PEACE NOTES
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF WORD OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH AUGUST 2013
Dear friends, I have struggled with what to say to you in this, my last le er to you before re rement. I told a friend of mine that going into re rement feels like when I was going to the first church I served as a young pastor. I was excited about it, but I was also apprehensive. Pastor Ron Prasek Senior Pastor
The reason this le er has been so difficult is that Becky and I truly love the people and staff at Word of Peace. This congrega on is filled with followers of our Lord who are making a big difference in God’s world for Jesus Christ. And in a world that is o,en so cynical and self-centered, this congrega on is something precious and wonderful. I came across a quote that seems to sum up so much of what Word of Peace is. It says, “The church is as large as the lives that are touched through the congrega on, by the love of God. Caring is the ul mate measure of a congrega on’s size.” (C Dudley) If we use this measure, Word of Peace is a very large congrega on—large in the love of Christ. And that is why it is so difficult to write this le er of goodbye to you.
We say goodbye to Pastor Ron and his wife, Becky, who will leaving Word of Peace at the end of the month. Pastor Ron will deliver his final sermon on August 25 & 26 and we will send them off with a re$rement celebra$on on August 25 from 1:00-4:00pm at Rockwoods Banquet Center in Otsego. Are all invited to a.end.
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS, STORIES AND MESSAGES TO PASTOR RON We will compile them all and present them to him at the $me of his re$rement celebra$on in August. Photos:
It has been a remarkable nine years. We have watched as this congrega on has stepped out in our community to do everything, from dealing with the a,ermath of a tornado, to helping people keep from losing their homes in the financial crisis, to raising money for members in medical crises. All along you have seen to it that our worship is vibrant and that all people are welcomed into our fellowship. And over one thousand children are enrolled in church school, confirma on, middle school and senior high programming, and they are growing in knowing and loving our Lord and his church through learning and ac on.
• Email them to jpriebe@woplc.org • Post them on your Facebook page
Becky and I are excited about the future of Word of Peace. Through the faith and love of the people in this congrega on, wonderful things are going to con nue to be done through the Holy Spirit by this church. We look forward to hearing about the con nued ministry and mission of Word of Peace over the years to come.
• Go to www.wordofpeace.org/
I can only end my le er to you with a sincere and hear7elt “Thank You” and the words that Saint Paul closed so many of his le ers with, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
and tag Word of Peace • Post them on the Word of Peace
Facebook page • Mail or bring your USB drive, CD or
prints to Jennie Priebe in the church office. Stories and Messages:
• • • •
By God’s Amazing Grace,
Pastor Ron & Becky Prasek
tributes and tell us your stories, memories, and messages to Pastor Ron. Email them to jpriebe@woplc.org Post them on your Facebook page and tag Word of Peace Post them on the Word of Peace Facebook page A guest book will be available for your messages at the re$rement celebra$on as well.