Weekly Announcements

Worship

STREAM "PEACE WAVERLY" YOUTUBE, OR THIS TV OPTION

If you cannot make it to Peace or another LCMS congregation in-person on a Sunday, go to "Peace Waverly" on YouTube and stream the service, "live" or recorded.  Or, here's another option:  “Main Street Living” Main Street Living is a liturgical worship service broadcasting a different local pastor each Sunday morning. It airs along with the classic Lutheran Hour program, “This is the Life”. Both can be viewed on KLKN Channel 8 (Lincoln) & WOWT Channel 6.2 (Omaha). Visit www.mainstreetliving.com/lincoln to view current and past episodes. Sermons are interpreted and closed captioned for the deaf and hard of hearing.  June 15, 2025, 10:00am - “The Sin of Roy Baxter” - A man is overcome with guilt, after making a decision that goes terribly bad. 10:30 AM - Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel and ZIon St. John Lutheran Churches in Beemer and Wisner, NE, presents a message titled ”Thankful for Nicea”. This sermon is based on John 8:48-59.  June 22, 2025, 10:00am - “Miracle in Chinatown” - An engaged couple seeks a marriage blessing despite differences in tradition.  10:30 AM - Rev. Nathan Henschen, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bancroft, NE, presents a message titled ”Jesus Comes and Rescues”. This sermon is based on Luke 8:26-39.  June 29, 2025, 10:00am - “Little Big Lie” - Curiosity and a little “white lie” result in very serious unintended developments for the Fisher family. 10:30 AM - Rev. Jared Hartman, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wisner, NE, presents a message titled ”The Cost of Following Jesus”. This sermon is based on Luke 9:51-62.

ARE YOU FRIENDLY AND CAN HELP 10:30am WORSHIPERS FEEL WELCOME?

Looking for an easy and meaningful way to get involved at Peace? We’ve got just the thing! Our First Impressions Team is looking for friendly folks to help make everyone feel welcome.  Here’s the job description:  Attend the 10:30 service (you're already doing that—check!); Hand out programs (no sales pitch required); Count attendees (yes, fingers are allowed); Assist with the offering (smiles encouraged).  It’s simple, helpful, and a great way to serve without adding another event to your calendar. Ready to make a great first impression? Let us know!  For more info:  jennyholli76@gmail.com

HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING TO PEACE ON SUNDAY MORNINGS?

Consider nearby LCMS congregations’ alternate worship days/times!  Faith Lutheran (84th & Adams) Sundays 5:30pm; Redeemer Lutheran (510 S. 33rd St) Saturdays 6:00pm; Christ Lutheran (4325 Sumner) Mondays 7:00pm; Immanuel Lutheran (Eagle) Tuesdays 9:00am

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE DAILY e-DEVOTIONS FOR PERSONAL WORSHIP TIME?

If you would like to receive a daily devotion in your email from Lutheran Hour Ministries, please let us know at office@peacewaverly.org.  Or, if you prefer to sign up with LHM yourself, you can do that at lhm.org/newsroom.  God bless your daily time of worship!

JUNE 15-21, 2025

Fellowship 

WHAT IS EMBRYO ADOPTION?

When couples use in vitro fertilization to achieve pregnancy, they will often have embryos remaining after they complete their family. One option available to them is to donate their embryos to another family through embryo adoption. That family could be you. You could experience pregnancy, parenthood, and family through the miracle of embryo adoption.  Contact our Adopting Parent Inquiry Specialist at Nightlight Christian Adoptions to learn more:  970-578-9700 x163, or wisline@nightlight.org

