January Grapevine

LOOKING AHEAD

Check Out The Following
Events!

Jan 1 2nd Christmas Sunday
Saxon Club - 3:00PM

Jan 3 Pastor Group For Pastors 11:00AM

Jan 4 Seniorenkreis - 11AM

Jan 6 Epiphany Of Our Lord

Jan 8 Baptism Of Our Lord

Jan 9 Bible Study - 7:00 PM

Jan 10 Pastor Group For Pastors 11:00AM

Jan 10 Bratwurst Tuesday - 6 PM

Jan 11 Seniorenkreis - 11AM

Jan 12 Worship and Music 7:00PM

Jan 15 2nd Sunday in Epiphany

Jan 16 Church Council - 7:00 PM

Jan 17 Pastor Group For Pastors 11:00AM

Jan 22 3rd Sunday in Epiphany

Jan 23 Bible Study - 7:00 PM

Jan 24 Pastor Group For Pastors 11:00AM

Jan 25 Seniorenkreis - 11AM

Jan 29 4th Sunday in Epiphany
Annual Congregation Meeting

Jan 29
Start after Service
Annual Congregation Meeting

Jan 31 Pastor Group For Pastors 11:00AM

Die Epiphanias Zeit^{^©}

Epiphanysylized.jpg stylized Epiphany image by DailySheet Abgesehen vom Alter, Rasse oder Status im Leben, Glieder der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Amerika heissen Sie willkommen, unserer Glaubensgemeinschaft beizutreten.

Falls Sie mit unserer Kirche nicht vertraut sind, wuerden Sie ueberrascht sein, was Sie da lernen koennen.

Die ELCA ist ein engagierter, aktiver Koerper von Menschen, die ihren Glauben an Gott in Aktion setzen - in Millionen von Wegen, ueberall in der Welt.

Epiphanias unseres Herrn Christus ist ein wunderbares liturgisches Fest, das am 6. Januar observiert wird. Es ist das aelteste der Weihnachtsfeiertage und fand seinen Beginn ca. 360 A.D. in der Oestlichen Kirche als ein Gedenktag der Geburt Christi.

Es ist wichtig zu beachten, dass wir suendige Menschen sind und goettliche Strafe verdienen. In diesem Zustand koennen wir nicht hoffen, in Gottes Naehe treten zu duerfen. Aber Gott fand die Loesung, indem er zu uns kam und einer von uns wurde.

Der heilige und allmaechtige Gott kam herunter, nahm Fleisch an, um seine erloesende Rettung der Welt zu offenbaren. Dies ist das Geheimnis der Erscheinung uneres Herrn.

JANUARY 29, 2011
11:30 AM
Members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church:

A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 29th at 11:30 AM.

A bilingual
Holy Communion Service will be held at
10:00 AM preceding the meeting.

It is vital that YOU attend
and exercise your right, as a member, in the
discussion of the current status of the Church
and it’s future.

Mitglieder der St. Peter’s Kirche:
Am Sonntag, dem 30. Januar 2011 wird um 11:30 Uhr eine Gemeindeversammlung abgehalten.

Vor der Versammlung ist ein 2-sprachiger Gottesdienst mit Abendmahl um 10:00 Uhr angesetzt.

Your input is a vital part of this Church !

THE SAXON
CLUB

Winter Meeting
January 1, 2012
3:00 PM

We are back from summer vacation
See you at our gathering today

USE Of Our HALL

If you are renting
or using our Hall for a special event.

Please check with our office
586-979-3850

Before decorating and setting up in advance to
prevent any conflict of time. The Hall Is available to outside groups which is not
always reflected on the Church calendar,
Thank you for your cooperation!

Happy New Year!
From Our Webmaster

I wish you and yours the very best
in the coming year.

Holy Spirit guide your faithful children in all places, whether they are going or coming from, or anywhere here and there until we all meet
again and work together in this New Year;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

St. Peter Production

Epiphany Season^{^©}

Epiphanysylized.jpg stylized Epiphany image by DailySheet Regardless of age, race, or status in life, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America welcome you to join our community of faith.

If you’re unfamiliar with our church, some of what you learn may surprise you. The ELCA is an engaged, active body of people who put faith in God into action -- in millions of ways, all over the world.

Epiphany of our Lord is the wonderful liturgical festival observed on January 6th. It is the oldest of the Christmas festivals originated around 360 A.D. in the Eastern Church beginning as a commemoration of the birth of Christ!

