A reconciling congregation, welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and working for racial equity, Peace is a congregation of the ELCA.
-
-
October 7, Henry Melchior Mulhenberg
Today the Lutheran church commemorates Henry Melchior Mulhenberg, 1711-1787, one of the most important figures in the establishment of a new church organization and church order in North America. Protestant church life in the Colonies was crazy, with free-lance, self-ordained itinerant ministers roaming around, baptizing and preaching. For nearly half a century Mulhenberg worked to mediate disputes in congregations and to establish systems of accountability and procedures that would bring order and stability to the spiritual lives of the people. In 1748 he organized the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, a coalition of Lutheran congregations centered in Philadelphia. To these congregations he presented a simple order of worship for common use.
The general picture, developed by Mulhenberg, of educated pastors trained according to uniform standards; of congregations committed to “calling” these pastors to oversee their activities and to preach and teach as members of the community, not as itinerants; and of the congregations united in regional groups in conversation with one another, remains more-or-less the shape of the Lutheran church in America to this day.
Mulhenberg advocated “active, practical Christianity” and his motto Ecclesia plantanda, “the church must be planted” meant that the church should be stable and rooted in communities.
Mulhenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, from which several of our talented and faithful Peace members graduated, bears the name of the patriarch of American Lutheranism.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Sunday, October 4, 2015
O Lord our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!-
you whose glory is chanted above the heavens
out of the mouths of infants and children;
you have set up a fortress against your enemies. Psalm 8:1
Sunday is a day to celebrate children and animals, and to remember our dear friend Ruth Forinash. The readings for the day illustrate the central paradoxes of the Christian faith: God is present in what looks like absence, wisdom is heard in foolish rituals, strength is shown in the weakest bodies, light shines within darkness, etc. Authentic Christian teaching tries to capture these mysteries “of the cross”. Children and animals–who are not even allowed into the most important places of the world, the halls of power, the corporate boardrooms, offices of the wealthy—are among the greatest in the kingdom of God. I’m not making this up. It’s what Jesus said. We’ll think about it on Sunday as we hear a Gospel about Jesus welcoming children, as we remember Ruth, as we bless our pets at 11 am.
The choir practices at 8:45 am.
Bring paper goods or any other nonperishable for the Wayland Food Pantry.
Blessing of the animals at 11 am.
Family Promise Training Tuesday, October 6 at 7:00 pm.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Michael and Jerome commemorations
And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:7-9
Today the Lutheran Church celebrates the festival of St. Michael and All Angels.
Every time we celebrate holy communion we hear “…with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn..” Then we sing a hymn of praise before receiving Christ in the bread and wine.
Luther’s evening prayer includes the line, “Let your angels have charge over us that the wicked one have no power over us.” When we are weakened in rest, our senses shut down in sleep, we pray for the defense of angels.
Angels stand for life beyond life, over and around us, invisible to our hardened, secular blindness that measures everything by the numbers and by the results of experiments.
As people of the spirit we believe that angels are all around us. The angels came to get our dear friend Ruth Sunday morning, just before noon our time They lifted her beyond time, beyond the numbers and the charts and graphs, beyond history and science and finance and medical care.
The angels are there in your life today, especially when you feel alone, fighting against discouragement and disappointment, helping you solve problems, come to important decisions, manage stress. They bring you moments of hope. They bring a faint sense of peace. They invite you to play and enjoy life. Angels breathe the spirit of God that reminds us of a blessed order that awaits, and peace that passes all understanding.
I believe in angels, and as angels are present with us in our communion, I pray with Luther that God’s angels are present with you, standing by you, encouraging you if your life is a little dark.
Today the Lutheran Church commemorates St. Jerome (c. 331-420), translator and teacher. In the Roman Catholic Church Jerome is patron saint of all who study scripture. In iconography Jerome is portrayed often as an emaciated old man in a desert monastery where he translated the scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into the Latin version known as the Vulgate (common version). The Vulgate became the official translation of the Roman Catholic Church. Jerome was an expert in Latin and Greek. He worked hard to command Hebrew so that he could make a solid Latin translation. In the sixteenth century Martin Luther looked back at Jerome when he returned to the original languages for his translation of the scriptures into German, even though his goal was to replace Jerome’s Latin Vulgate with a new translation in the common language of the German people.
Jerome was a disagreeable and controversial figure, full of passion as well as ascetic devotion. For example, he went to the Judean Desert around Bethlehem and set up a monastery with his collaborator and admirer Paula, a wealthy Roman woman, because his many enemies and detractors had driven him out of Rome, where he was secretary to Pope Damascus. Jerome and Paula are still remembered together in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Last week I had a fun email exchange with one of you about translations of the Bible in English. Jerome was the original, bold scholar, immersed in languages, able to make sacred words breathe their special kind of life in words that could be understood by people who do not read the original.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Emilie
Emilie has been working on the front garden and the magnolia trees. She has spent many patient thoughtful hours making the garden alive again. I am thankful for Emilie, and grateful for her generous spirit. We have been thinking about prayer recently ; to Emilie, time spent in the church garden is a prayer. The garden itself is a prayer. Her work honors everyone else at the church, is a gift to our visitors and the community arts folks, and glorifies God.
