This colorful mural by Dimitri Kadiev graces the alcove leading to the sanctuary at Peace Lutheran Church.

The inspiration for this mural is its title, “All are Welcome at the Feast.” Peace Lutheran Church and Peace Community Center are a place where all are welcome at the feast – where the variety of people and gifts of our Hilltop neighborhood and larger community are shared and celebrated. We are rich in spiritual, ethnic, cultural and generational gifts to name only a few. The Peace community is truly its people! We are all God’s children – created, gifted and redeemed by God. The meal we share together is one of spice, laughter and love in Jesus’s presence.

We gather each Sunday to be nourished by God’s Word, the celebration of Holy Communion, and the support of the faith community. We grow in faith through Bible study and small groups, giving of ourselves to serve God by serving one another and the world.

The Hebrew word shalom best expresses this vision of peace, which is much more than the absence of violence and bloodshed. It is the presence of community, wholeness, health, reconciliation and God’s justice.

It is said, “Peace begins when the hungry are fed.” At Peace Lutheran Church we seek to follow God’s call to extend the feast to all people: We provide free hot meals and clothing; a community resource ministry that brings service providers on-site; affordable housing for three families in Church-owned homes; emergency assistance; a community gathering place, and ministries for the holistic development of children and youth. These are just some of the ways we seek to live out God’s call to charity and justice, as expressed by the prophet Micah: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). We are here to help every person know God’s love for them, realize their potential, and find a place to use their gifts to serve.

Peace Community Center is Peace Lutheran Church’s primary outreach ministry in the Hilltop, walking alongside children and families through tutoring, mentoring and all other kinds of support. At Peace Community Center, we learn and grow and serve together. Everyone is blessed!

You are welcome to share in the feast and to be part of Peace Lutheran Church’s peace-making work of extending the feast to all. With your presence and gifts, our community will be richer.

God’s Peace and Joy to you! — Pastor John Stroeh