News for God’s people at Peace With Christ Lutheran Church

January 2010

Pastor Patrick’s Pen ……………………………………………… Page 3

Reena’s Writing…………………………………………………... Page 5
LWML……………………………………………………………. Page 7
Joy Circle……………………...…………………………………. Page 7
TAG…………..…………………………………………………… Page 8
College/Young Adults Group…………………………………….. Page 8
Altar Guild……………………………………………………….. Page 8
Youth News……………………………..………..……………….. Page 10
Marilyn’s Memo………...………………………………………... Page 11
Sunday Bible Class……………………………………………….. Page 12
Missions & Ministry………………………………………………. Page 12
Financial Update ………………………………………………….. Page 14
Anniversaries …………………… ……………………………….. Page 14
Birthdays. .…………………………..…………………………….. Page 15
 FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR

Members are invited to sign up to place flowers on our altar

for special occasions: in memory or honor of a loved one or
a special event. Please sign up on the flower chart located
in the Sunshine Hall and see posted guidelines for flowers.

PEACE WITH CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

1412 West Swallow Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone: (970) 226-4721
Fax: (970) 204-1570
Email:pwchrist@pwchrist-fc.org
On the web:www.pwchrist-fc.org
Prayer Chain: 229-1459
Pastor: Ralph Patrick
Parish Worker: Reena Linke
Ministers: Members
Editor: Marcy Petago
Youth Coordinator: Marilyn Lasich
Prayer Chain Coordinator: Cheryl Harsen

Radio Broadcast: KCOL (600 AM), at 9:00 AM Sundays

Church Elders:
Wes Nierman, Head Elder.. ……………………………………..………….….226-5936
Chad Hamilton, Worship Elder.……………………………….….…………....226-8162
Dan Krueckeberg, Staff Elder…………………………………….….…….… ..482-9545
Art Pforr, Elder……………………………………………………………… . .223-8533
Dan Prevedel, Elder...…………………………………………………………..204-4008
Mike Allison, Elder...………………………...…………….….…….…………223-5284

Church Council:
President, Larry Siegfried
Vice President, Brian Lacey
Secretary, Ernestine Munsey
Treasurer, Lisa Bernhardt
Education Chairman, Eric Petago
Education Co-Chair, Jane Pennington
Evangelism Chairman, Rhonda Kaiser
Fellowship Chairman, Martha Pforr
Youth Ministry Chairman, Amy Hoy
Missions & Ministry Co-Chairman, Cleve & Nancy Moore
Head Trustee, Bill Roth
Hands in Harmony Chairman, Betty Keeney

Next month’s articles are due Sunday, January 17!

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Pastor Patrick’s Pen

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord
has anointed me to bring good news to the poor . . . to pro-
claim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Is. 61:1,3

Dear Children of God,

2010 marks the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese Calendar. (That
should come as good news to the golfer with the same name, con-
sidering how 2009 ended for him). In case you’re wondering,
2009 was the year of the Ox. We don’t have such fun animal
names associated with our English calendar. But I was wonder-
ing, what WOULD be a good designation for this New Year?
What name could we give it from a Christian perspective? The
prophet Isaiah gives us a wonderful suggestion: THE YEAR OF
THE LORD’S FAVOR.

In Hebrew this word “favor” indicates the pleasure that

God takes in His people. It marks the cessation of hostility and
wrath. It means that He is pleased with sacrifices and no longer
desires to watch His people suffer. Often-times it is associated
with the act of His people coming into His presence, such as in
Isaiah 56:6-8, where it carries with it the concept of future fulfill-
ment. To hear the prophet Isaiah speak this to them would’ve
indeed been good news to God’s people of old. But it is also good
news to us.

For we have not only heard this message, we have seen its
fulfillment. In Luke 4:16ff Jesus preached in the synagogue in
Nazareth. He uses this lesson from Isaiah as His sermon text.

Continued on page 4

3
 Continued from page 3

After He reads it He sits down (the preferred posture for

preaching), and speaks some surprising words: Today this
scripture if fulfilled in your hearing. Jesus is proclaiming the
magnificent message that He is the Messiah! That indeed God
has come to free His people from sin, to bind up the wounds
that sin causes, and to assure His creation that the penalty for
sin has been, is and will be paid in Christ Jesus! The year of
the Lord’s favor has begun and will never end! We are living
in that year, and thus we are living under His favor!

What specifically will that favor look like? It will be

the favor of being freely forgiven for our sins; the favor of liv-
ing in His grace; the favor of approaching The Father with
confidence through His Son; the favor of reconciliation with
God and others. These are the BIG favors—but there are
many more that we may not recognize. The favor of fellowship
in the body of Christ; the favor of love for one another; the fa-
vor of comfort and consolation when we are sorrowful; the fa-
vor of daily peace and serenity; the favor of enduring joy no
matter how difficult life might seem.

