Announcements (6-30-24)
Welcome
If you are on campus, stop at the welcome center for a “Welcome Home” book with more details about St. Peter’s. We’d welcome you to call us your church home.
If you are online or if we can serve you in some way or you’d like to receive a weekly email link to view the message, complete the Digital Connect Card.
Enjoy the 4th with your loved ones!
Our June series of messages encouraged us to take advantage of the summer weeks by intentionally using the downtime for spiritual growth. We learned about spiritual disciplines and not let the summer pass without practicing a few of them. The challenge today is to volunteer. Join in!
Sunday… a day of health
Regular church attendance is good for our physical health and our mental health! In a review of 69 studies, regularly attending church is linked to a lower incidence of death from cardiovascular disease.
Similarly, a Norwegian study published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine found that the more time a person spends at church, the lower his or her blood pressure. (The Norwegian study strengthened an American study that had already made that conclusion).
Furthermore, Psychology Today reports that regular church attendance also boosts mental health by providing feelings of hope and belonging, as well as increasing self-esteem and sense of self-worth. That makes sense because as Christians, we know we are loved:
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Volunteering in the Bible
The American spirit of volunteering is largely a result of the faith of the early pioneers. They served others, often through the church. We would love for you to be involved around the church. We would love it even more if you were sharing your influence throughout the community.
Our 7-year strategic plan at St. Peter’s states what we desire to accomplish in this way:
In the next seven years, through the implementation of our Next Steps Discipleship Pathway, we will mobilize St. Peter’s households to engage and disciple 100 families within our community and sphere of influence.
Giving
See what God will do in your life as you share with others. Invest in our community and our ministries that serve beyond our walls. Together we meet families at the intersection of faith and real life.
He Gets Us.
Maybe you are concerned that if others knew you and your story and your history, they would push back. And maybe you feel that is how God feels about you too.
In July & August, Pastor Mark wants to look at Jesus in a way that you notice the way He approached those He encountered when He lived in our world. The truth is… He gets us. He really does. And He is in love with you.
Maybe you saw these words in an interesting ad during the Superbowl. You are invited to explore the story of Jesus and consider His way of unconditional love, grace, and forgiveness of others. Beginning in July.
The Chosen
The Chosen is a Christian historical drama series about the life and ministry of Jesus and the different people who met and followed or interacted with Him. If you want to experience Jesus in a whole new personable way, you will want to watch! Watch preview here. We are currently in season 2.
Each week we watch an episode with popcorn, then enjoy a light meal during an intermission followed by another episode (approximately 2hrs + 15 min. in total) Choose between two showings:
Sunday Mornings at 11:00am
Wednesday Evenings at 6:00pm
There is no charge to participate - even to share in the meal. It is not too late to jump into the screenings. Join us this week!
Unlabeled Theatre Company presents Rock of Ages
Purchase reserved seats for the July 11-14 production of Rock of Ages. This is an inclusive theater performance with artists with disabilities and a shadow partner. The artists have been working hard for weeks. The story is set in 1987 and stars long haired band members on a quest to save a classic theatre. Be prepared to sip classic 80's beverages as you sing along to such rock anthems as “Sister Christian,” “Dead or Alive,” and “Don't Stop Believing."
The July 11 performance will be at noon, The 12th & 13th at 7:00pm and July 14 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $25 each and support a number of programs for many in our community with a cognitive and/or physical disability or who are neurodivergent. The Unlabeled Theatre Company runs programing from the St. Peter’s facility.
This is the second Twin Cities production, having done Shrek Jr. earlier in 2024. Please pray for the artists and production team as sickness has plagued many the last week!
Thank God for Elizabeth’s 100 years!
Elizabeth Borden’s family is hosting a 100th birthday open House on Sunday, July 14th from 1-4pm in St. Louis Park at Elizabeth’s residence: Towerlight, 3601 Wooddale Ave S, St. Louis Park.
Elizabeth continues to have a strong faith and is an amazing woman of prayer! The congregation is invited.
Upcoming Member Birthdays
7/3 - Melissa Thalken
7/4 - Jasna Halvorson
7/8 - Robert Foster
7/11 - Elizabeth Borden
7/12 - Kiki Beeskow
7/13 - Jason Barber
7/14 - Cinthya Fernandez
STP KIDS & Money
There are many aspects of good parenting. Most is learned by watching how you live each day. But some intentional talks are also helpful.
Here are 15 practical ways to talk to your kiddos (of all ages) about money. They’re already on break, so now’s the perfect time.
Portals of Prayer
You may pick up a free copy of the July Portals of prayer at the Welcome Center this morning.
Want to get a daily reminder on your device? Portals of Prayer is available online for $10 for 365 devotions plus 10 years of history, prayers for all occasions, and other tools for your personal worship time.