Devotion of the Week: They got me! They got me good. Usually, the principal knows what is going on in his own building, but unfortunately, this week I failed at knowing all the planning, organizing and scheming that was taking place for a “principal celebration” after chapel. Delicious desserts were prepared, a very impressive movie was made by students, and cards were created…all behind the back of the person that was supposed to know what was going on. I am very thankful for the recognition I received from my St. Peter parents, students, faculty and staff. It is very humbling. I am getting thanked for simply doing the job that I was called to do, and at the same time, being blessed without measure in an environment that supports, encourages, forgives, and loves. To be a Lutheran school teacher/principal is somewhat unique, but my position has been extremely rare over the years I have served here since 1996:

The recognition I received this week was humbling and I felt very appreciated. But St. Peter Lutheran Church & School has given me more blessings than any recognition I can receive. Thanks be to God that He has blessed the mission and ministry of St. Peter Lutheran Church & School for many years. I am overjoyed, proud, and blessed to work in such a wonderful place with supportive parents, great students, excellent teachers, an outstanding staff, caring congregational members, and my own family members. St. Peter Lutheran School is a place where children learn about Jesus every day. There is NOTHING more important. May God continue to bless our ministry here in Hemlock with our current faculty and staff and those that serve here in the future…for many, many more years to come! -Eric Hagenow (Click here to watch the video made by Josie Wolgast, Hannah Biber, and Katie Hales.)

Call Received: Please continue to keep Mrs. Sherry in your prayers as she deliberates her call to Peace and her current call to St. Peter. May the Holy Spirit guide her in her decision.

Serving in Worship: Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st Grade will be singing in church this Sunday. Children will sit with their families until it is time to sing during the offering, when they will come to the front of the church. Children will return to their families after they sing. The Cherub Choir (grades 2-4) will be singing in church on Sunday, May 19. Thank you!

Music Festival Schedule: The annual Lutheran Schools Music Festival will be held on Friday, May 17, at Valley Lutheran High School. Everyone is invited to attend the various school performances throughout the day. The following St. Peter students will be participating:

Matilda the Musical: St. Peter is proud to announce that three of our 7th graders, Hannah Biber, Larkin McQueen and Dean Thomas, will be appearing in "Matilda the Musical". The performances will take place on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 from 7:00-9:00pm and Sunday, May 12 from 2:00-4:00pm at Bethlehem Lutheran School.

God's Helping Hands Food Distribution: Thank you to our 5th-8th grade students for their help this morning with food distribution at Zion Lutheran Church (God's Helping Hands). They spent the morning unloading the food truck, organizing and loading food into vehicles of people in need.

VPs to Take Office on Wednesday, May 15: Ms. Darlene Jungnitsch and Mr. Noah Jungnitsch will begin their duties as the vice-principals on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Their terms will last for one day. Darlene and Noah's family had the highest bid at this year's auction for them to be "Vice-Principals for the Day". Vice-Principals Jungnitsch and Jungnitsch's first official act for their one-day term was to declare Wednesday, May 15, to be Blue or Pink Day as their spirit day choice. Students are encouraged to wear blue (in support of Noah), pink (in support of Darlene), or wear both colors to support them both. Their special lunch that they have chosen is Macaroni & Cheese, veggie mix, strawberries, and brookies for dessert. Ms. Jungnitsch and Mr. Jungnitsch will be working with Mr. Hagenow throughout the day doing an administrator's job. We look forward to having Ms. Darlene Jungnitsch and Mr. Noah Jungnitsch as our VPs.

Spirit Day: On Friday, May 10, we will have our Preschool Spirit Day which is "PJs Day". Wear your most comfy pajamas! Lunch for the day will be Mini Confetti Pancakes w/Sausage Links, Corn and Fresh Strawberries.

Summer Art Camp: Applications for the kindergarten - 4th grade art camp session are still available. The camp will take place Monday, July 8 - Friday, July 12. The kindergarten - 4th grade session will be from 9:00am-11:00am and the 5th-8th grade session will be from 12:00pm-3:00pm. Please contact Ms. Parsell with any questions!

VBS Registration is Open: Join us June 24-28, 9:00am -12:30pm as we discover how the love of Jesus fills us with joy. Click anywhere in this article to register. If interested in volunteering, contact Deaconess Shirley or the church office for ways to help!

Retirement Celebration: We will recognize Ms. Parsell at our closing awards ceremony on the last day of school, June 5, and we will have a reception for her following the closing service. There will be a card box available at the celebration to express your thankfulness to her.

Thank You: To Mr. James Ryan who picked up and delivered the art boards from Vassar High School to St. Peter for our Evening of the Arts. Thank you also to Mrs. Rhea Yackel who brought in wraps, sandwiches and chips from Chandler's for the faculty and staff on Wednesday.

Mother's Day Flower Sale: The Saginaw County Right to Life will be hosting their annual corsage, rose and gift sale, and our school will be a part of it. "By participating in this event, we can help raise awareness of the gift of life that our mothers have given us and at the same time help raise much needed funds to continue our work here in the community." The silk corsages, Gerber daisies, and other gift items offer students the opportunity to purchase a gift priced at $3.00 for all items. These flowers will be on sale Thursday May 9 and Friday, May 10, at the beginning of the school day for children to purchase. Thank you to Mrs. Patrice Sherry for organizing this flower sale.

Summer Camps: It is already May and summer is just around the corner! Below is a list of some of the summer camps that are available to students this summer.

Camp Concordia: Camp this summer will run from June - August with activities such as kayaking, swimming lessons, horseback riding and sailing. For more information, click anywhere in this article.

Camp Lu Lay Lea: Camp Lu Lay Lea is a Christian Summer Camp for youth ages 8-14. Camp Lu Lay Lea is located on Henderson Lake near West Branch, Michigan. They are offering 5 one-week sessions (Sunday-Saturday) this summer. Youth campers have the ability to participate in daily Chapel, boating/canoeing, campfires, arts and crafts, gaga ball, devotions, three different games a day, skits, singing, swimming, making new friends and more. To learn more about our camp and schedule, click anywhere in this article.

VLHS Summer Camps: Valley Lutheran will be offering camps focused on sports, technology and the arts for students in grades 5-8. Click anywhere in this article to view the full schedule and sign up!

S.K.I.L.L.S. Basketball Camps: There are nine S.K.I.L.L.S. Basketball Camps this summer and the one at St. Peter is July 22-25 from 10am-3pm each day for children ages 7-15. For more information go to www.skillsbasketball.org or click anywhere on this article.