Dear friends, I don’t know about you, but I am deter-

mined to make 2010 the Year of the Lord’s Favor, and I am
delighted at the prospects of living in that favor. It is so much
more appealing, rewarding, and lasting than the Year of the
Tiger!

Peace,

Pastor Patrick

4
 Reena’s Writings
This month I thought I’d touch on a little back-
ground for the use of vestments. When performing
liturgical duties, those serving, whether pastor, aco-
lyte, organist, etc., historically have worn vestments
for two reasons. First, it marks them as those perform-
ing a liturgical function, and second, it connects them
with the universal church, providing continuity. In the
Old Testament, the priests were commanded to wear
certain garments (see Exodus 28). While we are not
under the Law and forced to wear vestments, Chris-
tians have retained the use of vestments, distinguish-
ing their everyday dress from their liturgical dress.
Many different types of liturgical dress have devel-
oped over time with the East and West following dif-
ferent traditions, though similarities exist. During the
Reformation, a great deal of controversy arose over the
use of vestments, as part of the distancing from Rome
and not wanting to set clergy apart from laity; how-
ever, in the 19th and 20th centuries, most churches have
come to a renewed interest in the use of vestments.

With regard to what you might see on a Sun-

day, Pastor and the acolyte often wear an alb, or the
white long robe with long sleeves, which symbolizes
the baptismal garment. The alb is a Eucharistic vest-
ment, meaning it is worn when the Lord’s Supper is
celebrated, often with a stole, a symbol of ordination
and the yoke of Christ, which reflects the color of the
church year. You might also see a long black robe
worn during non-Communion services, such as mid-
week Lenten services. These are called cassocks and

Continued on pate 6

5
 Continued from page 5

are considered the “everyday attire” of clergy, particu-

larly seen in Roman, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox
churches. In the past, this was quite common, but to-
day, many clergy wear a cleric instead on a daily basis.
Even still, some Lutheran pastors wear the cassock, the
black representing sin and death, during occasional
services. Normally, a white surplice will be worn
over, a symbol of the righteousness of Christ. Gener-
ally, if the pastor wears an alb, the assistants, readers,
etc., will wear an alb and the same with a cassock and
surplice.

While some may find vestments too high

church or unnecessary, they are useful and purposeful
in reminding the pastor of his duty to Christ and the
church and in reminding the congregation of the pas-
tor’s call. As John Pless describes in Lutheran Worship:
History and Practice, “First vestments are used as en-
signs of the office of the Holy Ministry. These liturgi-
cal garments cover the man, reminding the congrega-
tion that their pastor speaks to them not simply as a
fellow Christian, but as ‘a called and ordained servant
of the Word.’ Secondly, vestments are a visual re-
minder of the continuity of the church’s worship
throughout history… The use of the historic vestments
signals our linkage with the church [universal] in con-
fession and life. Thus in the Evangelical Lutheran
Church vestments are not merely aesthetic decora-
tions, but are symbols of the historic continuity of our
church with prophets, apostles, martyrs, and confes-
sors of all times and places.”

6
 LUTHERAN
WOMEN
IN MISSION

♦ LWML’s first program of the NEW YEAR, a bible study en-

titled “Uplifted by the Lord,” will be held Monday, January
11 at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. Angela Myers will have de-
votions. Hostesses will be Norma Thaemert and Eunice Nier-
man. What a great way to begin the new year…with your
friends in Christ!
♦ $185 in Dime stocking money was collected at the December
13th Christmas Party to benefit Crossroads Safehouse. Thank
you for your contributions!
♦ LWML’s 2010 Executive Board Members are Bev Russman
as President, Connie Jesser as Vice President, Jodi Allison as
Secretary and Cheryl Harsen as Treasurer. Christian Life Co
-Chairs are Angela Myers and Millie Miller. THANK YOU
to all 2009 Officers and Committee Chairs for your devoted
service to LWML. We look forward to another wonderful
year!
♦ Our next executive board meeting will be Monday, January
4th beginning at 6pm in the home of Bev Russman. All 2009
AND 2010 board members are encouraged to attend.

Joy Circle
JOY CIRCLE will meet Thursday, January 7, at 1pm
in the Fellowship Classroom. We will have a Bible
study and Hazel Maiorka will have devotions. Host-
esses are Shirley Farrier and Marcie Walter. All ladies
are invited to join us!

7
 TAG
continued
Tuesday Afternoon Group - January 2010from page
All older adults are welcome to attend the various activities and Bible
studies of this Older Adult Ministry Group. Our Bible study and
meal are on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Some months there will
be an additional activity. Come and enjoy the fellowship.

