Harriet Tubman, (c) Mark Frederickson. Used by permission.

WELCOME TO PEACE –WE’RE GLAD YOU FOUND US.

OUR FOCUS FOR THIS LENT: LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR

There are many examples of ongoing trauma besetting our world.  The Christians whose stories we’ve lifted up on Sundays during Lent—St. Patrick (3/16); St. Oscar Romero (3/23); Harriet Tubman & Sojourner Truth (3/30); and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4/6)—refused to allow fear to control or silence them.  These ordinary people became extraordinary witnesses, telling the truth, breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and putting their own lives at risk while leading others to freedom.  They embody the saying, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

To join our Live Stream broadcast of this service, click HERE.  

The Worship Guide can be downloaded here: Lent 4C 3.30.25 bulletin FINAL

Parable of the Fig Tree, Mike Moyers

WELCOME TO PEACE – WE’RE GLAD YOU FOUND US.

OUR FOCUS FOR THIS LENT: LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR

There are many examples of ongoing trauma besetting our world.  The Christians whose stories we’ll lift up on Sundays during Lent—St. Patrick (3/16); St. Oscar Romero (3/234); Harriet Tubman & Sojourner Truth (3/31); and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4/6)—refused to allow fear to control or silence them.  These ordinary people became extraordinary witnesses, telling the truth, breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and putting their own lives at risk while leading others to freedom.  They embody the saying, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

To join our Live Stream broadcast of this service, click HERE.  

The Worship Guide can be downloaded here: Lent 3C 3.23.25 bulletin FINAL

Dear Friends!

Our series of five Lenten Wednesday Soup/Suppers followed by Evening Prayer begins tonight.

• The soup/bread meal is served beginning at 6pm. 
• The 30 minute service of Evening Prayer begins at 7pm.

 Come as you are—to either or to both.

This year we’re introducing the new BLESS THIS NIGHT Vespers as the liturgy we’ll use through these five Wednesday gatherings.  It was birthed by the Holden Winter community in 2023.  Along with the sung liturgy, we’ll be exploring the Parable of the Two Sons and their Father from Luke 15.

Looking forward to breaking bread with you.

 WELCOME TO PEACE – WE’RE GLAD YOU FOUND US.

OUR FOCUS FOR THIS LENT: LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR

There are many examples of ongoing trauma besetting our world.  The Christians whose stories we’ll lift up on Sundays during Lent—St. Patrick (3/16); St. Oscar Romero (3/234); Harriet Tubman & Sojourner Truth (3/31); and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4/6)—refused to allow fear to control or silence them.  These ordinary people became extraordinary witnesses, telling the truth, breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and putting their own lives at risk while leading others to freedom.  They embody the saying, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

To join our Live Stream broadcast of this service, click HERE.  Lent 2C 3.16.25 bulletin

The Worship Guide can be downloaded here: 

WELCOME TO PEACE – WE’RE GLAD YOU FOUND US.

These forty days called Lent are like no other. It is our opportune time to return to the God who accompanies us in all we face, to receive the gifts of God’s grace, to believe with the heart and confess with the mouth the wonder of God’s love in Jesus, and to resist temptation at every turn. This is no small pilgrimage on which we have just embarked. It is a struggle Jesus knew. It is a struggle Jesus shares. The nearness of Christ, in bread and wine, water and word, sustains us.

Our Pass the Hat Partner for March is Compass Housing Alliance. Today Christopher Ross, President, will be with us to give us an update. Rev. Kristy Daniels will be our guest preacher.

To join our Live Stream broadcast of this service, click HERE.  

The Worship Guide can be downloaded here: Lent 1C 3.9.25 bulletin

On March 5th we cross the threshold into LENT.

We invite you to join us for our Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00pm.  

On Ash Wednesday we begin our forty-day journey with Christ toward the cross and empty tomb.  Marking our foreheads with ash, we acknowledge that we are destined to die and return to the Earth. At the same time, the ash traces the life-giving cross indelibly marked on our foreheads at baptism, reminding us we are God’s beloveds. While we journey together through this season, our relationship with God through the covenant of baptism is renewed. Returning to our baptismal call, we are set free to more intentionally bear the fruits of mercy and justice in the world.

Holy Communion will be celebrated at this service.  Christ, our Host, meets us in this meal of grace and offers himself,  fully embodied, in the bread and wine.  He invites all to come and meet him in this Holy Meal.

This service will also be Live Streamed. To tune into the YouTube broadcast of this service at 7pm, click HERE.

The Worship Guide can be downloaded here: Ash Wednesday C 2025 03.5.25 FINAL

“Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.  And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white….a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.  Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  – Luke 9:28-29, 34-35

Beloved of God,

March is here—a bridge month between winter and spring here in the Northwest.  The cold, snow, and wind we experienced recently has given way to a cluster of warmer days; birdsong is beginning to fill the air, and in the garden, crocus shoots are pushing up from the soil—harbingers of spring. This year, March is also a bridge month with respect to our journey of faith, for it marks the transition from the Season of Light to the Season of Lent. The Season of Light comes to a climax on March 2—Transfiguration Sunday—as Jesus and three companions go mountain climbing and their dazzling encounter on top nearly leaves the disciples speechless.  God speaks and the disciples listen, but still don’t quite catch the drift.   How do you explain mystery?  Words fail.

