St. Peter Lutheran Church

3200 Asbury Road Dubuque, IA 52001

563.583.0860 www.st-peter-lutheran.org

The Bellringer December 2019

When I was a kid, I had a really hard time going to sleep on Christmas Eve. The whole time span be-tween Thanksgiving and Christmas is one that fills your head with excitement and expectation. And by the time I went to sleep on December 24, my mind wasn’t full of sugarplum fairies, but presents.

A few hours later, as sneaky as I would think I was, from my parents’ room I would hear, “Go back to bed! It’s only 3 a.m.” I’d go back to my room, try to sleep again, and then wake up again. Five o’clock is a good time to get everyone up, right?

Advent is a season of waiting. It’s a season of anticipation. It’s a season where we join together in four weeks of worship awaiting the birth of the Christ child in a manger in Bethlehem. The coming of the King of kings, the Lord of lords, a crying little baby boy, born to two young parents in a stable, away from family, away from com-fort. A child who will grow up, who will heal the sick, preach the truth of God, and die on a cross for the sins of the world.

In Advent we don’t only hear about the birth of Christ. We also look to the second coming of Christ. Our lectionary reminds us that Jesus promised to come again. After his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. And now, we are living in the promise of God, in the kingdom brought to earth. We eagerly await the time when Christ will come to judge the living and the dead.

When will that be?

As long as I can remember, there has been someone saying that the world is about to end. I grew up at the end of the Cold War, when the very tragic anti-hero Rambo was somehow transformed into a fun cartoon character. But most of you will remember something similar from your past: echoes of the Great Depression, World War II, duck and cover, overpopulation. Evangelist Hal Lindsey sold 28 million copies of The Late Great Planet Earth, where he introduced Americans to dispensationalism, which paved the way for the Left Behind series from the late 1990s. More recently, there was the 12/12/2012 phenomenon and the rise of zombie movies.

We like to think we’re living on the cusp of the end. As we seek meaning in our lives, for many of us, the anticipation of everything ending highlights the importance of our present circumstances.

When we look to the end, we begin to see that each hour and minute is significant. For many of us, this nearing the end is a reality not based on hype: we’re sick, we’ve been dealing with illness, friends or family members are suffering from cancer, or loved ones have died.

In Advent we look in anticipation to the birth of Jesus, but we also look to the end: the eschaton (ἔσχατον). That’s the fancy Greek word that means the end of time. We’ll hear stories about the beginning and the end, and we’ll look to the end of time. Like a kid waiting for Christmas morning to arrive, we’ll wait with eager expectation for the great feast of Christmas, when we celebrate the day God became man.

When will the end time be? Well, according to Jesus, that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Instead, let us live in the anticipation. Let us keep watch here, feed-ing the poor, telling people the Good News. These moments are significant, to you and to your neighbor. Let this Advent season be a joyous time, not filled with fear, but with hope—and trust that if the world should end, we’ll all be with God, in the eternal love of Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria, Pastor Matthew Agee

Gathering & Sending the Body of Christ

Educating and Equipping Disciples Adult Forum (Sunday School) Schedule: (meet in the Fellowship Hall at 9:20 a.m.)

December 1 – “One Room” Sunday School for all ages. Helping to make Christmas gifts to take Caroling

December 8 – Introduction by Gary Reiniets to the book “Reforesting Faith” that will be used in January December 15 – Doug Horstmann introducing “Financial Peace University” being offered at St Peter in January December 22 – No Sunday School, Confirmation or Adult Forum December 29 – No Sunday School, Confirmation or Adult Forum

St. Peter Youth Upcoming Activities

December 11th, 6:30 pm - White Elephant Gift Exchange/Pizza/Elf Movie

What could be more fun than watching Elf, eating pizza and a gift exchange!

Contact Karla O’Connor or a Youth Board member to sign up or for more information on this fun event coming up!

More details coming out soon – so keep an eye open for it!

February 1st, 10-12 pm - Superbowl Pizza Making

Join us in a fun way to raise money while making pizza’s!

Contact Lisa or Rick Maiers or a Youth board member for more information on how you can get involved in this fun

event!

More fun activities are being planned. Watch for updates here or in the Bellringer!

