St. Peter’s
CONNECTION VOL. 6, No. 18 April 8, 2016
Connecting the World with God’s Love
THIS ISSUE:
Easter at St. Peter’s
Children’s Summer Camps Sign up today for one of our summer programs for children. Member registration is open now online.
Stephen Ministry Discover what it means to be a Stephen Minister and how they help care for our congregation. An information session will be held in May.
Our observance of Holy Week culminated in a joyful Easter Sunday at St. Peter’s. The day began before sunrise at a service in the courtyard, followed by three traditional services, two contemporary services in The Element, and our SPLASH children’s worship. Living Stones’ Easter service took our celebration to the west side of Katy at the Cinco Ranch High School campus. On the main campus we invited everyone to add flowers to our two crosses.
20775 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, Texas 77450 (281) 492-8031 www.stpkaty.org
Are you called?
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re you being called to serve in Stephen Ministry? Are friends comfortable talking to you about the issues in their lives? Do you have experiences that you think could help others? Do you have one hour per week to reach out to someone who may have no one else to talk to? If you believe you have a gift for compassion and caring, please come to an information meeting on May 10 at 7 p.m. in S101 to find if Stephen Ministry is a place you want to serve. More information about Stephen Ministry can be found by clicking HERE.
Relay for Life
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oin or support Team St. Peter’s, which is raising funds for the American Cancer Society in the Katy Relay for Life on April 29-30 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at Katy City Park. For more information and to sign up or donate, click HERE.
Alzheimer’s Support Group
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he Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet April 18 at 1:30 p.m. in S209 for a time of caring and sharing. For more information, contact Beverly Deerhake at (281) 372-8389.
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God’s mission is rescue Dear Friends in Christ, I recently came across something Philip Yancey shared in his book “Rumors of Another World.” I found it to be a great lesson for Christians to remember. Living in Colorado, I climb mountains. Colorado has 54 mountains rising above 14,000 feet, and every summer I climb some of them. On a summer weekend in the mountains, I see casual hikers who have no idea what they are doing. In sandals, shorts, and T-shirts, carrying a single container of water, they start up a trail at mid-morning. They have no map, no compass, and no rain gear. They also have no apparent knowledge of the lightning storms that roll in many summer afternoons, making it imperative to summit before noon. Dr. Pat Sparks, Senior Pastor My neighbor, who volunteers for Alpine Rescue, has told me hair-raising stories of tourists who must be rescued from certain death after wandering off a trail, falling, or simply being exposed to a sudden hailstorm or drop in temperature. Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, Alpine Rescue always responds to a call for help. Not once have they lectured a hapless tourist, “Well, since you obviously ignored the most basic rules of the wilderness, you’ll just have to sit here and bear the consequences. We won’t assist you.” Their mission is rescue, and so they pursue every needy hiker in the wilderness, no matter how undeserving. A whistle, a cry, a flashing mirror, a bonfire, an SOS spelled out in pine branches, a message of distress from a cellphone— any of these signals will cause Alpine Rescue to mobilize teams of medically trained searchers. I have come to see the central message of the Bible, too, as one of rescue. In the book of Romans, Paul takes pains to point out that none of us “deserve” God’s mercy and none of us can save ourselves. Like a stranded hiker, all we can do is call for help. A hardened park ranger could look at the efforts of Alpine Rescue as indulging the bad habits of irresponsible tourists. Shouldn’t they spend their energy instead handing out rewards to hikers who follow the rules? (“God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers,” prayed the Pharisees.) When I posed such a question to my neighbor, she looked at me uncomprehending. “But our business is rescue!” she said. “Do you expect us to leave any hiker stranded in the wilderness? I don’t care who they are, they need help.” (“In the same way,” said Jesus, “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”) Blessings,
Pat
Children of the World choir needs host homes
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n Sunday, May 8, the Children of the World Choir will present a concert at St. Peter’s at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary. We are seeking seven host families to provide accommodations for the children for two nights, Sunday and Monday, during their visit to Katy. The children’s ages range from 7 to 14. Hosts are asked to keep three children or two children and a female chaperone in a separate room from the children. The Children of the World Choir is composed of orphaned and disadvantaged children from several countries. Through the powerful medium of song, dance, spoken word, and creative media, the children provide a compelling message of hope and opportunity, leaving an unforgettable impression with the audience. If you can provide a place to stay for these children, please contact David Galasso at
[email protected].
