FEBRUARY 2021 - PASTOR - REV. SHARON TAYLOR
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FEBRUARY 2021 PASTOR – REV. SHARON TAYLOR
Office Hours
Mon – Wed – Fri
8 am – Noon
Phone: 239-463-4251
WEBSITE: www.stpeterfmb.com
Email: Stpeterfmb@gmail.com
Facebook – St. Peter Lutheran ELCA, Ft. Myers Beach
YouTube – Livestreaming for 10:30 am. Service and Daily
Devotions “St Peter Lutheran Church Ft Myers Beach FL”
STAFF
Pastor – Rev. Sharon Taylor
Office Administrator – Trudy Archer
Organist/Choir Director – Jim Kreger
Artist in Residence/Pianist – Shirley Roe
Digital Ministry Coordinator – Deacon Lisa Miller
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE PRINTING AND
MAILING COSTS, please submit your check either in the mail or your
envelope with “Fisherman” as the subject line. The cost to print and
mail is $65 -75 per month.
Thank You to Maggie Keith and
Willis & Dorothee Young
for sponsoring the Fisherman this month!
REFLECTIONS FROM
PASTOR SHARON
LISTENING FOR GOD
Since November 1, 2020 we have been intentionally praying for
St Peter and for wisdom and discernment about our future
ministry and mission. Hopefully, you have been praying with
us at 12:30pm each day. I hope that this time has been
meaningful and has given you a way to remember our
congregation each day.
I hope that you will continue this practice as we move into the
next phase of our discernment. As the Apostle Paul
encourages us; Pray unceasingly…..
As we begin this next phase in our discernment process, we will
begin to share our insights from this time of prayer and
entertain questions like:
Who are we now?
What is God calling us to be?
What needs of our community (Fort Myers Beach and area) are
we called to address?
How can we strengthen our bond within our community of
faith?
During Lent, we will be exploring the theme “Listening for
God”. Using the above questions and more, we will begin to
think and talk about where God is leading us in 2021 and
beyond. We will be holding in-person Wednesday Lenten
services at 9:30am in the sanctuary. These will also be live-
streamed and available on YouTube for those of you who
cannot attend in person. I would encourage everyone to view
these five Wednesdays and participate along with us. You can
reflect upon the same questions and send your thoughts and
insights to me at rev_st@yahoo.com. This way we will all have
an opportunity to participate in this exciting time of
discernment for clarity of vision and mission. God has been
faithful to this congregation for over 50 years and will continue
to guide and equip Christ’s church into the future. We have
much for which to be grateful. Our hope and our vision is
secure in God’s promised love and grace. God is good! All the
time!
Peace to you,
Pastor Sharon
QUOTES FROM MARTIN LUTHER
FROM
THE WORSHIP AND MUSIC
COMMITTEE
"Everything that is done in this world is done by hope."
"The Christian shoemaker does his duty, not by putting
little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes,
because God is interested in in good craftmanship."
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PROVIDED A
POINSETTIA TO GRACE THE ALTAR
Bruce & Diane Allen – In memory of
Keith Allen
Trudy Archer & Lew Worrall– In memory of our
parents
Jay & Lois Brown – In memory of
Dick Lockwood
Arlene Burm – In memory of Robert Burm
Jana Clevenger – In celebration of
family & friends
Annette Dwyer - In celebration of
Bill Palmer’s 80th Birthday
Ernie Garbade – In memory of
Dee Garbade and in celebration of
Selma Grotheer
Paul & Debbie Gresham – In memory of our
parents and brothers and in honor of Ben, Luke,
Charlotte, Madeline & Julia
Helmbrecht Family – In memory of
Cathy Figgins
Rita Hofmeister – In memory of
Jack Hofmeister
Cherie Kullberg – In memory of our parents, the
Shepherds and the Kullbergs
Barbara Larson – In memory of
Ronald J. Larson
Jim & Donna Markusen - In memory of loved ones
Bob & Brenda Miller – In memory of
our parents
Sharon Newsome – In honor of Mary, in memory
of Sharon and in celebration of Lily
Mike Schultz & family, Sheri Hustad & family and
Susan Philippo & family – In memory of Richard
Schultz and in honor of Sharlene Schultz
John & Marilyn Torstveit –
In celebration of Christ’s birth
Norma & Jim Wall – In memory of
our dear parents
Jean Ziemann – In memory of loved ones
***************************************************
Thanks to Robert and Bev Larson Dean for sponsoring a
Sunday Livestream in memory of their mothers,
Viginia Hamilton and Ruth Dyer
***********************************************************
December, 2020 Altar Flowers were donated
by:
Dec. 6 – Diane & Bruce Allen, in memory of parents
Dec. 24/25 – Donna & George Albert, in celebration
of our 27th wedding anniversary
Dec. 27 – Paul & Deb Gresham, in celebration of
our 47th wedding anniversary
January, 2021 Altar Flowers were donated by:
Jan. 31 – Trudy Archer, in memory of
my mother’s birthday
WELCA
Broadcast Sponsorship
If you would like to support our online ministry by
sponsoring a broadcast, the cost is $50. You can
send your donation to the church with a line item
note in memory of or in honor of and “broadcast” .
