Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

I feel a sort of pride when I read the stories of Peter– as the pastor of St. Peter, I tend to see him as an emeritus

member, like this is his home church.

In the passage above, Peter miraculously walks on the water toward his Lord. He’s even successful for a moment. But a gust of wind distracts him, his eyes flick away from Jesus, and suddenly he’s sinking. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him. Jesus was there the whole time, reaching his hand out to offer his help.

Jesus asks, Why did you doubt? I’ve always read that verse as a criticism of Peter’s faith. But this month, I see these as words of comfort to Peter: Jesus has always been there, even when Peter was distracted. How can you doubt something that isn’t in question? Jesus is there, he’s reaching out, he’s offering you life and hope, and pulls you back on the boat.

During this pandemic, I think a lot of us have felt like we’re sinking. We are reach-ing out in all directions, seeking anything to grab onto, to find stability in this storm. Sometimes we find purchase for a moment, only to have that slip away. We’re all looking for that Divine Hand. Jesus is there, friends. Don’t doubt it, it’s true. He’s reaching for you right now.

I want to share with you a few practical notes about our return to in-person worship. When the PPC began to consider in-person worship, the first questions dealt with safety and setting good procedures in place, and also getting the church ready to have people again. (I even made a “social distancing” tool – a 6-foot pool noodle to provide a visual aid for that distance.)

With all of that planning, though, we still didn’t know to expect: what if no one came? Likewise, what if everyone showed up at once! We set a limit to 50 people (about 20% capacity), but what if 100 showed up? The solution was to have two services, to afford us the chance to balance out people.

After more than a month, the weekly in-person attendance has remained low, ranging from 3 people to about 20. I find this encouraging: it tells me that people are comfortable staying home and still having the same quality worship service offered to them online.

Because of this, in the first two weeks of August we have decided to have one worship service, Sunday at 9:00 am. We will NOT have services on Saturdays, August 1 & 8. However, we will gather for an outdoor worship service Saturday, August 15 at 4:30 pm. The worship board will continue to review plans for returning to regular Saturday services and we will keep you posted.

As the world continues to storm, trust that Jesus is there with you: his hand is there, reaching for you. He has faith in you, love for you, and cares for you. His hand is there, even if you don’t see it at the moment. May this hope continue to pull you toward his loving arms through August.

If you have any questions, concerns, or need a prayer, please call or email me. I want to hear from you. Please know that I am praying for you all. I truly feel blessed to be your pastor.

August 2020

What a week! What fun! Nothing can stop the love of Jesus!

We had 91 people in attendance for our Outdoor Worship Service on Sunday, July 26 which featured the VBS songs in place of the regular parts of the liturgy. It was a wonderful celebration of God’s love and care!

We had 45 kids from 21 families participate in our Zoomin’ With Jesus! VBS, either live each day on Zoom or by watch-ing the recorded sessions that were posted on a private channel later in the day.

Thank You, Thank You to all who helped in so many different ways to put this VBS week together:

Singer/Dancers: Avery, Blair, Sydney, Justine, Kalea, Emma, Liam, Anna, Chloe, and Christopher. Craft Cutters: Darleen Sarvis, Jean Rieniets, Traci Ryan, Ann Brimeyer, Betty Artus, Sandy Hyman, Linda Sorensen, Jean Beck, Karla & Anna O’Connor. Take-Home Box Packers: Sara Wernimont, Kim Cueno, Karla & Anna O’Connor, Traci & Cory Ryan, and Darleen Sarvis. Science Videos: Melissa, Christopher, and Nicholas DeMotta Sara Wernimont for putting together a video of the week’s activities. Kristine Fishler for working with the Youth on the music videos, all the editing that followed, and for anticipating my camera and sound needs while we were on live Zoom. Pastor Matt for his support, including tech support, and knowing when to be nice to my computer. All who donated money to help with the cost of our Take-Home Boxes. Parents and grandparents taking a more active role in the success of this year’s VBS by working with their kids at home on the VBS projects and getting them on Zoom each day. It was a blessing! - Miriam

