Peace Lutheran Church

Worship: Sundays at 10 AM
Address: 3201 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94506
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Pastor’s Weekly Message: 05.31.16

by ·

Grace Waves

Friends:

The world is pregnant with God, but it is only a heart in love who can see God.  —St. Francis

Sunday June 5 our Guest Preacher and Musician will be Rev. Paul Schmidt.  Paul has enjoyed designing new liturgies over the years and the synod has asked him to present one at a local congregation.  We at Peace get to experience this creative liturgy on Sunday.  No Sunday School this Sunday – all of our teachers are out of town.

Peace Keepers:  This Sunday the Connections Committee will present a list of ministries which need energy and participation from the members of Peace.  Please consider how you may assist in new or ongoing ways.  Thank you.

First Friday Films – Guest host Benjamin Jones screens three short films from his Spiritual Cinema Circle collection on Friday, June 3 at 6:30 pm in the Youth Room. Baggage is a comedy about dropping lifetime emotional “baggage.”  Run time 10 minutes. The Gambling Man is about Alby Hurwit, who has heard music in his head all his life. At the age of 70, he didn’t just write a song – he began composing a symphony. Run time 18 minutes. What Is That? portrays a father and son having an unexpected conversation. Join us for popcorn and discussion.

Jazz Church West – June 5:   We conclude our 11th Season with the dynamic duo of Saxman, Anton Schwartz and Pianist, Josh Nelson.  It will do your soul good.  See you at 5:00 pm.

Keep in your prayers:  Gun, Joan, Lois, Mike, Linda, Diane, Roy, Zach, Liz, Corine, Jim, Ralph, Fred and all caregivers.

The Pacific Choir and Coelis Ensemble present Mozarts ‘Missa Solemnis in C major’ on Saturday, June 11 at 7:00 pm at Peace.   The tickets are $20/adult and $10 for students.  

Forums:

Justice Advocacy – June 5:  We meet this Sunday 5 after worship to encourage one another in our ministries.  All Peace members are welcomed.

Yoga at Peace and Beth Chaim – June 12:   Jennifer Zetlan has begun a Shabbat Yoga Program at Beth Chaim on Saturday mornings.  She has been conversing with Jeanne Kaplan and Linda Benatar about making this a cooperative venture with Peace folks who are either yoga enthusiasts or those who would like to learn about this practice.  Please join us.

Youth Group – June 12:  The Youth Group will join Charlene at Danville Rehab to sing and share with the elders gathered there.

On Saturday, June 18 we will enjoy a Midsommer BBQ at 5:00 pm followed by a Solstice Dance to World Musicat 6:30 which Kaleo and Elise will lead.  Will be pure fun and a great way to kick off the summer!

Our next Family Service is on June 19, Father’s Day.

Peace will serve as a Polling Place on June 7.

KIDS IN CHURCH – End of the School Year Humor:

3-year-old Reese: “Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. Amen.”

A little boy was overheard praying: “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it.  I’m having a real good time like I am.”

After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied, “That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys.”  (Thanks to Elana)

Self-Image

Spiritual narcissism is the unconscious use of spiritual practice to increase rather than decrease self-importance.  The only way to decrease self-importance is to replace “I can do it” with “I cannot do it alone.”  Sooner or later we discover that we cannot win in a direct battle against self-image.  Spiritual narcissim as a condition arises whenever one uses one’s faith to accomplish personal aims.  It is a consequence of willfulness; of being impatient; of not being willing to accept spiritual realization as a gift.

People attempt to make themselves better, which of course is an image – and whose image of “what is better” is one using?  They try to rid themselves of fears, anxieties and self-doubts that are simply an integral part of normal human living.

