+ OUR MISSION: Equipping lives to live in Jesus

+ OUR VISION:

Upholding one another as we serve, educate, nurture and discover life in Jesus (S. E. N. D.)

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE:

Children of God, Together we embark on a journey to the cross in this season of Lent. As the days pass by us, as the nights grow shorter, and as the days

burst into spring—hopefully soon—we are called to notice the mundane and forgotten pieces of creation along the way.

With each breath we take, each movement we make, each heart-beat that soars through our body—we can know that God is with us. We do not make this journey to the cross on our own. In fact, we find the way already paved for us: Jesus Christ has already taken the burden and weight of all our sins—sins we are fully aware of, sins we are blissfully ignorant of, and sins we have yet to make—all of them nailed to the cross. All of them destroyed in the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All of it done not so that we would be promised perfect lives, or lives free of anxie-ty, fear, or rejection. But, instead, Jesus forgives you all your sins by journeying to the cross for you, so that death is not the end.

In this season of Lent we find the Holy Spirit present in the midst of chaos, fear, anxiety, and burdens that surround us. We find the presence of Jesus Christ in the midst of the mundane and ordi-nary. And we discover the presence of God the Father in every inch, every corner, and every nook of creation.

In this season of Lent we are made fully aware of the weight of our sins, anxieties, and burdens. And yet, we are made fully aware of the saving love, grace, and forgiveness that we receive fully and freely through and in our friend and Shepherd Jesus Christ. You do not make this journey alone. Jesus, our Lord and Christ is with you. Always!

FROM THE PASTOR’S KEYBOARD Joseph R. Cunningham, Pastor

Keynotes March 2020 St. Peter Lutheran Church and School

810 W Talmer Ave. North Judson, IN 46366

VOLUME 20 ISSUE 3

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Have a blessed and holy Lent by joining in this journey each Wednesday evening. We gather around Holden Evening Prayer and our theme this year is “Eyes on Je-sus”. A light supper is offered before each service where wonderful fellowship is enjoyed by our family of faith. Come join us!

Peace and Blessings in Christ!

Pr. Cunningham +

Pastor’s Keyboard...con’t

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.” *

• Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26* 6:30 PM The disciples’ “Misjudging Eyes” • Wed., March 4* 6:30 PM Judas’ “Betraying Eyes* • Wed., March 11* 6:30 PM The Innner Circles’ “Sleepy Eyes” • Wed., March 18* 6:30 PM Peter’s “Denying Eyes” • Wed., March 25* 6:30 PM Chief Priests and Scribes’ “Murderous Eyes” • Wednesday, April 1* 6:30 PM Pilate’s Worldly Eyes”

*Preceded by a light supper beginning at 5:30 PM.

• Sunday, April 5 Palm Sunday, Sunday of the Passion 9:00 AM • Maundy Thursday, April 9 6:30 PM There is “More than Meets the Eye” to the Lord’s Supper • Good Friday, April 10 6:30 PM We look through “God’s Eyes”. • Holy Saturday, April 11 6:00 PM Easter Vigil • Easter Sunday, April 12 7:00 AM “Angel Eyes” Come to the cafetorium afterwards for a

pancake and sausage breakfast.

Lent/Holy Week at St. Peter

“Eyes on Jesus”

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God has blessed us with a wonderful facility which we can be proud to share with

our community. We have made areas of our facility available for use for some time

and we are happy to do so, but some policy updates are required. Protection for the church/school

is achieved by requiring that anyone (members and nonmembers) using church/school facilities or

equipment have homeowner’s insurance in place. Our insurance company is now requiring that all

who wish to rent or use our facilities provide a Certificate of Liability listing St. Peter Lutheran

Church & School even if not paying a rental fee. If you wish to use the facilities for personal use (not

sponsored by the church, school, or one of it organizations) you can obtain a Certificate of Liability

from your homeowner’s agent, but keep in mind that it may take a week or more for him/her to

obtain it. You must provide an appropriate Cerificate of Liability in order to use the facility.