Your Youth Board Members: Cindy Recker, Jean Beck, Karla O’Connor, Lisa Maiers, Lyle Beck and Rick Maiers (Youth Board Director)

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, December 1 – “One Room” Sunday School making gifts to take caroling on December 8.

Join us during Sunday School at 9:20 a.m. down in the Fellowship Hall.

Sunday, December 8 – Congregational Meeting (Informational)/Non-voting) 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 8 – Christmas Caroling at Luther Manor at 3:00 p.m. Meet in their Dining Hall

Saturday, December 14 – Practice for Children’s Christmas Program 9 – 11 a.m.

Live Nativity 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 15 – Children’s Christmas Program dur ing 10:30 a.m. service with practice during Sunday

School at 9:20 a.m.

Sunday, December 22 – no Sunday School, Confirmation or Adult Forum

Sunday, December 29 – no Sunday School, Confirmation or Adult Forum

Sunday, January 5 – Classes resume

Informational Congregation Meeting December 8, 2019 Your Parish Council has been working very hard to plan for the future of St Peter Lutheran. It is time we shared our thoughts and ideas with all members of our congregation and receive their input. For this sole purpose Council is scheduling this informational congregation meeting for Sunday December 8, 2019 to be held in the sanctuary immediately following the second service. There will be no votes so a quorum will not be required, but all members are strongly encouraged to attend because it is important and would impact everyone at St Peter. Hope to see you all there.

Loving & Caring for Others

The “Noisy” Offering

Our current “noisy” offering will run the months of November , December and January and will go to the Univer-

sity of Iowa Children’s Hospital. We have $89.60 in coins so far. The money will be used to purchase items from the

hospital’s Wish List.

A large turkey by Miriam’s office has post-it notes of items from the hospital’s wish-list. Please take a post-it, pur-

chase the item and drop it off at church next to the big turkey. (In December the turkey will be changed to a Christmas

tree, and in January a snowman.) In February we will deliver the donated items to the Children’s Hospital.

The items have a wide price range. Some are fun (buying toys and games to help kids past the time). Some are practi-

cal (underwear, socks and sweats – always needed). Some are for the families (gift cards for their stay near their child).

Some boost morale (nail polish and bath sets). Delivering in February is much appreciated as the hospital receives

from many during the holidays. But you can boost your “Blessing Money” by finding items during the upcoming

Christmas sales.

We had many helping hands on Feed My Sheep Sunday to work on projects to give to the Dubuque Humane Society. A big thanks to Janet McEvoy for prepping the supplies. These were things Janet makes on a regular basis out of fleece scraps to donate to the Society. We braided and knotted fleece strips into chew toys, tied small fleece blankets into Pet Beds and cut and snipped fleece circles that will be stacked and sewn into soft fleece balls. Our younger helpers, sponge painted hearts and paw prints onto bandanas to be given. We also have $177.03 that was collected with our “noisy” offering that will be donated to the Humane Society to help them with their ongoing needs. The Apostles’ Creed - this expression of our faith is a gift from the early church as a way to learn and remember basic truths about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our 4th Graders spent several Sundays taking a closer look at the Creed, using different colors, drawings by Harry Wendt and the making of a book mark to break it down into under-standable parts. Celebrating this “We Believe!” Milestone were Mary Ellen Kapp, Kaci Schoenhard, Micah Stoner, Sophie Welter and Aiden Wernimont.

Café is Thursday December 12. If you are able to help out please do so and if you have questions please contact Jean Kapp.

M.O.M.s (Ministry of Mothers) What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Family baking? Traveling around to see the lights? Church on Christmas Eve? Advent leading up to Christmas celebration? Come join us for a night away from kids and stress with hot chocolate, cookies and fellowship as we discuss our favorite holiday traditions. Wednesday, December 18 @6:30 in the youth room. If you are in need of childcare in order to attend, please contact Me-gan Meier 563-599-3377

Mission Support

Mission support will again be sponsoring the Angel tree from Nov 23 to Dec 15 with gift wrapping Dec 19.. Luther Social Services gives us the names of their clients along with the client's Christmas wishes. Col-or code tags with the wishes are placed on the Christmas tree located at the entrance of the sanctuary Please take a tag and return it with a wrapped or unwrapped present by Dec 15. Thank you ahead of time for mak-ing a joyous celebration for a family. Questions contact Kenyon Gjerde or Elaine Mitchell

In January, Our church will be having a “USED or Very cheap” towel drive for the Dubuque Rescue Mission.

