The messenger. January Newsletter Deadline: Tuesday, December 20, Christmas Eve Services: 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM

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1 St. Peter Lutheran Church NON-PROFIT ORG. 422 North Pierce Street U.S. POSTAGE PAID Delphos, Ohio PERMIT #6 Phone: (419) DELPHOS, OHIO Website: Pastor Steve Nelson RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Join us for Christmas Eve Worship Services at 4 PM and 10 PM January Newsletter Deadline: Tuesday, December 20, 2016 The messenger Christmas Eve Services: 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM

2 The Messenger St. Peter Lutheran Church December 2016 FROM THE INTERIM PASTOR Advent emphasizes a time of waiting not just for the Christ child to be born, but when Jesus comes again. We do not know the time for this so that means that we wait. What do we do while we are waiting? How can we be followers of Jesus Christ if we are just waiting? The following was written by Regina Brett who is a columnist for The Plain Dealer. She writes, To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 50 this week, so here is an update. I love her words of advice because she uses humor and common sense to talk about the seriousness of life. See what you think. She writes 1. Life isn t fair, but it s still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Don t take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It s more healing than crying alone. 8. It s OK to get angry with God. God can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won t screw up the present. 12. It s OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn t be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don t worry; God never blinks. 16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying. 17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today. 18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write. 19. It s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don t take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don t save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don t wait for old age to wear purple. 24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

3 25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words In five years-will this matter? 26. Always choose life. 27. Forgive everyone everything 28. What other people think of you is none of your business. 29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. 30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 31. Your job won t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. 32. Believe in miracles. 33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn t do. 34. Whatever doesn t kill you really does make you stronger. 35. Growing old beats the alternative dying young. 36. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable. 37. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion. 38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else s, we d grab ours back. 40. Don t audit life. Show up and make the most of it. 41. Get rid of everything that isn t useful, beautiful, or joyful. 42. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 43. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 44. The best is yet to come. 45. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 46. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 47. If you don t ask, you don t get. 48. Yield. 49. Life isn t tied with a bow, but it s still a gift. Pastor Steve Nelson

4 General Announcements Radio ministry was given to the glory of God in November by: Leonard and Shirley Jarman Norma Koenig in memory of Ted Koenig Dave and Connie Stemen Mark and Linda Downey The flowers on the altar were given to the glory of God in November by: The Altar Guild in celebration of All Saints Day An anonymous donor in memory of Ralph, Ella, Ruth and Tom Theis Aaron, Jennifer and Caleb Trentman in celebration of Jacob s 8 th birthday Readers Needed for the first and second scripture lessons and the prayers during the worship service. Please sign up in the red book at the back of church. Quilting Day There is no quilting in December. The next quilting day is Wednesday, January 11th at 9:00 am. Quarterless Auction The date will be Saturday, March 4, We have already started buying some items ahead. If you would like to help us and pay for one or more of these items, you can write a check and make it payable to St. Peter Lutheran Church for the amount of your purchase. Please, in the memo section, of your check, mark that it is for the Quarterless Auction. We will also accept monetary contributions, which helps us buy the needed items. If you have any questions, please contact Susan McGue (419) or Angie Miller (419) Items picked up so far: Apollo Precision Tool Kit/ $11.03, Amazon Fire Stick/$27.00, 7 Fire Tablet/$37.08, Amazon Echo/$ Old Shark 3in1 Wide Lens for phone camera/$5.99 OSU Crockpot $48.02 Comforter / $40.34 T-Ball Set/$7.47 Chalk Board Message Center/$14.42 OSU Cinch Sack/$16.20 Striped Duffel/$10.66 Bissell Sweeper/$56.65 Canvas Tote Bag/$25.25 Swarovski Earrings/$14.30

