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St. Peters Church News

Posted by Bob Johnson on July 7th, 2010

Church News

 

Baptism : Caylie Joy Jensen & Tyler Nicholas Jensen, daughter and son of Justin & Jennifer Jensen will become children of God and St. Peters congregation through the washing of Holy Baptism today, July 4, 2010. Witnesses are Kyle Oram, Jessie Withers & John Heimbecher. May God continue to strengthen these children in their faith in Jesus. “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.” Acts 22:16

Wedding : Tiffany Hank & Martin Kelsey were united in marriage on Saturday, July 3, 2010 by Pastor Zessin. We wish God’s abundant blessings for their married life.  

Welcome new member :We welcome into membership by adult confirmation, Mr. Brian Miller, who was confirmed this past Tuesday.  May the Lord walk with Brian and his family and keep them close to each other and to Jesus.

 

Bible Classes:  Sunday: This Week  7/4: Peter Brickner – “Follow Me, And Be Always Watching For My Return.” A study of the Gospel of Matthew. Next Week: Harold Lindhorst – “Follow Me, Until I Return.” Wednesday: 6:30 pm “The Truth Project” led by Bob Johnson. 7:00 a.m. Morning Bible Study at Kimz Galley Restaurant. We will begin a study of chapters of the Bible. Pastor Kolterjahn will be the class leader in July. (Please note the  new time for this class.)

Vicar Ryan Schlict: Ryan Schlicht, son of the congregation and son of Robert and Johnita Schlicht and will serve as a vicar at Zion Lutheran in Denver Colorado, will preach the sermon next weekend.

 

Zion Lutheran Church: Zion Lutheran Church of West Jacksonport will once again serve a Fish Boil for our members and neighboring congregations on July 11th after the Sunday morning worship service.  Please note the date and bring your family.

Summer opportunities : The congregation voted in January to reduce the full time janitorial position to part time beginning on July 1. It will take all of us to pick up the jobs now left undone. We have jobs for all skill and time levels. Together we can make this work. Please contact Bob at the church office to volunteer you time 743-4431.

Christian Endowment Fund: Now is the time to apply to the Christian Education Endowment Fund. This fund is available to members of our congregation for Christian education in grade school, high school, or college. Please contact Bob Johnson or stop by the church office to pick up a form or if you have any questions. The applications must be in the office by Monday, July 12.

LES registration: Registration for the new school year will be on Monday, July 26, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

 

Long Range Planning Committee: will be meeting on Tuesday, July 13, at 6:30 pm.

Security System: Due to the recent break-in, the Technology Team and the Executive Board feel it is important to install security cameras and a recording device that will monitor the church 24/7. A security system is a non-budgeted item. The proposed system, which will have future adaptability, will cost approximately $1,200. If any member of the congregation wishes to contribute to the cost of the system, please contact Bob Johnson or place an envelope in the offering plate labeled, “Security System.” Thank you.

Spend a While on the Nile: St. Paul’s Lutheran VBS July 12-16, 2010! Bring your entire family to ancient Egypt! Each day your family members can step back into history as they see, hear, touch and even taste what it was like in Pharaoh’s empire! Take part in games, dance to lively Bible songs, and sample tasty tidbits as you discover more about how God was with Joseph in good times and bad! Come to St. Paul’s Lutheran School, 1115 Division Street, Algoma. Call 487-5712 for more information and to register. Ages 3 – 6th grade. Pastor John Moll

 

American Red Cross: The American Red Cross will be here on Monday, July 19, from 12-6 p.m. and on July 20 from 9-3 p.m. Summer is a slow time for blood donations. Please consider donating.

 

Farewell Thank You: Thank you to all of you who shared our Farewell Services and dinner program with us last Sunday. Your many beautiful words of encouragement and love meant so much to Dolores and me.  We feel sad to say farewell to the members of St. Peters.  You have been such a beautiful part of our lives these past 12+ years but we look forward joining you in circuit events in the future. Thank you also for the many gifts we received from you.  You’re thoughtfulness overwhelms us.  A special thanks to all those who helped put on such a beautiful meal and program.  I remember the choir singing at my Installation Service in 1998, and they are still one of the best choirs I have heard in all my ministry. May the Lord walk with each of you in His tender care all the days of your life and may He bring us all together again in our real Home in Heaven. Aufwiedersehen. We will see you again.  Pastor Zessin

 

Quarterly Report:Quarterly reports are due in the office by Monday, July 12. You can email your report directly to the office which will save everyone time and effort by sending it to sp.office@charter.net  St. Peters Quarterly Meeting will be held on Sunday, July 25, 11:15 a.m.

