Verse of the Year: Making Peace
Joe Hayward
A few years ago, we adopted our new mission statement:
A worshiping community rooted in God’s love:
Following Jesus
Seeking peace and justice
Serving others
To help this statement become part of who we are as a church, we have drawn on it for inspiration for our verse of the year since then. In 2023, we chose 1 John 4: 19 to show our focus on God’s love. In 2024, we adopted John 8: 12 to highlight following Jesus.
This year, with all the turmoil of the world, it is especially important to remember the third part of our statement—that God calls us to seek peace and justice. The Worship Commission has named James 3: 18 for our 2025/2026 verse: “Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts.”
As we embrace this new verse of the year, let us reflect how we as individuals and as a congregation sow seeds of justice by acts of peace in our families, in our community, and in our world!
In This Issue
Planting Seeds of Faith: A Call to Give
Bart Miller
In Exodus 35, God called his people to bring offerings for the construction of the Tabernacle (perhaps the first recorded capital campaign!). “Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord”. The people responded with such generosity and joy that in Exodus 36, Moses had to order them to stop bringing offerings; “what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.” What a powerful picture of a community moved by faith.
Today, we find ourselves in a similar moment.
Our church building—a space where lives are changed, children are nurtured, and God is worshiped—is in need of important renovations. This is more than fixing walls or updating spaces. It’s about preparing for what God will do next among us and through us.
Every gift matters. Just as in Exodus, some brought gold, others brought cloth or lamp oil, and still others offered their skills—each contribution was sacred. Whether you give financially, offer your time, or lift the project in prayer, you are part of the foundation God is restoring. When we each bring what we can, God multiplies it—and abundance follows.
Let’s pray that we, too, experience a moment when there is more than enough. Let us give joyfully, expectantly, and together build something that brings glory to God.
Summerfest Just Days Away!
Jill Yordy Stasch
Sing it with me: Summerfest, Summerfest, sum, sum-Summerfest…
Our annual end-of-summer celebration is almost here! Get out your ice cream makers and your hula hoops; LMC provides the sprinkles and other yummy toppings. Plan to join us from 4-7 PM on Saturday, August 9, for games starting at 4 PM and dinner at 5:30 PM.
Bring a side and/or dessert to share (homemade ice cream if you can!), chairs/picnic blankets, and any yard games you like to lead and play. LMC will provide grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, rolls, condiments, ice cream toppings, and drinks (water and lemonade).
We’re still looking for volunteers to make it run smoothly. If you can help set up tables, clean up, lead a game, grill, etc., please contact Jeremy or Valerie Kropf.
Summerfest is an LMC tradition of over 50 years. You don’t want to miss this fun family nod to summer!
Waves of Wonder a Hit
Elise Ewert
What a fantastic week at Vacation Bible School! We welcomed ten enthusiastic kids, ages 3 to 10, who took part in a week full of fun and learning. This year’s theme, “Waves of Wonder,” took us on a journey through the Bible, exploring water from creation in Genesis to the River of Life in Revelation. Along the way, we learned how Moses brought water from a rock in the desert and how Jesus calmed the storm.
Throughout the week, we also learned about Ethiopia while raising money for MCC’s Water Project. (Did you know Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa—and the birthplace of coffee?) Thanks to the kids’ generosity, we raised an impressive $281.88!
On the final day, we asked the kids what their favorite part of VBS was, and the answers included just about everything—games, snacks, crafts, skits, and songs. It’s safe to say the whole week was a hit!
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our wonderful volunteers and to those who helped with snacks, skit props, and supplies: Katharine, Pastor Nathan, Mona, Kristen B., Cora, Simon, Hasun, Adrien, Pastor Barb, Pastor Richard, Kaye, Margaret J., Melissa, Elise O., Linda H., and Nina. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Join Us at Camp Menno Haven
Lisa Rose
It’s almost that time again! LMC’s annual retreat at Camp Menno Haven is coming up on September 6-7 and we invite you to join in the fun. If you enjoy being outdoors or want to get away from the traffic and street lights, you don’t want to miss this event.
This weekend in the peaceful woods will allow you to slow down, relax, and have time to nap or fellowship with others. If you’d like more activity, you can go boating or fishing, join in playing volleyball or nine square, test your skills on the climbing wall, or play a game of the ever-popular carpet ball. There’s numerous options to please everyone at this special piece of paradise that lies just two hours from LMC.
