Wow! Thank you to our Peace Family, staff volunteers and guests for visiting the Peace tent on Tuesday evening at National Night Out at the Saginaw Township Soccer Complex. We had hundreds of visitors! We loved giving out Peace tote bags, frisbees and, of course, about 250 2-liters of pop! While it was a three-hour event, we set a new record running out of 2-liters: 1 hour 10 minutes! We were even wiped out of 300 tote bags! (Wonder how we got all those 2-liters out on the grass, where vehicles weren’t allowed after that morning’s monsoon? We pulled plastic sleds. We’ll never forget this one!) Thank you to the Saginaw Township Police Department for organizing the largest NNO in Michigan every year, and for helping us show the love of Jesus to kids throughout our community! See a ton more photos here.

That’s a wrap on the Great Lakes Pontooners! Our beloved Great Lakes Loons baseball team rebranded themselves as the Pontooners for a homestand in mid-July at Dow Diamond in Midland. Our Peace Family was in attendance on Friday, July 12 – more than 230 of us! While it wasn’t a win for the Pontooners against the Fort Wayne TinCaps, it was a win for our Peace Family as we enjoyed baseball with an “up north” feel, Yacht Rock Dueling Pianos, $2 hot dogs and more! We thank everyone who came out for our annual Loons outing. It’s always a great time together, and once again, we were definitely the loudest when they showed our name on the outfield scoreboard! See more photos here.

Peace Family: We want to thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and support as we made our way to Goodnews Bay, Alaska. We have returned from an incredibly joy-filled week. We know the smiles in these pictures can give you a snapshot of Christ’s love working throughout Goodnews Bay. We look forward to sharing how Christ is continuing to work. May you know that you had a hand in fulfilling Peace’s mission, which is ultimately God’s mission: GATHER, GROW AND GO to make disciples! You can watch a recap video here. See more photos here.

Q: What is an ‘Earth Angel’
A: An Earth Angel is someone who regularly prays for and supports an assigned Peace church/school staff member via monthly cards or small gifts throughout the academic year (September-May).

Q: Who can be an Earth Angel?
A: You. Me. Anyone who has a heart to bless others!

Q: Why should I consider being an Earth Angel?
A: This is YOUR opportunity to become part of an important ministry here at Peace. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or dad, a retiree, a full-time worker, a homebound adult, a student, etc., you can make a difference in the life of a Peace staff member. It’s fun and rewarding!! But … SSSSHHH!!! It’s a secret! (Think of it like being a Secret Santa – only on a much more heavenly level!) Our staff reports that your prayers, cards and small gifts are so appreciated! The identity of Earth Angels will remain anonymous until a Reveal Reception in April 2025. That’s where the fun comes in (and the laughter and hugs ensue)! It is in blessing others that, oftentimes, we experience a blessing ourselves.

Q: How can I jump on board?                
A: If you are interested in blessing a Peace staff member in this way, please complete this application. You may drop it off in one of the Earth Angel boxes located in the church or school entryway, OR you can scan it and email it to: angels@peacesaginaw.org. Once you are assigned to a staff member, you will receive instructions on how/where to drop off your monthly cards/gifts.

One More Note
As you prayerfully consider this invitation to serve, please remember that we have 60-plus church and school staff members. Our goal is for every one of them to have an Earth Angel who will pray for them and cheer them on! We need YOU! Thank you for your consideration!

Learn More This Weekend
Got questions or need more details? Visit the Earth Angel table at worship services this Sunday, Aug. 11, at our Adams Campus, or contact Earth Angels Coordinator Kim McDonald at angels@peacesaginaw.org or 792.1158.

July 13-14: ‘Asking the Right Question’
Scenes from our 9am traditional and 11am modern services July 14 at Peace, as Pastor Erik continued his July sermon series: “Why?” We think we want to know why, but the better question is how, as in, “How do we go on?” We also welcomed three more youngsters into God’s Kingdom via Holy Baptism over that weekend. To watch the service videos, click the links above. See more photos here.

