Announcements for 30 November: First Sunday of Advent

Sunday School 9am, ages 3 through adult

Sunday Divine Worship 10:15am

Thanksgiving Eve Worship: Wednesday, November 26th, 7:00pm
Offer your thanks to God
Bring non-perishables or a monetary gift for the M.A.C. Food Pantry.

The News

Midweek during Advent – Soup and Salad Suppers, and Evening Prayer

On Wednesdays, December 7, 14, and 21, we will gather beginning at 5:45pm for Soup and Salad suppers in the fellowship hall. No need to bring anything – dinner is provided! Two of the Advent small groups will be meeting, and also confirmands with their mentors. If you are not part of those groups, feel free to grab a table for conversation and fellowship. Please make our newest members feel welcome!

Following supper, we gather in the sanctuary for candlelight evening prayer, beginning at 7pm. The homily will expand upon our Advent Devotional themes each week. 

Small Groups Start This Week – and Last Call to Join!

We have five small groups set to meet for the next three weeks:

• Sunday after worship at church
• Monday evening, 6:30pm at the home of Jeff and Halrun Luppes
• Two groups Wednesdays at church during soup supper – have food and ready at 6pm
• Thursday afternoon, 1pm at church

If one of these fits the bill and you’d like to join in, email PC: adamclarknd@gmail.com

Advent Items to Prepare BEFORE Nov. 30 (Advent 1)

1. Get a Personal/Family Advent Wreath for Devotion

This year’s devotional has a major place for the use of a home advent wreath, so everyone is encouraged to get one this year if you don’t have one (or restock your candles :-). Some relatively cheap options:

• Amazon Black Friday deals on basic wreaths WITH candles: $12 or $14.
• From The Devotional Author: Easy-Make Mason Jar Wreath (DIY Video)
• Michaels or Hobby Lobby has a $7 pack of votive candles in glass – use four and break off a pine branch to surround them with!

2. Get a Copy of Our Devotional from the Slat Wall – One Per Household

“Unwrapping the Names” Description: What if you could spend this Advent season delighting in your Savior instead of trying to create the picture-perfect holiday? Treat yourself and your family to the ultimate gift this Christmas as you “unwrap” the meaning-filled names of Jesus, week by week! Asheritah Ciuciu (“Choo Choo”) leads adults, kids, and families through the four weeks of Advent with weekly interactive devotional activities, each followed by five readings celebrating the Savior at the heart of our Advent hope, preparation, and joy. We also will explore these themes in the Advent midweek services and small group discussions.

3. Prepare the first Small Group Guide on Nov 29-Dec 1

Our first Small Group will be the week starting Nov 30. But in order to be ready, you will want to DO the individual/family part as we are beginning, i.e. the weekend after Thanksgiving. Hard copies are also available at the slat wall.

Small Group Guide for WEEK 2 (Prep for Dec 7-14)
Hard copies available at the slat wall

Angel Tree: Please continue to take slips

This year we are once again sponsoring an Angel Tree for Emmons Elementary, one of our local public elementary schools. Please continue to take slips until all are covered! Be sure also to take an instruction sheet.

Advent/Christmas Tree

Those interested in acquiring and/or setting up the tree for our December worship, please get in touch with John Schroeder or just meet at the church at 9am this Saturday, November 29.

Poinsettias

Please help beautify the altar for Christmas worship by making a donation for poinsettias. Checks should be made out to Women of St. Peter (not to SPLC). Place check or cash in the acrylic box under the slat wall no later than Sunday, December 7. See Annette Winterrowd with any questions.

Prepare Cookies for the Cookie Walk (Saturday, Dec 13th, 9am-Noon)

We have developed a base of return customers who say we have the best cookies (and we do!). Please help us continue this helpful and fun fundraiser by preparing and delivering cookies by December 12th. Any questions, see Jill Reedstrom or Paula Ryan.

Advent/Christmas Worship in German

The 41st annual “Wiehnachts Vesper” (a Christmas worship service in the German language) will be held at 4pm on Sunday, November 30 at St. Paul Lutheran SB (corner of Alto and Laurel Roads). A time of fellowship will follow worship. Call their office at 574-271-1050 for more information.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): New Members

On Sunday, November 16th, we were blessed to welcome 10 new members representing five households into the Body at St. Peter through baptism, confirmation, and/or transfer. Click the link below to read their short bios:

Offering Envelopes

Please pick up your 2026 envelopes from the slat wall. Take a set to a shut-in!

Adult Sunday Morning Bible Study

For the next Sundays at 9am, we will be wrapping out our “ecumenical pilgrimage” with the Pentecostal, Restorationist, and Non-Denominational traditions.