There will be no exceptions. Please note that any certificate you provide will be good for at least

several months as long as your insurance company has not changed. Thank you for your under-

standing and cooperation. If you have any questions please see Carrie Block or Marshall Field.

“Whoo” is ready for an outing? The OWLS are!

WHOoo? OWLS (50+ year-olds) WHAT? Dinner and the play, “The Curious Savage” WHERE? Christos (LaPorte) & The LaPorte Little Theater Club WHEN? Sunday, March 15 Dinner at noon (We leave right after Adult Bible Class) Play 2:00 COST? Dinner-Your choice Play $12.00 (if we have 10+ people sign up WHY? Because we want you to join us. QUESTIONS? Ask Donna Ness, Rhonda Reimers, Shirley Sutton or Lois Weikum. Please sign up and pay for the play by Sunday, March 8th so we can reserve tickets. Sign up at the SCRIP table with Lois on March 1 or 8 or in the church office with Cheryl.

Older Wiser Lutheran Saints

50+

Updates to Facility Use Policy

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Members Present: Chairman Lyndon Field, Secretary Jody Arndt, Treasurer Jennifer Korous, Board of Lay Ministry Representative Greg Hoppe, Board of Christian Edu-cation Representative Chris Lambert, School Principal Rhonda Reimers, and Trustee Martin Surma

Absentees: Pastor Cunningham, Stewardship Board Chair Ed Lambert, Jr. and Members-at-Large Lyndon Block and Barry Matzat Call to Order and Opening Prayer Chairman Lyndon Field called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM and led those assembled in prayer. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the January 2020 meeting were approved as published in the February Keynotes. Treasurer’s Report Jennifer Korous shared the “Statement of Financial Position” and “Statement of Activity by Class” with the Board. Old Business The call process for our new pastor is underway. Our lay ministers and others on the call committee will meet with the circuit visitor later this month. Names of potential pastoral candidates are being submitted by the congregation.

Discussion regarding the definition of proof of insurance was held. Lyndon Field will contact Carrie Block to define exactly what information is needed on the revised facility use agreement. New Business Boards and commissions within the church and school should review their goals and objectives annually. Martin Surma made a motion to approve the following timeline: • April 2020 - All boards and commissions should submit their reviewed and

possibly revised goals and objectives to the Strategic Planning Committee in April.

• May 2020 - The Strategic Planning Committee will submit the compiled documents to the Church Governing Board in May.

Christopher Lambert seconded the motion and the motion carried. President Field will contact Roger Sutton who had chaired the Strategic Planning Committee last year.

Governing Board St. Peter Lutheran Church, North Judson, IN February 11, 2019

Submitted by: Jo Ellen Arndt, Secretary

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President Field shared a memo from Tim Brettin describing items, such as live streaming of church services and making contributions by scanning micro dots on service bulletins, that he hopes the governing board and congregation will consider in the near future. The updates listed in Tim’s memo will continue to be discussed. New flooring and roofing are also on the congregation’s list of improvements. Jennifer volunteered to inquire about the electronic transactions made by scanning service bulletins. Trustee Report Martin Surma included the following topics in his report: • White General Contracting is siding the school. Martin will talk with Phil White

about attaching a gutter to the new awning. • Jackson Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating has resolved issues with the

church and school furnaces. • The reflective numbers to be mounted above the outside entrances have been

ordered. Board of Christian Education Christopher Lambert shared highlights of the Board’s February meeting. • Enrollment is up to 158. • With this increased enrollment, discussion regarding School Choice, budget

and other future plans will be ongoing. Stewardship Report None Adjournment and Closing Prayer The meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM. The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting is scheduled for March 10th at 6:30 pm.

LWML Indiana District

Biennial Convention

June 19-21, 2020

Concordia Lutheran High School Fort Wayne, IN

More information available in Good News on the

LWML table.

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The Indiana District is one of 35 districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The district consists of member congregations from the entire state of Indiana and 37 counties in Kentucky. The administrative offices of the Indiana District are located in Fort Wayne.

The district hosts a triennial Convention, which elects to office the President, Regional Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, the Board of Directors, and several other committees.

