Announcements for 19 April: Third Sunday of Easter

WORSHIP and SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday Schedule:
Sunday School (Age 3-Adult): 9am
Divine Worship: 10:15am

The News

Whole-Congregation Outreach Focus INTRODUCED on Sunday, April 19 in Worship

On Sunday, April 19 in worship, Pastor Clark will introduce a whole-congregation focus on outreach–it’s easier than you think!

Essentially, each week he will preach one “Big Idea” from Scripture that he invites us to try out for the next week using a guide available that day. These will then also be the basis for our “OUT” small groups.

However, whether you can do a small group or not, you are encouraged to pick up the Guide and try it out! Let’s truly experience this together as a whole congregation!

Also, even if you didn’t do a small group for “IN,” you are encouraged to join for the two weeks of “OUT”! Just email the coordinator of the group you want to join:

• Sunday 9am – Dave and Melissa Luster-Bartz (dlb9791@aol.com)
• Sunday after worship – Andrew and Ninette Deliyannides (adeliyan@nd.edu)
• Monday evening, 7pm – Chuck Ryan (CharlesRyan9036@aol.com)
• Wednesday evening, 6pm – Steve and Judy Bubanovich (stephen.splc@bubanovich.net)

(So SGs work like this: on April 19, Pastor presents an idea you try for a week and then discuss the week of April 26. On April 26, he presents an idea you try for that week, then discuss the week of May 3.)

Parenting Group – April 19

The parenting group will gather again in the fellowship hall following worship this Sunday, April 19 for about an hour. Even if you’ve not joined us before, please feel welcome to hop in. We share joys and struggles and offer mutual support. Adult supervision is available in the Sunday School area so kids aren’t running amok. See Renee if you have any questions.

Happy Birthday, Stephen Ministry!

In 2026, Stephen Ministry celebrates 50 years of serving and caring for the people of God. Many of our own SPLC Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders traveled to Indianapolis last week for the celebration. We give thanks to God for his servants and for those whom they serve.

Lost and Found

Does any of these items look familiar? Pick up what’s yours on Sunday!

Sewing Group Needs Sheets!

Thank you SO MUCH to those who have donated sheets and other fabric! We are constantly in need and so grateful for your contributions.

If you have old or unused bed sheets, please bring them to the sewing ladies! They can use any size, flat or fitted. They prefer cotton or cotton-poly, but any sheet will be gratefully accepted. See Nancy Kroll with questions. And thank you so much!

VBS Volunteers needed (click the image)!

Rainforest Falls Vacation Bible School

June 8-12 / 9-11:30am

We appreciate your PRAYERS for our program as we continue to prepare for this event!

EARLY REGISTRATION (which includes a free t-shirt) is open until April 30. Register here. If you have questions about the week or registering a participant, please contact Krista Hunt at rlavbsinfo@gmail.com or 574 339 5479.

WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS! We are especially in need of group leaders (no planning or teaching involved), station leaders for our preschool area, and people to join our decorating crew for June 5-7. There are other options as well, but those are our greatest needs. You can sign up here to volunteer or contact Melissa Luster-Bartz mlusterbartz@rlasouthbend.com. 

We are also COLLECTING PAPER TOWEL (or other similar/longer) tubes. You can bring your donations to the laundry basket in the Sunday School area.

There is an AMAZON WISH LIST with some items on it as well.  You can find that list here.

VBS Early Registration Open through April 30! (Click the image!)

All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, redeemer King!

Thanks to Dave Gurnee for capturing this magnificent photo at the beginning of our Palm Sunday worship service!

Sunday School Lessons

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

19 April (Unit 3 Lesson 7) – “A Revealing Truth” is the Bible lesson for this week. On Easter afternoon, Jesus joins two disciples discussing the events of the past week in Jerusalem while on their way to Emmaus. Along the way, Jesus interprets the Old Testament prophecies concerning Himself. Arriving at Emmaus, the disciples suddenly recognize Jesus, who then disappears from sight. The disciples quickly return to Jerusalem to share their amazing account. Discuss how you, too, can share this amazing story. 

Thank You – and Thanks be to God

• For all who continue to lead or participate in Ministry Teams and all who minister to our neighbors and to the faithful gathered by the Long Arms of the Cross.

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

SAVE THE DATE: Sweets and Serenades – April 24

Employment Opportunities

RLA is seeking a full-time Middle School Language Arts Teacher who is passionate about Christian education and committed to nurturing both academic excellence and spiritual growth in students.

We value our partnership with our church associations and deeply appreciate your help in connecting us with qualified, mission-minded educators who feel called to serve in a Christ-centered environment. Please contact principal Danielle Mazzocato at (574) 272-2200 with questions or to express interest.

And also!

Thank you for your continued support of our ministry and for partnering with us in preparing students for lives of faith, learning, and service.

Capital Campaign Status Update as of 2/26/26

We continue to remain thankful for everyone who has pledged to the capital campaign. You can check this page for progress on the build:
https://www.rlasouthbend.com/expansion-campaign.html

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
We continue our study on the book of Joshua. 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.

Stewardship from the Week of 12 April 2026

Offerings
General Fund: $12,808 (4/5 and 4/12)
Pastors’ Discretionary: $140

Worship Attendance
Sunday, 4/12: 100 in person, 7 streaming

M.A.C. Food Pantry
• 172 pounds this week
• most needed right now: jelly, side dishes, Jiffy mix
Contact Cindy Matthews (574) 855-3504 for more information.

Braille Team
• 15 copies of Galatians – Philemon in Spanish this week
Contact Dave Homann (574) 274-6543 or Sandy Ellis (574) 256-1121 or Kristie Sherburn (574) 229-0634 for more information.

Sewing Quilt Team
• 12 quilts 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

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