Fully Alive!
Congratulations to our graduating 8th grade class and High School alumni on your upcoming graduations! Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have led you to this exciting milestone. We are proud of all you have accomplished and can’t wait to see where God leads you next.

Once a Saint, Always a Saint!
MEET OUR NEW GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS

My name is Heidi Brown, and my family and I are grateful to call St. Peter our church home since fall 2018. I love  St. Peter for its commitment to sharing Christ’s transformational love, supporting families and our community, and creating opportunities for spiritual growth and connection.

At St. Peter I  currently serve on Sunday mornings with our Middle School Discipleship hour, and am an assistant coach for the school’s girls basketball team.  I previously participated in a mission trip to our sister church in South Africa, volunteered with the modern worship team,  and participated in discipleship training.

Professionally, I have over 15 years experience working in non-profits and ministry with roles ranging from Director to Executive Assistant, including 4 years serving as Executive Assistant to the Lead Pastor at St. Peter. I am currently an Executive Assistant to the President for a Christian ministry, Caring Network. I enjoy using my organization and communication skills to bring people together, and serving wherever there is a need.

Personally, I am married to my husband Mike. We are a mini “Brady Bunch”, with 4 kids ranging from 18-13, with our youngest a current 7th grader at St.Peter. We spend most of our free time at a field or in a gym cheering on the kids in their sports.

Hi, my name is Jer RathI have been married to my wife, Dana, for four years. Our son, Joshua, will turn three in June. We purchased a home in Vernon Hills in 2024 and, God willing, we will finish some renovations in the next few months.

We have been attending St. Peter since January of 2023. From the very beginning, we felt like it was going to be our church home. We have enjoyed attending various discipleship hour groups and just finished leading the God With Us discussion group earlier this month. We hope to continue growing with the discipleship team in the years to come.

I have worked for a fire protection company that specializes in sprinkler system installation since 2004. My main focus is the engineering, but I am involved with all aspects of the jobs from start to finish. I am hoping that my experience in that field can be a benefit for the upcoming St. Peter projects.

We would also like to thank Mike McLoone and Kathy Relias as they finish out their second terms. We are so grateful for your dedication and direction in helping St. Peter lead people to full lives in Christ. 

☀️ SUMMER MEANS WORSHIP ON THE LAWN!🪑
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and Ravinia style picnics to the north lawn for a short, family friendly time of worship and a simple, relaxed music concert. Worship on the Lawn will take place from 5:00 - 6:00pm on Saturdays. The dates are listed below.  Pack up the family, the yard games and bring joy, community and worship into your families summer rhythm! ☀️

June 6 • June 20 • July 18 • August 1 • August 15

GRACE & GATHER PARTNERS WITH ACCESSIBLE HOPE INTERNATIONAL
Accessible Hope International recently featured the women of Grace & Gather in their newsletter. At their last gathering, the women of St. Peter put their faith in action by supporting women with disabilities. Here’s what Accessible Hope International had to share in their newsletter:

Excitement and joy permeated the evening at St. Peter, as over 50 women of all ages gathered for a single purpose: to bless the women served in Sierra Leone. Participants jumped in with their whole hearts as they sorted and assembled newborn baby packets and packed hundreds of health and hygiene items. These supplies will meet basic tangible needs, but they will also remind the women served in Sierra Leone that they are deeply loved and cared for by others. Sarah, one of the organizers, shared, “I was overjoyed to see the women of our ministry wholeheartedly come together to bless and care for women in another country. They stepped in with such generosity, willingness, and joy. It was incredibly encouraging to witness their compassion in action and the unity within our group.” As baby packets were assembled, prayers were offered for the mothers and babies who would receive them. Notes of encouragement were also written to the Women of Hope staff, who are the hands and feet of Jesus to the women living with disabilities. As hygiene items were packed into trunks for travel to Sierra Leone, more prayers were offered for the women who would one day receive those items. Chris shared, “I loved the prayers over everything - ensuring the Holy Spirit would be upon these gifts to bless our sisters across the globe.” The evening was spent in joyful service, and at the end of the event, nearly 200 pounds of tangible love was packed and readied for the AHI team to carry overseas. “Each person used their gifts to serve: whether writing notes of encouragement, time in prayer…or sorting and packing…Seeing God’s people eager and joyful in serving was my favorite part of the event,” Jenny shared. We are so grateful to the women of St. Peter! Countless women will be blessed by their generosity and prayers!