The Indiana District is organized into four regions with each region having up to eight circuits and each circuit consisting of up to 14 congregations. Pastors, teachers and lay people on the various Councils and the Board of Directors represent each region of the Indiana District.

Currently, there are three councils that are elected every three years by the district in Convention. These councils are Outreach, Services and Resources.

District Responds to Hurricane Devastation in the Carolinas

Hurricane Florence may be a distant memory for those who don’t live in the Carolinas, but the remnants of its impact still exist. Heaps of debris litter yards, including old carpets, ruined furniture and downed trees. According to Pastor Jim Daub, from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Havelock, North Carolina, “The trees are a big…

How ECHO is creating hope and opportunity for teen moms

“I’m a better mother. Had I not been guided by ECHO, my life would be totally different right now. This program can save your life.” That’s how teen mothers are describing ECHO, a program through Lutheran Social Services of Indiana (LSSI). ECHO stands for Education Creates Hope and Opportunity, and that’s just what these young women…

Outreach Kentucky is “a ripe harvest field in our own backyard”

“The Indiana District’s ‘Outreach Kentucky‘ is finding a ripe harvest field in our own backyard,” said Rev. Peter Cage, senior pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “It is hard to believe that such a populous region, almost devoid of any familiarity with the proclamation of ‘Christ for us,’ could be located in…

To read more about these and other Indiana District Missions visit https://in.lcms.org/category/outreach-ministry/special-mission-projects/ .

Mission of the Month - March "The Mission of the Indiana District is to encourage and assist the Christian outreach and nurture of its congregations and other minis-tries.” https://in.lcms.org/

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Early in the Church's history, the major events in Christ's life were observed with special observances, such as His birth, baptism, death, resurrection and ascension.

As these observances developed, a period of time was set aside prior to the major events of Jesus' birth and resurrection as a time of preparation.

During Lent, the Church's worship assumes a more penitential character. The color for the season is purple, a color often associated with penitence. The "Hymn of Praise" is omitted from the liturgy. The word "Alleluia" is usually omitted as well.

By not using the alleluia — a joyful expression meaning "Praise the Lord" — until Easter, the Lenten season is clearly set apart as a distinct time from the rest of the year.

Additionally, it forms a powerful contrast with the festive celebration of Jesus' resurrection when our alleluias ring loud and clear.

Finally, the penitential character of Lent is not its sole purpose. In the ancient Church, the weeks leading up to Easter were a time of intensive preparation of the candidates who were to be baptized at the Easter vigil on Holy Saturday.

This time in the Church's calendar was seen as an especially appropriate time for Baptism because of the relationship between Christ's death and resurrection and our own in Holy Baptism (see Rom. 6:1-11).

This focus would suggest that the season of Lent serves not only as a time to meditate on the suffering that Christ endured on our behalf but also as an opportunity to reflect upon our own Baptism and what it means to live as a child of God.

Do Lutherans have to give up something for Lent as some other denominations require?

From the perspective of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, "giving something up for Lent" is entirely a matter of Christian freedom. It would be wrong, from our perspective, for the church to make some sort of "law" requiring its members to "give something up for Lent," since the Scriptures themselves do not require this.

If, on the other hand, a Christian wants to give something up for Lent as a way of remembering and personalizing the great sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for our sins, then that Christian is certainly free to do so — as long as he or she does not "judge" or "look down on" other Christians who do not choose to do this. https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs/faqs/worship-and-congregational-life#lent-significance

What Is the Significance of Lent?