Their residents need towels for their showers, also there are others whom are allowed to use showers and

leave, and sometime the towels leave with them, so Please do not purchase expensive towels for this cause!.

So bring towels on the Sat/Sun, Jan 18+19th and help us, help them clean up. If you have any questions please

contact Dan Zauche

Supporting & Encouraging the Saints

Quilt Pieces There are always quilt pieces available (to your left as you come in the top door to the church) for you to take home and put together

Nominating Committee update

It is that time of year again that we begin to look ahead to 2020 and ask for members to continue to support the congre-

gation and it’s vitality by volunteering their time and expertise in leadership. We ask that members continue to fill out

the time and talents survey in their stewardship packets.

This year we have our Nominating Committee made up of Paul Scherner, Gary Rieniets, Doug Horstmann and Pastor

Matt. They have begun to identify openings for Board membership and Leadership on various Boards as well as open

officer positions created by expiration of terms. We are also focusing on demographic and gender diversity on these

boards where ever we need some balance.

If you are interested in serving in one these roles or other roles that might not be listed please reach out to either a mem-

ber of the Nominating Committee or the Director or member of the board you wish to join.

Below are listed the positions we are currently looking to fill for 2020.

Evangelical Outreach Board – two new members

Stewardship Board – one or two new members

Christian Education Board – one member

Property Board – one new member

Worship Board – New Chair and one more member

Youth Board – two new parent members

Lay Ministry – two new members

Communications Committee - three members

Also, if you think of anyone who might be a good candidate for one of these positions please let the committee know and

we can follow up on your suggestion.

Please prayerfully consider serving if called.

Financial Peace University

Your Stewardship Board is offering a new program to St Peter members and the public at large.

Have you been stressing over your financial situation? Are money matters starting to strain your family relationships?

Would you like some non-judgmental help with getting you back on the track? Then maybe this course is for you.

Have you heard of Dave Ramsey, a well-known radio personality and author? This is his program and you might like it.

We are offering this 8-week course at church from 6:30 to 8:30 every Thursday night from January 16 thru March 12th.

Child care and snacks will be provided free of charge. Cost is just $99.00 for each family unit. Coordinators/leaders on

site will be some of your church members. For more information please go online to fpu.com/1101498 which will take

you directly to our course offering. Hope to see you there.

Might be a great Christmas gift for a family member.

December 2019 Worship Servants

December 14 & 15

Ushers:

4:30 Donnelle Fuerste,

Jolene Rettenberger

8:15 Bob & Romanna Miller

Sally & Darren Sirianni

10:30 Blair Kapp, Amy Unmacht

Greeters:

4:30 Nick Rettenberger, Mary Roling

8:15 Gerald & Arlene Laaker

10:30 Bill Thill

Communion Assistants:

4:30 Nancy Leonard

8:15 Becky Heil, Lori Schmitt

Doug & Karen Horstmann

10:30 Janet Bierman, Jim Petersen

Sheila Sharkey Stuart, Dan Unmacht

Lectors:

4:30 Lester La Page

8:15 Ann Gile

10:30 Edy Puls

Assisting Minister: Pam Buchholtz

Altar Servants: Ramonna Miller,

Sheila Sharkey Stuart

December 21 & 22

Ushers:

4:30 Ric & Lisa Maiers

8:15 Wayne & Vicky Hess

Ann & Dave Straley

10:30 Connie Finger, Paul Scherner

Greeters:

4:30 Ruth Neuhaus, July Odefy

8:15Ryan, Tyler, Sarah & Cooper Hess

10:3 Ellen Gukeinsen, Deann Petitgout

Communion Assistants:

4:30 Tori Anderson

8:15 Jim Daack, Jan Peter

Angie Puls, Kelly Roen

10:30 Aneta Mistek

Lectors:

4:30 Nancy Ferry

8:15 Piper MacRae-Egan

10:30 Sydney Schoenhard

Assisting Minister: Doug Horstmann

Altar Servants: Ramonna Miller,

Sheila Sharkey Stuart

November 30 & December 1

Ushers:

4:30 Diane & Lester LaPage

8:15 Roger Bentley, Jean Rieniets

Karen Horstmann, Jean Rieniets

10:30 Patty Strathman

Greeters:

