Prints of Peace - October 18

​IMPORTANT UPDATES – WEEKLY CHANGES
Contents (scroll down for each):
THE SUNDAY - Sunday Online Service 
SPECIAL NOTICE - Returning to the Sanctuary
Care & Concern
Pastor’s Paternal Leave 
Getting to Know You
Fellowship
Faith Formation Now
How to give your offering
Youth
Social Outreach

THIS SUNDAY
Worship
Join us virtually for a Service of the Word Sunday, October 18. Watch your email on Sunday morning for the link to the YouTube video and script to join in worship, or find it online at www.peacelutheranlz.com.  As we worship in-our-own-homes this Sunday, consider how the Pharisees treated Jesus.
   
Adult Ed:  Meets Sunday at 10:00 a.m.  Don’t Know Much about...the Parables! Have you ever wondered what Jesus was REALLY talking about in some of His parables? Come find out and learn more about Jesus’ most popular method of teaching! During virtual coffee hour (10am-11am) on 10/25, all are welcome to join Tracy as we journey into the world of Jesus. We’ll take a look at some of Jesus’ most popular, as well as lesser known, parables to explore the context of Jesus’ teaching as well as how these lessons can be applied to us today. Please let Tracy know if you have any questions. 

SPECIAL NOTICE - Returning to the Sanctuary

In this week’s Confirmation class, our teens learned and discussed the stories of Abraham and Sarah, as well as Isaac and Rebekah. Both lessons speak of God’s promise - that God will be with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah wherever they go. In return, God asks them to TRUST. With their trust, God will show not only Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah - but ALL of us - that we are safe, blessed, loved and united as children of God. Being reminded that we are loved and united by God was so important then and it continues to be now during this pandemic, as we continue to navigate the unknown.
With the weather turning colder, the virtual worship planning team, COVID-19 task force and PPC have been working on a plan to return to in-person worship. Their discussions continue to take existing recommendations, guidelines and best practices into account - while also making sure that our worship service feeds and unites our beloved congregation. Our team is in the process of creating a worship experience that is similar to an ancient form of prayer - the morning prayer service. This service of the Word, which is traditionally seen as a way to listen to and for God, will consist of one hymn, one Scripture reading, a sermon and prayers. The service of the Word is considered to be a form of worship that can be taken “wherever you go” - and such will be the case for the Peace congregation as both in-person and virtual experiences will be offered.
Our teams are looking to begin the in-person and virtual morning prayer service at the beginning of the season of Advent. The season of Advent presents us with the perfect time - not only is it the “beginning” of the church year, but Advent also represents a time of change, a time of rediscovery, a time when the Word became flesh - with the coming of Jesus. Advent is also a time when we will be reminded that we are united in hope - in person, virtually and most of all, as beloved children of God. 
TIME AND TALENT SURVEYS
Members’ team is currently emailing surveys regarding your participation in the life of our church. Please complete by Monday, October 19th. So far there have been 21 responses. Thank you for that! These surveys are being sent out in spite of covid-19 in the hope that by this time next year, covid-19 will be a part of the past and Peace will have returned to full functioning. Team leads will adapt their projects to meet covid-19 precautions. 
GIFT CARD ORDERS
Gift card orders will be placed on Sunday Nov 8 and Dec 6. Outreach will likely need some gift cards around these dates, so look for information on that. If you would like to order for either the food pantry donations or LSSI Christmas donations, this would be a great way to help out both the Outreach group as well as our Youth Group! 
If you have any questions about ordering please feel free to let me know. These are some easy steps for you to follow when placing your order. When you are ready to place your order, send me an email. Please indicate how many of each card you would like.  Please make sure to indicate what denomination of gift card you would like. Some merchants, like Walmart of Target give you many denominations to choose from - you can order a $100 gift card or 4 $25 gift cards - both costing you the same $100, but if you are planning on getting them as 4 different gifts, the one card at $100 is not what you want. When you know how much your order is in total, you can mail your check directly to Peace Lutheran with a note in the MEMO indicating Gift Cards.  ALL CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH. Once the gift cards have arrived, I will send you an email letting you know that the cards are in a cooler on my front porch.  I will put your gift cards into an envelope with your name on them so you know which cards are yours.  If you have cards that you are ordering for any of the Outreach donations, please put a note on your order so I can pull those and can drop them at church so I can get them to the church office in one group - this will save each of you the stop at church.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions that I have not mentioned.  FYI - You can set up your gift cards to come directly out of your bank account (instead of having to write a check and send that in to church).  If you would like to do this, please let me know.  This option allows you to send ecards to others (children away from home) or you to get them on your phone as well.
SIGN MINISTRY
Sign Ministry: The Outreach Team is looking for someone to take over coordinating the outdoor sign ministry for 2021.  This involves coming up with messages for the sign and scheduling the volunteers to change the sign message every two weeks or so.  If you are interested or have questions, please contact Sue Koenig.
CARE & CONCERN
We pray for one another: We pray for those who need healing, safety and God’s watchful care.  This week we pray for Mike Wilms, Sherri Juveland, Lizetta Moore, Kim Wilkinson, Kyle, Randy Bounds, Jan Allen, Margaret Sherman, Rita, and Matthew Vehrs. We also pray for all who are affected by the wildfires out west including Wendy Brown and Tamara Alliston Johnson with her family, and we pray for those affected by the hurricanes in the South. 

