Author: St Peter Office

The Bellringer

January 2023

From Pastor Matt

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
When I was a kid I used to think that the winter peaked at Christmas. It never occurred to me that the few snow days we got at school were usually in – There is a momentum that starts in the fall that builds up and then reaches a crescendo at Christmas, followed by another week of levity and then New Year’s. But then it’s back to school or work, and attempts to write the correct year (or make that 2 look like a 3.)
At church, however, Christmas reaches its conclusion on Epiphany – this is the day when we traditionally celebrate the arrival of the Magi, the three Kings. This was once considered an essential church day, so important, in fact, that the carol The 12 Days of Christmas developed as a clever way for people to count down the days. Since December 25 can be on any day of the week, so too can Epiphany. (this year it is Friday, January 6). We will celebrate it the weekend of January 7-8.
Today, however, we tend to lose track of it – we’ve moved our attention and our countdown to New Year’s Day.
Epiphany is a day about light, the day we realize that the light of the World has come into the world, and been revealed to the nations. A light that starts in that manger in Bethlehem but shines outward into all of creation. It shines at the start of time, and continues until the end.
Friends, rejoice, our Savior Jesus Christ has come. May the light of this Good News shine upon you in this New Year, and may God bless you!

- Soli Deo Gloria, Pastor Matthew Agee

From Pastor Calvin

I’m officially starting year 3 at St Peter! Woohoo!
Thank you again for trusting the Holy Spirit’s lead for you to call a second pastor, and for taking a risk on a Minnesotan. Ha!
As I look to a third year as the Associate Pastor, I am looking with great hope. It got me thinking about hope in general, and what a gift it is from God. Hope is light in darkness. Hope is trust during uncertainty. Hope is faith in a God that is living, active, and work in our world. Hope is paying attention. What a gift!
I see things that continue to give me hope in our congregation. A record breaking Trunk or Treat last year with literally hundreds of people that came through our parking lot. With other 40 cars, and teams of volunteers welcoming strangers and offering them a safe, fun place to take their kids.
I see hope in our youth ministry that continues to grow. In students that are welcoming to others, that really like each other, and that actually enjoy coming to church. I see hope in the volunteers who give of their time every week to invest in the faith lives of our young people.
I see hope in our new members, that continue to join our congregation. I see hope in the new relationships that are built, and the meaningful conversations that happen between services. I see hope in new faces on boards and in groups, in new pledges made to the church’s stewardship drive, and in new gifts of time and talent being given.
2023 is a year that fills me with hope and anticipation. I can’t wait to see what God is up to in our congregation this year!

- Peace in Christ, Pastor Calvin Konop

Christian Education News from Miriam

“Such Good News!” was this year’s Children’s Christmas Message. God come to be right here with us in Jesus is Such Good News we just have to share it, but “Questioning Kid” wanted some of his questions answered about parts of the Christmas Story. You can find our Children’s message on our YouTube page as part of St Peter’s December 18 worship service.
Text by – Miriam Bjornstad Theme song — “Hush, There’s A Baby!” – Maynard’s Groovy Bible Tunes
Characters:
Video Background Singers: Aiden Wernimont, Nora Schoeny, Maggie Michel, and Lily Michel
Cast and chorus included 40 students PreK – 5th grade
Thanks to all the kids for their hard work on the Christmas Message!
___________________________________________________________________________________
NOISY OFFERING:
Our current “noisy” offering we go Global with ELCA Good Gifts. Our 3rd – 5th graders will help us decide which animals to purchase or projects to support with the coins we collect. This project started on Christmas Day and go until the start of Lent on February 19, which is also Transfiguration Sunday. We have collected $97.22 so far. Thanks!
Our “noisy” offering through December 18 was to help out the Mission Support Board with the Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) Angel Tree. We collected over $200 in coins! Thank you for your generosity!
_________________________________________________
Sunday School classes resume on January 8, 2023
Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be July 31 – August 4, 2023

