On April 12th, we as a church will be given a tour of Thomson Penitentiary beginning at 1:15pm. There is a sign-up sheet at church. This is an opportunity for us to become familiar with the prison before inmates arrive. Why? So that when they do arrive, we can be more ready and better able to minister to them. Rev. Russell Helbig has mentioned before that we as a church are able to teach Bible classes, share what our life is like with them so they can see a better path and be a positive influence in the lives of those who are hurting. I hope you will join us Sunday, April 12th for this opportunity. In the mean time, if you happen to come in contact with those who will be working there, Pastor Helbig has passed along some talking points to help you out:

How to Speak with Prison Staff and Invite them to St. Peters Lutheran Church

“We’re excited to have you in our community!   St. Peter’s is very eager to support the mission at Thomson.  Can I help you find anything in the community?  Are there any business or services which have been hard to locate?”

“We’re glad that Thomson is bringing economic value to our community.  We want to give you something of value in return:  God's love in Jesus Christ.  I would like to invite you hear that Word on Sunday as my guest.  I'll introduce you to people who might be able to help you settle into the community."

"Have you found a church home?  I would be excited if you would visit my church on Sunday.  Our church is eager to support the mission of Thomson any way we can.  Is there a way we can help your family?"

“I’ve been told that the Bureau of Prisons has a saying:  'Always follow policy.'   You know, the church I attend does the same thing.  We seek to follow the written Word.  That leads to safety and security forever.  May I give you a copy of the Small Catechism?  It's like policy:  it explains in simple language what we believe and teach from the Bible." 

"I would be glad to give you a phonebook.  Local businesses are going online, but the phonebook can be a real help in the meantime.  May I share a Small Catechism with you also?  It's like a mini directory of the Bible; its teachings are easy to look up by subject, just like the Yellow Pages."

"Our pastor, Mark, uses sign language often as he leads worship.  It’s really easy to learn basic signs just by watching him.  You know, if you learned a few basic signs while you worship, you might be able use them with deaf inmates.  That could be a real help.  I think you would enjoy seeing Pastor Mark do this; I would like you join us for worship on Sunday." 

“I’ve heard that the prison puts a lot of emphasis on training and mentoring.  That's important.  You have to develop new leaders to promote as others retire.  At our church, that’s the way we look at Bible study.  We train one another in God’s Word so we can bring God's love to others as we move into positions of leadership at home and in the community.  I would be honored if you would visit and observe our Bible classes.  St. Peter’s is a really welcoming church.”

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

                                         -Psalm 16:11

My dear friends in Christ,

      As we move into the next quarter of the year, here at St. Peters we will shift our focus from “Life” to “Education.” As part of our mission work, we support Lutheran education in many and various ways:

· In our church with Sunday School, Confirmation classes, distributing Bibles and Catechisms to our children, offering multiple Bible studies throughout the week;

· In our community through Christ Lutheran School where 4 of our own children go (registration now open for 2015/16) and 2 members are part of the board. We support them in our prayers and with our offerings as part of our mission budget;

· In our nation as we send mission offering on to our District and Synod which support our Concordia University system, including Concordia University Chicago (CUC) in which we currently have 1 member attending.

· In our world as we support missionaries who spend their lives teaching those who have never heard the good news of Jesus Christ, including our CUC member Liz Dornbush who is going on a mission trip. See the newsletter and (soon) the Narthex, for more info on ways we can reach out through her to support education in Guatemala.

                 I hope you see what an impact we are able to make and how much we are able to do as a church! Yet, I also hope you notice a place missing...a very important, in fact it is the most important, place: IN OUR HOMES. We as a church can only equip our families to teach and train the coming generation. I pray that you use the Bibles, Catechisms and Sunday School material at home. It is one of the  most difficult things to do, setting aside a time for devotion, but it’s impact is eternal.

                In the coming months we will discuss the importance of Lutheran education in church and ways we can be active in supporting this mission. I hope you will join us in using the abundant blessings God has given us in order to reach out and teach the coming generation about “the path of life ...the fullness of joy ...pleasures forevermore.”