St. Peter’s
CONNECTION VOL. 4, No. 26 July 18, 2014
Connecting the World with God’s Love
THIS ISSUE: Providing care through listening New SPLASH preschool service
Preschoolers will have their own worship service, SPLISH SPLASH, beginning Aug. 24.
Aid for children You can help UMCOR provide humanitarian aid to the thousands of unaccompanied children who are coming to our border.
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t’s deceptively simple really. There are hurting people in our community who just want someone to say, “I care and I’m listening.” A Stephen Minister is that someone: a lay person who has been equipped and empowered to provide Christ-centered care to people who are struggling with difficult situations such as grief, divorce, job loss or illness. St. Peter’s has had a Stephen Ministry program for 20 years. During that time more than 140 people have been trained to help hundreds of care receivers. Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of training before meeting with care receivers. They also receive support, supervision, and continuing education from semimonthly sessions with other Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders. Guy Brasseux, a St. Peter’s Stephen Minister, said the time commitment is worth it. “You get a positive return on your investment,” he said. “We are blessed to be a blessing.” He said he finds the time he spends helping others to be highly rewarding and believes that he often benefits as much from the relationship as does the care receiver. Stephen Ministers provide care to one person at a time, meeting with
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20775 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, Texas 77450 (281) 492-8031 www.stpkaty.org
Children’s worship for preschoolers
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PLASH, our children’s worship, is a growing ministry that encompasses a large range of ages. Children’s Ministries is excited to announce the addition of SPLISH SPLASH, our SPLASH preschool worship service that will include children in our preschool Sunday School classes. This service, which begins Aug. 24, will be at 11 a.m. in the SPLISH SPLASH Theatre located in E223. SPLISH SPLASH will allow us to focus on the developmental needs of the preschool-age children. Using puppets, sensory bins, creation stations, and musical instruments as well as many of the worship elements from SPLASH, SPLISH SPLASH will be a wonderful place for these young children to develop their relationship with God. Children will continue to be escorted to SPLISH SPLASH by our wonderful shepherds. SPLASH volunteers will lead the children through stories, dramas, and more. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Whitney Peper at wpeper19@ gmail.com.
Watching God work through St. Peter’s Dear Friends in Christ, There are so many exciting things happening here at St. Peter’s! Along with all of the fantastic ministries with children, youth, adults, music, missions, etc., we are seeking to connect even more people with God’s love as we reach out farther into west Katy. The Living Stones Campus of St. Peter’s had their first preview worship service this last Sunday, July 13. There were 241 in attendance on that campus, and all of the reports from participants indicate that it was an outstanding experience. This was a tremendous start, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the Living Stones Campus. I want to say thanks to all of those who worked so hard to make this campus a reality, especially Scott Rawlings Dr. Pat Sparks, Senior Pastor (pastor to Living Stones Campus) and Thad Brown (worship leader), but also to all of the others who have worked tirelessly to make everything go so well right from the beginning. The new campus has brought about some changes for our staff. Kris Bagley was appointed as our new associate pastor and his job description will include being the pastor to the element as well as overseeing our discipleship ministries. We brought on Matt Broaddus to be the worship leader to the element and work alongside of Thad Brown in the area of media. With Kris taking on discipleship ministries, Nathan Bledsoe will now focus primarily on missions and evangelism. Kim Poer will continue to oversee our care ministries. All of our pastors will help in each of these areas as needed. Our worship attendance is at an all-time high—up an average of 65 per Sunday through June (and the first two weeks of June have also been strong attendance Sundays). If there is one place to improve, it is in our giving to support the operating budget of the church. With the start of the new campus and the increase in activities for the summer (Vacation Bible School, mission trips, etc.) it would be helpful to make sure our giving is up to date. Thanks in advance for helping with this matter. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do through St. Peter’s as we continue to seek ways to connect the world with God’s love. Grace and Peace,
Pat
First for Food Sunday is Aug. 3
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n the first Sunday of each month you are invited to bring donations of food for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Currently they are in need of canned tuna and canned fruits. You may also make a monetary donation by making your check out to St. Vincent de Paul Society, putting Food Donation in the memo line, and placing it in the offering plate.
