St.

Peter News
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Bassett, NE (H) 402-684-2353 Pastors Cell: (701) 770-6399 September, 2012 Interim Pastor April Peterson

NOTES FROM THE INTERIM PASTOR

If everything continues on its present course, this will be my last writing to you. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your pastor during this last year! Its hard to believe its been a little over a year time goes so quickly. Ive enjoyed getting to know you both as congregations and, for some, as individuals. I will miss you! St. Peter and St. Johns are both gifted congregations and both quite different from each other! I pray you continue to work together and use the gifts God has given to you, and also that you be courageous in exploring the new areas that the Lord will place before you. There are always new things to learn and new ways for ministry in this wonderful world God entrusts to us. I hold you in my heart and will keep you in my prayers. The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them. (Number 6: 2427) So the LORDS name has been put on you. Gods peace Pastor April

CALL PROCESS UPDATE

As of this writing, on Sunday, August 26th, the congregations of St. Peter and St. Johns will be voting on the calls of Pastor John Brink and Pastor Melody Brink. The congregational meetings are being held at 9:55 a.m. at St. Johns and 11:55 a.m. at St. Peter. (Both times are following the worship services.) Pastor John will be a time call and Pastor Melody will be a time call. If you receive this before Sunday, please come to these important meetings! If everything continues to move along, plans are currently being made to have the installation services on Sunday, September 2nd, 2012. Please keep your ears open as this is a date that could change! Its been a long journey, but God is faithful and He is leading this parish into a new chapter of your walk with Him. Please continue to pray for the parish, the councils, and your pastors. We know that God hears our prayers and He answers them.

THIS ISSUE
1. Notes from Pastor April/ Call process update 2. A memo from God; notes; prayers 3. Notes/Birthdays/Anniversaries; Letter from Bishop 4. Story 5. Lay worker schedule

Newsletter 1

A Memo From God----MEMO FROM GOD ----To: YOU Date: TODAY From: THE BOSS Subject: YOURSELF Reference: LIFE I am God. Ministry Opp Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you ..cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. All situations will be resolved... but in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege. Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

Its official after church service on Sunday, August 26th, the congregation voted and Pastor John and Pastor Melody Brink will soon be joining us. This coming Sunday, September 2nd, will be Pastor Aprils final/farewell service. Pastors John & Melody will begin on September 9th. The current plan is for Pastor Harold Stromer to be present for their installation on September 30th. I want to take this time to officially thank Pastor April for her service to our church and our congregation. We are appreciative for what you have done for us/with us and we will miss you! Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with our float for the Rock County Fair Parade. We placed second in our division along with doing a wonderful ministry for the Rock County Food Pantry.

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A reminder about worship times changing for the months of September, October and November, church will begin at 9am. Sunday School and fellowship will be at 10am. Sunday School begins at 10am on Sunday, September 9th! Please plan on joining us!
PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN YOUR PRAYERS: Karen Anderson, Rick Stolcpart, Carol Trout, Conrad Anderson, Kay Fredeen, Ruby Cook, Judy Lindahl, Gary Harris, Lloyd Stolcpart, Jeanette Grosshans, Karen Gaul, Maggie Stoffel Wilson, Gary Gorball, Marion Bauman, Alice Dunn, Barb Morlang, Suzie Allen, Jeannie Shankland, Marge Focken, Marcella Maurer, Bailey Salers, Kenny Hansen, Sam Rutten, Roger Fischer, June Kelly, Guy Grosshans, Jayne David, Shaina Shaw, Dick Tracy, Steve Johnson, Elvin Zimmerman, Delores Segar, Bruce Wiebe, Gordon family

Military Men & Women: Chris & Jenn Magnussen, Matt Magnussen, Kelly Peterson, Doug Harlan, Josh Bravo, Nick Brooks, Monica Olson, Corey Novotny, Pat Brooks, Paul Carpenter, Tim Dodge

Newsletter 2

A Letter from Bishop David DeFreese A reminder from Di McNutt: If you volunteered to do a cleaning job at the church, please make sure you have completed it. Also, please take note that the carpets and pews have all been shampooed and are looking very nice! Do a double check after church is over to make sure you havent left any unintended messes behind stains are much easier to get out if they are found and treated right away! Thanks for your cooperation in keeping our church looking great!