Questioning Kid – Wyatt Meier
Answering Kid 1 and Narrator 3 – Owen Michel
Answering Kid 2, Narrators 1 and 5– Thomas Welter
Prophet Isaiah – Josh Scheirer
Angel Gabriel – Cooper Hillebrand
Mary – Stella Schoeny
Narrator 2 and King Herod – Kiefer Kapp
Joseph – Oliver Reed
Answering Kid 3 – Paisley Egdorf
Answering Kid 4 – Aria Wernimont
Answering Kid 5 – Mackenzie Bousson
Narrator 4 – Cooper Hess
Lead Angel – Ella Jasiczek
Shepherd 1 – Aaron Munson
Shepherd 2 – Devon Zauche
Shepherd 3 – Landyn Lynch
Answering Kid 6 – Aiden Connolly
Answering Kid 7 –Jane Agee
Wise Man 1 – Cameron Hillebrand
Wise Man 2 – Cole Schoenhard
Wise Man 3 – Kade Schroeder

Youth Ministry News from Pastor Calvin

MIDDLE SCHOOL / Confirmation (Grades 6-8)
What’s happening this January?
January 4 - No Confirmation (leader’s meeting at Pastor Calvin’s house)
January 11 - Confirmation Resumes!
January 18 - INVITE NIG
January 25 - Service Project @ Dubuque Food Pantry
January 27-29 - Winter Retreat @ Camp Ewalu!
Looking back: In December of 2022, just before Christmas, our students went door to door asking for donations of non-perishable food items for the Dubuque Food Pantry. They trudged door to door in the rain, talked to strangers, & collected 209 items of food! If you see a middle schooler, thank them for their service to our community and for being so brave!
HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY (Grades 9-12)
High Schoolers, this summer we are going to Summer Festival Camp! This camp is run by the same people who did our large group gatherings at the Synod Youth Gathering last summer. We will be going in July, Sunday the 9th through Wednesday the 12th. It will be held at Gustavus Adolphus Campus in Southern Minnesota. It’s for students who have finished grades 9-12. Since this is our first year going to this camp, we’ll be providing a scholarship for everyone who registers. More information will come out in an email to high school families this month!
Lastly, our Wednesday gatherings resume from 7-8pm on Wednesday, January 11. See you then!
If you have questions about any of the above items, reach out to Pastor Calvin pastorcalvin@stpeterdbq.org

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From the Council President

Welcome to 2023 and goodbye to 2022. Overall, I think 2022 was a great year for St Peter Lutheran. We welcomed many new members into our church community, but unfortunately said goodbye to some who either moved away or passed away. We will miss all of you.
I will have more to say about 2022 in my article in the upcoming Annual Report to the Congregation.
I want to thank our Pastors and all our staff for all their dedicated service in providing us a very meaningful Advent and Christmas season. And then of course all our member volunteers for a great Children’s Message, Live Nativity, Christmas Services, and everything else that took place in December.
I want to give a special shout out to Jim Daack. Jim retired in December after 19 years of dedicated service to St. Peter and many of our members. As Visitation/Outreach Minister Jim supported our Clergy by providing much appreciated personal contact and support for many of our aging members. He was always there as a good listener and friend for so many of our members over the years. You will be greatly missed in this role Jim, but we look forward to seeing you every week either at choir, worship, or as a volunteer. Best wishes!
Though as I write this article, we do not have final giving numbers for December it appears that your strong financial support has continued through all of 2022. Thank you again for your support for our Mission here at St Peter. The full financials will be provided at the Annual Meeting scheduled for Sunday, January 29, 2023, after 10:30am service in the Sanctuary. It will also be on Zoom.
Your Stewardship Board & Council are in conversation about our budget for 2023. Your pledges have provided us with much encouragement that 2023 will also be a solid year financially and that we will be able to provide all the services and programming that we have become a custom to and probably more. We continue to find ways to do God’s work here at St. Peter.
In closing I want to thank everyone of you for your continued support of our Mission in God’s name.
God Bless, Doug Horstmann, Congregation President

Attention College Students: Have you heard about our Lumley Scholarship Fund?
St. Peter Lutheran Church was the recipient of a significant portion of the estate of Louise Lumley, upon her death in 2010. The “Lumley Scholarship Fund” was established,
with the direction that the annual investment earnings be given as scholarships to a student who:
Has been a member of St. Peter for one year AND who attends an ELCA Lutheran College or University.
If you have questions or would be interested in receiving the scholarship,
please notify Donnelle Fuerste at 563-663-8111 or any member of the St. Peter Foundation for further details.
Other Foundation members are: Mark Whitaker, Alex Larson, Amy Fishwild, and Alan Lumley.

