Let’s Celebrate Saint Peter Lutheran Church!

It’s our 40th anniversary as a church! Join in as we begin a three-week celebration to Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present and Build the Future.

Honoring on April 11th - During worship and the faith forum hour, hear from those who helped establish the strong foundation of our church. There will be a slideshow and much sharing of favorite memories.

Pick-up Your Goodies April 16th or 17th - Drop by the church parking lot Friday the 16th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. or Saturday the 17th between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. If you aren’t able to make one of these times, contact Allison Summerton for a special delivery.

Celebrating on April 18th - During worship, we will celebrate communion together and lift up many of the new and strengthened ministries that resulted came to be the last year. Wear your Zoom church clothes! (PJ bottoms anyone?)

In advance, please consider donating an item to the time capsule Brooke Tieperman is coordinating as well as recording a short video sharing what you LOVE about Saint Peter. It’s easy!

Building Together on April 25th - During worship, Bishop Gonia will join us to reflect on the future of our life together as a church. If you have special prayers for Saint Peter and our members, please send those to Allison Summerton.

Hats off to another 40 years!

The April Delores Project Meal Signup Is Ready To Go

For April, we will be providing Chicken Salad sandwiches and Dori’s Pea Salad for our meal. We’ll all be using Jo’s and Dori’s recipes to provide a consistent meal for the shelter guests. The recipes can be found on the sign-up.

Please let Annie and Jo know if you have questions.

Next Faith Forum Series on Women of the Bible

We will begin a five-week Faith Forum series on the role of women in the Bible beginning April 18th. The first week a play, “The Foremothers of Jesus,” will be presented. It tells the stories of four women mentioned by Matthew in the first chapter of the new testament: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. They are included in the genealogy of Jesus at a time when this listing was limited to men. Why are these four women found in the genealogy? The play delves into many possibilities, including what their stories might have meant to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The cast includes Dawn Brodin, Maiah Howie. Annie Heath, Shelly Hunter, Allegra Reiber and Walt Meyer.

During the following weeks, we will examine the story of each woman more deeply. We'll also explore the portrayal of females in the Old Testament, which until recently has been presented as quite one-dimensional. Often they are actually shown to be integral figures in the development of the nation of Israel. The Biblical accounts reveal perspectives on God's involvement with the Israelites as well as portrayals of human freedom, strength and failure. What might the stories of these women reveal about contemporary life, issues, and faith? We'll discuss it all!

April Faith In Action Book Discussion on ‘Flight Behavior’

For April, the Faith in Action-hosted book club will focus on environmental justice issues. The New York Times bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver explores the intersection of faith and climate change through the story of a young wife and mother in a small Appalachian town inundated with a historic migration of Monarch butterflies. It is a breathtaking parable of catastrophe and denial that explores how the complexities we inevitably encounter in life lead us to believe in our particular chosen truths.

Please find a copy of Flight Behavior at your local library or purchase through Amazon or Matter, a local Black-owned bookshop here: https://bookshop.org/books/flight-behavior/9780062124272 .

All are invited to the discussion on Zoom Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 pm. If you have questions, contact Brittany Hass.

A Quick Update From Miss Mary

THANK YOU! There were many Saint Peter people behind the scenes helping to create Lent-In-A-Bags, Holy Week Resurrection Eggs, Devotionals and Easter Alleluia Sticks. Our purpose was to create opportunities at home and during worship and to experience Jesus through stories. I am deeply grateful for every one of you, and I take inspiration from you as I try to live out my faith, following in your example of Welcoming others and Being Sent out to bring God’s love to all.

GUIDED MEDITATIONS FOR KIDS AND PARENTS - Another “thank you” to Saint Peter families for your participation in our Lent, Holy Week and Easter journey. Your eager participation helped create a sense of community for Saint Peter friends of all ages.

Let’s face it: every single one of us has experienced some disruption from a variety of directions over the past year especially. The Easter message of love is a powerful and hopeful one. My desire is that we can sustain those messages of love and hope throughout the coming days. One way I find helpful to keep love and hope in my life is to spend even a few minutes each day being still. Easier said than done, I know. I hope the recordings I have created below will be a tool for you and for your family.

One is a Guided Meditation that focuses on simple mindful breathing and the other is on Loving Kindness.  I hope you will get a chance to try them and let me know if they are helpful.

Kid-Friendly Loving Kindness (MP3 download)

Simple Mindful Breathing (MP3 download)