Dove Tales May 2013.pub - Peace Lutheran Church, Fort Myers ...

Page 1 May 201315840 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33908 239.437.2599 www.peaceftmyers.comCome Share God’s Love May 2013Easter 2013Christ is living in our midst!Easter 1999 was joyfully celebrated with 80people Christ gathered at Peace!In 2013, Christ gathered 760 people for theEaster Vigil and two Easter Sunday liturgies!It was a celebration of faith we will longremember!

Page 2 May 2013THE MIRACLE OF GIVINGIts easy for anyone to make a miracle!Simple cash donations will grow the Legacy Fund, and through earnings providehelp and support.Gifts of appreciated stock can help grow the Legacy Fund and also impact anindividual's tax situation by avoiding capital gains.Leaving a specific dollar amount, a specific object or an asset such as an unsoldhome can help build the Legacy Fund.The Legacy Fund of Peace Lutheran Church is where specifically contributed financialresources are gathered and invested to launch new, (or support existing), missionsand ministries of our church, and to empower our congregation and staff to thinkbeyond our four walls.The Legacy Fund is our congregation's response to God's call to continue His missionand good works far into the future.Someone is reported to have said --What's the footprint you leave on this planet? When you walk through the pearly gates," I shared my blessings and left my mark, my footprint".Abundance is measured not by how much (one has), but rather by how much (one) gives.P. S. The "Snowbird Challenge" of a matching $25,000 is currently at $17,125.We can do it!What is diakonia? The diakonia Program is a two-year process ofspiritual formation and theological education for baptized membersof the Lutheran Church. This process occurs in three basic ways:By thorough grounding in the classic seminary disciplines of practical, systematic, historical andBiblical theology;By identifying and encouraging particular skills in ministry; By providing spiritual growth through worship, retreats, and a supportive community of fellowstudents and instructors.These are the tools diakonia uses to help equip God’s people for service in parish and neighborhoodministries. Classes will begin again in the fall.Interested in learning more? Please see Pr Walter or Deacon Karen Coleman for more details.

Page 3 May 2013Dear Friends in Christ,As Easter people we continue to love in the story of the cross and resurrection. Thegood news of Christ is that we are empowered to be light and hope to our world. Eachof the Gospels touches the fears of the disciples with the promise of God. Fear istransformed into hope. That is the same message we share in our lives as disciples. Aswe move forward in the life of our church, I would like to share several important events on our missionof Peace Lutheran Church.First, on May 2-4 the Florida Bahamas Synod will be gathering in Orlando to celebrate the mission ofChrist’s church, elect a bishop and conduct the business of the synod. Gary and Karen Robins will joinme as voting members of the assembly. We have been blessed with the leadership of the Rev. EdwardBenoway as our Bishop. His staff has always been very helpful in the planting of our congregation.I hope that the next bishop will share the good news of the death and resurrection of Christ andprovide courageous leadership into the future. God is leading us with great promise and persistence!Second, I am excited to invite you to a Celebration of Holy Communion with ourneighbors at Faith United Methodist Church on the Festival of Pentecost, May 19 at3 PM at Faith. Since 1977 the leaders of the Lutheran and United Methodist Churcheshave discussed the unity that we share in Christ. In 2009 the ELCA Assembly inMinneapolis adopted a full communion agreement. In addition to the United Methodistchurch, the ELCA has similar understandings with the Presbyterian ChurchUSA, Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church, andMoravian Church. (While there have been many theological agreements betweenLutherans and the Roman Catholic Church, this area is still under discussion.) TheELCA News Release of August 20, 2009 regarding full communion with the UnitedMethodist and ELCA stated:“Full communion is not a merger. But it means that the two churches express a common confession ofChristian faith; mutual recognition of Baptism and sharing Holy Communion; join worship and freedomto exchange members; agree to mutual recognition of ordained ministers for service in either church;express a common commitment to evangelism, witness and service; engage in common decisionmakingon critical matters; and a mutual lifting of criticisms that may exist between the churches.”Following the Holy Communion at Faith, there will be fellowship at which there will be the opportunityto discuss the spirituality of the event.In discussing this event with Pr. David Stauffer, I have been blessed to grow in my understanding ofthe faith and practices of our brothers and sisters in Christ of the Methodist Church. They celebrate thepresence of Christ and offer Holy Communion each Lord’s Day as is our practice. I am sothankful to share Christ with our wonderful neighbors at Faith United Methodist Church. Ipray that by sharing Christ, the Spirit would find a new way to enliven the Church.It looks like these and other events in our lives in May will open Christ’s love in newways. I hope that you will pray for God’s wonderful work in our midst as the Good Newsof Good Friday and Easter open a new day of faith in our lives.In Christ,Pr Walter Still

