175 Years of Faithfulness, and the Journey Continues!

In 2030, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will celebrate its 175th anniversary. When our congregation began in 1855, Abraham Lincoln was still five years away from becoming president, nobody had a telephone, and the idea of watching church online would have required an explanation involving several inventions that hadn't happened yet.

A lot has changed in 175 years. Thankfully, God's faithfulness hasn't.

The 175th Celebration Committee is planning a yearlong celebration leading up to our anniversary in 2030, and we'd love your ideas. These 175 years of history belong to all of us, and we would love for all to be involved.

First, we need a theme and a Bible verse to guide our anniversary year.

• What passage of Scripture captures God's faithfulness to St. Peter's through the generations?
• What theme would help us celebrate our past while looking forward to the future?

Second, we're looking for St. Peter's memorabilia and photographs. Old bulletins, directories, anniversary programs, pictures, and other treasures tucked away in drawers and closets could help tell our congregation's story. We'd welcome donations or loans of items to display throughout the anniversary year. Donation forms are available in the church office. And if you're sharing photographs, please identify the people in them.

Finally, what should we do to celebrate?

• Special worship services?
• Historical displays?
• Fellowship events?
• Activities bringing generations together?

We'd love your suggestions, whether they're wonderfully ambitious or delightfully simple.

You'll find a suggestion box in the Ministry Center for your ideas about themes, Bible verses, events, and anything else that comes to mind over the next several months. We want you to have time to really think about it and share multiple ideas!

One hundred seventy-five years is a long time. Countless people have worshiped, learned, served, laughed, cried, and shared life together at St. Peter's. Through it all, God has remained faithful. Now it's our turn to celebrate that story—and help write the next chapter. We hope you'll be part of it!