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St. Peter Lutheran School News Jesus, You’re My Superhero

Our 2019-2020 school year theme is “Jesus, You’re My Superhe-ro!” based on Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Enthusiasm

The second e in superhero stands for enthusiasm. Merriam-Webster defines enthusiasm as “strong excitement of feeling” and “something inspiring zeal or fervor.” We should be filled with enthusiasm, with zeal, with excitement because we have the privilege and honor to share the most beautiful story of all, the story of Jesus our Savior. St. Paul talks about enthusiasm in Colossians 3:23. He says, “Whatsoever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Doing something with all your heart means you are doing it with enthusiasm. When you read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, how can you not be filled with enthusiasm? It reads, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We have so much to be enthusiastic about. God blesses us day in and day out with small things as well as huge things. He blesses us with forgiveness, salvation and eternal life through His Son, Jesus. Often, we take those blessings for granted. Because of God’s love for us, He forgives us and continues to bless us but we are not to keep it to ourselves. We need to enthusiastically share the love of Jesus so others will catch the joy within and want to be an active part of the Christian family. A quote from Madame de Stael says it well, “Enthusiasm signifies ‘God in us.’”

PGM

School will begin two hours late on Monday, March 2 allowing the teachers some professional growth time. School will begin at 9:45. Morning Preschool will go from 9:45-11;45 and the afternoon class will go from 12:15-2:15.

PTL Meeting

Our next PTL meeting will be on Thursday, March 12 at 6:00 PM. We will watch the next session of the video series, Have a New Kid by Friday, entitled “But What If I Damage Their Psyche?” by Dr. Kevin Leman. Students in 5

th and 6

th grade will lead devotions for the

evening.

Our Mission:

EQUIPPING LIVES

TO LIVE IN JESUS

Our Vision

UPHOLDING ONE

ANOTHER AS WE

SERVE, EDUCATE,

NURTURE AND

DISCOVER LIFE IN

JESUS.

(S.E.N.D.)

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Parent Teacher Conferences

The third quarter ends on Wednesday, March 11. Report cards will be handed out at Parent Teacher conferences on March 18 and 19.

Spring Break

Spring Break begins the week of March 30th

. Classes will resume on Monday, April 6

th at 7:45 AM.

Box Tops for Education

Box Tops for Education went digital! Participating brands are starting to change their packaging from a traditional Box Tops clip to the new Box Tops label. If you see this label, you can use the new Box Tops app to scan your receipt. Box Tops are still worth 10 cents each. The app will find participating products on your receipt and instantly add cash to your school's earnings online. This must be done within 14 days of purchase. If you prefer, you can bring your receipts to the school office or drop them in the container located in back of the church and we will scan them for you! The container can be located on the hallway table. You can still bring in the traditional Box Tops.

Registration for summer camp at Lutherhaven has begun! It may not seem like it, but summer is right around the corner. Have you made plans yet? Camp Lutherha-ven has something for everyone: campfires, swimming, Treetop Village, making paracord bracelets, or just spending time with friends and family. There are programs for Kinder-garten all the way through High School, as well as some for the whole family! Register online at www.lutherhaven.org, or call 260-636-7101 for more information. Some infor-mation booklets are available on the table in the narthex.

Happy March Birthday!

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* 80+ ** 90+

*** 100+

1) Nick Ferguson, Amanda Rose 4) Donna Collins, Pamela Nix 5) Kareen Nielsen* 7) Mary Brown, McKayla Holt, Timothy Powell

7) Robert Barnett, Sr., Erin Minix 8) Kacey Fisher, Glenn Kletz 12) Kyle Kelley, Hannah Korous 14) James Krueger, Sophia Sanchez

15) Kris Christensen, Jessica Zaiko 17) Dennis Brown, Kris Kersting, Kara Trent, Bill Voss 18) Sharen Barnett, Doretta Hoppe**, Libby Kelley, Dorene Matzat** 20) Clara Luedtke 21) Lyndon Field, Josiah Flores, Nathan Henning, Marge Kottka

22) Sandra Jernas, Stephanie Minix, Haylee Smolek, 23) Carol Randash 24) Melinda Bauer 25) Edward Lambert, Jr. 26) Kathy Lambert

31) Charles Kersting**, Beverly Wallace*

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17) Bobby & Bridget McClung 25) Harold & Judith Weitgenant*

