Our Mission Statement:
We are a Gospel-centered community of people blessed by God to be a blessing to others.
Get involved!
Highlights of our upcoming events:
Items from our Fall Festival are still available in the connecting link today.
-Come and select from a wide assortment of items, including jams, candies, crafts, jewelry, greeting cards, books,
and all kinds of gifts.
The Congregational annual meeting will be held on January 27, between services
-Please bring your copy of the Annual Reports.
Want to spotlight your event? Email the webmaster at popdsm@gmail.com and we'll put it here!
This month's letter from Pastor Roger Osbeck
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
If you've been a member of Prince of Peace for some time, you are aware that we hold pre-
service Hymn Sings on the Wednesdays in Lent and on every Sunday during the summer. These
Hymn Sings provide opportunities for anyone to choose a hymn out of our hymnal they would
like to sing which hasn't been sung for a while or has special meaning, or they just enjoy. Every
so often we use the time as an opportunity to introduce hymns that are not familiar to everyone
so we can learn them and feel more confident using them in worship.
I like the Hymn Sings because they help me prepare for the service. Not only can I warm up
my vocal chords, but the singing assists me in focusing my heart and mind on the meaning for
the worship: to praise and give thanks to God for all things. The hymns I would tend to choose,
for myself, would be those of praise and spiritually uplifting, with plenty of "Alleluias" included.
I notice there are some people who take a different approach. Without fail, one of the first
hymns often chosen is #773, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." This hymn asks for God's
presence on which to lean in life because, as the first verse maintains, "I am tired, I am weak, I
am worn." The whole song emits an ambiance of weariness and despair. "...lead me home." is
the repeated petition of the song. "Home," refers to the eternal rest of heaven. As I get ready for
worship, this is not generally the emotional sensation I am seeking. But, I get it.
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand" reminds me of a psalm in which the writer would plead for
help from the Lord, knowing nowhere else to turn. The lyrics were written by a man named
Thomas Dorsey, after he had just lost his wife and a newly born son in death. Composing the
song aided in his healing and led him out of a time which tested his faith. Life often needs to
know of the God who offers strength, encouragement and hope during such circumstances
difficult to endure. We seek reassurance we don't face adversity alone.
It is because of our need that Jesus came into the world. If not for Jesus, the guilt and shame of
sin would be too much for us to bear on our own. Through the so-called trials and tribulations we
sometimes experience, we could only feel tired, weak, and worn. Then, Christ comes to rescue
and redeem us, so we may find relief from the burdens of the day. Our precious God, does,
indeed, take us in hand through the life, message, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ to
lead us home: in the presence of God for eternity. This is why we celebrate Christmas. This is
why we worship.
May your observance of Christmas this year be merry and bright. You have a Lord who is
precious, in whose hand you may take hold to lead you now and always.
Peace to you. See you in church.
Pastor Roger
Outreach links:
Meals from the Heartland
Habitat for Humanity
Lutheran Services in Iowa
Lutheran World Relief
ELCA Malaria Campaign
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