Today: “Courage to Wait” • Acts 1:1-1; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 • When there is so much work to do for God, so many needs, so many opportunities, who can wait? The Disciples had seen the Risen Lord ascend into heaven. There was ministry to be done; and yet, Jesus said to wait. What is there to do while waiting? You pray. You anticipate. You serve each other. You reflect on what Jesus has said. It is a part of how Jesus is preparing us for what comes next. Are you praying and seeking the Spirit’s leading? How do you anticipate seeing God at work?
About this series: “Resurrecting Courage” • It takes courage to be a Christian—but perhaps not for the reasons that might immediately come to mind. Some have suggested that the challenge the church faces is less about how our society lost its way, but that it is that the church has forgotten “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly” with the One who IS the way (Micah 6:8; John 14:6). This Easter season we look at snapshots of the early Christian to gain a sense of how those walking with Jesus submitted to His power and authority and were radically transformed by His grace. May we, too, have courage to walk with Jesus authentically, unapologetic that we bear His name, and committed to show His love and mercy with radical grace.
To view or print Sunday’s 9am Worship bulletin: https://poporlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024_05_12-Trad-Easter-7-Ascension.pdf
Bible Classes
Adult Sunday Morning Bible Class at 10:00 am • The class is led by Jim Essig. We are studying the book of Acts. Classes are in the Music Room during our 10:00 am Education Hour, between 9 am & 11 am worship.
PARENTS’ SUPPORT GROUP – Sundays at 10:00am • “Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World” • facilitated by Carol and Kurt Bickel in the Board Room (Admin building)
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR AGE 4 – GRADE 5: Heart of God • This year, our Sunday School will be digging into the “Heart of God.” Ourvolunteers will help children understand God’s attributes through Bible stories, crafts, games and more. Each week the children will learn about who God is and how we can follow Him. The children will have a lot of fun and learn important faith lessons at the same time. https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/57d9c8
The Mid-week Bible Class for Adults • Wednesday Mornings 9:30am – 10:30am in the Board Room. Our topic is looking at Scriptures for the upcoming Sunday’s theme. Led by Pastor Ken.
Happy Mother’s Day from Prince of Peace/Principe de Paz! Luncheon Today at 12:30pm in the FLC • Don’t forget all families of Prince of Peace/Príncipe de Paz are invited to the Mother’s Day Luncheon prepared and served by the men of the 11am Spanish service. There will be delicious food, special music, and great fellowship. We hope to see you there!
Festival of Pentecost – Sunday, May 19 – 10:30 worship service — Come Celebrate!!!
• Combined/Bilingual Worship (Day of Pentecost) –one worship service for all God’s people at 10:30am •
• Meal/Pot Luck at 12:00 Noon (last names beginning with A-L, please bring a dessert; M-Q, a side dish or salad;
and R-Z, a main dish to share) | Join, celebrate and feast as one people of God, one Prince of Peace/Príncipe de Paz
- Congregational Meeting to celebrate God’s work among us + Election of Board of Directors Members
Celebrate Our VPK Graduates! Friday, May 24, 11am • All are invited to join us on this Friday, May 24, at 11:00am, as we celebrate all these young people have accomplished as we come to the end of another awesome school year!
Save the Date: Youth Pool Party – May 19, 4:00pm-6:00pm • The Gerken family will be hosting the youth pool party at the pool in their HOA. It’s just a few blocks away from his home. There will be drinks and snacks poolside and you get to enjoy a large pool. Not a swimmer? That’s okay, you are still invited to attend and hangout! The address will be provided sometime this week.
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.
Today’s altar flowers are given by Jim & Pam Ingersoll on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary May 11; Jerry & Donna Lemcke’s 12 Anniversary.
PHOTO OP – Photos for Mother’s Day! • Mom, bring the family to together to have a family photo taken this Sunday at Prince of Peace/Príncipe de Paz! This is a great chance to have everyone dressed up for Mother’s Day. Photos will be shot in the courtyard by volunteers before and after each service. For Everyone—This is a great opportunity that we hope will be a blessing you. This can also be a blessing to our congregation as we seek to better connect with one another. We invite everyone who worships at PoP/PdeP to have their picture taken so those digital photos can be a part of our secure, online church directory. Your photos will be available to download from your personal record. Photos will be taken this Sunday as well as next Sunday before and after the combined Pentecost Bi-lingual worship.
RaiseRight: Support our Youth Ministry with your Graduation Gift Cards! • Go to RaiseRight.com, select the cards you want, and our Youth will receive a percentage back of each card purchased, depending on the value. Use this ID code: CFA82EEB65547 to identify Prince of Peace Youth as the organization you want to support.
