WORSHIP, SUNDAY SCHOOL, LENTEN PILGRIMAGE
Sunday Education Hour 9am (Age 3 to Adult)
Divine Worship 10:15am
Midweek Worship
Lenten Devotional and Sunday Study: Psalms of Ascent and our Pilgrimage to Renewal
This Lent we will draw on the Psalms of Ascent, composed by Pilgrims who “went up” to Jerusalem for the three major festivals in Israel’s liturgical year, with the help of our devotional, The Pilgrim Road. Pick up your copy (one per household please) from under the slat wall. Note that the inside cover lays out how to use the devotional and when to read each chapter; on Sundays we will discuss the past week’s Psalms and chapters and how we have benefited from them in our Lenten pilgrimage. The Class will be mostly DISCUSSION. You will still be able to understand and participate if you do not do the readings; but you’ll get more out of it if you do!
For Feb 18: Intro, Holy Discomfort (Ps 120)
The News
Voter’s Assembly to Consider New Calls for the Pastors, Sunday, Feb 25; Please Read the MCC Letter and Respond Ahead
The MLT has called a Voters’ Assembly on Sunday, February 25 following Divine Worship to discuss and potentially issue new calls to both pastors. Please plan to stay and LIVE CONNECTED through this important step in SPLC’s pilgrimage with the Lord and one other.
After feedback from Elders and MLT, the MCC distributed a letter outlining recommended calls last Sunday. Please plan to pick up a hard copy from the back table under the slat wall when you’re at church on Sunday if you haven’t already. You can also let the office know and we can email it to you.
Finally, please pass along any significant questions either to Ninette Deliyannides or Brian Reedstrom ahead of the Voter’s Assembly, so that responses may be researched ahead. You may talk to them either in person or at the contact info indicated in the letter. The MCC would like to address all concerns sooner than later, and individually rather than in a large group setting. Thank you for your diligent attention to these matters, and for your prayers and partnership in the Gospel!
SPLC Local Pilgrimages: Encourage One Another!
One of the goals of St. Peter’s Year of Renewal is that every member have an opportunity to participate in a pilgrimage. You can help by asking your sisters and brothers in the pew or over a cup of coffee whether they are involved in a pilgrimage. If they are not:
- Share your pilgrimage plans.
- Encourage others to create their own or join one already in the works.
- Show them where to find information: on the slat wall or on St. Peter’s website.
So far, 15 pilgrimages have been planned, and many have capacity for additional pilgrims. Check out the list online (scroll past the blue buttons) or posted on the slat wall.
Ideas marked “full” are at max capacity; but you can always do something similar in a new group! If you need childcare to join a group, we have funds; let a member of the Renewal Team know (team members are noted below).
Looking for a pilgrimage to join? There’s a sign-up sheet by the slat wall. A member of the Renewal Team will be in touch soon!
Have a pilgrimage idea? Complete a Pilgrimage Idea Form on line or pick up a form on the slat wall, complete it, and return it to the box on the table.
For a pilgrimage overview, take a look at the “Everything You Need to Know” booklet on the slat wall or online. The Renewal section on St. Peter’s website includes all pilgrimage information, forms, etc.
Questions? Contact Deaconess Amy Smessaert, Renewal Team chair, 574-360-8377, or renewal team members Brian and Jill Reedstrom, and Chuck and Paula Ryan.
Thank you for encouraging everyone to participate in pilgrimages during this Year of Renewal as a way to live connected with God and one another.
RLA Chili Cook-off
Head on up to RLA Saturday, February 24 between 5:30 and 8:30pm for a fabulous evening that’ll warm your heart as well as your stomach! See RLA families or board members for additional details. No need to RSVP if you’re “just” attending.
RLA VBS 2024: June 11-14
Vacation Bible School may not quite be on your radar yet, but our leaders are already diving in to prepare to offer the children a reef-y great biblical adventure this year! Go ahead and get the dates on your calendar, and feel free to scan the QR code or click here to pre-register and/or let us know you’re willing to volunteer! Additional details will follow in the months to come.