From Our Intern Pastor

We will be taking the first few weeks of January off of Adult Education, as we finish and all wind down from the Christmas season. Also, Intern Pastor Laura will be taking a Wartburg trip to Israel and Palestine January 3-18.
Please rejoin us for Adult Ed, though, as we get back into the swing of things on January 22 with
UnityPoint Finley Hospital chaplain, Claudia. Claudia will be sharing with us about spiritual care support for patients and their families in their decision making process to palliative and hospice care. This is a topic that can feel overwhelming to many and spiritual care is often underutilized in a hospital setting. Chaplain Claudia will share with us the kind of support we can receive from the spiritual care department when faced with these challenging decisions.
On January 29, Ray Kruse, a food systems program coordinator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is excited to share with us how soils in Dubuque county are made. He will also be telling us about the many programs that are available through Extension to learn more this Spring.
Laura Jasiczek, Intern Pastor

Upcoming
Adult Ed
Topics

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Live Nativity

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Annual Live Nativity this year!
Another great success! We even appeared in the Heritage Works Holiday 2022 video—Pastor Matt was interviewed about our mosaic and St. Peter history. Visit their website to learn more about them and Click here to watch the video
-Paul Scherner, Live Nativity Chair, 2022
Click here to go to our Facebook page and see Live Nativity photos & videos

Property Board Update

As many of you will recall, back in 2018 we received a very generous gift from the estate of one of our members, Kate Dean, in the amount of $827,000 for our use for building and grounds needs. At that time the congregation decided to nnput $400,000 of these funds in an investment account and use the earnings from this account to provide our annual maintenance needs.
Since then, your Property Board has been actively making improvements to the church properties. These projects include: a new roof, new digital sign out front, bell tower update, new air conditioning in the education wing, flooring, a major kitchen remodel, boiler updates, and many smaller repairs throughout.
We have been able to make many of these investments with the uninvested proceeds of Kate’s gift & regular maintenance items with the annual earnings. We are nearing the point of not having large sums remaining for some larger needs. We continue to receive earnings so are not going to have trouble maintaining our buildings in the future. However, there are some medium-sized projects we would like to consider performing earlier than the earning can support.
Two projects that some of you identified and the Property Board would like to complete include:
Painting and repairs to the exterior of the Church House.
The house is showing deterioration around some of the windows and paint is peeling on the doors, soffits and window trim. Cost to make these repairs is estimated at $5,000. Costs would include materials and labor.
2) We would also like to construct a storage room in the Fellowship Hall to store items that are not used daily and for items for various educational programs, Mission Support projects, etc. The room would help to keep the hall clean and uncluttered including chairs, tables, Bible School items, mission project donations, and more. The estimated cost is $3,000 for materials with member volunteers providing the labor.
In the past some of our members have asked if there might be any projects that they might be able to financially support. This would be a time, and the project, if you are so inclined to help. These projects could be done with Dean funds or possible Memorial funds, but this will delay their completion.
For more info and/or if you would be interested in helping financially, please contact me or one of our Pastors.
This request to ask the congregation for financial support has been approved by the Church Council.
Thank you in advance. Your support is valued.
Wayne Buchholtz, Property Director 563-582-7215 | waynebuchholtz@gmail.com

Mission Support Report
“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things” Psalms 98:1
The Christmas Angel Tree for Lutheran Services of Iowa (LSI) was a wonderful success!
Your enthusiasm and donations brightened and shared joy for many in our community this Christmas.
Our board is grateful for the time and donations our congregation supported in 2022.
We look forward to contributing to the mission of our church in the year ahead.
We appreciate your suggestions and comments.
Our next meeting for Mission Support will be January 3 at 5pm.
Happy New Year, Patty Strathman, Director of Mission Support