Church Council Meeting Wednesday, April 27 7 p.m., E106
Women’s Forum
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oin the women of St. Peter’s on Monday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Asbury Hall for a Women’s Ministry Forum sponsored by Harvest Ministries. This will be an opportunity for women of all ages to hear about the different groups and Bible studies that meet at St. Peter’s. If you are looking for a group or study, this is a wonderful time to see all that is offered. We also will participate in a mission project during our time together. Nursery care is available, and light refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Whitney Peper at
[email protected].
Men’s Breakfast
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ll men are invited to come to the Whataburger at 23540 Westheimer Pkwy. for breakfast and fellowship on Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. This is a great way to get to know other men at St. Peter’s. No reservations are needed.
Hunting for Easter eggs, adding flowers to our flowering crosses, and taking family photos were popular activities during Holy Week and Easter at St. Peter’s.
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Easter Sunday at The Element Brown Bag Bridge. Our next play date is April 14 at 10 a.m. in Asbury Hall.
Job Search Assistance
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he Job Search Assistance Group can provide help for those seeking employment or job change. Our last meeting for the spring is April 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in S211. For information, please contact John Caudill at (281) 600-8138 or j.caudill@qualitec. com. If you cannot make the meeting, feel free to contact John on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
Easter Sunday at Living Stones
Directory Photos We still have a few 8x10 directory photos in the church office. If you had your picture made but didn’t order any extras, we should have your photo.
Prayer Quilt Ministry
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he Prayer Quilt Ministry will meet April 13 in S201 from 9 a.m. to noon. We’d love to have you be a part of this important ministry that has distributed more than 800 quilts to people needing comfort. No quilting experience is needed. For more information, contact Tereasa Reimer at (281) 395-4730.
Open Hearts Support Group
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pen Hearts will meet April 21 at 7 p.m. in E225. Open Hearts is a support group for families and friends of LGBT persons. We offer a safe and affirming setting for those who desire understanding, education, and support. We welcome anyone to be a part of this group, whether you need support or can provide support. For more information, please contact Elaine Saunders at
[email protected] or (281) 492-8031.
Register today for children’s summer programs
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ow is the time to register your children for St. Peter’s summer camps. Member registration is open now and community registration begins April 11. At Surf Shack Vacation Bible School, kids will learn Bible truths that will help to reinforce God’s amazing love. Planning and preparing nutritious meals is the focus of Cooking with Kids. Sunny Days and Surfin’ Safari give children a chance to explore and learn about the great outdoors. Children at Triumph Sports Camp will play sports, get exercise, and learn from Bible lessons. And T Bar M Camp is a great place to enjoy awesome activities and Bible study. Spots are filling up fast, so go to stpkaty.org to register.
Welcome to Our New Members Charlie and Lindsey Benson Kelley Lloyd Matthew Finkey and Jennifer Lovos Chris and Suzie Morris
ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE Holy Thursday
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Good Friday 7:00 p.m. 220 SPLASH 30 TOTAL 250 Easter Traditional Worship 6:30 192 8:00 377 9:30 1,138 11:00 806 The Element 9:30 177 11:00 148 SPLASH 63 Living Stones 402 Living Stones Students/Kids 18 TOTAL 3,321
April 3 Traditional Worship 8:30 185 9:45 184 11:00 382 The Element 9:45 87 11:00 95 SPLASH 92 Living Stones 161 Living Stones Students/Kids 97 C2C Retreat 54 TOTAL 1,337
In Our Prayers
PRAYERS Lynn Bortka, Dennis Bowling, Faunelle Deaton, John Duffield, Cyndy Flory, Doug Folts, Caleb Gore, Amanda Gunderson, Art Henderson, Mike Ibarguen, Brian Jones, Oscar Jones, Wanda Klaus, Ralph Lovell, Betty Marsh, Jim Marshall, Anne Scruggs, Cheryl Swift, and Annabelle Turner. JOY To Jason and Melissa Barnard on the birth of their son Wilson Alexander. SYMPATHY To Dennis Hendon and family on death of his father. To Melody Pohla and family on the death of her mother, Sara Di Palma. To Kim Poer and family on the death of her mother. To Jo Traylor Robertson and family on the death of her husband, Maynard Robertson. To Patsy Stanley and family on the death of her husband, Stan Stanley. To Julie Atwood and Jan Schroeder and their families on the death of their father, Wes Trawick. PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY Tim and Alison Batig, John Belsha, Will Brandt, Jeffrey Cabana, Skyler Cook, Austin Foster, Westley Freeze, James Gilbert, Tyler J. Gorcie, Dylan Greismeyer, Stephen Travis Harding, Adam Higdon, Matthew Ivester, Mike Linn, Ryan Lueders, Blake Nunes, Cameron Nunes, Ryan O’Quinn, Matthew Platz, Shawn Platz, Hamilton Rencurrel, Jack Ritchie, Don Rolleg, Ben Saunders, Jacob Shinkle, John Simmons, and Jasen Wilson.
