1 April 2020 Newsletter WORSHIP SCHEDULE TIMES See enclosed sheet for online viewing times; until we can worship together again! PLEASE NOTE If you would like a monthly newsletter mailed to you, please contact the office or email Gloria at [email protected]. 3 Words That Will Change Your Corona Year Fears I am writing these words while quarantined. Ten days ago, I flew to Israel to prepare to lead 84 people on a tour of the Holy Land. A few days later, government bans meant the trip was cancelled. When I flew home, I arrived in a strange America, a land where customers fought over toilet paper like 1990’s parents used to brawl over Tickle Me Elmo’s. But the worst was still to come. On the drive back to Wisconsin from Chicago, my wife and I discussed the pro’s and con’s of me coming home, hugging my little girls and enjoying the comfort of my own bed. And by “discussed” I mean that my wife was worried about my layover in Poland, which might endanger our family’s health, and I verbally shut down. By the time I hung up, I was moodier than a Pharisee at a tax collector’s baptism. Frustration and fear had bullied faith right out of my heart. Until I remembered my favorite three words. Before I tell you what happened, can I ask how your faith is holding up these days? I have a hunch that you have been tempted by fear and that your fear, no matter what its form, boils down to a simple sentence—Will ________ be here? In the days to come, will my health be here? Will my retirement be here? Will my paycheck be here? Will my job be here? Will my big event be here? Will my spring graduation be here? Will my sanity be here (for quarantined parents with toddlers)? Isn’t that sentence at the heart of our fears? We might miss out on something. Something we love. Something we desperately don’t want to lose. Pastor Tim [email protected](920)284-9147 Pastor Jim [email protected](920)419-1757 Pastor Bill [email protected](920)939-5799 Pastor Michael [email protected](920) 878-2899 Pastor Mike (The CORE) [email protected](920) 716-7912 Tom Dietzler, Director of Operations [email protected](920) 419-1010 Phil Punzel, School Principal [email protected](920) 419-8278 Jonathan Favorite, Worship Coordinator [email protected](602) 377-2423 Jarrod Pfarr, Director of Youth Development [email protected](916) 742-3104 Maria Keuschel, Ministry Engagement Coordinator [email protected](920) 609-7218 Website: 922ministries.com
Brewster Village Grand Horizons 3300 W Brewster 5102 N Cherryvale Ave Appleton, WI 54914 Appleton, WI 54913 Eunice Zimmerman & Paul (son) Randy Techlin W2880 Oakridge Dr 1500 Rosehill Rd Appleton, WI 54915-8141 Kaukauna, WI 54130 Winnie Pankow Mary Hausauer Oak Park Place 2642 W Glenpark Drive 2205 Midway Rd Appleton, WI 54914 Menasha, WI 54952 Marge Forbeck Care Partners #33 5101 N French Rd Appleton, WI 54913 Karen Baneck N3198 Cty Trk E Appleton, WI 54913 Shirley Wichman 5715 N Meade St Apt 232 Appleton, WI 54913 revised 3/26/20
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update 922 Church family,
By now many of you have heard the latest CDC updates, State of Wisconsin mandates, and our President’s news conference regarding the recommendations to restrict gatherings and social contact. Yesterday our staff leadership team met to address the last CDC update on gatherings and to discuss our plan going forward for worship services and gatherings at St. Peter and The CORE. We have listened to health care experts in our community and have discussed this with many church leaders in the Fox Valley area and beyond. It was a great conversation, and we were able to share our recommendations with our leadership at both campuses.
We all agreed that at this time out of love for God, one another, and our community and elected officials, we need to make some temporary changes to our ministry schedule. Starting this week, 922 Ministries - St. Peter & The CORE - will only have worship services online for the next 3 weeks. This means no worship or other regularly scheduled activities will take place in our buildings through April 5. We will update you immediately if this schedule changes on account of updated or new information.