Videos of the music and activities of this week’s VBS are available! We have DVDS available of the Music Videos our Youth made from the VBS songs. Sara also put together a slide show from pictures we asked parents to send of

their kids busy with the VBS projects. Contact Sara, Kristine, or Miriam if you would like a copy. ______________________________________

NOISY OFFERING: Through Sunday, September 13, the “Noisy Offering” will be used to help Mission Support with School Supply Kits for Lutheran World Relief. It is great to see so many donating supplies! (See chart below)

______________________________________

We will decorate and fill these on Rally Sunday which is scheduled for September 13. Save your LARGE shoe boxes and add to your shopping list any of the Birthday Box supplies: cake mix, frosting, candles, balloons, napkins, plates and cups. You can drop the supplies off during church office hours. Call first to make an appointment, 563-583-0860.

Please watch for sales on school supplies. Our goal is 100 kits. Please place items in the box in the front hallway. If you want to deliver them during the week, please call the office (563-583-0860) during office hours to make arrangements.

Collecting through September 15 Thank you for your help with this project. -Elaine Mitchell

Thank you to all of you who are keeping our Church and all our members in your prayers during these interesting times. Your support in many forms is so much appreciated. Whether you are involved with boards, worship leadership, office support, financial support or anything else you are doing for St Peter it is much appreciated. If you get a chance please reach out to your fellow members to encourage them to remain strong in these times. If you know of any members that could use a Pastoral visit by phone please let Pastor or the office know.

A special shout out to Miriam, Kristine, Sara and many other for a fantastic Vacation Bible School (VBS) this last week. They did so much to make the online experience the best it could be. The crafts, science experiments, recorded videos, projects, and of course story time were all great and much appreciated by about 45 children. Thank you all.

So far, our re-opening of in person worship services has been going well. About 5 attend on Saturdays and 15 on Sun-days. The protocols set up by the Council are being adhered to and I believe everyone feels safe with the masks and so-cial distancing. You are all welcome back when you feel comfortable.

Pastor took a much-needed vacation last week and is back refreshed.

Hopefully this edition of the Bellringer gets to your house in time for you to participate in the first Zoom update and question and answer session led by me and Assistant Executive Directors Amy Unmacht and Paul Scherner. This will take place instead of the coffee hour call at 10:00 am, Sunday, August 2. See below for the Zoom info.

Let’s all remember that God is still with us all during these trying times. Things will get better and we will be stronger from this experience.

God Bless, - Doug Horstmann, Executive Director for the Parish Planning Council

WE ARE ALMOST THERE! So far we have received $253,792 in pledges. Thank you to all who have so generously pledged to grow St. Peter. Our call committee continues to search for a second pastor that will

support our current staff and will help make St. Peter’s future and future generations bright.

A note to those that have pledged support: Sometime during the next week (hopefully) you should receive your pledge envelopes in your mailbox. This will include a reminder of your pledged gift, along with the envelopes**, or an ACH form to submit your pledges by bank transfer.

We would like you begin submitting your pledged gifts in September 2020 (earlier is always okay.)

We also suggest that you separate your Pastor Pledge from your regular donation, whenever possible, to avoid errors.

** If, for any reason, you are NOT submitting your pledged gift in the special envelope, we ask that you please include a note that indicates if your check is to be put toward your existing Pastor Fund pledge (“For My Pledge”), OR if it is for a new pledge (“New Pledge”), OR if it is a new one-time donation (“One-Time donation”). This will help us keep track of who is giving what, and make life easier for our counters. Thank you!

If you would like to contribute to the Pastor Fund or make a pledge, please contact the church office.

-Yours in Christ: Donnelle Fuerste, Amy Unmacht, Mark Whitaker, and Dave Yeager

Church Update and Q & A Session—Sunday, August 2—10 am via Zoom

Do you have questions for your church leadership? They would love to answer them!

Please join us on Sunday, August 2 at 10 am via Zoom. (Instead of coffee hour this week.) Your church leadership team will offer short updates on what’s happening at St Peter’s, and

then open it up for your questions. We are hoping to do this once a month.