5 Condolences of the congregation to the family of Ella Theis, whose funeral service was held at St. Peter on November 7, STEEPLE FUND RAISER A TALL CHALLENGE We have ongoing repair issues that needed taken care of. We have been assessing the exterior of the buildings. Our steeple, bell tower and the perma - stone, (block covering the exterior) are in need of attention. We also have a small roof at the rear behind where the organ is located that needs attention. OUR GOAL IS $25, We have been informed by the contractors that they may not have time to do the work this year and we will have to wait until Spring. We will have a chart posted in the entry way to show where we are on raising the funds. Donated funds should be clearly marked for "STEEPLE FUND." This is above and beyond normal giving. Anyone needing to discuss this, please contact one of us. THANK YOU. Property committee: Dan Kramer, Eric Fritz, Randy Rinehart To date we have raised $14, of the $25, needed. Special Dates for December: Christmas Eve Service will be Saturday, December 24 th at 4PM and 10PM. ALtar Guild Altar Guild s regular monthly meetings are the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Tuesday, December 6th at 6:00 pm. Please pray for the following family and friends: Jim Bryan, Jim Schimmoeller, Jimmy Foote, Christopher Alger, Linda Mayer, Serena Coulter, Chad Wiechart, Dave Gunter and Jenny DeCamp. Poinsettias will be placed in front of the altar for Christmas Eve Services. Cost per 6 red, white or pink poinsettia will be $7.50 each. Deadline for ordering is December 4 th. Envelopes are in pews and on tables in back of church. If you have questions, please talk to an Altar Guild Member.

6 News for Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Good Morning/Good Shepherd Bible Study Bible study will be Wednesday, December 14 th at 10:30 am in Fellowship Hall. The December Bible Study is titled: What wants to be born in you? WELCA The scheduled meeting is Monday, December 12 th at 7:00 pm. InReach/OutReach The next InReach/OutReach Meeting is Wednesday, December 7th at 6:30 PM. Thank you for supporting the Buckeye Candy Fundraiser. The InReach/OutReach Team was able to raise $ for the Steeple Restoration Project. Keep our Military Friends and Family in your Prayers: Jonathan Staples Army National Guard Stateside John & Amber Becket Air Force Dalzell SC Mike Hershberger Navy San Diego CA Fred Hasting Navy Stateside Collin Swick Navy Gainesville FL

7 Remember our Shut-ins Vancrest Health Care Carl Dienstberger 1425 E Fifth St. E. Fourth St. Delphos, OH Delphos OH Melvin Kloeppel Pat Wreede DECEMBER BIRTHDAYs 1) Sheri Swick 15) David Allemeier 1) Taylor Baxter 15) Noelle Prine 2) Austin Munshower 16) Robert Wortman 3) Alexa Marlow 16) Daniel Marlow 4) Margene Freund 17) Jonathan Finn 4) Angie Miller 18) Cathy Wreede 5) Dan Dienstberger 19) Carolyn Rice 8) Kate Blue 20) Martina Himmeger 12) Corey Kloeppel 20) Leonard Prine, Jr 13) Patti Calvert 21) Kyrstin Warnecke 13) Susan Grothouse 23) Kenadi Brinkman 13) Paul Ralston 26) Sue Vasquez 14) Leslie Shafer 26) Mike Finn 14) Ryan Nomina 28) William Turner 15) Marianne Wollet 28) Renee Carder 14) Amy Nighswander 28) Dylan Brinkman 28) Elaine Wiechart 29) Troy Kloeppel The Delphos Community Christmas Project committee sincerely thanks each person and group who has made any contributions in the past. Last year, 360 children living in the Delphos School District were provided with toys and clothing and 153 fruit plates were delivered to our elderly and shut in residents. Food baskets were also provided for 159 families. The committee begins its work in early November. The names of those in need come in, the families are interviewed and their needs are established. After this, the shoppers go to work. We deliver the gifts and fruit plates with the help of St. John and Jefferson students. Our delivery day this year will be Tuesday, December 20 th, The names of children needing clothing and toys, persons needing food or shut-in to be remembered with a fruit plate should be sent to: Community Christmas Project, General Delivery, Delphos, Ohio Monetary donations may also be sent to the same address. Thank you for helping the less fortunate in our community. Any questions or concerns may be directed to Edna Fischer, chairwoman ( ).

8 Offering Recap for November 2016 Worship attendance for Worship attendance for Worship attendance for Worship attendance for Worship attendance for Amount needed each week to meet approved budget for 2016 $2, Total donations received for General Operating Fund $1, we missed our goal by $ $2, we missed our goal by $ $1, we missed our goal by $ $1, we missed our goal by $ $1, we missed our goal by $ Year-to-date $6, We love seeing you at our weekly service. If you aren t able to attend please remember that our bills continue to arrive in the mail and your generous donations are greatly appreciated weekly. Thank you! THRIVENT ACTION TEAM TRAINING: Are you a Thrivent Financial member? Would you like to know more about Thrivent Action Teams and how to apply for one? Thrivent Action Team application training will be offered by Wayne Karges, Office Professional, at the Van Wert Thrivent Financial office the last Wednesday of each month in 2016 at 10 am and 4 pm. Call by the Monday before to reserve your spot. Please call by Monday, before 4 pm to register for your training time. Thrivent Financial, Lincoln Hwy., Van Wert, OH If you are an eligible Thrivent member, you likely are aware of this easy, convenient way to help make a difference for organizations you care about. The Thrivent Choice program offers a way for eligible members to recommend where Thrivent Financial distributes some of its charitable grant funds each year. Eligible benefit members are designated Choice Dollars that they can direct, thereby recommending charitable grant funding for their choice among thousands of enrolled churches and nonprofit organizations, including St. Peter Lutheran Church. These funds are funneled through WELCA and have supported maintenance projects within our church. In 2016, St. Peter has received $1, to date.