Soul Tending on the Beach
Thursdays 8:30 -9:30 am
Join Pastor Sharon at Beach Access # 22 (Connecticut St.
across from Beach Baptist)
Park at the access with your Passport App or for free at the
St. Peter parking lot and walk to the access.
Call Pastor Sharon if you have any questions.
St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Council Updates
from Friday, January 15, 2021
• The 2020 St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Financial
Statements are being prepared to send by mail to our
members. Thanks to them for supporting St. Peter.
• Church Council members agreed in a motion to accept a
proposal for an outreach program where a bag be put
together to help with the needs of folks here on Fort Myers
Beach who are currently struggling to make ends meet.
Trudy has offered to lead the program so if someone
wishing to help, please seek out Trudy in the office.
• The St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Annual Meeting
is scheduled to be help after both services on Sunday,
March 14, 2021. All reports have been submitted and
Trudy has them to put together the Annual Report for
2020. The 2019 Annual Reports are also going to be made
available prior to the meeting. We will need a quorum.
There will be no meal due to Covid19 restrictions.
• Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, February 17, 2021 and the
service will be at 9:30 am inside the sanctuary and
livestreamed. All Wednesday services at 9:30 am will be
held inside and livestreamed.
• On Sunday, January 3, 2021 Pastor Sharon Taylor
welcomed six new members to St. Peter. They are as
follows; Charlene Grabow, Scott Grabow, Lynn Larson, Rev.
Tim Taylor, Les Groetten, and Sharon Turner. Please make
them feel welcome.
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We were saddened to learn of the passing of two
people from the congregation.
Sharlene Schultz passed away in Minnesota on
January 13, 2021.
Steve Repetto passed away here in Fort Myers on
January 10. His memorial service was held at the
church and he is buried in our Peace Garden.
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We have received several thank you notes from the
organizations who received checks from the Enduring Gift
Fund. The Salvation Army, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Pace
Center for Girls,Salus Care,Renee’s Closet,Chapel by the Sea
(God’s Table), Harvest Time Ministries and the Café of Life.
These organizations serve our community in a variety of ways
and the $1000.00 grants that they receive from us go a long
way in keeping their work going.
You can continue to support the Enduring Gift Fund through
your weekly offerings by designating it in the memo line of
your check or sending a special gift in memory of a loved one.
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” ―Anne Frank
Our Prayer List
Kim Kreger Bryant Chris Magley
Adler Biddle Denise Mays
Gretna Bohl April Meyer
Laura Bond Dave & Sue Mickley
Joy Booth Larry Nelson
Sally Malcom-Bethea Martha Krejci
Karen Carpenter Shirley & Sheldon Roe
Church in Haiti Jim Fogdall
John Hyssong, Jr. Miguel Colon
Barbara Deming Scott Seeman
Ernest H. Garbade (son) Debbie Smalley
Jack Gerber Ryan Smith
Jack & Shirley Hyssong Joyce Timmons
Arnie & Nancy Johnson Alexis Tuminello
Jim Johnson Liz Venturin
Barbara Keene Joanie McMeekin
Jim & Carol Look Tiffany Hunter
Frances Tim Taylor
Jerry Gustafson
Miranda, Madison, Madeline &Meredith
Our family serving in the Armed Forces
Col. Kevin Groth (nephew of Bob Stenerson)
Marshall (son of Paul & Mark)
Robert McGuire (grandson of Arlene Burm)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
It is our privilege to lift up your prayer concerns to the Throne Room of our
God! If you have a prayer concern to add or remove from this list, please
e-mail, call the office or send us a note.
Names will be listed for one month, after which they will be removed unless
we hear from you to keep them active. If you want them to be permanently
on the list, please let the office know.Welcome to our new members!