Page 10 May 2013Society of St. Vincent De PaulSt Columbkille Catholic ParishApril 4, 2013Dear Rev. Still and Friends of PeaceLutheran Church:Please accept our heartfelt thanks for the$509.00 donation for Easter Food Basketsyou made to the St Vincent de Paul Society.Your kindness and generosity helps us continueto serve families who are strugglingduring these difficult economic times.As people of faith we are called to act justly,love tenderly, and walk humbly with God(Micah 6:8). Thank you for your responseto this call by supporting the work of St.Vincent de Paul. Your thoughtfulness willlong be remembered.May God bless you and those you love,Miriam OrtizOutreach CoordinatorIt’s that time of year… “Footprints in the Sand” planning is nowunderway. Please consider submitting an article along with a couple of photos ofwhat you are doing this summer.Email your interest to Susan at peace@peaceftmyers.com or call theoffice at 239-437-2599. Articles are needed in June, July, August andSeptember, however, if you have taken a special trip or captured amagical moment prior to that, we would love to share it with you.Footprints in the sand...Keeping our Snowbird friends in touch withPeace!

Page 11 May 2013MUNCH AND MUSE NEWS-The season has ended,but don’t putdown yourbooks...here are thebook selections fornext year:January-- “Skinny Dip” By Carl Hiaasen(Humor)The picture above was taken at the home ofMary and Ben Klaus. This was one of fivedifferent Dinner for 8 groups held duringthe month of March.All reports are that those who parcipatedin the different groups had a wonderfulme spending an evening with othermembers from Peace and sharing awonderful home cooked meal.As the evening at Ben and Mary’sconcluded, our group talked about how wewere looking forward to geng togetherwhen we all return for season! What awonderful way this is to form new friendships!February-- “Unbroken” By Laura Hillebrand(Non-Fiction)March— “The Land Remembered”By Patrick D. Smith (Fiction)April —will be decided in January.Some possibilities: Art of Racing in theRain---Stein, Stones from the River----Hegi, People of the Book---Brooks.For Your “Bear Windows & Closets”Robert Hartman, who worships at Peace,is now doing business as,“for your bear windows & closets.”He does draperies, closet systems,cornice boards and many other things.Give Robert a call !!!Advertisement

Page 12 May 2013Sven & Ole:Ole is the pastor of the local NorwegianLutheran Church, and PastorSven is the minister of the SwedishCovenant Church across the road.One day they are seen pounding asign into the ground, which said:DA END ISS NEAR!TURN YERSELF AROUNT NOWAs a car speeds past them, the driverleans out his window and yells,"Leave people alone, youSkandihoovian religious nuts!"From the curve, they hearscreeching res and a big splash.Shaking his head, Rev. Ole says,"Dat's da terd one dis mornin'.""Yaa," Pastor Sven agrees, then asks,"Do ya nk maybe da sign shouldyust say, 'Bridge out?'"OUR MISSION: To equip disciples of Jesus Christ for ministry and mission. When you participate in any of the followingactivities, you are fulfilling one of the Marks of Discipleship. PRAY DAILY“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.” -Luke 18:1 WORSHIP WEEKLY“So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.” -Genesis 2:3READ YOUR BIBLE DAILY“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” -Matthew 4:4SERVE IN & BEYOND CONGREGATION“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to bring good news to the poor.” -Luke 4:18NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS“Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentlenessand reverence.” -1Peter 3:15b-16GIVING A TITHE & BEYOND“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measureyou give will be the measure you get back.” -Luke 6:38

Page 13 May 2013Lois Helvik shares this photo ofthe April 22 snow fall on herdeck in Minneapolis. There waseven more during the next day/night!Perhaps when you get moresnow after returning fromFlorida...well, it just gives theterm, “Snowbird” a whole newmeaning!Thanks for sharing Lois!

