Prints of Peace Congregational Newsletter Peace Lutheran Church

Volume 22 Issue 1 JANUARY 2020

Special Sundays & Other Church Events

January 5 Epiphany Service - 9am

January 5 Taking Down the Greens

January 12 Baptism of Our Lord - 9am

January 12 Cross+Gen

January 16 Women in Motion January 19 Thrivent Action Team Blanket Project

January 20 Card Ministry

January 21 Mobile Food Pantry

January 25 Mission Team Check-In

January 26 Cross+Gen

January 27 Women’s Bible Study

January 28 Grandparent Milestone

SCRIPTURE READINGS January 5 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 147:12-20 Ephesians 1:3-14 John 1:[1-9]10-18 January 12 Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 January 19 Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40:1-11 Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 January 26 Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1,4-9 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Anniversaries & Birthdays 6 Border Servant Corps 4-5 Council Notes 10 Faith Formation News 3 Financial Overview 10 Flowers Thank You 7 Grandparents Milestone 3 Lutheran Advocacy 8 Ministry Martin Luther Class 3

Mobile Food Pantry 9 Pastor’s Message 2 Taking Down the Greens 5

Thrivent Action Teams 8 Thank You Notes 6-7 Towel Award 5 Women’s Bible Study 8 Women in Motion 10

www.facebook.com/peacelutheranlc

PAGE 2 PRINTS OF PEACE JANUARY 2020

Pastor’s Message -- A New Year With Emmanuel

Hooray! Blessed New Year! We made it; 20-20! We have successfully navigated another trip around the sun to another new year. I admit, even though it has only been a few short weeks since December 21st (the longest night, the night with the most darkness), my own mood is more optimistic and hopeful. In spite of political rancor and our social-silos, I am more hope-filled. What is carrying me? It is the promise we proclaim at Christmas. It is the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. Remember, for many people Christmas ended December 25th, after all the presents were open and all the bellies were filled. Yet, liturgical speaking, Christians can still call out a hearty “Merry Christmas” clear though January 5th. As we push past the Christmas Season, we trust that what we heard in the birth of Jesus was not simply a reality that occurred long ago in present-day Palestine. No, it is an eternal revelation and a promise that God, Emmanuel, IS with US. We continue the retelling of the stories of Jesus’ life, ministry, and death in full Advent anticipation of Christ the King’s coming. We tell these stories to rekindle our own hope and to inspire those generations who are following us in the way of Christ. as we each wrestle with the surprising and awesome proclamation, “God – Emmanuel – came in human form, for us.” Now, the promise of Emmanuel is not limited to the one-time event in first century Palestine, nor is it only an event which we await in the promised second coming. Emmanuel is the breath of God’s people in daily life, as we worship, invite, serve, pray, give, learn, and live in community. God’s people become the physical embodiment of Christ, Emmanuel, for the world (although imperfectly and wounded because of sin - to be sure). Yet, Emmanuel is not only coming to us, but Emmanuel is using us, individually and corporately to come near to others and the world. This is a reality of life in Christ that requires our eyes of faith to recognize that God is already here in a million small ways. Emmanuel, which flows through the Body of Christ (the Church) is inclusive, embraces the neighbor, cares for the sick, welcomes the sinner, feeds the hungry, shows hospitality to the stranger, and gives even a cup of cold water to the thirsty. When we allow ourselves to be swept up into the Body of Christ, the cries of the prophets for justice and mercy are fulfilled. Individually this might seem impossible, but as part of Christ’s body – nothing is impossible. We do not undertake these tasks alone, but we do it through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and in community. It is the power of the Holy Spirit and in the community of this congregation, Peace Lutheran Church, that I am able to be optimistic and hopeful for this year. With the promise of God with us, the daily tasks of life don’t seem so daunting. As the light of this new year dawns and as you breath in the hope of all that this year might bring – remember, God IS with you in this New Year! Thanks be to God!

Faithfully Yours,

Pr. Jared Carson PS - And remember to write, “20-20”, on your checks and forms.

JANUARY 2020 PRINTS OF PEACE PAGE 3

Confirmation Milestones On Sunday, January 12th (Baptism of Our Lord Sunday), we will celebrate the Affirmation of Baptism of three young people at Peace Lutheran Church. These young people have participated in faith learning experiences for the past two years and are ready to say “yes” to the God who first said “yes” to them in Baptism. The young people will also have a Faith Display in the narthex to share with you about their own faith journey.

