St.

Petri Evangelical Lutheran Church

804 Grand Avenue
Story City, Iowa 50248-1417

You can also view the newsletter online at www.stpetrilutheran.weebly.com

The St. Petri Messenger

A publication of St. Petri Evangelical Lutheran Church
JANUARY 2022

St. Petri Worship Schedule

9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Service
10:30 a.m. Coffee/Fellowship

St. Petri Church Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
except, Wednesday afternoon
Church Office Phone: (515) 733-4623
Email address: stpetrilutheran@gmail.com

Pastor – Rev. Tim Malek

Youth Director – Megan Gustafson
Missionaries– Patrick & Jacqueline Bencke, Japan
Parish/Financial Secretary – Veronica Wright
Custodian – Connie Valentine
 ST. PETRI LUTHERAN CHURCH, STORY CITY, IA
JANUARY 2022
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Every Sunday AM 1
(unless noted) HAPPY NEW YEAR

9:30a Worship Service 1-3p Church in use

10:30a Coffee//Fellowship

2 3 4 5 6 7 8
10:45a Budget Forum 9a-3p Bethany 8a Men’s Bible Study Pastor’s Day Off 8-10a Girl Scouts
10:30a Staff mtg. Quilters 9:30a Text Study
6p Youth Group
12p Pastor Text
Study
9 Communion 10 11 12 13 14 15
10:45a Budget Forum 8a Men’s Bible Study Pastor’s Day Off 9am Weekend
9a Bethany 9:30a Text Study Women’s Bible
10:45a G.I.F.T. 10:30a Staff mtg. Study Group at
Quilters
6p Youth Group 2p WELCA Bible McDonalds
6p Confirmation at 12p Pastor Text
Study 7p Council Mtg. Study
Bergen
16 17 18 19 20 Feb. Newsletter 21 Pastor Day Off 22
ANNUAL MEETING 10:30a Staff Mtg 9a-3p Bethany articles due 9a St. Petri Book
Quilters 6p Youth Group Club “The Shack”
8a Men’s Bible Study
12p Pastor Text in HS Youth Room
6p Confirmation at Study 7p Book Study 9:30a Text Study
Bergen Who Will Be
Saved?
23 Communion 24 25 26 27 28 Pastor Day Off 29
10:45a Adult Forum ---- LWR Quilt making 9a-noon Mon-Wed ---- 8a Men’s Bible Study
6p Confirmation 10:30a Staff Mtg 9a Bethany 6p Youth Group 9:30a Text Study
at St. Petri Quilters 7p Book Study
10:30a Staff Mtg 12p Pastor Text Who Will Be
Study Saved?
30 31
 St. Petri Messenger
JANUARY, 2022
Faith Seeking Understanding
Pastor Tim Malek
As we turn the corner on a new year, we
find a natural place to pause and reflect
on the past and to dream of the future.
What does God have in store for St. Petri
Lutheran Church? Will we be strong
enough, courageous enough, generous
enough, and faithful enough to handle
what comes our way? If we were left to our
own devices, to depend upon ourselves
alone, the answer would be a resounding
no! The good news is that the future is in
God’s hands and God has a plan for St.
Petri and for each of you.
For as the rain and the snow come
down from heaven, and do not
return there until they have
watered the earth, making it bring
forth and sprout, giving seed to the
sower and bread to the eater, so
shall my word be that goes out
from my mouth; it shall not return
to me empty, but it shall
accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which
I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10-11 (NRSV)
The Word of the Lord, is our risen Lord
Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy
Spirit we are his body on earth. God will
go with us into the future. God will bless
us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, faith,
hope, love, a generous heart, and a life of
joy. The future may hold mystery, but we
move into it with the certainty of Christ’s
presence and the promise of eternal life.
God bless you in the year 2022,
Pastor Tim Malek
ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, January 16
following the 9:30am worship service
Congratulations to
Murray Elias DeRidder
on his baptism!
Murray is the son of
Travis & Kara DeRidder.
Murray’s baptismal
sponsors are
Erika & Chad Peel.
May we all be Christian examples to this
child, as well as to all around us. Let your
light shine before others that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father in
heaven.
 4 St. Petri Messenger
In December 2021
In Our Prayers
Judy Schnurstein, Brian Jacobson,
Laura Farney (Karen Jacobson’s friend),
Ordean Johnson,
Aamna Grebner (Darlene Patterson’s great
granddaughter)
Hospitalized in December
Mike Healy
Aamna Grebner
In Memoriam
Lucky Smotherman
Aamna Grebner
Ongoing Prayer Concerns
Luke Baade (Judith Schnurstein’s great
nephew) Kay Disbrowe, Linda Fevold,
Marilyn Hanson, Mark Helland,
Pat Minnick, John Satre,
Karen Keech (Kevin & Diana’s sister-in-law)
Prayers for those not near to us:
Patrick and Jacqueline Bencke, ELCA
Missionaries, Japan
Soldiers, Peace Workers, and
Humanitarian Aid Workers
Our Japan Missionaries
Patrick & Jacqueline Bencke
Home assignment 2022 …is a GO!
If your congregation is interested in having
us come to see you in person, please
consider August or September 2022.
St. Petri Lutheran Church –
I wanted to thank you for your continued
support to University Lutheran Center. It
has been a tough couple of years (as it
has for many), but your gifts have given
us joy and hope!
The students are gathering again for “in-
person” worship & fellowship. It’s so
good to be together again! Thanks again
for all you do to help ensure that our
ministry to the ISU community remains
strong! In Christ – Pastor Jen Andreas
Dear Pastor Tim Malek & St. Petri
Parish,
Thank you for allowing the Bethany Life
Volunteers to use the location in St. Petri
to hand-quilt quilts.
Please accept our donation as a thank
you for your kindness.
Thank you, Maripat Higgins, Secretary &
Bethany Life Volunteer Advisory Board
Dear Friends,
“…just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father, we too might
walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
Greetings from Riverside! We’re in the
midst of a great fall ministry and we’re so
grateful for your continued partnership in
the Gospel!
Your faithful giving to this ministry makes
an impact in thousands of lives for
eternity. Ways you’re making a difference:
Camperships, Fall Youth Recharges, adult
retreats, Pastor guided silent retreats,
solitude experiences for ministry leaders,
investing in 75 young leaders who served
this past Summer, taking care of the
grounds & facilities…
Thank you again for your continued
support! God bless you, Chris Dahl,
Director, Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp
 5 St. Petri Messenger

