08.05.2021 Weekly Update

WORSHIP AND WITNESS MISSION NEWS
Worship in the Sanctuary
Worship with us in the sanctuary at 8:30am on Sunday mornings! You do not need to sign up. In order to continue to do our best to care for each other, masks and distancing are required. We ask that everyone please enter and exit the parking lot via the Geele Ave. driveway, being mindful of the preparations that are happening for parking lot worship at 9:30am. This service will be recorded for online worship.

Parking Lot Worship
Join us at 9:30am on Sunday mornings in the church parking lot for worship! The birds are chirping, and the sun is shining, which is a beautiful and casual setting for worship! You do not need to sign up. Masks are optional, and we ask that people maintain safe distance between households (per Wisconsin Council of Churches 2 out of 3 approach). Remember to bring your own chair and dress appropriately for the weather. If it is raining, we will move worship into the fellowship hall. Masks are required indoors. Please still bring your own chair! We ask that you enter and exit via the Geele Ave. driveway.

Online Worship

A recording of the 8:30am worship service will be posted as soon as possible on Sunday mornings on the St. Peter Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/stpetersheboygan/ and website https://stpetersheboygan.com and St. Peter Lutheran Church – Sheboygan YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvPIB8agxVhS72C5822etA

LIFELONG LEARNING MISSION NEWS
Confirmation
All students entering 6th-9th grade are invited to join confirmation classes beginning Wednesday, September 15th at 6:30-7:30pm. The first class is for students and parents/guardians/caretakers. More information and a detailed schedule will be emailed to confirmation families soon.

Bible Study
Join us for Bible Study, led by Myra, on Wednesday mornings from 10:00am to 11:00am in the Fireside Room. Please reply to this email or call the church office at 920.452.4771 to sign up to attend.

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT MISSION NEWS
Building Use
We continue to follow the recommendations of The Wisconsin Council of Churches. They currently recommend taking a 2 out of 3 standard approach: meet outdoors, continue to distance, wear masks. When we apply 2 of the 3 mitigations, we will be doing much to mitigate risk.

Masks will be optional for outdoor worship and outdoor activities for those who are fully vaccinated. Those who are not vaccinated are encouraged to wear a mask particularly to protect those under 12 years old who are not yet able to be vaccinated. Parental choice regarding masks should be applied for those who are 3-11 years old as children of this age cannot be vaccinated at this time. Everyone will still wear a mask inside the building.

As always, we ask that people make arrangements with Carrie in advance to use the building. Building use requirements are still in place for anyone using the building.

Building Use Requirements
We continue to follow building use requirements because we continue to love and care for each other. Building use requirements for individuals and groups are: staff member must be present in the building (Carrie or Pastor Kristin); masks must be worn; distance of six feet between households; we will wait to eat together for the time being so there will be no shared meals; one person in a bathroom at a time and people are expected to clean after each use on their own using Clorox wipes provided; individuals and groups are expected to remain in planned locations; people should follow the signs regarding entering and exiting the building; if you are feeling ill or have been exposed to anyone who is sick, please do not come into the building. Staff members do not need to attend meetings, but will be present in the building to track people present and clean after.

SOCIAL OUTREACH MISSION NEWS
El Salvador Update from Jim S. and the El Salvador Team
El Salvador is about the same size as Massachusetts with a similar population of about 6.42 million, 27 volcanos of which 5 are still active. Imagine yourself living in Massachusetts and 7 families own 90% of the land. Imagine your kids going to school and 65% of the students are in a gang or gang related. Imagine having a produce stand and you must pay a gang to sell your produce. Imagine wanting to visit a friend and you can’t because you would have to cross gang territory. Imagine working and getting paid on a day-to-day basis. Imagine having poor water quality. That’s life in El Salvador for.

In 2016, I took my first trip to El Salvador and fell in love with her people, culture, and strong faith. Their strong faith put me to shame for they are so grateful for the little they have. The children with their wonderful smiles, their great desire to participate in the Church services. Their respect for their parents, grandparents and the elderly. This year we have 26 students in grade school, 9 students in High School, and 9 students in the University system. We have a new Pastor, Pastor Cruz who is doing a great job. I have had several Zoom meetings with him.

At thistime I would like to thank all the sponsors for being so dedicated and sending in their money. I was concerned during our Covid disruption that the funds may have slowed or dried up but that was not the case. So once again I say thank you and GOD Bless you. -Jim S. and the El Salvador Team

Community Resources
The United Way of Sheboygan County has a list that you can find here of local resources for abuse, child care, mental health, unemployment, financial assistance, and more. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has a helpline 800-950-6264 that is available M-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This helpline provides the one-on-one help and information necessary to tackle tough challenges that you, your family or friends are facing. They also have 24/7 crisis support. Call 800-273-8255 or text NAMI to 741-741 to receive free support via text message. Please reach out and ask for help if you feel like it is something you or someone you know might need. Pastor Kristin is also a resource. Send her a message at kberglund@stpetersheboygan.com.

PRAYER REQUESTS
Please keep the following people in your prayers: John T., Brenda, Paul’s family, Tess, Quoc, the family of Shaun, Jim, John, Carmen and her children, Pastor Cruz, Kelly, Bryon, Steve, and Apostles of Christ.