Advent by Candlelight, Sunday, December 7 beginning at 6:30pm

Advent by Candlelight is coming! “What does this mean?”

This is an event for the Women of St. Peter – if you are a woman (high school age or older) and you attend St. Peter, you are welcome! We use this event for fellowship, to enjoy one another’s company over luxurious desserts, and to explore some of the themes of Advent amidst beautiful tables and holiday decor.

Tables are hosted by ladies who sign up to bring their favorite china, silver, centerpieces, and other decor to appoint their own table. Please sign up if you would be interested in hosting a table.

Other ladies have a gift for creating sumptuous, decadent desserts, which are the typical fare for the event. *New this year* – if you’d rather bring something healthy, like fruit or a salad, to share, we welcome that! Please sign up if you would be interested in bringing food.

A program is created to help guide table discussion and lead us in conversation around themes of Advent. This year’s theme is Peace Be With You, which will be presented in a booklet format and led by one lady at each table. Please sign up if you would be interested in leading the discussion at your table. [Content and questions are provided for you – no preparation is necessary!]

Since this is a festive event, feel free to wear formal or fancy dress.

Most ladies will just attend the event, without hosting, bringing a dessert, or leading. We welcome you to join us without needing to “do” or “bring” anything! Just sign up.

If you need childcare, please let us know that on the sign-up sheet, as well.

All sign-ups are on the table under the slat wall. Since we must know how many tables/place settings to prepare and number of table hostesses, we truly need you to RSVP no later than Sunday, November 30. We’re sorry this one doesn’t function as a last-minute-just-come, like our other WoSP events.

If you have any questions, please see Amy Smessaert or Renee Peggs. We look forward to a beautiful evening with you all!

Sunday School Lessons

Parents (and prayer partners, too!), check here each week for what your children will be hearing about in Sunday School.

November 30 (Unit 2-3) – In our Christian education time this week, we study the account of Daniel in “A Trap and a Release.” Daniel’s promotion to a high leadership role in Babylon causes political jealousy among other leaders. King Darius decrees that everyone must worship only him, but Daniel remains faithful to the one true God, praying three times daily. The king condemns Daniel to the lions’ den, but God’s angel shuts the lions’ mouths so Daniel remains unharmed. Discuss how God protects His people from danger today.

Thank You – and Thanks be to God

• For Espen Luppes, who completed his Eagle Scout project, a score board for Resurrection Lutheran Academy. We are thankful for Espen’s service, and for his gift to our school ministry.

• For Ronnie Zarate, who completed her 50 hours of preparation as a Stephen Minister. Pictured above with her class of graduates from our local Stephen Ministry Network. We look forward to installing her here at St. Peter on Sunday, January 18th!
• For Krista Hunt, who is organizing the Sunday School Christmas Program and the Angel Tree.
• For Brian Reedstrom, who did a yeoman’s work in finding our new “snowplow guy”!
• For Marty and Jan Orlowski, helping with electrical so we can get security cameras in.
• For all our new members, and for the excitement, experience, gifts, and partnership they bring into our midst!
• For 25 neighbors who came out for the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day last Saturday (our 9th year hosting), and for Sandy Holland, Emma Clark, and Anna Lehner (of Penn High Key Club), and PC for representing the congregation in serving.
• 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

Thanks be to God!

Ground was broken last week on the new building expansion! Thank you so much to the SPLC family for all your donations, prayers, and support. RLA has received recognition from community partners beyond the school, for which we also give thanks. And of course, we continue to celebrate and express gratitude for our students and staff who carry out the mission of RLA. Thanks be to God!

Capital Campaign Status

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 23 November 2025

Offerings
General Fund: $4509

Worship Attendance
Sunday 11/23: 130

M.A.C. Food Pantry
• no delivery this week
• most needed right now: tuna, diced tomatoes, soup
Contact Cindy Matthews (574) 855-3504 for more information.

Braille Team
• Braille is finished until January
Contact Sharon Csaszar (574) 904-1411 or Sandy Ellis (574) 220-3636 for more information.

Sewing Quilt Team
• no sewing 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.

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
If your group needs to use Zoom, please email the office at office@splcm.org.

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Your St. Peter Leadership

• Mission Leadership Team (MLT)
  Brian Reedstrom (President)
  Alex Homann (Secretary)
  David Luster-Bartz (Treasurer)
  Andrew Deliyannides (At-Large member)
  Dan Hertel (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 Adam Clark, Senior Pastor
  Pastor Bryan Borger, Associate Pastor