WORSHIP and SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School for all ages 9:00am
Divine Worship 10:15am
The News
Are You Getting ALL the Announcements?
It has recently come to our attention that many email programs (e.g. Gmail) “cut off” the bottom part of the announcements. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about that from our end. However, there is something YOU can do. At the bottom of the announcement emails, you should see something like: “[Message clipped]” and then a link that says “view entire message.” Click that link and it will show you the whole thing.
Livestream or Catch Up on Bible Studies!
Thanks to our new A/V setup in the Fellowship Hall, you will now be able to livestream some of our bible studies, or watch the video later if you miss it. Note that this is a one-way video (you can watch but not participate, even on the livestream).
- Sunday Study: John’s Gospel
- John’s Gospel Livestream link (same every Sunday)
- John’s Gospel: Previous Studies (Vimeo “Showcase”)
- Friday Night Bible Study
- FNBS Livestream Link (same every week)
- FNBS Previous Studies (Vimeo “Showcase”)
Crop Walk – THIS Sunday – Please RSVP for Pizza or “Just Walk” (or donate!)
| If you are planning to attend the CROP Walk this Sunday, please use the following link to sign up and tell us if you are a) joining us for Pizza after worship, or b) just meeting us at 1:30pm at Zion United Church of Christ in South Bend for the walk itself. |
| If you cannot walk but want to donate, please click here to donate; include the name of a St. Peter Youth to receive a partial match of your donation! |
To learn more about CWS and CROP Hunger Walks visit CROP Hunger Walks. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Halrun Luppes at luppes@sbcglobal.net or 574-292-2792.Thank you for your support!
Continuing to Bathe Our Life, Worship, and Ministries in Prayer: Sundays, 10am
Ever notice that circle of people praying around the font each Sunday at 10am? What are they doing?
They are joining in a 2-minute prayer led by Deaconess Amy. Everyone serving that Sunday is especially asked to join: the crucifer/acolyte, lector, ushers, elders, greeters, doorkeepers, Sunday School teachers, video/sound tech(s), hospitality coordinators, altar guild, and anyone else serving. Also, any confirmands present that day.
Yet anyone can join us as we lift up the day’s worship and all our ministries to God and become better centered in our relationship to Him and each other. We’d love to have you join us any Sunday!
Why is There Water in the Font?
Beginning on Rally Day, you may notice that the baptismal font will have water in it
before and during worship. Our Sunday Servants, led by Dcs. Amy, will be responsible for filling, emptying, and appropriately maintaining the bowl.
But, “what does this mean?” Lutherans do not bless the water or consider it “holy.” Rather, it is made available so that, as you pass, you might remember your Baptism. If you so desire, you can even dip your fingers in the bowl and make the sign of the Cross over yourself, recalling that in your baptism, you were “claimed by Christ, the crucified.” In Baptism, you are buried into his death, that you might rise with him to walk in new life (Rom 6). You die, that you might live (Mt 16)!
Though we have not had this as a regular recent practice at St. Peter, the custom goes far back in the Lutheran tradition; both your pastors have appreciated it at least since Seminary, where it is a regular practice. Whether you choose to cross yourself or simply let the water serve as a visible reminder, may it likewise enrich your weekly baptismal remembrance as you come once more to the Divine Service to receive God’s grace through Word and Sacrament.
Do You Want to Be a Prayer Partner to our Youth?
Last year, we had 20 members step forward to serve as prayer partners for our children, ages 3 and up. Studies show that if youth feel connected to FIVE adults of faith, they are much more likely to stay in the Church as they grow.
Could you be part of this vital ministry as we begin it again this year? It’s really easy. You simply meet with your partner 4 times throughout the Sunday School year for 10 minutes at the end of Education Hour (i.e. 9:35 “ish”). You get to know them, ask what’s good and what’s hard, then pray briefly. You also have the option of sending birthday, baptismal birthday, and/or Christmas/Easter cards that PC provides for you.
Contact PC ASAP if interested: adamclarknd@gmail.com.
Parenting Group Resumes
Our first meeting will be Sunday, September 27, right after worship in the fellowship hall. All parents are welcome, no matter the ages of your kids. We share what’s going on and offer encouragement/support. See Renee if you have any questions.
LWML Fall Rally – Sunday, October 4
Join other Lutheran women from the greater South Bend area at the annual Fall Zone Rally at St. Paul’s Bremen, 1:30-4:30pm. The speaker is seminarian Jarrod Thomas. A light supper will be served following the Rally, for a suggested $5 donation. Call St. Paul’s 574-546-2332 with any questions.
They are requesting:
- individually wrapped snacks/treats
- pens
- sticky notes
- note pads
- bookmarks
to bless the 57 men entering the Pastoral Ministry program and 6 ladies entering the Deaconess program at CTSFW – the largest entering class since 2009!