Faithful Grandparenting Do you have a grandchild/ren? Would you like to be a faithful influence in their lives? If you answered yes to these questions, this milestone is for you! Research shows that Grandparents are as highly influential in the faith, and we want you to feel equipped for that role. This milestone will take place on Tuesday, January 28th from 5:30-7:00pm (dinner included). We will recognize all grandparents at Peace in worship on Sunday, February 2nd. Please RSVP to Deacon Laura Carson, so that we can plan for materials and food.

Faith Formation News

The “When & Where” of Martin Luther

Pageant & Youth Party

This adult study led by Pastor Jared will focus on the timeline of Martin Luther’s life, integrating maps to know where everything took place. This is a great study for those going on the Germany Trip in June (a few spots are still available) or those that want to learn more about Luther. There are two opportunities to participate:

† In-Person Gathering - Thursdays at 6:30pm

† Online Gathering (Zoom) - Thursdays at 1:00pm

The study will run for 4-weeks, from January 23 - February 13.

Milestones in January

PAGE 4 PRINTS OF PEACE JANUARY 2020

Border Servant Corps Office & Partnerships

Noticed any changes in the BSC office lately? Border Servant Corps is now sharing office space with additional partner organizations, Save the Children and Lutheran Family Services - Rocky Mountains! Save the Children Yaha Aguilera -- Senior Coordinator U.S.-Border Response Stephanie Gonzalez -- Las Cruces Children’s Coordinator (& BSC Director of Community Engagement) Lutheran Family Services - Rocky Mountains Andrew Byrd -- Refugee & Asylee Programs Coordinator - Southern New Mexico

Please feel free to stop by to welcome Yaha, Stephanie & Andrew!

2019 in Review & What's Coming Up in 2020 In 2019, we - together - provided hospitality to more than 1,400 parents and children at BSC Hospitality Centers. As you know, the mission is not over yet... Today, BSC provides meals and donations several times a week to support thousands of people waiting at the Ports of Entry, Mobile Welcome Center, Shelters, and Long-Term Homes in Ciudad Juárez. As always, we will continue to meet families where they are - whether that is in our space or across the border. Add your information to the BSC online mailing list to receive weekly updates including volunteer opportunities, resource updates, and more!

Welcome LFSRM Staff! Andrew Byrd works as the Southern New Mexico Coor- dinator for Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM) which provides services to refugees and asylees in both New Mexico and Colorado. Andrew has been with the agency 4 years and began working in case management and health services in Colorado Springs, helped support the asylum seeker shelter run by the agency in Albuquerque, and now conducts outreach and direct services in Las Cruces. LFSRM hopes to reach all eligible populations across the state of New Mexico and to provide supporting services to churches and agencies who work with asylum seekers in Las Cruces, Deming, and El Paso.

Retirement of Carol Blaschka

Since January 2018, Carol Blaschka has faithfully served as the Administrative Assistant with Border Servant Corps. To say Carol has gone above and beyond in her service is an understatement. Anyone who knows Carol knows she always goes the extra mile (and sometimes beyond!). Carol's amazing organizational abilities, combined with her passion and dedication to the mission of Border Servant Corps has been one of the biggest blessings to this ministry.

It is with much gratitude that we send Carol off in her retirement from Border Servant Corps with all of the well-wishes and Godspeed we can give her! Please take a moment to share with Carol how much her ministry has meant to our community.

JANUARY 2020 PRINTS OF PEACE PAGE 5

HELP NEEDED! FLEECE BLANKETS FOR A REFUGEE SHELTER IN JUAREZ A Thrivent Action Team is being formed to cut and tie a dozen colorful and warm fleece blankets. Thrivent Financial provides a community gift card of $250, and a Thrivent Member organizes a team of workers for the project. The finished blankets will be transported to a shelter in Juarez, and BSC staff and volunteers will help transport them. On Sunday, January 19th the team will do their work after worship at Peace. Around 10:30 a.m., we will pick a work station somewhere in the church. Under the guidance of Karen Harvey, we will tie the pre-cut blankets. Easy work! But, we need many willing hands – men and women and teens! Susan Mitchell and Carol Blaschka have purchased the fleece at Joann’s Fabric, and we are asking for your help on the 19th. Don’t wait to be asked – let one of us know we can count on you! Thanks!

Thank you to LaJune Smith for her Thrivent Action Team Fundraiser- Travel Mugs for Border Servant Corps!

Border Servant Corps thanks the many volunteers who have supported our Hospitali-ty for Refugees with more than 95 people from each Hospitality Center present at our 2019 Appreciation Dinner!