Tuesday, January 5th at Noon - This month the meal will be a

potluck with everyone bringing a favorite dish. The Bible study will
follow at 1:00pm led by Pastor Caspersen.
Tuesday, January 19th at 1:00pm - For a fun and relaxing afternoon
let’s play Yahtzee. It’s easy and everyone can play. Bring cookies or
snacks to share.

The 9th Annual Wyoming District Tell the Good News About
Jesus Convocation entitle “Evangelism: Yesterday, Today, &
Tomorrow” will be held January 29-30 at the Best Western-
Ramkota Hotel in Casper, WY. This two-day convocation in-
cludes sessions on Early Church Evangelism; Evangelism, Mis-
sions, and Mercy; Law and Gospel - Essential to True Evangel-
ism; and What Does Lutheran Evangelism Look Like Today?,
led by Rev. Lincoln Winter, Rev. Dr. Carl Fickensher, Rev. Prof.
John Pless, and Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller. Cost is $15/adult and
students are free, plus additional cost for an optional banquet and
buffet. If you reserve rooms by January 7, they only cost $68. If
a group of people are interested in attending, we could carpool.
Please see the bulletin board in the Narthex for registration
sheets or contact Reena for more information.

College and Young Adult Group

Mark your calendars - Friday, January 22 we will enjoy an
evening of ice skating with the Boulder group. More details to
come!
Altar Guild
Saturday, January 9th at 10:00am - Please plan to attend if
you are interested in helping or if you are a returning member.
Contact Marilyn Lasich if you have any questions.

8
 Jesus Wept.
John 11:35
The shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept.”, shows us that
grief is a part of living on earth. We have all suffered a loss in
our lives. From the loss of a small earthly item to the largest loss
of a loved one, loss is inevitable. However, as we go through
our deepest emotions, Jesus is with us. “So with you: now is your
time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one
will take away your joy”. (John 16:22 NIV)

God’s blessing is to have fellow Christians who care for each

other enough to walk the path of grief together. Peace With
Christ’s new congregational Grief Support Series and Grief Part-
ners group is a new series of three (3) sessions to help members
and non-members of Peace With Christ through your time of
grief. We will explore how faith is an essential part of our heal-
ing. The sessions will be held monthly starting in January 2010.
Each quarter we will start the series anew.
Session I - Jesus Wept
Help for the newly bereaved and all others who are experiencing
a major loss & those who just want to learn more about what
grief is, and understanding the symptoms.
Session II - The Father of Compassion
For those who are past the first shock of grief, and are now seek-
ing relief as the world continues to revolve.
Session III - In God’s Hands
Session III addresses how we face the future as we try to rebuild
our lives.

The Grief Support Group is composed of PWC volunteers

who are empathetic to families or individuals who have had a
loss and are available to support members as they grieve. There
is a volunteer training session, and we encourage members to
become a part of this compassionate endeavor. Anyone with
questions or wishing to participate can call Gail Neben, Grief Se-
ries Coordinator, 970-222-4715, or gneben13@yahoo.com. The
first training will be Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 6:30pm and
every third Tuesday there after at PWC.
9
 YOUTH NEWS

Ice Skating: The Confirmation Age Youth will be going Ice Skat-
ing in Old Town on Saturday, January 9th. Cost is $5, plan to meet
at PWC at noon and we will head to old town. Please eat before ar-
riving. Sign-up!

Youth/Parent Meeting: An important meeting for all youth and

parents will be January 13 at 7pm immediately following FED
classes. This should be a short informational meeting on upcoming
Youth events in 2010. Please plan to attend!

All Youth have an opportunity to attend an Evangelism Confer-

ence with other members of the Congregation. The Conference will
be in Casper, WY, January 29/30. The Youth would leave after
school, attend the conference on Saturday and return Saturday eve-
ning. Cost of conference? Free for Youth! Estimated cost for trans-
portation, food and lodging is $55 - $75 per person. Cost depends
on how many will be sharing a hotel room (2-4 people). Registra-
tion forms are available in the Narthex.

Alpha Center of Fort Collins will be joining us on three eve-

nings during FED night beginning January 20. The first evening
will be an information night for parents of our youth especially those
in Confirmation through High School. On January 27 and February
3, a presentation on “Living a Sexually Pure Life” will be given to
the Confirmation Age group and the High School groups respec-
tively. A sign-up will be posted for all three evenings - Please sign-
up!

