The content of this post (which is automatically delivered to email subscribers) includes a summary of the latest issue of Saint Peter’s Our Life Together (weekly newsletter). You can find a link to the latest issue by clicking here.
WEAR RED TO CELEBRATE REFORMATION THIS SUNDAY!
In celebration of the Spirit alive in God’s church and the continual growth and renewal of our faith, wear red this Reformation Sunday!
AN INVITATION TO EXPERIENCE PEACE
Be on the lookout for God’s invitations all around you for experiences of God’s peace. And/or allow God’s peace to flow through you and be that peace in someone’s day.
Peace be with you, St. Peter.
Interim Pastor Michael TeKrony
Who are we, and where are we going? One of the tasks of the Transition Team is to help craft an introductory "resume" for Saint Peter Lutheran Church (the Ministry Site Profile). It is an opportunity to share more about the people, worship and work of this place with prospective pastoral candidates. Therefore it is important to understand the current pulse and direction of the church, our mission and vision: who are we (mission), and where are we going (vision)? And what core values guide us to answer these questions?
In 2022, the congregation identified these core values of StPLC: service, welcoming, and worship. Our mission and vision statement center on those values. Based on the Transition Reflections conversations so far, these core values still hold true. During our exercise to reveal and explore our individual and collective gifts, the most robust categories - how we truly see ourselves - were service, faith, and hospitality.
Now imagine you're in an interview, and you put those three qualities on your resume. And the employer asks, "Tell me about a time when you showed welcome to somebody." Or, "What steps might you take to ensure that your welcome is authentic and powerful?" Perhaps they ask you, "Describe what service opportunities you currently engage in, and tell me about your plans for enhancing your commitment to the community."
Our mission and vision are born from our strengths, virtues and values. On October 27 after worship, learn how we currently live out these values as we walk our mission to welcome all into God's love and live as a reflection of Christ. Furthermore, come share aspirations for how we can lean forward into our vision of hospitably welcoming all, creating supportive relationships, worshiping vibrantly and transforming faith into action. Come ready with questions, curiosity and creativity!
FALL STEWARDSHIP APPEAL BEGINS OCT 27
“A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” Proverbs 18:16 (NIV)
Saint Peter Lutheran Church assesses its financial state every fall and looks ahead to the coming year. This is more than a budget. It’s an opportunity to look at our ministries and support the community in positive ways. Join us Sunday, October 27, to learn more about the 2025 Stewardship Appeal. Be sure to check your mailbox at home, too!
THANK YOU BARB!
The Saint Peter family gathered after church on Sunday, October 20 to show appreciation to Barb Hinchey. Barb faithfully served on the newsletter team for 8 years. Thank you Barb for your dedication, passion and service to the Saint Peter community!
RAINBOW TRAIL REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 1!
Registration for youth camps, summer family camps, and Labor Day Family Weekend opens November 1st. Registrations will be received on a first come, first served basis.
SAINT PETER WOMEN’S RETREAT: NOV 14-16
From Pastor Vera:
I think our church and our country find themselves in liminal space ... hoping to leave the past behind but not being quite sure of the future.
Liminal is rooted in the Latin word, 'limen,' which means threshold. When in that liminal space we often feel uncomfortable, vulnerable and certainly unsettled. It's the time between what was or, how life used to be, and for good or bad, what might come next. Richard Rohr describes this space as, "where we are betwixt and between the familiar and the completely unknown. There alone, he says, is our world left behind while we are not yet sure of the new existence. That is good space where genuine newness can begin."
For most of us, liminal space does not feel good. But we know that when we endure life's changes and the turbulence that comes undoubtedly because of the uncertainty and chaos, we grow. It's sometimes painful but if we allow it to be, it can lead us to good.
Join your sisters in Christ as we explore what it means to rest in the liminal spaces of our lives. From our time together I pray you will find some clarity and peace for your powerful lives.
This year's retreat is November 14-16 at the Hideaway near Black Forest, Colorado. The accommodations are exquisite, the food is always amazing and the camaraderie of course, will be exceptional. You don’t want to miss the 3rd Annual Saint Peter Women’s Retreat – and please, bring a friend! You can register at: https://tinyurl.com/StPLCwomensretreat2024. If you prefer, paper registration forms can be found in the Narthex or if you are not able to come to StPLC, we'll send you a registration if necessary. Registration deadline is October 31st.
The cost of the retreat is $190 per person. Payments can be made by check to Saint Peter Lutheran Church (write Women’s Retreat in the memo line) or on-line at https://tinyurl.com/donatetosaintpeter (select Women’s Retreat Registration). Scholarships are available. Contact Lynn Sherpe for those details or any other questions you may have. Her contact information is: Lynn Sherpe, StPLC Parish Administrator/Stephen Ministry Leader, 9300 East Belleview Ave, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 or 303-921-5355 (cell) or lsherpe@stplc.org.
Love,
Pr. Vera
SAVE YOUR POP TOPS
The Ronald McDonald House serves as a "home away from home" for many folks with hospitalized children. The Pop Tab Recycling Program is an easy way to support this valuable resource. Simply pull off your beverage can tabs or soup tops (anything with a pull tab!) and bring them to church! We will collect them in a large jar in the narthex for delivery and recycling.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD WITH AN StPLC GOOGLE REVIEW!
If you haven’t already left a review online, please take a couple of minutes this week to share with the online world what you think is special about our South Denver church. It’s free to do and will only take you a couple of minutes. You can find instructions from Google here. You can find the Saint Peter listing here.