connection

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St. Peter’s

CONNECTION VOL. 5, No. 16 March 13, 2015

Connecting the World with God’s Love

THIS ISSUE: CWOW Planning Meeting

Our annual day of service is May 17. Attend this meeting to find out how your small group can sponsor a project.

New Stephen Ministers St. Peter’s is commissioning 11 new Stephen Ministers this Sunday. They will be able to offer one-to-one Christian care.

Celebrate

EASTER Holy Week and Easter Schedule

March 29 – Palm/Passion Sunday, Fauré Requiem: 9:45 and 11 a.m. April 1 – Easter Egg Hunt: 5:30 p.m. April 2 – Holy Thursday Service of Communion: 7 p.m. – Prayer Stations: 8-9 p.m. April 3 – Prayer Stations: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. – Good Friday Service: 7 p.m. April 5 – Easter Sunday Sunrise Service: 6:30 a.m. Traditional Service: 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. the element: 9:30, 11 a.m. SPLASH Children’s Worship: 11 a.m. (No Sunday School or SPLISH SPLASH on Easter Sunday. Nursery will be provided for 4-year-olds and younger.) Living Stones West Campus: 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Eve

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

Children to experience Seder meal

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n March 29, we will have a Seder meal for the children in SPLASH and SPLISH SPLASH to wrap up our Moses and the Exodus series. This will be a traditional meal, adjusted for kids, that will allow them an opportunity to experience the connection of the Old and New Testaments. We are very excited to be hosting this meal and hope it will provide the children with an understanding of the Jewish faith and our Christian connection to it. You are welcome to join your child. For more information, contact Whitney Peper at wpeper19@ gmail.com.

Volunteers needed in office

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volunteer is needed to answer the phone and greet visitors the last two Thursday mornings of each month from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This is a critical volunteer position that provides a valuable service for the ministers and staff. If you can help, please contact Marcia Churns at (281) 578-6654 or dmchurns@ att.net.

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Rescuing the undeserving Dear Friends in Christ, In his book “Rumors of Another World,” Philip Yancey gave an interesting insight that I believe applies to St. Peter’s mission statement: “Connecting the world with God’s love.” He wrote: 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 and head for the safety of the timberline. My neighbor, who volunteers for Alpine Dr. Pat Sparks, Senior Pastor 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 30-degree 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? 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.” Grace and Peace,

Pat

Eleven Stephen Ministers to be commissioned

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n March 15 at 11 a.m. in traditional worship, 11 members of St. Peter’s are being commissioned as Stephen Ministers. They have received 50 hours of training that equips them to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficult times in their lives. A Stephen Minister is someone who is committed to meeting faithfully with a care receiver for about an hour each week for as long as there is a need. If you or someone you know could benefit from the support of a Stephen Minister, please call Rev. Kim Poer at (281) 492-8031 or Nancy Taylor at (281) 702-2953.

Walk with a Doc program promotes exercise

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an you walk one mile to support someone who needs your encouragement and who would be blessed by the knowledge that our community cares about improving their quality of life? St. Peter’s is sponsoring the first Walk with a Doc event for the patients of Christ Clinic on Saturday, April 11, at Rick Rice Park located behind CrossPoint Community Church, 700 South Westgreen in Katy. Check-in is at 7:45 a.m. and the walk starts at 8 a.m. If the weather is bad, the walk will be moved to Katy Mills Mall. Walk with a Doc is a national program started by a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio, to encourage patients to incorporate physical activity into their lives. As the sponsor, St. Peter’s is asking for 15 to 20 people to volunteer as walking buddies to provide support and encouragement to patient walkers. We also need two volunteers who are experienced in taking blood pressures to serve as medical assistants. We are asking for donations of WalMart gift cards to purchase walking shoes for patients who cannot afford them. And we are asking for monetary donations so that we can provide healthy snacks and water for the walkers. St. Peter’s has been a supporter of Christ Clinic for several years. This clinic provides healthcare and health-related services to those who are uninsured or underinsured. You can sign up to volunteer or make a donation on Sunday, March 29 or April 5, at the Information Desk in the Lobby. You also can contact Carolyn Campbell at carolyn. [email protected] to volunteer or for more information.

Church Council Highlights February 24 Meeting •Missions Committee announced Church Without Walls will be May 17. • Living Stones had its six-month anniversary March 1. • ECDC was the ministry highlight. • Next Church Council meeting is March 24 at 7 p.m.