A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO PRIDE MONTH

June is LGBT pride month. There will be LGBT pride parades and other festivities happening across North America and abroad. And every year more and more people are joining the celebration. In fact, many Christians and whole church congregations are using this as an opportunity to demonstrate their love for the LGBT community.  Unfortunately, most people in our society—including some Christians—are confused about genuine love. They conflate acceptance and affirmation with love. Therefore, the people who do not affirm LGBT values are, by definition, unloving. But this is clearly mistaken.  It is possible to truly love someone, but not accept and affirm their ideas or behavior. We do this all the time. We all have friends and family members that we love dearly even though we disagree with—and even oppose—their behavior or ideas.  Let me give a very personal example. A friend of mine is in the midst of divorcing his wife. His actions are having detrimental effects on his wife and young daughter. I think what he’s doing is wrong; therefore, I cannot support it. However, some people in his life are supporting—and even celebrating—his decision. Does it follow that because I don’t affirm his actions, I don’t love him? I don’t think so. In fact, it is precisely because I love him and his family that I cannot affirm his decision.  We are called to love our neighbor—including my LGBT neighbor. This isn’t a mere toleration of the person. No, this is genuine, heartfelt love. The kind of love that is kind and gentle, not arrogant or rude.  We should be the first to defend the LGBT community against mistreatment, abuse, and unjust discrimination. Anything less is wicked.  Shame on anyone who professes to be a Christian but gives the impression—by their words and actions—that God doesn’t love those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. Let me say unequivocally that God loves them. In fact, He died for them.  So, what does genuine love look like?  Love by Abhorring What Is Evil.  Writing to the Church in Rome, Paul says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:9-10). Please don’t miss what Paul does here. Right in the middle of describing what genuine love looks like, he inserts a crucial command: abhor what is evil and hold fast to what is good.  At first read, this insertion may seem out of place. It isn’t. We need to be reminded—even commanded—that genuine love doesn’t merely affirm or celebrate wrongdoing. We all have the inclination to accept sin rather than abhor it. And it’s that acceptance that is wrongly championed as love.  For example, the Corinthian Christians were proud of their acceptance of a couple engaging in sexual sin. They didn’t abhor this sinful behavior; they accepted it. More than that, they were boasting in their tolerance (1 Cor. 5:6).  Does this sound familiar? It should. This is the stance of many churches today.  Now notice Paul’s response. When he discovered their sexual immorality, he didn’t accept it; he abhorred it. Paul writes, “For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing” (1 Cor. 5:3). And what was his motivation? He did this so that they might “be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Cor. 5:5). Paul modeled genuine love in the context of making a right judgment.  Paul reiterates this point to the Corinthians a few chapters later. He says. “Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth (1 Cor. 13:6). Genuine love should never celebrate wrongdoing. It doesn’t go to parades for wrongdoing. It doesn’t wave flags, and shout and cheer at wrongdoing. On the contrary, it recoils and mourns at wrongdoing.  Love by Holding Fast to What Is Good.  True love doesn’t support and celebrate wickedness. Rather, it holds fast to what is good. This is not an easy thing to do. The culture is working hard to pull you away from what is good. And it won’t stop at mere acceptance of evil. No, the culture demands that you celebrate it. And if you don’t, ironically, you will be called unloving and bigoted.  There is a price to be paid for standing for what is good, beautiful, and true. But there is also a reward. The apostle Peter says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something  strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." (1 Pet. 4:12-14)  In a world marred by sin, it will always be unpopular to abhor evil and hold fast to what is good. But this is what genuine love demands. Anything less is a counterfeit love because it communicates to the world that sin isn’t a problem and that repentance isn’t necessary.  This month, while the world celebrates LGBT Pride, choose to love your LGBT neighbor by being a light to the world. As an act of love, do something kind for them. Invite them over for dinner. Treat them to a movie or sports event. Laugh together. Spend time getting to know each other. But don’t compromise your convictions.  Jesus modeled this best.  What Did Jesus Do?  Jesus loved sinners. This is good news because we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Quite often Jesus would spend time hanging out with sinners, but He always called them to repentance.  And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when He heard it, He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ’I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:10-13).  Jesus—the most loving person that ever lived—did not affirm people in their sin. Instead, He called people He loved to turn from their sin. Jesus loves us just as we are. But He doesn’t want to leave us where we are. He wants us—all of us—to repent. This is how genuine love works.

Sometimes we need to be reminded about simple, spiritual, bedrock truths. When you feel the world’s pull, remind yourself to abhor what is evil, cling to what is good, and then go out into the world and model Jesus.  I realize that this text is specifically concerning believers. But the principle that sincere love does not affirm or celebrate sin applies universally.  Tim Barnett, Friends Who Like the LCMS

LORD, IN YOUR MERCY, HEAR OUR PRAYER:

Led by Prayer Team Leader, Dennis Bauer. 

Send prayer requests to prayers@peacewaverly.org, or 402.450.3357.

Health Concerns: Sara Bunting, surgery recovery; Dennis Bauer, surgery recovery; Lyle Hall, surgery recovery; Doris Maahs, continued healing; Dixie Janssen, upcoming surgery; Mya Rourke (friends of the Buntings), car accident; Donna Zapp (mother of Sean Zapp), cancer; Jodi; Marilyn Ash, heart issues; Joanne Lubben and family (mother of Jen Tietjen), health; Carolyn Galligan, surgery recovery; Eric (friend of Dick Rockenbach), health issues; Phyllis Ohlmann (mother of Brad Ohlmann), cancer; Todd (friend of Bob Rankin), cancer; Stacey Wheeler, cancer; Patti Scheel (sister-in-law of Patti Haertel), cancer; Judy Dovenbarger (friend of Lyle Hermance), cancer; Rita Nelson, surgery recovery; Lilo Johnson, Parkinson’s; Ren Beck (brother-in-law of Maggie Ropte) cancer; Marcia (friend of Lanel Fenster) and family, cancer and illness; Amber (friend of Olivia Wheeler), cancer; Rogene Isaacson, cancer; Rev. Brad Birtell (Uncle of Hannah McLaughlin), cancer; Jay Berry, health; Amy, cousin of Lanel Fenster (cancer); Brad, Bruce Nelson’s brother (continued healing and pain relief); The Bassinger Family (health)