10
 MARILYN’S MEMO

Dear Family in Christ,

As I write this article, I cannot help reflecting back
on my article for last January. I remember writing about
the anticipation of not knowing what the new year of 2009
would be like…..it was not all that I was looking forward to
and yet in ways it was also more.
We never know what the future will hold here on
earth. There are sorrows such as the deaths of dear friends
and family members, illnesses, losses and troubles we and
those around us face each day. And there are great joys
too! The birth of babies, new marriages, growing in the
faith, graduations and the beauty surrounding us are some
of these joys.
This year, I look toward a year filled with joy and
sorrow, birth and deaths, challenges and restful times.
Though we don’t know what 2010 will bring to us, we have
the blessed assurance of salvation given to us by Christ
Jesus. His birth, life, crucifixion and death have given us a
precious gift of forgiveness and eternal life – this we do
know will be with us in 2010. Rejoice in this knowledge
each and every new day.
In peace, Marilyn
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you to all those who supported the Youth by

purchasing Gift Cards (Scrip) during 2009! We
appreciate the support. We ask for your continued
support throughout 2010. Sunflower Market cards are
coming soon!
11
 New Sunday Bible Class
Sunday, January 10 marks the start of a new
Sunday Bible Study. Pastor Hein will be
teaching Lutheran Doctrine. This is an ideal
class for refreshing what you once learned about the
Lutheran Faith. It is also intended for those who may
not be members of Peace With Christ, but desire to
join. Invite your friends or others who may be
interested. The class will meet at 9:30 in the north
alcove of the Sanctuary.

Food & Clothing Drive Update--PWC continues to help

St. John’s Lutheran Church by collecting needed items
for their food & clothing bank. The needy in our com-
munity are most thankful to you for your donations.

Again this year we will collect items listed in the Green-

sheet only every other month, February, April, June,
August, October, and December on the first two Sun-
days of that month in the Sunshine hallway. Please
bring your items at these times only so we can keep
the Sunshine Hall uncluttered. You are welcome at any
time to bring items yourself to St. John’s on East Eliza-
beth when someone is there.

If you have any questions or would like to help, please

contact Nancy Moore, 224-1312.

Name buttons are being

made for those who joined
PWC in the last 18 months.
If you lost your badge, have
a name change or feel
you’ve been missed, please
let Marcy know in the
church office. Thank you.

12
 Thank You
Peace With Christ is such a wonderfully loving and generous
congregation! “I thank my God always in prayer in every
remembrance of you.” You have again shown your love to me
and my family this Christmas season with your liberal giving of
gifts, kind words of care, concern and comfort, and generous
gestures of Christian love. In the five years I have served as
your pastor I have come to love you in a way that I have
never loved a congregation. I have seen a different side of
the church and this congregation. It is the side that reaches
out in love to those who are hurting and struggling and facing
hardship. We have come to share a bond that has been
forged by challenges and difficulties. As a result we have
forged an even closer connection as the family of God in
Christ Jesus. I look forward to humbly and faithfully serving
you, and serving God and others with you, throughout this New
Year. Pastor Patrick
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

God hath not promised But God hath promised

Skies always blue Strength for the day
Flower - strewn pathways Rest for the labor
All our lives through Light for the way

God hath not promised Grace for the trials

Sun without rain Help from above
Joy without sorrow Unfailing sympathy
Peace with pain Undying Love.

- Annie Johnson Flint

13
 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO .…

Terry & Emily Fox January 11, 2003

Troy & Joy Bauder January 30, 1988

We apologize if we missed your anniversary. Please notify

the church office to update.

Financial Update
As of September 2009

2009 budget: $359,000.00

Year-to-date total PWC income: $310,445.32

Year-to-date total PWC expenses: $309,588.99

Net Income: $856.33

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HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAY TO…….
Pam Kropp 2nd
Brooke Prevedel 2nd
Jenny Pforr 3rd
Adele Ahnstedt 4th
Nadine Lueker 5th
Mike Sharp 5th
Austin Hein 6th
Heather Dixon 8th
Drew Hoffner 8th
Chelsie Maiorka 8th
Kayleen Patrick 11th
John Pennington 11th
Linda Siegfried 13th
Joyce Benningsdorf 14th
Rhonda Kaiser 14th
Brian Lacey 14th
Michael Saboy 14th
Renee Hein 15th
Mike Muth 15th
Logan French 16th
Adam Musgrave 16th
Zachary Prevedel 16th
David Caspersen 17th
Tom Lasich 17th
Linda Drovdal 19th
Jon Juchartz 19th
Louise Tuchenhagen 19th
Chris Holthouser 21st
Betty Walters 21st
Eunice Nierman 22nd
Daniel Cerman 23rd
Gladys Hulsebus 24th
Zach Diem 25th
Sandy Fiscus 25th
Michael Cheuvront 27th
Barb Spanjer 28th
Pete White 30th
Cheyenne Dixon 31st
Erin Fischer 31st
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Fort Collins, Colorado
80521
PEACE WITH CHRIST LUTHERAN
CHURCH
1412 West Swallow Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526

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