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Join the Gospel Choir for Christmas
We rehearse and sing Thursdays in December at 6 pm to sing for 7 pm worship on Christmas Eve. Questions? Ask Music Director Twylla Moore.
We rehearse and sing Thursdays in December at 6 pm to sing for 7 pm worship on Christmas Eve. Questions? Ask Music Director Twylla Moore.
Give to Help Families for the Holidays
Want to help a family in need this season? Give a donation to Peace Lutheran Church noted “Holiday Help” or bring a gift card for Fred Meyer or WinCo to the office. Questions? Ask Pastor John.
Poinsettias
If you would like to donate a poinsettia to beautify the altar for Christmas, please bring one to church on Sunday December 22 or drop it off at the office that week. If you would like your poinsettia to honor someone, please fill out a poinsettia form or email Pastor John with the name of the honoree.
If you would like to donate a poinsettia to beautify the altar for Christmas, please bring one to church on Sunday December 22 or drop it off at the office that week. If you would like your poinsettia to honor someone, please fill out a poinsettia form or email Pastor John with the name of the honoree.
Give to Help Families for the Holidays
Want to help a family in need this season? Give a donation to Peace Lutheran Church noted “Holiday Help” or bring a gift card for Fred Meyer or WinCo to the office. Questions? Ask Pastor John.
Want to help a family in need this season? Give a donation to Peace Lutheran Church noted “Holiday Help” or bring a gift card for Fred Meyer or WinCo to the office. Questions? Ask Pastor John.
Peace Cafe
To support our community, we are open on Fridays from 3-7 pm. Community members can grab refreshments and enjoy a movie, games, fellowship, and join us for our community meals from 5:30-6:30 pm. For more information and to volunteer contact Brendan Nelson, brendan@peacetacoma.org or call the office at 253-383-1317.
To support our community, we are open on Fridays from 3-7 pm. Community members can grab refreshments and enjoy a movie, games, fellowship, and join us for our community meals from 5:30-6:30 pm. For more information and to volunteer contact Brendan Nelson, brendan@peacetacoma.org or call the office at 253-383-1317.
Special Advent and Christmas Worship and Faith Opportunities
Advent Devotionals
Make your way through the Advent season using a daily or weekly devotional and Advent wreath of 5 candles (light another candle on the Advent wreath each week leading up to Christmas, with the fifth candle lit on Christmas Eve). If you would like a printed version, please contact Pastor John.
Make your way through the Advent season using a daily or weekly devotional and Advent wreath of 5 candles (light another candle on the Advent wreath each week leading up to Christmas, with the fifth candle lit on Christmas Eve). If you would like a printed version, please contact Pastor John.
- Adults and Youth:
- Living Well Through Advent: Practicing Peace with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind,” a Living Compass resource (daily)
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Advent Study (weekly)
- “Seeking Peace in this Advent Season: A Bread for the World Devotional” (weekly)
- “From the Manger” Advent devotional from Illustrated Ministries (weekly)
- Families with Children:
- Advent Bags with Advent calendar, special stickers, and “From the Manger” Advent family devotional from Illustrated Ministries (weekly) – see Jayna Detweiler
Advent Calendars
“From the Manger” Advent calendar with activity prompts (daily) – see Jayna Detweiler
World Hunger Advent calendar (daily) – printed copies only – see Pastor John
Children’s Advent and Christmas Events and Activities at Peace
- Check out this special Advent flier.
Christmas Caroling
Sunday December 8 at 12:30 pm (after worship) kids and adults visit and sing with residents at eliseo Senior Living, 1301 N. Highlands Pkwy (Carol Plaehn’s residence). Meet in the multipurpose room, eat lunch (provided), van and carpool over. Let Pastor John know if you’ll participate.Christmas starting at 12:30 pm.
Sunday December 8 at 12:30 pm (after worship) kids and adults visit and sing with residents at eliseo Senior Living, 1301 N. Highlands Pkwy (Carol Plaehn’s residence). Meet in the multipurpose room, eat lunch (provided), van and carpool over. Let Pastor John know if you’ll participate.Christmas starting at 12:30 pm.
Christmas Brunch
Saturday, December 14, 11 am–12:30 pm. Great for families with children! Christmas crafts, food, and the story of Jesus’ birth. Come decorate the sanctuary for Christmas starting at 12:30 pm.