1) Jeanie Randash 2) Janet Conley 4) Melinda Bauer, Breyen Paulsen, Corey Paulsen 6) Natalie Ahlenius 7) Jean Arndt 8) Ava Eccles, Andrew McClung, Will Voss 9) Joshua Kottka 10) Jody Arndt, Donald Bell, Landon Hittle 11) James Demo 15) Sandy Sakaguchi 18) Erich Henning, Tammy Hopkins 19) Mason Hensley, Julienne Laxton, Hunter Redlin, Zackary Schacht 20) Keith Henry, Anna Hoppe 22) Amy Peters, Jay Peters 23) Ben Sakaguchi 24) Char Harvey, Clara Schacht, Jacob White, Melissa White, Charles Wolff, Marge

Wolff, Elesha Gappa 25) Donna Henry 27) Dana Lemke, Allen Noble 29) Kevin Chesak, Ann Rose 30) Bernita Amm, Wilbur Collins, Greg Hensley, Randy Kersting, Linda Kumpula,

Lucas Matzat, Hattly Smolek 31) McKayla Holt, Kaitlynn Miller

Happy March Anniversary! * 50+ ** 60+

March Baptism Birthdays Do you not know that all of us who have been bap-

tized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We

were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in

order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the

glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

K E Y N O T E S M A R C H 2 0 2 0 PAGE 12

EAST

1) Joe & Jan Roebuck

8) Larry & Jody Arndt

15) David Wickert

22) Garry & Margie Wickert

29) Tim & Peg Brettin

WEST

1) Available!

8) Available!

15) Available!

22) Available!

29) Available!

Maria Woolery*

Ann Rose

Sarah Flores

Greg Hoppe

Frank Krulik

Mike Korous

Ray Kottka

Chris Lambert

Ken Redlin

Joe Roebuck

David Wickert

1) Hensley

8) Flores

15) Jacob Ness/Mason Hensley

22) Hannah Korous

29) Hensley

1) Roger & Shirley Sutton

8) Available!

15) Hoppe/Hensley

22) Jerry & Sandy Jernas

29) Bob & Eva Peters

1) Phil Woolery

8) Brett Roebuck

15) Joe Roebuck

22) D. Matzat

29) Lois Weikum

Bible Class Servers

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EASTER FLOWERS 2020

Altar Guild will be accepting donations of Easter lilies or spring flow-ers or monetary donations as memorials or honorariums from the congregation for Easter decorating. Altar Guild will use the plants to decorate in the church, and some

may also be used to decorate in the hallway and other places in the church. You may pick up your plant(s) after the Easter sunrise service. Please complete this form and turn in with your check, if applicable, by Sunday, March 15th. You may give your order form and check to Altar Guild Secretary, Donna Henry or leave in the church office. This year, we are offering three options. _____ Prefer to have Altar Guild purchase a flower for me. Please make check in the amount of $15.00 per plant payable to Altar Guild, and turn in with your form to Donna Henry or church office by Sunday, March 15. Designate number ____ lilies ____ daffodils ____ Hyacinths ____ tulips _____ Prefer to purchase plants myself - please bring to Altar Guild room by 6:30 p.m., Friday, April 10th. Be certain to place your name on the plant. _____ Prefer to make a monetary donation in lieu of donating a plant, make check payable to Altar Guild, turn form and check to Donna Henry or church office by Sunday, March 15. In Memory of __________________________________________________________________________ Given by ________________________________________________________________________________ In Memory of __________________________________________________________________________ Given By _______________________________________________________________________________ In Memory of __________________________________________________________________________ Given By _______________________________________________________________________________ In Honor of ____________________________________________________________________________ Given By _______________________________________________________________________________

ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL 810 W TALMER AVE. NORTH JUDSON, IN 46366

Joseph R. Cunningham, Pastor 219-476-0054 (H) 219-405-2209 (C)

jrcunning@comcast.net pastor@stpeternorthjudson.org

Church Administrative Assistant: Cheryl Tellman

Principal: Miss Rhonda Reimers

School Administrative Assistant: Katheryn Lambert

www.stpeternorthjudson.org www.facebook.com/stpeternorthjudson

Church Phone: 574-896-2025 School Phone: 574-896-5933

Fax: 574-896-2082

E-mail: church@stpeternorthjudson.org school@stpeternorthjudson.org