WELCA Report
January 13 2:00pm WELCA Bible Study
January 24-26 9a-noon LWR Quilt making THANK YOU to all who sponsored
poinsettias that adorned our altar
Come join the quilters the last Monday
during the 2021 Christmas Season
thru Wednesday of each month from 9am-
noon for fun, food, & fellowship. There is a
Given By: In Honor Of:
variety of tasks – cutting, tying, pinning, The Malek Family Merry Christmas!
and stitching! Everyone welcome!
Randy & Kelsey Our Parents
Olson
Carmen Peter Family
Given By: In Memory Of:
Jerry & Gloria Maelynn Kay DeRidder &
DeRidder her Great Grandparents
Carol Foss Ray Foss, Husband
Marlene Helling James, Scott, &
Jan. 2: Daniel Peterson
Gloria Helling
Jan. 3: Alden Klett, Braylen Loots,
Howard Reisetter Angie & John Darlys & Roger Rieck
Jan. 5: Kelsie Crouch Hinz Margery & Elloy Hinz
Jan. 6: Martha Arends, Beth Dedic, Ordean & Liz Loved Ones
Katelyn Muhlenburg Johnson
Jan. 7: Samuel Crouch, Sierra Healy
Jan. 10: Amy Crouch, Alyssa Loots Pat Murken Family Daniel Jae Murken
Jan. 11: Lance Keltner, Madelyn Roling Paul Ness Ellen Ness
Jan. 14: Jacob Dedic, Gunnar Jones
Larry & Denice Reisetter
Jan. 15: Addie Rasmusson
Son, Kyle Reisetter
Jan. 19: Kian Bauman
Jan. 20: Colton Finley Gloria Severson Milt Severson,
Jan. 21: Heidi Vanden Hull & Family Husband
Jan. 22: Addison Schmitz, Brady Schmitz Bob & Jerry, Sons
Jan. 23: Veronica Wright Sharon Sills Denny Sills
Jan. 25: Cole Keltner Lucille & Eugene Sills
Jan. 26: Wayne Williams Mary & Ted Hermanson
Jan. 27: Willa DeRidder
Jan. 31: Kyle Healy Shirley Stakey Marvin Stakey
 6 St. Petri Messenger
JANUARY C.A.R.E. GROUP 2022
CARE Group 3 Leaders Hi, it’s Church Mouse!
Valaree Muhlenburg and Angie Rieck-Hinz Whew! I loved December
Dave & Nicole Bauman Jane Bauman at St. Petri SO MUCH! I
Dan & Kim Birchmier Brad & Beth Dedic can’t even mention
Kim Finley Tom & Kris Foss everything here!
Marlene Helling Paul Hill The awe-inspiring outdoor
John Hinz Tyler & Crystal Hobbs lighted nativity and the indoor Christmas
Danny & Chris Hobbs Jim & Sherri Keigan trees were put up by the Healys and Larry
John & Jan Lekwa Doris Mathre Reisetter. Guess who put up what! Haha,
Barry Muhlenburg everyone knows this already.
Trent & Katelyn Muhlenburg The drive-by holiday cookie sale results
John & Mary Pelican Kevin & Susan Ruby were deemed “perfect” by organizer Betty
Olive Sampson Sharon Sills Grinde and we all agree! Such a great
Craig & Paula Van Brocklin Paul Wierson assortment of cookies in each box, thanks to
our generous bakers! The many volunteers
Tom & Mary Wynia Helen Zook
who came to pack boxes did so with the
concentration and precision of surgeons. On
Christmas, I couldn’t wait to pull out of the
freezer the cookies I obtained *cough* for my
country mouse cousins!