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Gwen’s Pantry Update:
We are always accepting donations for personal care items, including:
Kleenex (pocket packs work great!), Deodorant (solids for winter please), Dental Floss,
Toothbrushes, Mouthwash, bar soap, First Aid items, shampoo, lotion, etc.
Accepting full-size, travel-size (collect them while vacationing!), multi-packs.
Partial packs of diapers and feminine products can be repackaged.
Other personal care items (NO MEDS) always welcome. Thank You!
Volunteer stockers always needed—contact a member of Evangelical Outreach.
Donations of items not required be a stocker, as you will be using items from our supply.
Questions? contact Cindy Widmar or Jean Kapp

St. Peter Groups & Meeting Info
New friends always welcome, come see what we are about!
Bible Study—Wednesdays at 6pm, led by Pastor Matt, Zoom option (see below)
Quilting Group—Meets first Thursday of the month in the Fellowship Hall—contact Alice Wagner for more info
Spruce Up Group—First & third Tuesdays 8:30am (come when you can)—Contact Wayne Buchholtz
Men’s Bible Study—Meets third Saturday of the month at 8am, Zoom option—Contact Gary Rieniets
Prayer Shawl Group—Meets third Thursday of the month—Knit and Crochet, with Prayer and Fellowship
Men’s Breakfast—Meets last Saturday at 8am (except June, July, & Aug and Dec 2022)—Contact Mark Whitaker
Zoom Book Club—Meets monthly on Wednesdays at 5pm (see below)—Contact Jean Rieniets for more info
Worship Servants—Volunteer at Worship Services, contact Scott Brondyke or the office
God’s Outdoor Explorers—Meets monthly on third Thursday—Ques? Steve Fishwild—sfishwild@gmail.com

St. Peter Lutheran Online Links

Here are our most requested online links:
Facebook: facebook.com/stpeterdubuque (Please “Like” our Facebook page while you are there!)
YouTube: youtube.com/stpeterlutherandubuque (most past live streams & special music videos are available)
Website: stpeterdbq.org (did you know our calendar is posted on our website?)
PayPal: http://stpeterdbq.org/give (a secure way for you to donate to St. Peter online)
Mediacom: Channel 81 or 117-4 (see calendar on page 6 for the TV schedule for Worship)
Bible Study—Wednesdays 6pm: Zoom Link–Click Here (We will start again on January 11)
Book Club on Zoom: Click Here for Zoom Link (Monthly at 5 pm-next meeting Jan 4, contact Jean Rieniets for info)
LIVESTREAM UPDATE: Weekly Worship Service also available live online at 8:15am or 10:30am Sundays,
on our YouTube channel. (see page 6 or page 8 for a schedule)
If you have questions, please call the office, 563-583-0860 or email us at office@stpeterdbq.org

Offering Plate Options

The ongoing ministries of St. Peter are made possible by your financial support. Thank you!!

Bring it with you | Mail it | Drop off your offerings or envelopes in one of our secure mailboxes, located near the south entrance of church. They are checked several times a day, during the week. (feel free to use either one, both are locked)
Set Up a Direct Withdrawal from your bank, using VANCO. Contact the office for info. (also available for the Pastor Fund). If you need to update your existing direct withdrawal, contact the office.
Donate via PayPal. Here’s how:
Go to www.stpeterdbq.org/give and then select the Donate button. You will be taken to the St. Peter PayPal page. From there you can use your PayPal account, credit card or debit card to donate. (You do not need to set up a PayPal account to donate with your credit/debit card.)
Or, from your cell phone you can simply scan the QR Code here and it will take you directly to the St. Peter PayPal page.