Most important thing is knowing we are so full of sin and deserving of divine punishment that we cannot hope to approach God. “God took the project or idea” and came to us by becoming one of us.

The most holy and almighty God condescended to take on human flesh in order to reveal His salvation to the world. This is the mystery of the Epiphany of our Lord.

Does God Care?^{R. J.
Gotsch}Read: Psalm 8 Psalm 52

4) What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
(Psalm 8:4)

Somehow the heavens seem much colder and more distant now than they did centuries ago when many thought of them as the protecting tent over a flat earth. To the heart that trembles in doubt and fear, empty words of human reassurance are of little help. A firm answer must come to the one who cries out in despair.

The frontier of space travel has lifted the eyes of people everywhere to the heavens. We look up into its seemingly endless expanse. Our minds travel quickly from one galaxy to another through this awesome beyond. Its vastness and complexity stand in sharp contrast to the small and simple being that each of us is.

That answer has come. God Himself stood in the very midst of our little planet in Jesus Christ. He spoke of the Father’s care for the hairs of our head and for the sparrows. He opened the way to God for us and taught us to say, "Our Father, who art in heaven." His life, death, and resurrection are God’s own great yes to our question, "Does He care?"

We look to the vast heavens and wonder if God is mindful of us at all. We look to the cross, and we know that He is.

Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus, who has never forgotten us, grant that we may be ever mindful of You. Amen.

Our Seniorenkreis
will be sponsoring

LUNCHEON
Wednesday
January 11, 2012
January 25, 2012
11:00 AM

Please sign up
or call our Church Office
586-979-3850

Everyone is Welcome to enjoy
our Program and special Dinner

BRATWURST
January 10th
TUESDAY
6:00 PM

Stop in and enjoy a plate of Bratwurst, drinks and conversation. Every month will feature a different topic related to our German and Lutheran heritage.

If you like,
Bring a side dish to pass

Free will offering
The 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Everyone is welcome - NO age restrictions.

Sign up in the Narthex
-or-
Call our Church Office
586-979-3850

NAME OF JESUS - Jan 1
Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:15-21

Pastor
Waldemar Gies

10:00 AM Bilingual Service
Readings in German Screen in English
10:00 AM Sunday School

BAPTISM OF OUR LORD - Jan 8
Genesis 1:1-5 Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11

Pastor
Waldemar Gies

10:00 AM Bilingual Service
Readings in German Screen in English
10:00 AM Sunday School

2nd Epiphany Sunday - Jan 15
1 Samuel 3:1-20 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51

Pastor
Waldemar Gies

10:00 AM Bilingual Service
Readings in German Screen in English
10:00 AM Sunday School

3rd Epiphany Sunday - Jan 22
Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20

Pastor
Waldemar Gies

10:00 AM Bilingual Service
Readings in German Screen in English

4th Epiphany Sunday - Jan 29
Deut. 18:15-20 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28

Pastor
Waldemar Gies

10:00 AM Bilingual Service
Readings in German Screen in English

JANUARY 29, 2011
11:30 AM
Members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church:

A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 29th at 11:30 AM.

A bilingual
Holy Communion Service will be held at
10:00 AM preceding the meeting.

It is vital that YOU attend
and exercise your right, as a member, in the
discussion of the current status of the Church
and it’s future.

Mitglieder der St. Peter’s Kirche:
Am Sonntag, dem 29. Januar 2011 wird um 11:30 Uhr eine Gemeindeversammlung abgehalten.

Vor der Versammlung ist ein 2-sprachiger Gottesdienst mit Abendmahl um 10:00 Uhr angesetzt.

Your input is a vital part of this Church !

Other Important Days in January

Epiphany of our Lord
January 6, 2012
Confession of Peter
January 10, 2012
Conversion of Paul
January 25, 2012

"ALL ARE WELCOME TO COME"
SHARE WITH US
"ALL ARE WELCOME
TO COME" SHARE WITH US
“Come as a Guest "
Leave as a Friend!