Compassion Project – Donations Needed! • We are seeking the following items: new men’s large and extra-large underwear boxer shorts; AA and AAA batteries; and toothbrushes. All items can be dropped off in the church office, and they will be delivered to the Samaritan Resource Center. Thank you for helping those in need.
Church/Preschool offices Closed – Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day • The church and preschool offices will be closed for Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the U.S for honoring and mourning the U.S Military personnel who have died while serving the United States armed forces.
Vacation Bible Camp Updates!
SCUBA is planned for June 10-14 from 9:00 am- 12:15 pm daily. It is a fun, “undersea” adventure to help kids Age 4- Grade 5 (rising 6th) to explore what it means to be Jesus’ friend. The music, games, skits, science experiments, snacks and more all point to Jesus. It is fun, action packed, and we would love to see your child there!
Donations List • Many of our activities are “supply heavy.” We have been blessed over the years to have many items donated that are needed to hold this major program. (This list is will be updated regularly until the week before Camp) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4EAAAC2CABFC1-48873915-scuba#/
Registration is filling up! Register Now to Ensure You Don’t Miss out! • Last summer, we filled all of our spaces 2 weeks before camp started, and we are ahead of that pace for SCUBA. Don’t wait, sign up your child now to ensure that they do not have to be placed on our waiting list. | https://vbspro.events/p/f716b8
Volunteers are needed for SCUBA Vacation Bible Camp – June 10-14 • We have some KEY Leadership positions, especially in our preschool programming, that need more adult volunteers. We are looking for Station leaders or Co-Station leaders. Other areas that need caring volunteers include Preschool Bible story, Preschool Crafts, Preschool Science and Preschool Games. Our Dive Camp Instructors (volunteer small group leaders) will handle supervising and any discipline necessary. If interested in learning more, please fill out our online volunteer form or contact DCE Eric Gerken. | https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/615cba
Thank you for pushing us toward our goal for PoP Kids! • Your financial donations for Bible Camp make a difference. Not only are we seeing increased cost in curriculum and supplies from our publisher, but we have a vision for launching PoP Kids, an ongoing ministry to engage children and families. Your donations help with the branding through purchasing T-shirts that kids and families will be encouraged to wear to future activities. Thank you to the PoP Endowment Committee for seed money, and to congregation members for rising to the challenge. Don’t miss this this opportunity: prayerfully consider a donation today? https://poporlando.breezechms.com/give/online
In Person SCUBA Volunteer Training – Saturday, June 1 at 10:00 am • We still need several more Youth and Adults to fill volunteer roles for VBC. If you have not yet volunteered and can help on the mornings of June 10-14, please sign up today. This is a GREAT way to get volunteer hours for school. Here is the link to register: https://poporlando.breezechms.com/form/615cba
Fruits of Faith — Sunday, May 5
9:00 Traditional: 110 | 11:00 Contemporary: 47 | 11:00 Spanish: 81 | TOTAL: 238
Giving: Thank you for your faithful engagement in our ministry through your gifts and offerings.
April 21 offerings $12,351
April 28 offerings $ 9,001
May 5 Offerings $11,528 needed each week: $12,403
Year-to-Date Giving as of 4/28/2024:
Budgeted: $210,864 | Received: $199,331 | Behind year-to-date: $11,533
Your gifts and offerings, your prayers and service to the Lord—they make a difference here, and for all eternity.