July 20-21: ‘God’s Answer’
Scenes from our 9am traditional and 11am modern services July 21 at Peace, as Pastor Erik continued his July sermon series: “Why?” We need to stop trying to explain and understand God, and just listen to and obey Him. We also welcomed two more youngsters, sweet siblings, into God’s Kingdom via Holy Baptism. To watch the service videos, click the links above. See more photos here.

July 27-28: ‘God Is’
Scenes from our 9am traditional and 11am modern services July 28 at Peace, as Pastor Erik concluded his July sermon series: “Why?” The problem with evil, he reminded us, is that sin only takes. God GIVES: life, love, grace, mercy … everything. We also welcomed two more youngsters into God’s Kingdom via Holy Baptism. To watch the service videos, click the links above. See more photos here.

Aug. 3-4: ‘Walk This Way’
Scenes from our 9am traditional and 11am modern services this past Sunday, Aug. 4, at Peace, as Pastor Hauser talked about how to “Walk This Way” in our calling as Christians. And sometimes, even often, that means just shutting up! To watch the service videos, click the links above. See more photos here.

Stephen Ministries is a biblically based ministry that trains and builds up ministers and leaders here at Peace Lutheran to guide, pray for and support our members who are navigating a traumatic life event. They’re not counselors or personal assistants. They’re listening ears for someone who needs a friend for a particular season of life.

Orientation Planned for Tuesday, Aug. 20
Please pray for Stephen Ministries here at Peace. And if you would like to learn more, please attend our Stephen Ministry orientation meeting 4-6pm Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the Adams Campus (church) parlor. Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity is invited!

This program is available to incoming sixth-graders all the way through high school who wish to be confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Peace Lutheran Church, and who attend a different school than our Peace Lutheran day school. Even if your child does not wish to be confirmed at Peace Lutheran, they are welcome to attend these classes to grow their faith.

Grades 6-7 participate in Old and New Testament Catechism classes 3:30-5pm Sundays, starting Sept. 8, with me. Eighth-graders and older participate in a Christian Formation Life Application class with Pastor Erik Schmidt at 5:30pm on Wednesdays starting Sept. 18. For Pastor Erik’s classes, register by emailing him at eschmidt@peacesaginaw.org. We would love to have anyone who wishes to join us and learn more about the Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, and what we believe as Lutherans.

The class is free for all. They start in September and run through March or April with lots of breaks in between. Please email me, call or text if you have questions or would like to register your child.

Family Life Ministries Director Mrs. Cottrell missed a Sunday at church recently because she was visiting all her family who happen to live in northern Minnesota! When she returned to the Campfire Kids at Peace, she brought with her a little quirky critter friend to introduce to them: a (stuffed) beaver named Forest Stump! She told the kids that beavers are fascinating creatures that can teach us a lot about God’s world!

Beavers are busy animals who munch and crunch on wood while building dams that hold back water and lodges (or dens) to raise their young kits in! While they are quick and thoughtful builders, God can teach us even more about construction if we look at the book of Matthew in the Bible!

(The Wise and Foolish Builder)
Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

We know that if we listen to and obey God’s Word, we are making Him our bedrock. He is the firm foundation that holds us up. Nothing will be able to shake us from the solid foundation of Christ. He is our rock – even the powerful storm is no match for God!

We reflected on this as we made our own busy beaver creations: First, we crafted faith-inspired medallions to wear that were made from wooden cookies! Then we designed our own beaver lodges out of Play-Doh and toothpicks! The kids made sure their lodges had a firm foundation as the Bible instructs.

In the next weeks to come, Mrs. Cottrell will be in the western coastal region of Alaska bringing her love of Jesus to the children of the village in Goodnews Bay, AK. There will still be Christ’s Campfire Kids while she’s on her mission trip, thanks to some amazing volunteers. She can’t wait to see you all again when she returns.

Join us at Christ’s Campfire Kids during the 9am traditional or 11am modern worship service at Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Ave. in Saginaw. See more photos here.

 
July 28: The Two-Toed Sloth
Mrs. Cottrell is back from the Goodnews Bay, Alaska, mission trip, and she’s excited to reunite with the Campfire Kids at Peace Lutheran. While she was gone, Mr. JJ Boehm and Mrs. Sarah Laux led the group with other incredibly big-hearted volunteers. Thank you!