The point is not whether one feels positively or negatively about oneself, but that self-image is taken so seriously and made so important. Self-image is not important, it is an image, it is empty.  What the real thing is remains a mystery.  We are always and finally unable to comprehend ourselves.  (Pat. Hawk)

Blessings,

Pr. Steve

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor's Weekly Message: 05.31.16

by · Published · Updated

Grace Waves

Friends:

The world is pregnant with God, but it is only a heart in love who can see God.  —St. Francis

Sunday June 5 our Guest Preacher and Musician will be Rev. Paul Schmidt.  Paul has enjoyed designing new liturgies over the years and the synod has asked him to present one at a local congregation.  We at Peace get to experience this creative liturgy on Sunday.  No Sunday School this Sunday – all of our teachers are out of town.
Peace Keepers:  This Sunday the Connections Committee will present a list of ministries which need energy and participation from the members of Peace.  Please consider how you may assist in new or ongoing ways.  Thank you.
First Friday Films – Guest host Benjamin Jones screens three short films from his Spiritual Cinema Circle collection on Friday, June 3 at 6:30 pm in the Youth Room. Baggage is a comedy about dropping lifetime emotional “baggage.”  Run time 10 minutes. The Gambling Man is about Alby Hurwit, who has heard music in his head all his life. At the age of 70, he didn’t just write a song – he began composing a symphony. Run time 18 minutes. What Is That? portrays a father and son having an unexpected conversation. Join us for popcorn and discussion.
Jazz Church West – June 5:   We conclude our 11th Season with the dynamic duo of Saxman, Anton Schwartz and Pianist, Josh Nelson.  It will do your soul good.  See you at 5:00 pm.
Keep in your prayers:  Gun, Joan, Lois, Mike, Linda, Diane, Roy, Zach, Liz, Corine, Jim, Ralph, Fred and all caregivers.
The Pacific Choir and Coelis Ensemble present Mozarts ‘Missa Solemnis in C major’ on Saturday, June 11 at 7:00 pm at Peace.   The tickets are $20/adult and $10 for students.  
Forums:
Justice Advocacy – June 5:  We meet this Sunday 5 after worship to encourage one another in our ministries.  All Peace members are welcomed.
Yoga at Peace and Beth Chaim – June 12:   Jennifer Zetlan has begun a Shabbat Yoga Program at Beth Chaim on Saturday mornings.  She has been conversing with Jeanne Kaplan and Linda Benatar about making this a cooperative venture with Peace folks who are either yoga enthusiasts or those who would like to learn about this practice.  Please join us.
Youth Group – June 12:  The Youth Group will join Charlene at Danville Rehab to sing and share with the elders gathered there.
On Saturday, June 18 we will enjoy a Midsommer BBQ at 5:00 pm followed by a Solstice Dance to World Musicat 6:30 which Kaleo and Elise will lead.  Will be pure fun and a great way to kick off the summer!
Our next Family Service is on June 19, Father’s Day.
Peace will serve as a Polling Place on June 7.
KIDS IN CHURCH – End of the School Year Humor:
3-year-old Reese: “Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. Amen.”
A little boy was overheard praying: “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it.  I’m having a real good time like I am.”
After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied, “That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys.”  (Thanks to Elana)
Self-Image
Spiritual narcissism is the unconscious use of spiritual practice to increase rather than decrease self-importance.  The only way to decrease self-importance is to replace “I can do it” with “I cannot do it alone.”  Sooner or later we discover that we cannot win in a direct battle against self-image.  Spiritual narcissim as a condition arises whenever one uses one’s faith to accomplish personal aims.  It is a consequence of willfulness; of being impatient; of not being willing to accept spiritual realization as a gift.
People attempt to make themselves better, which of course is an image – and whose image of “what is better” is one using?  They try to rid themselves of fears, anxieties and self-doubts that are simply an integral part of normal human living.
The point is not whether one feels positively or negatively about oneself, but that self-image is taken so seriously and made so important. Self-image is not important, it is an image, it is empty.  What the real thing is remains a mystery.  We are always and finally unable to comprehend ourselves.  (Pat. Hawk)
Blessings,
Pr. Steve
 
 
 
 
 
 

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