St. Peter Press November '25- January '26

An Urgent Call for Missionaries to Africa 

By Shauen Trump, From the Nov. 2025 issue of the Lutheran Witness

 

Greetings in Christ from Nairobi, Kenya. I am Pastor Shauen Trump, the regional director for Africa for the LCMS. My family and I are grateful to have served the church in Africa for many years. We feel privileged to be raising our children here in the midst of these rich and vibrant cultures where talk about spiritual and religious matters is welcomed. We get to tell people about Jesus — and they want to talk about Him!

Today in Africa, we have a problem — a good problem! Almost every Lutheran church body we work with is growing, some as much as 15% a year. Those churches are constantly playing a game of catch-up: trying to catch up with newly planted congregations in need of pastors, trying to catch up with new member classes, trying to catch up with the astounding work of the Holy Spirit and carry out the work of the church as it grows.

The rapid spread of the Gospel and the church in Africa makes even more painful the shortage we are currently facing in the ranks of LCMS missionaries to the Africa region. The LCMS currently has just seven missionary families serving in Africa.

Pastors in Africa are stretched thin. Almost every pastor you meet is overseeing between five and 15 congregations. The leaders of the Lutheran partner churches we work with in 25 countries across Africa are urgently renewing their requests for LCMS missionaries to serve with them as elementary, middle school, and high school teachers; English as a Second Language instructors; computer and technology specialists; nurses; deaconesses; business managers; volunteer coordinators; church planters; and theological educators in seminaries. 

Beyond these requests for embedded, grass-roots missionaries, these rapidly growing church bodies are asking for the programs and projects we offer — for new member and lay leader materials, for continuing education for church workers, for translation of Lutheran resources into their vernacular languages, for short-term volunteers, for support in pursuing advanced degrees for their own seminary faculty and church leaders, for visitation, and for advisors on seminary development and curriculum. We have a great need for missionaries to facilitate all these programs and projects!

Further, our own dear missionaries in Africa — who have given their lives to this service — are so passionate and convicted that they constantly over-stretch themselves to take advantage of the myriad opportunities to spread the Gospel, plant Lutheran churches and show mercy. These missionaries need partners to share the work and support them: field chaplains, missionary care coordinators, business managers, accountants, and communication specialists. Our Africa Team needs missionaries to multiply the impact of the whole team.

Missionary service in Africa is not easy — and not everyone can do it. Missionaries must be solid Lutherans. They must be healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. They must have resilient relationships and the ability to thrive in stressful and challenging situations. They must be able to operate both independently and on a team. They must be intelligent and flexible. We have these kinds of amazing people in our LCMS congregations across the country, fulfilling good vocations in all walks and stages of life — and maybe you’re one of them. We need this message, this appeal, to reach these kinds of people, perhaps even you, and anyone you can think of whom the Lord may have gifted for this particular type of work.

Please prayerfully consider missionary service.

The harvest is plentiful. The church needs missionaries — from all walks and stages of life — for every region of the world. If you are wondering whether you are called to this kind of service, please reach out. If someone in your congregation comes to mind, please send us a referral so we can reach out to them even as you suggest the possibility to them directly. You can start now by contacting our director of missionary recruitment, the Rev. Dr. Mark Rabe, at mark.rabe@lcms.org.  Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support.

 

LITTLE LAMB PRESCHOOL

By Martha Short & Katie Shultz

The 20 Little Lamb preschoolers have been busy so far this year! We have been learning about fall and creating fun fall projects to help us explore our world. We had a visit from the North Bend Fire Department in October for fire safety week and had picture day at the elementary school. We have started working on our songs for the upcoming Christmas program.  

Thank you for all who sponsored the preschoolers to bring them Bible materials to use at home. All 20 kids were sponsored! The new religion curriculum we purchased from CPH is going really well. 

Katie Shultz has been covering for Martha Short while she is out on maternity leave. We are thankful for her filling in. Mrs. Short will return on December 1. 