In the days ahead, additional Jesus roots resources (we are calling it the Corona Edition) will be sent via e-mail, social media, and in other forms of communication on a regular basis; so please watch for them.
Remember - Worship isn’t cancelled. Rather, gathering for worship in our building has been temporarily suspended thru April 5th. To help you worship in your home, our musicians, pastors, and technology experts will be leading worship services from church both on Wednesdays (Lent) and Sundays.
As things all round us are changing by the hour, remember that our Savior does not change. His promises are true, his presence is certain, and his love for each of us is boundless. Psalm 46 reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea...The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
ONLINE WORSHIP SCHEDULE via YouTube & Facebook LiveLinks: St. Peter YouTube, CORE Facebook Live, CORE YouTube page
Wednesday, March 18 @ 6:30pm
Sunday, March 22 @ 9 am (replayed @ 3:30 & 5:30 pm)
Wednesday, March 25 @ 6:30pm
Sunday, March 29 @ 9 am (replayed @ 3:30 & 5:30 pm)
Wednesday, April 1 @ 6:30pm
Sunday, April 5 @ 9 am (replayed @ 3:30 & 5:30 pm)
* We are 922ing our on-line worship service. The Wednesday and 9 am Sunday will be live* We will replay the 9 am Sunday service at 3:30 and 5:30 pm to offer more viewing options* All completed worship services will be available online to view at any time* Sermon notes will be available for each worship service on our website and app as is normal* You are encouraged to gather a small group of family & friends to worship together * Contact St. Peter’s main office (739-2009) if you need help viewing the live worship service
THE FOLLOWING MINISTRIES ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED AS WELL: Bible Discovery, on campus Wednesday night Confirmation classes, Celebrate Recovery @ The CORE, The Apple Valley Pantry Food Drive, Wednesday morning Bible class & the Saturday Men’s Bible Breakfast Study. If you have a question about other ones that aren’t listed, please contact one of the pastors.
COVID-19 - SOME 922 FAQ How will everyone stay informed with the latest updates and announcements?
• Every 922 member with an email address will receive regular emails with updates and Jesus’ roots resources during these next three weeks and for as long as services are suspended.
• The main office at both campuses will remain open to receive all phone calls, emails, and visitors. • All 922 pastors will continue to be available via phone, text, and email. • Timely video updates will be shared with the congregation in a variety of ways. • Certain demographics of 922’s membership will receive information via hard copies in the mail. • “Coronavirus Updates” will be posted on the 922 website (922church.com) so you find the latest
information. How can I continue to give my offerings?
• First and most of all, we want you to know that we are so thankful for your gifts and blessed by the strong give root at 922!
• Members who have set up electronic Recurring Offerings - your firstfruit offerings will continue to be automatically given as you have determined.
• Online giving is always available through the 922 website and 922 church app - click on the link below to take you there (this link will allow you to designate it as your regular weekly campus offering or Greater Things commitment). You will be able to give a one-time offering or set up regular offerings on your preferred schedule.
Click here for: 922 Online giving
• Mail your offering to the church office or drop it off in person at the St. Peter campus during office hours: Monday - Friday from 8 am to 2 pm.
• Your regular offerings are vital in allowing us to meet our congregation’s needs at all times, but especially so in times like this.
What if I or someone I know needs individual attention from a pastor? Your pastors are as determined as ever to serve our 922 members, especially during this unusual time. Continue to reach out to them with any concerns, questions, or needs.
What about Starting Point, and Catechism class? All individuals/families enrolled in Starting Point and Catechism instruction will be contacted separately from this message. In most cases, these classes will continue but in what manner we aren’t certain.
Should I panic? Panic, No! Prepare? Yes! Our government and health care systems are generous gifts from God by which he cares for our lives. We show our trust in God by trusting the guidance given to us by individuals he himself has placed into these positions of authority. Continue to wash your hands, follow the guidelines, go about your business as best you can, and stay rooted (Gather on-line, Group via regular texts or virtually, Grow in the Word daily, Give in ways that you can, keep your Go root going by letting people see Jesus in you). “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all”...has this and all things in His control. And remember he has you in his care and knows you by name. We’ll get through this together, and God will be glorified through it.