PRAYERS
Comfort: We ask that the Lord would comfort Ellen Ponsford and her family at the death of her brother, Russell. We especially pray for Russ’ wife, Liz. We also pray for the Lord’s guardian angels to watch over Ellen as she travels for the service. | We also ask the Lord to comfort the family of John Blessing who mourn his death. | Recovering: Barbara Conyers, Sheila Johnson, Jason McCartin, Camille Neville, Debbie Noss, Nancy Plotnikoff, Norma Poutre, Jeff Powell, Sheila Roberts, Cindy Sibly, Pete Spudich, Nicole Wernsing, Pat Williams | Tests: Tom Rowell
Healing and Strength: Karen Adkins, Dave & Mary Ann Ault, Kurt Bickel, Rebecca Brooks, Delores B, Michael B, Donna C, Danny Conlin, Elizabeth Dawson, Sarah Dierking, Steven Dorsagano, Gail Eaton, John Elmore, Amanda Fearce, Judy Finnie, Leonard G, Rev. Dennis Glander, Michael Halstead, Joe Heinz, Jim & Pam Ingersoll, Chris & Kristen Ivanic, Bill Jordan, Jerry Jordan, Kelli Kalinowski, Merle Kroeplin, Henry Leon, Jim Lord, Larry Martinez, Kathy McCartin, Michael McCarty, Maddie, George Meder, Lewis Mendez, Christopher Miller, Mario Muniz, Skylar Newport, Rick Perre, Miriam Rivera, David Rodgers, Nitza Rohena, David Schloemer, Rex Serio, Hannah Steinbronn, Shirley Stockett, Carmen & Juan, Rosalee Wessel, Ted Wessel, Cricket Winters, Leon W, Linda Zamsky |
Family & Friends: Stephanie, Matthew, Samantha, Jason, Daniel Baudry, Debbie Holly, Carlyn and Sarah (both fighting cancer)
Receiving Treatments: Ellen Boogher, Sarah vonBraun, Joshula Flowers, Cameron LaPointe, Elvie Lord, Pastor Brian Roberts, Elena Santana, Jeff S, Tina T, Janet V, Vincent Ward, Debbie W, Dayton Whites, Brenda Williams, Michelle Zicarelli
Continued Care: Chuck Boogher, Rick Burns, Pat C., Kelly DeFrietas, Al & Linda Dicks, Bob E, Linda House, Linda Jackson, Otto Krumpholc, Mary K.M, Jean LaPointe, Micki & Sal LoBue, Todd O, Betty Schnell, Michael, Noel, & Roger V, Harry Wahl
Special: Jesus, fill us with passion and enthusiasm and joy, for You have ascended and reign on high. We pray for the gift of Your Spirit. Help us to take time to wait, listening for Your voice through Your word; constant in prayer; anticipating how You will use us to meet the needs of others in our congregation and our community. • We pray for our troubled world, longing for the day that wars and violence will cease over all the earth, the day when all wrongs will be righted, and the Lord’s justice will prevail. We also pray for those who have experienced natural disasters. Love have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy. • We pray for all those who are preparing for graduation; and for all teachers, students, and families at the end of this school year. • 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.
Prayers 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: Jake Allison, Zachary Carbonell, Cody Dowling, Kyle Holysz, Matthew Rojas, Amanda S, Greg S, Geoffrey W
Official Notice: Congregational Meeting Sunday, May 19 at 12:15pm (following the Combined Pentecost Worship Service) – Election of BOD Members • At the Congregational Meeting, members are elected to the Board of Directors and updates for key ministry initiatives are presented.
Board of Directors—Slate of Nominees Announced • The Board of Directors approved the slate of nominees for open positions on the Board as presented by the nominating committee: Paul Browder, Nina Cavalli-Rojas*; Jason Hoge, Brooke McKinnon*, Tony Steinbronn*, and Silquia Velez (*indicates incumbent).
Additional information from our bylaws about the nominations process is below:
BYLAWS – ARTICLE IV – ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The nominating committee consisting of the continuing directors and pastor shall draw up a slate of nominees for each vacant position on the Board of Directors. An eligible nominee shall be an active voting member (Article V and VI of the Constitution) of the congregation. Each nominee shall be contacted to verify his or her willingness to accept the nomination. Additional nominations by any voting member may be made during a two-week period following the publication of the slate of nominees as chosen by the nominating committee. Such additional nominations shall be made in writing to the chair of the nominating committee, providing said nominee meets the requirements for eligibility above and has expressed his or her willingness to serve. Prior to balloting a final slate of all nominees shall be published. Elections shall be held during the May/June congregational meeting. The installation of newly elected directors will take place on a Sunday prior to the July meeting of the Board of Directors. In the event of a tie vote for any director, a second ballot shall be cast etc., until one candidate has a majority.
CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS – Nominated to serve the July 2024 – June 30, 2026 term | * indicates incumbent.
Paul Browder
I have been a member of POP for nearly 20 years. I am a communion helper, usher, and projection assistant at the contemporary service. I also serve on the stewardship committee and have helped with the youth program, food pantry, evangelism group, men’s group, and offering count team. I enjoy song writing, watching comedies, and flying drones.
Nina Cavalli-Rojas*
I moved from New Jersey, after living there for over fifty years, to Saint Cloud with my husband Jose three years ago. I have two boys, Jonathan, an engineer in Indiana and Matthew, a first lieutenant in the Army. Currently I am practicing part time as a pediatrician in Celebration and the lead at the church’s food pantry.