Our annual preschool Christmas program will be on Thursday, December 11 at 6:00pm here at St. Peter. All are invited to attend and stay for refreshments following the program. 

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM ‘25

We will soon begin practicing for our Christmas program at St. Peter.  Our Christmas program is open to all kids PreK-6th grade. The Christmas program will be held on Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30PM.

• November 23rd, 30th, December 7th and 14th: Program Practice for PreK-6th grade after church.
• November 19th, December 3rd, 10th: Program practice during KFC time for KFC kids. (3rd-6th grade)

 

 

KIDS FOLLOWING CHRIST

We are off to another great start to KFC this year. We have 17 kids  of which 6 are not yet members. We are so thankful we are able to reach others. Katie Tank is leading the 3rd-4th graders and Pastor Short is leading the 5th-6th graders. They will soon get a break from their lessons to begin Christmas Program practice. 

 

CONFIRMATION CLASS

This year, we have 15 kids in our 7th and 8th grade confirmation class, with 7 preparing to be confirmed in 2025: Knox Baehr, Ava Halladay, Tatum Hanis, Collins Hild, Brooklyn Kaiser, Macey Mueller, and Megan Williams. We have 3 more questioning dates scheduled: 11/23, 2/15, and 3/29. Confirmation is scheduled for April 19th.

 

High School Youth Group Cookie Walk and Silent Auction December 7th!

 

YOUTH GROUP

On October 29th, our youth group joined the United Presbyterian Church youth group to trick or treat for food for the Blessings Food Pantry. They were blessed with lots of support from the community. 

Coming soon, the cookie walk! It is planned for December 7th. A few of the youth will be seen that day participating with the NBC choir for Singing Sunday. We also plan to continue the silent auction. If you would like to donate an item or basket, please label with your name (so we know who to thank) and place in the secretary office. We appreciate our congregations support and hope we are able to satisfy your sweet tooth with some delicious holiday treats.

Also, we have a VENMO account for our St. Peter Youth Group!  Anyone can donate to the youth this way, so please feel free to share. The Venmo is @st-peter-youthgroup.

The Christmas party with the Presbyterian youth group will be held at the Williams house on December 10th. 

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of our youth at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. We hope that you all have a blessed holiday season ahead. 

PIECEMAKERS QUILTERS

These ladies are on a roll! They continue to lay out and tie quilts every Thursday afternoon at 1. The quilt pictured was assembled by the newest member, Sue Dodge. All are welcome anyone to join them; no sewing skills required. Stop in sometime and check it out!

SISTERS IN FAITH & LWML 

Thank you to all who supported our group by attending Tapestry of Tables and all those who contributed to the salad supper. We will definitely consider having polka music again in the future as it was appreciated by all!

On November 3rd, the quarterly meeting took place. Cards were sent to our college students and members in the military, remembering them for the holidays. 

The next event we have planned is our annual Epiphany party January 4th, 2026 at 5pm. All ladies of the congregation are encouraged to attend. Those in attendance are asked to bring a $10 gift if you would like to participate in the gift exchange. Look to the bulletin for further information as we possibly will be changing locations and having the food catered. 

Our next quarterly meeting will be February 2nd.

 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

1/1/25 – 11/2/25

Income & Offerings:	$116,888.09
Expenses	$134,862.80

General fund balance as of 11/6/24: $25,963.47

CD-$39,750.74 (Memorial)

CD-$43,863.43

CD-$12,195.18 (Insurance deductible)

 

 

THRIVENT FUNDS

We have many projects in our church funded through Thrivent Action Team funds. Again this year, VBS was funded in addition to funds designated by a member from their employer. We have done: Alleluia baskets, Easter bags for our children, Youth Group Easter Breakfast, Confirmation gifts, Confirmation Bibles, Senior gifts, KFC snacks, New member welcome bags, Orphan Grain Train Christmas gift box project, Sunday School supplies, and Old Settlers food and supplies. Thank you Eileen Chvatal, Lavonne Ladehoff, Heidi Widick, Judy Lerch, Brenda Robinson, Marylce Franzluebbers, Lyn Lerch, Bryon Chvatal, and Wendy Murphy. These mission outreach projects are possible with the use of these funds. If you have a Thrivent account and unfamiliar with Thrivent Action Teams, reach out to Heidi Widick with questions or possible activities your can help with. 

