PASTOR’S CORNER

Moving Forward

Beginning on July 1, 2010 we at SPI will move forward with some changes that became necessary due to budgetary constraints.  Even though we are reducing the size of professional staff down to one pastor, the ministry of St. Peter-Immanuel will continue. I have long been a strong advocate of volunteers doing a variety of work within the church. To effectively carry out the work that God has given us, it will take the efforts of everyone who has laid claim to St. Peter-Immanuel as their church. 

Already this month, a number of your fellow members are going to start contacting other members about how we do the ministry of SPI.  Everything will be on the table for discussion including service times and days and even number of services as well as worship styles.  Plans need to be made based upon the needs and desires of the members and potential members of SPI in regard to worship, Bible study, Sunday school and music. If you are contacted, please share honestly.  If you receive a survey, please fill it out with as much information as possible.

In the middle of all of this, I am asking each of you to put on your daily agenda prayers for SPI to be able to continue sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all that we do.  The church is described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 & 5 as a body.  That body includes all of us connected to each other through our faith connection with Jesus.  You have been given your own gifts to be used  in this body. 

St. Peter-Immanuel has a great history.  But we must not forget, that is the past. Today, we are building the future and together we can make it a God-pleasing place that welcomes people of our community with the hope that is ours in Jesus.

Pray for SPI DAILY!

Pastor Don Weiss

school news

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

During the school year the children have heard this verse repeated many times as this verse along with the theme “Jesus Is The Only Way” came to life.  Once again, my thoughts focus on this verse and theme.

As summer approaches there is much “anticipation” in the air.  Couples may be anticipating a wedding, parents may be anticipating the birth of a child and families may be anticipating a family vacation.    Preparing for many of these events requires that details are attended to in order to assure that the anticipated event is enjoyable.

In much the same way, Jesus is doing some anticipation as well.  John 14:3 says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  As part of Jesus’ preparation for being with Him eternally He is attending to every detail. 

So, as you anticipate living with Jesus eternally, are you preparing for being with Him forever? Do you know that He loves you so much that He shed His blood for your sins, died and rose from the dead so that you may live with Him forever?  Are you attending to the details to ensure that your loved ones will be there also by sharing the message of Jesus?  I pray that you are.  So as you anticipate your earthly days, I pray that you will also anticipate eternity and living with Jesus.

Upcoming Events

Award’s Day                  Tues. June 1 at 1:30 PM  

Last Day of School        Wed. June 2 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM                             

8^th Grade Graduation  Wed. June 2 at 6:00 PM

Summer School        

Monday June 14-Wednesday June 30       

8:00 AM-12:00 PM

Information/Exchange Day

Thursday August 19 8:00 AM-12:00 PM

 & 4:00 PM-7:30 PM

Meet The Teacher    

Wednesday August 25   8:00 AM-3:00 AM

First Day of School               

Thursday August 26 7:30 AM-3:00 PM

VOTER’S MEETING

A Special Voter’s Meeting was held at 6:45 PM for the sole purpose to make a change to the SPI Bylaws.  37 Members were present.  After the new bylaw was read the meeting was adjourned.

The annual Voter’s Meeting was held on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.

45 members were present.

The minutes from the 2009 Voter’s Meeting were approved with corrections.  The Trustees reported on the two heating/cooling units that need to be replaced.  They also informed us of parking lot and cement issues that need fixing.  Those projects were in the budget as well as asking for congregational support. The Principal asked for contracts for faculty and support staff to be ratified.

A peaceful release was granted to both Dr. Little and Mrs. Wales, who are retiring on June 30, 2010.

All the pastoral acts for the year were presented by the Elders and accepted.  VBS is being planned for the last week of June.  Bible studies will continue on Sunday mornings throughout the summer, but will not be a series so if you miss some that is ok. 

The purposed Bylaw change was read, amended and approved.

The 2010-2011 Budget was passed as presented.

These are just some of the highlights.  If you have any questions, please see a member of the Leadership Team.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Join us at VBS Planet Zoom!!