Use the same link you’ve been using for the Coffee Hour:

ZOOM LINK: : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84593073813?pwd=L3NzOTEyUitienJNSVB2WHlQLzNyQT09

Don’t have a webcam or smartphone? No worries, you can still phone into the conversation by calling 253-215-8782

You may need: Meeting ID: 845 9307 3813 Password: 256697

We are as anxious as you to reopen, and we appreciate your patience. Until then, the St. Peter’s office will continue to operate under the current quarantine/lockdown conditions, to keep our staff safe. Masks encouraged. *All common-use office supplies have been moved to the back desk/microwave area*

Please continue to call the office before entering the building, (even if you have a key), so Christine may assist you in the safest way possible. She is still maintaining regular office hours and is happy to check your mail for you, or send you anything that may be in need of. Thank you, everyone, for your continued cooperation. We appreciate it!

We have a great opportunity to help one of your fellow St Peter members!

Betty Artus has some weeds in her yard that need to be removed, and her daughter Ruth Neuhaus reached out to see if any of our Youth would be interested in helping her out. Please contact Ruth if you are interested. (rumor has it there could be a donation to the youth fund if someone steps up…) You may also contact the office (563-583-0860 or stpeterdbq@q.com)

We would LOVE to offer other yard-work services to members of the congregation —it’s a great socially-distant activity—but we need two things:

1) Youth Volunteers

2) Yards with work to be done—weed pulling, grass cutting, window washing, gath-ering sticks—if you have the work, we will find the volunteers! (free-will donation to the youth fund is optional, but would be appreciated)

Please contact one of the Youth Board Members below, or the office, if you fall into one of these categories. Don’t wait, those weeds won’t pull themselves!

-Your Youth Board Members: Rick Maiers (Director), Cindy Recker, Jean Beck, Karla O’Connor, Lisa Maiers, & Lyle Beck

The St. Peter’s 2020 Youth fundraising will be focused on helping our youth attend the 2021 Youth Gathering.

Here is some of what happened on the first day:

BEFORE

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

1. Bring it to weekend service with you!

2. Send your offering in the mail. The US Postal Service is still bringing us letters daily.

3. Drop off your offerings or envelopes in our new secured, white mailbox. It is located near the south entrance of the church. It is checked several times a day.

4. If you would like to set up a direct withdrawal from your bank, please contact the office for an ACH form. Then, complete it and email it to stpeterdbq@q.com, mail it, or drop off at church in the white mailbox.

5. 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.

All worship services will continue to be available online, as well as on Mediacom Channels 81 and 117-4. Here are the links which will take you to our live and most recent services, and more:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stpeterdubuque (Please “Like” our Facebook page while you are there!)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4kMfxyh_knV8Xmk0CaQztA (you can “Subscribe” to this, too)

Websites: st-peter-lutheran.org (the website you are probably familiar with)

stpeterdbq.org (we are in the midst of transferring info to this one, so both are active)

PayPal: http://stpeterdbq.org/give (a secure way for you to donate to St. Peter online)

Mediacom: Channel 81 or 117-4 (see calendar page for the TV schedule)

We would like to thank those who remembered us with cards and greetings for our 50th wedding anniversary. We got over 50 cards and messages! It was so sweet of everyone.

- Janet & Edward McEvoy

We have SCRIP for Culvers, Kwik Stop, Joann’s, Fareway, Theisen’s, and many, many, more places! Did you know - St Peter’s Youth receives from 2-13% back, depending on the retailer’s contribution?!