The kids’ Christmas Program, headed by

Abby Patterson, included a prelude with
musical performances by our youth. The
Christmas story was told as if we heard the
good news TODAY, complete with Breaking
News anchor desk and roving reporters!
FEBRUARY C.A.R.E. GROUP 2022 Clever.
CARE Group 4 Leaders
Our stained-glass storm window
Cheryl Hoffman, Wanda Holm replacement is done and beautiful. Our
Cory & Jaye Anderson behind-the-scenes property committee types
Doug & Kendra Braucher keep everything running smoothly, and
Joe & Kim Chelsvig Ver & Barb Frohling most people aren’t even aware! They are a
Vivian Gossel Donna Guard great team, and I can tell you about one of
Marilyn Hanson Al Holm them now. Paul Ness spent a bunch of time
Ordean & Liz Johnson coordinating repairs to our boiler. If that
Tom & Amelia Klett Marilyn Lekwa weren’t enough, I was told that Paul “had
Tim & Debra Malek Pat & Jo Murken toilet people doing toilet things” also. That’s
Jim & Karen Nelson Alberta Olson a direct quote, but don’t quote me.
Tim & Abby Patterson
Jason & Jeannie Patterson My heart is full,
Kevin & Peg Patterson John Satre Church Mouse
Gloria Severson David & Gail Sporleder
Scott & Shelley Stevenson
 7 St. Petri Messenger
If you would like to view St. Petri’s newsletters
online, go to: www.stpetrilutheran.weebly.com.
Pastor Tim will be leading an evening
weekly discussion of the book,
Who Will Be Saved?,
by William H. Willimon.
This book study will start on the third
Wednesday in January. We will meet
weekly on Wednesday evenings at
church for 6 weeks, from January 19 to
February 23, at 7pm. We will usually
discuss one chapter per week, starting
on January 19 with Chapter 1: The God
Who Refuses to Be Alone.
A reviewer sums up the book this
way: “With his characteristic
wisdom, wit, and provocative
style, Will Willimon addresses
some of the critical questions
Christians are asking in
congregations. Willimon takes old
questions and asks and
addresses them in fresh ways,
challenging all of us to think
more deeply – and talk with
others – about matters that
matter in light of our convictions
about God.”
Copies of the book are available for
$5.00 in the church office
The Weekend Women’s Bible Study Group
now meets at 9am the third SATURDAY of
the month (except November and
December), at the McDonalds in Story
City.
Contact the church office (733-4623) if you
have any questions
or find Debra Malek at church.
Bring your Bible and enjoy time with friends
and coffee.
See you there!
You are INVITED to the
St. Petri Book Club!
We will be meeting on
Saturday, January 22, at 9am
at McDonalds, Story City, to
discuss the much-loved book,
The Shack: Where Tragedy
Confronts Eternity, by Wm.
Paul Young.
Starting in December, we will have books
available in the church office to borrow. Call
the office 733-4623 and leave your name and
phone number to reserve a loaner book! We
meet quarterly, on the 4th Monday in October,
January, April, and July.
February newsletter
articles are due
Thurs., January 20, 2022.
 8 St. Petri Messenger
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS St Petri Evangelical Lutheran Church
Watch KCCI TV Channel 8 or Approved Council Meeting Minutes
check the church’s answering machine. November 10, 2021 7:00 PM
If Roland-Story schools are
dismissed early due to bad In attendance: Katie Thorson, Karen
weather, then church Munson, Ann Healy, Pat Murken, Jo
events will also be canceled. Murken, Rick Stover, Pastor Tim Malek,
Kelsey Olson
Meeting called to order at 7:03 PM with
prayer by Pastor Tim Malek
Minutes from September 2021
presented by Ann Healy
 Motion to approve by Pat, seconded
by Kelsey. All were in favor and the
motion passed.
Financial Report presented by Rick
Stover

 Down $1300 for the month but this

doesn’t include Turkey Supper
funds (currently under dinners and
special events). Around $3300 will
go to general fund from that event.
 Lilies/Poinsettias line was zeroed,
and Pop Machine line was reduced
to make the Angel Tree line whole.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Jo moved the Fair Trade line be
moved to General Fund, Karen
seconded. All were in favor and the
HEARTLAND SENIOR SERVICES motion passed.
needs help to deliver “Meals on Wheels” in Story  Jo moved the Jingle Jar line be
City in the months of December thru April. If moved to World Hunger line, Pat
you can help deliver meals, even seconded. All were in favor and the
just one day, please contact motion passed.
Connie at Heartland at  Jo moved to accept the financial
515.233.2906. Thanks for your consideration! report as written, Kelsey seconded.
All were in favor and the motion
passed.
Pastor’s Report
 Attended meeting at the synod office
on 11/9/21. Discussion around
staffing changes at the synod.
 9 St. Petri Messenger

Continues to enjoy getting to know
local colleagues and working with
John Sheahan.
o Traditions and Carols mid-
week advent service is
planned with Bergen on
December 15, 6:30 PM.
 Stewardship – will do a modest
emphasis on November 21. Moving
to a year-round emphasis in the
future.
 Discussion on the meeting after
church service on 11/28 to
reformulate a member care plan
Youth Minister’s Report