Kids zip, zap and zoom at Planet Zoom.  They Zip into VBS and Zap God’s Word.  They help each other learn with memorable activities, confess that they BELIEVE in Jesus, our Savior, and then Zoom out to share Jesus’ love in the world.  Planet Zoom is open for ages 3-12 who will attend VBS, June 21-25 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. 

Kids meet friends, explore Bible stories, participate in fun activities, sing great songs, make crafts, play games and eat snacks.  We expect a great response, so enroll your child today.  To register, complete a form in the overflow area of church.

FROM THE TRUSTEES

Your help is needed to raise funds for the replacement of (2) rooftop HVAC units for the church / school office and gym.  Our Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning units for these locations are approximately 29 years old and must be replaced before next winter because of deteriorating mechanical and electrical components.  The typical life span for this type of equipment is 25 years.  The cost for this project is $25,000.  Along with the replacement of the (2) HVAC units, the duct work in the gym needs to be updated at a cost of $15,000.  Your help would be greatly appreciated if you are willing and able to donate financially.  All donations can be labeled Capital Improvements & Expansion Fund.  Progress of fundraising will be posted periodically.  Thank you for your support.  Any questions can be directed to Michael Tonn or Mark Swessel.

Your help is also needed to raise funds for the repair and resealing of our asphalt parking lot and replacement of concrete around the church and school.  Due to our Wisconsin climate, some of our asphalt and concrete have deteriorated rapidly over the past (2-3) years.  This includes most of the entrances into the building which have started to settle, making liability hazards for people coming and going from the church and school.  The cost for this project is approximately $25,000.  Your help would be greatly appreciated if you are willing and able to donate financially for this project as well.  All donations can be labeled Capital Improvements & Expansion Fund.  Progress of fundraising will be posted periodically.  Thank you for your support.  Any questions can be directed to Michael Tonn.

Bookstore

Come see the new Summer items now available.  It is open on Sunday mornings between services or if you need another time, please call Dorothea at (414) 353-9389.  All proceeds from the bookstore are used towards church or school projects.  Thanks for your patronage.

WHEELCHAIR MINISTRY

The generosity of both the school families and the church families has been overwhelming.  You are doing a super job and many people will benefit from our efforts. 

Even though times are very difficult for our families, with the Holy Spirit, all things are possible.

In the 3^rd Quarter we raised enough money for 32 chairs, so far in the 4^th Quarter we have 15 more.  We hope it will be 20 by the time you read this.

Thank you for your donations and may they continue to come in.  God Bless you all.

DEADLINE REMINDERS!

If you would like to put an announcement in the bulletin, you must submit all articles to the church office by 12:00 PM every TUESDAY of each week.

SPI online

Have you checked out the web page for SPI yet?  It gives you much needed information about the church and school.

If you would like the Messenger, Bulletin or Connection emailed to you, drop me an email at ellenkutz@yahoo.com and I will happily send it out when completed.

www.stpeterimmanuel.org

CHURCH OFFICE

Office Hours in June:

8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

unless otherwise noted.

Should you need help later, please call and let Ellen know, she will accommodate you whenever she can.

SHUT-INS

Grace Baumbach

Lucille Kuhm

Milda Becker

Bernie Mathis

Ersaline Martin

Edward Pufahl

Cynthia Gray

Doris Willie

Edna Hohndorf

Harvey Spiering

Donna Schoenwetter

other happenings

REGISTER TODAY FOR OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH'S HIGH SEAS EXPEDITION!  Vacation Bible School at Our Redeemer is being held July 19-23, 2010.  From 9 AM to noon each day, our High Seas Expedition will be filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences that your children entering 5K through those entering fifth grade can see, hear, touch, and even taste.  Bible Point crafts, team-building games, cool Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the activities that will help our children's faith flow into real life.  Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is located at 10025 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa 53226.  For questions or to register, please contact Kirsten Karraker at 414.258.4555, ext. 244.