News Letters:

Pastor's Corner

Growing in Christ

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:4-5

As the Days of December roll in, so does the increasing darkness. From now until December 21st the amount of daylight decreases as the amount of darkness increases.

For many people this time of year can be depressing, even overwhelming. How timely that the Light of the World comes when the is in its darkest period (at least in the Northern Hemisphere).

When I was in NY I was diagnosed with Season Affect Disorder. The decreasing light was actually altering my brain chemistry, the experts said.

There were times I would sleep forever, not wanting to go outside or even go to work (I was teaching at the time).

Time and time again God would remind me that His light shines in MY darkness and the darkness WILL NOT understand it.

In the act of understanding something we overcome the mystery of it. My darkness. His Light. Where do you need His Light to shine in your darkness this year?

Darkness reminds me of my sin which separates me from God. Since that Acension of Christ the world is in a season of Advent (coming), when the Light of the World returns, to make all things new.

This season, spend a few minutes asking God to shine his Light on your darkness and enjoy the Sonshine!

Blessed Advent & Christmas Season

Love,

Pastor Rob

VISION

Growing in Christ!

3 Areas:

1. Children/Youth

2. Small Groups

Daughter Church

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Sunday School:

Susan Engstrom

Sunday School News December 2005

Sunday school classes are offered from 9:30 - 10:30a.m. for all ages:

• 0-3 year olds Nersery ---------- Alecia Ray
• 2-3 year olds ---------- Susan Engstrom & Jessica Haddon
• Pre K4-Kindergarten ---------- Kathy Jacob & Jennifer Drake
• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Grade ---------- Linda Hughes, Jenni Gerard, & Bill Drake
• 4th & 5th Grade ---------- Rhonda Case
• Middle School ---------- Frank Kunz
• High School ---------- Ronald Curtis
• Young Couples ---------- Melvin Deal
• Seeking Him ---------- Juvanna Escher
• The Man God Uses ---------- Mark Escher
• Luke (angles) ---------- Pastor Rob

Sunday School opening is each Sunday at 9:30a.m. in the Sanctuary for children ages 4 - Middle School. We collect offerings and stickers are given for all children who bring their Bibles. After a short devotion, songs, and prayer the childern go to their classrooms with their teachers.

The lessons for the month of December include:

Help Others Get Ready for Jesus - The children will focus on God fulfilling His promise to send Jesus our Savoir.

God Helps Us Get Ready for Jesus - The children will learn how God's angel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus our Savior.

Jesus is Born - The children explore the Christmas story.

Simeon and Anna Welcome the Savior - The children will learn about two people who met baby Jesus.

Children in the 2 & 3 year old class will also be learning about how Jesus was born in a manger.

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WHERE TREASURED TRADITIONS BEGAN

Poinsettias:
The only purely North American Christmas tradition began in 1828, when Joel Pointsett, our first ambassador to Mexico, brought the plant to America. Mexicans believed it symbolized the star of Bethlehem.

Santa Claus:
Our favorite jolly old elf evolved from Saint Nicholas, a 4th century bishop from Asia Minor known for his generosity to the poor. The Dutch kept his legend alive and brought their version to America as Sinterklaas, which was anglicized to Santa Claus. In 1822, Clement Moore turned the obscure tradition into a cultural icon in "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

Christmas Cards:
The first commercial cards were actually a kind of stationary produced by a British Postal Service, workers in Victorian times. It depicted a Christmas scene in three panels, accompanied by the phrase "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You". Today in the U.S., we exchange 2 billion Christmas cards a year.

Mistletoe:
Ancient Vikings thought such a beautiful green plant growing out of dead logs in the middle of winter must have magical powers and used it to call truces in battle. When they converted to Christianity, the plant of peace struck them as a fine symbol for the birth of the Prince of Peace. The kissing tradition may trace back to Frigga, the Norse goddess of love and health. Or it might be a much more modern excuse for a bit of holiday cheer.

Xmas:
Xristos is Christ's name in Greek, so many European churches adopted the shorthand Xmas to save paper back when it was a precious commodity. The practice only fell into disrepute when we forgot its Greek roots.