Get help with your job search

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he Job Search Assistance Group meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in S212. John Caudill will present information on search tactics, networking, resumes, and interviewing. He also will discuss how to improve your status with your current company as well as plan for potential layoffs. More than 50 people have found employment since the program began. For information or to register (not required), contact John Caudill at (281) 6008138 or j.caudill@qualitec. com.

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Open Hearts Support Group

Connecting the World With God’s Love

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pen Hearts will meet March 19 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 esaunders@ stpkaty.org or (281) 4928031.

Club 45 sponsors car wash March 22

March Mission Focus. This month’s mission focus is Fondren Apartment Ministry. FAM is an intentional community and ministry with people in apartment complexes on Houston’s southwest side. Many of these people are refugees. Two of our members, Russ LaGrone and Erin Randolph, live in community with FAM as urban missionaries. FAM invites you to partner with them in prayer, in presence, and financially. To learn how to be more involved in this ministry, visit the Missions page at stpkaty.org or go to http://bit.ly/FAM_2015. To give to FAM, make checks payable to St. Peter’s with FAM in the “for” line. CWOW Planning Meeting. Church Without Walls is the day we take church outside the walls of St. Peter’s and serve our neighbors. This year CWOW is Sunday, May 17, and we want your help! Our goal is to have 100 percent of our small groups coordinate and lead projects. If you are the leader or missions chair of your small group, we ask that you attend our planning meeting on March 16 at 7 p.m. in S101. We will have some projects identified that you can sponsor, but we also encourage your group to come up with new projects so that we can expand our connection in the Katy community. If your group has already identified your project, please notify Nathan Bledsoe at [email protected] as soon as possible to ensure that it is assigned to your group. Contact Nathan with any questions about CWOW.

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fter all the rainy weather we’ve had, it’s probably time to get your car washed. You can bring it to the church parking lot March 22 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and our Club 45 members will do the washing. These fourth- and fifth-graders will donate the proceeds to our Freedom 5K/Walk that raises funds to help free enslaved people in Sudan.

Assembling UMCOR Heath Kits was just one of the many service projects St. Peter’s undertook during Church Without Walls last year.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

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he Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet March 16 at 1:30 p.m. in S209 for a time of caring and sharing. For more information, contact Beverly Deerhake at (281) 856-6217.

Music Ministry presents Fauré’s “Requiem”

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he Chancel Choir and Orchestra will present Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem” during the 9:45 and 11 a.m. traditional worship services on Palm/Passion Sunday, March 29. This is one of the most popular and frequently performed requiems because of its beauty and accessibility. Fauré’s “Requiem” relates to the crucifixion and death of Jesus, but culminates with an expression of hope and anticipation of his resurrection. St. Peter’s musicians have spent several months preparing this piece and are looking forward to the opportunity to share this music. Although the “Requiem” is sung in Latin, the English translation will be on the screens so that everyone can appreciate its message. Please make plans to be with us for this very special presentation.

In Our Prayers PRAYERS

Hua Atkinson, Don Beach, Dennis Bowling, William Clites, Julia Clites, Faunelle Deaton, John Duffield, Caleb Gore, Lu Haas, Joe Hawkins, Art Henderson, Ann Hlinak, Barbara Hobbs, Rick Jage, Brian Jones, Don Kennedy, Wanda Klaus, Betty Marsh, Maynard Robertson, Ruby Smith, Spencer Stanford, and Cheryl Swift.

JOY

Wednesday Night Dinner 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Lott Hall March 18 Artichoke chicken, hash brown casserole, roasted brococoli, roll, and apple Betty with ice cream March 25 Swiss steak, rice, roasted carrots, and chocolate pie Kid’s meal: mac and cheese with green beans and peaches Healthy option of a chicken Caesar salad available by reservation Adults/Kids: $6/$3 with reservation Make reservation by Sunday at midnight at stpkaty.org or by 12:15 p.m. Sunday at the Information Desk.

To Cary and Debbie Cook on the birth of their son Ben.

SYMPATHY

To Janice Blewitt and family on the death of her husband, Tom Blewitt. To Robert Fortner and family on the death of his father. To Robert Lovell and Tim Lovell and family on the death of their father and grandfather. To Kathryn Sadowski and family on the death of her husband, Stephen Sadowski.

PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY

ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE March 1 Traditional Worship 8:30 213 9:45 258 11:00 504 the element 9:45 57 11:00 152 SPLASH 55 Living Stones 216 TOTAL 1,455

March 8 Traditional Worship 8:30 129 9:45 149 11:00 325 the element 9:45 33 11:00 80 SPLASH 46 Living Stones 195 Jamaica 29 TOTAL 986

Tim and Alison Batig, John Belsha, Will Brandt, Skyler Cook, Westley Freeze, James Gilbert, Tyler J. Gorcie, Dylan Greismeyer, Stephen Travis Harding, Adam Higdon, Matthew Ivester, Mike Linn, Ryan Lueders, Blake 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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KIDS JAM Children’s Choir Spring Musical

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IDS JAM children’s choirs are beginning to work on the spring musical “Back to the Cross.” Children 5 years old through fifth grade are welcome to participate. Please join us in E221/222 for practice Wednesdays from 6:30–7:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Anne O’Quinn at annieroonie@ sbcglobal.net.

UMW to present Garden of Fashions style show

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he United Methodist Women will present their annual spring style show “Garden of Fashions” April 21 at 7 p.m. in Lott Hall. The show will feature fashions from SteinMart. In addition there will be entertainment provided by St. Peter’s Bluegrass Band and light refreshments. Tickets will be available beginning April 5 for $15 each. For more information, contact Charline Grace at (281) 579-8380.

Communion volunteers needed

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olunteers are needed to help with communion setup and cleanup in traditional worship on the first Sunday of the month. Two volunteers are needed at the 9:45 a.m. service and one volunteer is needed at 8:30 a.m. Please contact Mark Liles at [email protected] if you can help in this way.

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Information day for Summer Ministries

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ummer Ministries registration for children begins at the end of March. On Sunday, March 22, we will have information about all of our children’s summer programs, including a representative from T Bar M Camp who can answer your questions. Please stop by the Children’s Ministries Desk to find out about Vacation Bible School, Kingdom Kids, Sunny Days, and more. Registration begins for volunteers March 30, for church members April 6, and for the community April 13. This year St. Peter’s is hosting the T Bar M Camp–Discover 252 July 20-24 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for K-5th grade. Registration is currently under way for this camp. Visit the Children’s Ministries page at stpkaty.org for more information and a registration link. Complete information on all our Summer Ministries can be found at stpkaty.org.

Jamaica Mission 2015

Daily Bible Reading March 16 – 22 MONDAY Numbers 21:4-9 TUESDAY Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 WEDNESDAY Ephesians 2:1-10 THURSDAY John 3:14-21 FRIDAY Jeremiah 10:11-16 SATURDAY 1 Peter 2:4-10 SUNDAY Isaiah 1:2-9 March 23 – 29 MONDAY Jeremiah 31:31-34 TUESDAY Psalm 51:1-12 WEDNESDAY Hebrews 5:5-10 THURSDAY John 12:20-36 FRIDAY Micah 7:18-20 SATURDAY Romans 5:6-11 SUNDAY Hosea 11:1-11

Easter Egg Hunt Wednesday, April 1 at 5:30 p.m. Bring your basket! The fun includes age-level Easter egg hunts, face painting, a photo booth, balloon artist, two simple crafts, rabbit food, and cookies to decorate.

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S unday Worship 8:30 a.m.

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

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

Ways you can help

Sunday, March 15 4:00 p.m. Women’s Cancer Support Group S209 Monday, March 16 1:30 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group S209 7:00 p.m. Trustees Conference Room CWOW Planning Meeting S201 Tuesday, March 17 6:30 a.m. Morning Prayer with FAM Conference Room Wednesday, March 18 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner Lott Hall 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Nights at St. Peter’s Various Thursday, March 19 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee Conference Room Open Hearts Support Group E225 Tuesday, March 24 6:30 a.m. Morning Prayer with FAM Conference Room 7:00 p.m. Women of Joy S203 Church Council E106 Wednesday, March 25 10:00 a.m. The Gathering Asbury Hall 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner Lott Hall 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Nights at St. Peter’s Various Friday, March 27 6:00 p.m. Friday Night Friends E221 Detailed weekly calendars of St. Peter’s events are available on our website.

Help with communion in traditional worship. Volunteers are needed to help set up and clean up the communion elements. E-mail Mark Liles at [email protected].

Pray with the FAM community. Join us in the conference room on Tuesday mornings to pray by Skype with this refugee apartment community. E-mail Nathan Bledsoe at [email protected]. Wash your car. Come to the Club 45 car wash, which benefits enslaved people in Sudan. Be a walking buddy. Offer support and encouragement to Christ Clinic patients who are trying to incorporate more exercise into their lives. E-mail Carolyn Campbell at [email protected].