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St. Peter’s Calendar for January 2023

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2 / Office Closed / Evangelical Outreach Bd Mtg 6pm / Property Bd Mtg 7pm / YH-TOPS 5pm	3 / Spruce Up Group 8:30am / Staff Mtg 10:45am / Mission Support Bd Mtg 5pm	4 / Book Club Zoom 5pm	5 / Quilting Group / 9 am-3 pm / Fellowship Hall / Ecumenical Emmaus Mtg 7pm	6 / Epiphany	7 / Worship / 4:30pm (L)
8 Epiphany / Worship 8:15am (P) / Valentine Baptisms / 8:15am / Coffee Hour 9:15am / Sun School 9:15am / Worship 10:30am (L)	9 / Stewardship Bd Mtg 5:45pm / Council Mtg 7pm / YH-TOPS 5pm	10 / Staff Mtg 10:45am / Hymn Selection 1:30pm	11 / Dinner for Families-free will 5:30pm / Bible Study 6pm / Confirmation 6pm / Young Families 6pm / Choir 6:30pm / HS Youth Group 7pm	12	13	14 / Worship / 4:30pm (L) / New Member Weekend
15 / New Member Weekend / Worship 8:15am (P) / Coffee Hour 9:15am / Sun School 9:15am / Worship 10:30am (L)	16 / Martin Luther King Jr Day / Worship Bd Mtg 6pm / Congregational Life Bd Mtg 7pm / YH-TOPS 5 pm	17 / Spruce Up Group 8:30am / Staff Mtg 10:45am	18 / Dinner for Families-free will 5:30pm / Bible Study 6pm / Confirmation Christmas Party 6pm / Young Families 6pm / Choir 6:30pm / HS Youth Group 7pm	19 / Prayer Shawl Group 6 pm / God’s Outdoor Explorers 6 pm	20 / FEBRUARY / BELLRINGER DEADLINE	21 / Men’s Bible / Study 8am / Worship / 4:30pm (L) / Bingo! At St. Peter / 6pm sponsored by Congregational Life
22 / Worship 8:15am (P) / Coffee Hour 9:15am / Sun School/Adult Ed / 9:15am / Worship 10:30am (L)	23 / Education Bd Mtg 6:30pm / YH-TOPS 5 pm	24 / Staff Mtg 10:45am	25 / Dinner for Families-free will 5:30pm / Bible Study 6pm / Confirmation Christmas Party 6pm / Young Families 6pm / Choir 6:30pm / HS Youth Group 7pm	26	27 / MS Winter Retreat / Jan 27-29	28 / Men’s Breakfast / 8am / Worship / 4:30pm (L) / MS Winter Retreat Jan 27-29
MS Winter Retreat Jan 27-29 / Worship 8:15am (P) / Coffee Hour 9:15am / Sun School/Adult Ed / 9:15am / Worship 10:30am (L) / Annual Meeting 11:30am See pg 3&7	30	31 / Staff Mtg 10:45am

We will continue to offer a Zoom option when possible. Please contact your group’s leadership for updated meeting info. If you need help with Zoom, please contact the pastors or the office.

Mediacom TV Schedule:
Channels 81 and 117-4
Mon 10 am Tue 6 pm
Wed 8 am Thurs 6 pm
Fri 8 pm Sat 4:30 pm
Sun 8:30 am and 7:30 pm

Please Note:
The office will be closed on Monday, January 2, for the New Year’s holiday.

(P) = Praise & Worship (was “Contemporary”) (L) = Liturgical (was “Traditional”) Communion offered at all services

LIVESTREAM UPDATE:
Beginning January 8, our livestream switch between 8:15 and 10:30 every other week. For this month it will be:
Jan 8 & 22 will be at 8:15am
Jan 15 & 29 will be at 10:30am

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Celebrating our Church Community

January Birthdays

2 Sandra Plumley
3 Rich Corfman
4 Amy Kettmann
5 Ric Maiers
Ally Zauche
9 Andrew Peter
11 Owen Michel
13 Larry Conrad
Elise Kluck
Emma Oftedahl
14 Darleen Sarvis
Mark Von Hollen
15 Patrick Cannon
16 Beverly Enderson
Chad Biermeier
Joyce Horstmann
Christine Rapp
19 Molly Brackett
Olivia Robey
20 Rick Mueller
22 Lou Ann Meyer
Doug Recker
23 Kenneth Haugen
CJ Jentz
Trisha Weitz
24 Ann Mauritzson
Chase Puls
Doris Tomter
26 Vanessa Delgado
28 Lauren DeMotta
Martha Kemp
Marcia Kramer
Larry McChristy
29 Carrie Brondyke
Tyler Hess
30 Shelby Maas
Andrea Ricklefs
31 Donna Beadle
Zoey Kettmann

