Fall 2018

Peace
Offering
BI-ANNUAL REPORT
FALL 2018
FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1

THINKING
NEXT
50
FOR
THE
YEARS
A NOTE FROM PASTOR KARL
We are fast approaching our 50 th anniversary in October 2021! Alright, alright.
I know that’s three years away, but we all know how quickly three years can fly.
Over the past year, the leaders of Prince of Peace reviewed our history and
studied what makes this church so unique and what events shaped us over the
47 years we’ve existed. Why? We’ve been looking back to focus our work in the present and
move courageously into the future God has mapped out for us.
What are we going to do? In the next three years, POP will ignite spiritual transformation
while addressing critical social needs in our community through our 3 X 50 Campaign.
3
By 2021, our objective is to
• grow to 50 active adult groups,
• give 50,000 service hours, and
• invest $500,000 in our community.
50 Groups: We will pursue a revival of relational discipleship by growing to 50 adult
groups that meet regularly by our 50th year. In addition to adult groups, children’s and
student ministry will combine for 33 groups in 3 years (33 in 3).
50,000 Hours: Given the busyness of our lives, the most precious commodity we can share
is our time. We will put others first by giving 50,000 hours of service in our community to
bring restoration and build relationships, both inside and outside the church. Ultimately,
we pray that through this intentional investment of our time and attention, more people will
discover peace in Christ.
$500,000: To top it off, we want to invest with courage up to $500,000 in our community.
While we continue to support our partner church, Crosspoint, we want to amplify our
financial support of local service agencies with whom we partner.
Let’s celebrate 50 years of God’s grace upon Prince of Peace by doing what God designed
us to do best: We empower caring people to share Christ’s peace in our busy communities.
Let’s connect with one another in groups, serve together in our community, and share what
God has given us! Let’s ignite spiritual transformation as we intentionally grow to 50
adult groups, share 50,000 hours in service, and invest $500,000 in our community.
2 PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2018

Worship
AS A COMMUNITY
162
Hours of Worship
104,800
Hours of People in Worship
435
Average Weekend Attendance
4080
Volunteer Hours for Worship
35
Choir
Members
48
Hours of
Rehearsal
26
Anthems
Sung
875
People in Worship
Easter Sunday 2018
FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 3

SPOTLIGHT
MEET ALEX
New Worship Arts Director
With a Bachelor of Music in Voice and a Master
of Music in Jazz Piano, Alex Falls hit the ground
running. He brings a wealth of knowledge and
experience, as well as abilities to play a variety
of instruments. Marta Rees, Prince of Peace’s
Communications Manager, sat down with Alex
to talk about his musical journey.
Marta Rees: How did God lead
you to work at Prince of Peace
as Worship Arts Director?
Alex Falls: When I was in grad
school, I led the Praise Band at
a “lil ol’ church” in the middle of
a cornfield at the edge of town. I
realized that playing there was the
most fulfilled I felt every week. I felt
I had a calling to lead worship and
began working on that career path.
Before coming to POP, I served as
the music director at Living Christ
Lutheran Church and taught piano
and guitar at St. Peter Lutheran
Church and School in Arlington
Heights.
MR: What can we expect new
in worship?
AF: My goal is to have half
traditional music and half
contemporary praise music. I
would like to get as many people
involved as possible to make the
worship experience as great as
possible and accessible for the
congregation. I also want to include
actual music in the worship folders.
It enhances the experience, gives
more information for those who
read music, and helps those who
can’t follow the music.
MR: How are you planning to get
the congregation more involved?
AF: By making it more appealing to
sing at church and making it more
accessible for everyone. The choir
will sing more often, and rehearsals
will be on a monthly schedule. I am
a “the more, the merrier” kind of
Worship Arts Director.
MR: What qualities are you
looking for in musicians?
AF: Enthusiasm and passion for
music! You don’t have to read
music to sing in a choir or play in
the praise band. Those who read
music will naturally become leaders
for those who don’t.
MR: Are you planning
to introduce any unique
instruments?
AF: Keyboard! [He laughs.] Not
necessarily a unique instrument,
but you will hear some sounds
you may never have heard before.
I would also like to get interesting
drama off the ground for special
occasions.
MR: Who have been the most
influential people in your life?
AF: My parents. We are a
musical family. My dad plays the
saxophone, and my mom sings.
They were both heavily involved
in church choirs. My dad instilled
the love of jazz in me! They both
encouraged me to follow my
dreams to become a musician.
Alex’s Motto:
“The More the Merrier!”
MR: Who’s your favorite
Christian artist or songwriter?
AF: That’s easy! Keith & Kristyn
Getty. They are contemporary
hymn writers and their music is
simply beautiful! I will be bringing
more of their songs into worship!
MR: Any parting thoughts?
Words of wisdom?
AF: I see a lot of enthusiasm for
music and worship at POP! I am
excited to be here and throw in
my unique ideas to make worship
a positive experience. I find that a
fulfilling calling!
4 PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2018