TABLE BLESSING^{^{©
®}}
^{Author
Believed to be Unknown}May God bless this place and bless this food.
Come God and sit with us.
May our hearts grow with peace & Serenity.
Please come with your love to surround us,
with friendship and love.
May we bloom and grow each day.
Bless our friends, Bless our food!
Please bless us all forever.
Amen

Pastors Letter and Notes

Dear Saints of Christ Jesus at Sankt Petrus,

The new church year begins and moves through Advent’s preparation our Christmas joy over the gift of our Lord. The calendar year moves to the end … and the beginning of the next. We walk through the dark days of the winter solstice and into the gradual brightening of the lengthening days. This is a time of predictable change and movement.

And we? Where are we in the wake of the exhaustion of the Christmas we enjoyed and before the new year God has given us? How shall we greet this new year with which God gifts us?

One option is what we Lutherans name “works righteousness”: blithely imagining that we can make a list of our bad deeds we won’t do and of the good deeds we will do. We act as if we can ― of our selves ― do and will what is good. We deny that only God can make a new beginning and that we can only pray for it.

Another option is to work for a “re-run”: a repetition of some prior year … as if we can return to the past, to some halcyon day. Physicists say “time’s arrow” points in one direction! That is, we cannot go back.

An option people sometimes choose is paralysis, perhaps even cynicism. That writer was correct who said a cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Yet another, more harsh writer commented rightly that a cynic is already half-way a suicide. This option is part of what Luther described as he wrote in the Small Catechism of “unbelief, despair, and other great and shameful sins,” for it distrusts God’s power, God’s grace, or both.

Or we can be faithfully and cheerfully active. If Jesus the Christ is Lord, as we confess (that’s the earliest Christian confession),

and if Jesus the Christ has come to save us, and if “the good and gracious will of God is surely done” [Luther, Small Catechism, Lord’s Prayer] regardless of our failure to pray for it, we can face the future into which God is calling us with good cheer, using the gifts we have from God for growth of the kingdom and for praise of that God.

Yes, this is an uncertain time and place … and God is still God! It is a time to hear again the Word of God for us, reading our Scriptures and studying our Scriptures and praying those Scriptures and lifting up in prayer those around us and asking those around us to lift us up in prayer.

It is a time for faith to grow and spread, growing in us and around us, spreading through our faithful witness and our “perverse” trust in our God, no matter what the world says and appears to be and appears to mean.

Jesus our Christ, Luther wrote, is the great “Trotzdem,” the great “In Spite Of” … coming from the Father to us trotz (despite) our unworthiness, coming trotz (despite) the impossibility of what we need or want, doing trotz dem alten Drachen, trotz dem Todesrachen, trotz der Furcht dazu (despite “the Old Dragon” [Satan], despite death’s jaws, and our fear of it).

So we live in perverse (counter-intuitive) trust in God: in God’s presence, in God’s will, in God’s call to us and God’s claim on us. We live in our baptism, sojourners in this world for which Jesus died, living toward eternity on a daily basis.

God bless us as we live toward our 2012 Annual Meeting and the rest of the year 2012. God bless us as we do so, continuing to trust the Christ of Christmas and Good Friday and Easter … and continuing to give “to God alone the glory” [Soli Deo Gloria]. Amen.

Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Gies
St. Peter Lutheran Church

IMAGES OF THE SEASON
EPIPHANY^{^{^©}}

Christians in the Northern Hemisphere have long associated midwinter's decreased amount of natural light with the gloom overcome by Christ's birth.

Matthew's story of the magi traveling to Bethlehem guided by a star is certainly one biblical event that encourages our use of the light metaphor in this season whenever we speak of Christ's effect on the world.

Epiphany is a time to celebrate the presence of Christ as light. It is also a season for focusing on a few central teachings of the Christian faith. By doing so, we hope to discover what is most important in our faith and in the Christian mission throughout the world.

The arrival of the magi at Jesus' home (Matthew 2:1-12) established his worldwide significance. Isaiah 60:1-6 (the first reading for the festival of Epiphany) proclaims, "Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn" (v. 3). Jesus fulfills this ancient promise. Though born in Judea, Jesus became a treasure for the whole human race.

How Epiphany came to be known as the festival celebrating the revelation of Christ to the nations, and more particularly the arrival of three kings, is a peculiar development. Perhaps associating the Isaiah 60 passage with the Matthew 2 story gave Christians the notion that the magi were kings (the story in Matthew does not mention that they were). Furthermore, Matthew's account of the magi does not indicate how many of them there were, though Isaiah 60:6, which speaks about camels coming from Midian, Ephah, and Sheba, may have suggested to people that there were three. The three gifts presented to the Christ child in Matthew 2:11 (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) may have led to a tradition that assigned one bearer to each gift. Regardless of its accuracy, a story about three foreign kings coming a long distance to bow down and worship before a child has drawing power. That a child of such humble origins can be the focus of so much attention asks for our wonder-filled consideration.