For the Bereaved:  Dudley Sorensen and family at the death of his father; Julie Wilshusen and family at the death of her uncle, Alan; Brian Behlen and family at the death of his mother, Ardith; JJ Washburn and family at the death of her father, Jim Wilkinson; Scott Reiner and family at the death of his grandmother, Barbara Klimes; Rita

Those Serving in the Military:  Piper Haen (Pv2 Haen Piper, 1985 Cooksey St., 102B Fort Leonard Wood MO 65473), Leah Rasmussen, Adam Haeffner, Rev. David Edwards (our adopted chaplain) SLD45/HC, 357 Titan Road, Patrick SFB, FL 32925

Out of the Area Members:  Gabe Wilshusen; Taylor and Malachi Casteneda; Stephanie, Bryer, and Larson Cecrle; Christian Dauel; Anna Manning; Maggie Reed; Jared Ohlmann

Shut-Ins:  Dennis Bauer, Dick Mohlman, Renae Johnson, Judy Steffen, Lilo Johnson, Lyle Hall

College / Early Career:  Nikolai Buss, Adellin Doyen, Trae Greve, Jacob Kleinbeck, Lucas Kleinbeck, Leah Rasmussen, Cole Sorensen, Henry Angle, Meagan Dauel, Josh Giesler, Patrick Haen, Ryan Etheridge, Alex Etheridge, Adam Haeffner, Drew Hollibaugh, Garrett Jenkins, Nathan Krenke, Drew Miller, Logan Ropte, Judson Tietjen, Carson Vachal, Kemper Reed, Jaidon Bell, Dain Frazier, Piper Haen, Hayden Knickerbocker, Noah Knickerbocker, Meghan Krenke, Selah Muench, Grant Schere, Madelyn Stone, Michael Williamson, Jordyn Behlen, Jaxon Kleinbeck, Josh Larsen, Ethan Rosenthal, Derek Walker, Tucker Bliss

Evangelism

Missions: 

“you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."   Acts 1:8

LOCAL (“Jerusalem")

YOU CAN SERVE THE LORD (AND WAVERLY!):  JULY 4TH FAMILY FUNFEST!

Our Family FunFest is one of three big community outreach events that we do each year, and it's time to start organizing for this year's!  It's an "all hands on deck" type of event, so please consider serving in some way:  loan your steel-framed canopy for outdoor seating, help set up the night before, provide cookies or dessert bars, serve food during the event (11:30am to 1:30pm), tear down after.  We're also looking for volunteers to blow up helium balloons and distribute to kids as they leave; artists to do face painting, and singers to form an informal choir to sing patriotic songs on stage while diners are eating.  For more information or to sign up:  pastor@peacewaverly.org or Diane Merrill at rpmdkm@gmail.com.  May the Lord bless this outreach effort done in Jesus' Name!

REGIONAL (“Judea")

GO ENCOURAGE A GLOBAL MISSIONARY!

Plan now to visit Mission Central, two miles east of Mapleton, Iowa to hear from these missionaries:  June 17, 2025, 1:00, Rev. Dale and Suzanne Kaster, Czech Republic; June 21, 2025, 1:00, Rev. JP and Aimee Cima, Cambodia; June 29, 2025, 3:00, Rev. Ted Krey, Latin America and Caribbean Region; July 6, 2025, 9:00 Worship Service, Rev. Carl Hanson, South Korea; July 8, 2025, 1:00, Rev. Gerald and Heidi Paul, Cayman Islands; July 22, 2025, 2:00, Andrew and Noel Schaff, Taiwan; July 26, 2025, 1:00, Rev. Mike Paul and Family, Taiwan; August 2, 2025, 1:00, Rev. Tyler and Yanela McMiller, Italy; August 11, 2025, 1:00, Rev. John Wolf, Kenya; September 20, 2025, 1:00, Deaconess Sandra Rhein, Asia; September 27, 2025, 1:00, Rev. Steven Mahlburg, Sri Lanka; December 20, 2025, 1:00, Chelsea Irwin, Eurasia

U.S. (“Samaria”)

PACK A CHRISTMAS BOX AND SHOW CHILDREN JESUS LOVES THEM!