TUESDAY WAS OUR SCHOOL'S BIG DAY OF SERVING ❤️
Our middle school students walked to the Lutheran Home, where they spent time meeting residents, singing songs, and learning more about them through personal interviews and conversations. What a special opportunity to connect across generations and share joy together!
Meanwhile, other students stayed busy serving in many meaningful ways:
• Making keychains for Lutheran Home residents
• Preparing sandwiches and personal hygiene kits for the unhoused
• Creating cards for United States troops
• Assembling graduation goodies for homeless, at-risk, and foster children
We are so proud of our students for using their gifts, talents, and time to show Christ’s love through service and compassion for others.

LET’S GROW TOGETHER IN GOD’S WORD THIS SUMMER!
Summer brings new rhythms, fresh routines, and unique opportunities to grow in faith. What if this summer our entire St. Peter church community committed to one simple but life-changing habit together: reading God’s Word?

This summer, we’re inviting every girl, boy, woman, and man to join us for Same Page Summer — a shared journey through Scripture designed to help us become fully formed disciples who live as Hungry Followers, Unhurried Friends, Generous Responders, and Courageous Storytellers.

Centered around a beloved Bible story each week, this plan includes 13 weeks of readings with additional scripture passages for those who want to go deeper. Designed for disciples of any age, each week also includes Hear & Practice questions to help move our reading from information to transformation.

Whether you’re at home, traveling, or at Summer Camp, we want everyone reading together — on the same page!

Pick up a Same Page Summer booklet at the counter in the Lobby or at the station tables in Modern Worship. This resource can also be accessed digitally on our Church Center app.

Let’s all get on the SAME PAGE this summer!

BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE ADVANCE NOTICE: (July 18-Aug. 9)
The children of Jehovah/Good Shepherd Christian Academy (3740 W. Belden, Chicago) are in need of school supplies when they start their new school year. Can you help? Their special needs this year are: Pink erasers, white erasers, 5" binders, plastic sheets for binders, compasses for math, protractors for math, watercolor markers, glue guns with extra glue for teachers, copy paper, sidewalk chalk. Any other school supplies of your choice would also be greatly appreciated. If you would like to help, but prefer not to shop for the supplies, a Walmart gift card would be helpful to purchase extra supplies that they need. Supplies can be dropped off between July 18 & Aug. 9 in the donation boxes in the Living Room. Questions: Contact Patsy & Paul Crawford at 848-848-0264 or pacpcc11@comcast.net 

SUMMER SUPPERS HAVE RETURNED TO OUR SAVIOUR'S
Summer Suppers give a helping hand to local individuals and families struggling with food insecurity. Sign up to help out at OSLC on the first Wednesday of the month, June-September: Wednesday, June 3, Wednesday, July 1, Wednesday, August 5, Wednesday, September 2. Provide entrees, side dishes, or beverages. Ingredients for bag lunches will also be needed. Or help with meal assembly. Or pick up a food donation from Popeyes Chicken in Palatine. Donation pick ups at Popeyes are also needed on the fourth Wednesday of the month, when the Oneness running group will host Summer Suppers at OSLC. There are lots of ways to lend a hand with the Summer Supper program!

No experience or special training is needed. Youth 13-15 may volunteer with a parent. Youth 16 and older can sign up on their own.

The first Summer Supper on May 6 helped 43 hungry people who were so very appreciative of the cheeseburgers, green salad, potato salad, and bag lunches . Our Saviours is one of 20 area churches and local organizations supporting the Summer Supper program this year. Do you have a few hours to volunteer this summer? Wouldn’t you like to help out? Register HERE to volunteer

SUMMER CLOTHING DONATIONS NEEDED
Please donate your gently used items. In particular need: rain jackets, ponchos, and windbreakers in good condition. Men’s summer clothing in small and medium sizes, especially shirts with collars and polo shirts are also appreciated, men’s shoes (excluding dress shoes), belts, baseball caps, ankle socks for men and women and cloth and plastic shopping bags are needed . Place donated items in the PADS donation box near Fellowship Hall. Any problems with signing up electronically to volunteer, please send an email to oslcpadsvoldirector@gmail.com Any questions on the Summer Supper program, get in touch with one of the site co-directors: Bruce Freier 773-656-0606 Sheryl Hilbert 847-337-9104

PURCHASE WORSHIP FLOWERS
ST. PETER FINANCIAL REPORTS
GIFT PLANNING
A good gift plan within an estate includes inheritance for family and gifts to ministry. Some might consider this a difficult task. How does an LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor help? Many people can get involved in this gift planning and estate process. It can include attorneys, tax preparers, financial planners, as well as ministry leaders and family members. Your LCMS Foundation Associate Gift Planning Counselor will assist with your communication with all these people so that you construct a plan that will last. Contact Ray Pagels at raymondpagels1@gmail.com or his cell 847.226.2262.
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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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