 

Special Prayers in July

Our prayers for July at St. Peters are focusing on the WELS ministry to the military.  Read the St. Peters July Newsletter for information about our WELS Military Services Committee and its work.  The following people were reported to the newsletter editor, Kim Olson, as members of St. Peters or a connection to members who are currently serving in our armed forces:  01) Lt. Larry Ahlin (Bev Luethge’s son-in-law), 02) Corp. Isaac Kolterjahn (St. Peters, son of Pastor and Barb Kolterjahn), 03) CDR Tim Wendt (son of Ken and Mary Wendt and son-in-law of Donna Watters), 04) SFC Phillip Weidner (St. Peters, husband of Sarah Weidner [Lindhorst]), 05) Lt. Taryne Williams (granddaughter of Jeannine Eggert), and 06) Captain Adrian Haskamp in Afghanistan (engaged to Lt. Taryne Williams).  Read about these people in St. Peters July Newsletter.  

 

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Weekly Church Bulletin

Posted by Bob Johnson on June 1st, 2010

Church News

 

Bible Classes:  Sunday: This Week  6/6: Gary Thoma - “Follow Me, And Bear Witness Against Unbelief.” A study of the Gospel of Matthew. Next Week June 6/13: Bob Johnson – “Follow Me, With a Pure Heart” Wednesday: 6:30 am at Kimz Galley Restaurant at 49 N Madison. 6:30 pm “The Truth Project” led by Bob Johnson.

Vacation Bible School: Registration forms and box are located at each entrance of the church. Dates for our High Seas Expedition are June 14-18, 9:00 am to noon. We are in great need of crew leaders. These leaders can be those entering 7th grade to any age adult. Your only responsibility is to lead about five children of various ages from station to station where your crew will take part in various activities. It’s a very uplifting time as you grow together in Christ. Please fill out the back of the registration form and place it in the box or contact Mrs. Wierer (743-0032).

Graduation:  Eighth Grade Graduation will be today during the 10:05 a.m. church service.  We are tentatively planning on having the K-7th grade sing. They will be leaving us for their freshman year and while they may be gone, our hearts and our prayers will be with them forever. Congratulations Sage Beckman, Josh Braun, Gilly Davison, Erin Miller, and Brenna Thoma

News Ryan Schlicht on Tuesday, May 18 received a call to serve as vicar at Zion Lutheran in Denver, Colorado. If this sounds familiar, it is the same congregation that Kip Wilson was called to serve as teacher and principal. God’s blessings on Ryan as he serves God’s people in this capacity.

Meditations – devotional booklets are available at church entrances, with a suggested donation of $2.50 to cover expenses. Thank you!

Veterans Talk Group: We are starting a ‘Veterans Talk Group’ at St. Peters. It will begin on Monday, June 7, in the little chapel that is located by the church offices, at 6:30pm. All Door County veterans who have experienced any problems after returning from service are welcome to come. All wars are included in the group, also any conflict involving our military.

Contact - Group Leader – Lance Gerdmann at 743-6803 or St. Peters at 743-4431.

YAHS: There will be no Meeting in June, but we are planning a trip on June 17, to “Cherry D-Lite” in Forestville, and then a Dutch Treat Lunch at Richards in Maplewood. We will meet at St. Peters and car pool from there, leaving at 10 a.m. sharp. Please call Carol Demmin at 743-2236, Anna Nelson at 743-6849, or Arby Roth at 743-6060 for reservations or questions.

Door County WELS Mission Festival:  Save the date of June 20 for our second annual Door County WELS Mission Festival after 10 a.m. services.  Planned activities include: “Taste of Missions” foods from our world mission fields and ethnic potluck lunch; a parade of Mission Nations featuring floats decorated with information about our WELS mission fields; Missionary Pastor Phil Birner will speak about his current mission assignment in Zambia; children will be invited help create gifts that will be sent to Pastor Beckman to distribute to orphans in India. Please join us for lots of family fun! Contact Kim Olson or Kathy Steebs if you would be able to help with one of these activities.

