December 13, 2019
St. Peter Lutheran School Hemlock, MI
The 5th-8th graders did a great job of wrapping all of their gifts for their family of six. Thank you to Mr. Rick Brady for delivering these gifts to the Can Council.
Calendar of Events
Dec. 13: 5:00pm Home Bball Game vs Bethlehem

Dec. 15: 10:30am Cherub Choir Sings (Grades 2-4)

Dec. 17: 5:00pm A-Team Girls Home Bball Game vs Midland Christian

Dec. 18: WIW Spirit Day

Dec. 18: 8:05am Chapel: Mr. Hagenow

Dec. 18: 6:30pm Children's Advent Service

Dec. 23-Jan. 3: No School/Christmas Break/No Child Care except January 2 & 3

Dec. 24: 6:00pm & 10:00pm Christmas Eve Communion Services

Dec. 25: 10:00am Christmas Day Communion Service

Dec. 26-31: No School/No Child Care

Jan. 2-3: No School/Child Care Available

Jan. 6: School Resumes
Nurturing the Faith
In Our Prayers: This week we will be praying for these St. Peter alumni who graduated from our school: Jacob Chapin, class of 2013; Jacob Hilbrandt, class of 2013; Jared Frederick, class of 2014 and Jessica Miller, class of 2012.

Devotion of the Week: The Keys to the Kingdom Bible verse for this week is Matthew 1:21, "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." As we draw closer to our Christmas celebration during this Advent season, we continue to prepare our hearts for Christ's return, and we eagerly anticipate when He comes to take us to be with Him forever. In our key verse this week, what encouraging words these are as we are confident that because of what Jesus has done, we are saved from sin, death, and the devil. This Christmas, we will remember once again how our God entered this world in human flesh to save us all, and we can celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus, our Savior!
Children's Advent/Christmas Service on Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30pm: We are looking forward to our PS-8th Grade Advent/Christmas service this Wednesday. Here are a couple of reminders:
  • All preschool students will meet in the multi-purpose room at the church. Preschool students will be walking in with their teachers.
  • All Y5's-8th grade students may sit in their assigned seats starting at 6:15. If your child arrives earlier than 6:15, please have your child sit with your family until 6:15.

Please Note: On the church calendar that was sent out in the beginning of December there was an Advent/Christmas Service practice scheduled for this Sunday. This practice has since been cancelled so there is no practice this Sunday.
Quote of the Week
"This field trip is such a wonderful experience for the kids. I am so glad St. Peter does this."
-Comment from a parent on the K-4th field trip today to Meijers. The students, teachers, and parents purchased gifts for CAN Council families in need with money that was donated from our K-4 families.
In the Classroom
Sharing Our Blessings Service Projects: Third and fourth grade students were given the opportunity to participate in a project called “Sharing our Blessings.”  Mrs. Joann Frederick visited the students in the month of October to explain this service project. She gave each student $10.00 as seed money to bless someone with an act of kindness. The students wrote about their experiences and shared them on Parent’s Day, November 27. Here is what the rest of the class did (last week we shared some of the other projects):
  • Sadie Cowling decided to donate this money to the little girl who her family supports in another country. This will help her buy shoes, clothes, and toys.
  • Cora Love bought ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies for a man that they know at church.
  • Hanford Topham decided to bless family members and friends who have faced health concerns with cancer and a stroke. He helped make wooden Christmas trees, and sold them to buy gift cards to help with their expenses.
  • Aiden Grunow purchased coloring books and crayons for children who are patients in a hospital to help brighten their day.
  • Eva Havens decided to help a family in Greenville who lost their home to a fire. She gave money and donations of clothing.
  • Larkin McQueen bought ingredients to make cupcakes for her grandpa’s caregivers as a thank you for taking such great care of him.
  • Kaeden Watson decided to bless children with warm gloves, and hats. He also received donations from family and friends.
  • Charlie Hyatt wrote a letter and bought a stone cross to bless Ms. Oczepek after he heard about her mom’s passing.
  • Landon Sherry raised additional money and donated “blessing bags” to the Can Council of Saginaw to go to children in need. Each bag included a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo or body wash, a few toys, art supplies, a reading book, and a clothing item.
  • Brooklyn Brenner blessed veterans and their dogs by putting together baskets of dog toys and treats for the pets as well as Fiddle Faddle snacks and mints for the veterans. 
  • Lucas Cicinelli decided to bless his first-grade teacher, Mrs. McQueen and her husband, Mr. McQueen with cactus plants. 
Science Fair 2020
Science Fair January 30, 2020: Our K-8 science fair is less than seven weeks away! It will take place during our celebration of National Lutheran Schools Week (NLSW) at 1:15pm and 6pm on Thursday, January 30. We are looking forward to seeing the exciting projects our students create. If you have questions about the science fair, please ask your child's teacher. For 5th-8th graders, please contact Mr. Hagenow .
What's Your Story
How would you spend $230? Would you purchase some last minute Christmas presents, buy all of your groceries for your Christmas parties, or maybe buy yourself something that you have been wanting? Mrs. Joann Frederick decided to invest her $230 in 23 third and fourth graders, and it is incredible to see how far reaching that investment has gone and the many lives that have been touched. We are thankful for her willingness to support this project and her encouragement of our students to share their kindness with many different people. Many lasting memories were made and countless people were affected by her kindness of giving each student $10. Thank you Joann!