Stephen Ministry continued from page 1 them once a week for an hour. Stephen Ministers can be there when the support from friends or family begins to fade away. Stephen Ministry is also an extension of pastoral care, assisting clergy by providing care for more people and for a longer period of time. Joe Mireur said being a Stephen Minister at St. Peter’s has been an opportunity for him to give back to others by just letting them talk about their
Stephen Ministry Information Session Tuesday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m., in S201 Stephen Ministry Training begins Sept. 9 struggles. He said it’s not complicated. “I just show up on time, listen to what they have to say, and care,” he said. “God is responsible for fixing their problems, not the Stephen Minister.” Both Joe and Guy said the Stephen Ministry training helped prepare them to be good listeners. But they said some of the most valuable training comes from the support and feedback they get in their meetings with other Stephen Ministers. They often receive suggestions for questions they might ask their care receiver that will help with that person’s healing. In this process they have the benefit of their own experience as well as the experience of the other Stephen Ministers. If you would like to find out more about becoming a Stephen Minister, please plan to attend an information session on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. in S201. A new Stephen Minister training class will begin Sept. 9. You can sign up for the information session at the Information Desk in the Lobby or by contacting Marty Johnson at (281) 579-7551 or
[email protected].
The St. Peter’s congregation welcomed Kris Bagley (right), pastor to the element, and Matt Broaddus, worship leader for the element, and their families with a reception last Sunday.
Connecting children with God’s love
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hildren’s Ministries is looking for volunteers in many of our program areas. If you can help connect our children with God’s love in one of these areas, please let us hear from you! Preschool Sunday School Shepherds. There is no preparation involved or teaching experience necessary; a teacher is provided for you. During the rotation time for your class, the teacher will conduct the Bible lesson. Each class is provided with a craft and color sheet, small group activities, and games that support the Bible lesson and all necessary supplies. Opportunities to shepherd are available at the 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. hours. Contact Ryan Wilson at rwilson@ stpkaty.org. Elementary Sunday School Teachers. Each class is provided with the necessary tools to implement small group activities and games that support the given Bible lesson. The lesson plans are e-mailed to the teachers during the week before your assigned Sunday. We ask that you prepare for each lesson by reading over the lesson plans and contacting us continued on page 4
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Children Ministries volunteers continued from page 3
Toyota Truck Plant Tour. All senior adults are invited to join the KEYS Aug. 19 for a trip to San Antonio to tour the Toyota Truck Plant, with a quick stop at the San Antonio Shoe Factory and lunch at the Golden Corral. Cost is $7.99 plus tax for lunch, which includes the buffet and drinks. The bus will leave at 7:45 a.m. and return at approximately 7 p.m. Sign up at the bulletin board in the Lobby. For more information, contact Laura Shea at (281) 3980049. Brown Bag Bridge. Results from our July 10 play date were Ann Stephens, high, and Bea Dante, second high. We are growing, with three new players this month. We are now up to nine tables! Our next play date is Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. To make a reservation, contact Martha at (281) 395-4815 or
[email protected].
Alzheimer’s Support Group
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he Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet July 21 at 1:30 p.m. in S209 for a time of caring and sharing. For more information, contact Beverly Deerhake at (281) 856-6217.
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with the supply requests for your class. Opportunities to teach are available at the 9:45 a.m. hour in every grade level. Please contact Elizabeth Bucher at
[email protected]. Special Friends Sunday School Shepherds. We are excited to provide assistance to children with special needs and children of all abilities at St. Peter’s. There is no teaching required. The shepherd should be interested in oneon-one interaction as a buddy to a child or as an assistant to the coordinator. Opportunities to shepherd are available at the 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. hours. Please contact Sarah Morrison at
[email protected]. Friday Night Friends Volunteers. Friday Night Friends is a respite care night for children with disabilities and their siblings age 12 and under. It meets the last Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. We need teen and adult volunteers, which makes this a great service opportunity for the whole family. Please contact Sarah Morrison at
[email protected]. We4 Volunteers. Wednesdays 4 Everyone (We4) provides preschool and elementary children opportunities to participate in faith-growing activities on Wednesday nights from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Parents can join a Bible study or class and feel confident that their children are growing in their faith as well. We4 starts up again on Sept. 17. Please contact Heather James (elementary) at
[email protected] or Ryan Wilson (preschool) at
[email protected]. Kid Connection Crew. KCC is a committee of volunteers who work together to plan, organize, and facilitate the events and activities for the families of St. Peter’s. The KCC team organizes activities such as Trunk or Treat, The Great Family Christmas event, Easter Egg Hunt, and more. KCC acts as a liaison between the families of our church and Children’s Ministries. The team also enjoys fellowship and fun as a group. We will have an informational meeting in August. Please contact Ryan Wilson at
[email protected] or Kelly Johnson at
[email protected].