Jason Hoge
My wife and I became members of Prince of Peace in 2014 after moving to the Orlando area, and currently live in Sorrento, Florida. I am employed as a Credit Officer for Cogent Bank, a community bank based in Orlando, Florida. I have been in banking for 18 years. I hold an MBA from the University of Central Florida. My hobbies include cycling, traveling, and learning new things.
Brooke McKinnon*
I am a mom to two amazing kids, Maddie and Riley and a wife to my Husband Tyler. I am a kindergarten teacher and have taught mostly in Christian schools. I have grown up in the Lutheran Church and I am looking forward to serving my church.
Tony Steinbronn*
Tony and his wife, Carol, moved to Central Florida after retiring in 2021 and recently joined Prince of Peace/Príncipe de Paz. Tony is an LCMS pastor and has served congregations, as an overseas missionary and theological educator in Southern Africa (Botswana and South Africa), as a mission executive in the New Jersey District, then as District President. He and Carol have four adult children.
Silquia Velez
My name is Silquia Velez, married, mother of two daughters, and have one grandson. My husband, Juan Alberto, and I have been members of the Hispanic congregation for more than seven years. Pastor Adolfo invited me to participate in one of your board meetings, and I enjoyed so much! It will be a blessing to be part of your leadership board. God bless you all!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS – CONTINUING TERMS: Current Term July 2023 – June 30, 2025
Camille Neville
Camille Neville is married to Randy Neville, and they have a 5-year-old daughter named Brianna. Once Camille became a mother, she retired from Florida Hospital after a 25-year career where she was responsible for many Critical Care programs for respiratory therapists. Camille is fluent in both English and Spanish. She has been an active member of the Prince of Peace for over 13 years and is always seeking ways to serve her community and church.
Celso Rivera
My full name is Celso A Rivera, born and raised, Presbyterian, in a town called Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. I studied BS and MS in Physiology, got married there, and then moved. I spent most of my time in the San Juan Metropolitan area, working in the pharmaceutical industry until I went on my own work in 1998. I came to the USA, first to Saint Simon Island in Georgia and then to Orlando Florida nineteen (19) years ago. Since early in life, I have been worshiping the only and true God and have been part, one way (committee member) or the other (boards), of the group of people called to expand the Kingdom of God. I have been worshiping in POP for the last seventeen (17) years and was adopted by the Youtz Clan by virtue of my aunt Celeste Rivera Youtz (RIP), a long-time church and choir member. When approached by Brother K Bickel, I prayed for several days for guidance on accepting this opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors. I am confident that this is what the Lord has me here for. Thank you, Kurt, for the invitation and to Him the Glory and Honor.
Maria Vazquez
I am married to a wonderful godly man going on forty-five years in October. We have two beautiful daughters and amazing nurses who gave us six beautiful and loving grandchildren. On June of 1995, at Hunter college New York, I achieved a BA Degree with a major in Political Sciences and minor in Education. We lived in New York for Fifteen years. Then my family and I relocated to Florida in July of 1997. From 1997 to 2019 (22 years) I worked in the Education Field. In the last fifteen years of my career, I worked as an Exceptional Educational Certified Paraprofessional for OCPS. Presently, I am happily retired (2019) enjoying and taking care of myself. Also, I am enjoying quality time with my family, church, and friends. One of my strong suits is being Bilingual, English, and Spanish. I am also easy-going and work well with others. My desire is to continue becoming a better version of my old self as a faithful servant of God.
Tom Zehnder
Tom previously served on the Board of Directors for Prince of Peace/Príncipe de Paz (PoP/PdeP) from 2015-2021. During his time on the Board, Tom had the privilege of serving as a Treasurer and Vice-Chairman, as well as in various other capacities, including the Chair of PoP/PdeP’s Stewardship campaigns. During his time off the Board, Tom served as the Chair of PoP/PdeP’s Gift Task Force. Tom is now seeking re-election to the Board so that he may continue to have the opportunity to serve our congregation and God’s mission here at PoP/PdeP. Tom is a shareholder with the law firm of King, Blackwell, Zehnder & Wermuth, P.A., located in downtown Orlando. Tom is married to Leigh Sigman, and they have two children: Ryan (19) and Sarah (17). He is the son of Jackie Zehnder (decd. 2020), Pastor Tom Zehnder, and brother of Karen Williams.
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In addition, we thank those who are concluding terms with the Board of Directors on June 30, 2024: Kurt Bickel, Daryl Flynn, Cathleen Graff, and Jim Ingersoll • Your contributions have been significant—beyond measure—your gifts are appreciated, and you will be missed.