connection

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St. Peter’s

CONNECTION VOL. 3, No. 16 March 1, 2013

Connecting the World with God’s Love

THIS ISSUE: Dr. Pat Sparks named senior pastor Centenary College Choir concert

This choir from Shreveport, La., will present a free concert on Sunday, March 3, at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Building plan approval A Charge Conference has been called on March 19 for the congregation to approve final building plans for the Magnify & Multiply expansion.

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t. Peter’s is pleased to announce that Southwest District Superintendent Dr. Pat Sparks has been named our new senior pastor. Pat will begin transitioning into his new duties in April and will be here at St. Peter’s full time by mid-May. Pat and his wife, Gina, have a 14-year-old son, Lamar, and an 11-yearold daughter, Jency. Prior to his appointment as District Superintendent, Pat served the Jefferson Circuit, South Texarkana, Tennison Memorial in Mount Pleasant, Avinger and Mims Chapel Circuit, Bridges Chapel and Greenhill Circuit, First UMC in Conroe, First UMC in Linden, Pleasant Retreat in Tyler, First UMC in Lindale, Bear Creek in Houston and First UMC in Longview. He graduated from East Texas State University in 1980. While attending Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, he was ordained as a Deacon Dr. Pat Sparks in 1981. After earning his Master of Divinity degree in 1983 he was ordained as an Elder in 1986. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Brite Divinity School in 2002. Pat enjoys watching the Texans, the Astros and any team on which his son is playing, as well as hunting, archery, golf and bicycling.

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

Holy Thursday service to include Rutter ‘Requiem’

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ur Holy Thursday worship service will feature the Chancel Choir and Orchestra presenting John Rutter’s “Requiem.” This work is a contemporary musical setting of an adaptation of the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass. It consists of seven movements utilizing a choir with orchestral accompaniment. Portions of the piece are based on Psalm 23 and 130. Rutter’s “Requiem” is written in Latin and English and speaks of hope and the promise of everlasting life. For this reason, it is one of the most popular requiems in the world. Please join us March 28 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary for this very special worship service.

Faith, while trees are still in blossom

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reeting friends! Excitement is in the air! Signs of new

life and hope are bursting forth like the springblooming trees. As I drive through town and notice the blooming of azaleas and the purples and whites of redbud and ornamental pear trees, I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns, “Faith, While Trees Are Still in Blossom.” Some of the words speak well to the faith and excitement of anticipation I am seeing at St. Peter’s these days.

Rev. Kim Meyers, Associate Pastor

Faith, while trees are still in blossom, plans the picking of the fruit; faith can feel the thrill of harvest when the buds begin to sprout. Long before the dawn is breaking, faith anticipates the sun. Faith is eager for the daylight, for the work that must be done. Faith believes that God is faithful: God will be what God will be! Faith accepts the call, responding, “I am willing, Lord, send me.” As St. Peter’s moves forward toward so many new beginnings, I want to thank the wonderfully committed people of St. Peter’s for the way you have been so faithful over the past months during a difficult time of change and transition. You have shown up in record numbers, continued to give generously to support the work of God among us, and have offered words of encouragement and prayers for our staff and our entire congregation as we

Charge Conference March 19

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e will hold a Charge Conference Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary for the purpose of approving the final building plans for our Magnify & Multiply expansion. We also will need to approve the sale of the parsonage. Please plan to attend this important meeting.

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have worked to overcome feelings of grief and sadness and turn our efforts and vision toward the future with hope into which God is leading us. Very soon we will welcome Dr. Pat Sparks and his family into our St. Peter’s family as he comes to join us in ministry as our new senior pastor. Very soon we will see work begin on our campus to expand and equip our facilities to better meet the needs of this growing and vibrant congregation. Very soon we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the new life he has bought for us all! The trees are in blossom, the fruit will soon appear, ready for the harvest. Thank you all for your faithfulness, your commitment to continue being the Body of Christ connecting the world with God’s love here at St. Peter’s, in our community, and across the world. I thank God for all of you in my prayers and look forward to being a part of God’s work among us and through us in the season ahead! Peace and Hope,

