Author: StPeterLutheran Denver

St. Peter
Lutheran Church Tidings
September 2015
Rev. Ron Mathews

God’s Work, Our Hands Day of Service
Denver Community Build Playground was Sunday, August 23. Thank you to our team leaders and to all the
Volunteers; it was a great testament to our community of faith in action.

St Peter sponsored 29 pickets and one park bench!

Sunday School Rally Day - September 13
Attention all students & parents: Sunday School will be
beginning soon! We offer classes for ages 3 through grade 6.
And new this fall: we will have a Bible Study during this time for our 7th-12th grade students.
Sunday School begins after the 9 am worship service, from 10:15 am until 11:15 am.
For more information contact Anna Johnson or Amity Mathews.

Worship & Music Server / Sunday worship - 9:00 am / *TBD = we still need volunteers *NA = not applicable
	September 6 / Sunday / 9 am	September 13 / Sunday / 9 am	September 20 / Sunday / 9 am	September 27 / Sunday / 9 am
Communion / Assistants	Kim Lamb	TBD	Kim Lamb	TBD
Scripture / Readers	TBD	Jim Moeller	TBD	TBD
Acolytes	Sam Lockhart	Sophia McInroy / Bre Sadler	Sam Lockhart	Max Thrasher
Multimedia	Jeff Bales	Johnathan / Leisinger	Leah Homeister	Chadron Beem
Organist	Amy Lockhart	Sheryl Moeller	Amy Lockhart	Sheila Mixdorf
Sound / System	Roger Donaldson	Larry Oltrogge	Harold Wente	Gary Anfinson
Video	Trevor Thurm	Roger Thurm	Trevor Thurm	Roger Thurm
Altar Guild	Connie Lobeck, Judy Gleason, Diann Curtis, Janice Gienau
Usher/Greeters	Lauren Milius, Art Kurtt, Doug & Gayle Eick, Dan & Gretchen Syhre
Please find a replacement If you are unable to serve at the time you are scheduled. / Your ministry is vital and we give thanks for your willingness to serve.

From the Church Office
Check out the online church calendar. The link is on the opening page of our website - www.stpeterdenver.org.
Under “Most Popular” click on calendar; you will be able to see the activities
scheduled for the year. If you would like to add something to the calendar please contact the office.
Bulletin Deadline: Thursdays 10:00 am and the Newsletter Deadline: 4:30 pm on the 3rd Friday of each month.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the 1st Thursday, every other month at 6:30 pm. Next meeting: Thursday,
September 3. If you know of someone who is in need of a Prayer Shawl, please take one from the pew in the
Friendship Room. Please make sure you fill out a form (located in basket on pew).

Reminder
The property & management, mission, evangelism, stewardship, worship & music, mutual ministry board minutes,
Pastoral highlights and council minutes are posted in the Friendship Room for your perusal.

AA/Alanon
AA/Alanon Step Class: Tuesday nights at 7 pm in lower level (second & fifth Tuesdays of the month) Meeting:
Tuesday nights at 7 pm in lower level (first & fourth Tuesdays - round table format) Open Meeting: 3rd Tuesday of each month. Anyone who has an interest in or questions about the disease of alcoholism or anyone who fears that a loved one may be dealing with alcoholism is welcome to attend the monthly open meeting.

Mission & Community

GIVE ME THIRTY
It’s September, and school has started. The past two years, the Board of Mission and Denver’s Elementary principals have worked together in implementing a
mentoring program. It’s been a special way to share God’s love with a child. Once this school year begins, we hope to reestablish the mentoring program. Please prayerfully consider spending thirty minutes a week with a child.....it can change his/her life and your life, too. Contact Pat Leonhart (984-6082), Bev Diercks (319-279-3819), or Roxane in the office (984-5648) if you’re interested in participating or if you’d like additional information.

This September, experience Lampost Theatre Co.’s powerful production, "Racing the Train," a musical blend of comedy and drama featuring high school students from churches around the Cedar Valley! Trapped in a mortuary basement during a blackout, a group of students begin to share their lives in a way they never expected. What will they discover about themselves as they reach beyond their preconceived notions? Join this new, enthusiastic cast of students as they take us on a trip through high school and into timeless truths about life at any age. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students. Performances run Sept. 18-27. For tickets or more info, visit www.lampost.com or call (319)-277-8034.