 

 

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS 

Prayers for Healing & Comfort:

Our Church Family: Sue Dodge,Laurie Neeman, Anna Stuehmer, Rick Elofson, Ed Slavik, Bernard Larson, Bonnie Wennekamp, Kelly Spath, Terry Sorensen, Lenora Schuetz, Jan Schindler, Virginia Bosco, Jean Sorensen, Sharon Metschke

Friends, Family, and Loved Ones:  Renate’ Scheuermann (Carroll Wiebold’s niece), Holly Colburn (Karan Legler’s daughter), Liam Settles (Grandson of Martha & Gordan Settles), Eliese Espinosa (Terry Sorensen’s half-sister), Justin Hall (Seth Harrell’s Brother-in-law), Mark Langmeyer (Friend of Dave Saalfeld), Wendy Curtis (Daughter of Dave & Bev Saalfeld), Kim Pearson (Family of Bernard & Diane Larson), Rachel Johnson (Angela Tauber’s Daughter), Barb Huber (Friend of Wambergs), Tom Siebels (Darren Siebel’s father), Kim Sedlacek (Chvatal family friend), Bev Juhl (Shawn Juhl’s mother), Robert & Deb Klitz (Friend of Marlyce Franzluebbers)

 Prayers for Members & Loved Ones Serving in the Military:  Justin Chadwick, Mike Elofson, Lauren Kohl, Seth Saalfeld, Matthew Schuetz, Chris Tank, Trevor Widick, Kobe Wilkins, Wyatt Olson, Owen Wynia, Kaylee Boyle, Joe Benes

 

 

Welcome New Members

Greg & Julie Bogseth- Adult Confirmation

Vivian Short- Baptism

Amayus & Zariah Elston- Baptism

Alex & Bethany Elston -Adult Confirmation

Lisa Read- Adult Confirmation

 

 

 

 

CHURCH CALENDAR

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study: All men are welcome to join for a bite of breakfast with a Bible study. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month. The dates are in the calendar as well. *Possibly will not meet in December.*

Monday Night Bible Study: All are welcome to join-no age requirements. We are to season 5. The episode to be discussed will be in the bulletin each week. Watch the episode before you come and be ready to discuss it at 6 pm. The final episode 8, will be discussed and finished on December 1st. Monday night Bible Study will go on break for the rest of the year. Watch the bulletin as to when it will resume.

Women’s Bible Study: Every Tuesday at 6:30pm a group of ladies meet, led by Eileen Chvatal. If you are interested in joining the next study starting in January, reach out to Eileen so a book can be ordered for you.

Youth Events:

KFC 3:30-4:45pm

Confirmation 5:30-6:45pm

Youth Group 6:15-7:15pm

November

2-Worship w/ Holy Communion- 9am, MITES

3-Sisters in Faith Meeting-7pm 

5-Church Council Budget meeting 7pm

9-Worship- 9am with Children’s Choir

10-Material Girls Quilt Guild–7pm

11-Men’s Breakfast Bible Study-6:30am

16-Worship w/ Holy Communion - 9am

    -Christmas Blessings 1pm

20-Pastor Short leading LuHi Chapel 10:30am

23-Worship with guitars and piano- 9am Choir

    -Confirmation Questioning

26-No Youth Events-Thanksgiving Break

    -Worship for Thanksgiving Eve-6:30pm

27-No Preschool

30-Worship- 9am

December

1-Last Monday Night Bible Study for the year

3-Advent Midweek 1 Service – 6:30pm

7-Worship w/Holy Communion-9am MITES

    -NBC High School Choir

    -Youth Group Cookie Walk & Silent Auction

8-Material Girls Quilt Guild–7pm

9-*Men’s Breakfast Bible Study-6:30am*

10-Last KFC and Confirmation Class until new year

-Youth Group Christmas Party

     - St. Peter Christmas Hymn Sing- 6:30PM

11-Preschool Christmas Program- 6pm

14-Worship-9am

    -Voter’s Meeting–10:15am

17-Preschool Christmas Party (M/W)