You may have heard about the delicious food at Menno Haven. It’s true! But did you know that meals at LMC’s retreat are the best bargain around? You only pay $6 per person for the weekend, with LMC generously covering the rest. For lodging, you can choose to stay in a hotel room, a dorm room, hook up your RV, or bring your tent and reserve a campsite.
We will gather as a group for a Saturday evening campfire with singing and s’mores. You’ll want to bring a lawn chair or blanket and some bug spray. If you’re a night owl, bring some snacks and games for a chat and gaming session after the campfire.
The Menno Haven grounds are open to us starting at 1pm on Saturday until 4pm on Sunday. We’ll hold LMC’s worship service on September 7 at camp, which is always a special time. If you have not already registered you can do so with the button until August 22.
We look forward to seeing you at camp!
Sewing—and Rolling—for the Master
Kristen Burk
Sing to Roll out the Barrel
Roll up some panties!
Rolling up panties is fun.
Roll up some panties!
Whether you’re old or you’re young.
Roll up some panties!
Send them to places afar.
Get your panties in a bunch.
We will even share some lunch.
You’ll be a star! (Words by Laura L.)
This spring, the Women of the Word Bible study group partnered with Sewing for the Master, a mission organization from Southwest Church of Christ in Tigard, Oregon. This ministry assembles hygiene kits for women in Africa, including things like panties, reusable pads, a wet bag, washcloth, soap, etc. Providing these necessities allows young women to continue school and work, even when they are on their cycle. Our WOW group raised over $1,000, which the Mission Commission then matched.
On June 27, almost a dozen women gathered for fellowship, fun, and folding. The group folded 1,000 panties, filling two large suitcases. (Special thanks to Karin E. for donating the suitcases!)
A relative of mine will take the two suitcases to Oregon this month and add the panties to the hygiene kits assembled at the Southwest Church of Christ. After that, a Southwest Church missionary will hand-deliver the kits to various countries in Africa. Our WOW group raised enough to cover the luggage fees plus a further 103 packs of panties, which we sent directly to Sewing for the Master. Thank you to all those who participated in this meaningful mission project!
MC USA Gathers
Barbara Krehbiel Gehring
This July 8-13, 10 LMCers (two children and their mom, three youth, two youth sponsors, and two other pastors), attended MennoCon, the biennial event of Mennonite Church USA, our denomination. These gatherings are many things. They are the largest youth gathering, the largest faith formation event, and the largest worship events of MC USA. They include delegate sessions in which each church, conference, and constituency group within the church are represented. I represented our congregation as LMC’s delegate.
This year, delegates reviewed and voted on four resolutions, all of which passed. I’ll summarize them here with quotes from an MC USA release, which you can read for further details.
Establishing a Churchwide Abuse Prevention and Response Policy
Delegates adopted (339 yes, 8 no, 8 abstentions) a new “Abuse Prevention and Response in Mennonite Church USA” resolution to ensure every conference and congregation shares the same definitions, ethical standards, and accountability processes. This move replaces the former opt-in approach with one uniform policy across MC USA.
Integrating Mennonite Education
By a wide margin, delegates approved (334 yes, 9 no, 9 abstentions) bylaw changes that bring the Mennonite Education Agency fully into MC USA’s staff, structure, and governance. This integration will streamline operations and is expected to free up resources.
Strengthening Executive Oversight
Delegates passed (321 yes, 11 no, 17 abstentions) a third resolution that clarifies and strengthens the Executive Board’s authority in hiring, evaluating, and—if necessary—recommending the termination of the executive directors of churchwide program agencies (MennoMedia, Mennonite Mission Network), ensuring clear accountability and protecting the integrity of MC USA’s shared mission.
Renewing our Commitment to Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
The updated Churchwide Statement on Immigration passed with strong delegate support (353 yes, 1 no, 0 abstain). The update was inspired by a similarly focused resolution submitted by North Baltimore (Maryland) Mennonite Church. Building on the 2003 and 2014 statements, the 2025 version adds asylum seekers to the call, encourages an annual congregational focus to deepen understanding of the challenges and realities of immigrants and asylum seekers, and provides an expanded resource list.
The MennoCon gathering is part worship, part learning, part deciding, and part a joyful reunion at a place to find “our people.” For more information or fun stories, talk to me or any of the others who attended.