Youth group is going well.
Averaging 11-12 every week and
only middle schoolers are attending
at this point.
 Working on introducing programing
around high schoolers
 Advent programs are underway for
all three churches and Megan
should be able to attend.
 Working on Finding God and Others
– looks at values
 On November 21, plan to have free
will offering for cookies after church
to raise funds for the Angel Tree
program. Pledged to shop for 10-15
families.
Committee reports
 Christian Fellowship Coordinator
(Karen Munson)
o Next event is the Cookie Walk
o Will work on the next iteration
of You Are Not Alone
o Head Usher discussion on
filling open spots and
contacting everyone to make
sure they are willing to serve
again
o Discussion around having a
game night or trivia night and
a supper some evening
 Worship Community Coordinator
(Jo Murken)
o December worship,
incorporating ideas that
Pastor Malek brings to the
table
o Pastor Malek is going to do all
the Children’s Sermons
during Advent
o Longest Night service is being
planned
 Property/Trustees Committee (Pat
Murken)
o Handed out 2022 budget
rough draft and would like us
to review and provide
feedback.
 Faith Formation Coordinator
(Kelsey)
o GIFT was held 11/7, 21 boxes
will be dropped on for the
national Samaritan’s Purse
collection day on 11/15
o Advent service is being
planned on Sunday, 11/14
after the service
OLD BUSINESS
 Tithe.ly set up and website progress
– Rick will investigate this
 Youth group waiver/release form –
CongregationU, Safe Gatherings
training discussion
 Committees vs. Coordinators – on
hold until after Jan 1
 Worship services update for COVID
– no changes while transmission
rates are still high
 Church Pamphlets on hold until
Tithe.ly is ready
 Nominating Committee – Abby
Patterson and Kendra Braucher are
serving on this committee. They are
 10
hoping to have their work complete
by the December Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
 None
ADJOURNED by President Ann Healy with
the Lord’s Prayer at 8:40PM
Respectfully submitted,
Katie Thorson, Vice President
Lutheran Services in Iowa
January 2022
Amplifying the Voices of Iowa Children
and Families
Individuals struggling without access to
critical healthcare and family support
services. Human service providers
overworked and underpaid. Former refugees
and immigrants striving to build new lives in
the U.S.
These are all issues faced by Iowans. Help
us ensure their voices are heard at the Iowa
State Capitol.
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) will be
advocating for our community members who
are so often overlooked in our society. You
can join us in this important work. Visit
LSIowa.org/advocacy and sign up for our
Advocacy Alerts. Learn more about the
legislative process, the issues impacting
your neighbors, and your role as a citizen in
helping to amplify their voices. Save the date
for March 10, 2022, and join us for
Lutheran Day on the Hill, a day of advocacy
and education at the Iowa State Capitol. If
you would like more information, please
contact Deb Whitford, LSI’s Director of
Philanthropy and Church Relations, at
Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563-676-
2065.
St. Petri Messenger
Our Mission: Lutheran Services in Iowa
responds to the love of Jesus Christ through
compassionate service. LSI is an affiliated
social ministry partner of the Iowa
congregations of the ELCA (Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America) & a member of
LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly
serve people of all ages, abilities, religions,
sexes, gender identities, national origins,
ethnicities, races, & sexual orientations. Learn
more at LSIowa.org & facebook.com/LSI.iowa.
Entrepreneurship, Food, & Welcoming
In 2006, Ali & her family traveled from Kenya
& resettled in the U.S. They found themselves
in an unfamiliar place: Iowa. But today, they
still call Iowa home, thanks to the community
they built & the support they received while
resettling in the U.S. LSI Refugee &
Immigrant Services helped the family become
comfortable & confident living in their new
community.
"They taught us to shop, register for school –
all the basic needs. Even winter shopping for
the Iowa weather,” Ali says. “They taught us
how to get by. It was nice to help us get settled
in.”
After some time in Iowa, Ali & her husband,
Salah, decided they wanted to open a
restaurant as successful as the one they had
in Kenya. They soon realized how challenging
this would be – the biggest obstacle being the
financial burden of opening a restaurant in
the Des Moines area. After 15 years of never
giving up on their goals, they were able to
open Gursha Ethiopian Grill.
Opening during a pandemic, when other
restaurants in the industry struggled to
remain open, has come with its share of
obstacles. But thanks to community support,
the restaurant is a popular destination in the
area.
Ali dreams of one day franchising to other
locations. With their continuously growing
clientele & delicious food, this goal is not far
away.
11 St. Petri Messenger