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Blood drive is May 1
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ur next blood drive is Sunday, May 1, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Scout House. You can sign up to donate on April 17 and 24 in the Lobby. All those who donate will receive a T-shirt. In case you’re wondering, people with controlled blood pressure, controlled thyroid condition, and diabetes can donate blood. Please consider donating this life-saving gift. For more information on donating or to schedule an appointment, contact Marsha Asplin at mea1242@aol. com.
Easter Sunday in the Sanctuary
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Connecting the World With God’s Love
Members of St. Peter’s at both the main campus and west campus generously donated 250 cleaning buckets to families on the Texas-Louisiana border so they could begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after the recent floods. We took advantage of a beautiful spring Sunday to set up an assembly station in the courtyard so that people could help put together buckets between services.
Daily Bible Reading Student camp registration deadline is April 17
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here is still time to register at stpstudentministries.org for our summer camps for students. Registration deadline is April 17 for all camps. Camp Connect (July 4-8) is for 6th- and 7th-graders. U.M. ARMY (June 19-25) is a work camp for 8th- through 12th-graders and adults. Student Life camp (July 18-22) in Arlington is for 8th- through 12th-graders. For information, contact Heather at
[email protected].
Music volunteer still needed for VBS
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olunteers are an indispensable part of our Vacation Bible School program. This year we are especially in need of an adult to serve as elementary music lead. Volunteers’ children can attend VBS for free, and nursery care is available. If you would be interested in volunteering for this position, contact Whitney Peper at
[email protected]. VBS is June 13-17.
United Methodist Women’s Miriam Circle and friends made sandwiches for Neighbors in Action, a faith-based outreach program started by First Methodist Houston in support of the neighborhood surrounding the Port of Houston. If you would like to be a part of United Methodist Women, contact Joanna Basham at
[email protected] or (713) 309-5773.
April 11 – 17 MONDAY Acts 9:1-6 TUESDAY Psalm 30 WEDNESDAY Revelation 5:11-14 THURSDAY John 21:1-19 FRIDAY Deuteronomy 6:1-8 SATURDAY 1 Timothy 6:11-16 SUNDAY Amos 5:18-24 April 18 – 24 MONDAY Acts 3:12-19 TUESDAY Psalm 4 WEDNESDAY 1 John 3:1-7 THURSDAY Luke 24:35-49 FRIDAY Ezekiel 34:1-10 SATURDAY Ezekiel 34:11-22 SUNDAY Ezekiel 34:23-31
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S u nday Worship 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 Sunday, April 10 12:15 p.m. Pizza With the Pastors 6:30 p.m. ADHD Support Group Tuesday, April 12 1:30 p.m. KEYS Council 7:00 p.m. Women of Joy Wednesday, April 13 9:00 a.m. Prayer Quilt Ministry 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Small Groups We4 Wednesdays for Everyone KIDS JAM Children’s Choirs Thursday, April 14 10:00 a.m. Brown Bag Bridge Sunday, April 17 4:00 p.m. Women’s Cancer Support Monday, April 18 1:30 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group 6:30 p.m. Harvest Ministries Forum 7:00 p.m. Trustees Thursday, April 21 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee Open Hearts Support Group
The Gospel of John E106 S201 E225 S203 S201 Various E120 E221 Asbury Hall S205 S209 Asbury Hall Conference Room Conference Room E225
Detailed weekly calendars of St. Peter’s events are available on our website.
Two adult Sunday School classes are doing a study of John’s Gospel. Abide, which meets at 11 a.m. in S202, is a new class that has just started the study. Chi Rho, which meets at 9:45 a.m. in S212, will begin their study on April 17.
Pizza With the Pastors Are you thinking about joining St. Peter’s? If so, you are invited to attend our monthly Pizza With the Pastors Sunday, April 10, at 12:15 p.m. in E106. Please contact Patty Campbell at
[email protected] or (281) 492-8031 for more information.