Last year was a milestone for our [Grace Lutheran-Norfolk] Christmas box project [through Orphan Grain Train] ! Since we started six years ago, we have sent 10, 301 Christmas boxes to children all around the world. Once again, we are collecting monetary gifts, clothing, and toys to pack more boxes. This summer we are collecting: Dolls,  Barbies, Blocks (Legos, Duplos, Wooden), Baseball Gloves, Small Cars (Matchbox, Hot Wheels), Pony Beads, Embroidery Floss, and Scissors, Decks of Playing Cards, Hair Barrettes, Rubber Bands, and Bows, Play Food, Jump Ropes, Stuffed Animals, T-shirts (Sizes 2T – Youth L), New 24-count Boxes of Crayons, New Underwear (Sizes 2T—Youth XL), New Socks (Sizes 2T—Youth L).  All items (except crayons, underwear, and socks) may be either new or used and can be dropped off at Grace Lutheran Church, Norfolk, NE. Monetary donations will be used to purchase other items to fill the boxes and can be sent (marked “Grace Lutheran Christmas Box Project”) to Grace Lutheran Church or Orphan Grain Train, Norfolk, NE. We are collecting donations through July 31st. If you have any questions or would like to help pack the boxes, contact Kelly Asbury at 402-371-3521. You can help these children know they are precious and that Jesus is the greatest gift of all!

WORLD (“Ends of the earth")

BAPTISMS AND CONFIRMATIONS AT THE BORDER!

At Iglesia Luterana Santísima Trinidad in El Paso, Texas, the growth of the church has been nurtured with deep care and reverence through the instruction of God’s Word and a serious view toward the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. At the heart of this growth is Rev. Jose Angel Hernandez, who spends an entire year walking alongside families, preparing them for these sacred milestones in the faith of their children.  In a culture where baptism and confirmation are often viewed as customs or obligations, Pastor Hernandez remains steadfast in offering a different, more faithful approach—one grounded in Scripture and rooted in intentional discipleship. His commitment ensures each family and youth involved gains a clear understanding of the spiritual meaning of these rites and their lifelong significance as followers of Christ.  This careful preparation came to joyful fruition on Easter Sunday, when the church gathered to celebrate new life in Christ. Families whose children were to be baptized stood at the front of the sanctuary, as Pastor Hernandez reflected on their year of preparation. He also reminded the congregation of their shared role in supporting these individuals as new members of Christ’s body.  During the service, ten children of varying ages were baptized, each one bone, with Pastor Hernandez pouring the water and presenting a lit baptismal candle—a symbol of the light of Christ. The sanctuary was filled with joy and reverence as these young lives were welcomed into the family of faith.  Following the baptisms, six youth who completed their confirmation classes were invited to come forward. With guidance from Pastor Hernandez, they publicly confessed their faith in Christ. This powerful declaration was followed by their first participation in the Lord’s Supper—a deeply moving moment for both the youth and their families. Many parents were brought to tears, overwhelmed by the beauty and significance of seeing their children step into a more mature walk of faith. The congregation responded with heartfelt support, some even applauding with joy.  For the people of Santísima Trinidad, Easter Sunday is more than a day on the church calendar. It is a celebration of God’s promises fulfilled through His Son, Jesus Christ, His Word, and His Sacraments. It reflected the fruit of patient teaching, deep prayer, and a shared commitment to grow together in faith.  Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM), a partner of Santísima Trinidad since 1990, also rejoiced in witnessing this growth. They have long supported the church’s mission and now celebrate how seriously the congregation continues to treat baptism and confirmation—not as mere tradition, but as encounters with God’s grace, meant to be deeply understood and faithfully lived.  ylm.org

Service

UMBRELLAS FOR PEACE

Do you have any umbrellas you’re not using?  On rainy days, we’d like to have umbrellas at each exit for folks to use/take on their way out. If you’d like to donate, just put them in the designated containers. Thanks!  

CHILDCARE DURING WORSHIP—4 YEARS OLD AND UNDER

Did you know that free childcare is available in the lower level Commons for kids 4 years old and under, from 10:15am through 11:45am on Sunday mornings?  Our staff are all background-checked and ready to serve the Lord by serving you.  Our current staff: Reagan Landis (leader), Kylee Wittler, Jillian Muench, Addison Angle, Tessa Cockerill.  Questions: jennyholli76@gmail.com