Today: “Who Is My Neighbor? The Least of These” • Matthew 25:31-46; Isaiah 58:1-12; James 2:1-8 • Jesus told a parable: The people had been serving Jesus all along but hadn’t recognized it. They had simply been doing what they had always done: Loving people in Jesus’ name; living as His people; making a difference here and now, and for all eternity. To them it was unremarkable. What about you and me? Does our connection with Jesus and our grateful response to His limitless love move us to action? Will we recognize Jesus among the “least of these”? How do you and I respond to the needs we see all around us?
Summer “Back to Basics” Sermon Series: “Who Is My Neighbor?” • It is one of the most fundamental tenets of the Christian faith. God has commanded us to love—first and foremost, to love Him above all things, and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. It all sounds so simple, but it isn’t always easy. The question we ask ourselves this summer as we go back to basics is, “Who is our neighbor?” And what does love for our neighbor look like in the world in which we live? And what makes that love so extraordinary?
NEW! To view or print Sunday’s 9am Worship bulletin: https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023_07_30-Trad-Pentecost-9-002.pdf
Bible Classes
Adult Sunday Morning Bible Class at 10:00 am • The class is led by Jim Essig. We are looking at the Gospel of Luke. Classes are in the Music Room during our 10:00 am Education Hour, between the 9 am & 11 am worship services.
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR AGE 4 – GRADE 5: Foundations of Faith • Kids will make crafts, play games, and learn the basic truths about God using both Old Testament and New Testament stories. Kids will walk away from each class with a new “God is…” statement (i.e. “God is powerful” or “God is kind”) and what it means that we are God’s people. Sunday School meets upstairs in the Family Life Center classrooms from 10:00-10:45 on Sunday mornings.
YOUTH SUNDAY BIBLE CLASS (6th-12th) • “Word One Bible Studies” – a mixture of discussion and experiential learning – come check it out – in the far, upstairs classroom in the Family Life Center from 10:00am-10:45am.
The Mid-week Bible Class Resumes THIS WEDNESDAY, August 2 at 9:30am in the Board Room.
Lunch & Zilch – Save the Date: Thursday, August 17 at 11:30am • Jim Essig is hosting another Lunch & Zilch on Thursday, August 17. Save the Date and bring along some friends for some fun! Please RSVP to Jim by text or email by August 14. Winners will get a prize! |Cell: (407)446-7147 | jim.essig@poporlando.com
Be Equipped to Serve God – September 28-30, 2023 – President’s Equip Conference • This local conference helps volunteers, leaders, pastors, board members, educators, youth leaders, and administrators to be better equipped to work alongside each other to connect people to Jesus. Happening at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, early registration is $149.00 before August 15. Limited scholarships are available to those who demonstrate need. | To learn more, or to register now, go to https://flgadistrict.org/pec/
Support the Kenya Mission • Support Kenya missionaries Shara and Michael Osiro (LCMS World Misssion). Donate through our online form or our online giving page where you can chose “Kenya Mission” from the “give to” drop-down menu. If using a check, please indicate “Kenya Mission” in the memo field. https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/kenya-mission | https://poporlando.breezechms.com/give/online
Youth Ministry Spirit Nights are Back! – Broadway Pizzeria Starting Tuesday, August 8 at 5pm-8pm • Before COVID, Prince of Peace/ Príncipe de Paz Youth had an arrangement with Broadway Pizza for a once-a-month fundraiser, and it is time to re-launch! On the Second Tuesday of each month Starting Tuesday, August 8, all you must do is identify yourself as someone supporting Prince of Peace Youth at check out and they will add your sale to our total. This includes dining in and takeout. All sales will result in a donation of 15% of your total bill to our Youth Ministry.
(1700 Woolco Way – on the other side of Semoran from the church, near Sedano’s)
Altar Flowers • To sponsor Altar Flowers in celebration of a special occasion, in memory of a loved one, or simply out of thanksgiving to God, you can do so at https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/flowers or by contacting the office.