Talk 17: “Parents Must Wrestle with God for Their Children”
In Kenn Kremer’s book, “Embracing Godly Character: The Christian Community’s Response to a Godless
Culture,” the author tells the story of Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32). He applies this story in a
striking way to the state of families today. I’d like to share that story and application with you now.
If you recall the story of Jacob, you’ll recall that he was a deceiver. He tricked his brother out of his
birthright on two separate occasions. Because of his trickery, his brother vowed to take his life upon the
death of their father, Isaac. Before Esau could make good on his vow, Jacob fled.
Over the years of Jacob’s exile, the Lord taught Jacob a critical lesson. Jacob would find through the
hardships of life, that there are some things you cannot cheat your way into or out of. Ultimately, Jacob
would learn that he’d have to rely on God and God alone.
Years had passed and God called Jacob to face his brother Esau who, years before, vowed to kill
him. Jacob, again, up to his old tricks, thought he could buy his brother off. Before meeting Esau, Jacob
sent him a portion of his fortune. Not entirely sure that Esau would accept it, Jacob went on to divide
up his herds, wealth, and family and send them along spread out over some distance. He figured that if
Esau would attack, maybe some would escape.
Right as Jacob was about to carry out his plan, a figure confronted him alone in
the dark of night. The figure began to wrestle with Jacob to the death, it
seemed. It didn’t take too long for Jacob to realize that his opponent was of
supernatural strength. Throughout the night, Jacob wrestled. Finally, God was
about to leave Jacob, but Jacob refused Him. Jacob insisted on receiving a
blessing. God blessed Jacob in an unusual way. God wrenched Jacob’s hip, so that
he could not run from Esau. Then, God changed his name from deceiver to “one
who wrestles with God and man and overcomes.” God changed Jacob’s name to
Israel. Wrenched at the hip with no way to escape, Israel could only trust in God
and wait for the blessing. And God rescued Jacob from Esau.
Dads and Moms, we have heard a litany of ideas about what it’ll take for you to raise your child in the
Lord. Truth be told, there’s no silver bullet, and there’s no one that can do this job for you. Ultimately,
this involves you wrestling with God begging him to bless you and rescue your children, whatever it
takes. My encouragement to you is to wrestle like Jacob did with the Angel of the Lord. There’s no easy
way out of this. It may involve subtle changes or a complete lifestyle overhaul. This may mean
reprioritizing goals for your entire family. This may call for complete repentance. But it’s all worth it.
You’re now wrestling with God and he only has blessing for you and your child in the end.
Pastor Bill Monday
Pastor of Family and Outreach
Youth and Family Ministry
APRIL 2020
Coronavirus and the Celebration of Holy Communion
We are in difficult times. COVID-19 has changed our very way of life. We pray that
this change will be short, but ultimately, we entrust ourselves to God knowing that his
good and perfect will shall be done for our eternal good (Romans 8:28). One of the
ways our lives are now changed touches upon one of the most precious ways we
receive Christ Himself, the forgiveness of sins, and the ongoing encouragement and
strengthening of our faith in Holy Communion. Due to government restrictions
regarding COVID-19 which are put in place to preserve life and because of our love
for God to both honor life (5th Commandment) and those he has put in authority over
us (4th Commandment), we already have suspended our practice of celebrating Holy Communion because we
have suspended in person worship services. To be sure, this is an allowance from our Lord and Savior as he has
not commanded how often we partake of the Supper, but only that we do partake of it and do so in remembrance
of him (1 Corinthians 11:25).