Birthdays:
Harlee Hollenbeck Linda Knoetzel Eric Wegener Brandy Bussinger Ryan Hoffman Allen Fischer Terry Foxworthy Lauryn Stanton Jennifer Fischer Brennen Frerichs Ardelle Fischer George Friedrich, Sr Brad Witte Jen Bussinger Shelly Herrington Owen Blake Kristin Pickhinke Harold DeVall Adrianna Shaw Mila Lezotte Ella Shaw Roger Fischer Benjamin Beard Clay Fischer Jenna Hansen Bernice Kuchera Judy Wagoner 2-Sep 2-Sep 2-Sep 7-Sep 7-Sep 10-Sep 11-Sep 11-Sep 12-Sep 12-Sep 13-Sep 13-Sep 13-Sep 15-Sep 15-Sep 15-Sep 16-Sep 18-Sep 20-Sep 23-Sep 26-Sep 27-Sep 27-Sep 27-Sep 28-Sep 29-Sep 29-Sep

Anniversaries:
Eric & Pam Wegener Dave & Linda Knoetzel Lance & Tahma Kuck Tom & Deb Frank Cory & Megan Frizzell Harold & Janice DeVall Steve & Jayme Hansen Roger & Ione Fischer Rich & Jill Munk Jake & Tiffany Maurer Dave & Judy Stibor 4-Sep 9-Sep 14-Sep 15-Sep 15-Sep 18-Sep 21-Sep 21-Sep 24-Sep 24-Sep 29-Sep

Dear Nebraska Synod Church Family, THANK YOU! Thank you for responding to Gods grace and calling. You and I have been lavished with unconditional lovemercy beyond our deserving and abundant gifts profusely received. Awakened to the goodness of God, we are grateful and we respond with our lives lived sharing that love. Thank you for making a difference! Because we thankfully recognize Gods giving and our receiving, we serve. We live out being created in the image of God by striving to care for and help others. The multitude and myriads of our Nebraska Synod efforts impact lives with Jesus compassionate touch. We do missionand it matters! Thank you for struggling against the sin of selfishness by giving of yourselves. Jesus said: Take up your cross and follow me and you have shared Gods gifts of time, talent and treasure for the sake of others. Thank you for the spirit in which things are done in the Nebraska Synod. The camaraderiethe funthe heartthe gratitude. Thank you for the right balance of Christian living We take others and their needs very seriously, while wisely not taking ourselves too seriouslysimple, humble children of God. Thank you to all the steady, faithful folks in each mission center/congregation who work conscientiously behind the scenes. You are needed, even if you dont feel noticed. You are partners with God! Thank you for being grace-bearing people in a harsh and judgmental world. For giving the benefit of the doubt to your neighbors actionsfor recognizing our own brokenness and our shared hunger for acceptance and kindnessfor truly participating in Gospel Good News. Thank you for letting Jesus love you and for loving Jesus. Thank you for enriching my life Honoring me by sharing your life with meyour support and encouragement have bolstered every effort to servefor your friendship. Thank you for the honor and privilege of being your pastor! I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing 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 1:3-6)

Newsletter 3

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about. Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely. As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? 'Look at it.' He said. 'Read what it says. She read the words ' United States of America '. 'No, not that; read further.' 'One cent?', she said. 'No, keep reading.' 'In God we Trust?', she said. 'Yes!' 'And?', she answered. 'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God, that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful! When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message. It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient! The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given That's the whole gospel message simply stated.

Newsletter 4

Worker Schedule for September!

Date 9/2/12 9/9/12 9/16/12 9/23/12 9/30/12

Reader Jim Schoenberg Tara Swanson Ev Armstrong Kristie Camp Gary Bussinger

Ushers Jan Foster & Bernice K. Keith & Donna Wright Jim & Nancy Carley Duane & Mary Keim JT & Kim Shaw

Acolyte Jayden Bussinger Karley Anderson Ben Beard Rhegan Shankland Adrianna Shaw

Cantor Jim Arnholt Nancy Carley

Communion Server Cheryl Hart Rod Stolcpart

Newsletter 5