4:30 Janet & Larry Conrad

8:15 Dick Core, Lori Schmitt

10:30 Aneta Mistek, Deann Petitgout

Communion Assistants:

4:30 Peg Johannsen

8:15 Mary & Michael Klein

Traci Ryan, Linda Sorensen

10:30 Bill Thill

Lectors:

4:30 Tori Anderson

8:15 Doug Horstmann

10:30 Blair Kapp

Assisting Minister: Julie Norby

Altar Servants: Nancy Ferry

Alice Boland

December 7 & 8

Ushers:

4:30 Ann Fritschel

8:15 Wayne & Pam Buchholtz

Lori Schmitt, Becky Weitz

10:30 Betty Artus, Ellen Gukeisen

Greeters:

4:30 Phil & JoAnn Oftedahl

8:15 Roger Brimeyer,

Michelle Whitaker

10:30 Connie FInger

Communion Assistants:

4:30 Ryan Oftedahl

8:15 Jim Daack, Jan Peter

Angie Puls, Kelly Roen

10:30 Don Bierman

Lectors:

4:30 Nancy Ferry

8:15 Christopher DeMotta

10:30

Assisting Minister: Paul Scherner

Altar Servants: Nancy Ferry,

Alice Boland

December 28 & 29

Ushers:

4:30 Alan & Lois Lumley

8:15 Mark & Kim Cueno

Karen Dolter, Rich Hyman

10:30 Bill Thill, Paul Herrig

Greeters:

4:30 Jane Burnett, Marge Schultz

8:15 Joan Johnson, Gigi Oliver

10:30 Ron & Sue Scheffert

Communion Assistants:

4:30 John Ferry

8:15 Gerald & Arlene Laaker

Mark & Micheller Whitaker

10:30 Janet Bierman

Lectors:

4:30 Avery Kane

8:15 Karla O’Connor

10:30 Edy Puls

Assisting Minister:

Altar Servants: Ramonna Miller,

Sheila Sharkey Stuart

December Birthdays

1 Janann Dostal Gina Feenstra 2 Sophia Whitaker Van Robert Whitaker 3 George Bies 4 Tony Fassbinder Debra Johnson Nathan Recker 5 Kimberly Burnett 6 Nora Shoeny 7 Darci Breiner Jim Daack 8 Abby Tierney 9 Larry Michel 10 Jodie Evans 11 Gigi Oliver 12 Don Kula Kendra Stoner Gordy Wells 13 Charles Brown Mark Hostager Roberta Meyer Bill Thill Sr. Jackie Zauche 14 Mark Cueno 15 Isabel Gile Dale Maas Joan Roen 16 Dede Haas Joseph Hegland 17 Craig Burns Lyla Schoeny 18 Joan Johnson Linda Loipersbeck Gary Norby Kelly Roen Morgan Sirianni 19 Marcus Albers Jonah Metzger 20 Vicky Hess Ariahna Maas 21 Taylor Gukeisen Jack Hostager Don Humke 22 Emily Thill Victoria Vail 24 Joan Haug Sydney Schoenhard 25 Russell Brown Michael Stadie 26 Javier Delgado 27 Jason Hillman Ryan Michel Tisha Munson 28 Aneta Mistek 29 Cindy Widmar 30 Zoey Runde Linda Sorensen Olivia Zell

31 Raylee Gabriel Nick Johnson Logan Mueller Samuel Weitz

“ Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I re-member you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your shar-ing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” - Philippians 1:2-6

We Remember

(We remember those affiliated with our congregation who have died in the past ten years.)

December 01, 2010 Louise Lumley December 18, 2012 David Lee Brimeyer December 21, 2013 Keith A. Koeller December 24, 2016 Ethel Mauer December 03, 2017 Meta A. Ginnow

December Anniversaries

Jim & Loretta Fahrion December 27, 1964 Larry & Cindy Richey December 28, 1968

Roger & Connie Baylor December 04, 1971 Craig & Cathy Nessan December 16, 1972 Rom & Donnelle Fuerste December 12, 1988 Brenden & Julie Harbaugh December 08, 1990 Joe & Ann Gile December 12, 1998 Jeremy & Alicia Kapp December 10, 2005

Christmas Service Times:

Christmas Eve 5:30pm & 7:30pm

CHRISTMAS DAY December 25, 2019 10:00 a.m. Wartburg Seminary

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Holy Comm 8:15am (Contemporary)

9:20 SS/Conf/AF

Holy Comm 10:30am

TV 8:30am & 7:15pm

2 TV 10:00 am

Evangelical Outreach 6pm

Worship Bd Mtg 6:00pm

Property Bd Mtg 7:00pm

Hymn Selection 2pm

3 TV 6:00 pm Spruce Up Group 8:30am

4 TV 8:00 am Choir 7pm

5 TV 4:00 pm Quilting Day 9 to 3

6 TV 8:00pm

7

Holy Comm 4:30pm (Traditional)

TV 5:00 pm

8 Holy Comm 8:15am (Contemporary)

9:20 SS/Conf/AF

Holy Comm 10:30am

TV 8:30am & 7:15pm Caroling at Luther Manor 3pm

9 TV 10:00 am

Staff Mtg 10:45

Staff 10:45

WT Music Selection 1:00

TOPS 6:00

Stewardship Bd Mtg 5:45pm

Boy Scouts 7:00

PPC Mtg 7:00

10 TV 6:00 pm

11 TV 8:00 am

White Elephant Gift Exchange and Movie Night 6pm Choir 7:00pm

12 TV 4:00 pm Café 5:15pm

Prayer Shawl 6:30pm

13 TV 8:00 pm

14 Practice for Children’s Program 9 to 11am Holy Comm 4:30 pm (Traditional) TV 5:00 pm Live Nativity 5:30 to 8:30pm

15 Holy Comm 8:15 am (Contemporary)

9:20 Christmas Party

Holy Comm/Children’s Program 10:30 am

TV 8:30am & 7:15pm

16 TV 10:00am

Staff 10:45

Hymn Selection 6:00

TOPS 6:00

Boy Scouts 7:00

Lay Ministry Mtg 6:30pm Bellringer Deadline

17 TV 6:00 pm Youth Bd Mtg 6:00pm Spruce Up Group 8:30am

18 TV 8:00 am Choir 7:00pm

19 TV 4:00 pm Women’s Bible Study 1:30pm

20 No Senior Fellowship Luncheon TV 8:00 pm

21 Men’s Bible Study 8:00am

Holy Comm. 4:30pm (Traditional)

TV 5:00 pm

118 22 Holy Comm 8:15am (Contemporary)

Holy Comm 10:30am (Con

TV 8:30am & 7:15pm

23 TV 10:00 am Staff 10:45am

Education Bd Mtg 6:30

Tops 6:00

Boys Scouts 7:00

24 TV 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Service Times: 5:30pm & 7:30pm Office Closing Early

25 TV 8:00 am Office Closed

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Service at Wartburg at 10am

26 TV 4:00 pm Office Closed

27 TV 8:00 pm

28 Men’s Breakfast 8::00am Holy Comm 4:30pm (Traditional) TV 5:00pm

29 Holy Communion 8:15 am (Contemporary)

9:20 SS/Conf/AF

Holy Comm 10:30am

TV 8:15am & 7:30pm

30 TV 10:00 am

Staff 10:45am

31 TV 6:00 pm New Year’s Eve

Jan 1st Office Closed

December 2019

Nonprofit

Organization

US Postage

PAID

Dubuque, IA

Permit No. 813

Office Phone: (563) 583-0860 E-mail Address: stpeterdbq@q.com Web Page: www.st-peter-lutheran.org Office Hours: 9:00-5:00 M-Th; 9:00-1:00 F Home Phones Pastor: Matthew Agee office 563-583-0860 Youth & Family Visitation/Outreach Minister: J im Daack 563-556-0028 Education Coordinator: Miriam Bjornstad 563-663-6558 Custodian: Angie Puls 563-542-2711 Organist & Pianist: Kr istine Fishler 563-599-3937

Fall/Winter Worship Service Times

Saturday 4:30 p.m.

Sunday worship 8:15 & 10:30a.m.

Holy Communion is celebrated at all services.

3200 Asbury Rd.

Dubuque, IA 52001-8408

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

St. Peter Lutheran Church

Our Mission:

Saved by God’s mercy

and called by the Holy Spirit,

We share the Good News

of Christ by reaching out

in Love.