Contact Lyle Beck (563-543-9394) or Christine in the office (563-583-0860) to place an order. The Scrip Order Form is also included in your Weekly News Insert (part of the “This Week at St Peter” email)

You can still get your application in, if you hurry! The Lumley Scholarship Fund is requesting applications for scholarship grants to be awarded for the 2020-2021 academic year. Grants will be awarded to students attending a college or university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who have been members of St. Peter for at least one year at the time of the

grant. Students must re-apply each year to receive funding. Interested? Please submit a letter of application by August 1, 2020, including contact information and school attending, to: Lumley Scholarship Fund, Attn: Scott Schoenhard, Treasurer, St Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Rd, Dubuque, IA 52001

** Please contact Scott Schoenhard by email or phone (563-580-9573) with questions. These scholarships are made possible by a generous gift in memory of Louise Lumley.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

No Worship

2 Worship 9 am In-Person and Livestream (Traditional) NO Communion

Church Update and Q&A Session Via Zoom 10am

3 Staff 10:45am

Hymn Selection 1:30pm

Evangelical Outreach 6pm

Property Bd Via Zoom 7pm

4

Book Club Zoom-6:30pm

5 Bible Study Via Zoom 5:30pm

6 (August Quilting is cancelled)

7

8 No Worship

9

Worship 9 am In-Person and Livestream (Contemporary) Communion

Coffee Hour Via Zoom 10am

10 Staff 10:45am

WT Music Selection 1:30pm

Stewardship Bd 5:45pm

PPC Mtg 7pm

11

12 Bible Study Via Zoom 5:30pm

13 The Café 5:15pm

14

Check your email for info about tomorrow’s outdoor worship celebration

15 Men’s Bible Study via Zoom 8am Worship 4:30 Outdoors / Parking Lot

16 Worship 9am In-Person and Livestream (Traditional) Communion

Coffee Hour Via Zoom 10am

17 Staff 10:45am

Worship Bd 6pm

Lay Ministry 6:30pm

18 Book Club Zoom-6:30pm

19 Bible Study Via Zoom 5:30pm

September Bellringer Deadline

20 (Prayer Shawl Is cancelled)

21

(Senior Fellowship Luncheon has been cancelled)

22 Worship TBD

23 Worship 9 am In-Person and Livestream (Contemporary) Communion

Coffee Hour Via Zoom 10am

24 Staff 10:45am

Education Bd 6:30pm

25 Youth Bd 6pm

26 Bible Study Via Zoom 5:30pm

27 (Women’s Bible Study cancelled)

28 29 Worship TBD

30 Worship 9am In-Person and Livestream (Traditional) Communion

Coffee Hour Via Zoom 10am

31 Staff 10:45am

** All scheduled meetings are tentative—please watch your email**

Please contact your group’s leadership for updated meeting info.

We will continue to use Zoom for most meetings for the foreseeable future.

If you need help installing/using Zoom, please contact Pastor Matt, or the office, and we will help you with it.

Mediacom TV Schedule: Channels 81 and 117-4

Mon 10 am Tue 6 pm Wed 8 am Thurs 4 pm Fri 8 pm Sat 5 pm Sun 8:30 am and 7:15 pm

We remember those affiliated with our congregation who have died in the past ten years.

August 14, 2011.................. Arlene Broughton August 27, 2011.................. Marsha Shaffer August 19, 2012.................. Ruth (Kane) Papenthien August 25, 2012.................. Josiah Johnson August 10, 2013.................. Carl Rentschler August 10, 2013.................. Verna Von Hollen August 13, 2013.................. Robert McNamer August 14, 2013.................. Dale Grashorn August 17, 2013.................. Irene Holz August 29, 2013.................. Hans Bjornstad August 31, 2016.................. Ed Kupferschmidt

We celebrate these special milestones.

