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St. Peter’s

CONNECTION VOL. 5, No. 10 December 19, 2014

Connecting the World with God’s Love

THIS ISSUE: Mounted patrol visits H20 Trinity is theme of stained-glass panel

Stop by the Sanctuary to see the beautiful stained glass above the choir loft.

Living Stones Concert Thad Brown and the Living

Christmas Eve

Stones band and Pastor Scott Rawlings will present a concert and a gospel message at LaCenterra.

Special needs adults in St. Peter’s Hearts Helping Others (H20) ministry recently met and interacted with three horses from the Houston Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Division. H20 began in June and serves adults who are 22 or older and who have multiple disabilities. This ministry, which meets once a week, provides a safe and fun place for adults who have aged out of the public school special education system. For more information about the H20 program, please contact Angele Mills at [email protected].

20775 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, Texas 77450 (281) 492-8031 www.stpkaty.org

Living Stones Christmas concert

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hristmas Eve will be coming early to La Centerra on Dec. 19. Living Stones Band, led by Thad Brown, will present a Christmas concert at the Central Green area from 7 to 8 p.m. for all those who are eating or shopping in the area. Pastor Scott Rawlings will give a Gospel presentation and an invitation to the St. Peter’s campuses for our Christmas Eve services. Please come on out and support this wonderful event.

Make time to donate blood

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ur first blood drive of 2015 is Jan. 4. You can sign up in the Lobby Dec. 21 or 28. You also can contact Marsha at mea1242@ aol.com to sign up to donate. The blood drive is from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Scout House. This will be a long-sleeved T-shirt drive, plus every donor will receive a Subway gift card. For more information, contact Marsha.

The light shines in the darkness Dear Friends in Christ, If you were in the traditional services on Dec. 14, you heard me tell about giving advice to those who were installing our new stained-glass panel in the Sanctuary. I suggested a way to place the lights so that they would better illuminate the window, and they used my suggestion. Chris Scott, our facilities manager, told me that if the pastor thing didn’t work out for me, I might have a future in being a light consultant. I responded by telling him that, in a way, I already am a light consultant. This reminded me of an article I read recently. The writer began with this question: Have you ever noticed what often happens when a light burns out? Many times when a

light is turned on for the last time it produces a sudden burst of light (burning brighter than it normally does) until the element burns into darkness. A sudden explosion of light is followed by the search for a new lightbulb. None of us would want to light our homes with flash bulbs or the pulse of a strobe light. We want a steady, consistent light that will make the room comfortable to be in. Our lives are to have that same kind of consistency. Jesus said that our lives should be as lights for the world to see. Christ came into the world to be the consistent light in our lives. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5) Grace and Peace,

Pat

Invitation to the New Testament

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Dr. Pat Sparks, Senior Pastor

xperience an overview of the New Testament in the eight-week study “Invitation to the New Testament.” This course examines how the early Christian community wrestled with the implications of the story of Jesus for their lives and their communities of faith. With Matthew’s Gospel as a starting point, participants are invited to study afresh this story of Jesus to learn more about what it means to be the community of Jesus’ followers today. We will meet Tuesdays beginning Jan. 13 at 9:30 a.m. in E225. Register by contacting Karen Palfreyman at [email protected] by Jan. 2. Participant books are $15.

Christmas Eve snacks needed for staff, volunteers

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hristmas Eve is a long day for our choir, musicians, clergy, and staff, with little time for a meal. We are asking for volunteers to bring snack foods such as fruit, veggies, cheese, or crackers to go along with the ham that will be provided for them. If you would like to help, please bring your item to the Parlor on Wednesday afternoon or as you arrive on Christmas Eve.

Our beautiful new stained glass Trinity Window panel has been installed in the Sanctuary. Created by Stephen Wilson, an artist from Baton Rouge, the piece is 8 feet in diameter and depicts the theme of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as well as symbols of St. Peter. The design draws worshippers in to discover these images and to reflect on what they teach us about God. Thanks go to all of those who supported this project with prayers, donations, time, and talent.