Pastor Kim

Volunteer with VBS this summer

P from Executive Director Randy Rush

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’m sure you are all wondering about the ever-changing projections for our groundbreaking ceremony and the actual start date of construction on our Magnify & Multiply campaign. After much delay and numerous changes in the individual plans, I think we can safely announce that we are planning our groundbreaking for Sunday, April 14, immediately following the 11 a.m. worship services. In preparation for this, we will hold a Charge Conference on Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. to review and approve the construction plans. In addition to the construction presentation, our congregation also will hear the proposal by our Board of Trustees to sell the parsonage. Please plan to attend this very important event. We expect construction to start immediately following approval by our congregation. I know the news that our newly appointed senior pastor is Dr. Pat Sparks has created a positive atmosphere at St. Peter’s. The phone calls and emails we have received are proof that Dr. Sparks is in indeed the pastor who is wanted and needed at St. Peter’s. We are extremely pleased that Pat has received and accepted this appointment. As part of this space in our newsletter, I would like to recognize Jason Jason Trice, Director of Student Ministries Trice, our Director of Student Ministries. Jason has been a member of St. Peter’s staff since 2007. Under Jason’s leadership, our Student Ministries has touched the lives of many young people. Please let Jason know you appreciate his efforts. As always, I welcome your comments/suggestions/etc. Please let me know if there is anything we can do to make your St. Peter’s experience better.

Randy Support Boy Scouts at March 20 dinner

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t. Peter’s Boy Scout Troop 209 will be cooking the Wednesday Night Dinner on March 20. Proceeds from the dinner will be used to buy new camping equipment. The menu is Chicken Alfredo, ziti pasta, garden salad, garlic bread and home-baked desserts. Kid’s meal is chicken fingers, green beans and a cookie. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. Make a reservation online, by calling the church office, or at the Information Desk by March 17 at midnight. Dinner is served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Lott Hall.

lease consider volunteering at our Vacation Bible School “Kingdom Rock” June 10-14 from 9 t0 12:30 p.m. If you are new to St. Peter’s and looking for ways to connect, VBS is a great way to meet other members and support our Children’s Summer Ministries. Please contact Sarah Loving at VBSvolunteers@consolidated. net (preferred) or (281) 574-2670 if you would like to volunteer or if you have questions.

Job Search Assistance

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he Job Search Assistance program, which meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Library, provides help to those who are looking for employment or a job change. John Caudill presents information on search tactics, networking, resumes and interviewing. Come join this small group where members have already found jobs! For information or if you have knowledge of open jobs (full or part time), please contact John Caudill at (281) 597-0097 or [email protected].

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United Methodist Women

Bush Library Tour. Join us for a tour of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station March 22. We will leave the church at 9 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. Lunch is at BJ’s Restaurant. The cost is $5 for your admission plus $1 for the bus plus your lunch. Sign up at the KEYS bulletin board in the Lobby. Brown Bag Bridge. Ten tables of Brown Baggers celebrated Valentine’s Day with bridge, goodies and lots of love. Winners for the day were Bea Dante, high, and Catherine Danna, second high. Our next play date will be March 14. We would love to have you join us for a day of fun and fellowship. Please contact Martha at (281) 395-4825 or mckit@ comcast.net for reservations or information.

Altar Flowers

Save the date

Spring Style Show Thursday, April 25 7 p.m. in Lott Hall Fashions from Cobblestone Cottage Dessert, coffee and tea Tickets go on sale March 31 for $10 Proceeds benefit United Methodist Women missions

ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE February 13 Ash Wednesday 6:00 a.m. 18 7:00 p.m. 465 TOTAL 483 February 17 Traditional Worship 8:30 187 9:45 215 11:00 559 the element 9:45 89 11:00 140 SPLASH 78 Honduras Mission Trip 11 Midwinter Retreat 54 TOTAL 1,333

February 24 Traditional Worship 8:30 230 9:45 229 11:00 467 the element 9:45 107 11:00 164 SPLASH 87 TOTAL 1,284

Donate flowers for Sunday worship in honor or memory of a loved one by going to stpkaty.org and clicking on “Giving and Resources.”

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Welcome to Our New Members Donna Balcirak, Joyce Briscoe, Ellie Hodges, Janos and Kristin Janossy, Annette Miller, Pat and Betty Quirk, and Marta Rojas

Wednesday Night Dinner 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Lott Hall March 6 Green enchiladas, Doritos salad and tres leches cake Kid’s meal: taquitos and carrots Adults: $6 with reservation, $8 for walk-ins; kids: $3 Reservations should be made by Sunday at midnight at www.stpkaty.org or at the Information Desk.