Pie Sale WELCA will be selling whole pies at the Denver City
Garage Sales on September 12th at Dean and Judy
Gleason's garage, 710 E Fayette St, Denver, from 9 am
until they are all sold. The WELCA Board will be calling members of the serving committees to ask people to bake and donate pies that do not need to be refrigerated (typically fruit pies, pecan pies, pumpkin pies). Even if we don't manage to reach you by phone (we don't have your correct phone number, are unable to leave a message, etc.), ANYONE is welcome to donate pies. Pies can be dropped off at church from 8:00 - 9:30 am on September 12th or at Dean and Judy Gleason's house. Proceeds from the pie sale will be used to help fund the Christmas Gift list.

Wartburg Community Symphony 2015-2016 Season
Waverly has proudly supported a semi-professional
symphony orchestra for more than 60 years. Founded in 1952, the Wartburg Community Symphony comprises
Wartburg College and local high school students and
community professional musicians. The symphony performs orchestral favorites, but also presents new and innovative music, garnering recognition for its state, national, and world premieres.
Upcoming performance dates:
Autumn Ovation, Saturday, October 3, 8:00 pm. The
concert will feature Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with award-winning pianist Sean Boktin.
Holiday Classics, Sunday, December 13, 3:00 pm. Enjoy the sounds of the season as the symphony plays your
favorite holiday music. Call 319-352-8691 to order tickets.

Blood Drive Volunteers
On Friday, September 4th, St. Peter will be volunteering at the Life Serve Blood Drive at the Community Center from 1:30-5:30. We will need one person to serve
beverages and sweet treats during one of two shifts: 1:30-3:30 or 3:30-5:30. Donated cookies, bars, or
cupcakes would be appreciated. Please contact Pat
Leonhart at 984-6082 if you can volunteer your time or you could share baked goods with the Blood Drive. Thank you.

September Birthdays &
Anniversaries

Congregational News

1
Christopher Herman
Grace Lyons
Gene & Pat Leonhart
Ella Gustafson
2
Alexandra Place
Brent & Kris Steege
3
Benjamin Foelske
Mallory Steege
4
Steve DeVries
Marian Murley
Emmett Nuehring
Cheryl Sharp
Ron & Marlys Krueger
5
Hether Gustafson
Bode McIlravy
Judy Milius
Jace Williams
Sterling & Beverly Edgar
7
Brian DeVries
Jay Patterson
Rick & Sharon Robinson
8
Abry Meyer
Brian Meyer
Jeff & Kim Williams

9
Romayne Coontz
Grace Upshaw
Kevin & Holly Smith
11
Derrick Bartels
Kerry Thies
Wesley & Barbara Gielau
12
Ryan Maitland
Loren & Sandra Sue Eick
13
Blaire Larson
Jayden Wolter
Gordon & Sharon Mueller
14
Gene Leonhart
Abbi Robinson
Steve & Angie Sadler
15
Kiara Michels

16
Sandra Sue Eick
Donald Elsamiller
Robert Foelske
Kayla Wilson
17
Jason Brinkman
Peggy Smith
Michael & Leana Place
18
Amber Leisinger
19
Keaton Rothmeyer
Tony & Trudi Schimmels
20
Alex Krabbenhoft
21
Julie Smith
Spencer Vauthier
Margaret Weikert
Darwin & Carol Larson
Michael & Judy Vauthier
22
Kurt & Julie Gleason
Chad & Carol Liddle
Ryan & Jennifer Wirtjes
23
Amber Rader
Margaret Liddle
Mary Thurm
25
Bailey Nuss

26
Nancy Dryer
Chalee Gienau
Michael McInroy
29
George Curtis
Karen Schwebach
Harold & Marilyn Wente
30
Margaret Empie
Paul Empie
Elizabeth Foelske

EWALU Annual Fall
Festival & Quilt Auction
Saturday, September 19, 9 am.
Check out the details at camp@ewalu.org or
call 563-933-4700.

September Council Minutes Highlights
Discussions on use of Church Funds and what deductions have to be approved by council or can be decided by the boards. Depends on the types of funds. Council has asked the Policy & Process team to write a proposal on definition of funds and defining a use of these funds.
Discussed where expenses for Pastor Ron to attend the Fall Theological Conference will come out of.
Pastor Ron will be serving as Vice President of Bremer County Community Partnership.
Council asked Randall to lead visioning discussion for the next meeting.

