Growth

Worship

Worship Is Vitally Important to the Life of Peace Lutheran Church.

What a joy it is to gather together for public worship! Public worship is where Christ comes to us in Word and Sacrament to satisfy our greatest need: the forgiveness of sins. With the forgiveness of sins we receive peace with God, freedom from sin, death and the devil and life everlasting in heaven.

Our Mission Statement says that we are committed to making disciples and we do that first and foremost in worship by pronouncing and administering the forgiveness of sins in Word and Sacrament.

+ What are your services like?

Our services are centered entirely on proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ from beginning to end. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has declared the whole world "not-guilty" of sin, in another word: forgiven! Therefore in our worship services we strive to stay focused on Christ and the forgiveness of sins in all we sing, say and do.

On a Sunday morning we follow a worship format called a liturgy. Our liturgies are largely inherited from previous generations of Christians. They are the product of centuries of experience of what serves the Christian faith well. They are designed to keep us focused on the life and work of Jesus Christ. They repeat many of the important teachings of the Bible. They express the worshipers' unity by the things they sing, pray, say, do and hear together. They help to promote reverence and sincerity.

+ What do you preach about?

God has revealed to us everything He wants us to know in the Bible. So our preaching strives to present and explain portions of the Bible making it relevant to us today. We follow a special calendar called the "Church Year" which is a schedule of Bible readings for each Sunday. The Church Year follows the events in the life and ministry of Jesus on earth. (For example, at Christmas we observe His birth.) Our goal is not merely to speak on topics or offer self-help advice, rather we strive to show the hearer their need for Jesus and how Jesus fulfills that need--especially the need for salvation.

+ What should I wear?

Come as you are! Your presence here is the most important thing of all. You may notice many of our attendees are dressed up as for a special event like an anniversary dinner or a graduation ceremony. They wish to do this as a way to honor their God. Some of our worshipers have come straight from work or are on their way to work and are wearing work clothes. Some just want to be comfortable. We want you to feel welcome no matter what you're wearing.

+ What do I do when I get to church?

Come right on into the building and follow the people arriving into our worship area. As you enter, one of our ushers will hand you a worship folder. The service will also be projected on the walls in front. Be seated wherever you like.

+ Can I bring my children?

We love children because Jesus loved children! Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Luke 18:16). Having your children in worship with you is a very powerful thing that will impact them the rest of their lives.

We oftentimes conduct a "children's sermon" during the regular service with the adults watching, inviting the children to the front and tailoring the message in a way that is meant just for them.

Sometimes parents are concerned that their children are too wiggly or noisy. There is a room in the back of the worship space where parents can take their children and still see and hear the worship service.

We also conduct Sunday School for children ages 4 thru 8th grade between our morning services while the adults are attending Bible study. Please don't hesitate to ask someone where to go.

+ What about the offering?

The Bible says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Peace members are committed to supporting the work of Peace Lutheran Church. You are not expected to give an offering when you come to Peace.

+ What about the Lord's Supper?

The Lord's Supper is a public expression of unity. Believers who receive it together are unified in what they believe. We do not want you to be placed in a position of expressing unity with us before you've had an opportunity to learn what we teach. Therefore, if you are not a member of Peace or one of its affiliate congregations, we ask you to WAIT and learn more about us first.

We usually sing hymns while the Lord's Supper is being offered. You are invited to remain seated and sing. You'll notice that there'll be a number of other people present who also are not participating in the Lord's Supper - so you won't be the only one.

If you belong to another denomination we ask you to respect our practice (which we call "close communion") in the same way that we won't presume for ourselves all the rights and privileges at your house of worship.

Our pastors regularly offer classes called Bible Information Classes (BICs) to give people an opportunity to learn the basics of what the Bible teaches. These classes serve as membership courses as well.

Christian Education

From Worship flows Christian Education

Our mission statement says we are "committed to making disciples." It is natural, then, that Peace congregation is committed to Christian Education.

+ Lutheran Preschool & Elementary School

As part of our mission, Peace congregation operates a day care, preschool & elementary school through grade 8.

But our support of Christian Education doesn't stop there. We are part of a larger church body (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - WELS) that offers Christian Education beyond 8th grade. Here are links to local high schools and colleges that are affiliated with WELS.