    -Children’s Christmas Program-6:30pm

18-Preschool Christmas Party (T/TH)

21-Worship w/Holy Communion-9am 

22-Preschool on Christmas Break

24- Christmas Eve Early Service with guitars and                 

       piano: 3:30PM

24- Christmas Eve Evening Service: 5:30PM

25- Christmas Day Service: 9:00AM

28-Worship-9am Choir

January

4-Worship w/Holy Communion–9am MITES

5- No Preschool

11– Worship–9am

12-Material Girls Quilt Guild-7pm

13-Men’s Breakfast Bible Study 6:30am

18- Worship w/Holy Communion–9am

25-Worship with guitars and piano–9am

 

Birthdays/Anniversaries

November Birthdays

1 Trevin Malousek

2 Terry Snover

3 Amanda Reznicek

4 Nathaniel McDonald

5 Marilyn Petersen

8 Bernard Larson

11 Janet Warneke

17 Troy Post

19 Jean Sorensen

20 Alex Elston

     Addison Penlerick

21 Nolan Williams

23 David Hild

     Layna Longest

24 Alexa Kelberlau

29 Kinna Harris

     Logan Reiss

30 Theda Hansen

     Brent Karnatz

November Anniversaries

8 Grantham & Tiffany Hogeland

December Birthdays

1 Virginia Bosco

   Kendra Westerman

 

 

 

2 Madison Bishop

   Tatum Hanis

   Kyrsten Mottl

   Henry Shultz

3 Lenora Schuetz

5 Karan Legler

     Noah Post

6 Alaina Halladay

8 Gordon Settles

10 Marcus Kelberlau 

     Maverick Wenger

12 Eleanor Schutt

18 Mike Elofson

     Jase Taylor

23 Suzanne Hodges

28 Haley Dolezal

     Ethan Widick

     Carroll Wiebold

29 Kim Deveaux

     Rich Snodgrass

31 Jana Post

December Anniversaries

5 Robert & Evla Saalfeld

8 Darren & Mindy Siebels

11 Corey & Katie Shultz

21 Bruce & Amy Williams

27 David & Holly Hild

31 Mike & Linda Merryweather

 

 

January Birthdays

1 Mike Merryweather

2 Ron Schindler

    Loretta Shultz

3 Julie Kelberlau

6 John Wesch

7 Scott Heinemann

     Benjamin Reznicek

8 Tammie Dodge

9 Lillian Metschke

     Hunter Oerman

10 Wendy Dodge

12 Collins Hild

15 Kelsey Bunn

Kiley Janousek

16 Kyle Oerman

17 Julie Loberg

   Lauren Martin

22 Payton Olson

     Adam Saalfeld

23 Corie Lanc

24 Anna Halladay

     Sharon Mueller

     Tracy Muller

28 Reid Karnatz

30 Jason Saalfeld

31 Paige Bunn

January Anniversaries

28 Kyle & Rachael Oerman

 

 

 

Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas Service Schedule

Thanksgiving Eve Service (11/26) 6:30pm

Advent Midweek Service (12/3) 6:30pm

Christmas Hymn Sing (12/10) 6:30pm

Christmas Children’s Program (12/17) 6:30pm

Christmas Eve Early Service (12/24) 3:30pm

Christmas Eve Evening Service (12/24) 5:30pm

Christmas Day Service (12/25) 9:00am

No Service New Year’s Eve