Volunteers Needed! Help Serve the Lord • We are looking for volunteers that are willing to help serve the Lord by helping with ushering, communion assistant, projection, live stream, altar guild and transportation. If you are willing to help in any way, please contact (407) 277-3945 for more information. | https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/volunteerinterest
Help Fund our Students Trip to the LCMS NYG July 2025 through Raise Right! • It may seem far off, but the next National Youth Gathering will be upon us before we know it and preparations have already begun! The Gift Card program through Raise Right supports our youth. You can use this ID code: CFA82EEB65547 to identify Prince of Peace Youth as the organization you want to benefit from your order and start shopping.
Upcoming Youth Events: (Middle School & High School)
Saturday, July 29 – Community Service – Help with Back-to-School Event at PoP – 8:00 am- Noon
Fruits of Faith
July 23
9:00 Traditional: 110 | 11:00 Contemporary: 40 | 11:00 Spanish: 75 | TOTAL: 225
Giving: Thank you for your faithful engagement in our ministry through your gifts and offerings.
July 9 offerings $ 7,980
July 16 offerings $16,859
July 23 offerings $12,944
needed each week: $11,923.
PRAYERS
Prayers of Comfort: Prayers for our Preschool Cook, Jennifer Montalvo, and her family, at the death of her brother and mom.
Recovering: Sylvia Bourgeois, Eleanor Eaton, Joe HeinzHenry Leon, Joni Steidly
Healing and Strength: Karen Adkins, Dave & Mary Ann Ault, Rebecca Brooks, Delores B, Michael B, Donna C, Danny Conlin, Alice Darling, Elizabeth Dawson, Sarah D and baby Sam, Carmen Diaz, Steven Dorsagano, Gail Eaton, John Elmore, Judy Finnie, Rev. Dennis Glander, Michael Halstead, Rebecca Rhodes, Harley Halstead, Joe Heinz, Ruth Hoagland, Bill Jordan, Jerry Jordan, Merle Kroeplin, Joan Krumpholc, Larue (friend of Gwen Taliver), Jim Lord, Kathy McCartin, Michael McCarty, Maddie, George Meder, Lewis Mendez, Dale P., Rick Perre, Dorothy Reynolds, Miriam Rivera, David Rodgers, Nitza Rohena, Janette Seeds (friend of Barbara Hahn), Rex Serio, Cindy Sibley, Shirley Stockett, Meridith Swanson (vocal rest), Sonia Tellez, Ted Wessel, Cricket Winters, Leon W, Linda Zamsky
Receiving Treatments: Ellen B., Sarah vB, Ellen Boogher, Kent Jespersen, Cameron LaPointe, Pastor Brian Roberts, Elena Santana, Marleen Schmidt, Jeff S, Janet V, Debbie W, Staci Welburn, Dayton Whites, Brenda Williams, Michelle Zicarelli
Continued Care: Chuck Boogher, Rick Burns, Pat C., Kelly DeFrietas, Al & Linda Dicks, Bob and Colleen E, Linda House, Minnie Hutchinson, Linda Jackson, Otto Krumpholc, Mary K.M, Micki & Sal LoBue, Joyce Miller, Todd O, Betty Schnell, Caitlyn Thoms; Michael, Noel, & Roger V; Harry Wahl
Special: Heavenly Father, we pray that Your Holy Spirit would open our eyes to the neighbors who are all around us and guide us in ways to serve them. Let the love of Jesus be evident in all we do. Let the power of Your Spirit move us so that truly we are the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus. • We ask that the Lord send His guardian angels to watch over all those who travel during the summer months. • We ask the Lord to be with President Biden, members of Congress, and the Supreme Court, as well as all state and local leaders. • Lord, watch over and keep our first responders safe. • We pray for all those families we served through yesterday’s Back to School and Health Fair event. Bless all with Your goodness and mercy. • We ask the Lord to be with all teachers and families as our communities prepare for a new school year. Bless all who are a part of the PoP/PdeP family, especially our Preschool. •We offer prayers for our church body, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, as we prepare for the national convention July 29 to Aug. 3, 2023, in Milwaukee. Make our church body to be a bright light, shining with the hope and love of Jesus in a dark world.
