Peace In Pictures
Spring Cleanup Success
On Earth Day 2023, a group of volunteers from Peace Lutheran Church and Cub Scout Pack 1771 assembled to clean up and refresh the grounds around the church. All of the exterior projects were completed quickly, and the grounds look wonderful! Thank you to everyone who helped!
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation.
Readings: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-18
Spring Fundraiser: Silent Auction and Trivia Night
On May 6th, the community of Peace Lutheran Church will host a fundraiser with a trivia night, food, and a silent auction. At 4:30 pm, the doors will open. Tickets are on sale Sundays after worship for $5.00 per person ($8.00 at the door) by cash, check or credit card. All food and beverages are included in the ticket price. The fundraising committee is collecting a wonderful array of handmade gifts, restaurant gift certificates, and more for the silent auction.
Gender, Sexuality, and Theology Conversations
Dear Siblings in Christ,
Peace Lutheran Church took the courageous and Spirit-led initiative to become a Reconciling In Christ congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) only a few years ago. By doing so, Peace Lutheran became the first and only Lutheran Church in Southern Maryland to publicly affirm its acceptance of LGBTQIA+ members into the full life and mission of our faith community through a welcome statement and subsequent participation in outreach and social justice activities.
As the rhetoric surrounding sexuality, gender, and theology continues to increase in the media and within our own families, now is an ideal time to engage in conversations and study on these topics in order to learn more and embrace our faith community's courageous acceptance of all of God's children. Please consider joining me and the Episcopal Churches of Southern Maryland in attending one or more of these online conversations with Rev. Dr. Jerry Maynard.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Eric+
The Episcopal Churches of Southern Maryland and Peace Lutheran Church invite you to join a three-week course on Gender, Sexuality, and Theology with the Rev. Dr. Jerry Maynard. The sessions will be held on May 4, 11, and 18 beginning at 7:00pm on Zoom. Pre-registration is required and you can choose to attend one or all of the sessions. The registration link below includes a link to submit questions in advance.
Thank You For Helping CCCAS
A sincere and belated thank you to everyone who donated personal hygiene items to Charles County Children's Aid Society during Lent. CCCAS was extremely grateful for your generous donations.
Fellowship Hall Update
Although finishing the fellowship hall's repairs took longer than expected, the end result is well worth the wait. The contractor hired for the job, Tony Powell, ran into a few problems due to the shortcuts taken by the original building contractor, but he was able to perform the renovations and solve the difficulties, breathing new life into Peace's fellowship hall. Tony worked tirelessly, staying late several nights to ensure that all of the issues were resolved and that the completed work will aid in the longevity of the space. After seeing his work, many have asked for his contact information and we are happy to share: Powell's Custom Painting and Drywall (White Plains, MD) 301-752-4504.
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 With Pastor Eric!
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 secondtrip 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. Registerhere (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.
Support Peace Lutheran Church's Mission & Ministry
Your financial support is needed today to continue Peace Lutheran Church's mission and ministry. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift online at myplc.org/give, Sundays during the offering, or by mail to 401 Smallwood Smallwood Drive, Saint Charles, MD 20602. You can also give by texting an amount to (301) 835-1318. Thank you for your generosity!
Peace Prays
Please join Pastor Eric in praying for:
Eleanor Layton
John Wisniewski (Warren)
The Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod and Bishop Leila Ortiz
Victims and survivors of firearm violence
Ukraine
Our ecumenical partners, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Calvary United Methodist Church, and the Episcopal Churches of Southern Maryland