The temporary suspension of this practice for God-pleasing reasons is also not uncommon in church history. The
temporary suspension of Holy Communion is also something our forefathers in the faith have experienced over
the ages as we find referenced in one of Martin Luther’s many writings:
The first Christians, mentioned in Acts, did not administer the Sacrament individually in the houses, but they came
together... But if a father wishes to teach the Word of God to his family, that is right and should be done, for it is
God’s mandate that we should teach and bring up our children and household; that is commanded to everyone.
But the Sacrament is a public confession and should have public ministers, because, as Christ says, we should do it
in remembrance of Him; that is, as St. Paul explains it, we should show forth or preach the Lord’s death till He
comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). And here [Paul] also says that we should come together, and he severely rebukes
those who, each in his own way, use the Lord’s Supper individually. (Letter to Wolfgang Brauer, 1536; Halle
10:2736-39; quoted in C. F. W. Walther, The Church & the Office of the Ministry [translated by John Theodore
Mueller; edited by Matthew C. Harrison] [Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2012], pp. 163-64).
In light of these things, our pastors and leaders have decided that we will not celebrate Holy Communion
at either campus as long as in person worship services are suspended due to the current CDC and state guidelines.
To be sure, this is temporary and your pastors and leaders will continue to evaluate this practice and all that we
are facing spiritually and we will keep you informed when the current status for gatherings changes. (see the
COVID-19 update page for additional rationale behind this decision)
Keep praying for God’s mercy on all who are affected by COVID-19 – those who are sick and all who care for
them, our healthcare workers, our leaders in government, your church leaders, and all of us who serve. Keep
reflecting on the blessings we have had to this point in time so as not to take anything for granted. And join us in
hearts full of repentance and faith as we look forward to coming together again one day soon, God-willing,
celebrating Holy Communion. Until then, we continue to proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes through the
endless proclamation of the word, which is everything we need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our
pastors with any questions, concerns, or needs you may have concerning this new development or anything else
of a spiritual, emotional, or physical nature.
In Christ,
Pastor Tim Glende
J E S U S R O O T S ( C O R O N A V I R U S E D I T I O N )
We need Jesus Roots more than ever! Do not let the coronavirus sidetrack your spiritual growth. Here are some ideas: Gather:
1. Watch the live-stream of each Sunday’s 922 Ministries service, either on your own or with a small group of family/friends. Wednesdays 6:30pm. Sundays 9am, 3:30pm & 5:30pm. Find the links at 922church.com/COVID19
Group:
1. Have you recently been in a Life Group? Email or text your fellow Group members, offering encouragement, sharing helpful passages, and praying for one another by name.
2. Leverage your social media accounts to connect with others. Post Bible passages and explain how they are helping you during this time when fear reigns. Look for open doors to love and serve those who are afraid.
3. Share posts, comment and connect on our Facebook pages: St. Peter Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/922MinistriesStPeter/ The CORE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/922MinistriesTheCORE/
4. Contact your closest Christian friends regularly and encourage one another.
Grow:
1. Continue (or begin) the 922 Ministries Grow Plan that journeys through Matthew’s Gospel, focusing on the humility of Jesus.
2. Check out the archive of sermons from St. Peter and The CORE. Listen to one each day as you do chores, work, etc.
3. CHRIST > CORONA Subscribe to this YouVersion reading plan created by Pastor Mike: https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/18878-christ-corona
4. If you’re married and/or a parent, use the extra time at home to grow together spiritually. Find a plan on the YouVersion Bible app or watch one of the Gospels on Netflix (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are all streaming currently).
5. Watch / listen and explorer content on TimeofGrace.org. Or watch on TV on NBC26 at midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning as well as 6:30am Sunday morning. Nationally Time of Grace is on Daystar 3:30pm Sundays and the Cowboy Channel at 8:00am Sundays.
Give: 1. Continue to support 922 Ministries via the online giving option. It’s easy to find at 922church.com
2. Reach out to your family, friends, and neighbors, offering needed assistance to those whose income has been severely limited by the current situation.
