In the truest sense of the term, St. Peter's tended God's flock from cradle to grave. A beautiful marble baptismal font holds a special place in the church's memory greeting visitors and members alike to fellowship hall. A few chips and cracks only honor the many years it welcomed new Christians, themselves broken vessels, into the family of Christ. It was not until 1923 that some English began to be spoken, first in the Sunday school and later the entire church. There are still a few living members who remember speaking German as their first language.

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By our 50th anniversary, over 1000 souls had been baptized and nearly 500 had been confirmed. 

God saw this hearty band through the 1918 Flu pandemic, WWI and WWII, the Great                                                                  Depression, the Dustbowl. The prayer on the Golden Jubilee gave glory to God for accompanying them

through the hardships. In 1948, stained glass windows were installed in the old church under

long time pastor Victor Moeller, who was the father and grandfather of current members. That 

same year, President Harry Truman sent a letter of congratulations to the congregation for 60

years of faithful worship.

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                                                                        The next 15 year would see a new parsonage built                                                                                                                                             across road from the church and then the current church

                                                                       was built alongside the original. The stained-glass windows                                                                                                                             along with other historical worship items migrated across the parking lot to grace our                                                                                 current worship. Other items benefited other churches and farms in the area. 

 

The faithful still worship here. The future is bringing change. Far from being fearful of where the Lord is leading us, God has given us assurance that we are still part of his plan. In the last year, St. Peter's and St. Mark's Lutheran Churches, both of Pender, entered into an agreement to share a pastor. Long ago, St. Peter's played a part in the opening of St. Mark's and they have many close ties. 

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What seemed a simple sharing agreement to the councils was much more in God's plan. Just before Father's Day in June of 2022, Robert McWilliams, the council president, who serves as a volunteer firefighter, joined multiple fire                                            companies as St. Mark's saw fire race through their building. Before the fire was out, St. Mark's had a place                                      to worship and a family to support them in their time of need. 

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For six months the two congregations worshipped side by side and they decided that God was giving them a

new vision for the future. Both congregations have returned to their own sanctuaries, but they are looking for

new ways to share ministries. One example of what we do better together was our joint Trunk or Treat for                                the community. It was a great success, with Pastor Karen even getting in the spirit. For now, we are sharing                             occasional services and still appreciating our church homes.​

                  

                                        We are looking forward to what God has in store for St. Peter's future!

                              

                                             Post Script: Within weeks of this writing, St. Peter's and                        St. Mark's decided on a ministry plan that would included Sunday                               services from Easter to Labor Day at St. Peter's and Labor Day to Easter at St. Mark's. A new Saturday service will be added in the opposite order and major holidays will be held at both. Sunday School will be held jointly at St. Mark's Labor Day to Easter.                                    God is Good                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   We welcome you to be part of the journey.

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