We welcome prayer requests.  Let us remember to lift up our needs, concerns, and joys – and those of others – in our prayer!  Make your prayer request by emailing the church office office@peacelutheranlz.com .

We care for one another: If you have any special needs or know someone who does, reach out to the Caring Tree by contacting Judy Tetour.

PASTOR’S PATERNAL LEAVE 
Pastor Daniel will begin paternal leave Friday, September 25 and return Tuesday, October 27. Deacon Tracy Katschke will be on call to respond to emergencies and provide spiritual care. She can be reached on her cell phone (630.202.9834). 

GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Pandemic got you down? Join Pastor Daniel, Amanda, and Ethan for a virtual happy hour starting in November! Prepare your own appetizers and drinks at home. Then enjoy them with 30 minutes of good conversation and toddler antics over Zoom! Check back in November for sign-up information. 
FELLOWSHIP
Our Playground has Reopened: We are following the protocols being used by the LZ Parks and Recreation department, which is basically playing at your own risk. Based on information from the CDC and IPDH, the virus is killed by UV rays from the sun, so there is no need to sanitize the playground.  We ask parents to monitor their kids while they play on the playground. Try to keep social distancing between kids of different families. Kids should be wearing masks if more than one family is on the playground.  At this time we are not reopening the Music Wall or the basketball hoop since it is pretty impossible to social distance while doing both of those activities.

Wine Women and Weeding:  Come on over, and as we chat, weed, have a sip of wine and enjoy each other’s company.  Every Wednesday at 6:00 at the Labyrinth.

Brewing Questions is Back!: It's been a while since we have gathered for Brewing Questions, so let's do so....over Zoom! Everyone is welcome to join in for some great conversation, laughs and, of course, bring your beverage of choice. Our next Brewing Questions meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18th at 6pm! If you are interested, please visit the virtual gathering section on PLC website home page for the Zoom link!

‘Secret Sister’ Update:  We will be moving our Secret Sister Reveal into the fall.  In the meantime, it is always good to pray and we hope you have kept your “Secret Sister” in your daily prayers. We would encourage you to use the old fashioned letter with a stamp to send a warm thought to your secret sister on a monthly basis or if you live close, you can drop them off a goodie in their mailbox. They may have guessed who you were, but if not, the fun will continue!  At this time, if you pop in the church, please do not post any new notes on the bulletin board as it is not actively being monitored. Please reach out to Sherri Juveland and Sandy Hanna with any questions.  Stay safe and enjoy these fall days!

FAITH FORMATION NOW
For Families with Children:
Each Sunday you can access the Children’s Bulletin with activities that enable families to worship together and learn from each week’s Scripture theme. Access these resources at www.peacelutheranlz.com .  
For adults:
The Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study: Women’s Bible Study meets on Wednesday morning in the church at 9:00 am.  We will be reading and discussing the book  “The First Christmas” by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan.  It looks into the theological and political aspects of the birth of Jesus.  Please join us.   If you have any questions you can contact Carol Wojnarowski at 847-540-8150.

Men of Peace! Looking for a way to connect with other guys in the congregation in our social distanced world? Join us at 8:00 am Saturday mornings at church for men’s Bible Study. And sports. And job stuff. And whatever comes up! Looking forward to seeing new faces we haven’t 
seen in a while! 

The Labyrinth is open for your personal time of reflection and prayer.  

If you missed last Sunday’s worship, go to www.peacelutheranlz.com  to access at any time.
  