BORDER SERVANT CORPS IN APPRECIATON

THE TOWEL AWARD ● Barbara Zaboroski Over the years, Peace Lutheran Church honors people with the Towel Award for their self-giving service to our church. Nominees for the award may be made by a member of the congregation, pastor or staff. Recipients are those who volunteer in humble acts of service to the congregation, community and the world, working for mercy, justice, and peace. Soon after joining Peace in 2003,

Barbara committed to orchestrating our Sunday morning coffee hour. She makes sure coffee is ready, sets out treats, cleans the kitchen and is one of the last people to leave. Barbara has been faithfully ministering to our congregation in many other ways as well for 16 years.

TAKING DOWN THE GREENS

Join us Sunday, January 5 after worship (around 10:30 am) to take down the Christmas decorations. Your help will be appreciated!

PAGE 6 PRINTS OF PEACE JANUARY 2020

Please let us know if your birthday or anniversary is missing or incorrect.

January Anniversaries 1/3 Carol & Sam Winkles

Church Directory Updates The Calzada Family 1940 Princess Jeanne Dr Las Cruces NM 88001 The Brekke Family 1118 Turkey Knob Dr Las Cruces NM 88012

Thanks to PLC

January Birthdays

1/1 Mary Green 1/3 Sherry Benting 1/4 Charles Ridley 1/5 Miguel Grijalva 1/5 Debbie Pendleton 1/6 John Starich 1/8 Lucy Dunbar-Foy 1/8 Karin McClain 1/12 Vicki Estrada 1/13 Katy Winn 1/14 Richard Shepan 1/16 Dan Diemer

1/17 Marie Avelsgaard 1/17 Tessa Stuve 1/21 Damian Blaschka 1/23 Dick Schriver 1/23 Guy Wolffarth 1/24 Nancy Redshaw 1/24 Emma Roberts 1/24 Lisa Van Winkle 1/27 Chris Engledowl 1/28 Greg Lindsey 1/31 Cheri Coyle 1/31 Jeremiah Lee 1/31 Terri Stockberger

A big thank you to Karen Billings for purchasing 2 new coffee pots for our kitchen! Barbara Zaborowski Dear Peace Lutheran Church, “You are Heaven Sent!” The Civil Air Patrol thanks you so very much for providing us a meeting place for the cadet program during some of the most difficult times of the organization. Captain William Benziger, CAP

Letter from Former Member Peace Friends, Greetings from the land of cold weather, snow & ice, and Minnesota Nice. This year has been a year of health issues. This appears to be the joy of old age. My macular degeneration is making reading & writing difficult. However, I’m still independent. My son Mark is a huge help to me. There is no more bridge & reading the newspaper. Talking books is a blessing as [are] other aides. Thinking of you at the holidays, Former member, Marcie Loven

2nd Tuesdays at 10:15am

Service of

Morning Prayer

MAY YOU SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST IN THE

NEW YEAR!

JANUARY 2020 PRINTS OF PEACE PAGE 7

THANK YOU TO ASSISTING MINISTERS AND COMMUNION ASSISTANTS!! By Susan Mitchell

‘Tis the Season to say thank you to the many members of Peace Lutheran Church who make our weekly worship services welcoming and hopefully sacramental. I’m thankful to the seven active Assisting Ministers—sometimes known as Lay Liturgical Assistants—for their presence and preparation of the Prayers of the Church and duties pertaining to the distribution of holy communion.

I am also grateful to the forty-six active Communion Assistants. That’s right, as of last count, we have 46 members who say yes every time I ask them to sign up to bear those chalices and bring those words, “the blood of Christ, shed for you,” to each communicant at the railing. We are indeed servants of our Lord! Of course there are quite a few others who perform equally important roles in our worship services. You know many of them! Thank them! But, it is the assisting ministers and communion assistants that I am responsible for scheduling, and I couldn’t do it without so many willing people.

