Dear Friends,

This is the season of many events for individuals and families in our congregation! Congratulations to all of those who are graduating from high school, college and graduate school this spring!  Prayers for all students and families as they celebrate and transition young adults preparing for next steps whether college or first employment in their field!

On these beautiful days of spring, we are all enjoying the better weather and all the opportunities to be out and about!  Tonight, we have our last Spirit Time of the season. Confirmation classes ended last week, and the last day of Sunday School is this Sunday.  Our Christian Education team is now turning its energy toward preparing for Vacation Bible School! Please watch for announcements and emails for VBS and for upcoming youth group events!

Today and next Wednesday are the last sessions of morning Bible Study for the summer and we will pick up again next fall.

Sunday, May 28, is Pentecost Sunday! Please wear red that morning. Also, please remember that the church office will be closed on Memorial Day, May 29.

Special thanks to those of you working on the flower gardens around the facility! If you want to join the team, please contact the church office and we will have the group contact you.

Next week, there will be an additional email. The Church Council will be updating you on the two acres of out lot A, and the information we have received since the annual meeting. If you have questions or concerns, you are invited to reach out to our Church Council President, Jared Steinberg, and he will happily answer your questions. Please, ask questions and get clarifications. For the unity of all, it’s better to have the facts at hand rather than spread disinformation.  Having said that, Jared is available to you, as is our Vice President, Bill Schmidt. Please reach out to either of these leaders.

I wanted to mention one of our newest ministries. On Monday evenings, we are hosting the Autism Support Group. This ministry is a support to those with autism and their family members, and we are excited to welcome them!

Sometime in early August, we will publish a newsletter outlining the fall activities and events. For those of you who lead small groups and ministry groups throughout the church, please have your articles in by July 24.

This coming Saturday, from 4-6 pm, you are invited to a cake reception for Emily Brown.Emily is graduating from Luther Seminary and is preparing for her first call as a pastor of the ELCA. Emily is very grateful for the prayers, support, and encouragement from Peace Lutheran during her years of seminary training! We hope you can join us for this happy occasion!

Have a good week!  Be safe… take care….

Pastor Valerie