Saturday, December 14, 11 am–12:30 pm. Great for families with children! Christmas crafts, food, and the story of Jesus’ birth. Come decorate the sanctuary for Christmas starting at 12:30 pm.
Doughnuts and Dialogue: A Grief Support Gathering
Saturday, December 21, 10-11:30 am (multipurpose room) Are you grieving? Is the holiday season a mixture of joy and sadness for you? On the morning of the longest night of the year, find support. This will be an interactive gathering with opportunity for conversation, silence, creativity, and reflection. All are welcome.! Contact Deacon Charissa for details.
Saturday, December 21, 10-11:30 am (multipurpose room) Are you grieving? Is the holiday season a mixture of joy and sadness for you? On the morning of the longest night of the year, find support. This will be an interactive gathering with opportunity for conversation, silence, creativity, and reflection. All are welcome.! Contact Deacon Charissa for details.
Children’s Christmas Program
Sunday, December 22 during 11 am worship is the Children’s Christmas Program.
Sunday, December 22 during 11 am worship is the Children’s Christmas Program.
Christmas Eve Worship – Tuesday, December 24
- 5 pm: Children’s Christmas Eve Worship for Families (in person & live stream): Join a child-friendly celebration of Jesus’ birth!
- 7 pm: Christmas Eve Worship (in person & live stream): Celebrate Jesus’ birth with candles, carols, and message of God’s incarnate love!
Service of Lessons and Carols – Sunday, December 29
10 am only (in person & live stream) – no 8:30 or 11 am worship; 9:30 am Christmas goodies and fellowship time
10 am only (in person & live stream) – no 8:30 or 11 am worship; 9:30 am Christmas goodies and fellowship time
Peace Lutheran Church Events & Information
Sunday Morning Schedule
- 8:30 am: Worship
- 9:30 am: Breakfast & Fellowship
- 9:45 am: Faith Education Hour
- 11 am: Worship (also livestreamed), with Refreshments & Fellowship following
Sunday Morning Faith Offerings
We offer four in-person opportunities to grow in faith during the Faith Education Hour from 9:45-10:45 am each Sunday:
We offer four in-person opportunities to grow in faith during the Faith Education Hour from 9:45-10:45 am each Sunday:
- Godly Play for children ages 4 – 3rd grade
- Explorers class for 4th-6th graders
- Feet to Faith confirmation class for 7th-8th graders
- Adult and Older Youth Education class
Anti-Racism Toolkit
We are working on ways to be intentionally inclusive and equitable within our church community and beyond. The Anti-Racism Work Group has developed this anti-racism toolkit to allow all of us to explore concrete ways to weave anti-racist practices into our church life. Please check it out and learn more about it this fall in Sunday Faith Education classes.
We are working on ways to be intentionally inclusive and equitable within our church community and beyond. The Anti-Racism Work Group has developed this anti-racism toolkit to allow all of us to explore concrete ways to weave anti-racist practices into our church life. Please check it out and learn more about it this fall in Sunday Faith Education classes.
Community Bible Study
Pastor John facilitates a Community Bible Study in the church Conference Room and online on Teams Thursdays from 1-2 pm on the scripture readings for next Sunday’s worship. Email Pastor John for the Teams link.
New Member Class Rescheduled
Update: The “Foundations of Faith and Peace” new member class has been rescheduled. We plan to offer it in the spring.
Update: The “Foundations of Faith and Peace” new member class has been rescheduled. We plan to offer it in the spring.
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 8, 9:45 am (in person and online via Microsoft Teams)
Agenda:
Sunday, December 8, 9:45 am (in person and online via Microsoft Teams)
Agenda:
- Election of Council Officers & At-Large Council Members
- Adoption of the 2025 Ministry Plan (Budget). For a copy of the budget, please contact the church office.
- Introduction of New Community Center Board Members
Tacoma Tree Foundation – Green Blocks Hilltop Project
We are grateful to Tacoma Tree Foundation for the tree giveaway they held at Peace. We would like to support them by encouraging our neighbors to respond to the survey about the Green Blocks Hilltop project. This is the first major survey the Foundation has done for Hilltop, and they are hoping to get as much feedback as they can that is representative across Hilltop. They especially want to emphasize responses from people and organizations who live in Hilltop, as that will continue to be their area of greatest focus for the next three years.