We are excited to have had six new members join our
congregation on Sunday, January 3. This was our first
regular service held outdoors and it was wonderful to
see so many there to support these folks.
Charlene & Scott Grabow
Les Groettum
Lynn Larson
Timothy Taylor
Sharon Turner
We also installed our 2021 Church Council on January 3:
President – Donna Albert
Vice President – Marlene McComas
Secretary – Jean Ziemann
Treasurer – John Torstveit
George Albert, Bill Beaulieu, Marilyn HousemeyerSPECIAL OUTREACH PROJECT
On January 15, a proposal for an outreach project
was presented by Trudy Archer. This basis for the
project is the idea that there are many places that folks
can go to receive food and food stamps are available to
many, but none places supply paper goods,cleaning
supplies or personal items.
It was proposed that we as a congregation put
together bags of those items (list below) and hand
them out once a month in a reusable tote bag, offering
approximately 50 bags per month. These would be
handed out through the side door of Lau Hall on a first
come, first served basis until they were gone.
As is done at several of the food banks, no forms or
special requirements would be asked for.
Trudy brought an example with her, all items being
purchased at Dollar Tree. Total cost for the bag was
$12.75. Of course, items might be purchased at a
lower price, but as an example, this seems a reasonable
cost.
Council approved the project, but there is no budget
line item to cover it.
Donations of items to fit in the bags or money to
purchase these items would be necessary to make this
project work.
There is another benefit for us to do this. We do a
lot here at St. Peter, but the community doesn’t really
know about it. We are hoping that this will let folks
know that St. Peter is a church full of caring, giving and
loving people.Items in the tote bag:
4 pk Toilet Paper 2 pk Soap
Shampoo Paper Towels
Deodorant Dish detergent
Toothpaste Comb
Mask Hand Sanitizer
Optional –
Feminine products if requested
Laundry detergent
You can either see Trudy or Rhona Diamond about
donating products or money to fund this project or
call the office for more information.
“
Is “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”
—Corrie ten BoomNew Beginnings: Stepping Up and Stepping Out
With new leadership comes uplifting energy, new
ideas, a renewed spirit, and a brand-new sense of
purpose. What a privilege it is to be part of the body of
Christ known as St. Peter Lutheran Church! What a team
of servant leaders God has gathered for our life-giving
ministry.
Part of our stewardship focus is that we are all called
to strengthen and enhance our welcome. With new energy
and new ideas, staff and leaders will be taking on new
challenges looking forward to increased visibility for St
Peter in our community. So far, we have seen our
members step up in amazing ways to help this ministry
thrive. We have seen people step up and offer their gifts
and talents to the ministry and THAT is what stewardship
is about.
The Stewardship team is very excited to begin our
work in helping St Peter see the possibilities that our new
beginnings and new energy present.
Look for the letter that will come to you soon and
prayerfully consider how you will respond to the invitation
to increase your offering of your TIME, your TALENT and
your TREASURE. May God continue to bless our
offerings as they are used to advance the work of the
Church, as we are drawn to an expansive, open hearted
new beginning!
Peace,
The Stewardship team
Donna Albert, Jim Fogdall, Marilyn Housemeyer,
Tim TaylorPrayer Shawl Ministries
St. Peter has had a Prayer Shawl
Ministry led by Joyce Burr for many years.
We have been so blessed with the way
Joyce has led this ministry giving out more
than 300 shawls but she has now passed the baton to
Carol Look. If you know someone who has taken ill,
going into a nursing home/ hospital, or in need of
comforting please inform Reverend Sharon, Trudy or
Carol Look.
Many prayers are said for healing of the recipients as
the ladies knit/crochet these shawls. Getting a shawl can
be so uplifting for the recipient as well.
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Just a Reminder about your address
Please try to make sure you keep us updated for all your
addresses and phone numbers. We feel it is important to
keep your info up to date so that you are connected with
your church family here. We like to let you know what’s
going on!
So, send us a note, leave us a message on the answering
machine (slowly), e-mail us or tell a friend! We’ll take care
of the changes as soon as we get them so you are never left
out of the loop.
Here is our e-mail address:
stpeterfmb@gmail.comWELCA
Anne Myrtle Circle will meet
Feb. 10, 2021 at 9:30.
Moving On
The Lord says, "Do not remember the former things, nor
consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing, now shall it spring forth; shall
you not know it?"
Wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
There wasn't a Fisherman in January so we will wish it now and
move on to a better 2021.
The Allen's delivered Peanut Butter and Jelly to Harvest
Time in mid Dec. We collected $449.00 plus shopping cart full
of PB and J.