The Bencke Family in Japan

January 2022: 91番 Farewell to 2021, and to a dear friend
I had two residences as a child, both in Hastings, MN, so there was never a
big shift in my circle of friends. My first big move happened when I went off to
college. I don’t remember feeling anxious about meeting new people, or even
wondering if I would make friends. I knew it would happen. But I wondered if I
would ever have the special bond with them that I had created with my circle of
high school friends. I experienced a similar lack of faith in the back of my
brain/heart when I moved to Menomonie, where I knew no one. Would I make
good friends and relationships that would last over time? The answer was a
resounding “yes” in both cases.
No matter where we have travelled, whether 90 minutes away by car, or a 26-
hour journey by airplane, there have been wonderful people along the way,
people to whom we have been tethered by experiencing joy and sorrow,
together. When we moved to Japan in 2006, we knew that God would bless us
with deep relationships, despite our shortcomings. God is faithful. But I don’t
think we could have imagined the gift He gave us in Mr. Nishi.
We met the Nishi family in 2008 shortly after I returned to Japan with Hannah
as a newborn. Mr. Nishi was an avid country music fan, a grandfather to a
bunch of kids who became Emilie’s playmates, and a retired military employee.
It did not take long for him to invite us into their lives at a deeper level, as he
was keen to engage. We shared every New Year with them until COVID-19 shut
down intimate gatherings. We never did anything to deserve his friendship. It
was freely offered.
We have spent countless evenings convening around his kotatsu (a low
table), drinking beer or tea. Mr. Nishi would give us history lessons ranging from
what Kumamoto was like during World War II to how much he loved Taiwan. He
had an opinion about everything political but firmly believed that country music
could solve the world’s problems. One just needed a good dose of country great
Merle Haggard.
12 St. Petri Messenger

When Patrick experienced his first stroke while Emilie and I were still in the U.S., Mr.
Nishi followed the ambulance and stayed with Patrick at the hospital until 3am. He and
his wife took care of Hannah for the several days it took us to get back to Kumamoto.
Years later, when we applied for permanent residency, he went with us to Immigration
to vouch for us, dressed in a suit and tie. He drove Emilie to school for three years,
giving Emilie a chance to complain about her parents by listening with compassionate
ears of wisdom and experience. Mr. Nishi took care of our plants and watched over the
property while we were in the U.S. for our two-month-long home assignments. Those
were some of the big things. But it is the little things, the common conversations over
time about nothing in particular, that have been the nails that hold those big things
together.
Mr. Nishi has been a teacher and steadfast friend to our family for 13 years, and
when his diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer was confirmed, our family was devastated.
When there was a crisis in our family, it has been Mr. Nishi who God enlisted to walk
with us. Who do we turn to when it is that very person whose impending separation
from us is the crisis?
Mr. Nishi is facing death squarely in the eye, and as of today, is in palliative care at a
nearby hospital. We were able to go and visit, receiving special permission during tight
COVID protocols (it helped that Mr. Nishi’s wife works at that same hospital). We knew
it was goodbye. it was gut-wrenchingly similar to when Patrick said goodbye to his
brother, knowing that Matt’s stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis would mean only a
sliver of a chance of reuniting on this side of death. I spent the rest of the day unable to
really function.
When people talk about mission, they often assume it is about evangelization or
“leading someone to Christ.” When we, as Christians, evangelize, we let Scripture speak
for itself in the relationships we cultivate and the experiences we have every day. Our
God is a missional God and desires the outpouring of love from us to whomever we are
blessed to have in our lives. And in so doing, His mission is poured out mutually,
through us and through “the other,” if we are keen to listen to His teachings in the
Word.
Mr. Nishi, our beloved Japanese grandpa, we love you, and will continue to love you
by taking care of those who are important to you. May God call you home with dignity
and peace in His time, where you may rest from the pain of life, and may Merle Haggard
be there to greet you.
13 St. Petri Messenger