In this past Sunday’s gathering of Christ’s Campfire Kids, we had a calm, relaxing hang … which our quirky critter of the week enjoys! Around our cozy campfire, we learned about the Hoffman’s Two-Toed Sloth! This super slow-moving critter hangs day and night in the tree branches, appearing to be asleep but actually awake, taking in the world around her. We may not understand why this critter is so slow, but God does! He designed the Hoffman’s Two-Toed Sloth for a purpose! He designed each of us for a special purpose, too! God is so incredible because He sees the TRUE beauty in our hearts! When asking the Campfire Kids what makes someone’s heart beautiful, they gave us some really thoughtful answers! They said: kind, God-loving, genuine, sharing, joyful and self-controlled. These were such mature, insightful answers! To remember how special inner beauty is, we made our own sloth art! We also played a silly improv game called “Sloth in a Hurry”!

We are so blessed to have a Holy Father who sees us and loves us for who we really are. He sees the beauty in our hearts. That’s incredible! We can’t wait to learn more together this coming Sunday at Christ’s Campfire Kids! Join us around the campfire during the 9am traditional or 11am modern worship service at Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Ave. in Saginaw. See more photos here.

 
Aug. 4: The Bottle-Nosed Dolphin
This past Sunday at Christ’s Campfire Kids at Peace Lutheran, we learned about the incredible bottle-nosed dolphin around our cozy campfire! These creatures are not only swift and elegant, but they have learned to communicate with one another in fascinating ways!

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

Dolphins use a variety of sounds, clicks, echolocation and body movements to communicate with one another. They are pretty impressive!

People communicate, too! Cellphones are pretty clever inventions, aren’t they? We can pick up a cellphone and call or text anyone on the contact list, connecting with them instantly! A couple of weeks ago when Mrs. Cottrell was in a teeny tiny village called Goodnews Bay, Alaska, she was on a mission trip. She was there to tell all the boys and girls in the village about Jesus!

It was a special opportunity, but do you know what she couldn’t do there? Use her cellphone! That’s right. She was so far away and in such a remote mountainous area, that she could not call or text another living soul on her phone. This meant that for almost two weeks, she could not speak to her husband or children. Boy, did she miss them!

Do you know who she could talk to day or night, anywhere and everywhere, though – even with no cell reception? GOD! He can hear us even when no one else can, and He always takes our call. Prayer is like our own miraculous cellphone straight to God’s ears, and he NEVER puts us on hold or fails to answer. He hears every prayer, big or small, and LOVES having the chance to speak with us so much that he ALWAYS answers our prayers. We may not know the answer to our questions immediately, but God always provides an answer in His perfect timing. Whether you are sad, happy, mad, excited, curious or cautious, you can stop wherever you are and pray. Tell God your worries, your fears, your joys, and THANK HIM for His endless goodness. Remember to pray often!

To remind us to pray often, we made a special dolphin-inspired craft to help us during Christ’s Campfire Kids on Sunday. If you take this craft home, you can place it by your bed or breakfast table to remind you to pray for the important things you wrote on the prayer prompt sticks. The kids also went home with a tiny dolphin backpack (fidget) dangler to remind them to use the gift of prayer!

We look forward to seeing you around the campfire this coming Sunday at Christ’s Campfire Kids! Join us during the 9am traditional or 11am modern worship service at Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Ave. in Saginaw. See more photos here.

Lila Alpin

Lester Crampton
Wyatt Crouse
Richard Curry
Nicole Eigner
Gerald Evans
Kim Feldotte
Mitch Foss
Allen Gerwin
Cathy Haglund
Dave Haiderer

Pastor Paul Hinz
Sally Hinz
Jack Koltvedt
Pam Lelak
Jan List
Ruben Mendez
Lynne O’Laughlin

Joyce Trumble
Tara Weber
Sam Weis

Wedding Anniversary
Dave and Suzanne Marvosh will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary on Aug. 11.