Announcements (7-13-25)
Ready to Hear a Story?
Today, Pastor Mark is launching a new series of messages titled “Seeing Yourself in the Story.” What story? There are many stories going on. But the best one is the one that God has plopped you right in the midst of. The story of how He is writing new chapters as you live each day. When you see the exciting adventures God is writing in the book of your life, you will also want to hear the stories of others and the way God is at work in their lives too. Welcome to adventure of life stories - and seeing yourself in the story.
If you are attending our in-person service, be sure to stop at the Welcome Center after worship to get a gift bag filled with appreciation for you being here. Please take a minute to complete a Connect Card in the seat back and share it with the smiling person behind the Welcome Center so we can welcome you with a gift.
If you are connecting online, fill out a Digital Connect Card so we know you were with us and can provide answers to any questions you may have. Please worship with us again soon.
Stories are Important!
Jesus is involved in the story of your life! He is at work in the lives of the people around you. It is fascinating to look at life as a story. “In the beginning…” “Once upon a time…” You know how stories begin. What about the chapters in the middle? Adventures, events, ups, downs, challenges, opportunities, victories. Do you see yourself in the story / His story / their story / your story? Enter the story!
The diagram is what the St. Peter’s ministry plan is all about. See the people on the top? There are people all around us and God is at work in each and every life. Walk beside them. Then as a church we come together to tell what we see God up to - we tell each other stories of what Jesus is doing. That inspires each of us to immediately go and participate in the lives of others. Then we come back with more stories and the cycle repeats itself over and over. See yourself in the story! It changes everything.
Sunday Bible Story
Ready to dig deeper into the topic of each week? That is what we do. Sit down at 10:45am with Pastor Mark in the Discipleship Room (just to the right as you leave the sanctuary). We have a Bible ready for you. Just grab a drink and some treats and bring them with you.
TODAY: Every think of all the stories going on all around us? And then there is God’s story where you are in the midst of His redemptive work. Let’s enter into the story.
And a Thank You from Pastor Mark!
Two weeks ago, we celebrated. I enjoyed a day off to sit with my family and hear a message from Pastor Peter Meier who also preached at my installation at St. Peter’s 25 years ago. The brunch was delicious, the fellowship great, the pictures of years provided a great record of smiles and God’s goodness, and the gift you provided was a tremendous outpouring of love.
Thank you all for your gifts and greetings — and your stories of what God has done among us over the last quarter century. Pastor Mark
We are created in God’s Image with blood flowing through our bodies.
Want to give a gift of life to give a person another chance at health? Your gift of blood can do that. It is time for the 22st Red Cross blood drive at St. Peter’s in partnership with the Rotary Club of Service to Minnesota Veterans.
Donate blood Thursday, July 24 between 1:00 and 7:00pm. Sign up for a time by clicking the button below. (Walk-ins are welcome, but during busy times there will be a wait.)
Donations of clothing, non-perishable food, and used electronics are also welcome for veteran organizations we work beside. Bring them during the drive, or drop them off any time before the drive.
TAKING CARE OF THE TWIN CITIES
Here is your chance to Go First! In preparation for the Go First! Ministry Conference. We are partnering with Cross View Lutheran Church in a servant event titled Taking Care of the Twin Cities (TC)2.
As Redemption in Bloomington is the host site of the conference, volunteers will work together to get the building ready for the big event. There will be opportunities for all interests and skill levels - from painting to cleaning or washing to gardening, everyone can participate. Find out the details and register HERE! If you register by July 20th, you will receive a (TC)2 tee shirt! Last call to register is August 17th.
The Go First! Conference information and registration: use this link to register and get ready to be inspired and to encourage others in ministry! It is open to ALL - laypersons, church workers, and pastors! Read more about it on the district website. New information is added regularly, so keep checking back!
Join the STP KIDS Team!
Wisdom is imparted at St. Peter’s week after week after week after week. Kids absorb Biblical wisdom. Yes, it is taught - but it is more effectively caught! That is where you come in. When kids see faith lived out in others, they have examples. That is the STP KIDS learning model! You have seen the excitement as our STP KIDS head out every week for an active time of learning.
This summer we want to invite you to an exciting serving opportunity with STP KIDS. We love welcoming parents to experience God’s love alongside their kids while volunteering with our ministry! Come be a part of a child’s spiritual journey today and have a ton of fun doing it. You don’t need to be a parent either. Just think what happens when you give the gift of 20 minutes of adult quiet to worn out parents. If it is a total mess
The process is simple. Everything you need is provided. The theme (same as our Sunday worship theme); the Bible verse; a Bible story read or watched (think Hey-O); some activities (supplies are ready in the room); some active fun (kids have an abundance of energy); even a repeat prayer. You simply show up and pull it all together with a smile on your face. What a great investment of 20 minutes. You can help once a month (or more or less). Ready to learn more? Just follow the kids out on a Sunday morning and watch what happens. Ms Jenna helps the most - just ask her about what it is like.
STP KIDS has older kids built in who help with the little kids. You can also team up with another adult. One volunteer even watches the video message on Saturday night so she feels confident about the theme. Go ahead, there is nothing like sharing your faith to put a skip in your step.
Ministry Support
We encourage you to join us in the excitement of generous giving to see what God is doing in our community and around the world. There is a basket near the main entryway if you would like to contribute or go to the giving options on the website by clicking the button below. Perhaps you want to support the Mission Fund, or give specifically to the Facility Fund or the Gym Fund. Wherever and however you give, you will partner with God to bless others.
Together we meet families at the intersection of faith and real life.
Upcoming Birthdays
July 13 - Jason Barber
July 14 - Cinthya Fernandez
July 17 - David Sorenson
July 21 - Adriane Johnson
July 21 - Jeremy Thompson
July 21 - Leighton Thompson
July 27 - Dorothea Harjes
If your birthday is in the next two weeks and you are missing from this list, fill out a connect card and share your birthday so that your St. Peter’s family of faith can life you up to the Lord.