In Our Prayers
PRAYERS Frank Barber, Donna Bartsch, Don Beach, Dennis Bowling, Faunelle Deaton, John Duffield, Caleb Gore, Ann Hlinak, Rick Jage, Brian Jones, Christopher Loeffler, Betty Marsh, Theresa Ortowski, Joy Pierce, Linda Schmidt, Leslie Smuts, Cheryl Swift, and Bonnie Woodrow. JOY To Mike and Sheila Balash on the birth of their daughter Abigail. To Michael and Ariana Detert on the birth of their daughter Hannah Rose. SYMPATHY To Lynn Brannon and family on the death of her mother.
Children from our Sunday School classes hosted a lemonade stand in the Lobby between the 9:45 and 11 a.m. services to raise funds for Living Water International. In just over an hour, they collected $512.66, which will be combined with the amount raised during Vacation Bible School for a total of $1,576.04 that will go toward the next well dug through Living Water. What a way to connect the world with God’s love through the hearts and efforts of children!
Learn more about the Prophets and Paul’s letters
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isciple Bible Study III begins Sept. 3 in E225 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This course, which requires that you have completed Disciple I, covers the Prophets and the letters of Paul in considerable depth. The course lasts 32 weeks. You can sign up starting Aug. 1 at the Information Desk in the Lobby. If you have questions, please contact Bill Pierce at
[email protected].
ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE July 6 Traditional Worship 8:30 198 9:45 233 11:00 437 the element 9:45 99 11:00 163 SPLASH 57 Living Stones 215 TOTAL 1,402
July 13 Traditional Worship 8:30 188 9:45 196 11:00 437 the element 9:45 91 11:00 115 SPLASH 53 Living Stones 241 TOTAL 1,321
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, Will Chapman, Scott Chumbley, Daniel Clarke, Skyler Cook, Thomas Cotten, Patrick Couch, 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, Dylan Greismeyer, David Gutierrez, Stephen Travis Harding, George Harrison, Steven Heath, Jeff Hiser, Matthew C. Houghton, Matthew Ivester, Scott Lewis, Mike Linn, Ryan Lueders, Austin McCall, Jason McFadzen, Mick McNaughton, Adam Miller, Joel Muhlnickel, Robert Near, Blake Nunes, Ryan O’Quinn, Neal Osburn, Austin Paynter/149th Division, Matthew Platz, Shawn Platz, Hamilton Rencurrel, Taylor Richardson, Jack Ritchie, Don Rolleg, Jason Salter, Daniel Sewastynowicz, John Simmons, Morgan Smyth, Chase Synng, Patrick Synng, Texas Military Forces, Shannon Thorthan, Bill Underwood, Kevin Van Winkle, Bert Walker, Tom Walsh, Matthew Weible, Michael Wendt, Max Weyermann, Leonard Will, Jasen Wilson, and Marine Co. 1157.
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Keep your information up to date
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ust a reminder to please check your information on our website (www.stpkaty.org) at mystpkaty. You can update your address, phone or e-mail information as well as upload a recent photo, register for a class, or check the church calendar. If you’ve never accessed mystpkaty before, go to the St. Peter’s website and click on mystpkaty, which is in the upper right corner. You will find complete information on establishing a password and signing in.
Job Fair July 24
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piphany of the Lord Catholic Community is hosting a Job Fair July 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in their Family Center. Positions are available in fields such as engineering, finance, healthcare, IT, sales, and others. This event is geared toward degreed professional job candidates and those without a degree but with substantial work experience. Please bring plenty of resumes and dress to impress. For information, e-mail
[email protected].