Here is a sample of a correspondence from Emilie:
The magnolias have grown taller, by inches. Another change in the Japanese maple as of this morning, too. As I drove out, I saw the magnolias are – finally – above the roof line of the church, and they had not been. Intensive, mindful watering does it every time. . . I installed a couple of Bishop of Llandaff dahlias, a pale yellow variant. Raised Penna field stones on the north, and this has made a tremendous difference. Until the stonework is returned to the correct design/harmony, we will still have some cacophony….
____________________________________________________________
Thank you to everyone who took part in the full day Sunday.
Kathryn prepared and served a delicious breakfast for the choir.
The choir rehearsed and sang for the first time.
The new council was installed.
The children of the Sunday school met their teachers and visited their rooms. Jordan fired up the grill and we all had lunch together. During lunch many of you created a fabric square for yourself or for your family. Kim C will tell us more about this, but I believe the squares will be set out for those who did not get a chance to finish yours on Sunday.
This Sunday, September 27, Jonathan Moretz and Bruce Goody will play their guitar and flute music for us. It’s always a treat to hear them. We thank both of them in advance for giving their talents and time in our worship.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
17th Sunday after Pentecost
Christ Blessing the Children by Nicolaes Maes, National Gallery, London
Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me… Mark 9:36
First choir rehearsal
Choir breakfast at 8:15 am. The first choir rehearsal of the year begins at 8:45 am. We will mark the beginning of the fall season with a new setting for our worship.
Rally day activities potluck lunch
We celebrate our children on Sunday, as we celebrate all who care for them and provide for their instruction in the Christian faith: parents, teachers, grandparents, the other members of the congregation. Faith-formation for our children is one of our primary purposes. Every time we have a baptism we promise to provide instruction in the Christian faith for our children. As we begin a new year of learning we keep that promise. Following the service the children will go into their classrooms while the adults will get ready for lunch. During the meal you will be invited to design and color a piece of cloth that represents you. The pieces will be stitched together in a banner.
Installation of the council
The congregation council is the board of directors of the church, charged with making sure that we fulfill our mission as a Christian congregation. Sunday the members of the council will be introduced. They will promise to direct the church in proper and creative ways. You will promise your support, involvement and encouragement.
Rejoicing Spirits at 4 pm this Sunday, September 20. All are invited! For more information about Rejoicing Spirits contact Diaconal Minister Susan Lindberg Haley haleysl@verizon.net .
Next Sunday Jonathan Moretz and Bruce Gody will be at church with guitar and flute music. This is a good day to invite your friends and neighbors.
Thank you notes
Mary Ann bought two peach trees for the grounds.
Evi Treffs and Kim Canning sorted the toys in the nursery
Chris Munford and Liam moved bookcases and other furniture into the nursery
Carol Green continues to lead prayer meetings, helping us fulfill our prayer “mission” in the world.
Serving Sunday, September 20
BWR Riggert
Cantor Meshon
Assistant Woods
Nursery Burke
Coffee Gogolin (potluck lunch)
Acolyte Leah J
Usher Midgley
Flowers Meshon, in memory of Roman
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
September 18 Dag Hammarskjold, renewer of society
The ELCA alone commemorates Dag Hammarskjold, recognizing him on this day as a renewer of society. Born in Sweden, the son of the Swedish prime minister, he was secretary-general of the United Nations. He died in a plane crash in Africa in 1961. After his death Hammarskjold’s diary was discovered in his New York apartment. Following its publication in Swedish, the journal was translated into English with the help of his old friend, the British poet W. H. Auden. Published in English under the name, Markings, the book records the depth of the diplomat’s spiritual seriousness and struggles, and the generous shape of his Christian faith. John F. Kennedy called Hammarskjold the greatest diplomat of the twentieth century. A new edition of Markings was published a few years ago with a preface by Jimmy Carter.
from Markings by Dag Hammarskjold:
Life only demands from you the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible – not to have run away.
Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
A New Year of Faith Formation 2015
Greetings Sunday school families,
It’s that time of year, again. Fall is in the air and backpacks are full! This Sunday at church we celebrate Rally Day, the day which marks the beginning of a new church year. Following a brief hiatus, i.e. Summer, the choir resumes their singing, council members are installed, and our students return to their classrooms.
To celebrate the many activities that take place at our church, and to celebrate the members of our congregation, we will share a meal and work on a special activity together.