Worship series beginning
September 27th

This year’s Stewardship theme is “Live Free.” You’re
probably wondering what “Living Free” and giving back to God have in common. It’s really more a way of thinking rather than a common theme.
Ever scrape by and make that monthly payment just before the Due Date? Take a look at the feelings and emotions that probably went along with it like anxiety-worry-relief. We are all familiar with the financial burdens of Life.
But Hey – ever volunteer to help with a Community
Playground Project? We chose to give a bit of our time and worked on the Project for several hours with no pay, at least not of the financial kind. But take a look at the feelings and emotions tied to this kind of commitment. Feelings of unity, togetherness, and a sense of accomplishment. Seeing all the volunteers with smiles on their faces, made us feel we were part of something bigger. We invested in a lasting structure for the whole community to see. These feelings and emotions seem in direct contrast to the ones mentioned at the beginning of this article. Could we be missing
something?
What does “Living Free” mean to you? Only Christ can set you free. Imagine freedom from the sins that hold you back. Imagine a lighter load. John 8:36 says “So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.” Sounds like something we are all looking for.

Musical Instruments/Equipment
We are cleaning out some of the musical items that have not been used for a long time at St Peter. There will be a list of items in the bulletin on September 20;
A silent auction for the items will be
September 27-October 4. If you are
interested in looking at the items ahead
of time, please contact the office.

Farmers Market
For all you foodies: the Denver Farmers Market is open Thursdays from 4-6 pm, located in the Denver Construction
parking lot again this year.

Mission & Community

Noisy Offering
The recipient of the September and October “Noisy
Offering” will be New Life School. The special abilities school is in the village of Santa de Maria, Guatemala, and provides an education for children not able to attend the Guatemalan public schools. Please view more information on this mission partner at http://www.newlifeguatemala.com/.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank
The Food Bank could use our volunteer help once a month. We will be working with members of St Timothy’s Church, Hudson. The upcoming date is September 19. The time slot is 9-11 am. If you would like to help out, go to the
volunteer entrance at the Food Bank, 1605 Lafayette St, Waterloo. You do not need to notify the Food Bank or St Peter. Any questions, call Joyce Miller 984-5021.

Women of the ELCA

* St Peter food donation last month weighed in at 69.6 lbs!

WELCA Board Meeting
Monday, September 14 at 7:00 pm
WELCA Bible Study Leaders
Available in the Gather Magazine
Ruth Circle
Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 2 at 7 pm
Bible Study Leader: Sheryl/Sheila
Hostess: Laura Larson
Mary Circle
Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 2 at 1:30 pm
Bible Study Leader: Barb Klemp
Hostess: Barb Klemp
Naomi Circle
Next Meeting: Sunday, September 13 - out to eat with husbands
Serving Committee for September
Chairperson - Mary Circle
Kathy Bartels Bev Diercks Carol Everding
Janice Gienau Tanya Haase Becky Miller
Sheryl Moeller Karen Schumacher Janell Stock
Lori Thurm Terrie Thurm Rachel Upshaw Judy Vauthier Marge Weikert

A group of volunteers completed 23 Lutheran World Relief School Kits during God’s Work Our Hands Day of Service!

LWR School Kits
Back to school time—and as we buy school supplies
for our families, St Peter people have traditionally
purchased extra items to assemble school kits for
Lutheran World Relief. The need for kits this year is greater than ever, and we are being challenged to
respond.
This year the Sunday School offering for September and October will be used to buy kit items as well as sturdy fabrics to make the bags. Supplies needed are: 8 x 10” 70 sheet notebooks, wide or college rule; no loose leaf paper, 30 centimeter ruler or centimeter on one side, inches on the other, pencil sharpeners, blunt scissors, unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers, black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel pens), box of 16 or 24 Crayola crayons (not washable), 2 1/2” erasers. And of course cash donations are welcome; place in envelope marked LWR school kits.