Connect
IN A GROUP
32
Adult Groups
ADULTS
200+
Adults Connecting
with One Another
39
Group Leaders
7
Apprentice
Leaders
5
Coaches
1
Division
Coach
FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 5

Connect in a Group
1998 2018
13
PEOPLE
200+
2
NUMBER
OF GROUPS
32
Adult
P.E.A.C.E.
Groups
Types of Groups
20-40 People
Missional
Community
Open
3-12 People
PEACE
Group
Open
3-8 People
Huddle
Closed
3-6 People
Coaching
Groups
Closed
In the fall of 1998, two P.E.A.C.E. Groups with 13 people began
meeting. For 20 years, groups regularly gathered to share
life, meals, prayers, God’s Word and to care for one another.
Today, our groups still connect around these same practices
of relational discipleship. Raising up new leaders and starting
new groups has empowered a growing number of caring people
to share Christ’s peace in our busy communities! Looking
ahead, we will pursue an expansion of relational discipleship
by increasing the number and types of groups, where we live
and learn Christ’s peace together. We hope to ignite spiritual
transformation as we intentionally grow to 50 adult groups
by 2021!
6 FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2018 6

Connect
IN A GROUP
STUDENTS
12
Youth
on 2018
Mission Trip
425
Miles
Driven to
Uniontown,
Pennsylvania
11
Confirmed
in 2018
18
Youth registered
for Confirmation
2019
60+
People
involved
in IGNITE
30+
People
involved
in FUEL
28
Volunteers
in Student Ministries
9
IGNITE
Mentors
from FUEL
FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 7

Connect in a Group: Student Ministry
While on the mission trip in Uniontown,
Pennsylvania this summer, the youth
were out to dinner for a night off. They
were relaxing and telling stories about
what they accomplished and the funny
things that happened during the trip. Right after the
table prayer, a woman diner asked if they were part
of the group who was doing the amazing work in the
community.
Pastor Matt said, “Well, we are on a mission trip
participating with the group that’s working in the
community. We are helping with projects like
construction, painting, general cleaning, and much
more. Why do you ask?”
“I own a pizza shop in Uniontown and would love to
thank you for what you are doing by inviting you to eat
at my restaurant for free tomorrow night,” the diner
replied. She wrote down her name and number, gave it
to the group, and asked them to call her on the way to
the restaurant.
When the team arrived, they sat down and ordered
two pizzas for the group. She looked at them and said,
“Thank you for all
you are doing
in Uniontown.
You are a Godsend!”
“That is not enough; you need at least five pizzas and
cheese bread and drinks and dessert if you want.”
Pastor Matt knew he had never eaten so much in his
life…and it was good — so good, especially after
eating cafeteria food all week. It was heavenly! After
expressing their gratitude for all she provided, she
paused, smiled, and said, “No. Thank you for all you
are doing in Uniontown. You are a Godsend!”
(PHOTO)
8 PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2018

