Peace In Pictures
A few pictures that capture some of the work happening at Peace Lutheran Church.
Freshening Up The Building
The contractor finished repairing the cracked ceilings and walls of the fellowship hall last week, and this week they'll finish by painting the ceiling and walls. This was a much-needed cost for Peace, and it not only refreshes the space, but it also makes it more desirable to other groups and individuals interested in renting space in our building.
On Saturday, Pastor Eric and Dennis painted the pastor's office and conference room, and the new focal walls adds an exceptional pop of color to the spaces. The old "Peace" sign that was on the exterior of the previous building is now on the main wall of the conference room, and we've added a few more 'artifacts' to the space.
Next time you're at Peace, take a walk through the building and see some of the updates that are happening.
Earth Day April 22 - Clean-up and Community Cookout
Saturday, April 22 starting at 10:00am
We'll be doing some much-needed exterior work on Saturday, April 22, beginning at 10:00 a.m., such as trash removal, weeding and pruning, spreading mulch, and planting. We'll also start putting up a new fence surrounding the playground. Remember to bring your gardening tools. Around noon, we'll light the grill and gather for a community cookout. Everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to pass, and the hot dogs, hamburgers, and vegetarian alternatives will be provided by the church. To help with cleanup, we'll be joined by the cub scouts and other members of the community.
Pastor Eric will decide whether to postpone and cancel the clean-up and cookout on Saturday morning if it rains. The notification will be sent out via email, text message, and website. The rain date is Saturday, May 13.
Save the Date for the Spring FUNdraiser
May 6, 2023, doors open at 4:30pm and Bible Trivia competition begins at 5:00pm
Tickets will be sold Sundays, April 23 and 30 for $5 per person or at the door May 6 for $8 per person. (This will help offset the cost of food.)
Please bring any auction donations to church no later than Sunday, April 30 (with the exception of baked goods or other perishable items, just let us know what you plan to bring). Donations should be new items: things you have either made, gotten donated from a business or purchased, etc. Be sure to let us know the value of the item(s) you are donating.
Ways you can help:
Help with set up on Friday, May 5
Help with check in on Saturday, May 6
Help with food set up and clean up
Help with auction checkout
Help with auction clean up
Most importantly, help by planning on attending the event to have some fun, fellowship, and raise some funds for our mission plan.
Contact Sharon Altman with any questions (altmasslp at gmail dot com).
Invite A Friend
With so much happening at Peace Lutheran Church, now is a great opportunity to invite a friend to church!
Come Make Some Music
Do you play an instrument? Are you interested in singing in the choir? We're searching for music volunteers to join the choir, handbells, or provide musical accompaniment during worship. Even if you haven't sang in a choir in a long time or if you've never sung in one before, now is a fantastic moment to generously share your time and talent and glorify God. Will and Tara are searching for people of all music abilities to join the choir and handbells. To learn more, email music@myplc.org.
Quilters Putting Faith Into Action
Peace Lutheran Church's quilters have been an essential ministry team for many years, and they continue to assemble throughout the month to create warm quilts to be shipped around the world via Lutheran World Relief, as well as chemo hats for local distribution. The quilters require your generous gift of time to continue such an important ministry.
Consider joining the quilters, who meet in rooms 4 and 5 on Mondays, May 1 & 15, 6-8 pm and Thursdays, May 4 & 18, 9-11 am Don't allow a lack of sewing skill prevent you from joining this wonderful group of people who share their faith with each stitch. For more information, contact Leah at quilters@myplc.org.
Field Trips
Pastor Eric will be announcing dates for group field trips to area religious sites. The National Cathedral, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, and the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. will be among the sites.
May 31, 2023 - The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America | The tour will begin about 11:30am with a walking tour of the monastery grounds and will conclude with a guided tour at 1:00pm. Register here (10 spots available): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-of-the-franciscan-monastery-of-the-holy-land-in-america-tickets-619412849507 (Group limitations set by the monastery, a second trip will be planned if there is additional interest)
June 7, 2023 - Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception | Walking tour of the Basilica and grounds with Pastor Eric starting at 12pm. Register here (20 spots available): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-of-the-basilica-of-the-national-shrine-of-the-immaculate-conception-tickets-619417322887
*National Cathedral and Islamic Center dates yet to be determined.
