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Delight again in hearing the message of the angels and returning in heart and mind to Bethlehem at Peace’s 25^th Annual Service of Lessons and Carols.  This year, Peace offers this special service on both Friday, Dec. 18, 7 pm and on Sunday, Dec. 20, 9 am. Guest pastor the Rev. Chris Raffa (Pilgrim Lutheran, West Bend) will deliver the homily on Friday evening. Please join us in rejoicing in the birth of our Savior and in singing traditional carols and hymns with our children and adult choirs.

Continue the celebration of Christmas at three evening prayer services with guest pastors. In addition to the Festival Services of Christmas Eve (4 & 7 pm) and Christmas Day (9:30 am), Peace offers the following evening prayer services with guest pastors preaching:

St. Stephen, Evening Prayer, Dec. 26, 7 pm with the Rev. Aaron Koch, Mt. Zion, Greenfield.

St. John, Apostle, Evening Prayer, Dec. 27, 7 pm with the Rev. Matthew Uttenreither, St. John’s, Tigerton.

Holy Innocents, Martyrs, Evening Prayer, Dec. 28, 7 pm with the Rev. Kyle Verage, dual parishes of Good Shepherd, Crandon and St. John, Laona.

New Year’s Eve Divine Service will be held on Dec. 31, 6:30 pm. New Year’s Day Divine Service will be held Jan. 1, 9:30 am.

Area resident Rev. Dr. Wolf Knappe will speak on growing up as a Christian in Germany before, during, and after World War II on November 20 at 7 p.m., following the monthly family fish fry. Knappe, age 89, will talk about his family life during the Nazi rule of Germany during the 1930’s and 1940’s. Knappe was drafted as Luftwaffenhelfer (Air Force Helper) in 1943, serving in light flak (anti-aircraft) battery and a Mountain Ranger unit. He was taken prisoner near Ulm, Germany by Allied Forces on May 3, 1945 and released eight weeks later.

Knappe will explore the political climate in Germany during the 1930’s and the conditions of the Christian churches at that time, seeking to answer, “How could these things happen in the land of Martin Luther?” Knappe will talk about religious leaders Friedrich von Bodelschwingh, Jr., Martin Niemöller, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Knappe will discuss how political leaders of the Resistance, such as Stauffenberg, Moltke, and Goerdeler, struggled with the question of tyrannicide. Finally, Knappe will address, “What does all this mean for us today?” Knappe’s presentation includes a slide show of original, family photos. The event is part of a variety of events Peace offers free-of-charge.

Raised in Germany, Dr. Knappe received his initial theological training at the University of Erlangen. He holds a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary at Maywood (1949) and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (1977). He was ordained in the Bavarian Lutheran Church (1949) and has served congregations in Germany and the United States. Currently, Knappe is a rostered Pastor Emeritus of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and is still active in translating German works into English. Most recently, he has co-translated The Pastor by Wilhelm Loehe, published by Concordia Publishing House, 2015.

For more information please contact Rev. Peter Bender at Peace: (262) 246-3200.

Each year, Peace hosts the To Everyone an Answer series held as part of a variety of events open to the public and offered at no cost. The theme for the annual series, “The Church in the Public Square,” focuses on contemporary challenges from the culture facing the Church, beginning with The Sanctity of Life and the Church’s Response to Abortion and Planned Parenthood on Oct. 4, 2015. Peace welcomes guest panelists the Rev. Christopher Seifferlein, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Adell, WI; the Rev. Dr. Kevin Voss, Concordia University Wisconsin; and Ms. Trish Kagerbauer, Director, A Place of Refuge Ministries of the South Wisconsin District. Each of the five Sunday-evening presentations of the series includes a brief Bible study lead by the Rev. Peter Bender, Peace, followed by a panel discussion with experts in the specific field: Lutheran pastors, theologians, and guests from the South Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Upcoming topics for the 2015-2016 series include The Sanctity of Marriage and the Church’s Response to Legalizing Same-Sex Unions on Nov. 1, 2015. The Rev. Dr. John Wille, President, South Wisconsin District will be one of the guest panelists.