We are grateful to Tacoma Tree Foundation for the tree giveaway they held at Peace. We would like to support them by encouraging our neighbors to respond to the survey about the Green Blocks Hilltop project. This is the first major survey the Foundation has done for Hilltop, and they are hoping to get as much feedback as they can that is representative across Hilltop. They especially want to emphasize responses from people and organizations who live in Hilltop, as that will continue to be their area of greatest focus for the next three years.
Women of Peace
- Save the Date! Peace Women’s Retreat will be May 2-4, 2025, at SEABECK Conference Center. More details coming in Fall.
Anti-Racism Book Resource Library
The Anti-Racism Work Group has rolled out a book cart with their recommended anti-racism books to borrow for your personal growth and deeper understanding. Check it out on Sundays in the multipurpose room.
The Anti-Racism Work Group has rolled out a book cart with their recommended anti-racism books to borrow for your personal growth and deeper understanding. Check it out on Sundays in the multipurpose room.
Sunday School (Godly Play) and Children’s Worship
We have Sunday School (Godly Play) for children ages 3 through 4th grade in the basement classroom. We are also offering Nursery for younger children at 9:45 a.m. Children’s Worship is offered in person during 11 a.m. worship. Children are invited to the basement classroom (with air purification) after the scripture readings for a special Godly Play Bible story and response time, and then they will return to the sanctuary to join their family for the time of Holy Communion.
We have Sunday School (Godly Play) for children ages 3 through 4th grade in the basement classroom. We are also offering Nursery for younger children at 9:45 a.m. Children’s Worship is offered in person during 11 a.m. worship. Children are invited to the basement classroom (with air purification) after the scripture readings for a special Godly Play Bible story and response time, and then they will return to the sanctuary to join their family for the time of Holy Communion.
Clothing Bank and Community Meals
- Community Resources Meals are served Fridays, and Monday through Friday in April and October, from 5:30-6:30 pm.
- Clothing Closet hours are from 6-7 pm on Mondays and Fridays.
2023 Ministry Plan and Annual Report
If you haven’t seen a copy of these documents distributed at the Annual Congregational Meeting, check them out using the links above or find copies on the table outside the sanctuary. God is doing great things in and through Peace Lutheran Church! Thanks be to God!
If you haven’t seen a copy of these documents distributed at the Annual Congregational Meeting, check them out using the links above or find copies on the table outside the sanctuary. God is doing great things in and through Peace Lutheran Church! Thanks be to God!
Community Bible Study
Pastor John facilitates a Community Bible Study in the church Conference Room and online on Teams (your choice) Thursdays 1-2 pm on the scripture readings for worship the following Sunday. We read scripture, share conversation, and pray as we listen for God to speak to us & through us. Email Pastor John for Teams link.
Pastor John facilitates a Community Bible Study in the church Conference Room and online on Teams (your choice) Thursdays 1-2 pm on the scripture readings for worship the following Sunday. We read scripture, share conversation, and pray as we listen for God to speak to us & through us. Email Pastor John for Teams link.
Christians Concerned with Homelessness
Peace is partnering with Retreat Home and Trinity Presbyterian as Trinity hosts a monthly prayer gathering for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We gather to pray for big-picture circumstances of homelessness as well as specific needs of families caught in the housing crisis, those from local encampments and all impacted by neighborhood sweeps. First Thursday of the month, 5:30-6:30 pm at Bryant Neighborhood Center, Trinity Church, 1615 6th Ave. This time brings into focus our prayers alongside our congregation’s action and work for housing. Next meeting is December 5.
Peace is partnering with Retreat Home and Trinity Presbyterian as Trinity hosts a monthly prayer gathering for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We gather to pray for big-picture circumstances of homelessness as well as specific needs of families caught in the housing crisis, those from local encampments and all impacted by neighborhood sweeps. First Thursday of the month, 5:30-6:30 pm at Bryant Neighborhood Center, Trinity Church, 1615 6th Ave. This time brings into focus our prayers alongside our congregation’s action and work for housing. Next meeting is December 5.
Interested in Baptism?
Interested in Baptism for yourself or a family member? Please speak with Pastor John.
Interested in Baptism for yourself or a family member? Please speak with Pastor John.