Serve
ON A TEAM
129
Serving Teams
—
poppalatine.org/
servingoutreach
12
Mission Partners
—
poppalatine.org/
featured-missions
100
Happiness
Pinwheels
Delivered
142
Volunteers
13
Summer
Projects
9
Local Organizations Served by Here2Serve Projects:
• Phil’s Friends
• Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)
• Women in Need Growing Stronger (WINGS)
• Palatine Township
• JOURNEYS the Road Home
• Palatine Fire Station
• Partners for Our Communities (POC)
• Palatine StreetFest
• Palatine Park District
FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 9

Serve on a Team:
Imagining the Possibilities through Palatine LERT
Lutheran Early Response
Team (LERT), a ministry of
Mission Partner Lutheran
Church Charities, shares
the mercy, compassion,
presence, and proclamation of Jesus
Christ to those who are suffering
and in need. The teams are primarily
called to action when natural disasters
strike. In the past few months, local
teams deployed to Wisconsin and
the Carolinas. When not deployed
to weather disasters, LERT assists
in local projects, such as community
paint-a-thons or helping neighbors
amid personal disasters.
In the past six months, we imagined
the possibilities by partnering with
Immanuel Lutheran Church to form
a combined Palatine LERT. Sharing
people and material resources allows
the joint team to be better equipped
to deploy locally and beyond. Jim
Beckley, our lay leader from POP,
works with Steve MacKay, the lay
leader from Immanuel. We also
hosted a LERT basic training session
in April to equip new, area volunteers.
Serving with the Palatine LERT
provides opportunities to put others
first:
• Physical Opportunities: dragging
branches, mucking out flooded
homes, and using a chain saw
• Care and Prayer Opportunities:
minister to the spiritual and
emotional needs of those impacted
by disaster
• Administrative Opportunities:
keeping the behind-the-scenes
tasks running smoothly
Want to learn more?
Email Jim Beckley:
jimkarenbeckley@gmail.com
Visit:
lutheranchurchcharities.org
10 PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2018

Serve on
a Team:
Putting
Others
First at
Phil’s
Friends
“It was
refreshing
to get
to know
people in
a different
life stage.”
— A volunteer
shared while
serving side-by-side
coloring pictures
Phil’s Friends is a Christian,
nonprofit organization
founded by two-time cancer
survivor Phil Zielke that seeks
to bring support and hope to
those affected by cancer. Volunteers
help provide care packages,
monthly cards, and prayer. They are
headquartered in Roselle, IL with
another site in Indiana. Although Phil’s
Friends isn’t an official POP mission
partner, many people from POP
demonstrate putting others first by
serving Phil’s Friends:
• During a Here2Serve opportunity,
17 people from our POP
community (including three cancer
survivors) colored cards and
assembled care packages.
• Another summer evening, two
POP families volunteered – both
included cancer survivors who
received Phil’s Friends care
packages. Just as they were
supported during their journeys,
they are paying it forward to those
in need.
• Hope Shawl Ministry makes and
donates lap blankets and hats to
include in the care packages.
• A group of POP members and
friends volunteers in Roselle on the
first Monday of each month.
Connections and friendships truly
grow while serving on a team.
There are many ways to put others
first, either through serving teams
organized by Prince of Peace or
by creating your own opportunities
where you live, work, or play.
To help imagine the possibilities,
contact Susan Klemstein,
Director of Outreach & Assimilation,
at susank@poppalatine.org
or visit PhilsFriends.org.
FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 11