Christmas Eve Worship Schedule 3 p.m. – ­ Children’s Choir Christmas Musical “We Three Spies” and Worship for families with small children, Sanctuary 5 p.m. – Living Stones, Cinco Ranch High School 5 p.m. – Carols and Candlelight with the Chancel Choir and Orchestra, Sanctuary 5:30 p.m. – the element Worship with Communion, Lott Hall 7 p.m. – Carols and Candlelight with the Chancel Choir and Orchestra, Sanctuary 7:30 p.m. – the element Worship with Communion, Lott Hall 9 p.m. – Carols, Candlelight, and Communion with the Youth Choir 11 p.m. – Carols, Candlelight, and Communion with Combined Choirs

Help deliver poinsettias

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ou and your family are invited to help make Christmas a little brighter for others by delivering poinsettias to those who are home bound. You can pick up a poinsettia and delivery instructions after the 11 p.m. traditional service on Christmas Eve or between 1 and 2 p.m. on Christmas Day in the Sanctuary. Please contact Kim Meyers Poer at (281) 492-8031 if you have questions.

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Brown Bag Bridge. Brown Baggers celebrated Christmas with a beautiful table filled with fabulous food and great fellowship. Trudy Sinclair, high, and Holly Hart, second high, took home Brown Bag angels. Join us Jan. 8 for our next fun day of bridge. For more information, contact Martha at (281) 395-4825 or [email protected].

Dec. 29 is deadline to register for women’s retreat

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irlfriend Getaway, St. Peter’s women’s retreat, is Jan. 16-18 at the Round Top Retreat Center. Sign up today and be a part of this annual event for St. Peter’s women and their friends and family members. If you register by Dec. 29, the cost is $155. After that the cost goes up to $175. Scholarships are available. Register at stpkaty.org or by calling (281) 492-8031.

Connecting the World With God’s Love

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here is no better time to think about how we enact our faith in the world than the Advent season. But thinking beyond presents and family visits and to-do lists is difficult in a culture where they demand so much of our time. However, when we open our hearts to truly preparing the way for our Lord here on earth, wonderful things happen! The St. Peter’s Missions Committee issued a challenge to the people of St. Peter’s to support Christ Clinic, Helping Kids Ministry, the Methodist Children’s Home, and Heifer International by matching all contributions up to $200 in this year’s Christmas card sales drive. And the people of St. Peter’s responded in a big way! With a Sunday of sales left, we have already collected more than $4,000 for these four wonderful ministries. Additionally, Student Ministries had a wonderful event for the residents of the Parkview Village Apartments in which the presents from the Connect Tree were delivered. The Missions Committee and St. Peter’s staff provided Christmas presents for women and their children at the drug, alcohol, and abuse rehabilitation facility New Birth Ministries (68 people in all!). These are just a few of the ways St. Peter’s has reached out to our community and the world during Advent. In this season, I challenge each and every one of us to set aside some time each day to live into the mission statement of St. Peter’s and truly connect the world with God’s love. Connect with someone new, do something selfless, or find a place to serve. Oh, and have a merry Christmas! Paz, Rev. Nathan Bledsoe Pastor of Missions and Evangelism

Please remember to return your estimate of giving card. It is critical that we receive as many of these cards as possible so that we can plan our ministries for the coming year.

ECDC registration begins Jan. 6

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egistration for the 2015–2016 school year for the Early Childhood Development Center is Jan. 6– 16. Forms will be available in the ECDC office during that time. We offer classes that are developmentally and socially appropriate for children ages 15 months through 5 years of age. For more information, go to the ECDC page atstpkaty.org or call the ECDC office at (281) 492-0623 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

One A Chord welcomes new members

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ne A Chord is a performing group made up of men and women singers, dancers, and instrumentalists. The group has enjoyed a busy fall, with many performances in the community on Monday mornings. After a Christmas break, One A Chord members will resume rehearsal on Jan. 5 at 9:30 a.m. in Asbury Hall. We encourage new members to join us. For more information, contact Gail Shipley at (281) 782-1598 or [email protected].