Go:
1. Let your light shine brightly during your conversations, including those online/on the phone. Remember that GOD is working through the coronavirus (Rom. 8:28), that every day is completely under Jesus’ control (Eph. 1:22), and that hardship is one of the ways that our Lord draws us back to his grace (2 Cor. 12:9).
2. Reach out to others, asking how they are doing and offering to pray that GOD would give them peace in the days to come.
1) With all that is taking place during this very uncertain time, we deeply appreciate everyone’s patience as
we try to navigate uncharted waters. We have never dealt with a worldwide pandemic before. We are
trying to react as fast as we can, and we are trying to foresee things before they happen. We can guess
wrong. We can make wrong choices, we can make decisions that impact people differently. All of this
occurs because 922 Ministries is run by sinful people who are trying to do their best with no guarantees of
success. What you can be assured of is that whenever we make decisions there is lots of discussion and
honest airing of feelings. Most importantly, we try to make Biblical, God pleasing decisions with prayer
and the Gospel guiding us as much as possible. And understand that with things moving so fast and
changing as rapidly as they are, that some of the things that I am telling you here may become obsolete
or partially wrong or totally wrong – it’s not deliberate. We will continue to seek God’s help and guidance
and prayerfully seek to do the best that we can do to make the right decisions. We will do all that we can
to properly communicate what those decisions are, why we are making them and what we are hoping to
accomplish.
2) With all in person activities on the St. Peter campus suspended for the time being, I have instructed our
custodial staff to conduct a deep cleaning of all of our facilities, so that when we resume normal operations
the building will be ready. If anyone has any questions, please refer them to me. That being said – please
understand that the building and the campus are closed for ALL activities. Some limited staff functions will
be taking place in the main office, teachers may be using their classrooms and pastors or staff members in
their offices – again, all on a very limited basis. Please do not ask to use the gym or any of our other
facilities. The quilting ladies are using the 1910 Centre, one at a time, some work is taking place in the 1907
church.
3) All of the security cameras have been installed and are working properly. It gives us an added level of
security and helps us to monitor our campus better.
4) All the paperwork for our tax exempt status on the College Avenue property has been submitted to the
City Assessor’s office with the City of Appleton.
5) All the paperwork for the tax exempt status of the St. Peter campus with the Town of Freedom was
completed and turned into the Town Clerk’s office earlier this month. This needs to be completed every
two years.
6) Rhonda and I have been working with Gary and Sue Thoma to help plan for our 9th Annual Swing for
Success Golf Outing to be held at Irish Waters Golf Course in Freedom on Saturday, June 6. In the first 8
years, we have raised more than $127,000 for tuition assistance or the building fund. Once again this year,
all proceeds will go towards tuition assistance for families enrolled in St. Peter Lutheran School. We had
132 golfers last year, it is our goal to accept only 128 this year. Irish Waters has kept all of their costs the same,
so we will be charging the same, $80 for early registration, or $85 per golfer as we did last year.
7) Pictorial directories for all of 922 Ministries are available for people who ordered them. When things get
back to “normal” – we will have directories available for anyone who would like to purchase one for $25.
8) Thanks to Scott Hietpas and the great people at Don Hietpas and Sons Excavating for the work in changing
the lay of the land near the northwest corner of the gym. There have been some drainage issues that have
caused leaking into the storage room. We deeply appreciate their help in remedying this issue.
Other issues:
9) We will once again be hosting LifeLine Screening here in the Ministry Center on Wednesday, May 27.
Tom Dietzler
Safe & Strong — A 922 Ministries Plan for the Coronavirus
Dear 922 Church family and friends,
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of constant changes in our world. In recent days, those changes have reached the doors of our church and school, which is why we wanted to share with you our ministry plan for the future.
Your pastors, staff, and congregation leaders have discussed the best way to accomplish two goals—(1) to keep you physically safe and (2) to keep you spiritually strong. Given the latest recommendations from the Center for Disease Control involving social distancing, these two goals are more difficult to accomplish than ever before.