LWR Quilt Ingathering – Sunday, October 11
Join us in worship on October 11 as we view our sewing ladies’ lovely quilts made in the last 12 months, and bless them to God’s glory before they get sent all over the world through Lutheran World Relief.
If you could help us by DRIVING the quilts over to Valpo on Saturday, October 17 (yes, it HAS to be that day), please let Renee know! You do not have to load them or unload them – we will help you with that on this end and folks will be at Christ Lutheran in Valpo to unload. But, it requires some vehicle capacity: there’s more than 200 quilts! Drop-off must be done between 2-5pm CENTRAL time, 10/17.
Outreach Story: Dcs. Amy Smessaert
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT AMY’S STORY!
Click here to link to the Outreach Stories page
*Hit SUBSCRIBE for instant updates*
New Hearing Assist Equipment for the Sanctuary!
We have purchased new hearing assist technology called Auracast for the aanctuary. Auracast is a new generation of Bluetooth, but it does NOT require “pairing” like regular bluetooth. It is also digital, rather than analog, so it is crystal-clear.
You can “tune in” in several ways:
- OUR RECEIVERS (4) – pick one up from the recharging cradle below the slat wall and return it there when finished. These have headphones plugged into them, but you can also bring your own headphones with a standard 3.5mm jack if you prefer.
- Pick it up on any HEARING AID with Bluetooth 5.2 or higher. You’ll probably need to turn the Auracast feature on – consult your provider for specifics on your device.
- If you have the older “T-COIL” HEARING AIDS, ask PC for a “neckloop” to connect to our receivers.
Adult Choir Has Resumed!
Clear out the cobwebs and tune up your pipes! We rehearse weekly on Wednesdays from 7:30-9pm, upstairs in the Choir Room. If you’ve never sung with us before but would like to, just let Emily know. It’s not too late!
Sunday School Lessons
Sunday School lessons will begin to appear here again next week!
Thank You – and Thanks be to God
- For Dan and Laurie Miner, who cleaned the bathrooms and building after Rally Day and before Dave Orlowski’s funeral, to allow Matt Rockwell and his family to be present to each other during this time.
- For John Schroeder, Brian Reedstrom, Chuck Ryan, Matt Rockwell, PB, and PC, who installed (and are still installing) our new A/V system in the Fellowship Hall and who repaired lights in the Sanctuary balcony. For John Schroeder, Dave and Jack Risner, and Sean and Andrew Galiher, who helped move risers and other items in the balcony. For PC, who installed the new hearing assist system.
- 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
LAST DAY!!!!! RLA Spirit Wear Available to Everyone: Order by Sept 18
Through tomorrow, September 18, RLA’s online Spiritwear Store is officially open! You will find the link below!
This year, we have more options than ever before! In addition to our annual verse shirt and vintage apparel, we’ve added a variety of polos, sweaters, hoodies, and hats. Several items are also available with the RLA block logo embroidered on them.
All orders will be placed online this year. If you need any help placing an order online, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Donald Swift via email: dswift@rlasouthbend.com or call: 574-272-2200
Browse and Order: https://itstop.tuosystems.com/stores/rlafall2026
Capital Campaign Status Update
During the Back To School Matching Gift Drive in August, we received more than $32,800 in new donations. We also received a very large stock gift of more than $450,000. This puts our total raised to more than $2,600,000! We have less than a million dollars left to go! Praise be to God!
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
**Resumes September, 17 at 9am in the church “library” area, finishing a study on the book of Joshua. Next study begins early October (tentatively Philippians!). 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: dinner 6:30pm, study 7-8:30pm. Ezekiel is the focus through the first of the year, then Daniel beginning in February. Connect with John Schroeder or Mike Fonck if you’re interested in joining.
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 13 September 2026
Offerings
General Fund: $xxx
Paint/Carpet: $xx
Pastors’ Discretionary: $xx
Tech Upgrades: $xx
Worship Attendance
Sunday, 9/13: 121 in person, 4 streaming
M.A.C. Food Pantry
• 28 pounds this past week
• most needed right now: spaghetti/pasta, Jiffy mix
Contact Cindy Matthews (574) 855-3504 for more information.
Braille Team
• begins soon!
Contact Dave Homann (574) 274-6543 or Kristie Sherburn (574) 229-0634 for more information.
Sewing Quilt Team
• 7 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, see Nancy Kroll or Karen Waldron 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
If your group needs to use Zoom, please email the office at office@splcm.org.
Your St. Peter Leadership
- Mission Leadership Team (MLT)
Brian Reedstrom (President)
Laurie Miner (Vice President)
Alex Homann (Secretary)
David Luster-Bartz (Treasurer)
Andrew Deliyannides (At-Large member)
Dan Hertel (At-Large member)
Kathy Levy (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
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)