Dear Peace Lutheran Church, Thank you for your gift of $100 to Lutheran Disaster Response. No matter the variety of disaster, no matter the variety of need, your gifts to Luthean Disaster Response make possible short- and long-term recovery and rebuilding of lives and livelihoods. Thank you for sharing the gifts God has activated in you! Rev. Robin Brown Mission Funding Director, Congregations

SANCTUARY FLOWERS We would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed flowers to beautify our worship services! We ask for lots of help from our church family, and you always came through! Whether it was furnishing flowers for our Sunday services, or making sure the Chancel was overflowing with Spring blossoms to the glory of God at Easter, or decorating to welcome our Savior at Christmas with poinsettias, you never let us down. We are very grateful! A special thanks to Steve Helmreich and Linda Long for delivering bouquets to brighten the days of our parishioners who are homebound, hospitalized or recovering. A New Year’s reminder: The 2020 flower chart is hanging on the kiosk. Again, our thanks to all! The Flower Ladies

PAGE 8 PRINTS OF PEACE JANUARY 2020

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY BEGINS A NEW LESSON JANUARY 27, 2020 By Susan Mitchell

Let’s start the New Year studying together from the January/February issue of Gather Magazine. All women of Peace Lutheran Church, and any guests, meet on the 4th Monday of each month, from September through May. We meet in Room 107, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. See you January 27th.

Sneak Preview: The Study is titled We Are Called! The author is The Rev. Kathryn A. Kleinhans, who serves as the Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, when she’s not writing. With Bibles in hand, we will search the scriptures for guidance on the subject of our vocations.This does not confine itself to church callings—to become pastors and deacons, or related roles such as church musicians. According to Luther, everything we do to respond to the needs of our neighbor in any way is a vocation, a calling from God.

A Summary of Women’s Bible Study in 2019: When we meet, we study and discuss the lesson of the month, but we also share other articles in Gather Magazine, which are related to the topic. We pray for others, and we prayerfully make free-will offerings each month. During 2019, we made gifts to a number of organizations at Peace as well as our community. We gave to the Rocky Mountain Synodical Women’s Organization’s scholarship fund, our Peace Youth for their summer camp fundraising, the Peace Card Ministry for their postage expenses, shoes for Jardin de los Niños’s Christmas Party, the Peace Bible Tract Rack, and the Peace Choir Scholars—giving support to the NMSU voice majors who help our church choir as section leaders. All women are invited to come as often as they can!

2020 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM Bishop's Luncheon & Issues Briefing

Thursday, February 6

You are invited and urged to attend!

The morning Issues Briefing will again be at the United Church (1804 Arroyo Chamiso in Santa Fe). Registration and refreshments will begin at 9:00 am.

The Bishop's Legislative Luncheon will be at 12:30 pm La Fonda Hotel (100 East San Francisco). The cost for the luncheon is $35 per person. That cost is reduced to $30 when 4 or more people

attend from your congregation

JANUARY 2020 PRINTS OF PEACE PAGE 9

FROM ROADRUNNER FOOD BANK Dear Peace Lutheran Church, Thank you for ALL you did to make our event* and registration successful! It is very appreciated! Thank you for your hospitality and everything you do to serve the community! Roadrunner Food Bank *the Dec 16th Community-Wide Food Pantry

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY “Great job" to all the pantry volunteers for supporting Roadrunner's Community-Wide pantry hosted December 16th by Peace Lutheran!!

All told, 253 families received GREAT food (turkeys, pork roast, vegetables, and more) that will support them through this holiday season. It was hard but rewarding work. If you are not familiar with our Mobile Food Pantry operation, we distribute food on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (December 16th was an exception) in our parking lot. We ask volunteers to arrive about 10:30 am to begin setting up and getting ready, and the Roadrunner truck delivery is scheduled for 12 noon. Once we unload and sort the food, we begin distribution, ideally by 12:30pm. We are usually done with distribution and clean up by around 2:30pm. We’d love to have you join us!!

If you have questions or need information, drop me (Becky Burks) an email at our church email account for all things Food Pantry: foodpantry@peaceluthernlc.com.

Financial Overview January - November 2019

Women in Motion

Becky McNair will host the January 16 noon potluck at her home at 6796 Via Campestre. Please put this on your calendar. A reminder will be sent the beginning of January and the week of the potluck.

PAGE 10 PRINTS OF PEACE JANUARY 2020

PLC Council Notes

The BSC budget was approved as presented. Overall giving is approximately $10,000 less as compared to 2018. However, there has been a positive response to the stewardship appeal giving us hope for the new year. The updated constitution has been sent to Synod for approval. Kristen Rogers PLC Council Secretary

Mission Team Check-In

The PLC Mission Teams will have their next gatherings on Saturday, January 25th from 1-3 pm in Fellowship Hall. The Mission Teams will review the 2019 fiscal year, and their ministry plans and goals for 2020. All Mission Team members, ministry leaders, and interested congregation members are encouraged to participate.

