Announcements for 28 September: 16th Sunday after Pentecost (Pr21-L26)

Sunday School 9am, ages 3 through adult

Divine Worship 10:15am

The News

Prayer Partners for Kids and Youth: Info and Q&A, Sunday Oct 5th – We Need YOU!

We need at least 20 more folks to join in being a one-on-one prayer partner with one of our kids or youth. This is a profoundly important opportunity to build up our kids and the future of the Church. It’s also something you’ll be able to do easily while you are already here on Sunday, plus the occasional text, email, and/or card. On Sunday, October 5th, Pastor Clark will host a 20-minute info and Q&A session after worship in the Sanctuary outlining what we have in mind. Please prayerfully consider attending to check it out, then decide.

Other “Go Deep” Updates

• 5-minute mentoring will have brief training in the Sanctuary on Nov 2 and 9. If you have an interest, there is still room! Contact PC: adamclarknd@gmail.com
• New Small Group once those who expressed interest have synched on a day and time, the opportunity will be announced and all invited. Stay tuned!

Adult Sunday Morning Bible Study: Confessional Lutherans in the Wider Body

We have resumed our pilgrimage through the various Christian traditions. Learn about our Lutheran distinctives and how to share them in a helpful way while also discovering the gifts of other traditions and rejoicing in our commonalities. Click here for a video that will catch you up on what we covered last year. Then join us Sundays at 9am to explore the other Protestant traditions this fall (e.g., Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal)! This Sunday, Andrew Deliyannides will be sharing about the Presbyterian tradition.

Women of St. Peter – Wine and Word – THIS Sunday!

Join us for Wine and the Word at 2pm on Sunday, September 28, at the Homann residence. We’ll explore women in the Bible who struggled to feel seen and heard, and learn how God saw them and called them to participate in His story. And, we’ll study – and taste – some “overlooked” wines. 

Jackie Homann will host and teach us about wine, and Deaconess Amy Smessaert will lead our time in God’s Word. The event will last about two hours. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available. 

We look forward to this time of learning, sharing and being together. Please come! Even if you forgot to sign up, you can still email Amy or Jackie. We hope to see you there!

Gerry LaCluyse — 100 Years Old! Don’t forget her party this Saturday

Today (Sept 25th), Gerry celebrates her 100th birthday. Pastor and Emma Clark took her communion on Monday. She also had just received the congregation’s card in the mail – she thanks you all for your prayers and well-wishes! If you are able, her daughter Susan invites you to drop in for her birthday party THIS Saturday, September 27, 1-3pm at St. Paul’s (3602 S. Ironwood Dr.). There will be signs inside the community center directing folks where to go, or you can ask at the front desk. The family requests that no gifts be brought, please — Gerry just wants to see people.

Thank you for supporting our CROP Hunger Walk Fundraiser!

Last Sunday, we once again participated in the annual St. Joseph County CROP Hunger Walk, organized by Zion Church in South Bend on behalf of Church World Services (CWS). 16 of our members came out for the walk to represent St. Peter Lutheran Church.

To date we have raised $550 in donations, which will support projects addressing hunger and food insecurity, lack of clean water, and other issues defining poverty in our community and across the globe. 25% of all the funds raised stay with local organizations, including Broadway Christian Parish UMC Food Ministries, Christian Community Pantry of Walkerton, Sunnyside Presbyterian Church Food Pantry and United Religious Community Advocacy Center. 

If you would still like contribute, please click here to donate online or give your check (made out to “CWS/CROP”) or cash to Halrun Luppes. 

To learn more about CWS and CROP Hunger Walk, click here.

Thank you for all your support!

Platz Meal Train

Now that our brother Dave has gone to be with the Lord, if you would like to schedule a meal delivery to care for Helga, you may continue to do so using this meal train link. You may bring a meal yourself, or schedule a delivery service or buy a gift card.

Braille – Service and Mission Opportunity

Our Braille ministry needs more people! If you are free from 9-11am or 2:30-4:30pm on Tuesdays, please come on out to the church and join in. We can train you on what you’ll be doing to put together copies of books of the Bible in various languages for those who read Braille. See Sharon Csaszar or Sandy Ellis if you’re interested! We have a lot of fun together.