STEP UP TO
Serve on a Team: POPKids Needs YOU!
For the 2018-19 ministry year, POPKids is embracing a new serving mindset. Instead of requiring leaders to
serve weekly, the team expanded to include people who want to serve one, two, or three times a month. As
our communities get busier, people struggle to commit to serving every week. Now, instead of a small group
of volunteers doing a lot, a larger group of volunteers shares the responsibilities of shepherding and teaching
our kids on Sunday mornings. It’s been a big win all around! “I get to learn what my daughter is learning when I
volunteer in her class!” says one volunteer, “and I can take off weekends when my spouse is working.”
Come join us! We’re always looking for more members of our energetic team!
Serve based on
your availability
Serve 1-4 times
per month
Serve in a
specific classroom
Serve with a team
of leaders who share
responsibilities
50-70
Average weekly attendance
in 2018-19 POPKids classes
4
New Support Staff to help with
supplies and check-ins
16
Volunteers
New to
POPKids Teams
Want to
Serve on a
POPKids Team?
Email Jeni Walker,
Director of Children’s
& Family Ministry:
jeni@poppalatine.org
12 PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2018

Serve on a Team: VBS
30
Days for registration
to reach capacity
What makes our Vacation Bible School (VBS) unique?
We run two VBS programs in one week: one
“traditional VBS” designed for kids age three through
first grade and an Arts Camp for kids in grades 2-5.
Those in the traditional VBS camp, called Rookies, do
the typical VBS things: crafts, games, Bible study, music, etc. The
Arts campers choose one area of focus for the week: Domestic Arts,
Construction Arts, Performing Arts or Visual Arts. Arts Campers learn
a variety of skills in their area of study, use their gifts to serve the
community in some way, and take time during their learning to see
what God is teaching through his Word.
2
Days for Domestic Arts
and Construction Arts
registration to reach capacity
250 107
Students Volunteers
—
2900
Total Volunteer Hours
40
Pounds of
M&Ms in our
trail mix!
FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 13

Serve on a Team: POPCare
We’ve reorganized our Care Ministries under the name
POPCare. This network of ministry teams provides
spiritual, emotional, and physical support for people hit
with challenging life circumstances. Why the change?
First, we are responding to a growing need for flexibility
and creativity in addressing needs while continuing the long-term
success of our care efforts, like our cards and meal teams. Second,
we want to provide easier access to our diverse options for Christian
caregiving. One call to the church office, a request via our website,
or a discussion with a care leader will get the ball rolling and open a
dialogue to how we can best provide care.
We introduced the POPCare name during the August worship services
when we highlighted the Hope Shawl Ministry. We prayed over
and blessed the shawls draped over the pews. In the past year, this
ministry created more than 316 lap blankets, shawls, and hats. We
distribute these through our care teams and to organizations such as
Phil’s Friends who bring cheer and comfort to cancer patients.
More intricate long-term care situations, such as Circles of Care,
require a different approach. This ministry approach, in its infancy
for POP, organizes a team of caregivers coordinated by a care guide.
The care guide works with the care receiver to determine needs and
then coordinates a team of volunteers to distribute the work to make
caregiving more flexible and fit our volunteers’ busy schedules.
Opportunity and need for visits to the homebound and those at
extended care facilities is increasing. To help meet those needs, we
have plans to enlist, train, and support additional Visitation Team
volunteers. Furthermore, we plan to hold a Stephen Ministry training
class early in 2019 for those with gifts of compassion, shepherding,
and mercy. Stephen Ministry is our approach for giving one-onone
support to individuals experiencing crisis in their lives. Those
situations include losses or distress due to aging, death, divorce,
employment, health, or life changes. We have many members in need
who would be blessed by an expansion of the Stephen Ministry team.
Countless care receivers sent wonderful, heartfelt notes and
cards expressing gratitude to the many POPCare volunteers. We
acknowledge your gratitude and emphasize to all our care givers that
your efforts are a blessing and very much appreciated. Praise God
from whom all blessings flow!
Watch for these upcoming opportunities:
• DivorceCare — 13 weeks starting January 28, 2019
• GriefShare — 14 weeks starting February 2, 2019
• Loss of a Spouse — January 17, 2019
• Mental Health Information Seminar — February 11, 2019
Contact Us About
These POPCare
Ministry Teams
Pastoral Care Support/
Visitation
Nursing Home Worship
Caring Crafts
Support Groups:
• GriefShare
• DivorceCare
• DivorceCare for Kids
Stephen Ministry
Care Teams
• Cards
• Meals
• Cheer
Hope Shawl Ministry
Funeral Lunch
Access Care in 3 Ways
• Call church office 24/7:
847-359-3451
• Submit request online:
pop.church/getcare
(Beginning December 20)
• Complete Prayer
and Care card in our
sanctuary pews
14 PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2018