Faith Formation

Thank you

Sunday School
Don't forget to sign up for Sunday School! September 13, 10:15 am will be the first day of Sunday School.
You can register online or on our website. We also have paper forms in the office. If you are interested in helping in any way with Sunday School, please contact Anna (anna@stpeterdenver.org) or Amity (schmamity418@yahoo.com)

Fusion The 4th-6th grade youth group has picked their new name. Fusion! We look forward to all the 4th-6th graders joining us for our upcoming meetings! September 2nd- Family
Bible Study at 6:00 PM and September 16th– Fusion will meet at 6:30-7:30 pm. Contact Anna at the church 984-5648 or email: anna@stpeterdenver.org. with questions.

Some of St Peter youth are pictured above lending a hand during the playground community build.

No School Afternoon Program
On Friday, September 18th from 1:00-4:00 pm, we will be having a No School Afternoon Program. All 4th-6th graders are invited to join in on the fun! We will be having a speaker come and some great activities. Please RSVP online or in the church office.

St Peter,
Thank you so much for the EPIC Scholarship. I really
appreciate it and will put it to good use at Wartburg
College. Thank you again! Mitchell Mohlis

Colaborate Bible Study
We have a new Sunday School class! All 7th-12th graders are invited to join our Colaborate Bible Study on Sunday mornings at 10:15. We will have donuts and great
conversations each week! Encourage the middle and high schooler in your life to join in on the fun!

St Peter Board of Mission,
Thank you so much for the wonderful meal you
prepared and brought to our house after Isabel was born. We are lucky and blessed to be a part of a
wonderful church family! Thanks again, The Gleasons - Kurt, Julie, Adalyn, Lydia & Isabel

High School Youth Group
All high school youth are invited to join in the gatherings
on the 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays of the month. The meetings are at 7:00 pm at Josh & Laura Larson’s house—1001 Donna St, Denver. Don’t for get the 7th-12th grade Lock-In, October 3-4 at St Peter.

Gratitude
Thank you to those that participated in the backpack blessing! It was great to see all the students and teachers in the St. Peter congregation. This is a
congregation that loves and supports our children and our teachers! We will
continue praying for a great 2015-2016 school year!

Family Bible Study
The Study is held on the first Wednesday of the month, 6:00 -7:30 pm, beginning in September. This program is for the entire Church family to attend! Snacks served at 6:00pm with interactive teaching and discussion
following the FAITH5 model led by Pastor Ron. This is a great opportunity for your entire family to grow closer in faith together!

Worship Celebrations

Rally Sunday– September 13th
Rally Day Sunday is September 13th! We will be meeting downstairs after worship to sing songs, meet the teachers, make some crafts and have delicious treats. Everyone is invited to join.
3 Year Old Blessing - September 20th
Join us for worship on Sunday, September 20, as the 3-year-old children receive a Faith Stone and/or cross-stitch
baptismal ornament, made by the women of the church for those baptized at St Peter.
As children begin attending Sunday School, we give them a stone to remember their baptism.

Unity Point Hospice Training
Volunteers may spend time reading to and visiting with patients or providing respite care to allow family
caregivers a break. Support work may include helping with mailings and other special projects. A four-part
orientation and training course for volunteers:
September 22, 29, October 6 & 13, from noon—4 pm, at Allen Hospital. Contact Linda Alexandres before Sept. 14 to apply or for more information 319-235-5027 or linda.alexandres@unitypoint.org.

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		1 / 7:30 am Womenfest / 6:00 pm Stewardship Board / 7:00 pm AA/Alanon	2 / 1:30 pm Mary Circle / 6:00 pm Family Bible Study / 7:30 pm Ruth Circle	3 / 7:00 am Mensfest / 8:30 am Staff mtg. / 10:00 am Bulletin Deadline / 6:30 pm Prayer Shawl	4	5
6 / 9:00 am Worship / New Members Reception	7 / Labor Day / Office closed	8 / 7:30 am Womenfest / 6:30 pm Council meeting / 7:00 pm AA/Alanon	9 / 6:00 pm Confirmation / 7:00 pm HS Youth	10 / 7:00 am Mensfest / 10:00 am Bulletin Deadline / 6:30 pm Worship & Music	11	12 / WELCA Pie Sale during Denver Garage Sales
13 / 9:00 am Worship / 10:15 Sunday School Rally Day / 10:15 am 9th grade Confirmation / 10:15 Naomi Circle / 10:15 Mission Board	14 / 6:30 pm Property & Management / 7:00 pm WELCA Board	15 / 7:30 am Womenfest / 6:30 pm Financial Seminar / 7:00 pm AA/Alanon	16 / 6:00 pm Confirmation / 6:30 pm 4th-6th Fusion / 7:00 pm HS Youth	17 / 7:00 am Mensfest / 8:30 am Staff mtg. / 10:00 am Bulletin Deadline	18 / 1:00 pm 4th-6th Fusion / NEWSLETTER / DEADLINE	19 / 9:00 am NEIA Food Bank
20 / 9:00 am Worship / Noisy Offering / 3-Yr-Old Baptismal Blessing / 10:15 am Sunday School / 10:15 am 9th grade Confirmation	21	22 / 7:30 am Womenfest / 6:30 pm Financial Seminar / 7:00 pm AA/Alanon	23 / 6:30 pm EPIC	24 / 7:00 am Mensfest / 10:00 am Bulletin Deadline	25	26
27 / 9 am Worship / Baptism / 10:15 am Sunday School / 10:15 am 9th grade Confirmation	28	29 / 7:30 am Womenfest / 7:00 pm AA/Alanon	30

