WORSHIP and SUNDAY SCHOOL
To access live-streamed Worship and view Worship Folder please use:
Summer Worship at 9am
Sunday Education Hour in recess until after Labor Day
The News
Meal Train for Lori Borger
Please click this link to sign up to bring meals to Lori and the Borgers following her shoulder surgery. Any questions? Send an email to office@splcm.org or connect with PC (574-323-0654).
Directory Update:
Coming soon! We will have a draft copy of the member directory for you to review and make any necessary changes ahead of printing for Rally Day. If you would like to have your picture included/retaken (especially if you have children), please sign up under the slat wall for Sunday, August 20 or August 27, before or after church. Or just show up ready to say “cheese!” Time commitment would be less than one minute. You can review your image to make sure you’re happy with it.
Ministry and Call Committee (MCC): Survey and/or In-Person Opportunity
Thank you to everyone who submitted a survey! By the good graces of the MCC, surveys remain available until Sunday, Aug 6 online or in the Narthex. Questions? See or email MCC Chair, Ninette Deliyannides.
Step 1: Read the Overview and Starting Proposal (BEFORE completing survey):
Step 2: Click here to complete the survey online
Short Report: 2023 LCMS Convention
The Good News (and look to hear more in Sunday’s sermon!)
+1025 Voting Delegates assembled in fellowship, seeking to serve the Lord and His Church under the theme: “We Preach Christ Crucified.”
+Fellowship was established with Lutheran Church bodies in Sudan, Finland, Uganda, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka.
+We heard firsthand of the brave witness of many of these brethren in the face of war and/or persecution.
+Committee 11 did a fantastic job of carefully combining concerns about race and racism, not only from PC but many others, in two resolutions that the Convention then passed.
+PC also put forward ideas about growing a standing national process for dialogue. While not ultimately successful as a motion, much good conversation was had.
+Many other helpful resolutions for congregations and our schools were passed.
Struggles for Prayer:
+Synod is projected to go from 6,000 to 3,000 pastors over the next 5-10 years. There was significant disagreement over how to educate more pastors to meet this challenge.
+ Reconciliation in the problems at Concordia University-Texas (CTX) was not found. A resolution was passed placing the blame only on CTX, over protests from the Texas District President and others that there was fault on all sides and that all parties needed to come back to the table without deciding the blame up front. Legally and operationally, CTX remains in the hands of its local Board of Regents; following the Convention resolution, Synod President Matthew Harrison will pursue ecclesial discipline against rostered church workers in the administration.
+ We continue to mourn the closure of Concordia-Portland and Concordia-Bronxville and our loss of fellowship with Japan Lutheran Church over their decision to ordain women, practice open communion, and have fellowship and common training of pastors with the Japanese partner of the ELCA.
Janet Homann: 70 Years of Service as a Church Musician
Check out this article on Dave Homann’s mom’s many years of service. We give thanks for God’s gifts used in faithful service to the Lord and His Church!
Sunday School Preparations: Could YOU serve our kids this Fall?
It is time to be thinking about staffing our Sunday school program for the next school year. This takes at least nine people, and I know I have a few people who are not returning to their position. There are five classrooms of students ranging from 2-18 years old, and I rely on four craft leaders who serve once a month in the early elementary class (ages 3-first grade) who walk the students through a prepared craft once a month. Teaching positions can be shared, so people aren’t committed to every week as well if that is interesting to some. We also have a good supply of subs available if you take a position but can’t make some weeks. Materials are provided. “Training” can be included if this is your first time engaging in this way. Class sizes are manageable. Classes begin on September 10 at 9 a.m. If you are interested in participating or learning more, please contact Krista Hunt (6sbhunts@gmail.com/ 574-339-5479).
RLA Anniversary Picnic: Save the Date, Canopies Requested
The planning committee is hoping to borrow some pop-up canopies to use for the picnic on August 26. If you have one that would be available to be dropped off at the school by Friday, August 25, please contact Esther Nowicki at 574-514-7814 or enowicki0420@gmail.com. Thank you!
RLA Teacher Needed
Join the team at Resurrection Lutheran Academy as a 3rd grade teacher! RLA focuses on educating students through Christian love and grace. We are looking for an energetic, caring teacher who strives to create an environment where students can achieve socially, emotionally, and spiritually to the best of their ability. You must be comfortable communicating with parents, building student relationships and interacting with staff to develop a positive teamwork atmosphere. Some of your teaching responsibilities will include: religion, language arts, math, science, social studies, and art. Current teaching license and criminal background checks are required. Staff reports on August 1st and students begin on August 16th. Learn more about us on our website rlasouthbend.com and submit your resume to the school office or email it to mmegyese@rlasouthbend.com.
RLA Golf Outing
Help support the Dale Timm Scholarship fund at RLA by attending the RLA Golf Outing on Saturday, August 5. Click here for info or to register, or use the QR code on the flyer (by the slat wall). Questions? Contact Development Director Donald Swift, 574-272-2200 (RLA).
Expressions of Gratitude
We’ve recently received some really lovely notes of appreciation and gratitude for WHO WE ARE here at SPLC. First, a couple from PB’s former parish in Pittsburgh:
Members of St. Peter –
My wife, Susan, and I have appreciated St. Peter’s Ministry of the Word for the past three years as we worshiped with you all livestream. St. Peter has been our church. We started with you from Pittsburgh, PA and have continued in our new home in Westminster, MD. We have been blessed to find a church community here, so our focus has shifted. Although we will be attending in-person worship here at our new church home, we continue to appreciate the sermons of Pastor Clark and Pastor Borger each week. The Truth of the Word is welcome.
