Dear friends of Peace,
News Edition For Sunday of August 30, 2026
Lessons this week: Jeremiah 15:15–21, Romans 8:18–25, Matthew 16:21–26
Songs this week: “Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near”,“Glory to God in the Highest”, “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken”, “Beneath the Cross”
Service Sunday 11:30 am
Unexpected Truths
The opening lines of the United States Declaration of Independence boldly assert that certain truths are “self-evident”—truths accessible to human reason and widely recognized by observation of the world. Among these are that all people are created equal and possess unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The founders appealed to principles they believed reasonable people could recognize simply by reflecting on human nature and justice. These truths were meant to be obvious, clear to the mind, and persuasive in the public square.
Lutherans, however, note that the most important truths revealed in the Bible are not self-evident at all. In fact, they frequently appear surprising or even contrary to human expectations. Scripture teaches that humanity is not naturally good but deeply sinful. It declares that salvation cannot be achieved through human effort but comes entirely by God’s grace. Most unexpected of all is the message that God brings forgiveness and eternal life through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.Biblical truth is revealed by God rather than discovered by reason alone. While some truths may seem obvious to human judgment, the truths of the Bible are often unexpected.
Cross Comes Before Crown
Some churches teach that if a person follows God, God responds by granting prosperity and peace, as would only be expected. Today we see how that is nonsense. The Bible explains that if we are part of the Church of God, we will have bear crosses. Believers suffer in this world, sometimes just because they are believers.
Why bother? We carry our crosses in gratitude for Jesus carrying his cross, one too heavy for us because it was weighted down with our sin. We carry our crosses because we know that in those moments of struggle, we are forced to turn to Christ and rely on his strength. This is the unexpected path, the one Jesus himself walked: the cross comes before the crown.
*Service Times Survey Results:*
The results from the service time survey are in.
The new Sunday Service will be 11:00 am starting September 13th, 2026.
New Welcome Table: Thank you Jim Winkel for building the new beautiful welcome table.
Fall Kick Off:
On September 13th, we will have cake and ice cream after service, pick up a printed backpack with a student's name on it; take it home, hang it on your door, your refrigerator or somewhere you will remember to pray for that student going back to school and throughout the school year as we encourage them grow in the word of God.
75 Years of Peace Celebration: Sept 27th
Will be held September 27th after service pot luck style with cake and ice cream. Working on getting some pictures from the past if anyone has pictures or stories you would like to share please let me know.
The choir will be singing during the anniversary service, anyone is welcome to join choir, practices will be Sept 13th & 20th at 9:45 am-10:45 am.
To help commemorate 75 years of community and faith let’s try to donate 75 items by September 27th, to Christian Neighbor the need for the month of September is Meal Kits like Hamburger Helper, Toca kits.
Volunteers sign ups:
There is now a sign up sheet for mowing and string trimming, we do need a few volunteers for September 20th and 27th. Thank you
A look ahead:
September:
Sept 6th 11:30 am Sunday Service
Sept 10th 12:00 pm Senior Pot Luck (Lunch & Bingo)
Sept 13th 9:45 am -10:45 amChoir practice
Sept 13th 11:00 am*Sunday Service & Fall Kick Off Note service time change
Sept 20th 9:45 am-10:45amChoir practice
Sept 20th 11:00 am* Sunday Service Note service time change
Sept 18th 11:00 am Ladies Guild
Sept 18th 6:30 pm Bunco
Sept 27th 11:00 am *Sunday Service Note service time change
Sept 27th 12:15 pm 75 Years of Peace Celebration Pot Luck bring a dish to pass
May God be at work among the people of Peace and our gospel ministry as we listen to him and follow him! Assistant Administrator at Peace Lutheran Church, Shelly Wedge
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Want to visit with pastor? Schedule a visit/meeting reach out to our interim Pastor David Rau (ST.James Portage) at pastor@stjamesportage.org or 262-325-9355
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Would you like to donate to Peace? Please use the link for online giving
Peace Lutheran Church 805 S Wilmott St Otsego, MI 49078
269-694-6104 https://peaceotsego.org