Death sucks – and God gets that!
God understands that death lies at the root of our pain as humans. Today is All Saints Sunday. We remember both the saintly believers of our faith heritage and also our own beloved people who have left us. We gather for ONE WORSHIP service at 10 a.m. today, so we can remember all together. (On the first Sunday of each month, we have a single worship at 10 a.m.; on other Sundays, we gather at 8:30 for casual worship and 11 a.m. for traditional worship.)
The Lord God will swallow up death forever. – Isaiah 25:7
Today’s readings underscore the sorrow death causes us. It steals our loved ones and it ends our own time here too soon. It’s “the shroud that is cast over all peoples,” the prophet Isaiah writes. It causes “tears” and “mourning and crying and pain,” the apostle John adds. Yeah, we know. Death sucks.
Jesus himself felt that deep, overwhelming pain when his friend, Lazarus, died. The Good News is, God gets it.
At PEACE Lutheran Church, we find comfort in this loving, embracing, healing and uplifting God who feels our pain. The prophets teach us to be patient. Strong. Faithful. Wait. Because the promises are true! We invite you to remember your dead and remember to “wait for the Lord” with us, at 10 a.m. worship today!
Bountiful, blessing-ful God, remind me constantly that you are in charge of my life and my death. Please give me the patience and the courage of faith to wait faithfully for you! Amen.
Today at Peace
Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44. Read them here.
Preaching today: The Rev. Bill Wong. We are so happy to receive Pastor Wong as our interim pastor while we transition to a new, settled pastor.
Coffee Fellowship: After each worship service, please head down the hall to our Fellowship Center for coffee and baked goods.
Need pastoral care? Please call the office at (530) 273-9631. We’re in Monday through Thursday, 8:30am-3:30pm; closed for lunch 12-1pm.
Sunday School
We meet from 9:45-10:45am Sunday. Gather first in our new Game Room. At 10am, we pick up a cookie and head to our new Youth-Family Lounge.
Great Big Grapes: Today, we journey with the Children of Israel, who are getting ready to cross over into the Promised Land. But they have a challenge ahead, and it has to do with grapes. What are the lessons we learn from wandering in the wilderness?
Youth @ PEACE is our all-ages Bible study, where young disciples learn the core stories of our faith and what it means to walk the Jesus Path. We welcome all who yearn to learn about our loving, gracious Creator.
Toddlers & babies
Kids in church: PLEASE bring your young children to church! Their fussing and squealing may pain you, but they make us glad! Pick up an activity bag as you go into the Sanctuary (on the left in a basket, ask an usher). During the sermon, you can take your kids to our Nursery; a speaker is turned on so you can hear the sermon and follow the service.
Toddler Time: If you’re interested in our special Sunday School program for the tiniest of disciples, call (530) 575-6132 for information. It’s available starting in the fall.
Coming up at PEACE
- Monday Bible Study – 1pm in the Conference Room. We’re studying our faith ancestors and their amazing stories set down in Genesis.
- Exercise class – Get fit at PEACE! Fun, inspiring exercise at 11am Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Fellowship Center.
- Mexican Train – Meet at 1:10pm this Thursday in the Fellowship Center for this fun dominoes game. Toot-toot!
Check out more events on PEACE’s online calendar.
OFFICE HOURS – 8:30am-12pm & 1-3:30pm Monday through Thursday.
Your spiritual growth
Like natural seasons, our church seasons have a special meaning for our spiritual lives. For us, we are in “Time After Pentecost,” a season of growth followed by harvest – much like fall! We would love to grow spiritually with you!