The spotlight continues to stay on Jesus aswe move throughout the season after Epiphany. At Jesus' baptism the spotlight is accompanied by a dove and a voice from heaven. Not only is Jesus special, he is the Son of God.

In following weeks, as we continue the gospel readings, we notice that Jesus caused a stir wherever he went. Two of John's disciples turned and instead followed Jesus. Then the two sons of Zebedee were added to their number. Jesus caught people's attention as he taught in synagogues and healed diseases (Matthew 4:23). And, in the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus attracted a large crowd and delivered the famed sermon on the mount.

Finally we reach Jesus' transfiguration on a high mountain in the presence of Peter, James, and John. In the story Jesus was not only in the spotlight, but "his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white" (Matthew 17:2). Peter was so struck by this occasion, and by the presence of Moses and Elijah along with Jesus, that he wanted to build three shrines. But Jesus did not stay there for long. He took the disciples down the mountain, while telling them not to talk about what they had seen until after the resurrection.

The biblical scenes in the weeks after Epiphany keep pointing us back to the person whom the magi came to worship in Bethlehem. Jesus is the center of attention; the spotlight keeps focusing on him and on his mission. All of these events lead to the main part of the drama: Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus' birth, baptism, and the beginning of his public ministry represent act 1. The coming weeks will take us into act 2. The spotlight will again be focused on Jesus, with more intensity and brilliance.

Can we stay with the story as it unfolds? Can we also focus all of our energies as congregations on proclaiming Christ to the world? Week in and week out, it is Christ who is the center of our focus. He is our gift, our leader, and our teacher. Come, and see what he provides. See where his light leads us to serve others who are in darkness. Invite others to join you as you gather around the light.

Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.
Reprinted from Words for Worship,
copyright 2001 Augsburg Fortress.

Parish News and Notices

FOR THE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS
from all our Members and Friends and
especially The Seniorenkreis

FOR THE POINSETTIAS:

Mr & Mrs Heinz A.
Waltraud C.
Mr & Mrs Joachim G.
Pastor & Mrs G.
Walter H.
Sam K.
Feli K.
Mr & Mrs Michael K.
Mr & Mrs Guenter L.
Mr & Mrs Johan L.
Mr & Mrs Michael L

Waltraud Limberg
Mr & Mrs Andreas L.
Mr & Mrs Tim M.
Elisabeth M.
Hannelore R.
Adele R.
Mr & Mrs Ed R.
Katharina S.k
Anneliese S.
Monica T.
Mr & Mrs Peter W.
Mr & Mrs Angelo Z.

Larry K. for donating the Christmas Tree
Waldina K. for donating the Door Wreaths
The Seniorenkreis for decorating Luther Hall
Mr & Mrs Heinz A. for putting up the Christmas Lights outside

The ladies and gentlemen who decorated the Church
and the Christmas tree

Angelo Z. & Sam K. for making the Nativity stable
The Mackenzie, Linsdeau & Meier Families for the Christmas Eve Pageant

COOKIE SALE
Thank you to everyone who so generously helped with the baking of the cookies
and packaging them. We are so grateful for all the support our Members
and Friends gave St. Peter’s whether you gave your time, made a donation
or purchased cookies.

We wish to express our heartfelt thanks and joy to the members
of St. Peter’s for all the Christmas greetings, cards, goodies and
gifts we received during the Holiday Season and wish to you . . .

A BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !

From our Church Staff

Pastor Gies, Astrid Campbell, Hans Ganesch, Tim Meier & Hannelore Rehner

THANK YOU!

Attention All
Members & Friends!

Our Kirchenchor and Bell Choir
are looking for new members.
No previous experience is required!

Just a desire to praise God and enhance our worship services. This is also a great opportunity to get to know our fellow church members better.

