Announcements (7-26-26)
Struggling With Doubt
Ever catch yourself thinking: “I believe this... but I'm not sure?”
We’re going to walk through what doubt really means, why it shows up, and how God meets us right in the middle of it.
The Weekly Prayer Project
Week 30: STRUGGLING WITH DOUBT
In 2026 we are following "The Weekly Prayer Project" - a challenge to journal, pray, reflect, and connect with God. Discover what God is doing in your life through a Scriptural promise each week. Be sure to pick up a book at the Welcome Center or request one at prayer@stpetersedina.org.
Fill out a Connect Card so we know you were with us and can provide answers to questions you may have. Please worship with us again soon.
Godly Homes…
where faith is a frequent discussion and doubts are heard and acknowledged.
“Be merciful to those who doubt.” (Jude 1:22 NIV)
St. Peter’s is praying for our family of faith because your home is located at the intersection of faith and real life. Show mercy to one another… struggling with doubts together will strengthen everyone’s faith!
Movie Screening THIS WEEKEND!
A Great Awakening is a 2026 historical drama depicting the unlikely friendship between preacher George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin during the first Great Awakening. As the colonies teeter on collapse, Whitefield’s sermons stir a generation and Franklin realizes liberty must be awakened in the hearts of the people. With epic scale and period authenticity, it offers stirring themes of faith and freedom—likely to appeal to history enthusiasts and fans of inspirational dramas.
Join us this Sunday, July 26 at 10:45am for a viewing of the movie in the Theatre Room of St. Peter’s and enjoy a brunch together.
War Room Screening & Brunch
The Jordans seemingly have it all - great jobs, a beautiful daughter, their dream home. But appearances can be deceiving. In reality, their marriage has become a war zone and their daughter is collateral damage. But with the help of Miss Clara, an older, wiser woman, Elizabeth discovers she can start fighting for her family instead of against them. With her newly energized faith, Elizabeth’s real enemy doesn’t have a prayer.
Join us on Sunday, August 2 after worship for brunch, followed by the showing of War Room - Prayer is a Powerful Weapon, downstairs in the St. Peter’s Theatre Room.
The movie lasts 120 minutes. Then the following 5 weeks, beginning August 9, our Sunday Bible Class will include short clips from the movie and discussion of challenging Scriptural lessons about the power of prayer.
A Branson Thank You!
For Pastor Mark’s 25th anniversary in 2025, St. Peter’s members provided a trip to Branson, MO. This past week, Mark & Joann had the opportunity to stay in a beautiful rental home and enjoy faith based and patriotic activites and museums. They also enjoyed some time in the beauty of creation in the Ozarks.
A highlight was the Sight & Sound live performance of the Musical David. It was very powerful filled with worship, faith, and the power of forgiveness. Joann invited her siblings to join them for a reunion.
The Shockeys express their appreciation for making this enjoyable trip possible. They thought of the congregation warmly during their travels! Thank you and may God continue to provide strong ministry efforts together in the days ahead.
Consider a Special Gift in Honor of America’s 250th
Our desire is to join Jesus on His mission in our neighborhoods and in our country. Through your offerings, we make Christ known throughout America.
If you want to join us, go to the giving options on the website by clicking the button below. Wherever and however and whenever you give, you will partner with God to bless others.
Together we meet families at the intersection of faith and real life.
Thank you for sharing!
The mission of Gideons International is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide by distributing Bibles and New Testaments and engaging in personal evangelism. For years, the Gideons has equiped and mobilized Christian business and professional men, along with their wives, to share God’s Word and win others for Jesus Christ
Last week we heard an update on the work of the Gideons and the door offering received was $946.00. Together with our ministry partners, we are introducing individuals to the message of Scripture so they may experience spiritual transformation and hope, following the biblical directive to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
The 2026 Convention
St. Peter’s is part of the LCMS - The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod - a historic, Lutheran denomination in the United States. At its core, it is a church body that emphasizes faithfulness to Scripture and a Christ‑centered, grace‑driven understanding of the Christian life. Over the last week the church body met together to hear reports, elect leaders, and pass resolutions about ministry and mission. here is an initial summary of a few topics addressed:
The 69th Regular Convention was held July 18–23, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ, under the theme “Christ Is Risen Indeed” (1 Corinthians 15:20–22)
The event provides opportunities for worship, fellowship, inspiration, and communication of vital information to congregations
Election: Matthew C. Harrison was elected President by the congregations receiving 50.1% of the votes on the 3rd ballot edging out Joel Biermann by just over 100 votes
Worship: concern was expressed about 600+ empty pulpits, pointing to issues of clergy shortage and how the Synod plans to address pastoral vacancies - however, alternate routes to ordination continue to be voted down in favor of full residency on seminary campus
Overall, the 2026 LCMS synodical convention wrestled with leadership, governance reform, theological consistency, congregational representation, and operational adaptation, with debates indicating ongoing tension between maintaining historic local autonomy and pursuing structured synod-wide uniformity. These issues are likely to influence Synod policy and congregation dynamics in the coming years.
A summary of official action taken will be provided when produced by the church body.
A bumper sticker that stings!
She pulled up behind a car at a stoplight. Its bumper sticker read:
Jesus, I love You... Protect me from Your people.
She sighed.
Somewhere behind that bumper sticker was a story. Maybe church hurt. Maybe hypocrisy. Maybe disappointment. Whatever the reason, someone had concluded that Jesus was trustworthy—but some of His followers were not.
That matters.
The message we proclaim and the lives we live are connected. When our lives reflect the character of Christ, trust grows. When our words and actions don't match, trust crumbles. The issue wasn't Jesus. It was the credibility of His followers.
We are praying for you as you meet families at the intersection of faith & real life!
Traveling this Summer?
If you are sitting by the lake during the next weeks, or on a journey, be sure to view the weekly message on the St Peter’s-Edina YouTube channel. And be sure to stay up to date in the Weekly Prayer Project as our messages this year correspond to each entry.
May we add you to our weekly email list so that you get a reminder with a link and the weekly announcements as well?
Fall Pre-K Openings
We are excited to offer a few openings in our Pre-K program this fall! If you know a family who may be interested in enrolling their child, please forward our enrollment website:
Upcoming Birthdays
July 28 - James Ravell
July 29 - Eleanor Yeager
August 3 - Jamie Grimm
August 7 - Linda Taggatz
August 7 - Valerie Kuhlman
August 9 - Joan Harper
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 lift you up to the Lord.