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival". The Advent Wreath originated in Germany among early Christians. It soon spread to England where it found its way into traditions of the early church and home as a means of preparing the hearts and minds of Christians to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. It is covered with 7 different evergreens which speak of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. The wreath has blue or purple and 1 pink candle. A candle is lit each Sunday during the four Sundays of Advent.
On Christmas Eve and the Sundays of Christmastide, we light the large "Christ" candle in the center of the wreath. This symbolizes that God's promise has been fulfilled in the gift of His Son.

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GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER?

IS IT YOU?

What is it? 1 host and a few surprised guests (each providing a different course).

When is it? January, February, March, April, September, October. Host decides day and time.

Who is it? Anyone interested in Fun, Food, and Fellowship.

How? Add your name to the sign-up sheet and you will be contacted.

All those interested, please add your name to the NEW sign-up sheet in the Narthex even if you were signed up on the old list.
For any questions or ideas, please leave a note in Melissa Runge's mailbox.

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Thrivent: Kristi Clark

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a new financial, voluteer and advocacy alliance that includes four programs to help families achieve greater economic independence:

• Thrivent Builds Homes is a national program that provides an opportunity for its members to build up to 500 homes per year by 2008.
• Thrivent Builds Giving is a program offered to contribute $1 for every $2 its members donate to Habitat for Humanity.
• Thrivent Builds Worldwide is a program of short-term international and domestic homebuilding trips for individuals or Lutheran groups, such as a group from your congregation.
• Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods will provide approximately siz grants of up to $1 million each annually to community organizations, coalitions and nonprofits for projects that will measurably improve poverty housing in specific neighborhoods.

DID YOU KNOW??

Through this giving season, Thrivent Financial will contribute one dollar for every two dollars that a member donates to an eligible organization such as:
Prince of Peace Preschool
or
Lutheran Services of Georgia.

Visit Thrivent.com or contact Kristi Clark @ (770) 942-2778 for details and more info. on all of the benifits a $10.00 (annual/per family) membership fee can provide.

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Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Christmas Eve this year falls on a Saturday. We will have our usual Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7:00PM. Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. How about this for a suggestion? We have church on Saturday, December 24, 2005 for Christmas Eve, but since we will have been in church Saturday, we let that suffice for Sunday as well. That way we can all stay home and rest. God won't mind and the pastor won't have to write two sermons.

Let's go back to the old school way of celebrating God. It was that our church Fathers would celebrate Christmas for twelve days. Start making plans now to come and celebrate these two in a row. There is no telling how the Lord might bless you for your sacrifice of time and praise.

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The Prince of Peace 2006 Board of Directors

Elected Members:
Chairman - Chuck Engstrom
Vice Chairman - Ron Mintz
Secretary - Kathy Jacob
Treasurer - Ronald Curtis
Head Elder - David Revelle

Appointed Officers:
Sandra Balkcom - Director of Christian Education
Ken Panse - Director of Evangelism
Charles Runge - Director of Stewardship
Jim Wildt - Financial Secretary
Alma Benson - Chairman of the School Board
Charlene Shanks - Director of Social Ministry
Jim Benson - Director of Property
Maxine Wilson - Director of Public Relations

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CHOSEN PEOPLE MINISTRIES Guest speaker: Dr. Rich Freeman will be here on December 11th at our worship service. The topic will be Hanukkah.

Time & Talents. Place completed T/T forms in the Offering Plate. Don't forget to put your name on it. Prince of Peace wishes to thank those who serve.

Not JUST Cambell's labels are MMM... good
We also accept the following brands: Pace, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Swanson, & V8. Total collected:622+. Keep sending them in. Our goal is 1.5 million!!!

Children's Church

Ink Cartridges: Bring your empty ink cartridges for recycling! Any kind, just drop them off in the box by the Secretary's office.

Opportunities to Serve:

• Audio-Visual Engineers
• Office Volunteers (10-12)
• Cassette Tape Ministry
• Publicity Lighted Sign

Advent Dinners
Wednesdays at 6 PM
December 7, 14

• Soup
• Sandwich
• Salad
• & Desert (of course!)

Pick up your Pecans today.
$7 per bag.
Make checks payable to
LWML.