March 13 Spring Break, No Wednesday Night Dinner

March 25-27 Student Ministries Holy Days of Prayer, 6:30 a.m., Lobby March 27 Easter Egg Hunt, 6 p.m., Lott Hall March 28 Holy Thursday John Rutter’s “Requiem,” 7 p.m., Sanctuary Way of the Cross Prayer Stations; 9-11 p.m. on Thursday and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday; Sanctuary March 29 Good Friday Service of Shadows, 7 p.m., Sanctuary Seder Meal, 7 p.m., Lott Hall (tickets required) March 31 Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m., Shillington entrance Traditional Worship; 8, 9:30, and 11 a.m.; Sanctuary the element Contemporary Worship, 9:30 and 11 a.m., Lott Hall SPLASH Children’s Worship, 11 a.m., Asbury Hall Nursery provided for ages 4 and younger. Sunday School classes will not meet on Easter Sunday.

In Our Prayers

PRAYERS Katie Both, Bree Burke, Jerry Dewitz, Corkey Dial, Landis Feather, Brian Jones, Don Kennedy, Futaba Kioka, Betty Marsh, Mary McIntosh, Bill Pierce, Kathy Powell, Cheryl Swift, and Blake Wunder. SYMPATHY To Lee Amnott and family on the death of her husband, Richard Amnott. To Amanda McDaniel and family on the death of her father. PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY Johnathon Baker, Tim and Alison Batig, Jared Behne, John Belsha, Amanda Berg, Colin Binion, Patrick Boutall, Will Brandt, Eric Brookover, Martin Busch, Randy Butcher, Sean Cain, Devin Camp, Darron Chamblee, Scott Chumbley, Daniel Clarke, Skyler Cook, Thomas Cotten, Patrick Couch, Joel de Sola, Parker Allen Dial, Kathryn Donnelly, Brandi and Josiah Fast, Westley Freeze, Daniel Fritz, Charles Fray, James Gilbert, Anita Marie Gilliam, Tyler J. Gorcie, Jason Gordon, Eric Graesley, Tye Grasshoff, David Gutierrez, George Harrison, Steven Heath, Jeff Hisar, Matthew C. Houghton, Matthew Ivester, Scott Lewis, Mike Linn, Ryan Lueders, Austin McCall, Jason McFadzen, Jake McMath, Mick McNaughton, Adam Miller, Joel Muhlnickel, Robert Near, Blake Nunes, Ryan O’Quinn, Neal Osburn, Austin Paynter/149th Division, Casey Pontious, Sherri Pontious, Hamilton Rencurrel, Taylor Richardson, Jack Ritchie, Don Rolleg, Jason Salter, Brandon Schumacher, Daniel Sewastynowicz, John Simmons, Morgan Smyth, Texas Military Forces, Shannon Thorthan, Bill Underwood, Kevin Van Winkle, Bert Walker, Tom Walsh, Matthew Weible, Michael Wendt, Max Weyermann, Leonard Will, Jasen Wilson, Jason Woods and Marine Co. 1157.

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United Methodist Women

Speaker from Methodist Children’s Home. Our unit meeting is March 6 at 10 a.m. in E225 (please note the room change). All women are invited to hear our guest speaker Trey Oakley, vice president of development at Methodist Children’s Home. For more information, please contact Beverly Deerhake at (281) 856-6217.

Monthly Mission Activities March Mission Focus. Our March Mission Focus is Christ Clinic in Katy, which provides healthcare services to people who don’t have insurance or government assistance. We are asking for donations of medicines and supplies this month. Needed items are Zyrtec; Clotrimazole cream; $10 pharmacy gift cards; copy paper; manila file folders (1/3 cut with three tab positions); heavy duty paper plates; paper plates (9-inch not necessary); 5- or 6-inch paper plates; small paper cups; Scotch tape; napkins; plastic forks and spoons; black or red pens; and spiral notebooks. All items should be unopened in the original packaging and brought to the bins in the Lobby. You can get complete information by visiting the Missions table in the Lobby Sunday, March 3. Mission Trip to Ecuador. St. Peter’s will be taking a mission team to Ecuador Aug. 4-10. Cost is approximately $2,450 per person. A deposit of $250 is due by March 1. Register at www.stpkaty.org. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Scott Rawlings at (281) 492-8031, ext. 304, or [email protected].

Seder meal March 29

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lease join us for a Passover Seder meal on Good Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m. in Lott Hall. This traditional Jewish meal, which is similar to the one Jesus would have participated in, will include the symbolic foods associated with this meal plus lamb or tilapia, rice, potatoes, a vegetable and baklava. A child’s meal also will be available. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, with proceeds benefiting Student Ministries. Seating is limited, so please register at www.stpkaty. org by clicking on Register for Events. The deadline to register is March 25.