The remaining topics and dates for the series are as follows, with panelists to be announced: The Freedom of Religion and the Church’s Response to Persecution from the Society  January 10, 2016; The Mark of the Holy Cross: The Church Bears Witness to the World through Persecution  March 6, 2016; The Hope of the Resurrection: The Church Confesses in Joyful Confidence  April 10, 2016.

Come and learn how to faithfully bear witness to the faith in the public square. The evenings are suitable for leadership as well as laity of all ages. In keeping with To Everyone an Answer, family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors from other denominations and faith traditions are welcome to partake.

A chili and soup supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. with the presentations following. Childcare will be available. All is free of charge. Contact Peace with questions or to RSVP at (262) 246-3200. Peace Lutheran Church and Academy (peacesussex.org) is located at W240 N6145 Maple Avenue, Sussex.

This year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) focuses on the First Table of the Law—the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Commandments—with Bible stories, hymns and crafts that can be used in personal and family devotions. Mark your calendars and plan to send your children to VBS from July 20–24, 9–11am. Open to kids grades preschool to eight. Attend one day or all five. Pre-register by phone: (262) 246-3200 or download the registration form, below. Need more information? Contact Peace: parish@peacesussex.org.  Click here for the registration form: VBS Registration 2015

The forgiveness of sins is at the heart of pastoral care. This is true for the shepherd as well as his sheep. We all need and are dependent upon receiving the Word of Christ’s forgiveness. Pastors cannot give what they have not received. Sheep need pastors who trust in Christ’s forgiveness as that by which they are bound together with their sheep in the body of Christ. This year’s Concordia Catechetical Academy (CCA) symposium will explore this topic and related questions of pastoral care under the Catechism’s Fifth Chief Part: the Office of the Keys and Confession. The symposium will be held jointly at Peace, W240 N6145 Maple Avenue, Sussex and Country Springs Hotel, Waukesha on June 17–19. Contact Matt Gatchell, (262) 246-3200 or visit the website, lutherancatechesis.org, for information on speakers and registration. The CCA is an auxiliary organization of Peace, Sussex and is dedicated to the promotion of Luther’s Small Catechism and faithful Lutheran catechesis.

We’ve got talent! Just come and see as we share some of our wonderful, God-given gifts at the Friday night family fish fry on April 17. Show begins at 5:00 p.m.. Better yet—sign up with Peace’s children’s choir director Kathy May (262-246-3200) to show us your some-kind-of-wonderful, unique, or peculiar talent. Fish fry is served 4:30–7:00 p.m. Dinners range from $4–$10. Bring a friend and enjoy this divine (and sometimes amusing) entertainment.

What does it mean to defend one’s faith? What role do arguments from scientific and historical research play in the task of catechesis and evangelism? International scholar and guest lecturer Dr. Angus Menuge, Professor of Philosophy, Concordia University Wisconsin, discusses the relationship between faith and apologetics in the tasks of evangelization and catechesis, especially considering the role of the Holy Spirit in repentance. Dr. Menuge presents “The Role of Apologetics in Catechesis and Evangelism” in the final To Everyone an Answer lecture of the 2014–2015 season on Sunday, March 15, 5:30 p.m. Open to all ages, Peace welcomes your group to attend. Chili and soup supper is served. Childcare will be available. All is offered at no charge. For more information or to RSVP, contact Peace, (262) 246-3200.

Menuge Flyer 2015

By special request, as a follow-up study to the origins of Lutheran Church denominations in America, the Rev. Peter Bender offers “What Are the Contemporary Beliefs and Practices of the Lutheran Church Bodies in America?” on Sunday, February 8 at a 5:30 p.m. Soup and chili supper will be served in Loehe Hall.