Fully Alive!

10/16/25 View this email in your browser

ROOF ARCH-RAFTER REPLACEMENT PROJECT - UPDATE
Back in 1987, our Trustees discovered that parts of the large wooden rafters supporting our sanctuary roof had started to rot due to years of weather exposure. Temporary repairs were made in 1988 with steel plates, and the wood was treated regularly for a time — but over the years, that maintenance stopped, and moisture slowly continued to take its toll.

Fast forward to recent inspections in 2015 and again in 2024 — tests showed that the wood rot had progressed, especially in the southeast rafter, which had deteriorated to the point that its original structure was no longer sound. Engineers confirmed that all four rafters needed attention to preserve the strength and safety of our sanctuary roof.

To address this, a full repair plan was created to replace the damaged wood with new, long-lasting structural steel. Designed by Robert Flubacker Architects LTD and approved by the Village of Arlington Heights, the project ensures our sanctuary remains strong for years to come.

Ward Contracting and Building Restoration, Inc. began work in mid-August 2025 and completed the repairs in mid-September. Two progress reports have been shared in Fully Alive!—the first in the September 4, 2025 issue and a second one now available. Click HERE to read the reports and see photos of the project in action!

CELEBRATE THE SAINTS WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED HOME
We will celebrate All Saints Day during our weekend worship services on November 1 & 2. We will be recognizing those Saints who have departed in the past year (Oct ‘24 thru Nov ‘25) in the faith. If you have a loved one you would like remembered in this service, please add their name using the form HERE or give Allie Gill in the church office a call, 224-387-3820.

ARE YOU READY TO SLOW DOWN AND START SEEING THE PEOPLE GOD IS PLACING IN YOUR LIFE?
Learn more about Unhurried Friend Training - Through this training, you'll learn to pattern your life after the way of Jesus, paying close attention to those around you and asking: Who am I praying for in this season? Who am I inviting into my life—and what do they need next to follow Jesus more closely? By the end of this journey, you’ll be able to say with confidence: “I am building meaningful relationships with the people God is placing in my life.”

November 2 through January 25, Sundays during Discipleship Hour from 10:00 am-11:00 am. Led by Karen Kogler and Sarah Greiner. Register HERE or through the Church Center App

Encounter Jesus Like Never Before - GOD WITH US
What if understanding who Jesus really is could be simple, clear—and deeply personal? The book God With Us brings the life of Jesus into sharp focus by blending the Gospel accounts into one powerful, seamless story. This isn’t just a retelling—it’s an invitation to experience His message, His mission, and the life-changing truth of salvation in a fresh, transformative way.

Ready to take the next step? Join the God With Us Discussion Group, Sundays at 10:00 am from November 2 through April 26. Explore the book together, ask honest questions, and discover how Jesus' story intersects with your own.

Sign up HERE or register through Your Church Center App to let us know you're in. Free copies of the book are available in the St. Peter lobby or at your group. Led By Jer and Dana Rath Meeting in room 222.

FIRM FOUNDATION FAITHFUL FUTURE UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, October 25th( 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm)
Join us at the Sanfilippo Estate for a very special afternoon. There will be a self guided tour of the Mansion highlighting some of the world’s finest restored antique music machines along with a 1927 Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. After the tour, hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served in the Carousel Building followed by a dinner. After dinner, please stay to enjoy dessert and rides on the Carousel. This will be an adults-only gathering, allowing us to fully appreciate this unique experience together. REGISTER HERE!

Sunday, October 26th(1:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
Join us at Pinstripes in South Barrington for a fun family afternoon of bowling and bocce with a full American buffet featuring char-grilled burgers, spicy grilled chicken, Chicago-style baby back ribs, baked mac and cheese, cheese pizza, garden salad, Parmesan chips, cookies, and Ghirardelli triple chocolate brownies. Includes unlimited soda, coffee, hot/cold tea, beer, and wine. Bowling rental shoes included with/ unlimited lemonade and water while bowling. This will be another great opportunity to learn about Firm Foundation, Faithful Future, and our goals. REGISTER HERE!

CONFIRMATION WORKSHOP #5: PRAYER AND THE LORD'S PRAYER
Sundays, October 19 & 26 | 10:00–11:00 AM | Library, Room #220 or Tuesday, October 21 | 6:30–8:00 PM | Life Center. Pastor Randy will be leading Confirmation Workshop #5, Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer, in two parts on Sundays, October 19 and 26, during our Discipleship Hour, or you may attend the single session on Tuesday, October 21 in the Life Center. This workshop is open to all students in 5th Grade and up. As a reminder, we hold 3 to 4 workshops a year for families that are seeking confirmation. If your son or daughter attends St. Peter school, they are receiving this training in their religion classes. Public school students must complete all six confirmation workshops by Reformation weekend of their freshman year. You can register for either of these sessions within the Confirmation Group on your Church Center App.