“ I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” - Philippians 1:3-5

We Remember
We remember those affiliated with our
congregation who have died in the past ten years.
January 27, 2014 Jerry Kennedy
January 6, 2016 Aaron Kupferschmidt
January 13, 2017 Carol Gantenbein
January 14, 2017 Rosemary Zauche
January 17, 2017 Joan Schmitt
January 24, 2017 John Hess
January 16, 2018 Virginia McNamer
January 7, 2020 Lester LaPage
January 12, 2020 Gordon Wells
January 24, 2020 Gary Mauritzson
January 2, 2021 Roberta Meyer
January 26, 2022 Dale Maas
January 27, 2022 Daryl Tetterton

The 2023 Altar Flower Calendar is up! Stop over by the
office and claim your date(s). Please fill out one of the
gold forms (located below the calendar) & turn it in to the office, so we have what we need when it comes time to order your altar flowers! Thank you!
You may also click here to download an altar flower info form

I would like to thank everyone for your support and help for all these years. I would also like to thank all for their part in cards, gifts, and well-wishes on my retirement.
God’s love and peace to you,
Jim Daack

Annual Meeting of the Congregation
The St. Peter Lutheran Church Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held Sunday, January 29, 2022 following the 10:30am Worship Service.
At this time, we plan to hold the meeting in the sanctuary, with a Zoom option. All voting members are encouraged to attend in person, if possible. (See Doug’s article on page 3)

Did You Know? We have Greeting Cards & Napkins:
Greeting Cards for All Occasions are available in our library year-round! They make great gifts—especially when paired with stamps! Individual cards and full boxes are available. Prices (very reasonable) are marked on the back of each box.
Napkins: Packages of festive-patterned napkins are available to purchase year-round (by the cards)
All proceeds go to St. Peter Mission Support.
Thank you Janet McEvoy,
for your continued organization of this ministry!

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Wedding Anniversaries
We celebrate these special milestones.
Name Date
Chad & Shirley Biermeier January 7, 2006
David & Marlys Wessels January 9, 1982

3200 Asbury Rd
Dubuque IA 52001-8408
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Nonprofit
Organization
US Postage
PAID
Dubuque, IA
Permit No. 813

www.stpeterdbq.org
Office Phone: 563-583-0860
Email Address: office@stpeterdbq.org
Office Hours: 9:00-4:00 Mon-Thur; 9:00-1:00 Fri
STAFF
Pastor: Matthew Agee office: 563-583-0860
voicemail: 563-845-2688
Associate Pastor: Calvin Konop office: 563-583-0860
cell: 763-226-5425
Pastoral Intern: Laura Jasiczek 563-583-0860
Visitation/Outreach Minister: Jim Daack 563-556-0028
Education Coordinator: Miriam Bjornstad 563-663-6558
Director of Music : Kristine Fishler 563-599-3937
Office Manager: Christine Rapp 563-583-0860
Facilities Coordinator: Angie Puls 563-542-2711

Happy New Year!

Weekly Worship Services
In-Person Worship Services
Liturgical Worship
Saturdays, 4:30 pm
Sundays, 10:30 am
**January 1 at 10:00am only
Praise and Worship Service
Sundays, 8:15 am
Holy Communion is celebrated at all services
Sunday School & Adult Ed. Hour
Sundays, 9:15 am
YouTube Livestream Services
8:15 am: January 8 & 22
10:30am: January 15 & 29
YouTube.com/stpeterlutherandubuque

Our Mission:

Saved by God’s mercy, and called by the Holy Spirit,
We share the Good News of Christ by reaching out in Love.