The activity is one in which all members are invited to participate. Everyone will have an opportunity to decorate a 6″square piece of fabric with a drawing, a scripture, a hymn verse, a prayer, a blessing, anything that is meaningful to you as an individual or a family. Later, these squares will be sewn together to reflect the connection we have with one another.
Although fabric and fabric pens will be provided, feel free to bring a favorite fabric scrap that is solid (i.e. not printed fabric) from home or extra fabric squares to share if you have them. The other items we might need more of are primary color fabric pens that are not too thick or too light. Also, if possible, bring a dish to share at the potluck!
Prior to lunch and the group activity, your children will spend ten to fifteen minutes in the classroom where they will visit with their fellow students and teacher(s). In class, they will hear about a practice new to Peace called The Faith 5: Faith Acts in the Home (and Classroom). These five faith acts are:
SHARE your highs and lows of the day
READ a verse of scripture from the Bible
TALK about how the Bible verse relates to your highs and lows
PRAY for your highs and lows, for your family, and for the world
BLESS one another
During the parent meeting scheduled for next Sunday, September 27 at 11:00, I will speak more about Faith 5 and intruduce other resources that will help you support and encourage your children’s faith formation throughout the busy weeks ahead.
I look forward to seeing you and your children in Worship service and Sunday school during the upcoming year!
“The Christian education program at Peace, where your child can experience God’s love through worship, learning, and fellowship.”
Sincerely,
Kim
Kim Canning
(978) 440-7858
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Hildegaard September 17
Today the Lutheran Church commemorates Hildegaard of Bingen. One of the brightest stars of the church of the middle ages, she wrote music, poetry, natural history, a study of the ailments of the body and other things. Though her own body was frail throughout her life, she received spiritual visions and counseled leaders. She must have been an odd and exceedingly brilliant child of God.
From our historical vantage point it is hard to assess a person like Hildegaard, and to give her the recognition she deserves. We can hardly imagine the faith-drenched, superstition-saturated middle ages she lived in. However, in recent years, feminist theologians, musicians and artists have found inspiration in Hildegaard’s words and visions. She has developed a minor cult following, and it helps all of us that her voice is heard.
There is a single text in our hymnal based on a poem by Hildegaard, #399. Take a moment to read the verses of her hymn to the Holy Spirit. Note that it is directed to the Holy Spirit, and is not a hymn about the Holy Spirit. Here a hymn of praise becomes a prayer.
O Holy Spirit, root of life,
creator, cleanser of all things;
anoint our wounds, awaken us
with lustrous movement of your wings.
Eternal vigor, Saving One,
you free us by your living Word,
becoming flesh to wear our pain,
and all creation is restored.
O holy Wisdom, soaring power,
encompass us with wings unfurled,
and carry us, encircling all,
above, below and through the world.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
9/15 notes
The council will be installed this Sunday, September 20, during the service. The installation of the council is the ritual of mutual promises that formalizes the council’s role of governance and oversight on behalf of the congregation. In turn, the congregation promises to support and trust the council.
Last night in its September meeting the council reviewed the calendar and discussed the stewardship program for the year. During the month of November we will speak together about the way we think of our offerings of time and money to God and to support of the community, as members of the church. On Sunday, November 15 the council asks you to join with other members of the church to talk about the community of faith we share. Members of the council will lead small group discussions around fellowship tables about our personal ideas around giving, and the needs of the church. Pledge cards will be distributed.
Much of the meeting time was spent discussing directed and designated gifts policies. Loren Korte drafted a policy statement for us. The New England Synod has a policy of its own. The two documents were compared. Dave Melvin and Marisa Lutz will work on a revised draft of Loren’s document based on the council’s recommendations.
Dave Melvin is retyping our bylaws and constitution. Soon we will have electronic versions of these. Thank you, Dave!
The meeting ended in the worship room with a quiet reading of responsive prayer from the hymnal.
This Sunday, September 20
Choir breakfast at 8:15 amFirst choir rehearsalDuring the summer we have used Setting 10. Sunday we switch to Setting 8.Installation of the council during the service and a photographRally day potluck after church! Bring something to share and plan to stay for a family art event. Every household will be invited to design and decorate a piece of fabric that represents the people and pets in your house. The individual pieces will be stitched together and displayed. If you would like to help set things up, grill and clean-up, thank you in advance.Rejoicing Spirits at 4 pm
Several of our members have moved! We wish them happiness and peace in their new homes.
Carrie and Chris Munford
35 Williams Rd
Wayland, MA 01778
Carrie and Dave Melvin
123Draper Road
Wayland, MA 01778
Lawrence Gogolin
700 Blue Heron Dr.
Lancaster, MA 01523-2085
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
![296[1]](https://i0.wp.com/peacewayland.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2961.jpg?w=176&h=131&ssl=1 "296[1]")
107 Concord Road, Wayland Massachusetts 01778 