After this high point, we move into Lent, the springtime of the soul. Entrance into Lent begins with the Ash Wednesday service (March 5 @ 7pm), reminding us of our mortality and deep connection to the Earth, and how our destiny—our dying and rising—is linked to Christ in baptism. Forty days of reflection and meditation begin as we follow Jesus into the wilderness.  There he again ascends to the mountain top.  Only this time it is Satan who accompanies him.  He promises Jesus the world, but Jesus sees through the charade.   How about you and me?  Can we see through the empty promises with which the devil would lure and entice us into empty and dead-end actions, thoughts, and relationships?  Can we RESIST the temptation to “go with the flow” and accept the things taking place in our world which are unacceptable?

Lent is a season for gaining clarity:  clarity about our bond with Christ in baptism; clarity about our lifelong call as Christians to discover God’s will for our lives; clarity about the power which is God’s gift to us through the Holy Spirit to embody Christ’s love in how we love our vulnerable neighbor; clarity about our mission as a community of faithful people who will stand up when justice is being denied and speak truth to power.  As we follow Christ on the wilderness road we find a pace we can sustain.  And we stay close to him.  For the world’s masquerades are many and varied, and we must keep our wits about us if we are to hold our balance in the midst of these challenging times.

How will you enter this “springtime” of the soul?  One of the traditions of Lent is to simplify, to pare down to the bare essentials.  Fasting, prayer, and acts of charity are traditional practices during this season.  Some folks simplify their lives in Lent by choosing one thing to let go of or give up, such as an unhealthy habit.  Others choose to add on to their routine a spiritual discipline or a giving of themselves in some other form.  The options and opportunities for spiritual growth during this “springtime” are endless.  How about you?  How will this season be marked within the rhythm of your life?   Whatever our choices, we can be assured that God’s Spirit accompanies us, within and without, just as Christ promised; coaxing and guiding us toward a deeper dependence upon God and a more just and rich relationship with our neighbors.

May God’s accompaniment bring both joy, peace, and accompaniment to your Lenten journey.

Pastor Erik

Transfiguration, Lewis Bowman

WELCOME TO PEACE – WE’RE GLAD YOU FOUND US.

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.   – Luke 9:28-31

On this final Sunday of Epiphany we join Peter, James, and John as witnesses to Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain.  The dazzling display of light brings illumination to our lives and the life of the world.

Witnesses to the glory of God in the face of Jesus reflect that glory in the world. It was true for Moses. It was doubtless true for Peter, James, and John. We pray that it will be true of all of us who see God’s glory in the word and in the supper and who are being “transformed into the same image” by God’s Spirit.

The day will begin with a CROSS GENERATIONAL “FAT SUNDAY” CELEBRATION @ 9:15am – with pancakes and toppings galore (bring a favorite topping to add to the Toppings Bar if you are able!)   There will be a variety of stations set up for you to explore and prepare for your Lenten journey as a family. Including labyrinths, prayer beads, and more. There will be a variety to appeal to different ages and interests.

This is the 1^st Sunday of the month, so remember to bring your FOOD GIFTS for sharing with hungry neighbors.  Special request this month include: fruit of all kinds: canned, including pull-tabs, and shelf-stable fresh fruit such as mandarin oranges, etc.

During 10:30 WORSHIP we’ll be installing the new Church Council.  It’ll be our last opportunity to sing ALLELUIAS before Easter—so come raise your voice loud and strong!

Finally, Sunday is the last opportunity to participate in the MATCHING FUND OPPORTUNITY in support of Refugee Ministry of Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW)  As of today, $3900 has been received toward the $4500 goal.  You can write a check payable to Peace Lutheran Church or give through our Tithe.ly Portal Include: REFUGEES, in the memo line, and put it into the offering plate or drop it by the church office.  Thank you for your generosity!

To join our Live Stream broadcast of this service, click HERE.  

The Worship Guide can be downloaded here: Epiphany Transfig C 3.2.25 bulletin

WELCOME TO PEACE.  We’re glad you found us.

Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. Joseph lives it in Egypt. Jesus preaches it in the gospel. The Spirit guides us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided. Such merciful living is the baptismal blessing of having put on Christ. It is the gift of the life-giving Spirit. It is a reflection of God’s glory revealed in Christ.

To join our Live Stream broadcast of this service, click HERE.  

The Worship Guide can be downloaded here: Epiphany 7C 2.23.25 bulletin FINAL

“I was hungry, and you fed me. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.”  – Jesus

Are you wondering how you can respond to federal government actions, especially the stop work orders affecting refugee resettlement?   There are many opportunities for making a difference. One immediate response is RESOURCE SHARING.

Peace Lutheran is offering a MATCHING FUND OPPORTUNITY from now through MARCH 2nd.  We will match dollar-for-dollar every contribution made, up to a total of $4500 from now through March 1st.                       

The funds raised will support the Refugee Ministry of trusted partner Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) for current, urgent needs.

• Your gift of $100 becomes a contribution of $200

• Your gift of $250 becomes a contribution of $500.

• Your gift of $1000 becomes a contribution of $2000.

Your gift will help ensure that recently-arrived refugees will continue receiving housing, groceries, utilities and case management services; that unaccompanied minors will be welcomed, housed, & supported; and that those serving in our name are able to stand strong and steadfast.

Please make payments payable to Peace Lutheran Church or give through our Tithe.ly Portal  Include: REFUGEES, in the memo line, and mail to the church office by March 2nd.

We are not helpless bystanders.  We are powerful agents through the sharing of resources.  

Thank you!