A Special Farewell - Celebrating Dolores and Pastor Zessin’s Service to St. Peters Pastor Zessin will complete his full-time ministry at St. Peters with a very special farewell sermon on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27. Don’t be one of those who later say, I wish I would have been there for his final sermon at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church.  At 11:30 a.m., following the second service, we will have a very special farewell potluck lunch of love and thanksgiving in Dolores and Pastor Zessin’s honor. Sign-up sheets will be available throughout the church and school for you to announce your intentions to attend. More details will follow as we get closer to this special weekend. Anyone wishing to help with this event should contact a member of the Faithful Hands group. Any one wishing to contribute a monetary donation should contact Bob Schlicht 746-0777or the Church Office 743-4431 x160

Bridge Grant Funds- To date we have received $11,815 an amount that surpasses the amount necessary to receive the $5,000 from Thrivent. All of these funds as well as the $5,000 from Thrivent have gone into the building fund to pay on the debt to the church. Thank you to everyone that contributed to the Bridge Grant fund. Yet our need for your continued contributions to the building funds remains. The building addition is a blessing to us that we all share.

Technology Team “The St. Peter’s Technology Team is looking for at least three volunteers to join the Broadcast Committee to help with the Sunday church service broadcasts. Teams will be rotated each Sunday so as no one team will have to work multiple Sundays in a row. Learn more about video/audio production, computers and have fun while doing it! If you are interested please contact Jim Flinn at 495-4984. Teens 16 and older are welcome.

Door Offering For CAMM - As the missionaries proclaimed the Word of God in Africa in the 1950’s, they quickly became known as compassionate people who could provide peace for the soul and also treat physical illnesses. In 1957 the WELS Convention recognized the need to address the physical and spiritual needs of the African people. They responded with the organization of the Central Africa Medical Mission. Even in 2010, the medical mission operates solely on individual donations and the generosity of women’s and children’s groups, as well as compassionate WELS congregations. A door offering will be taken this Saturday, June 5th, and Sunday, June 6th, after each service. Please be generous, so that this “Mission of Love” in Africa may continue.

Special Choir Practice - The Senior choir will be meeting on Monday, June 14 at 7:00 p.m. to practice the music for the special Mission Festival the following weekend. All choir members are asked to please try to attend this rehearsal. 

A very special thank you to Mr. Thoma, Mr. Livingston and to all of the actors and actresses of the play “Simon Says”. It was a delightful opportunity to see all of the talent our school kids are blessed with. We estimate that about 350 people took the occasion to see the children perform. Thanks to all of those that worked behind the scenes, makeup, set construction, choreography and everyone else that added to the enjoyment of the production. It was hard work but it was worth it!

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School Play

Posted by Bob Johnson on May 17th, 2010

Simon Says…

Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah and Savior, God on earth!

 

Who do YOU say He is?

 

          Simon Says presents New Testament characters with a modern day twist and loads of fun!  The musical culminates in a courtroom; Simon Peter is charged with fraud for preaching that Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah.  He must either prove himself truthful or cease and desist preaching.  Eyewitnesses are called to present overwhelming evidence that Jesus is exactly who “Simon Says.” 

 

          I Peter 3:15 says, “Set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” 

 

          Come and join us Thursday, May 27th or Friday, May 28th at 6:30 PM in the Family Life Activity Center at St. Peters Lutheran School.  Our 5th through 8th grades are sure to delight and surprise you with their God-given talents as they present to you the musical Simon Says the Rockin’ Trial of Simon Peter.  The musical is created and written by Jimmy Travis Getzen and Gail Getzen. 

 

          See you at the SHOW!

 

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St. Peters Church News

Posted by Bob Johnson on May 10th, 2010

                                     Church News

Baptism – Kaile Mae VanDenBogart, daughter of Cory and Cheri VanDenBogart, will become a child of God and St. Peters congregation through the washing of Holy Baptism Sunday, May 9, at the 10:05 service. Sponsor is Carri LaPlant and witnesses are Jesse LaPlant and Tami VanDenBogart. May God continue to strengthen this child in her faith in Jesus. “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.” Acts 22:16

 

Wedding - Joshua Massart and Lacy Soukup were united in marriage on Saturday, May 8. We wish God’s blessings for their married life.  