Enclosed is a contribution to the ministry at St. Peter given in thanks to God for all you have meant to us and will continue to.
Yours in Christ,
Harold and Susan Wagner
And second, from someone who knew Randy Brogdon:
Dear [Pastors],
I recently received word of the passing of a member of your church, Randall Brogdon. Randy was a neighbor of mine during my younger years. I considered him a good friend. He had many good qualities and will be missed. Please accept my donation to the church in his memory.
Thank you,
Michael A. Gilman
Memory Verse Challenge
Did you know that the LCMS offers an opportunity for its members and churches to memorize scripture together? Each week, you can join other Lutherans in the discipline of committing scripture to memory. Why is this a good idea? Today we have all the information we want, right at our fingertips. Memorization of anything is rarely needed. But having God’s word in our hearts, readily available in any circumstance, is a great comfort and encouragement. Check out other benefits and motivations by clicking this link and then get started with this week’s verse! Some members of St. Peter are already engaged in this discipline! You can join at any time.
Ministry Updates and Opportunities
Adult Bible Studies and Small Groups
TUESDAY EVENING (once monthly): Taking Off the Mask
This CONFIDENTIAL group gathers to process some of the harder things in life with God and each other. A meal is also shared and childcare provided as needed. If you wish to join us, please contact either Deaconess Amy Smessaert (amyhsmessaert@gmail.com) or Pastor Clark (adamclarknd@gmail.com).
Pick Your Next Usher Date!
Thanks to everyone who has served as an usher or part of an usher team. It’s time to pick another date to serve! Please sign up on the Sunday Servants sheet on the slat wall. You can see the specific list of duties, with video demos, here. A veteran usher will assist you and teach you one extra duty beyond communion each time you serve.
Crucifer: Pick a Date to Carry the Cross!
Anyone interested and able is invited to carry the Cross for the processional at the beginning of worship. Sign up on the Sunday Servants sheet in the Narthex and watch this video to prepare.
Church Set-up
If you are using the church for any reason and need the church set up a certain way, please contact Matt Rockwell rockwellmatt87@gmail.com.
Coffee Hour/Hospitality
We need volunteers for hospitality on Sundays. Pick up some treats from the store such as mini rolls, strudel, fruit, donut holes, small cinnamon rolls, or similar. Total cost is no more than $20 (3-4 packages). There is a sign-up sheet and instructions on the table by the slat wall. Please contact Nancy Kroll if you have any questions at (574) 229-9496.
Week of July 30, 2023
Offerings
General Fund: $3,814
Worship Attendance
Sunday 7/30: 97
M.A.C. Food Pantry
• food collected this week: 401 pounds!
• this week’s shopping list: Jiffy mix, mac n cheese, mixed vegetables
Contact Cindy Matthews (574) 855-3504 for more information.
Sewing Quilt Team
• Sewing is finished for the program year. Join us after Rally Day in September!
The Sewing Group meets Tuesdays to cut squares, size sheets, assemble backs and fronts of quilts, iron sheets, sew and pin quilts. Participants of ANY skill level from the least to the greatest are welcome. If you are interested in this human care ministry, contact Helga Platz (574) 514-3751 for more information.
Braille Bible Team
• Braille is finished for the program year. Join us after Rally Day in September!
Contact Sharon Csaszar (574) 904-1411 or Sandy Ellis (574) 220-3636 for more information.
Links and General Info
Prayer Requests may be submitted by:
- Using the convenient on-line Submit New Prayer Request Here Link
- Adding written prayers to the “Our Gathering Prayers” form on Sunday morning
Announcements may be submitted by:
- Using the online form: https://splcm.org/forms/submit-announcement/
- Filling out an announcement form from the left of the slat wall in the Narthex and placing it on the pastor’s chair to the right of the Cross at the front of the sanctuary.
St. Peter Members Website Page
Did you know that we have a dedicated page just for members of St. Peter? This page contains the most current church directory; monthly celebrations for birthdays, baptism and wedding anniversaries; annual Kingdom Spending Plan (budget); monthly financial reports; MLT and Voter Assembly minutes and announcements; church Constitution, and more. NOTE: Password is the same as “prayers” password; call the church office with questions, 574-255-5585.
Zoom Videoconferencing
Changes have continued. If your group needs to use Zoom, please email PC at adamclarknd@gmail.com.
Your St. Peter Leadership
- Mission Leadership Team (MLT)
Brian Reedstrom (President)
David Seitz (Vice-President)
Alex Homann (Secretary)
David Luster-Bartz (Treasurer)
Andrew Deliyannides (At-Large member)
Elizabeth McGrath (At-Large member)
Dylan Bergstrom (At-Large member) - Elders
Chuck Ryan (Head Elder), Marty Orlowski, Brian Reedstrom, Mark Waldron, David Gurnee, John Schroeder, Jeff Rockwell - Pastors
Pastor Bryan Borger, Senior Pastor
Pastor Adam Clark, Associate Pastor
Office Hours:
Tu/Th: 9am-12pm
Wed: 8-10:30am
F: “Flex” (call to see)
Sunday Schedule
- Education Hour: 9:00-9:50am
- Divine Worship: 10:15am
(stream: splcm.org/worship)