGREGATIONAL VOTERS MEETING WILL BE SUNDAY JANUARY 25th AFTER WORSHIP! Vote on the Monsey Ave property.

+ NEPAL CHRISTMAS PARTY Ramona, Tomasina, and Judy were great hosts for the Nepali ESL Christmas party. The Nepali students also brought their own treats as well. We were able to show a video of the Christmas story in Nepali and learned all the Christmas terms in English. Sarah Bjornstad played the organ and we got to sing Christmas carols as well!

+ CHRISTMAS PAGENTChildren from the Sunday school classes presented a Superhero Christmas. During the pagent, we learn the crew of superheroes are concerned this new superhero, JESUS, is going to take their jobs. It was a fun performance and the children did a lovely job. A special thanks to Marja Bjornstad for directing the performance, and the many others who supported the children.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:+ For Immanuel Lutheran Church (without a pastor)+ For Pastor Vomhof of St. Stephens Lutheran Church+ For The Lutheran Academy and Immanuel Preschool as they host an Open House January 27th. May God call new families to these schools.

+ FRIDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUPLast month, members of the youth group went caroling to brighten the lives of parish members and their neighbors. “It was fun to travel outside the Plot and carol. Everyone was happy and we put smiles on their faces” says Nora Betts. The Dec 19th outing was capped off with a stop for a tasty treat. Please continue to pray for this group of amazing you people and the brave adults who give their Friday night to offer a fun and safe place for the youth to be.

+ NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY NEEDS TO COME OUT! If you have moved and neither Elsie Schweitzer or Pastor Bjornstad has your correct address, please email Amy in the church office at amybetts@yourpeace.org If you already have a photo of your family you like, please email that to the church. If not, we will arrange a Sunday next month to take one.

+ NEEDED: DRIVERS on Sunday mornings to pick up for Sunday School and Church!!!

+ Our member Brenda Colbert is an Elder Law lawyer! If you ever need the services of a laywer, especially when it comes to wills and estates and caring for your loved ones, please give her a call at 570-299-7909!

WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH:8:00 am Worship with Holy Communion every Sunday. (We encourage you to come to this auxiliary service if you are unable to come to the 10:30 worship.)

9:30 Education Hour - for all ages!

10:30 The Main Worship Service with Holy Communion twice a month (usually on the 1st and 3rd Sundays)

January’s Sermon themes:

January 4: The Wisdom of God

January 11: Remembering Our Roots in Baptism

January 18: The Call of Lord

January 25: Leaving the Nets

Adult Bible Study is a little bit in "flex" right now since Pastor is away at 9:30 to Immanuel. But we are working to resurrect it soon! We will be focusing on "being ready" to speak out for the Lord and explaining our Christian faith.

Chocolate Pancake Breakfastto support the Lutheran Academy

Sunday, February 8thPeace Lutheran Church

Serving 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

$6/Adults $3 Children (6-12)

Free for 5 and under

A sweet treat for a great cause. Mark your calendars and invite your friends.