Announcements for August 18 – 13th Sunday after Pentecost (L20 – Pr15)

Christmas in August! Help with Chrismons

We are thinking ahead and working on making new chrismons out of Braille paper to use during Christmas for our tree. Ninette Deliyannides will provide all supplies and paper. Anyone age 12 and over (not just Women of St. Peter) is welcome to join for this work session, Saturday, Aug 24, 10am-noon, at the church. Questions? See Ninette!

Scam Texts Using Pastor Clark’s Name

Several folks have reported getting fake texts with Pastor’s Clark’s name, asking for money, gift cards, etc. Pastor Clark will never text you for money! So don’t click! (Note: PC has NOT been “hacked” himself, they’re just using his name – so he can’t affect it.)

Sign Up: Rally Day Potluck, Sunday Sept 8th

We are excited for our Pilgrimage Potluck on Rally Day, Sept 8th. Fried chicken and dessert will be provided. Please sign up for a side, salad, or bread by clicking this link!

During the Potluck, Pastor Clark and several other members will share a bit about their pilgrimages. But Fall Sunday Adult Education also will feature more opportunities to share. So please be sure to submit your Connection Stories if you haven’t already! (see the Pilgrimage section below)

Fall Adult Education Hour: Spiritual and Ecumenical Pilgrimage

On Sunday Sept 15 and Sunday Sept 22, Adult Ed will feature stories from our various pilgrimages over the summer. Come and share!

Afterward, we will focus on this theme: how do we live as Confessional Lutherans within the wider Body of Christ? What direction do we find in Scripture? What can we learn from others? How can we connect with believers of all stripes and yet be faithful to our key convictions–and bring them as an offering TO the wider Body? Pastor Clark will share from his experiences but also invite you to share from yours.

MAC Food Pantry

Please feel free to bring donations for the food pantry when you come on Sunday mornings! Most of our donations come from a single household. We could always use donations from other families. If you’ve never given to the food pantry before, just grab a couple extra items at the store next time you go, doesn’t have to be anything specific, but perhaps something YOU enjoy eating and would like to share with those who are struggling. Non-perishable only. Toiletries are also welcome. See Cindy Matthews or Renee Peggs if you have any questions.

Are you missing a coat?

These leather jackets have been in our coat room since Easter weekend. Perhaps you had relatives in from out of town that weekend who may have left their jacket? We will hang onto these for a couple more weeks before they are donated. Please call the office or just grab it if one of them is yours (or you know the owner). Thanks!

Save the Date: Wine and Word – October 20

The Women of St. Peter Wine and Word event will be on the afternoon of Sunday, October 20, at the home of Jackie Homann. A specific time and more information will be shared in the coming weeks. Mark your calendars now! 

Questions: Contact Amy Smessaert at amyhsmessaert@gmail.com or Jackie Homann at Jackie@athoralaw.com

St. Peter Pilgrimages & Renewal
(Lilly Grant)

Dear Pilgrims at SPLC,

To help us celebrate our time of pilgrimage and renewal on Rally Day, it is important that we collect the stories and pictures from your local pilgrimages … and your receipts. 

By the end of August, please:

1. Submit a photo from your pilgrimage to Renee Peggs at office@splcm.org. Be sure to put the name of your pilgrimage in the subject line.
2. Complete the brief (only 3 questions!) Connection Stories form, using the paper form on the slat wall or the online form via the Renewal tab on the SPLC website https://splcm.org/renewal/ – scroll down to the blue bar that says Local Pilgrimage: Connection Stories. Paper forms may be placed in the clear box by the slat wall. NOTE: Each person who participated in a pilgrimage is asked to share their experience via this form.
3. Pilgrimage coordinators: Complete a reimbursement form for expenses. Reimbursement forms are available on the slat wall. Place your completed form with receipts attached in David Luster-Bartz’s mailbox in the church office or in the clear box.. 

Photos and stories will be shared at a potluck gathering on Rally Day. We look forward to celebrating our pilgrimage journeys!

Sunday Servants Gather Before Worship

With the summer worship schedule in place, all who help lead the Divine Service gather promptly at 8:50am to take 3 minutes 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.   

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.

Offerings
General Fund: $8,494
Pastors’ Discretionary: $250
Endowment: $155

Worship Attendance
Sunday 8/11: 105

M.A.C. Food Pantry
• food collected: 20 pounds
• this week’s shopping list: applesauce cups/fruit cups, Knorr/Rice-a-Roni, soup
Contact Cindy Matthews (574) 855-3504 for more information.

Braille Bible Team
• start date still to be determined…
Contact Sharon Csaszar (574) 904-1411 or Sandy Ellis (574) 220-3636 for more information.

Sewing Quilt Team
• begins September 10
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.

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