On the one hand, we could keep you spiritually strong with our regular church services, Bible studies, and fellowship opportunities. However, that could threaten the physical safety of many of our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially the elderly and those with health complications. We would, honestly, be heart-broken if anyone was infected (or worse) due to an assumption that “it could never happen here.”
On the other hand, we could suspend our regular ministries and wait until the physical threat passes, following the CDC’s guideline for at least the next eight weeks. However, that would leave our church family without the spiritual strength that they need so desperately during these scary times.
This tension led our leaders to a decision that we believe best accomplishes our two primary goals. That decision is…1.
2. Physically Safe — To suspend all church services between now and April 5th (both weekend worship services and midweek Lenten services) and to reevaluate the situation on April 6th. (Possible school restart date & Holy Week)
3. Spiritually Strong — To leverage our passionate staff and online resources to keep you rooted in the promises of Jesus.
This decision was not made lightly. We know that many of you love our church and desperately long for a place to gather with fellow Christians, especially during a time when isolation is at an all-time high. We pray that you understand our desire to keep as many people as possible safe and strong.
So, how will we stay spiritually strong in the weeks to come? Our leaders are crafting a strategic yet flexible plan to keep you rooted in Jesus during this unexpected storm. That plan includes:
• To offer one live stream service each weekend (and replayed at the other current live stream times) in addition to a live stream of the midweek Lenten message, which can be found on Facebook and YouTube (Gather).
• To suggest regular ways to stay connected to fellow Christians, which we will share via email and social media posts (Group).
• To provide resources such as family devotions, recommended podcasts, fitting Bible reading plans, and much more so that each day is filled with Word of God (Grow).
• To encourage you, as finances allow, to generously support our ongoing ministry as well as care for those enduring financial hardship (Give).
• To give you ways to let your light shine brightly in a world that is covered in the dark clouds of fear (Go).
By God’s grace, we entered 2020 with a gifted staff and a strong digital presence, which means we are well equipped to keep our church family spiritually strong despite the distance we will now have to keep. Expect an update every weekday with any new information on our ministry situation as well as resources for your personal Roots.
Once again, thank you for your prayers, your support, and your trust. May God work all things out for his glory and our good. God bless you and keep you and may he be with you until we (physically) gather together again in person.
Sincerely,
The 922 Ministry Pastors & Leadership Teams
9th Annual “Swing for Success” Golf Outing Saturday, June 6, 2020 Irish Waters Golf Club – Freedom
All proceeds benefit the St. Peter Lutheran School Tuition Assistance Fund
The following SPONSORSHIPS are available, please check the one/ones you wish to support:
○ ○ ○
○ ○ ○ ○
○
○ ○
ALL of our sponsors and those donating prizes or silent auction items will be listed in the outing program.
Also, your support will be published in our July church newsletter. You may also put your business card in the golfer gift bags.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY SUPPORT YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE!
Name of Business:________________________________________________________
Phone Number:___________________________Contact Person:___________________ Please make all checks payable to St. Peter Lutheran and mail to:
St. Peter Lutheran; Attn: Golf Outing Committee N2740 French Rd., Appleton, WI 54913
EAGLE SPONSOR - $2,000
Includes: Team of four golfers, your business name
on the front of the outing flyer and on a banner at the registration table, a sign with your business name on the putting green, and you will
be acknowledged at various times during the outing.
LUNCH SPONSOR - $1,500
Includes: Two golfers, your business
name on the outing flyer, signage in the lunch area, and your business name will be acknowledged at various times during
the outing.
CART SPONSOR -
$1,000 Includes: Two golfers and a sign on every
golfer’s cart bearing the name of your business.
BEVERAGE SPONSOR - $750 Includes: One golfer, your business name will appear on the drink ticket that each golfer receives, and a sign on each of the beverage carts on the golf course.