  1. Peace Lutheran School
  2. Lakeside Lutheran High School
  3. Luther Prepatory School
  4. Martin Luther College
  5. Wisconsin Lutheran College
  6. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

+ Sunday School

Our Christian Education endeavor also includes a Sunday School program for children age 4 thru grade 8. Sunday School takes place Sundays, 9:15-10:15 a.m. between Labor Day weekend and Memorial Day weekend.

+ Other Opportunities to Grow in Faith

Classes and programs for Christian education remain a fluid thing, responding and adjusting to the needs and schedules of congregation members.

Here are some examples of Bible studies we've typically had:

  1. Sunday adult Bible study (9:30-10:15 a.m.)
  2. Bible Information class (Thursday nights, 6:30-8:30 p.m. - serves as entrance course for membership at Peace)
  3. Wednesday Morning Bible studies (Usually 10-11:00)
  4. Men's and Women's Bible studies (Times & dates vary)
  5. Topical Bible studies and seminars (Times & frequency vary)

Fellowship & Service

Peace Grows Together in Fellowship and Serves Our Lord

Peace is a place where God's people worship their Savior together, grow in the knowledge of their Savior together, and develop relationships with each other.

It would be a daunting task to include all the groups and organizations that have come and gone at Peace. Some have been geared towards group Bible study. Others arose as specific service opportunities. Some have come into existence simply as an opportunity to be together. There are opportunities for fellowship and service for EVERYONE at Peace, from our youngest members to our oldest. Here is just a snapshot at a few of the opportunities.

+ Lutheran Pioneers - Boys & Girls

Our Boys Pioneer program currently involves boys 5th grade and older. Our Girl Pioneer program currently involves girls from Kindergarten to 8th grade.

The purpose of both programs is to teach the boys and girls life skills, both indoors and outdoors, which they don't learn during the school day. The goal is to build character and nurture Christian leadership.

Contact Local Boy Pioneer Leader | Contact Local Girl Pioneer Leader
National Lutheran Boy Pioneers | National Lutheran Girl Pioneers

+ Teens

Our teens grow in God's Word and enjoy time together. We organize a number of events throughout the year to grow in our relationship with God and with one another. Teens also lead our Christmas Candlelight Service every Christmas Eve.

+ Twenties 'n' Thirties (TnT)

Twenties 'n' Thirties (TnT) is a group that meets monthly to spend time with other young adult Christians from Peace. Events range from Soup Cook-Offs to Bowling to Trivia Night. Guests are always welcome!

+ Choir and Instrumentalists

Peace offers its members many chances to sing. The adult choir usually meets on Wednesday evenings and sings regularly throughout the year. We also have soloists, duets, and small groups who participate in the service throughout the year.

+ Moms Group

A group of moms with young children regularly get together at different parks. Information on the meeting is shared and anyone is welcome to come. This is a great way to meet other moms and to get out of the house!

+ Women's Gatherings

Our women's group is for women high school age and up. We meet for Bible study throughout the year. We help serve and organize food for various events held at church. Occasionally we gather for a women's brunch in which we enjoy a Bible study, fellowship, service opportunities, and a light brunch.

We also celebrate Advent by Candlelight each year. Click here for 2020's virtual Advent by Candlelight.

+ Online Sign-Up for Altar Flowers

Peace now has an online SignUp link for those willing to provide or financially sponsor flowers for our sanctuary altar. You have the option to either bring in your own flowers, or to make a $40 donation to financially sponsor the flowers. Either way, please sign up here: Flowers SignUp, or email flowers@peacewels.org. Thank you so much for beautifying our Lord's house with flowers!

Sweet Peas

Peace Sweet Peas is an early childhood program rich in Christian, intellectual, physical, creative, and social activities for children and their caregivers. We provide a relaxed environment in which the young may learn through structured and unstructured play, while allowing caregivers a chance to chat.

Each class will include a Bible story, music, books, art, sensory experiences and room to run. The program will be led by Peace member Amy Larson, who has experience conducting library storytimes and teaching 4K Sunday School. Contact her with questions at sweetpeas@peacewels.org.

Who?

0-3 year olds with a parent or caregiver; church membership not required

When?

Spring Session 4/8/24 - 5/13/24
Mondays from 9:00-10:15AM

Where?

Peace Lutheran Church and School
1007 Stonehaven Dr., Sun Prairie
(Before/After Care room in the school wing)

Cost?

$35 for the first child of any age and $15 for each additional child over 18 months.

Make checks payable to Peace Lutheran Church.
Try it out on the first day of class for free!

To enroll in the Winter Session (spring session will be a separate registration):

Fill out the registration form below.