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,

This past January I announced my retirement sometime during the year 2010 from the full time work of the Lord here at St. Peters.  At the end of March, the Lord sent me a Call from Emanuels Ev. Lutheran Congregation of Kolberg to serve as Semi Retirement Pastor. This meant that I had two Calls, one to St. Peters and another to Emanuels. I have prayed for guidance from the Lord.  I have talked to members of St. Peters and I have talked to my brothers in the ministry. Because there was and is a financial shortage at St. Peters, my leaving would also help that situation. I am convinced that it is the Lord’s will that I accept the Call to Emanuel.   This was not an easy decision.  My wife and I love St. Peters and the members of this congregation. You have become very dear to us these last 12 years and you will always be in our hearts and in our prayers. I will begin my ministry at Kolberg on the first of July. I have been given permission by the Executive Board of St. Peters to perform the marriages I have already scheduled at St. Peters. I know the Lord will guide the leaders of St. Peters in the future and He will always be with you.  I look forward to the day when we can all gather around the throne of God in heaven with each other and with the Lord. May the Lord be with each of you.

In the Name of the Lord of the Church, our Savior Jesus Christ,

Pastor Larry Zessin

 

Quarterly Meeting Report- On May 2, the First Quarterly Meeting of St. Peters’ congregation was held in the social room with 47 people in attendance, 33 of which were voters.   The meeting was one of the best in a long while with positive, contributing discussion and excellent Christian viewpoints expressed throughout its duration. Chairman Ted Chaudoir reviewed the work of the Executive Board and stated the Board is making efforts to be more encouraging, supportive, and empowering of the teams and the work they do.  He also mentioned the Board has approved severance pay for the employees whose positions were cut because it was felt that this was the Christian thing to do, especially, since we do not provide unemployment.   The severance is a non-budgeted expense.  The plan for approving the revised constitution has been pushed back due to additional revisions. Business Manager, Bob Johnson, addressed the recent break-in and asked everyone to attend the Spring Clean-up on May 15. Principal, Paul Lutze, said the LES Team is working on their year-end survey and finishing the Self-study for renewing accreditation.   The faculty and the LES Team are also addressing the cut in teaching staff and are asking the Executive Board to reconsider Ms. Amanda Smith’s termination. The Treasurer’s report looked good as it should with Lent included.  The Executive Board still anticipates a negative cash flow for the year as was budgeted.  The beginning bank balance was $59,365.63 with an ending balance of $12,309.45   The total debt is now $1,335,806.90.There was much discussion regarding a proposed change to the summer service schedule.   The proposed change called for one Sunday service at 9:00 AM.   While there was little support and much opposition to the proposal and the issue was tabled. The Worship Team was encouraged to continue to look at changes including the renewal of a mid week service. Eliminating the practice of dismissal before communion also brought a lot of discussion.  Some of the points brought out were feelings that when people leave early it is disrespectful, dismissal disrupts the flow of the service, and feelings that we need to have more discussion on this matter before taking any action. Pastor Zessin announced his acceptance of the call to Emanuels, Kolberg: and in light of this, a motion was approved to grant him a peaceful release from his call to St. Peters when he leaves at the end of June. 

 

Church Break-in  Sometime on Friday night, April 23, the church was broken into. It was discovered on Saturday morning when it was noticed that the church office door was kicked in and shattered. Subsequent investigations showed that not only the church office but also Pastor Zessin’s office door, Bob Johnson’s door, as well as the counting room door had been kicked open. Unfortunately the envelopes for missions, building fund, and Thrivent Bridge grant offerings that were waiting to be counted when Bob returned from vacation were stolen. We are asking for any member of the congregation that offered checks or cash in the mission, building fund and bridge grant funds on the  

weekend of April 17 & 18 call Bob; and let him know how much was in your envelope and whether it was in the form of a check or cash. We are blessed that the damage was not extensive and that much of it will be covered by our church insurance policy. We should also pray that this individual or individuals realize that they have stolen from the Lord, repent of their sin, and seek his forgiveness.

 

Bible Classes: 
Sunday: This Week  5/9: Gary Thoma – “Follow Me, And Share In My Glory.”A study of Gospel of Matthew. Next Week 5/16: Peter Brickner – “Follow Me, Forgive As I have Forgiven You.” Wednesday: 6:30 am at Kimz Galley Restaurant at 49 N Madison.  6:30 pm “Life With God” taught by Pastor Zessin and 6:30 pm “The Truth Project” led by Bob Johnson.