Christmas Angel Project donations were very low, but every
bit helps and we thank you. We gave $250 to the Senior
Friendship Center in the form of Walmart Gift Cards. Our
Grocery cart in Narthex is full and will be delivered soon by
Carol Look.
The “Thank” offering collected at our Women's Service
Sunday January 31st will go to "CALM" (Crisis Aid for Littles
and Moms) in Niceville, FL. Next year we hope to support
ECHO in Ft. Myers.
We thank Pastor Sharon for leading our service and all that
helped ushering, greeting, reading and the beautiful music.
We appreciate everyone donating towards Poinsettias for
Christmas. The Sanctuary looked beautiful.
Carol Look indicated we have many Prayer
Shawls. Please contact Carol if there is someone you would
want to have receive one.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
-Blessings, Diane AllenNotes on the live streaming
We hope that you have been watching our
weekly worship services and our daily
devotions on YouTube.
If you haven’t seen it, either go to YouTube and
enter “St Peter Lutheran Church Ft. Myers Beach
FL” or go to our website and click on the link.
We are also working on offering to make them
available on the television here in Lau Hall. As
soon as we have it finalized, we will let you
know so that you can set up a time to come
here and watch a series of the services and
devotions.2/6 Diane Phillips 2/21 Phil Magley
Jana Clevenger
2/7 Monna Weiler
Bob Baldridge 2/25 Elaine Kurtz
2/8 Bruce Allen 2/26 Lydia Frantz
Tony Frantz
2/13 Charlotte Simonis
2/19 Richard Hagstrom
2/14 Paul & Beth Johnson
2/15 Bill & Marcene Arendt
2/16 Larry & Linda BeckLenten Worship Schedule
We will continue with two Sunday Services through Easter –
8:30 and 10:30 am
There will be a service beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb.
17 at 9:30 am, running through March 31
Maundy Thursday, April 1, at 9:30
Good Friday, April 2 is being discussed by the Beach
Ministerial Association – more info to follow
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fasting from criticalness
Most fasting involves temporarily giving up something you
enjoy. When you long for a cookie or a favorite show, you
instead turn your attention to God, reorienting yourself to
his best.
Catherine Marshall, in A Closer Walk, presents a different
approach she calls fasting from “criticalness.” God dealt with
her judgmental spirit by prompting her to spend 24 hours
without criticizing “anyone about anything.” At first,
Marshall felt rather empty when she didn’t engage in a
heated political debate. But friends and family didn’t seem
to miss her comments. Plus, God replaced the energy she’d
spent attempting to correct others with energy and
creativity to positively influence them.
A critical spirit can make us lose perspective, joy and even
relationships. It also can prevent the good work God wants
to achieve through us. Consider what could happen as a
result of your own “criticalness fast.” Pray for God to do the
correcting while you focus on building up others.
—Janna Firestone“Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”
—Dale CarnegieCHURCH COUNCIL FOR 2021
2021 – CHURCH OFFICERS & COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESIDENT........................... Donna Albert (239) 961-3875 (c)
VICE PRESIDENT................... Marlene McComas 515-570-0031 (c)
SECRETARY.......................... Jean Ziemann (708) 269-5151 (c)
TREASURER ......................... John Torstveit (608) 774-7805 (c)
MEMEBERS:
George Albert (239) 961-3875 Bill Beaulieu………….(239) 560-5525
Marilyn Housemeyer(239) 322-2754
Please note that the office is currently being staffed on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, from 8am – noon. If you leave a message,
we will get back to you the next work day.
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Christ distributes courage through community; he dissipates
doubts through fellowship. He never deposits all knowledge
in one person but distributes pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to
many. When you interlock your understanding with mine,
and we share our discoveries, when we mix, mingle, confess
and pray, Christ speaks.
—Max Lucado, FearlessThe history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its
patron saint–is shrouded in mystery. We do know that
February has long been celebrated as a month of romance,
and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains
vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But
who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become
associated with this ancient rite?
The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different
saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were
martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest
who served during the third century in Rome. When
Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better
soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed
marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of
the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform
marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s
actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to
death. Still others insist that it was Saint Valentine of Terni,
a bishop, who was the true namesake of the holiday. He,
too, was beheaded by Claudius II outside Rome.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed
for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman
prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine
actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he
fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–
who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it
is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your
Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.A Little Valentine Humor ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday, January 24, 2021 Pastor Sharon shares the Word with us!
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