The Bell Choir enhances worship services on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month and practices two Thursday evenings per month at 7:00 PM, beginning September 8th. Please see Tim

The Kirchenchor rehearses at 9:30 AM and sings praises in the worship services on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of the month, beginning September 18th.
Please see Hannelore

Or Call Our Church Office

Since its inception our website has over: 27,900 visitors. Our website is very popular all around the globe, especially in Europe

Please support our website by spreading the word to family, friends and neighbors.

www.stpeterswarren.org

New Year’s Reflections

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and
an old one ends,

We contemplate what brought us joy, And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives
We reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.
And when we ponder those who do,
we immediately think of you.
Thanks for being one of the reasons we'll have a Happy New Year!

By Joanna Fuchs
www.poemsource.com

BIBLE STUDY
will resume on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 7:00 PM

and meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month to learn more about God’s word. Everyone is welcome to participate, no prior knowledge necessary.

Our website is very popular all around the globe, especially in Europe. A big THANK YOU to our webmaster St. Peter Production.

There ministry is very much appreciated! Please support our website by spreading the word to family, friends and neighbors. Our website includes: current sermons (online just minutes after the services!), the newsletter & calendar, links to different organizations such as the German Consulate in Chicago, ELCA, the Synod Office just to name a few. Please take a few minutes to browse our pages and let us know what you think!

Attention All
Musicians
and
Singers!

Our Kirchenchor and Bell Choir;
We are looking for a few new members. No previous experience is required, just a desire to praise God and enhance our worship service. This is also a great opportunity to get to know our fellow church member better.
Our Bell Choir;
Would you like to enhance our worship services on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and practices one or two Thursday evenings at 7:00PM. We do have our summer break and regroup September 11th. The Kirchenchor rehearses at 10:30 AM and sings praises at our services at 10 AM on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.
Thank you!
Worship and Music Group
We invite you to join us!



SUNDAY VIDEO SYSTEM
TUTORIALS
(We need YOUR help!)

We are looking for individual who are interested in learning

Also operating the Video - Audio - Computer for Sunday services. At the present time we only have a few of member doing so.

Our systems are VERY EASY
to learn and operate!

Please contact or call our
Church office at 586-979-3850
To set up this training

Or Call Our Church Office



CARPATHIA
CHOIR CD’s

If you would like a CD
Of our Dec. 4th Advent Service
featuring the Carpathia Choir,

Please contact
Herbert Byer, 313-535-5922



ST. PETER’S,
TO ALL
NON-MEMBER FRIENDS

Who receive this newsletter are kindly asked to make their 2012 minimum donation
of $10.00 now.

FREUNDE
UNSER GEMEINDE …

Die nicht Mitglieder sind, aber weiterhin den Gemeindebrief erhalten wollen, werden gebeten eine Mindestspende von $10.00 für 20121 Porto und Unkosten einzuschicken.

THANK YOU / DANKE SCHÖN !
We thank you for your friendship
and continued support !

Special Message About Giving^{^®}
copyright 2005 - 2011 Used by permission of the same

Click below
Tithing: A Leap of Faith
Tithing Challenge

Faith empowers us to give generously. What we do with our money is a reflection of the condition of our hearts. Our willingness to give is an indicator of where the priorities in our lives are. Tithing (giving ten percent) is a statement of faith. Because our hearts are filled with the love of Christ, his love is visible in what we do and give. As Christians today, we are motivated for stewardship by the gift of God's grace through his son. Our giving can have no greater foundation than the Gospel of forgiveness.

In the coming weeks, we will be challenging you as members of our church, to prayerfully consider tithing growing in the grace of giving by increasing the proportionate amount you give. Giving is an important part of our worship and praise of Christ. The Apostle Paul said,

“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income…” (1 Corinthians 16:2).

Our giving gives our Lord honor and gratitude for who he is and what he has done.

Tithing is given to us as a guide for proportionate giving. As New Testament Christians, tithing is an expectation rather than a command. For some of us, tithing is already a reality and, by God's grace, you may be called to achieve an ever higher level of giving. For many others, the tithe will be a leap of faith. In Ephesians 3:20-21, Paul’s words promise us that our faith in God to enable our giving is well-placed.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

May our love for the Lord be reflected in our giving!

Giving of Our First fruits

The principle of first fruits giving, established by God in the Old Testament, continues to be strongly encouraged, although not expressly commanded, throughout the New Testament. God directed his people to give him the firstborn of their sons, as well as of their cattle and sheep (Exodus 22:29-30).

The first fruits of the grain, new wine and oil, as well as the first wool from the shearing of their sheep were to be shared with the priests who ministered to them in the Lord’s name (Deuteronomy 18:3-4). God commanded, “Bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God “(Exodus 23:19).