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Connecting the World With God’s Love
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got to spend this past weekend with my parents at their place in the Texas Hill Country south of Marble Falls. On the way there, I drove down the stretch of Highway 71 that houses the businesses for folks headed out to the lake: restaurants, hardware stores, gas stations, boat dealers, and the like. It seems like every time I drive this stretch, which I have been doing for years, I see a brand new business as well as a business or two that has been there forever that I just haven’t noticed before. This is how I feel about the Mission Ministries of St. Peter’s. I have now been at St. Peter’s just over a year, and I’m still learning all the time about various ways our congregation serves God and enriches our community. In addition to learning about the ways our church connects the world with God’s love, I also get to be a part of the new places we are engaging as a congregation. I’m proud to share with you that about a dozen members of St. Peter’s have begun the process to become mentors for at-risk youth through the reVision organization. reVision was our June missions focus as well as an organization we supported with a Church Without Walls project. Another real strength of our Mission Ministries is that it spans all of our generations. Through Vacation Bible School and the children’s lemonade stand this past Sunday, our Children’s Ministries raised more than $1,600 to help fund a Living Water International water well on one of our upcoming trips! With all of the exciting changes going on at St. Peter’s, I will get to focus more of my attention on the Mission Ministries of our church. While I may run out of those ministries that have been there forever to “discover,” I know God will continue to do new and exiting things with the people of St. Peter’s. If you want to get more involved in our Mission Ministries, let me know! Paz,
Nathan PS: Ten of us will be heading to Honduras this Saturday with Living Water International to learn from the people, witness about Jesus, and drill a water well. If you think about us, say a prayer on our behalf!
UMCOR provides aid to children on border
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s many of us are aware, there is a crisis along our southern border. Since last October, more than 52,000 unaccompanied children have crossed into the United States. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already on the ground offering humanitarian aid. If you would like to support UMCOR’s efforts, please make out your check to St. Peter’s and put #901670 Immigration Crisis in the memo line.
Daily Bible Reading Summer Fun. Be sure to pick up a Summer Guide in Wesley to get all the details on our fun summer events. Most activities are open to students who are incoming 6th-12th graders. Laser Tag at Battlefield Houston—July 20. Meet at the church at 4:30 p.m. and return at 8:30 p.m. Bring $15 to play and $10 or more for your dinner. You must sign the online liability waiver from Battlefield Houston located on our website and bring a signed permission slip. Katy Manor—July 27-29. Meet in Wesley at 6 p.m. to head over to Katy Manor Apartments where we will play sports, do crafts and barbecue! Permission slip required. Pool & Parable—July 29. Join us for swimming, snacks and a parable. We will meet at a student’s home pool from 8:15-10 p.m. Contact Student Ministries for location. There will be one junior high and one high school location. Back-to-School Party at Holy Covenant UMC—Aug. 17. From 4:30-7:15 p.m. we will head over to Holy Covenant and join them for a back-to-school party. Permission slip required. Back-to-School Breakfast—Aug. 25. Join us at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast! If you need a ride to school, you must arrange one by Aug. 22 with the Student Ministries Office at (281) 492-8031.
The KEYS senior adult group attended the Liberty Opry at the Katy VFW Hall earlier this month. They met at for a barbecue lunch, then drove to the VFW Hall for the show featuring the Liberty Opry band and performers. The KEYS group made up about 10 percent of the audience and had great front section seats. For more information about KEYS activities, please check the KEYS bulletin board in the Lobby.
July 21 – 27 MONDAY Isaiah 27:2-6 TUESDAY Psalm 5 WEDNESDAY Ephesians 6:10-17 THURSDAY Genesis 29:15-30 FRIDAY 1 Kings 3:5-15 SATURDAY Romans 8:26-39 SUNDAY Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 July 28 – Aug. 3 MONDAY 2 Kings 4:42-44 TUESDAY Psalm 123 WEDNESDAY 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 THURSDAY Genesis 32:22-32 FRIDAY Isaiah 55:1-5 SATURDAY Romans 9:1-5 SUNDAY Matthew 14:13-21
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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. (July 27)
Living Stones St. Peter’s West Campus at Wilson Elementary
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship the element Contemporary Worship SPLASH Children’s Worship Sunday School for Adults
St. Peter’s Events Calendar Sunday, July 20 3:00 p.m.
Youth Choir Rehearsal
Choir Room
4:00 p.m.
Women’s Cancer Support Group
S209
Monday, July 21 Student Life Camp Begins
Off Campus
1:30 p.m.
Alzheimer’s Support Group
S209
7:00 p.m.
Trustees
Conference Room
7:00 p.m.
Women of Joy
Parlor
Church Council
E106
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary
3:00 p.m.
Youth Choir Rehearsal
Choir Room
6:00 p.m.
Family Vacation Bible School
Lott Hall
Family Vacation Bible School
Lott Hall
Family Vacation Bible School
Lott Hall
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary
Tuesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 23 7:00 p.m. Sunday, July 27
Monday, July 28 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 29 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 30 7:00 p.m.
Detailed weekly calendars of St. Peter’s events are available on our website.
Royal fun at this summer’s Princess Prep School and Warrior Prince Academy
