Words from the Pastor
Dear friends,
It is always important to remember how God views us!
Our son, Miles, is at the stage in which he is starting to process right and wrong. He really thinks about his actions and looks to us to see if what he does/or doesn’t do meets our approval. A few weeks back I was weeding the backyard and decided to let Miles wander the yard. His exploring led him right to a few blooming tulips. He quickly picked off not one, not two, not three, not four…… but five of the flowers from their stem. It was at this point that Miles paused to consider what he had done. Was it right or was it wrong? His next action was the most critical in the whole matter. Miles turned to look to me to see how I would respond to picked tulip flowers.
You see, what mattered in the whole incident was how I viewed the situation.
I think a similar situation actually happens in our relationship with God. Daily we sin. There are the thoughts that we think that really put ourselves selfishly in a position above others. There are words that we say that are hurtful to others and damage them. There are deeds that we commit that cause pain and set people back. What is critical in all of this sin is not so much cutting the sin out (although that is important!). What is critical is pausing to consider how God views us and what we have done—like how Miles paused to look at me.
How does God view our sin of thought, word and deed? Is God a God that pounces on people in order to punish and correct? Or….is God a God of love that seeks to restore, care and love even when people sin?
The Scriptures display a God of love who lovingly gazes at sinful people when they fall. Consider what Jesus says on the cross (Luke 23:24), “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Jesus was asking the Father to look with love on those who were in the very process of crucifying him. And undoubtedly, this is what the Father did.
You don’t need to live in guilt and shame. You are dearly loved by the Father! If the Father can forgive those who crucified His Son, He can certainly forgive and love you.
This also means that God loves the person you are in conflict. That person isn’t just an arrogant person……or one of “those people”…………..or just another democrat……….or just another republican. We place people into categories to simplify things. Once someone a person fits our categories, we can then ignore them. God doesn’t place people into categories, however. He simply loves the sinner that turns to Him.
It is becoming clear to me that we all need to set aside our own views of people and consider God’s view. Once we consider God’s view, our view begins to change. All of a sudden Ninevites become worthy of God’s love. All of a sudden Samaritans have a place in God’s kingdom. All of a sudden the lost are found.
God is at work! God is fine tuning the family of Peace to be His special people in our fantastic Philomath community.
In His Joy,
Pastor Lucke
A New Directory!
There is a new church directory in the works. If you have an update, addition, correction, or a new picture to add just contact Jim and Ellen Holroyd at [email protected] or you can call them on their home phone. It will be exciting to have an all new directory including our new friends and members!
Pieces by Peace
WE’RE BACK!! PIECES by PEACE will be meeting the second Monday of each month AT 10:00 A.M. (IN THE CHURCH) Please remember to bring your mask, craft ideas and join us to create something new and interesting for the Bazaar. NO EXPERIENCE NECASSARY. If you have any questions contact Jani Burton.
A Message from Callie
Over the last 4 years that I have been the secretary at Peace, I have seen many people come into the office, I have seen many events play out, I got to be a part of such an awesome team. I wanted to let you know that after a week of prayerful consideration, speaking with Pastor and weighing the pros and cons, I have decided to accept a job at Santiam Christian Schools.
Accepting this new position means that I will be leaving my job as Secretary of Peace Lutheran Church, but I will not be leaving as a member, congregant, or friend. I plan on attending worship as always and being involved as a volunteer! Accepting this position also means more time for my family and easier transition times between school and home. I won’t need to worry about who will watch over my kids when there is a break from school, and there is no need for extra daycare expenses. Working for Santiam Christian Schools is an answer to a prayer that has been on my mind for awhile: “Lord, how can I be a better parent? How can I meet the needs of both family and employer?” This, I believe, is the answer God is calling me to.
Peace Lutheran Church has been such a blessing to work for. I feel as though I have been looked after and cared for through all the changes over the past several years (not just this last year). I appreciate everyone’s patience with me as I tried to be the best mother I could be while allowing me to serve the church in the best way I knew how. I am grateful for the feedback, the assistance I have been offered and the love and prayers of so many people. This truly is a wonderful church family.
The plan moving forward: “Normal” office hours will begin on Tuesday, June 15th, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. That will mark the beginning of 9-2 Tuesday through Friday office hours. I will be here to get that going. Then, I have a big vacation beginning the last week of July going through the first week of August. My plan is to wrap up my time here at Peace beginning with my vacation in July. I am open to continue to assist with bulletins and projection, if needed, but I will not be available to be in the office at church.
I know this may come as a shock to many of you and I apologize for that. I pray that if you have any question or concerns that you speak directly to me, my phone number is in the directory or you can stop by and say hello. I don’t mind chatting with you about my decision. I may be leaving as Peace’s Secretary, but my mind and body is very much “at Peace.”
Sunday Schedule for June 2021
June is an exciting month! While we start opening little by little we are looking for a few more volunteers to help out with things! Let the office know if you would like to do some light volunteering!
A Great Podcast!!
Christopher Schulze has introduced Pastor Lucke to an awesome Podcast all about Martin Luther. You can take a listen at: http://www.martinlutherpodcast.com
Here’s Your Sign
Happy 90th Birthday to Joyce Hall
From the Uncluttered Mind of a Child
Submitted by Oscar Gutbrod
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s work.
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, ‘I’m drawing God.’
The teacher paused and said, ‘But no one knows what God looks like.’
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, ‘They will in a minute.’
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six-year-olds.
After explaining the commandment to ‘honor’ thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, ‘Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?’
From the back, one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, ‘Thou shall not kill.’
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, ‘Why are some of your hairs white, Mum?’
Her mother replied, ‘Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.’
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, ‘Mummy, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?’
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. ‘Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, ‘There’s Jennifer, she’s a lawyer,’ or ‘That’s Michael, He’s a doctor.’
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, ‘And there’s the teacher, she’s dead.’
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note and posted on the apple tray: ‘Take only ONE. God is watching.’
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, ‘Take all you want. God is watching the apples…’