Fully Alive!

12/11/25 View this email in your browser

On Wednesdays, our Sanctuary is filled with joy and teamwork as our students gather for Chapel and spend time with their Chapel Buddies. ❤️✝️⚜️
After worship, older and younger students pair up to talk about the message, create projects, and grow together in faith and friendship. It’s a beautiful reminder that learning isn’t just taught—it's shared.
We love watching these connections flourish week after week!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: HELP SUPPORT SOUTH AFRICA!
We have an incredible opportunity to collect gently used furniture from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in Deerfield—items that will greatly bless our partner ministries in South Africa, including our schools and the Lutheran Seminary in Pretoria.

We’re looking for volunteers who can lend a hand with collecting, loading, and storing these items.

📅 Date: Friday, December 19
⏰ Time: Starting at 11:00 AM (finished by 5:00 PM)
📍 Pick-Up Location: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
2065 Half Day Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015

For those available to help a little longer, we will then unload the U-Haul at a supporting LCMS church in Waukegan, where the furniture will be stored until it can be shipped.

📍 Drop-Off Location:
2720 N McAree Rd, Waukegan, IL 60087

Your time and muscle will make a meaningful difference for our partners in ministry. Thank you for considering jumping in to help! If you’re able to join us, please let us know.

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS PRESENTS ITS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
"Carols Old and New", on Sunday, December 21st, at 3:30 PM. The church is located at 431 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights. A freewill offering will be taken.

FIRM FOUNDATION, FAITHFUL FUTURE PLEDGES – ONLINE GIVING AND STOCK DONATIONS
We have been blessed to receive many pledges for our Firm Foundation, Faithful Future capital campaign! If you plan to use online giving to make any one-time or recurring donations to fulfill your pledge or to support the campaign, our Finance Team can help walk you through the process, but we can’t do it for you. It is fairly simple to make changes to your online giving through the Church Center app or on our website, but please reach out to Sherry Hoffman (224-387-3833/shoffman@fulllifeinChrist.org) or Pam Pearson (224-387-3827/ppearson@fulllifeinChrist.org) for any questions or technical issues. If you are planning to donate stock/securities to St. Peter, please contact Sherry Hoffman for instructions on transferring securities. When you donate securities, please be sure to contact St. Peter finance to let them know the name of the securities being transferred as well as which fund(s) your donations are to benefit. The brokerage firms do not always supply the donors name, etc.

GRATITUDE FOR THE YEAR AND ANTICIPATION OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR: From the Parish Nurse
As we gather this December, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the blessings we have received throughout the year. Each month has brought its own joys and challenges, but through it all, our faith in God’s goodness has been our guiding light. This is a time to reflect on what we have accomplished as a church family, the love we have shared, and the ways we have grown both spiritually and in fellowship.
During this season of Advent, we pause to give thanks for the many moments of grace that have filled our lives. Whether it was a helping hand extended in a time of need, a prayer answered, or the simple joy of worshipping together, we remember that every good gift comes from above. James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Let us take a moment to celebrate the milestones reached, the new friendships formed, and the enduring faith that unites us. Read more HERE

In 2025, we will mark the 5th anniversary of the St. Peter Blood Drive in conjunction with Versiti Blood Centers and Made By Mary. Since the first one in 2021, we have collected more than 300 units of blood. That is enough to support nearly 1000 people in the most critical moments of their lives. Can you help others this holiday season by donating blood? If so, sign up HERE

PURCHASE WORSHIP FLOWERS

ST. PETER FINANCIAL REPORTS

MAKE QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (QCDS) FROM IRAS
For donors aged 70½ or older, up to $108,000 in 2025 and $115,000 in 2026 per person per year can be donated directly from an IRA to a qualified charity. These distributions count toward required minimum distributions but are excluded from taxable income—especially valuable for those who do not itemize deductions or wish to reduce AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) -related impacts on Medicare premiums or Social Security taxes. Note, that you cannot make contributions directly from a 401(k) or 403(b) plan and get the same treatment. However, there may be strategies to rollover amounts from a 401(k) or 403(b) plan to an IRA and make qualified charitable distribution from the IRA. You can also take a distribution from a 401(k) plan or 403(b) plan if you meet the eligibility requirements and make a contribution from that distribution. Contact your IRA plan administrator to make a Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD) gift from your IRA to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive Street, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, Tax I/D #36-2387149 If possible, ask your IRA Custodian to include the donor’s name. This will allow us to thank the donor and record the gift on the member is giving statement. Your IRA funds will be directly transferred to St. Peter Lutheran Church to help continue our ministries and /or THE FIRM FOUNDATION, FAITHFUL FUTURE. Contact Ray Pagels, our Christian Gift Planner Counselor, at 847.226.-2262 or raymondpagels1@gmail.com

COMMUNITY • EMPOWERING • BOLDNESS • JOY

Mission: Leading People To A Full Life In Christ
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Vision: Seeing Lives And Communities Transformed As We Become More Like Jesus
And we all… are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

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111 W. Olive St.

Arlington Heights, IL 60004

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