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SAINT PETER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
4843 Southport – Supply Road SE Southport, North Carolina 28461
https://stpeterlutheran-nc.org Church Office Phone 910-457-5604
Church Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Office email: info@stpeterlutheran-nc.org/
Newsletter Submission Deadline for Newsletter - Thursday 9:30 a.m.
The Rev. Nicholas A. Giannatasio, Senior Pastor
Email: pastornick@stpeterlutheran-nc.org The Rev. Jason W. Huebner, Associate Pastor
revjhuebner@stpeterlutheran-nc.org Vicki Carlson, Parish Deacon
Lois Moore, Director of Worship and Music Arts
Dale Giannatasio, Associate Director of Worship and Music Arts Dwayne Blair, Accompanist
Cindy Ledbetter, Director of Handbell Choir Brenda Dunn, Administrative Assistant
Larry Capriotti, Treasurer
Sue Thompson, Assistant Treasurer Don Brenner, Financial Secretary
December 27, 2020
FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
The psalmist calls on the natural world, celestial bodies, fire and earth, creatures, and all
humanity, to praise God. The voices of Simeon and 84-year-old Anna join the chorus today, recognizing what God is doing in Jesus. Simeon’s song is often sung after
communion, for we have seen God’s salvation in the assembled community and have held Jesus in our hands in the bread. Then, like the prophet Anna, we tell of Jesus to all
who look for the healing of the world.
Luke 2:22-40 Luke’s narrative continues with stories that emphasize Jesus’ connection to Judaism. His family is devout in its observance of the law, and Jesus himself is
recognized as one who will bring glory to Israel.
Christmas Eve Services * The drive-in 4:30pm Christmas Eve Service will have the Live Nativity and
has plenty of room for all!
* 7:00 PM Christmas Eve livestream - Our livestream equipment has an upgrade! Future services will be posted live on Facebook in HD and shortly
after on our church website at http://stpeterlutheran-nc.org .
For the livestream broadcasts, visit
https://www.facebook.com/Saint-Peter-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-113395065360769
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Service will be held in the back parking lot, weather permitting. Holy Communion will be offered. All are invited. Tune in to 97.5 on your FM radio.
The Sunday worship bulletin will be posted on the church web site each Thursday. https://stpeterlutheran-nc.org
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Service will be recorded in the Sanctuary and posted on the
church website home page by Noon each Sunday. https://stpeterlutheran-nc.org
Wonderful Wednesday Services
**Wonderful Wednesday Service.
January 6, 2021 will be the last Wonderful Wednesday Service in the Labyrinth until Ash
Wednesday, February 17,2021 when it will resume at 4:00pm.
The Sanctuary Flowers were placed in the Sanctuary for the glory of God.
Spirit Notes 2020
Joy does not come from positive predictions about the state of the world.
It does not depend on the ups and downs of the circumstances of our
lives. Joy is based on the spiritual knowledge that, while the world in
which we live is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world.
Jesus says it loudly and clearly: “In the world you will have troubles,
but rejoice, I have overcome the world.”
The surprise is not that, unexpectantly, things turn out better that
expected. No, the real surprise is that God’s light is more real than all
the darkness, that God’s truth is more powerful than all human lies,
that God’s love is stronger than death.
Henri Nouwen
Pastor Nick’s Thought For the Week
Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
Did you ever wonder why it is that we tend to make life decisions when we are the most
emotional? When we are troubled or when we are frustrated, we tend to make decisions that
strongly affect our lives. I think of the commercial on TV that goes, “Sometimes you feel like a
nut, sometimes you don’t!” It is during these times of ups and downs in our lives that we make
tremendous, life changing decisions when we should just be still and know that God is God.
Let God into your lives and trust God and wait on God. Don’t ask yourself “what do I feel?”
But stand on what you believe.
Pastoral Thought of the Week
Pastor Jason’s Pastoral Thought of the Week
I remember the rock band Tesla singing “And the sign said long haired freaky people
need not apply…”. In contrast, I’ve seen church signs read “all are welcome”. It seems
signs can be used to restrict or receive people. Thanks be to God for the gift of Jesus,
announced with these words: “to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who
is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a SIGN for you: you will find a child wrapped in
bands of cloth and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12). Our savior is the sign of God’s
love for all. Look at the sign in swaddling clothes and know that God loves, forgives, and
welcome you with open arms.