POPFinancials
Year-To-Date (YTD) through October 31
2018 has been a challenging year on the income
side, but it is on the upswing. Can you step into
the gap and help POP finish strong?
1,500,000
1,200,000
900,000
600,000
300,000
Prince of Peace
YTD Income
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
Crosspoint
Where do your offering dollars go?
Prince of Peace’s annual budget, approved by the
congregation at our December Voters Meeting,
determines our spending plan each year.
Here’s what it looks like for 2018:
Invest With Courage
inside POP
Staff:
$1,103,332
Administration:
$156,700
Building & Grounds:
$203,300
Worship:
$28,750
Programs:
$103,435
Training/Consultant:
$35,000
0
Budget
Actual
0
Budget
Actual
Budget:
$1,327,875
Actual:
$1,190,214
Budget
Actual
Crosspoint:
$124,200
Dei Campaign:
$100,973
Crosspoint:
$101,767
Dei Campaign:
$102,412
The Prince of Peace staff continues to exercise
great stewardship of what God has given Controlling
expenditures helps us minimize the deficit that
would be created by this year’s income gap.
1,500,000
1,200,000
900,000
600,000
300,000
0
Prince of Peace
Budget
YTD Expenses:
Actual
Budget:
$1,480,816
Actual:
$1,406,133
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
Crosspoint
Budget
Actual
Budget:
$225,173
Actual:
$204,179
Crosspoint:
$269,073
LCMS-NID:
$43,000
Lutheran Church Charities:
$5,000
Home Missions:
$10,000
Grace Christian Academy:
$10,000
Mission Grants:
$18,700
Put Others First
Crosspoint and Missions
Palatine Township:
$1,900
Palatine Opportunity Center:
$5,000
Journeys the Road Home:
$3,000
Local School Missions:
$2,000
Serving Projects:
$3,500
Walcamp:
$2,000
Wycliffe (Ladish Family:)
$7,000
Exodus World Service:
$1,000
Together Mission
(Baker Family:) $5,000
Feed My Starving Children:
$1,500
PATH:
$2,500
2018 Budget: $2,024,690
Haiti Missions:
$4,000
FALL 2018 | PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 15

POPEvents
Mark Your Calendars
Nov. 21
Dec. 1
Dec. 2
Dec. 9
Dec. 15
Dec. 24
Dec. 25
Dec. 28
Jan. 12/13
Feb. 3
Mar. 6
Apr. 21
Apr. 27/28
Apr. 28
May 5
Thanksgiving Eve
Worship and
Pie Fellowship
Hanging of the Greens
Fall Voters
Info Meeting
Fall Voters Meeting
Tree of Giving
Gifts Deadline
Adopt-a-Family
Gift Distribution
Christmas Eve
Services: 3pm, 5pm,
7pm, 11pm
Christmas Morning
Service:10am
Feed My Starving
Children event
Explore God
Sermon Series Begins
First Communion
Sunday
Ash Wednesday
Easter Sunday
Confirmation
Spring Voters
Info Meeting
Spring Voters Meeting
About Our New Logo
It’s an aerial view, God’s eye view, of our busy communities
where we’re called to share Christ’s peace. May this image
remind you to live your faith “beyond the building” in your
everyday life. Notice the cross in the negative space.
Blue communicates trustworthiness, green communicates
peacemaking, and orange communicates creativity.
Taken together, they communicate embracing diversity.
discover peace. together.
1190 N. Hicks Road | Palatine, Illinois 60067
poppalatine.org
Look for our new website, pop.church, on December 20!
847-359-3451 office@poppalatine.org
16 PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2018