Public Service Announcement
Have you heard about the new Indiana state law adopted by St. Joseph County that offers a homestead credit for homeowners over age 55? It will prevent property taxes from rising more than 2% annually. Check out www.sjcindiana.com/2302/auditor for more information.
Ministry Updates and Opportunities
Sunday Servants Gather Before Worship
All who help lead the Divine Service will gather for 5 minutes by the font at 10 a.m. to prepare their hearts and minds for worship. If you are serving as altar guild, usher, crucifer/acolyte, lector, greeter, tech person, elder, musician/dancer, doorkeeper or other HEART member, etc. on a particular Sunday, please come together for quick introductions and short prayer led by Deaconess Amy Smessaert. Together, we will ask God to bless our service to God’s people as we live connected in spiritual formation in Christ. All confirmands and parents are encouraged to participate, whether or not you are serving on that Sunday.
Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study Topic: Psalms of Ascent and our Pilgrimage to Renewal
This Lent we will draw on the Psalms of Ascent, composed by Pilgrims who “went up” to Jerusalem for the three major festivals in Israel’s liturgical year, with the help of our devotional, The Pilgrim Road. Pick up your copy (one per household please) from under the slat wall. Note that the inside cover lays out how to use the devotional and when to read each chapter; on Sundays we will discuss the past week’s Psalms and chapters and how we have benefited from them in our Lenten pilgrimage. The Class will be mostly DISCUSSION. You will still be able to understand and participate if you do not do the readings; but you’ll get more out of it if you do!
New Thursday Morning Bible Study
Colossians: The Mighty and the Mysterious meets Thursdays at 9am at the church. If you’re interested in joining, please see Paula Ryan.
Friday Night Bible Study
The FNBS next meets tonight, February 16 at 6:30pm for dinner, followed by study beginning at 7pm. This year’s focus is Chad Bird’s book, Limping with God: Jacob and the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship. Anyone is welcome to join; no previous bible study experience needed!
Jacob seems to be anything but a model disciple. And yet he is also “Israel,” the namesake of the Old Testament community of God, chosen and blessed. In Jacob’s life we see our lives, our struggles, our failures…but most especially, the God who loves us and chooses us as his own. Come explore Jacob’s story as we learn more together about ourselves and about the God of Israel, who is with us and for us in Jesus the Messiah.
Book: Check it out or order here (the church will cover the cost if needed)
Time: Meal, 6:30pm | Study 7-8:30pm
Dates: 1st and 3rd Fridays [Feb 16, Mar 1 and 15]
Where: Fellowship Hall
Sign-up: Please contact either John Schroeder (jschroeind@aol.com) or Mike Fonck (mfonck@comcast.net) to let them know you’re interested.
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.
Church Set-up
If you are using the church for any reason and need the church set up a certain way, please text or call Matt Rockwell at 574-261-8318.
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 February 11, 2023
Offerings
General Fund: $3,539
Worship Attendance
Sunday 2/11: 114
M.A.C. Food Pantry
• food collected last week: 26 pounds
• this week’s shopping list: soup, hamburger helper, syrup
Contact Cindy Matthews (574) 855-3504 for more information.
Sewing Quilt Team
• 9 quilts this week
Through the program year, 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
• 19 books of II Chronicles in Unified English Braille this week
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 monthly celebrations for birthdays, baptisms, 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:
Mon: “flex” (call to see)
Tue: 11:00am-3pm
Wed: 11:00am-3pm
Thu: 10:30am-3pm
Fri: “flex” (call to see)
Pastors’ Day Off: Mondays
*Otherwise, call, text, or email to set an appointment. See contact below.
Sunday Schedule
- Education Hour: 9am
Ages 3-Adult - Divine Worship: 10:15 am
(stream: splcm.org/worship)