Shaving Kit Challenge
Bring:

• Can of Shaving Cream
• Deodorant/Antiperspirant
• Disposable Razor

Angel Tree

18 Foster Teens
Items to Purchase:

• Jacket
• Tennis Shoes
• Watch
• Movie Ticket

Children's Christmas Nativity

"Oh, Come all ye Faithful"

Wednesday, December 14th at 7:15
Sign up sheet for a special dinner and dessert is on the bullitin board in the Commons area.

Perfect Attendance For November Sunday School

• Natalie Drake
• Melissa Drake
• Nicholas Schlesnecker
• Charles Schlesnecker
• Nathan Curtis
• Justin Drake
• Katherine Curtis
• Anna Curtis
• Zack Panse

Announcements: In order to make the best use of time and streamline the announcements, please give any announcement in written form to Pastor. He will make them before the service begins. Remember, the bulletin and Newsletter are excellent areas for communication to the entire congregation. Please give or e-mail announcements to Holly at peace582@bellsouth.net or leave them in the secretary's box before WEDNESDAY.

Christmas Poinsettias

ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS
...cost $10. Sign up on Bulletin Board in Commons area. Honor/Memorialize a loved one. Poinsettias may be taken home after the Christmas Eve Service.

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Serving God this month:

Acolytes:

• 12/4 Megan Chase/Daniel Drake
• 12/11 K. Grieser/Zack Panse
• 12/18 Anna Curtis/Nikki Escher
• 12/24 Acolyte: Christina Revelle
  Crucifer Amanda Engstrom
• 12/25 K. Curtis/Matt Mintz
• 12/31 Angelica Gerard

Lay Readers:

• 12/4 Bob Richards/Vickie Hecht
• 12/11 M. Drake/Jenni Gerard
• 12/18 Alma Benson/Kitty Revelle
• 12/24 Peter Panse
• 12/25 Ruth Curtis/C. Engstrom
• 12/31 Susan Engstrom

Hospitality:

• 12/4 Engstrom/M. Runge
• 12/11 J. Abley/L. Hughes
• 12/18 K. Revelle/J. Gerard
• 12/25 K. Jacob/S. Drake

Ushers:

• 12/4 Frank Kunz/Jerry Balkcom
  Paul Wilson/Leon Wilkins
• 12/11 Ron Curtis/Stu Drake
  Tom Fern/Jim Benson
• 12/18 Tom Clark/Bob Renner
  Ernie Lara/Bill Drake
• 12/25 Frank Kunz/Jerry Balkcom
  Jim Wildt/Tommy Clark

Greeters:

• 12/4 Rhoda Case
• 12/11 Monica Lara
• 12/18 Susan Engstrom
• 12/25 Kathy Jacob

Elders:

• 8 AM Mike Case
• 11 AM David Revelle

Altar Care:

• Jody Grantham

This Month:

Birthstone:

turquoise, color varies from greenish blue to sky blue shades.

Flower:

Narcissus bulbs have been used medicinally for centuries, even though they are poisonous. Roman soldiers were said to carry them in their first-aid containers. Symbol of Good Fortune.

Birthdays:

• 12/1 Margaret Feagin
• 12/3 Alma Benson
• 12/3 Stu Drake
• 12/5 Denise Tanner
• 12/8 Chuck Engstrom
• 12/9 Donna Billstrom
• 12/11 Ruth Curtis
• 12/14 Brian Stubbs
• 12/18 Brody Patton
• 12/20 Debbie Clark
• 12/21 Christopher Williams
• 12/23 David Revelle
• 12/24 Ashley Mitchell
• 12/27 Bri Case

Anniversaries:

• 12/8 Ernie & Monica Lara
• 12/11 Ronald & Maxine Wilson
• 12/12 Harley & Vickie Hecht
• 12/23 Mike & Rhonda Case

Altar Flowers:

• 12/4 Rhonda Case & Ruth Curtis Birthdays
• 12/18
• 12/25

Cost: $25.00. Sign up on Secretary's door.

Prayer Chain

Need immediate, concentrated prayer? Call the Prayer Chain and have over 30 people praying for you.
Call Rickie (770)489-2650
or Charlene (770)949-8380
or e-mail Rhonda: case@co.douglas.ga.us

The Deadline is...Sunday December 18th for the January edition. Articles and comments can be sent to Holly Wilson at peace582@bellsouth.net. They can also be in written form and placed in the secretary's mailbox.