For those in the military or deployed: We pray for those who serve our nation in the armed services and for those who are deployed, especially those connected with our PoP/PdeP family: Zachary Carbonell, Kyle Holysz, Matthew Rojas, Amanda S, Greg S, Geoffrey W.
Staff Contacts:
Rev. Ken Green, Senior Pastor ken.green@poporlando.com
Rev. Adolfo Borges, Assoc. Pastor adolfo.borges@poporlando.com
David Ludwig, Jr., Worship & Music david.ludwig@poporlando.com
Deaconess Ligia Borges, Outreach ligia.morales@poporlando.com
DCE Eric Gerken, Families and Youth eric.gerken@poporlando.com
Anne Dobbins, Preschool Director anne.dobbins@poporlando.com
Jim Essig, Senior Adult Ministry jim.essig@poporlando.com
Pam Fuller, Chief of Staff pam.fuller@poporlando.com
Adriana Alas, Administrative Assist. adriana.alas@poporlando.com
Office Contact information: (407)277-3945 | staff@poporlando.com
News Extra—Around Campus – Facility Upgrades and Renovations
Parking Lot Repair and Resurfacing Began Last Week! This project addresses several safety concerns, especially in areas where concrete has deteriorated over time. Concrete parking areas along the FLC and extending to accessible parking near the Sanctuary have received a 1½” overlay, or cap. All areas will be seal coated. Here’s the schedule:
Tuesday, 8/1 – overlay of concrete area from dumpster to Curry Ford Road – all other parking areas will be accessible, although foot-traffic over the affected areas will be restricted while the work is taking place.
New Monument for Memorial Garden Ordered– Thank you to those who have made leading gifts and donations! Lack of space for new name plates has necessitated the purchase of an additional granite monument for the Prince of Peace/Príncipe de Paz Memorial Garden. The monument has been ordered and will be installed once completed (likely, in fall). Funding for the new monument will come from a mix of special donations (thank you again!) and existing funds in the Bastien Memorial Account. Cost: just under $11,000. Would you like to contribute a gift above and beyond your regular offerings to the new monument? Please contact Chief of Staff/Bookkeeper Pam Fuller in the church office to learn more (pam.fuller@poporlano.com).
Completed or Nearing Completion:
New Wayfinding Signage Up – Work on signage is complete. We invite you to take a walk around campus and see where signage has been put in place. It looks nice and is functional, especially useful for people new to PoP/PdeP and our Preschool.
Driveway on McDonalds Side – sealcoating of driveway completed.
Parking Lot in front of the Sanctuary – sealcoating of existing asphalt has been completed.
Administration Office – We added new paint in the hallway and lobby area.
Campus Restrooms (final stages) – Sinks and toilets have been repaired or replaced and plumbing has also been updated.
Music room & FLC Hallways – There is new flooring in the music room hallway and the FLC hallway.
Large Conference Room – New flooring, new conference table and chairs, new paint, and new blinds.
Kitchen – new cabinets, new flooring, new plumbing, new paint, and new warmer oven.
Old Library (off of Kitchen) – New paint, and blinds coming soon, new flooring; removal of stored items/clutter and dated bookshelves | purpose: to create an attractive, functional workspace and meeting area, giving a fresh look to an area preschool families and church members walk past 7 days a week | Cost: $2,100, funding source: Significant Gift of Mission and Ministry ($383,000 of the $1M “M&M Gift” was set aside for Renovation, Aesthetics, Improvements, and Safety)
Preschool “Baby Room” (Old Preschool Office) – new flooring and cabinets | purpose: safe, clean, and special place for our “littles”; eliminate source of insect pests (old cabinet) | Cost: $3,100, funding source: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, grant distributed through state of Florida.
Upcoming Projects
Music Room update
Preschool classrooms cabinets and flooring