Prayer Gathering

Michiana Right to Life is holding a prayer gathering in the garden outside their office at 2004 Ironwood Circle, South Bend, on Sunday, October 5, beginning at 2pm. Please feel free to show up for prayer and meditation in light of the recent violence in the United States, followed by light refreshments indoors. There will also be opportunities for touring the HerMichiana mobile unit and praying for Right to Life clients.

Organ Concert

On Friday, Oct. 10, 7:30pm, organ students and faculty from the University of Notre Dame will perform a group recital at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. This is an opportunity to hear a wide variety of music from  J. S. Bach and Marcel Dupré to contemporary composers Brenda Portman (b. 1980) and Margaret Sandresky (b. 1921 – she was still composing on her 100th birthday!). Performers will include current undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Prof. Mary Catherine Levri, newly appointed associate professor of the practice of organ and sacred music. All are welcome to this free concert – please come and show your support for the next generation of organists and church musicians!

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is located at 225 Haney Ave. in South Bend. Parking and main entrance are on the north side of the church off of Broadway St.

Camerata Singers Anniversary Concert

Fifty years ago, Dave and Chris Seitz launched an elite, auditioned choral ensemble in Mishawaka called the Camerata Singers. Under new leadership, the group celebrates its 50-year legacy and impact on the Michiana arts community with a special concert Friday, October 17, 7:30pm, at the Sauder Concert Hall at Goshen College. Dave will conduct and Chris will play! Tickets are $15 and more info is available here. You will not want to miss this event!

Indiana DEA Fundraiser

The congregation is invited to participate in, donate to, and/or come on out the day of this event to support those who are running. Any questions, see James Bartlett.

https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Mishawaka/FootChase5k10k

Thank You – and Thanks be to God!

• For all who continue to exercise ministries to our faithful gathered around the Long Arms of the Cross.

Resurrection Lutheran Academy (RLA)
News, Info, and Ministry Opportunities

THIS Saturday!!! Port-a-Pit Fundraiser for Middle School Washington, D.C. Trip

The 7th and 8th grade students at Resurrection Lutheran Academy are hosting a Nelson’s Port-a-Pit fundraiser toward their class trip to Washington, D.C., this year. Join us Saturday, September 27 from 10am – 2pm at the Marathon gas station in Mishawaka at the corner of Grape and Edison. They will be selling chicken ($10) and potatoes ($5). If you would like to pre-order tickets, ask a 7th/8th grade RLA student (Nora Ruch) or David Luster-Bartz.

Expansion Approved but Capital Campaign Just Beginning: Watch 3min for Details

Bible Studies & Ministry Updates and Opportunities

Sunday Servants Gather Before Worship

All who help lead the Divine Service gather promptly at 10:05am 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.

Mid-Week Bible Studies

THURSDAY MORNING, 9am at church:
This fall we are doing a study on the book of Isaiah. Connect with Paula Ryan or call Renee in the office (574-255-5585) if you are interested in joining.

FRIDAY NIGHT: 1st and 3rd Fridays 6:30pm: Connect with John Schroeder or Mike Fonck if you’re interested in joining. This year, we are studying the book of Acts, featuring a companion video series that we’ll watch together.

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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.

“The Numbers” — Week of 21 September 2025

Offerings
General Fund: $5609

Worship Attendance
Sunday 9/21: 126

M.A.C. Food Pantry
• 529 pounds this week
• most needed right now: Jiffy mix, BAR SOAP, peanut butter, jelly
Contact Cindy Matthews (574) 855-3504 for more information.

Braille Team
• 15 copies of Galatians – Philemon in Spanish were completed last week
• 7 copies of Galatians – Philemon in Spanish plus 14 copies of Exodus in Spanish were completed this week
Contact Sharon Csaszar (574) 904-1411 or Sandy Ellis (574) 220-3636 for more information.

Sewing Quilt Team
• 5 quilts made this week
Through the program year, the sewing group meets Tuesdays to cut squares, iron and size sheets, assemble backs and fronts, and pin and sew 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.

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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.