The fact that God is the giver of our gifts and deserves our first and best is still true today. When we give of our first fruits, we recognize God as our creator and ourselves as his possessions. God owns us and all that we have. While we honor God with our first and best, we are to consecrate the portion we keep for ourselves to his glory as well. The Apostle Paul reminded the Romans,

“If the part of dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches” (Romans 11:16).

Giving is our response to God’s love and grace. We give willingly and cheerfully out of thanksgiving to God. We give our first fruits, because we want to honor God with our best, not just with what is left over after we satisfy our own needs and wants. Giving our first fruits is being obedient to God’s word. Proverbs 3:9 commands,

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.”

First fruits giving of all we have is given to God in recognition that he is the giver and that all we have is to be used in service to him.

May God bless us as a congregation during our Tithing: A Leap of Faith! (Ten percent for ten weeks) program as we honor the Lord with our first fruits giving.

Birthdays - Anniversaries - Passing
At St. Peters

BIRTHDAYS
FOR THE
JANUARY
Never To Old

Nicole R.	3
Gustav Z.	10	Adeline H.	25
Margarete G.	11	Andreas L.	26
Shawn C.	13	Ralph W.	27
Lore G.	13	Sam K.	28
Horst T.	14	Jasmine C.	29
Eric D.	16	Adolph H.	31

Sometimes all a person needs
is a hand to hold and a heart
to understand.

We apologize if anyone’s birthday or anniversary has been overlooked, not shown and/or not deleted. Please notify our church secretary, Astrid, 586-979-3850, so that we may update our records. Thank you!

* * *

We apologize if anyone’s birthday or anniversary
has been overlooked. Please notify our church
secretary, Astrid, 586-979-3850,
so that we may update our records.
Thank you!

ANNIVERSARIES
If you would like a visit from our Pastor for your anniversary or a
small devotion during
Sunday Service.

Please contact our office
586-979-3850

Month January
Mr & Mrs Lorenz D. Mr & Mrs Horst R.	12 29

Remember, to say,
"I love you" to your partner
and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when
it comes from deep inside of you. Remember
to hold hands and cherish the moment .

Give time to love, give time to speak,
and give time to share the precious
thoughts in your mind.

* * *

If you would like to have a prayer said for someone special, please drop a note into our Prayer box in the Narthex. Forms are on the counter next to the box.

Every Sunday morning, the children of the parish join in the 10:00 AM Service through the Children's Sermon. They are then excused with their teachers to their respective classrooms for their lesson based on the Sunday Lectionary used in worship. Show your children your faith in God and bring them to Sunday School. It is important that our children learn about their Christian faith, they will have fun in the process and make new friends. Please be supportive of this children's ministry.

Two, you can PRAY.
When you say your prayers, please pray for all people
your mom and dad, teachers, school and our land.
Pray for their safety, pray for their needs, and for there
understand and love for God!

One, you can LEARN.
There are many wonderful things to
learn about how to understand Gods Love
A few places you can start here!

Bible Study Quiz^{^©}

King David wanted to build a glorious temple for worshiping God and for housing "the ark of the covenant". However, on the other hand "God did not allow him to build it. Instead, God chose Solomon, David's son, to head up this project. Why wasn't David allowed the honor of building the Temple?

(A) Not enough time and money in it for him.
(B) David had stopped taking God seriously.
(C) David was getting too old to supervise such an undertaking.
(D) David had been a warrior and had shed blood.
(E) David's attention was required elsewhere.
(F) None of the above.

Look for the answer in: 1 Chronicles 28:3

For enrollment or if you have questions
please contact our Church Office at:

St. Peter's Lutheran Church
586-979-3850

Please be supportive of this children's ministry.

Other Stewardship at St. Peter's

The Women of St. Peter’s host the Coffee Hour

Our Women of St. Peter's host Coffee Hour after each service on Sundays. However, they are in need of volunteers to help bake or purchase baked goods and also clean up afterwards. Volunteers only need to help once in a while. Please sign the sheet on our bulletin board in the Narthex.

You may also make a monetary donation to our group and they will purchase items on your behalf also.

Perhaps, you might consider hosting our Coffee Hour yourself for a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, etc. If you would like to do this, please contact our Church office.

This is an appreciated activity
which is enjoyed by all.