Page 14 May 2013Happy“May”Birthday!05/02 Donn Carsrud05/07 Phil McClelland05/07 Margaret Tinnes05/07 Melissa Jackson05/10 Al Bennett05/11 John Lowry05/12 Gloria Bunge05/12 Brad Schmucker05/13 JoAnn Deffinbaugh05/14 Howard Schroeder05/14 Pat Miller05/15 Ned Metzner05/16 Everett Rude05/16 Lorna Mae Huebner05/20 Paul Arnfelt05/20 Judy Hintzman05/22 Jenny Merline05/25 Carson Deffinbaugh05/25 Jon Hintzman05/26 Neil Solberg05/27 Virginia Boland05/27 Marian Zaudtke05/27 Karen Lee05/27 Judy Bielejeski05/28 John Weygant05/28 Verda Albert05/29 Mary Sue Carnes05/29 Paul Steele05/31 Nan BiemillerDear Members and Friends,Thank you!. . . for your many prayers, supporve thoughts and cards forDarlene and I during my recent surgery and rehab stay.Your prayer shawl gave me much comfort during the quiet hoursin my room and following therapy sessions.We sincerely appreciated the meals delivered to our home ‐‐ theywere therapy too, especially for Darlene.Our Lord and each of you were with us every day helping usthrough this journey.May the peace and love of our creator God be with you,Frank WarnerP.S. . . . When you're facing the "winter" of life, remember that"spring" will follow! AnonymousA day is made more beautiful whentouched with kindness.Thank you for your thoughtfulness.Thanks to everyone for theirthoughts & prayers in the deathof my mother, Mabel Uhl.A special thank you to thePrayer Shawl Ministry for thewonderful gift.David & Debbie Uhl

Page 15 May 2013Dear Friends in Christ,Please hold in prayer, thesepeople for whom prayershave been requested.Bill & Toni LoomisPhyllis BakkoSue GrahamMickey AdamsIrene StorvesRod DietrichMarilyn & Warren HibbenLillian NicholasJanet PierceCole, grandson of Gary & Karen RobinsGladys DixonLauren Johnson & family on the death ofher father, CharlieLarry HibbenSteve SmithPaul & Chad MesserliLarry & Marilyn PetersonSally Jo WilliamsEleanor & Nat Gillette2013 GraduatesVeterans and SoldiersThose that are homeless, hungry, anddesperate.Heavenly Father,Hold these people thatwe have named, in yourtender care and grantthat their needs may bemet with your grace andmercy.AmenThank You…Peace Lutheran,My sister-in-law, Donnafred,from IA, did receive her beautifuland meaningful prayer shawl.She asked me to “thank You” tothose that made it possible.Especially Pr Walter & his verykind words. She was overwhelmedwith gratitude.God Bless You.Doris SwensonDear Peace Lutheran Church,I am writing to inform you that my father,Charlie, passed away on December 30th. Heattended your church in January, February, andMarch when he was in Fort Myers.As you may or may not have known, he wasbattling esophageal cancer for the past threeand a half years, Unfortunately, all the chemothat he had to have to live longer started todestroy his body. He was diagnosed with congestiveheart failure in September and was toldthat he could not go to Florida.Charlie died in the Delaware Hospice Center onDecember 30th. He died of liver failure whichhad been cause by the chemo. I know he enjoyedworshipping with you when he was there.Thank you for welcoming him into your “family.’Sincerely,Lauren Johnson

Page 16 May 201315840 McGregor Blvd.Fort Myers, FL 33908Come Share God’s Love!Current ResidentorStay in the know:www.peaceftmyers.comand click on the calendar link.en·cour·agetransitive verb \in-ˈkər-ij, -ˈkə-rij, en-\en·cour·aged en·cour·ag·ingDefinition of ENCOURAGE1 a: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : HEARTENb: to attempt to persuade : URGE 2: to spur on : STIMULATE 3: to give help or patronage to : FOSTER — en·cour·ag·er nounMay you be encouraged by this is issue of Dove Tales.Keep us in the know about what you are doing this summer viaemail: peace@peaceftmyers.com and remember,we LOVE photos!Peace Lutheranchurch15840 McGregor Blvd.Fort Myers, FL 33908PHONE: 239-437-2599FAX: 239-437-3647E-MAIL: peace@peaceftmyers.compastorwalter@peaceftmyers.comPEACE WEB SITE:www.peaceftmyers.comWEB RESOURCES: Florida-BahamasSynod, ELCA Florida Happeningswww.fbsynod.orgEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaNational News www.elca.orgSTAFF:Pastor Walter StillKaren Coleman, DeaconRic Jaeggi, Director of Music: Organist andChoir DirectorKaren Lee, Parish NurseSusan Mitchell, Secretary/Office Manager/Publications