Fully Alive!

11/13/25 View this email in your browser

CELEBRATION SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 23 AT 10:30 AM
Next week November 23 is Celebration Sunday, which means there will be no Saturday evening service. We invite everyone to join us Sunday morning for 8:30 AM (Sacred) or 9:00 AM (Modern) worship, then head down to the M.A.C. at 10:30 AM for a Celebration Brunch as we give thanks for all that God has done through our Firm Foundations, Faithful Future Capital Campaign!

We’ll share a delicious brunch spread from Brunch Café and invite everyone to bring drinks, fresh fruit, or desserts to share. Those attending Discipleship Hour are encouraged to RSVP as well — there will be plenty of food for everyone! The hot brunch buffet will open around 10:30 AM, and Discipleship Hour participants can plan to go through the line around 11:00 AM, helping spread out the flow and keep things running smoothly.

We can’t wait to gather as one St. Peter family to celebrate God’s blessings and enjoy this joyful time of gratitude and community.

👉 Please RSVP here so we can plan accordingly, and sign up within the RSVP link if you’d like to bring an item!

GRACE & GATHER: ADVENT CELEBRATION
Tuesday, December 2 at 6:30 PM
Our December Grace & Gather is one of the most joyful gatherings of the year — filled with song, laughter, friendship, and plenty of delicious food! Take a moment to slow down, celebrate the season, and prepare your heart for Christmas alongside women of all ages.

We’d love your help making the night beautiful and festive!
Sign up to bring appetizers, desserts, and/or holiday table décor using the link below.

Ways to participate:

🧀 Appetizers: Help us fill the table with your favorite appetizers — think charcuterie bites, dips, meatballs, pinwheels, veggie trays, or any fun holiday favorite.
🍰 Desserts: Sweeten the night with a dessert to share — cookies, bars, fudge, cupcakes, chocolate-dipped treats — we love them all!
🎄 Table Décor: Help make the room shine by decorating a table with a holiday-themed centerpiece. A red tablecloth will be provided! Bring your creativity — flameless candles, mini lights, greenery, ornaments, mini trees, or nativity décor are all great options.

Click the button above to sign up and let us know how you’d like to participate. We can’t wait to celebrate this joyful season together!

Please save the date! Celebrate Christmas as our high school youth tell the story of Jesus’ birth through costumed characters, live animals, and your favorite Christmas carols. This outdoor event will be Sunday, December 7th at 10:00am on the north lawn.

High school students, it’s not too late to sign up! Click HERE to sign up and learn more about this unique opportunity.

🎄COMMUNITY PARTNERS CARING TREES🎄
The Community Partners Team is placing Christmas trees in the Narthex and Life Center decorated with ornaments representing various organizations we support. Each ornament lists the wishes and needs of individuals along with any special instructions for the gifts. The trees will be up starting the weekend of November 15 & 16, and all gifts should be returned to the church by Sunday, December 14.
Round Red Ornaments — A child from Jehovah’s School, Good Shepherd Christian Academy
Christmas Trees — PADS (Local Homeless Shelter guests)
Blue Angels — Safe Families for Children (Partners with parents in crisis)
Yellow Stars — LINC

Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated and truly blesses those in need. Thank you.

🎄JOIN US FOR CHRISTMAS DECORATION DAYS! 🎄
Help us deck the Sanctuary and Life Center for Christmas on Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25, from 8:00 AM–3:00 PM. Come for the whole day or just a few hours—every bit helps bring the beauty of the season to life!

Got a green thumb? We’ll also need help decorating our outdoor planters and island areas to spread the Christmas cheer outside too!A few notes: Volunteers may be asked to lift up to 30 lbs and use ladders for decorating. We’ll provide guidance and work safely together.If you’d like to lend a hand, please contact Allie Gill (or 224-387-3829). Thank you for helping make St. Peter shine bright this Christmas season!

TIME FOR TRIVIA!
Join us for a St. Peter Trivia Night on Friday, November 21 at 6:30 PM in the Life Center! Sign up with a team or we can place you on one for a fun adult night of fellowship, friendly competition, and prizes. Sign up here to reserve your spot!

