House of Prayer on Parker and MainPeace TalkNEWSLETTER

November, 2014

WHAT TO DO ABOUT DEATH AND DYING?

A few months ago I was speaking to a neighbor down the street. I had asked him what I could pray for. He mentioned that his Father-in-law was sick with cancer. Since he didn’t have a pastor I told him I would want very much to visit him while he had some health. He said that he would ask his Father-in-law about me coming to visit. Since the neighbor was also worried about his young sons, I also told him I would be willing to talk with them about their grandfather dying. He seemed to appreciate that offer.

I never heard back from him until a few weeks ago when a knock came at the office door and he asked to come in and talk with me. His Father-in-law had died. He explained that he had talked with him about me coming to visit, and the Father-

in-law was quite receptive… but then, all of a sudden, he seemed to get better - and of course they didn’t follow up on inviting me. Then after a time of health, the grandfather died quickly and now mom and dad were trying, even as they were struggling themselves, to tell their kids the sad news. They didn’t really know what to do or say.

I was so glad that he came over. He went back home and brought the kids over to the church. I was able to talk with the two young boys and it was all such a beautiful time. The boys were able to talk about their grandpa and what he meant to them and I was able to share with them how much he was a gift of God to them, and how much God loved him, how they can be sad they won’t see him again, etc.

It has been quite a few years since we

talked extensively about death and dying here at Peace. Yes, we get a measure of it from Sunday to Sunday because the Bible really does talk a lot about it. The church is probably the ONLY place we really HEAR and TALK about death and dying in our lives. But often with our sporadic attendance - it really isn’t enough. There are important issues that really don’t get the time they need.

What to do about death and dying? It is the big white elephant in our lives that no one ever really deals with. But talk about it we must. If we don’t deal with death it is impossible to live aright and be at peace with ourselves and our sin… and it will be impossible to die in peace.

This November. We talk. About death and dying. And then we learn the secret - that Jesus has already dealt with it!

Dying with you in Jesus, Pastor

At left we see the fellowship at Coopers in celebration of Audrey Russell’s 88th Birthday this past month! Audrey shows us how to enjoy our lives in Christ. She is always so generous with herself. She loves to smile and share her love for Jesus. He is faithful to her and she is faithful to Him!

Even as she has had to battle many health concerns recently, God has proven good to her and demonstrate what the Bible says:

Prov. 2:8 for [The Lord] guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

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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!

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." - Psa. 116:15

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: yourpeace@verizon.net

What are our parents saying about The Lutheran Academy? Tomasina Evans, mother of our Academy student Trent, shared this on our church FB page:

The Academy’s harvest party was PERFECT yesterday! I stood back watching and listening to the children - and they are absolutely great. So well mannered and happy! They are a Little family - and the bond Miss L and the helpers have together is remarkable! Trent whispered in my ear "thank you for letting me come to the academy!” No, thank you Academy and staff for accepting us into your wonderful fellowship! Special thanks to Brenda the harvest coordinator - everything was wonderful! We love u all! TY all....

Introducing Miss. Wendy Laird! Mrs. Laird began working as the After School Care worker last year, but since the beginning of this year her role has significantly increased and she has been hired as a part time teacher to replace the teaching work that was done last year by Mrs. Mandile. She assists Miss L. in teaching Grammar and Math as well as Science to our Lutheran Academy students! She lives near Greenridge Square and she plays organ at a Baptist church in Peckville on Sunday mornings! Praise the Lord for her wonderful work as

a staff member! To the left is pictured the fire truck visit during Fire Awareness week at TLA! It was great fun for the Academy and Preschool!

Since we are talking about death this month…. Did you know that there are many, many ways that you can support the work of the Lord - including through your will?

Pastor and Monica Bjornstad are currently in the midst of working with Mrs. Linda Gage and their goal is to leave $1,000,000 to the Lord’s work when they die. With proper planning, this is very possible! Consider contacting Linda yourself! She will help you plan to leave a legacy gift to not only your children and the church, but to whatever other charity or cause you would like! Her services are FREE!

Email: lindagage.lwml@gmail.comWebsite:  www.lwmlgiftplan.orgCell Phone: 716-946-8111

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 VOTER’S MEETING WILL BE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16th AFTER WORSHIP! We hope to have some light lunch and fellowship as well! There are no elections except for a vote for Amy Betts to be on the Academy Board of Directors. Discussion and voting on our upcoming budget will be important. If you have any issues that need to be addressed, please feel free to call our President Chad Tyk at (570) 241-6729!

THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER! Over the past few years we have had a community thanksgiving dinner. Bonnie Cornog is hoping to have it again this year. Does she have any help? It is for those in the congregation and community who don’t have anywhere to have dinner

and a family. Sign-up sheet will be at the church for those happy to help and/or attend!

+ REFORMATION SERVICE: On Oct. 26th at 7pm in the evening, members representing SEVEN

different congregations of NEPA came for the evening of worship and fellowship! Rev. Kim Bode assisted Pastor Bjornstad with the liturgy and Rev. Murray Brindle shared the message from God’s word… that if Caleb of the Old Testament was full of energy at 85 years, we also must put on the strength of the Lord and continue the Reformation of the church and our lives in Christ! A collection of over $110 was gathered to strengthen the Braille Ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church!