Dear Church Family,
The Church Council and Task Force have been discussing the elevated risks associated
with in-church meetings amidst December’s dramatic increase of Covid-19 cases.
Brunswick county has already reached the pandemic “orange” level, and holiday
gatherings continue to multiply infection rates. As a result, the Council approved the
Task Force recommendation to suspend in-sanctuary services along with Fellowship Hall
and church kitchen use beginning December 27th and continuing until mid-January when
they will reevaluate risk levels.
The Church Council and Task Force also decide to temporarily stop in-person pastoral
visits and hospital visits until it is determined that the risk of visiting in-person is
significantly lowered. Many hospitals in our state have already banned family, pastors,
and non-medical personnel from visits as local ICU units are beyond capacity.
As your pastors’ we care deeply about the health and spiritual life of our church family.
Like the Hebrews wandering through the wilderness, we too long for this difficult time to
pass. As God provided manna to the Hebrews, we too will receive what we need to
continue forward toward better days. There is hope on the horizon.
Over the next few seasons, month by month, tens of millions will receive the Covid-19
vaccines. The Task Force is already discussing ways to transition toward normal. It will
take patience and time, but with God’s help, we will get there. Until then, stay
connected! Call one another. Join a Zoom Bible Study. Come to the 9:00 AM drive-in
worship service. Participate in worship through our website or church Facebook page.
But also consider exploring creative ways to express your faith, serve God, and support
Christ’s Church.
Please let us know if you have any pastoral care emergencies so that we can
communicate and discern how to help and support you and your family. You are in our
prayers.
Your Truly,
Pastor Nick and Pastor Jason
The Journey to the Manger was a success. If you missed it, you can view the live
stream at https://www.facebook.com/huebnerja/videos/10159243591761004 . On
Facebook, our live Nativity commercial reached 4,500 people, and hundreds watched the
preview and live stream. Over 300 people over two days took the 10-minute
journey through five scenes in our Nativity. One visitor posted on Facebook, "This is the
finest Live Nativity I have ever seen." Thank you to the many people who made this
event a success! Enjoy the pictures!
RESULTS OF 12/13/20 CONGREGATION MEETING
Thanks to everyone who came to the meeting and to all who voted! The 2021 budget was approved, and the following slate was approved. President - Tom Propst; Vice
President - Rod Mitton; Council Members – Susan Crabtree, Ann Hager, Barbara Grever,
Doug Heckler, and Kevin Penner; 2021 Nominating Committee - Pat Cremins, Noel Dusanenko, Kart Farris, Diane Guss, Robin Johnson, and Donna Parsons;
Memorial Committee – Emy Vig and Scott Baldwin; and Mission Endowment- June Otte Congratulations to those elected. They will be installed on Sunday, 1/3/21.
And thank you to all who are ending their terms. We are blessed to have a congregation that has so many gifts they are willing to share!
Thank You!
Thank you for the lovely plant and gift card. What a wonderful surprise. It has been a joy to serve as your president and on Council these past years. The Council members
always “showed up,” and were thoughtful and diligent decision-makers as they worked
to serve God in this place and to serve you. Robin Johnson
Reminder - Committee Reports for the Annual Report are due. If you haven’t yet
submitted yours, please get it to Brenda in the Church office as soon as you can. And thanks to those who already submitted theirs.
Thanks!
Robin Be still and know. Psalm 46
2021 SPENDING PLAN AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW
The 2021 Spending Plan approved by Finance Committee and Church Council is now
available for review on the SPLC website. Log into the MEMBER / Member Portal, scroll
down and click on '2021 Spending Plan' to access it The data in the 2020 ACTUAL
column is complete thru November. If you have any questions about the proposal, you
may contact me and I will attempt to answer them for you. If a question and answer is
of general interest, I will share it with the congregation at the meeting.
Larry Capriotti, Treasurer
splctreasurer@stpeterlutheran-nc.org
910.512.5435
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.” Jeremiah 5.
Can You Help the Giving Garden?