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP – THERE IS STILL TIME TO JOIN!
All high school students are invited to be a part of our Sunday night Youth Group! We meet each week from 6:00–8:00 pm in the Youth Room for fellowship, games, teaching, and time to grow in faith together.

Upcoming Dates:

November 16 – Friendsgiving! Join us at our usual time and place.
Would you like to bring a dish to share? Sign up here for bringing food to Friendsgiving!
November 23 – No Youth Group – Enjoy Thanksgiving Break!
November 30 – Live Nativity Practice (6:00–7:00 pm in the Youth Room)
Anyone who would like to participate in the Live Nativity on December 7 at 10:00 am is invited to attend this practice.
December 7 – Live Nativity 10am - Youth Group (regular meeting time)
December 14 – Christmas Party! Join us for food, festive fun, and a White Elephant gift exchange (bringing a gift is optional).

We’d love to see you there—and feel free to bring a friend!

FROM THE PARISH NURSE:
Greetings to you in this season of Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for and look forward to sharing time with family and friends to express thanks. I am sharing information, with you, my church family, that I received from the authors of “Spiritual First Aide. “I chose 6 of the10 gratitude worksheets that were biblically developed and research-based activities that help a person to give thanks.
The Grateful Life: Take a moment to pause, breathe deeply, and focus on God’s presence. Write down at least 5 things you are currently thankful for in your life. Take a moment to reflect on each and note why you are grateful for it, acknowledging God’s goodness in your life. When complete, reflect on your list and how it makes you feel. If you feel led to, share it with someone you trust or keep it somewhere visible as a daily reminder of God’s goodness
Give Thanks: Taking time each day to thank God for three specific blessings—whether big or small—can renew your heart and mind. Focusing on things you are thankful for can help shift your mindset to a more positive outlook. Studies have also shown that gratitude can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. “Always giving thanks to God, the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20 1 2
Hand of Gratitude: Reflect on five things in your life for which you’re truly thankful. Write them down, perhaps using the outline of a hand, and consider doing this regularly (e.g., in the morning, at night, or whenever facing challenges). Developing a habit of gratitude aligns with 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which reminds us, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This practice can bring peace and joy, grounding you in God's blessings every day.
The Gratitude Jar: Fill your gratitude jar with notes of all the things you are grateful for, and the gifts God has given you. Write them down as they come to mind. Whenever you need encouragement, take a moment to review your jar and reflect on God’s goodness in your life. Might be a new activity or Thanksgiving Tradition…. All ages can participate! “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”– Psalm 9:1
Gratitude Journalling: Keeping a gratitude journal can be a powerful way to renew your heart and mind, strengthen your relationships, and enhance your well-being. By focusing on God’s blessings and the good things He’s provided, you can cultivate a spirit of joy, thankfulness, and contentment that uplifts your mood and outlook. Here are 5 tips to help you begin your own gratitude journal. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength.”– 1 Timothy 1:12
Giving Thanks: Think of someone you’re truly grateful for, be specific about what you appreciate, and consider sharing your letter with them in person or by mail. Taking time to express gratitude can strengthen your joy, deepen your sense of well-being, and build meaningful connections in Christ. “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.”– 1 Corinthians 1:4
May these ideas of gratitude give pause to share thanks with those around you this not only at Thanksgiving…but every day. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”– Colossians 3:17

Jean M Mau DNP, Parish Nurse
parishnurse@fulllifeinchrist.org

PURCHASE WORSHIP FLOWERS

ST. PETER FINANCIAL REPORTS

ESTATE PLANNING
We can face competing priorities when we think about planning our estates someday. The big decision to make is whether an estate plan is merely a legal/financial activity or is it an activity of faith. Your will can include a Christian preamble, a statement of faith captured in permanent record, meant to give confession of your faith and encouragement for beneficiaries of your estate to practice faithful stewardship, just as you have. Your Christian Gift Planning Counselor has samples to share with you to get you started. Contact Ray Pagels at raymondpagels1@gmail.com or his cell 847-226-2262

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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