VBS Wrap-up
Vacation Bible School- July 6th – July 10th, 2026
Our theme for VBS this year was: “Tropical Trek – Jesus Comes to Seek and Save”
- God finds me when I have troubles God saves Baby Moses
- God finds me when I’m lonely Ruth and Naomi
- God finds me when I’m lost Jesus and Zacchaeus
- God finds me when I think there’s no hope Jesus Rises from the Dead
- God finds me, no matter my sin Jesus appears to Paul
What did we do this week?
- We enjoyed being in an environment decorated as a “tropical island”
- We gathered together for Opening and Closing Devotions in the sanctuary where the theme of the day was introduced focusing on the God’s Word and joyful, lively singing
- The children, guided by adult and teen Volunteers, rotated thru 5 stations:
Bible Story, Bible Challenge, Crafts, Games and Snacks
- 85 Children registered – Preschool thru 5th Grade registered to attend our VBS.
- The Average Daily Attendance was 71 Children
- Our VBS Offering will benefit the Indiana District Lutheran Emergency Response Team (LERT) and St. Peter Lutheran School Library with “Brave” Books that reflects our Christian Heritage as a God fearing nation.
We want to thank our VBS Leaders, Adult and Teen Volunteers, and members of St. Peter for your prayers and support as we for joyfully shared Jesus and made the Bible stories, Bible Verses with amazing experiments, crafts, games and snacks that reflected the theme of day as Jesus became real in the lives of our children. What a JOY to share Jesus with our children from St. Peter and our community.
SAVE THE DATE FOR VBS next year: July 5th – July 9th, 2027
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Sunday, July 12, 2026
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
God nourishes the whole earth with refreshing water, yielding a bountiful harvest. His Word does the same – nourishing faith, refreshing souls, and increasing joy. We dare not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, who magnifies and sheds all kinds of God’s goodness upon us and makes us heirs of an incomparable wealth in the Gospel of Christ, recipients of His life-giving Word, and inheritors of the everlasting kingdom of God.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God” LSB 941 (Hymn of the Month)
“Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast” LSB 577
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” LSB 686
“May God Bestow on Us His Grace” LSB 824
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” LSB 790
“For the Fruits of His Creation” LSB 894
“Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go” LSB 854
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Sunday, July 5, 2026
The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
Zechariah prophesies the coming of King Jesus, whose reign is about mercy, grace, life, and goodness, not about wrath, power, anger, or violence. Sometimes we mistakenly think that unyielding wrath guarantees change, self-condemnation begets correction, and power deserves respect. But for Christians, it is only the gracious, gentle, merciful Jesus who delivers us from our body of death. He is our divine respite in whom we know kindness, goodness, and forgiveness.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Gracious God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life’s end grant us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God” LSB 941 (hymn of the month)
“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” LSB 699
“Jesus Shall Reign” LSB 832
“May We Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfill” LSB 698
“Be Still, My Soul” LSB 752
“Eternal Father, Strong to Save” LSB 717
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Sunday, June 28, 2026
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
God’s Holy Law binds, condemns, and kills! Those under the law are terrorized by sin. Prophets recount the transgressions of people that have provoked wars, famines, pestilence, and death. Only peace produces life. But the Lord unsheathes the sword of division between those who vehemently deny and those who humbly confess Christ as Lord. Nothing dismisses the authority of the Law, but thanks be to God that Christ fulfilled its every letter – so we shall inherit eternal peace!
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, by the working of Your Holy Spirit, grant that we may gladly hear Your Word proclaimed among us and follow its directing; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying” LSB 826 (hymn of the month)
“The Son of God Goes Forth to War” LSB 661
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” LSB 621
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” LSB 426
“O Blessed Spring” LSB 595
“Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray” LSB 623
“I Walk in Danger All the Way” LSB 716
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Sunday June 21, 2026
The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
Violence and destruction snuff out life! Mourning crescendos as cruelty erupts. But, the Lord remains strong as our warrior – our deliverer from evildoers. And as we battle sin and its consequences to our body and soul, we cling to Christ, who is obedience, justification, and righteousness. In Him, we claim all the blessed attributes and live, fearing not those things that seek to destroy but in all circumstances acknowledging and confessing Christ before all men!
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
O God, because Your abiding presence always goes with us, keep us aware of Your daily mercies that we may live secure and content in Your eternal love; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying” LSB 826 (hymn of the month)
“Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation” LSB 659
“Just As I Am” LSB 570
“O God of Light” LSB 836
“How Firm a Foundation” LSB 728
“On Eagles’ Wings” LSB 727
“O Blest the House” LSB 862
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Sunday, June 14, 2026
The Third Sunday After Pentecost – Divine Service 1
The Lord is the God of compassion. He bore the Israelites on Eagles’ wings and called them His treasured people. Jesus healed every disease and affliction through the cities and villages. But His greatest mercy is shown in such love that Christ would die for weak and ungodly people – sinners. Justified by His blood, we are saved from the wrath of God. This message must be shared, for the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, the church proclaims the coming of Christ.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying” LSB 826 (hymn of the month)
“O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth” LSB 834
“Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior” LSB 619
“O Christ Who Called the Twelve” LSB 856
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer” LSB 918
“God Loves Me Dearly” LSB 392
“God Loved the World So that He Gave” LSB 571
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Sunday, June 14, 2026
The Second Sunday after Pentecost – Divine Service 1
God desires steadfast love and mercy – not sacrifice – as Jesus echoes the prophet Hosea to the Pharisees and reminds us today. Our worship is hollow if we trust our own works and self-righteousness rather than living a life that overflows with the love and mercy that God provides to those who follow Him. Our Lord calls us to repentance and promises to heal and bind up those who come with contrite hearts.
Readings:
Collect of the Day:
Almighty and most merciful God, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to seek and to save the lost. Graciously open our ears and our hearts to hear His call and to follow Him by faith that we may feast with Him forever in His kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns:
“Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying” LSB 826 (hymn of the month)
“Let Me Be Thine Forever” LSB 689
“Chief of Sinners Though I Be” LSB 611
“Today Your Mercy Calls Us” LSB 915
“I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table” LSB 618
“By Grace I’m Saved, Pure and Boundless” LSB 566
“My Faith Looks Up to Thee” LSB 702
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LCMS National Convention Delegate
LCMS National Convention
July 18–23, 2026 • Phoenix, Ariz.
July 18–23, 2026 • Phoenix, Ariz.
The theme of the 69th LCMS Convention will be “Christ Is Risen Indeed” based on 1 Corinthians 15:20-22: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
I will be attending the convention as a delegate representing our Laporte Circuit. I would like you to:
I will be attending the convention as a delegate representing our Laporte Circuit. I would like you to:
- Pray for the convention and all the delegates attending the convention for safe travel and that all the discussions and decisions would glorify God and enhance the work of sharing God’s Word and fulfilling the Mission and Ministry of the LCMS
- Read and review the June/July issue of the Lutheran Witness it contains information about the convention
- Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions as I pray, read convention materials and prepare to represent our Circuit as a delegate.
- My contact information is: Margie Wickert – Cell to call or text: 219-863-6213 and my email is: gmwickert@gmail.com I look forward to participate in this important event and see and experience all that God is doing in our Districts, the Synod and the World.
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