Keyboard Note from our
Webmaster:

St. Paul summed up the basic principles of Christian Stewardship when he wrote at Corinth: "I seek not yours, but you!"

Corinthians 12:14 Jesus gave a similar interpretation of it when he said: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these other things shall be added unto you."

Stewardship is the management of the
abundance that God provides.

SUNDAY
VIDEO SYSTEM
TUTORIALS
(We need YOUR help!)

We are looking for individuals who are interested in learning and operating the video system for Sunday services. The system is VERY EASY to learn and operate.
Please contact Larry Kracker
or call the church office at 586-979-3850
to set up a one on one lesson.

Nursing Homes:
We have  2
reported In Care Facilities:
We have  1
reported

At Their Homes
We have  6
reported

* * *

Cheer someone up by giving them
a friendly call!

Call our Church Office
for additional information
586-979-3850

Planning Ahead
For The Holidays
We know how planning ahead for the Holidays
can be stressful - therefore, we would like to let you
know the times for our Christmas Services:

LESUNGEN READERS
Die Lesungen für die
Gottesdienste im Februar
sind folgend:

January Services at: 10:00 AM

Die Bibel, day Wort Gottes, und Sein Angelbot der Erlosung durch den Herrn Jesus Christus fur den sundiegen Menschen. Die Bibel enthault Licht. um uns zu leiten. Nahrung, yn ybs zy ergakteb, und Trost, um uns zu erquicken.

SENIORENKREIS^{^®}

Seniorenkreis Bericht January 2012

The Seniorenkreis will meet Wednesday, January 11 & 25th at 11:00 AM.

We look forward to seeing everyone again after the Holidays and hope to see some new faces too!

You are all invited and encourage everyone to attend and enjoy the festivities. Bring a friend!

An dieses Jahres erstem Morgen Begress ich Sie mit froher Lust. Zwar wechseln Hoffnungen und Sorgen An diesem Tag in mancher Brust. Wir fragen uns: Was wird uns bringen Das Jahr in seinem dunklen Schoss, Was traegt die Zeit auf ihren Schwingen, Wie faellt in Zukunft unser Los?

Wird Unglueck, Krankheit uns verschonen?

Erreicht uns etwa gar der Tod?

Wird Friede in dem Lande wohnen,
Kommt Krieg mit aller seiner Not?

So kreuzen heute sich die Fragen, So treten wir ins neue Jahr. Was kommen wird in seinen Tagen, Ist keinem Menschen offenbar.

Dem lieben Gott lasst uns vertrauen, Der unser Schicksal wieslich lenkt, Auf dessen Treue lasst uns bauen, Der uns so gerne Gutes schenkt!

Er wird uns vaeterlich bewahren Vor Unglueck, Jammer, Not und Pein Und auch in Leiden und Gefahren Ein Helfer und ein Retter sein. Moeg‘ Ihnen dann, Ihr, meine Lieben Dies Jahr der Himmel gnaedig sein! Nichts Ihren stillen Frieden trueben, Gott segne Sie Jahr aus und ein!

Dies ist mein Wunsch in dieser Stunde, Ein Zeichen meiner Dankbarkeit, Er sei aus reinem Herzensgrunde Von mir zum neuen Jahr geweiht!

Adalbert Müller

A Look At Some Activities
Here at St. Peter's

If you would like to join,
just attend one of our rehearsals
or call the church office
for more information
586-979-3850

READERS
Lead me, Lord in tender mercy.
Leave me not to walk alone:
Let Your wisdom guide me ever,
for I dare not trust my own.
Reed

Do you enjoy reading the Bible to others?
We need readers in English
Do share your Gifts
On Sunday Mornings?

Here at St. Peters we care
and share and Greet
each other and Guests!
Do you like share your faith and life with others!

Do you Like Greeting
"Guests and Visitors"

Assistant Ministers: Please remember to sign the schedule in the Narthex as soon as possible.
Thank you !

We pick folks up that cannot make it to Church on there own!

This can be a fun Adventure!

* * * * *
Lutheran Social Services
of Michigan

Serving people as an expressing of the
love of Christ in Michigan LSSM
The Key For Help and Understanding.

Make Your Dollar Count
Support LSSM

Call Our Church Office
586-979-3850

Click on the Bell and Here Us

The sound of a Bell Choir is very unique !