We are always looking for additional stories to share. Please click here to send us your story to be published in the Panther Press .
News & Notes
Financial Obligations: Thank you for making your regular payments to maintain a balance of $0 or higher in your accounts (child care, toddler care, before school care, and SPLASH). The Board of Education has been reviewing the financial status of these accounts for the last few months. Families who do not make timely payments and remain under $0 for an extended period of time will not be able to continue using our child care services. If you have questions about your account balances or your payments, please contact Mr. Hagenow. Thank you for your cooperation.
Child Care during Christmas Break:  Christmas break is Dec. 23-Jan. 3. School will resume on Jan. 6. Child Care (including Toddler Care) will be available only two days during the break, Jan. 2-3. Please plan accordingly. If you are planning to have your child attend, it would be helpful to let Mrs. Fehn know by Dec. 20. Thank you.

Camp Concordia: It is not too early to think about summer camp as Camp Concordia is opening registration December 15 for the 2020 camp season. Camp is open to Kindergarten through 9th graders. Information is available at campconcordia.com.
Athletics
Hoop Highlights: The teams traveled to Holy Cross last Friday night and had another set of fun and competitive games with only three total points separating the Blue Jays and Panthers after the two games. The girls squeaked out a one point win over the Blue Jays, 1 2-11 in an exciting game. Keirstyn Curnutt led the Panthers with 6 points. Isabella Curry added 4 points and Kendelle Klemish had 2 points. The boys were down early and trailed for the majority of the game, but they made a comeback in the second half to tie the game up at 17. Unfortunately, they lost by two points 17-19. Zach Holifield had 9 of his 11 points in the second half. Patrick Cowling had 4 points and Trevan Swanson chipped in 2 points. On Tuesday, the Panthers had their final two games on the road. The girls had a tough time with the Wildcats and lost 9-21, with Isabella scoring 7 points and Keirstyn chipping in 2 points. The boys did a great job of staying with one of the top teams in the league, but the Wildcats were a little too much for our Panthers and the boys lost 16-30. Patrick led the team with 10 points. Brady Klemish had 4 points and Zach added 2 points. Both teams are back in action tonight for their final game of the season with the girls tipping off at 5:00. Go Panthers!
Captain Maria Hagarty: Congratulations to Maria Hagarty, St. Peter Class of 2019, who is the captain of the JV Girls Basketball Team at Hemlock High School. Great job, Maria!
PTL Information
Thank You:  Thank you to Mrs. Julie Ryan for organizing our Christmas Bazaar again this year. We appreciate all of her work. Thank you also to those who helped: Gabe Faubert , Betsy Roberson, Samantha McKenzie, Mrs. Anger, Josh, Melissa, Natalie and Olivia McQueen, Dan and Landon Sherry, Leigh Ann Starke, James and Gavin Ryan, the 7th & 8th graders for putting the tables out and the 5th & 6th graders for putting the chairs out.
Save the Date: On March 5, 2020, the PTL will host several assemblies for our students and parents on internet safety. Our K-4 and 5-8 students will each have a presentation on that Thursday afternoon. Parents are encouraged to attend the presentation of ProtectYoungEyes on March 5 starting at 6:00pm. This is a topic that will benefit all of our students and parents! Go to protectyoungeyes.com for more information.
St. Peter Lutheran School
(989) 642-5659

2440 N. Raucholz Rd.
Hemlock, MI 48626
WORSHIP TIMES:
Saturday at 5:00pm
Sunday Morning at 8:00am & 10:30am

Advent Wednesday at 6:30pm

Sunday School & Bible Class at 9:15am Sunday Mornings