9 COMmmunity Ecumenical Christmas Service is on Sunday, December 4 th, 7:30 PM. The Delphos Ministerial Association will present an evening of music and reflections at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Soloists and groups from various churches are involved, as well as young people from Jefferson and St. John s High Schools. Mark your calendar All are invited to spread the joyous music of Christmas in our community on Sunday, December 11 th. We ll meet at the home of Bob and Kathy Ulm at 415 Wayne Street at 1:00pm for food and a little refreshment. Then we will sign at Vancrest Assisted Living and Sara Jane Living Center as well as homes of local shut-ins who would like to hear a little holiday singing. We ll wrap up the afternoon with more food and refreshments. Come join us for all or part of the afternoon. There is no such thing as a voice too bad to share. All are welcome! Fort Jennings High School, Sunday, December 11, 2016, 3:00 PM All seats $8.00, door. All proceeds go to HS band students traveling to Disney in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids--probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem - and the fun - when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on! This delightful comedy is adapted from the best-selling Young Adult book, and has become a holiday staple for groups across the United States! This heart-warming play features plenty of great roles for children and adults, a few favorite Christmas Carols, and a lot of laughs! Christmas Concert by Hallelujah Saints Band at Elida High School Auditorium at 401 E. North St, Elida, Ohio on Wednesday, December 16th at 7:00pm. Mikaela J. Ubs is the guest harpist. Love offering at the door. Landeck Elementary School celebrating 100 th birthday. Open house is Sunday, Dec. 4 th from 9:30-11:00am. You are invited to walk the halls of Landeck Tech. If you ever wanted to check out our school, or you re a past student and want a walk down memory lane. Please come.

10 SERVICE TIME ACOLYTES COMMUNION USHERS December 4 10:00 AM Lauren French Dan Kramer Aaron Trentman Alan Trentman Volunteers MONEY COUNTERS-Yvonne Koenig, Rick Dienstberger ALTAR GUILD Linda Mayer, Angie Miller, Jane Gonyea SERVICE TIME ACOLYTES COMMUNION USHERS December 11 10:00 AM Matthew Weitzel Aaron Trentman Ron Kloeppel Eric Fritz Volunteers MONEY COUNTERS- Yvonne Koenig, Rick Dienstberger ALTAR GUILD Linda Mayer, Angie Miller, Jane Gonyea SERVICE TIME ACOLYTES COMMUNION USHERS December 18 10:00 AM Kaiden Trentman Ryan Trentman Bob Kloeppel Ken Kloeppel Volunteers MONEY COUNTERS- Yvonne Koenig, Rick Dienstberger ALTAR GUILD Linda Mayer, Angie Miller, Jane Gonyea SERVICE TIME ACOLYTES COMMUNION USHERS December 24 4:00 PM Colin Koebel Jordan Koebel Chuck Hoersten Troy Calvelage Dave Mayer Bob Wortman Volunteers SERVICE TIME ACOLYTES COMMUNION USHERS December 24 10:00 PM Paige Kloeppel Ron Kloeppel Aaron Kloeppel Dan Kramer Volunteers SERVICE TIME ACOLYTES COMMUNION USHERS December 25 10:00 PM Volunteer Volunteer Volunteers MONEY COUNTERS:Yvonne Koenig, Rick Dienstberger ALTAR GUILD- Linda Mayer, Angie Miller, Jane Gonyea

11 SERVICE TIME ACOLYTES COMMUNION USHERS January 1 10:00 PM Emily Dienstberger Dave Stemen Volunteers MONEY COUNTERS: Sue Kloeppel, Deb Trentman ALTAR GUILD- Susan McGue, Donna Berger

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