Future Directions of Peace Lutheran Church
During the pandemic we have been asking, as followers of Jesus, how is God calling us to do God’s work, to love God and love our neighbor, at this time and in this place? A foundational commitment to anti-racism and a group of recommendations have arisen from this Future Directions discernment process.Read them here
Please pray for our church as we begin to live out these Future Directions, and please consider how you will “get in where you fit in.”
During the pandemic we have been asking, as followers of Jesus, how is God calling us to do God’s work, to love God and love our neighbor, at this time and in this place? A foundational commitment to anti-racism and a group of recommendations have arisen from this Future Directions discernment process.
Peace Community Center Events & Information
Support for Peace Community Center
The Board of Directors of Peace Community Center asks for our community’s continued care, service to students, prayers, and ongoing financial support as we engage the challenging, but necessary work, of building a more sustainable future for Peace Community Center. Please read the most recent letter from Peace Community Center’s Board of Directors here.
The Board of Directors of Peace Community Center asks for our community’s continued care, service to students, prayers, and ongoing financial support as we engage the challenging, but necessary work, of building a more sustainable future for Peace Community Center. Please read the most recent letter from Peace Community Center’s Board of Directors here.
Community Engagement
Tacoma Housing Authority to Permanently Open Low-Income Housing Waitlists on November 14th
Waitlists will be split by those seeking a Housing Choice Voucher, and those interested in living in one of Tacoma Housing Authority’s subsidized units.
After carefully examining the current processes, response rates, and reviewing over 100 public comments, we are moving forward with these new processes so that families will have the ability to apply to our waitlist the moment they find themselves in need of housing assistance.”
It’s important to note that applying to the waitlist does not guarantee that a household will receive housing assistance. Households must meet all income and eligibility requirements, which will be verified when they are selected from the waitlist.
Though a permanently open waitlist will help to ensure that anyone needing housing assistance can apply at any time, it will also mean significantly more people on the waitlist. THA will conduct random pulls from the waitlist as vouchers and units become available. As a result, it will be impossible to predict how long it will take for households to receive an offer of assistance.
THA encourages anyone in need of affordable housing to continue their housing search and not wait to be selected from the waitlist. For individuals and families currently facing homelessness, please contact Coordinated Entry by dialing 2-1-1. THA has partnered with multiple community organizations to accept direct referrals for families experiencing homelessness in hopes of getting them the housing assistance they need sooner.
Households interested in applying for either the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist, or the THA-subsidized unit waitlist can do so beginning Thursday, November 14th, 2024, at 9 AM. To apply, households must first register as an applicant for the RentCafé online service portal. Detailed instructions on how to register can be found at tacomahousing.org/resources/register-for-the-tha-service-portal.
For more detailed information on THA’s waitlists, please visit tacomahousing.org/waitlist.
Waitlists will be split by those seeking a Housing Choice Voucher, and those interested in living in one of Tacoma Housing Authority’s subsidized units.
After carefully examining the current processes, response rates, and reviewing over 100 public comments, we are moving forward with these new processes so that families will have the ability to apply to our waitlist the moment they find themselves in need of housing assistance.”
It’s important to note that applying to the waitlist does not guarantee that a household will receive housing assistance. Households must meet all income and eligibility requirements, which will be verified when they are selected from the waitlist.
Though a permanently open waitlist will help to ensure that anyone needing housing assistance can apply at any time, it will also mean significantly more people on the waitlist. THA will conduct random pulls from the waitlist as vouchers and units become available. As a result, it will be impossible to predict how long it will take for households to receive an offer of assistance.
THA encourages anyone in need of affordable housing to continue their housing search and not wait to be selected from the waitlist. For individuals and families currently facing homelessness, please contact Coordinated Entry by dialing 2-1-1. THA has partnered with multiple community organizations to accept direct referrals for families experiencing homelessness in hopes of getting them the housing assistance they need sooner.
Households interested in applying for either the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist, or the THA-subsidized unit waitlist can do so beginning Thursday, November 14th, 2024, at 9 AM. To apply, households must first register as an applicant for the RentCafé online service portal. Detailed instructions on how to register can be found at tacomahousing.org/resources/register-for-the-tha-service-portal.
For more detailed information on THA’s waitlists, please visit tacomahousing.org/waitlist.