Mission Gift Cards available this Sunday

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ou still have time to get those last-minute Christmas gifts for loved ones or friends who are difficult to buy for. Our Missions Gift Cards, which benefit four organizations, will be available in the Lobby this Sunday. You can select from cards benefitting Heifer International, The Methodist Children’s Home, Helping Kids Ministry, and Christ Clinic. The Missions Committee is such a supporter of the work these four groups do, that they have committed to matching all individual contributions up to $200. For more information on any of these programs, please contact Nathan Bledsoe at [email protected] or (281) 492-8031.

Don’t forget to let the church office know if your address, phone number, or e-mail address changes.

ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE December 7 Traditional Worship 8:30 234 9:45 236 11:00 437 the element 9:45 57 11:00 137 SPLASH 58 Living Stones 290 TOTAL 1,449

December 14 Traditional Worship 8:30 205 9:45 267 11:00 499 the element 9:45 63 11:00 104 SPLASH 74 Living Stones 264 TOTAL 1,476

In Our Prayers PRAYERS

Don Beach, Dennis Bowling, Treva Brewster, William Clites, Julia Clites, Dan Dienst, John Duffield, Doug Folts, Caleb Gore, Lu Haas, Jane Hall, Ann Hlinak, Rick Jage, Brian Jones, Randy Ludden, Betty Marsh, Brenda Pope, Patsy Stanley, Cheryl Swift, and Carolyn Zerger.

SYMPATHY

To Buford Bates and family on the death of his wife, Sandi Bates. To Karen Beham and family on the death of her mother. To Lynn Brannon and family on the death of her father. To Ellie Hodges and family on the death of her husband, Al. To Kathryn Horton and family on the death of her father. To Don Prendergast and family on the death of his father.

JOY

To Chris and Lisa Jones on the birth of their daughter Isabella.

PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY

Tim and Alison Batig, John Belsha, Will Brandt, Skyler Cook, Westley Freeze, James Gilbert, Tyler J. Gorcie, Dylan Greismeyer, Stephen Travis Harding, Matthew Ivester, Mike Linn, Ryan Lueders, Blake Nunes, Ryan O’Quinn, Matthew Platz, Shawn Platz, Hamilton Rencurrel, Taylor Richardson, Jack Ritchie, Don Rolleg, Jacob Shinkle, John Simmons, and Jasen Wilson.

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‘Jesus, the One and Only’ study begins Jan. 20

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oin us for Beth Moore’s study “Jesus, the One and Only,” a life-changing journey leading you through Galilee with the Teacher, across the lake with the Master, and, finally, on the road toward the cross with the Savior. This 10-week study meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 20. For information, contact Anne O’Quinn at annieroonie@ sbcglobal.net.

The Journey adult Sunday School class meets Dec. 21

Chi Rho adult Sunday School class wound up a year of mission efforts by completing four fleece blankets that were distributed at the Katy Community Thanksgiving Feast. The class was also a generous participant in the Student Ministries Chili Cook-Off benefiting the Jamaica mission trip, provided leadership for the Church Without Walls projects at Manna House and New Birth Ministries, and exceeded the challenge issued for Compassion Habitat Katy. If you are mission-minded and have a heart to study God’s word, you are invited to join Chi Rho Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in S212. In January, we will begin an in-depth study of the book of Romans. Come dive deep into God’s word with Chi Rho. For additional information, contact Sheryl Ray at (281) 646-8586 or [email protected].

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f you would like to participate in the church-wide study of “The Journey” during Advent, but are not a member of an adult Sunday School class, we invite you to join us Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. in E106. We will watch Adam Hamilton’s video and then have time for discussion.

Watch for other adult small group studies starting in January.

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College care packages were mailed out to 39 of our college students recently to help them through their final exams. Thanks to everyone for providing addresses, snacks, and support. Each package contained chips, cookies, fruit snacks, granola bars, popcorn, hot chocolate, candy, a page of the Sunday comics, a note from a junior high Sunday School student, a note from the Student Ministry leaders, and a $5 Starbucks gift card.