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Centenary College Choir in concert

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he Centenary College Choir from Shreveport, La., will present a free concert in the Sanctuary on March 3 at 5 p.m. They also will sing at all three of our traditional services on that day. The choir, which was founded more than 70 years ago, has performed in 32 countries and been invited to the White House seven times. The Centenary Choir’s evening program offers a musical journey that parallels the human life, presenting a thoughtful collection of lullabies, love songs, spirituals and memorial selections that point to life eternal. Please join us for this special event.

Daily Bible Reading

Rooted Junior High Ministry. Join us for our new series “Follow Me,” about following Christ. We will meet March 6, 20, and 27, and April 3, 10, 17 and 24. High School Girls’ Bible Study. March 7, 21 and 28, 7-8 p.m. High School Guys’ Bible Study. March 5, 19 and 26, 7-8:30 p.m. Veritas. March 3: High School Main Event Bowling. Bring $15 for bowling, laser tag, two slices of pizza, medium drink and $10 fun card. We need drivers for this event. March 17: Vacancy, Part 1. March 24: Vacancy, Part 2. No Veritas on March 10 or 31. For more information on any Student Ministries activities, contact Heather at (281) 492-8031 or [email protected].

Student Ministries took 54 students and adults to the Mid-Winter Retreat at Forest Glen in Huntsville. It was a truly blessed and empowering weekend. The students attended workshops, small groups, recreation, and praise and worship. The verse for the weekend was Micah 6:8, which points us to doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. The students truly learned what this looks like and how they can apply it at their schools, homes, and even here at St. Peter’s. The speaker’s message was simple yet powerful, and the students learned that “they may not be able to do everything, but that shouldn’t stop them from doing something.” We are really excited about the future of Student Ministries! God is working in mighty ways in both the junior and senior high. We thank you for your prayers and support for this vital ministry.

Mar. 4-10 MONDAY Jer. 31:18-20 TUESDAY Hab. 3:17-19 WEDNESDAY 1 Thess. 5:12-24 THURSDAY Josh. 5:9-12 FRIDAY Ps. 32 SATURDAY 2 Cor. 5:16-21 SUNDAY Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Mar. 11-17 MONDAY Ezek. 20:40-44 TUESDAY Eph. 4:25-5:2 WEDNESDAY Ps. 133 THURSDAY Isa 43:16-21 FRIDAY Ps. 126 SATURDAY Phil. 3:4b-16 SUNDAY John 12:1-8

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Sunday 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

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship the element Contemporary Worship SPLASH Children’s Worship Sunday School for Adults

St. Peter’s Events Calendar Sunday, March 3 8:00 a.m.

Blood Drive

Lobby

12:15 p.m.

Pizza With the Pastors

E106

4:00 p.m.

Women’s Cancer Support Group

S209

5:00 p.m.

Centenary Choir Concert

Sanctuary

Smocks for Life

Asbury Hall

10:00 a.m.

United Methodist Women

E225

5:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night Dinner

Lott Hall

6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Nights at St. Peter’s

Various

1:30 p.m.

KEYS Council

E225

7:00 p.m.

Women of Joy

S203

9:00 a.m.

Prayer Quilt Ministry

S201

10:00 a.m.

United Methodist Women Board

E106

10:00 a.m.

Brown Bag Bridge

Asbury Hall

7:00 p.m.

Lydia Circle

S204

Tuesday, March 5 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6

Monday, March 11 Spring Break begins Tuesday, March 12

Wednesday, March 13

Thursday, March 14

Detailed weekly calendars of St. Peter’s events are available at the Information Desk in the Lobby and on the St. Peter’s website.

Donate blood at our March 3 drive

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lease consider donating your life-saving blood at St. Peter’s Blood Drive on March 3. Walk-ins are always welcome. Check in at the table in the Lobby from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At this drive there will be a drawing for two Commit for Life Store items. All donors are eligible to enter upon signing in on Sunday. If you donated blood on Jan. 6, you can pick up your T-shirt at the table.

Part-time job opening

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t. Peter’s is looking for someone to fill a part-time position in the Facilities Department. Hours will be in the evening and on Sundays. Contact Chris Scott at cscott@stpkaty. org or (281) 492-8031.