Shalom Project – a Partnership with St. Mark’s by the Narrows Lutheran Church
Peace Lutheran Church and St. Mark’s have partnered around a Shalom Project to bring solar panels to the houses we steward and to work on bringing more trees to the Hilltop. Read more and see photos about the solar project and the tree project.
Peace Lutheran Church and St. Mark’s have partnered around a Shalom Project to bring solar panels to the houses we steward and to work on bringing more trees to the Hilltop. Read more and see photos about the solar project and the tree project.
Community Engagement & Outreach Highlights: A Word from Brendan Nelson
- Peace and St. Mark’s
- TPU- We received a grant for $50,000 from Tacoma Public Utilities to aid in installing solar panels on our 3 existing properties. The installation will begin on the 1951 Ainsworth home in early 2024.
- Shalom Project- St. Mark’s Lutheran by the Narrows, and Peace have teamed up together, to listen to our neighbors and to work together for justice and compassion. “Shalom” is the Hebrew word, not simply for “peace” but for a shared wholeness in all facets of life. Together we seek concrete ways to work for economic, social, and racial wholeness, with a special focus on climate justice.
- Trees for the Hilltop- A healthy tree cover is crucial for our climate wellbeing. Tacoma runs below the national average for tree cover, and the Tacoma map vividly shows how our neighborhoods’ differences in tree coverage align with economic, social, and racial disparity. Peace and St. Mark’s are partnering with the Tacoma Tree Foundation for a major tree-planting endeavor for the Hilltop neighborhood.
- Grants
- We have received a grant for $5,000 from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to support our community resource ministry.
- Housing
- The tenant of our 1949 Ainsworth home has vacated as of September 30th. I am working with Alan Kies and an external company to get the house ready for a new family. We hope to have the home ready in the next few months.
FED (Food Equity Distribution)
FED (Food Equity Distribution) community food bank provides food and other necessities with no barriers to Hilltop community members. We are currently looking for donations of non-perishable goods like canned foods or dry goods (oats, rice, etc.), as well as snack items (granola bars, water bottles). Anything helps during this time of need.
The FED Food Bank is located at 1202 MLK Jr Way (entrance on Earnest Brazill Street in the Community Health Care Building) and will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 1-5pm.
If you are interested and donating any food items, please contact me by email at Sorahya.Hasan-Mathews@Hac-Tacoma.org. You can also learn more about the Hilltop Action Coalition and the work that we do in the community by visiting our website https://www.hilltopactioncoalition.org/.
FED (Food Equity Distribution) community food bank provides food and other necessities with no barriers to Hilltop community members. We are currently looking for donations of non-perishable goods like canned foods or dry goods (oats, rice, etc.), as well as snack items (granola bars, water bottles). Anything helps during this time of need.
The FED Food Bank is located at 1202 MLK Jr Way (entrance on Earnest Brazill Street in the Community Health Care Building) and will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 1-5pm.
If you are interested and donating any food items, please contact me by email at Sorahya.Hasan-Mathews@Hac-Tacoma.org. You can also learn more about the Hilltop Action Coalition and the work that we do in the community by visiting our website https://www.hilltopactioncoalition.org/.
Graduate Tacoma
…has created a website (www.tacomalearns.org/programs) where you can search for different types of resources during COVID 19. It includes everything from where Tacoma Public Schools is passing out free meals to financial assistance information to educational resources, etc. You can search by zip code, types of assistance, etc. and find resources for more than just students.
…has created a website (www.tacomalearns.org/programs) where you can search for different types of resources during COVID 19. It includes everything from where Tacoma Public Schools is passing out free meals to financial assistance information to educational resources, etc. You can search by zip code, types of assistance, etc. and find resources for more than just students.
Anti-Racism Book Resource Library
The Anti-Racism Work Group has rolled out a book cart with their recommended anti-racism books to borrow for your personal growth and deeper understanding. Check it out on Sundays in the multipurpose room.
The Anti-Racism Work Group has rolled out a book cart with their recommended anti-racism books to borrow for your personal growth and deeper understanding. Check it out on Sundays in the multipurpose room.
KEEP IN TOUCH
2106 South Cushman Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98405
Phone: (253) 383-1317
Fax: (253) 383-0702
Email: plcadmin@peacetacoma.org