Pastor's Schedule
Pastor Eric will be at United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg for a continuing education event on Tuesday, April 25.
Elsie's Food Pantry Needs Volunteers
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a household's inability to provide enough food that is adequate for all members. A family may experience this for a short period of time or for an extended period of time.
Charles County is not unaffected, with 11.4% of the county population projected to be food insecure. Elsie's Food Pantry, a food ministry of Peace Lutheran Church, addresses hunger twice a month on the first and third Saturdays from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Addressing food insecurity has long been an important element of Peace's mission and ministry, and pantry leadership is always looking for innovative ways to support its mission. As food costs continue to rise, one new option leadership is looking into is partnering with the LDS Food Storage Center in Upper Marlboro to offer vital food products for distribution. This collaboration would allow the pantry to explore other projects that target and respond to food insecurity in Waldorf and throughout Charles County.
The food pantry requires your assistance in the form of a significant gift of time by volunteering on food distribution days, food deliver days, and/or bagging days. The pantry is fortunate to have a core group of dedicated volunteers who keep the program running on a month-to-month basis, but it requires additional volunteers to help with the ever-expanding need.
How can you help? Consider helping out on the next distribution day, May 6, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Come meet the hardworking volunteers, Nilda, Ed, Jill, Cindy, Earle, Sharon, Larry, and others who are committed to this essential mission, and, most importantly, come meet the neighbors we serve. Bring your entire family! To learn more about ways you can help Elsie's Pantry, connect with Nilda Cirino or Cindy McCallam.
Confirmation Boot Camp Wraps Up
Confirmation students have returned for their third and final block of classes with Pastor Eric. During the final block, students will study Lutheranism, the Sacraments, and Church history. Confirmation will take place during the 10:00am worship service on Sunday, May 28 and Sunday, June 4.
Metro D.C. Synod News
Holy Land Trip with Bishop Leila Ortiz
Bishop Ortiz is planning a Holy Land trip January 25-February 3, 2024 and all are in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod are invited. To learn more about the trip and to register visit: https://www.eliastours.com/tours/elca-metro-dc-synod-holy-land-trip-with-bishop-leila-ortiz
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
In observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, there will be an ecumenical prayer service held on Tuesday, May 23 at 7:30 PM at St. Ann Catholic Church, Arlington, Virginia. There will be a reception following the service. Bishop Ortiz will be in attendance, along with other local religious leaders.The address for St. Ann is:
5300 North 10th Street, Arlington, Virginia 22205
Bloomin' Spring Sale at the Village of Rockville
On Saturday, May 6 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, you can stop by The Village at Rockville to purchase plants, baked goods, candy, and more. This Spring Sale is in honor of their auxiliary's 83rd Anniversary, and all proceeds go towards resident activities.
Metro D.C. Synod Town Hall Led by Bishop Ortiz
You are invited to a Synod Town Hall Thursday, May 18 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Bishop Leila Ortiz is hosting this open forum to share all that is happening in the Metro D.C. Synod before the June Synod Assembly.
There will be a short time of Q&A as well. This Town Hall will be online through Zoom, Facebook, and Youtube and is open to all rostered ministers and lay members throughout the Synod. If you would like to pose questions, attending through Zoom will be the best option. You can also email questions or any topics you would like to see covered in advance to Katharyn Wheeler at kwheeler@metrodcelca.org.
Zoom Details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2408630251?pwd=bnhHOThrSmppbTY5MGYxc2tXSFkvZz09 Meeting ID: 240 863 0251 Passcode: 4005
April Worship Assistant Schedule
Sunday, April 23 | Sunday, April 30 | |
Presiding Minister | Rev. E. Randolph | Rev. E. Randolph |
Preacher | Rev. E. Randolph | Rev. E. Randolph |
Children's Message | Gretta Williams | Rev. E. Randolph |
Lector | Kaden Robinson | Open |
Cantor | Elizabeth Constantine | Carol Charnock |
Multimedia | Don Robinson | Columbus Williams |
Acolytes | Brennan R., Ethan C. | Christopher D. |
Communion Assistants | Wine: Open Juice: Ginny Wolford Cups: Isaac C. | Wine: Open Juice: Open Cups: Open |
Ushers | Becky Sutay Gretta Williams | Becky Sutay Gretta Williams |
Altar Care Team | Marcie Robinson | TBD |
News and Events from the Community