Name Date

Fred & Kim Boyes .......................................... 08/01/1981 Douglas & Karen Horstmann ......................... 08/02/1975 Donald & Cary Lumley ................................... 08/02/1980 Tracy Ann & Kevin Koeller ............................. 08/02/2002 Mike & Robin Reed ....................................... 08/03/2002 Lisa & Chris Vogt ........................................... 08/03/2007 Marissa & Ryan Michel.................................. 08/03/2012 John & Hilarie Vail ......................................... 08/04/1990 Katie & Ross Potter........................................ 08/05/2016 Kris Spiegler & Norm Anderson .................... 08/08/2003 Emily & Tad Schoeny ..................................... 08/08/2009 Charles & Susan Huntley ............................... 08/09/1969 Dan & Marlene Frye ...................................... 08/09/1975 Janann & Alan Dostal .................................... 08/09/1997 Marnie & Karl Kane ....................................... 08/11/2006 Scott & Erin Schoenhard ............................... 08/13/2005 Dick & Elaine Core ......................................... 08/14/1965 Roger & Ann Brimeyer .................................. 08/17/1963 Ronald & Suzanne Scheffert .......................... 08/18/1956 Rocky & Bonnie Tiefel ................................... 08/18/1985 Tim & Kimberly Markham ............................. 08/18/2001 Derrick & Lindsay Hess .................................. 08/21/2010 Rod & Donna Clemen .................................... 08/22/1981 Rick & Lisa Maiers ......................................... 08/24/1996 Jeff & Nancy Stahl ......................................... 08/24/2002 Karen & George Bies ..................................... 08/26/1995 Del & Eunice Simpson ................................... 08/27/1967 Denise & Steve Goedken ............................... 08/27/1983 Don & Barbara Kula ....................................... 08/28/1959 Tara & Tyler Kennedy .................................... 08/28/2015 Gary & Jean Rieniets ..................................... 08/31/1963

“ 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

1 Gene Heiberger Weston Maas 2 Diane Brondyke Ross Potter Brent Wilker Kevin Zumbach 3 Lydia Feenstra 4 Jean Kapp Kurt Schroeder Adrey Schumacher Dennis Vahle Camran Vondal 5 Tammy Gardner Kai Madsen Darren Sirianni Kendra Sirianni Nathan Vail Nicholas Vail 6 Hope Haylock Shirley Reisch 7 Ann Fritschel Margie Herrig 8 Gary Breiner Isaac Gukeisen Gloria Mahannah 10 Matthew Alexander Ron Mahannah Aiden Wernimont 12 Connie Baylor Charles Huntley Emmett Lueneburg Michael Puls 13 Dawn Jackson Diane LaPage Kari Mueller 15 Kelly Jentz-Ruff Scott Schoenhard

16 Cindy Richey 17 Scott Brondyke Henry Schauf 18 Seth Gilbert Arlene Laaker Marissa Michel Parker Reinert Charles Schmal Leslie Wagner 19 Grant Haylock Don Johannsen 20 Creed Birkhofer 21 Carson Lampe Maia Ramos 22 Roger Brimeyer Tom Mitchell Katie Pottter 23 Cooper Hess 24 Camden Tierney Piper Weitz 25 Jane Petersen 26 Charley Cueno-Perkins Mike Flynn Anna Meier Joe Wall 27 Katelyn Egan Jean Hesselbacher Kyle Mahannah Cooper Strub 28 Steven Coohey Kim Larson Sonja Schuster Daniel Welter 29 Amanda Zell 30 Lisa Vogt 31 Julie Guler Tawanda Murinda

Nonprofit

Organization

US Postage

PAID

Dubuque, IA

Permit No. 813

www.stpeterdbq.org Office Phone: 563-583-0860 Email Address: stpeterdbq@q.com Office Hours: 9:00-4:00 Mon-Thur; 9:00-1:00 Fri Pastor: Matthew Agee ............................ office: 563-583-0860 pager: 563-845-2688 Visitation/Outreach Minister: Jim Daack .......... 563-556-0028 Education Coordinator: Miriam Bjornstad ........ 563-663-6558 Musician: Kristine Fishler ................................... 563-599-3937 Office Manager: Christine Rapp ........................ 563-583-0860 Custodian: Angie Puls ......................................... 563-542-2711

3200 Asbury Rd Dubuque IA 52001-8408 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Saved by God’s mercy, and called by the Holy Spirit,

We share the Good News of Christ by reaching out in Love.

YouTube Livestream Service Sunday 9:00 am

stpeterdbq.org/livestream

Summer In-Person Worship Services

Traditional Worship Saturday 4:30 pm (TBD-see calendar)

Every other Sunday 9:00 am

Contemporary Worship Every other Sunday 9:00 am

Zoom Bible Study: Wednesday 5:30 pm