Student Ministries Bible Study. High School Girls Ministry Events will return in February. Check out the website or grab a card from the Wesley Student Center for spring dates. High School Guys Open Gym will return once a month beginning in January. Check the website for more details. Student Ministries Grow Groups. Rooted Junior High Ministry will return Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 6-8 p.m. in the Wesley Student Center. We’ll have games, music, prizes, worship, and small groups. Bring $3 for pizza dinner. High School Home Groups will begin Jan. 11. Students are placed in a group by registering online at stpstudentministries.org. For more information, contact Jeremy Galasso at [email protected] or call the office at (281) 944-4929. Student Ministries Mid-Winter Camp. All sixth- through 12th-graders are welcome to attend Mid-Winter Camp at Forest Glen Feb. 20-22. Registration forms and information are available at stpstudentministries.org or in the Wesley Student Center. A $50 deposit and complete forms must be turned in to hold your spot. We will need adult leaders! Cost is $125 until Dec. 31. The cost will then be $150 for all late registrations. Jamaica Golf Tournament. Don’t miss the best golf tournament in Katy, benefiting our high school seniors’ mission trip to Jamaica! Join us at Pine Forest Country Club Monday, Feb. 16, for a four-man scramble, dinner, and awards. We’ll also have a great auction with many items for the whole family. Registration begins Jan. 4. Cost is $100 by Jan. 31; Feb. 1-10, it is $125. Go to stpstudentministries.org to register. For information, contact Heather at [email protected] or (281) 944-4929.

The Grace Notes women’s ensemble has enjoyed a busy Christmas season with performances at Katy First United Methodist Church, Autumn Leaves Memory Care, Sundance Memory Care, The Gathering at St. Peter’s, and the Forum. Our rehearsals begin again on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 9:30 a.m. in E106. We would love to have you join us! For more information, contact Gail Shipley at (281) 782-1598 or [email protected].

Daily Bible Reading Dec. 22 – 28 MONDAY Isaiah 7:10-17 TUESDAY 2 Timothy 1:8-14 WEDNESDAY Isaiah 62:1-5 THURSDAY Luke 2:8-20 FRIDAY Psalm 148 SATURDAY Galatians 4:4-7 SUNDAY Luke 2:22-40 Dec. 29 – Jan. 4 MONDAY Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 TUESDAY Numbers 6:22-27 WEDNESDAY Psalm 100 THURSDAY Matthew 25:31-46 FRIDAY Micah 5:2-5 SATURDAY Isaiah 60:1-7 SUNDAY Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

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S unday Worship

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church 20775 Kingsland Blvd. Katy, Texas 77450

8:30 a.m.

Traditional Worship with Holy Communion

9:45 a.m.

Traditional Worship the element Contemporary Worship Sunday School for All Ages

10:30 a.m.

Living Stones St. Peter’s West Campus at Cinco Ranch High School

11:00 a.m.

Traditional Worship the element Contemporary Worship SPLASH Children’s Worship Sunday School for Adults

St. Peter’s Events Calendar

Coming in 2015

Sunday, Dec. 21

St. Peter’s Blood Drive

8:00 a.m.

Blood Drive Sign Up

Lobby

9:45 a.m.

Chancel Choir Concert

Sanctuary

11:00 a.m.

Chancel Choir Concert

Sanctuary

Wednesday Nights at St. Peter’s

4:00 p.m.

Women’s Cancer Support Group

S209

Adult small group studies

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Girlfriend Getaway

We4 for children

Church Office closed 3:00 p.m.

Children’s Choir Musical

Sanctuary

5:00 p.m.

Living Stones Christmas Eve

Cinco Ranch HS

5, 7, 9, 11 p.m.

Traditional Christmas Eve

Sanctuary

5:30, 7:30 p.m.

the element Christmas Eve

Lott Hall

Thursday, Dec. 25

KIDS JAM children’s choirs Friday Night Friends ECDC 2015-2016 Registration Rooted Junior High Ministry

Christmas Day Church Office closed

High School Home Groups

Sunday, Dec. 28

Student Ministries Mid-Winter Camp

Regular worship schedule 8:00 a.m.

Blood Drive Sign Up

Lobby

Jamaica Golf Tournament

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Missions Fair

Church Office closes at 2 p.m.

Grace Notes Women’s Ensemble

Thursday, Jan. 1 Church Office closed Detailed weekly calendars of St. Peter’s events are available on our website.

One A Chord Musical Group Grief Support Group