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Pastor's message
Summer 2011
Dear Water Family,
It’s summer – I can tell because it is hot outside and because worship attendance is down. Many folks assure me this is merely a seasonal thing! Perhaps.
It is my hope and prayer that the longer days of summer have given you space and opportunity for leisure, rejuvenation and fun! And I continue to pray the weak economy has not caused unmanageable hardship upon you and your household. However, our money and time decisions have great impact on the ministry at Peace. While worship remains joy-filled, attendance is down. As the events within note, we continue to experience vibrant community event this summer: the community yard sale, free community garden, 5th Friday feast. All made possible by your work and offerings -- and also our credit line! This in itself is not a bad thing for we should use our assets for ministry -- as long as we keep the account revolving – that is, borrowing and paying back in a reasonable time frame. This is becoming harder and harder to do!
So, my summer prayer includes that we not balance our personal check and date books by intentionally neglecting God’s good word and purposes for us as a community centered in Christ. If that is the case, friends, meeting the budget is a minor affair. The larger impact is misplaced trust and energy limiting our mission to serve and love as Christ would have us do. A fate that will impact more than our credit line at the bank!
Please join me in this prayer. Come, worship! Come, participate, and as you are able, come, help in the ministries we offer. And, as always, live gently and love greatly!
Peace,
Pastor Debbie
Bishop Mark S. Hanson's Recent Statements
August 12, 2011
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Today I have been thinking about those who pray with eager longing, "Give us today our daily bread." In the Horn of Africa, the lives and livelihoods of millions of people have been devastated by the worst drought in 60 years. Crops have failed and water is scarce. Desperate families are abandoning their homes seeking aid. Hundreds of thousands of people have already made their way to refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. More than twelve million people are in need of help now ...
A complete list of the Presiding Bishop's messages may be found at http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Presiding-Bishop/Messages-and-Statements/2008-Message-Archive.aspx.
This page updated 9/03/2011.
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