Everyone is invited to join the Bell Choir -no experience necessary, we will teach you! The Bell Choir rehearses every other Sundays, starting 9:00AM, and plays during both services the following Sunday..

KIRCHENCHOR
SUNDAYS 9:30 AM

The choir (Kirchenchor) resumes it's Fall schedule on Sundays refer to above or look at our calendar. The choir meets every other Sunday for rehearsals and sings during that Sunday service. If you have any questions please feel free to contact:

Alter Guild Group
    Do you like to be on the Alter
    Guild! Do you like picking out
    Church Hymns! Have some new
    Ideas for different Worship
    Services!

Do you like getting Volunteers
For Flowers Sunday's Church Services!

GREETERS
For Our Church
Services
Welcome Someone
You Will Find Joy

SENIORENKREIS
Are Back Having
a Good Time

The Seniors (Seniorenkreis) will meet again on every other Wednesdays during each Month at 11AM. The group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month for a short meeting followed by festivities and a luncheon. Stop by for a visit and consider joining, everyone is welcome !

THE PARISH
NURSERY
EVERY SUNDAY

The church nursery is at your disposal every Sunday during both services, during church dinners, and special functions. There are toys for every age group as well as a crib, changing table, and a high chair. Plus you don’t have to miss a single word of the church service for it is piped into the nursery as well. Please feel free to use it whenever you wish!

6,300 Lutheran
churches
participate and
36 in our area!

“SIMPLY GIVING”
Electronic Transfers

“Simply Giving” is an automated giving program designed to help you conveniently and consistently contribute to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Through “Simply Giving”, your offerings are made through a preauthorized withdrawal from your bank account. You determine the frequency of your automatic gift—weekly, semi-monthly or monthly—the option is yours. Your offering is deposited into the church’s bank account on the same day it is withdrawn from your account—at NO cost to you or the church.

Benefits to you and to your
Congregation

“Simply Giving” is a reliable, safe way to move your stewardship plan into action. It allows you to share your offerings through planned giving and activates your generosity into ongoing stewardship. Because your offering is given consistently, you won’t need to play “catch-up” at yearend or worry about forgotten checkbooks or missed Sunday offerings.

But you’re not the only one that benefits. Your congregation benefits from steady, more predictable revenues throughout the year, more efficient bookkeeping and greater confidence in meeting its financial commitments.

Why does Thrivent Financial for Lutheran offer Simply Giving?

Thrivent Financial offers Simply Giving to further its mission of serving Lutheran congregations and institutions.

How do I participate?

Complete the enrollment form included in this newsletter and return it to church. If you have questions about the form please contact our Church Office at:

St. Peter's Lutheran Church
586-979-3850

Credits For Church Helpers!

WE GIVE THANKS FOR
THOSE WHO HELPED
THIS MONTH

We thank the church mice or mouse who:

a Many thanks to our Webmaster
a Do the video presentations on Sundays
a Do the Sunday Coffee Hour
a Helped maintain the church
a Take cares of our Altar and candles
a Drive our Elderly to Church on Sundays
a Do our Readings on Sundays
a Ushers on Sundays
a Teach Sunday School
a Play in our Bell Choir
a Sing with our Kirchenchor
a Help our fellow members with food and cards
a Make calls for the Church when needed
a Helps provide the CD & Service Recordings
a Folks that help keep up our Pastor’s House

Ministry -vs.- A Job!^{^©®}
From the Regional Council of Belize, Central America

Some people have a job in the Church Others invite themselves into a ministry.
What’s the difference, you ask?

If you’re doing it because no one else will: It’s a job.
If you’re doing it to service the God: It’s a ministry.
If you quit because someone criticizes you: It's a job.
If you keep serving: It’s a ministry.
If you’ll do it as long as it doesn’t interfere
with your other activities: It’s a job.
If you are committed to staying, even if it means letting go of other things: It’s a ministry.
If you quit because no one thanks or praised you:
It’s a job.
If you sick with it, even though no one recognized
your efforts = It’s a ministry.
It’s hard to get excited about a job.
It’s almost impossible to get excited about a ministry.
If our concern is success: It’s a job
If your concern is faithfulness and service:
It’s a ministry.

If god calls you to a ministry, don’t treat it like a job! Remember always the hand of God is outstretched
for those who with to clasp it.
St. Vincent de Paul
^{Webmaster
2011^©}