Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

We are delighted to announce that Robin Johnson has chosen to be ordained at Saint Peter, to go forth in ministry of Word and Sacrament. All who are similarly delighted to cheer her on are invited to bear witness on:

A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
If you cannot attend in person, please feel free to join the livestream link.

Can you believe it? Saint Peter Lutheran Church will be 50 years old this coming December, so we’re going to celebrate on December 7th, 2023.

As we prepare for the celebration, we’re looking for photos, newspaper articles, or other information related to important happenings throughout the life of the church. Items of interest might include celebrations, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, or youth group events. If you or someone you know might have these items of interest or know where we might locate them, please contact us and include “Anniversary Info” in the subject line. We’re pretty sure there are wedding and baby albums scattered thither and yon that can attest to the many happy occasions that took place at SPLC.

Meanwhile, take a look at this history of our church.

You’re invited to come on into our “inner sanctum” (ok, conference room) and “wade” into a beautiful Bible study about Philippians.

Starts: Late August
When: Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
Place: Church Conference Room
Leader: Rev. Wade Brinkopf

From September through May, everyone is invited to casual Wednesday night worship followed by a soup supper, all of which is fondly known as Wonderful Wednesdays. During this time we may try new service styles or learn new songs. We use a special songbook and service format to just explore new ways of spending time with each other and our Lord.

Soup suppers are potluck-style, with members signing up to provide their favorite homemade soups and breads. Ok, sometimes you may notice a not-homemade soup or bread, but we welcome all culinary experiences to the Wonderful Wednesday format.

So get out your cookbook or look around at local options and get ready to wow us with your taste sensations. And get ready to be wowed. Wonderful Wednesdays are great like that. Bet you can’t wait for September.

Time sped by this summer as VBS week arrived and flew away just as quickly amidst a torrent of fun and activities. More than 60 children, both local and visiting the area, joined staff and a giant group of volunteers at Saint Peter Lutheran Church for Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity.

Each day brought with it a Bible verse about how God is always with us when we’re experiencing strange new circumstances, when we’re afraid, and especially when we feel lost and alone. We heard from Daniel about his experiences as he faced dire challenges and watched his friends thrown into the fiery furnace. Babylonian artisans invited the children to sample crafts like print-making and building treasure chests. Above all, we learned the value of friendship and faith.

At the end of our time together, we celebrated with a meal and learned new songs. The week culminated in a demonstration for the parents with a song and tribe cheers, and a playtime outside on the giant slide. Click here for a slide show.

The handbell choir celebrated the finish of a busy year in May 2023, performing on Mother’s Day for both services. Leader Cynthia Ledbetter reported that she was thrilled with the ringers’ progress in the few years since the choir was created. During the summer break she has sent the bells out for maintenance, and is looking forward to a shiny new year of ringing ensemble pieces beginning in September.

The Giving Garden is enjoying its second full season this year, and the giving just gets better. Since construction began in the fall of 2021, the garden has expanded with additional raised beds each spring. This year we have five beds solely devoted to several species of tomatoes, including cherry and heirloom. In the other beds we’re growing eggplant, collard greens, carrots, runner beans, radishes, and more.

With much anticipation, several committees at Saint Peter pulled out the stops for Pastor Wade Brinkopf’s installation ceremony on June 25, 2023. The church began the day with a Unity service so all members could enjoy the event as one body.

The service was presided over by Reverend Jonathan Conrad, chair of the Synod’s Campus Ministry Team and Senior Pastor of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilmington. Our Church President, J. Taylor Ryan, issued the formal invitation to serve Saint Peter Lutheran Church in the capacity of Associate Pastor. Pastor Jason Huebner and the congregation then joined in, pledging their support to Pastor Wade.

The ceremony was followed by a reception with tents and outdoor seating planned by Dan Sees and prepared by the members of the Property Committee, and a fabulous menu developed by Ann Larson and prepared by the members of the Fellowship Committee. After starting everyone off with shrimp cocktail, members selected from a buffet menu of pulled pork, chicken salad, Waldorf salad, and salmon followed by cupcakes topped with white chocolate decorations. Everyone received keepsakes featuring Pastor Wade’s favorite Bible verse, Romans 8:32.

Click here to view a slideshow of the event.

Fascinators and fancy hats, friendship, fun, and food presided at the first annual Ladies’ Afternoon Tea. The event was organized by the Fellowship Committee and spearheaded by Connie Zaenglein and Keidra Koenig. The inaugural event took place on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Ladies from both services joined together at a most elegant English Tea Party.

They discovered tables adorned with vintage tea sets, two types of tea, and the best part of tea – fancy sandwiches and treats. After the sandwiches, the ladies enjoyed a compote filled with assorted spreads, as well as scones and other mini desserts. The conversation was plentiful throughout the meal. Tea time wrapped up on a high note; a raffle for six vintage teacups donated by John Schroeder.

This springtime event was so successful, we’re looking forward to tea time every year! What a fitting finale to the monthly ladies’ luncheons that take place at various area restaurants beginning in September. Click here to view photos from the 2023 event.