The Community Partners Ministry is organizing a food drive for Jehovah Lutheran Church and School (Good Shepard Christian Academy), located at 3740 W Belden Ave in Chicago serving the Logan Square community. We are helping Jehovah stock their food pantry for the winter. Please place your food donations in the designated area in the narthex through Wednesday, November 5. The school students are asked to bring their food donations to chapel on Wednesday, November 5. Please only bring non-perishable items: canned foods (soup, tuna/salmon, ravioli, spaghetti, fruit, vegetables, etc.), packaged foods (coffee, tea, macaroni and cheese, pasta, potatoes, cereal, rice, etc.), paper products (paper plates, paper towels, facial tissue, toilet paper, etc.), and family-size toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent, etc.). If you would like to help pack the donations, we will be packing on Wednesday, November 5 from 7:00 am to 9:00 am in the Narthex. We appreciate any donations of copier paper boxes to pack the food in. If you have any questions, would like to volunteer or have boxes, please contact Vaughn or Diane Kuerschner at 847-980-7648. Thank you for your support.

IT’S NATIONAL BOX TOPS WEEK! October 13–19
This week, earn DOUBLE Box Tops for St. Peter on every participating product you purchase and scan! As a bonus, if you buy 4 participating products this week, you will earn 20 Bonus Box Tops. Download the BTFE app and use school code RKJ22BC8 to earn 25 bonus Box Tops just for signing up. Shop favorites like General Mills, Pillsbury, Annie’s, and Nature Valley, then scan your receipt to help St. Peter earn more—last year we raised over $1,500! Let’s see how much we can earn together this year! Thank you for your support.

PADS TRAINING – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Want to serve meals or volunteer with PADS but haven’t been trained yet? Join us for a short class at Our Saviour’s on Monday, November 10, right before PADS begins. You’ll learn how setup works, review procedures, and get your questions answered. Sign up HERE. Teens 16–17 may train and volunteer with a trained adult until 8:30 p.m. Groups can request a separate session by emailing HERE.

PADS AT OUR SAVIOUR’S
For 37 years, Our Saviour’s has provided meals and shelter for those experiencing homelessness in partnership with Journeys | The Road Home. We’re the only PADS site open on Monday nights through April, so your help matters more than ever!

Volunteers are needed to:
Provide or serve meals (especially dinner entrees), Donate lunch items, Help with overnight or cleanup shifts
Sign up HERE: Questions? Contact Bruce (773-656-0606) or Sheryl (847-337-9104).

SUMMER SUPPERS: A big thank-you to all who helped with Summer Suppers! Our Saviour’s hosted eight meals this season, offering food and friendship to neighbors in need. Guests were so grateful for the generosity, and the delicious menu of burgers, brats, salads, ice cream, homemade cookies, and even Popeyes Chicken!

LET ALL THE SAINTS ON EARTH REJOICE: HYMNS OF DAVID ROGNER
This hymn festival will be on Sunday, October 19, 7:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, IL. Choirs include Concordia University’s Kapelle, and the parish choirs of Grace and of First Saint Paul’s Lutheran, Chicago, plus instruments. An Organ Concert by Brenda Portman of Cincinnati, OH, follows on Monday, October 20, 7:30 pm. Both events, part of Concordia’s Lectures in Church Music conference, are free and open to the public. Parking is available in the campus facility south of Grace Church. Learn more HERE.

PURCHASE WORSHIP FLOWERS

ST. PETER FINANCIAL REPORTS

ESTATE PLANNING
We can face competing priorities when we think about planning our estates someday. To work on your Christian Estate Plan today, you must decide if you are more controlled by past goals or future desires. What does your family look like today? How does that compare to what it looked like twenty years ago? You might have more children, or the presence of grandchildren. God may have called some family member’s home. Marriage may have changed circumstances of family. Some families might be facing a health crisis, a financial crisis or mental health challenge that was not present before. Your estate plans may need to change as a result. Your Christian Gift Planning Counselor can help you begin taking account of these changes, helping you to begin thinking of modifications needed for your estate plan. Contact Ray Pagels at raymondpagels1@gmail.com or his cell: 847-226-2262 for assistance.

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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