September 2015

St. Peter Tidings is published 12 times a year by
St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church
540 East Franklin Street ~ P.O. Box A
Denver, IA 50622
Phone: 319-984-5648 ~ Fax: 319-984-5649
www.stpeterdenver.org ~ info@stpeterdenver.org
pastorron@stpeterdenver.org

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2015 MINISTRY BOARDS
Ministry Boards are a vital part of the congregational system. Lay members are currently needed for
each of these boards to function as intended. Please consider where you might share your gifts in these
important ministries of the congregation. If you would like to know more about a board please contact
Pastor Ron Mathews or Steve DeVries, Congregational President. Thank you!
Church Council: Laura Larson, Steve DeVries, Jon Wolter, Philip Michels, Jeff Bales, Staci Mueller, Doug Miller,
Randall Satterthwaite
Executive Board: President - Steve DeVries; Vice President –Doug Miller; Secretary - Philip Michels;
Treasurer - Laura Larson.
Property & Management: Randall Satterthwaite, Neil Hartmann, Gene Leonhart, Leroy Homeister, Dwight Diercks, Roxane Franzen, Ryan Lockhart
Parish Education: Lisa Michels, Eve Pautsch, Amity Mathews
Worship & Music: Jeff Bales, Sheryl Moeller, Sheila Mixdorf, Amy Lockhart, Jo VanDeBerg, Joyce Miller,
Nancy Lamos
Mission: Philip Michels, Pat Leonhart, Bev Diercks, Barb Klemp, Shirley Thurm, Gretchen Syhre
Stewardship: Jon Wolter, Doug Miller, Helen Schumacher, Dori Jurgenson
Youth & Family: Laura Larson, Megan Smith, Leah Homeister, Jackie Fober
Evangelism: Staci Mueller, Art Kurtt, LaVonne Westendorf
Mutual Ministry: Staci Mueller, Linda Krueger, Gene Leonhart, Ryan Pautsch, Julie Brinkman
Trust Fund Committee: Roxann Brown, Paul Meier, Jim Moeller, Becky Miller, Ryan Tucker

Community Opportunities

Financial Seminar

Extra Gather Magazines
Extra copies of the Gather magazine for the current month can be found in the WELCA Mailbox in the room near the organ. Old copies will be placed on the table
outside the office. All are welcome to enjoy this resource.

His Hands Oran Food Pantry
During the month of May the Pantry served 66 households and 185 individuals. They dispersed 3,840 pounds of food. Thank-you to those who have donated during the month. If and when you have extra produce, please keep the pantry in mind. The Pantry was fortunate in being able to get a grant to put towards the purchase of a large
refrigerator so they have space to store perishable food items. During the summer months they like to keep on the shelves picnic items of: paper plates, napkins, foil and
plastic wrap, kool-aide, lemon-aide mixes, jell-o,
marshmallows and graham crackers. If you have some time to volunteer, they take those donations too! Have a fun
summer. Call the Pantry : 319-638-4357 please leave a
message or call Linda :319-231-0262.
St Peter’s food donations for last month weighed in at 101.3 lbs., thanks to Staci, Parker & Peyton for delivering the goods.

Womenfest
The Ecumenical Bible study meets at St Paul, UCC Church, Denver, on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 am, join us!