 HOW TO GIVE YOUR OFFERING
Thank you!  Thank you as you continue your generous contributions to the virtual offering plate we pass.  Congregation members are using these methods:  Mailing their check to church / Using their own bank website “send-payment” feature / Going to www.peacelutheranlz.com and clicking on “make a donation” / or, downloading and using the app we recommend: https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving/church-app
 
 YOUTH
OCTOBER VIRTUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL:  Lessons are scheduled from 9:15-9:45 on October 4 & 18.  Please have lesson materials ready before logging in. Future Sunday school lessons will take place on the first and third Sundays of the month with a meeting link sent on the Saturday prior to the lesson.  Contact Liz (Lhopman@comcast.net) or Natalie (natalie1234@att.net) with any questions.
YOUTH GROUP IS BACK!: The Peace Lutheran Youth Group had an AWESOME kick off on Sunday, September 20th that was filled with games and laughter! We will start meeting biweekly for a social distancing picnic lunch, discussion, service projects and fun! All are welcome to join us for our next youth group, which will be held Sunday, October 18th from 12-1:15pm! 

TRIPLE D (DONUTS, DEVOTIONS & DISCUSSION) IS BACK!: Our youth Bible study, Triple D, had an AWESOME kick-off via Zoom last Sunday! We will meet again on Sunday, October 25th from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Peace parking lot! All are welcome to join us for this time of devotion, which is always accompanied with laughter and a side of silliness! Masks and social distancing is required and at this time, we will NOT have donuts - BUT, you can always have donuts beforehand! 

CONFIRMATION IS BACK IN FULL SWING!: The Peace Lutheran Confirmation Class started for the year, last Wednesday. Confirmation will be conducted virtually on Wednesdays from 7-7:50pm. Our virtual class time together will consist of highs and lows, 1-2 lesson discussions/activities and, of course, a GAME! Tracy will send out the Wednesday Zoom link, as well as the 5-10 minute lesson video, to families on the Tuesday before our Wednesday class. Depending on comfort levels and the pandemic, we will decide as January 2021 gets closer as to whether to continue with only a virtual option. 

FOR ALL PARISHIONERS: 

SOCIAL OUTREACH
Operation Warm:  Operation Warm Donations - We are collecting donations again this year. $20 provides a new coat to a child in need. Donations can be made on-line  at:  https://give.operationwarm.org/campaign/the-lake-zurich-area-coats-for-kids-2020-21/c285374 Credit your donation to our fundraising team by typing in Peace Church Lake Zurich! Operation Warm Volunteers - This year’s coat distribution will occur on 11/14/20 and will be a drive up event. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up here: 
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30e0f4dada822a2fb6-operation
 
Coins for Change: Mark your calendar now for Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10-2pm.  As we have done in the past, we are collecting coins (and dollars) to help with PADS (Homeless Services) in Lake County.  Here is how we are going to do it:  Find all those coins that you have been collecting at home, on top of your dresser, in your car, or purse, etc. and bring them to Peace.  We will have confirmation students (getting in some service hours!) and an adult in the parking lot.  You can just drive up and we will be wearing our masks and will happily collect whatever you can bring.  The money we collect will be converted into gift cards for PADS. If you have any questions, please call Sue Koenig.  If you have coins but can't make that day, please call Sue and she will pick up any donations at your home.
 
PADS: During normal times, PADS would be operating its homeless shelters from October - April. We would be bringing food or donations to Messiah Lutheran Church and doing their laundry to help out.  Currently, PADS is not operating any of their shelters. They are putting people up in hotels and working with them to find long-term housing solutions. Our Coins for Change program will continue to support this much needed organization.
 
Next Mobile Food Pantry: Mark your calendars for the next mobile food pantry that will be held at the Chapel in Lake Zurich on Nov. 7 from 10-11:30am.  If you need food or know someone who does, please plan to attend.
Culver’s update: Thank you to all who participated in the Culver’s fundraiser on October 5. It is very generous of them to support groups like ours in this uncertain economic time. They will be sending us a check for $48 that will go towards mission trips. Thank you Culver’s of Lake Zurich!
Mission Projects Day: Currently Mission Projects Day is scheduled for February 6, 2021.  We recognize that we will likely still be operating under significant restrictions but we really feel called to continue this awesome opportunity for all people of Peace to engage in fellowship and in service to others.  In light of that, we have decided that we will start some of the projects prior to February and will get started on them now. The first to roll out is making bandages for Global Health Ministries.  You will get a rolling jig, plenty of strips, and tape.  All you have to do is roll! It is an easy project to do while talking to others or watching a movie or football game.  It is great for students looking for service hours.  We will also be making pillows for hospice, paracord bracelets for Operation Gratitude for service members and cards for kids in the hospital. .If you can help with anything, please call or email Sue Koenig and she will get you the supplies you need.