The Giving Garden at Saint Peter needs your help funding the 12’x4’ Garden Boxes
where the vegetables will be planted. The cost for material for the boxes is $500 per
box and we intend to start with 12 boxes. You can donate $500 for the entire box or
buy a portion of the box. You may also buy a box in memory of someone. All donations
will go toward the garden. We anticipate having a planting of peas in early spring. If
you have seen the commercial on our web site or read about the garden in the
newsletter, we are close to the start of this project.
It is the purpose of the garden to supply the Food Pantry with fresh vegetables,
provide instruction for Future Farmers of America, provide opportunity for Early College
community service, and as an avenue for teens who are in the court system to do
restitution service. Furthermore, it is an option for members of our congregation who a
looking for an “outdoor” ministry.
We ask you to please be as generous as you can for this worthwhile project.
Please write the words Saint Peter Giving Garden on your check.
Book Study With Pastor Nick
Dear Friends in Christ,
Starting Tuesday, December 1, 2020 and continuing for 8 weeks (with some time off for
Christmas and New Year’s celebration we will have a Zoom Book Study. The name of
the book is “Zealot, The Life and Times of Jesus Christ.” We will meet every Tuesday
during that time at 4pm. The book is available on Amazon used and new. You will need
to purchase this book.
The zoom access number is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89135583868
Please read the Introduction and the Prologue through Chapter 7-8.
I look forward to seeing you at this zoom address. The next class on zoom is
on January 5, 2021.
Pastor Nick
Pastor Jason’s next Bible Study: Galatians
Thursdays at 7:00 pm beginning 12/3/2020 (6 weeks - skipping 12/24 & 12/31)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81854143747
Meeting ID: 818 5414 3747
Session 1. 12/03/2020 Read all 6 chapters of the epistle Galatians from your Bible
before class Session 2. 12/10/2020 What happens to people pleasers? (Galatians 1:1-24)
Session 3. 12/17/2021 Is there one, and only one, Gospel (good message)? (Galatians
2:1-21) Session 4. 01/07/2021 So . . . what about God's rules now? (Galatians 3:6-29; 5:18)
Session 5. 01/14/2021 How do we live by the Spirit? (Galatians 3:1-5; 5:1-26; 6:8-10) Session 6. 01/21/2021 Final thoughts on the epistle Galatians – no homework
Contact Pastor Jason at revjhuebner@stpeterlutheran-nc.org and he will reserve a book for you!
Prayer Requests For Our Saint Peter Family
and Friends
Robert Beck Sr., The Chinnery Family, The Family of Gerald Curtin, Jimmie Doll, Dave Goudy, Art & Sharon Falcone, June Harper, The Family of John Nowell, Frances Outlaw,
Karen Penner, Sharon & Tom Paul, Roxanne Pratt, Henry Seitz, Kathleen Thompson,
Meg Upp
ATTENDANCE – DECEMBER 20, 2020
9:00 A.M. WORSHIP – 50 PARKING LOT
11:00 A.M. WORSHIP - 33 SANCTUARY SERVICE 4:30 P.M. WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY – NO SERVICE
PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP ON LINE - 238
Daily Spiritual Readings Saint Peter Financial Summary
December 28 - January 3 2020 YTD - November 2020
Scripture citations taken from the YTD
Three Year Daily Lectionary in the ELW, pg. 1133 (Year B) Income $ 474,367
Expense $ 457,642
Monday Matthew 2:13-18 $ 16,725 Pos Cash Flow Tuesday Matthew 12:46-50
Wednesday 2 Peter 3:8-13 Thursday John 8:12-19 Complete financial reports are
Friday Luke 1:22-32 posted in the corridor. Saturday James 3:13-18
Sunday Luke 2:22-40
CALENDAR
Sunday
12/27
9:00 a.m. Worship Service (back parking lot)
11:00 a.m. Worship Service (recorded)
Monday 12/28
Tuesday 12/29
Wednesday
12/30
4:00 p.m. Wednesday Worship Service (Labyrinth)
Thursday
12/31
Church Office Closed
Friday 1/01/2021
Church Office Closed
Saturday 1/02/2021
$30,000 $29,105
$4,000 $5,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $3,000 $2,000 $835 $1,200
$7,070
$- $5,000
$10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 $35,000
SAINT PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHFOR I WAS HUNGRY FUND
OCTOBER 28, 2020
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