PRINTS OF PEACE

JANUARY 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 OFFICE CLOSED 7:00 pm AA

2 5:00 pm Campanas 5:30 pm AA 5:30 pm Singing Out Bd 7:00 pm NA

3 12:00 pm Yoga 7:00 pm AA

4 9:00 am Centering

Prayer 9:30 am OA 11:00 am Girl Scouts 1:00 pm SNM Church

of God

5 9:00 am Sunday

Worship 10:15 am Coffee Hour 1:00 pm Next Steps 5:30 pm AA

6 9:00 am AAUW Board 9:30 am Piano 10:00 am BSC

Donation Sorting 10:00 am Youth Group 5:30 pm Yoga 5:30 pm AA 7:00 pm CODA

7 10:15 am Staff Meeting 10:15 am Morning

Prayer 4:15 pm Pastoral Care 5:30 pm AA 6:30 pm Singing Out

8 1:00 pm AAUW

Spanish 2:30 pm Finance Cmte 5:30 pm NAMI 6:30 pm Choir 7:00 pm AA

9 5:00 pm Campanas 5:30 pm AA 7:00 pm NA

10 12:00 pm Yoga 7:00 pm AA

11 9:00 am AAUW 9:00 am Centering

Prayer 9:30 am OA 11:00 am Girl Scouts 1:00 pm SNM Church

of God

12 9:00 am Sunday

Worship 10:15 am Coffee Hour 10:30 am Cross+Gen 1:00 pm Next Steps 5:30 pm AA

13 9:30 am Piano 10:00 am BSC Donation Sorting 12:00 pm BSC Training 5:30 pm Yoga 5:30 pm AA 6::00 pm BSC Training 6:00 pm Confirmation 7:00 pm CODA

14 10:15 am Staff Meeting 5:30 pm AA 6:00 pm PLC Council 6:30 pm Singing Out

15 1:00 pm AAUW

Spanish 6:30 pm Choir 7:00 pm AA

16 5:00 pm Campanas 5:30 pm AA 6:00 pm Women in Motion 7:00 pm NA

17 12:00 pm Yoga 7:00 pm AA

18 9:00 am Centering

Prayer 9:30 am OA 11:00 am Girl Scouts 1:00 pm SNM Church

of God

19 9:00 am Sunday

Worship 10:15 am Coffee Hour 10:30 am Thrivent Action Blankets Project 5:30 pm Next Steps off-site social 5:30 pm AA

20 9:30 am Piano 10:00 am BSC Donation Sorting 1:30 pm Card Ministry 5:00 pm Alzheimer’s Skills 5:30 pm Yoga 5:30 pm AA 7:00 pm CODA

21 10:15 am Staff Meeting

10:30 am Food Pantry 3:30 pm Bible Study Good Sams 5:30 pm AA 6:30 pm Singing Out

22 1:00 pm AAUW

Spanish 6:30 pm Choir 6:30 pm NAMI 7:00 pm AA

23 5:00 pm Campanas 5:30 pm AA 7:00 pm NA

24 12:00 pm Yoga 5:30 pm Singing Out Rehearsal 7:00 pm AA

25 9:00 am Centering

Prayer 9:30 am OA 11:00 am Girl Scouts 1:00 pm Mission

Teams Check-In 1:00 pm SNM Church

of God

26 9:00 am Sunday

Worship 10:15 am Coffee Hour 10:30 am Cross+Gen 1:00 pm Next Steps 1:30 pm Singing Out Concert 5:30 pm AA

27 9:30 am Piano 10:00 am BSC Donation Sorting 10:30 am Women’s

Bible Study 5:30 pm Yoga 5:30 pm AA 7:00 pm CODA

28 10:15 am Staff Meeting 5:30 pm AA 5:30 pm Grandparents

Milestone 6:30 pm Singing Out

29 1:00 pm AAUW

Spanish 6:30 pm Choir 7:00 pm AA

30 5:00 pm Campanas 5:30 pm AA 7:00 pm NA

31 12:00 pm Yoga 7:00 pm AA

NON-PROFIT ORGN US POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 243 LAS CRUCES, NM

Peace Lutheran Church 1701 E. Missouri Ave. Las Cruces, NM 88001

Address Service Requested Phone: 575-522-7119 Fax: 575-522-0050 E-mail: office@peacelutheranlc.com

Mission Statement

By God’s grace, to grow and share our faith,

welcoming all and striving to live in the spirit and love of Christ.

JANUARY 2020

Sunday Worship

9:00 AM

Cross+Gen

2 Sundays

per month

10:30 AM

Coffee Hour

Following Worship

Every Sunday