+ MISS LUKLANCHUK, The Lutheran Academy Principal/Teacher made the plunge - out the door of an airplane with a parachute early in October!!!!

+ FRANK SCHULZE completed officer training this Fall and was recently hired as a Carbondale police officer! Congratulations Frank! We DO and MUST pray for him!

+ 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!

+ Mike Evans has completed working his first Carnival cruise and is doing well in his new job!

PLEASE PRAY FOR:+ the Calpin family as they suffered the death of Sharon’s mother. Sharon was very dedicated to caring and loving her mother and we pray for peace for her heart in this difficult time.+ The many individuals and families that we helped with the proceeds from the Pot Roast dinner. They were all very thankful for your support!+ Edith Korban as she has moved to the Tunkhannock Manor Assisted Living and adjusts to her new life there!+ For Immanuel Lutheran Church (without a pastor)+ For Pastor Vomhof of St. Stephens Lutheran Church+ Pastor Bjornstad and Heather Luklanchuck will attend the Eastern District Church worker’s conference Nov. 4,5,6. Pray for a blessed event with much encouragement.

FRIDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUP: Let us pray for our youth and the efforts to bless them on Friday nights. The picture here is one night this past month when we played board games and had a wonderful time trying out the new popcorn machine some kind soul donated to the church!

IMMANUEL TALENT SHOW - NOVEMBER 15! We need to reach out and support our mother congregation! Immanuel is without a pastor and is in need of encouragement in the Lord. Every year they have a talent show, but this year they are bribing Peace members with an AWESOME Pot Luck dinner if they come to either just be a part of the audience, or share a talent or gift. Dinner starts at 6 and the show starts at 7! Talk with Pastor Bjornstad if you would like to share a talent!

+ NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY NEEDS TO COME OUT! If you have moved and neither Elsie Schweitzer or Pastor Bjornstad has your correct address, please email Pastor at yourpeace@verizon.net. Also, Pastor will try to take some pictures for the directory after church, but it sure would help if you can email him a picture YOU have and like.

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

WORSHIP LIFE AT PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH:8:15 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.)9:20 Education Hour - for all ages! 10:30 The Main Worship Service

with Holy Communion twice a month (usually on the 1st and 3rd Sundays)

November’s Bible Study and Sermon theme:

WHAT TO DO ABOUT DEATH AND DYING?

NOV. 2: ALL SAINTS SUNDAY: THE IMMORTAL SOULNOV. 9: THE NATURE OF DEATH AND HELL

Why do we die? Can it ever be good? What is Hell? The Second Death.Is it "right" that some be cast into hell for eternity for our earthly sins?Do we pray for the dead? What about Pergatory?

NOV. 16: THE NATURE OF LIFE AND HEAVENWhat will heaven be like? Will we have a real body?Will there be work? food? remembrance of our earthly life?What about Saints in heaven?

NOV. 23: PREPARING FOR DEATHNumbering our day's aright. The inevitability of death.Learning to entrust our life and death into the hands of God.Is Death a holy event for the Christian? Planning your funeral.

What about cremation?

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OUR NEPALI REFUGEE FRIENDS ARE LARGELY HINDU! But what do we know about Hinduism??Our ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES continue every Thursday evening - and we have so much fun! If you are available to volunteer please let Pastor know! The friendships with the Nepali Community are so precious! Here a student named Sudesh shared about what the Hindu people celebrate in “The Festival of Lights”. This gives us an insight into their lives and hearts and helps us love them better!

“The festival of Diwali is not only a time of joy but a time to put behind you the problems you are faceing. There are 5 good reasons to celebrate the great festival of lights. They include:

1. Lakshmi, the god of wealth, was incarnated on the new moon day of the Kartik month of October or November. Her existence came from the good water of the ocean.2. Lord Vishnu rescued Lakshmi. In his fifth incarnation as Vaman reform, Lord Vishnu rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali and she became his wife. This is another reason to worship on Diwali.3. Lord Krishna killed Narkasur, the demon king and rescued 16,000 women from captivity.4. The return of the Pandavas (five brothers). Because they were gambling they were punished. The sentence was 12 years out of the house. When they were allowed back in their the people celebrated by lighting the lamps.5. King Revan was a powerful and wicked king. He was arrogant and believed himself to be the one and only king. People were terrified of him. Lord Rama went to Sri Lanka and killed him, hence the rejoicing of the people and the lighting of the Diwali and fireworks.

This all happneed on the same day. This same day we celebrate what is known as Diwali.”

THANKSGIVING EVENING AND DAY SERVICES this year!

Wednesday at 7pmThursday at 10:30

Holy Communion at both services!

Nepal borders on India and China

"Think not of death as the extinguishing of life, but rather the snuffing out of a candle because dawn has come."

- This is easier said than done! come to Bible Study at 9:30 Sundays to really discuss our problem with death!