The good news of the risen Christ is bigger than one single day. The Easter gospel will continue to march across centuries and continents. There will always be forces trying to slow the march. There will be visible opposition, there will also be inward doubts and fears. Jesus’ Easter victory enables us to testify to our faith in the risen and living Lord. May we all testify and witness to our faith throughout our life. This week we are renewed in our commitment to following Christ as we witness six youth publicly profess the Christian faith.
We gather at Phi Delta Kappa Hall, next to Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant along State Road 54, at 10 AM this Sunday as we celebrate the victory and joy that Jesus’ victory brings.
News & announcements
TASTE OF TRINITY Saturday, May 14 | 11:00 AM to 2 PM
Come out to Taste of Trinity and be a part of our Peace booth. Help us spread the word about Peace Lutheran Church. Taste of Trinity will be held at Seven Springs Middle School. Businesses from around the area set up a booth and each booth offers tasty treats (Taste of Trinity). If you would like to help prepare baked goods, or help coordinate, please speak Pastor Schwartz. Proceeds from the event go to Seven Springs Middle School.
Fruits of Faith
Worship Attendance 4/10: 79
Worship Attendance 4/17: 129
Cumulative gifts given in April 2022: $12,333
Budgetary funds needed for April 2022: $14,897
Cumulative gifts given in March 2022: $11,339
Budgetary funds needed for March 2022: $14,897
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Gifts Needed to Furnish Peace for the Future $63,000
Total cong. Commitment to date: $26,260
Total gifts and pledges received to date: $40,166
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE CONTINUES
From “Together” – a biweekly newsletter from the WELS
Members of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC), WELS’ sister church body in Ukraine, along with all the people of Ukraine, have been under attack for nearly two months. Many people have fled their homes seeking safety. ULC members have remained unharmed, though they too are facing the hardships of this war. Despite the danger and hardships, the ULC is finding ways to help its fellow countrymen.
WELS members have demonstrated generous hearts to help fellow Christians in Ukraine. WELS World Missions has been able to send funds so that the ULC can buy food and other supplies not only for its members but also to help the many people fleeing their homes. In addition, WELS Christian Aid and Relief has made three donations to Direct Relief, with another gift planned this week. Direct Relief is an organization equipped to provide immediate medical supplies to places experiencing crises; CAR has worked with this organization in the past.
“ULC members are using the funds in their communities mainly to buy supplies (medical, food, clothing, blankets, etc.). They can get supplies from certain areas and bring them into other areas,” says Rev. Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. “They’re providing these supplies not just to our Lutheran brothers and sisters, but to anybody who has need. While they’re doing it, they’re having all kinds of opportunities to talk to people about their Savior. They said it’s really been quite a thing to see how people have been open to that right now.”
There have been questions and interest in helping Ukrainian refugees who come to the United States. CAR has created a WELS Ukraine Refugee Volunteer Assistance form for WELS members who may be interested in hosting a Ukrainian refugee.
Sims says the form is being made available to be ready if there is opportunity to host refugees. Sims iterates, however, that CAR is not a refugee placement organization but can help volunteers connect to the proper authorities to work through the complicated process.
While the hearts of WELS members are ready and eager to help, Sims gives three reasons why these opportunities are likely to be very limited. “One is that the U.S. is only accepting 100,000 refugees, which is a tiny amount. Two, most Ukrainians who have become refugees and fled to other countries don’t want to get too far away, because they’re hoping they will be able to return soon to their homes. The third thing is that Ukrainians who want to come to the U.S. as refugees likely already have contacts or family members in the U.S.,” he says. But, he says, CAR wants WELS to be ready if the opportunity arises.
“We’ve been blown away by the gifts God’s people have sent; they’ve been so generous” says Sims, “We anticipate the need for assistance is going to be high for years to come.”