 

Vacation Bible School: Registration forms and box are located at each entrance of the church. Dates for our High Seas Expedition are June 14-18, 9:00 am to noon. We are in great need of crew leaders. These leaders can be those entering 7th grade to any age adult. Your only responsibility is to lead about five children of various ages from station to station where your crew will take part in various activities. It’s a very uplifting time as you grow together in Christ. Please fill out the back of the registration form and place it in the box or contact Mrs. Wierer (743-0032).

ALL ladies of St. Peters Family, (and friends, too), are invited to attend the Faithful Hands annual June Banquet on Thursday, June 3 at the Log Den. A family-style dinner of chicken and pork tenderloin + all the trimmings will be served at 6:30 PM, followed with entertainment by Gloria Meyer. Plan to arrive early for Social Hour from 5:30-6:30 PM. Cost is $17, which includes dinner, beverage, and tip. To make reservations, please phone Delores Nelson – 743-2560, Mary Larsen – 743-6460, or Karen Miller – 746-1597 no later than Thursday, May 27. Invite a friend, (or two), and join us for an evening of good food, Christian fellowship, prizes, and entertainment. It’s sure to be a memorable evening – you won’t want to miss it!

 

Joint Ascension Day Service On Thursday, May 13, St. Peters will host the Joint Ascension Day Service with a twist. We will have a potluck meal beginning at 5:30 pm with meat and beverages

provided. Come one, come all! The Joint Ascension Day Service will begin at 7 pm and will feature joint choir music. All Door County churches as invited: Emanuels, Kohlberg; Salem Lutheran; St Johns, Valmy; Christ, Baileys Harbor and Zion at Egg Harbor. Let’s give them a warm Lutheran welcome.

 

The Perfect Mothers Day present-The perfect Mother’s Day present this year just might a scrip gift card. New to the selection is Kimz Galley Restaurant. Other gift selections are Maas Floral, Book World, Bath & Body works, a large variety of restaurants, Younkers, JC Penney, Kohl’s and many others. These cards come in a variety of amounts to fit almost any budget. Scrip is sold near the library after every service as well as during the week from Paul Lutze’s office.

 

Save the Date: Save the date of June 20 (note the date change) for our 2nd Annual Door County WELS Mission Festival after the 10:05 a.m. Service. Planned activities include: Missionary Pastor Phil Birner as guest speaker, “Taste of Missions” foods, a parade of Mission Nations floats as well as activities to create gifts that will be sent to Pastor Beckman to distribute to orphans in India. Please join us for lots of family fun. Contact Kim Olson or Kathy Steebs if you would be able to help with one of these activities.

 

Camp Bird: Camp Bird is a Lutheran Youth Camp for grades 5-8 near Crivitz, WI. If you are interested in attending Camp Bird, please pick up your registration form outside Paul Lutze’s office. Pick one of 3 weeks: July 11-16, July 18-23 and July 25-30.

 

School Musical: Join us for our School Musical May 27 & 28 at 6:30pm in the Family Life Activity Center. Grades 5-8 will perform “Simon Says: The Rockin’ Trial of Simon Peter.”

 

Veterans Talk Group: We are starting a ‘Veterans Talk Group’ at St. Peters. It will start on Monday, June 7, in the little chapel that is located by the church offices, at 6:30pm. All Door County veterans who have experienced any problems after returning from service are welcome to come. All wars are included in the group, also any conflict involving our military.

Contact - Group Leader – Lance Gerdmann at 743-6803 or St. Peters at 743-4431.

 

YAHS: St. Peters “YAHS” will be holding their May meeting on THURSDAY EVENING, May 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the Social Hall. Our speaker for the evening will be Dr. Roenning, who will be speaking on High Blood Pressure. We invite all members (55 and over) MEN AND WOMEN to attend. Come and listen to this interesting topic.

There will be no meeting in June, but we are planning a trip on June 17,to “Cherry D-Lite” in Forestville, and then a Dutch Treat Lunch at Richards in Maplewood. We will need to know how many will be going, so we can make reservations. You may call Carol Demmin at 743-2236, Anna Nelson at 743-6849, or Arby Roth at 743-6060 for reservations or questions.

 

Spring Cleaning: Come Saturday, May 15, to help beautify St. Peters Church & School building and grounds.  We will give the whole building a good cleaning on the inside.  We’ll also rake and trim, etc. the property outside.  If you plan on helping on the outside, bring a rake and some gloves.  Call Bob Johnson at 743-4432 ext. 161 if you have questions.  We plan on starting at 9:00 AM.

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