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St. Peter’s

CONNECTION VOL. 7, No. 12 January 27, 2017

Connecting the World with God’s Love

THIS ISSUE:

Jamaica: 25 years of ministry

Investing our resources

See how we are committing our monetary resources to reflect our core values in 2017.

Jamaica Golf Tournament Support our students’ spring break mission trip to Jamaica by participating in our annual tournament Feb. 20.

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or 25 years, St. Peter’s has been in ministry with the people of Jamaica. Each spring break we take a group of high school seniors and adults to bring much-needed supplies for the schools and to perform maintenance and repairs on school buildings as well as interact with the children. We also take a team, college age and older, each summer. This year we will be traveling to Jamaica the week of July 22-29 to work in the Hampstead community. We will offer Vacation Bible School and particicontinued on page 7

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

You Only Die Once

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he six-week You Only Die Once course walks you through the process of understanding why an end-of-life plan is so important, what the elements of a good plan are, and how to put a plan together, step by step. It’s been said that nobody gets out of this world alive. And while we all know that’s true, planning for the end of our lives is something none of us really wants to think about. But it’s important to make plans to pass on: not only our valuables, but also our values. We will meet Thursdays starting Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in E106. Register at stpkaty.org. Cost is $79 for singles and $139 for couples.

Listening to God Dear Friends in Christ, While doing some devotional reading, I came across the following article. I appreciate the message of our need to listen to God and seek to understand what God wants to teach us. So I share it with you here: Bob Goff tells the story of passing an art gallery every day and the same painting catching his eye. It was called “The Puppeteer” and was a painting of a father with his children and family gathered around him and he entertaining them by pulling on the strings of a puppet. He

Dr. Pat Sparks, Senior Pastor

liked that painting because that’s the way he saw himself, as a puppeteer with his children and grandchildren gathered around. Each time Bob passed the gallery, he pressed his nose against the window and said, “Yes, you will be mine.” He had to save for a year. When he saved almost enough for the final amount, he was ready to put the dog on eBay, but he got overruled by the family. But here was another reason he liked that painting. It reminded him of how Jesus invites us to gather around him as he tells captivating stories about a better life, a bigger life, and a greater love. He then goes on to tell the story of how during his first year of marriage, his wife thought he had a hearing problem, so she made an appointment for him. After the doctor put on the

Better Bodies

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etter Bodies is a fitness class for seniors. We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Quad from 12:30-1:30 p.m. For information, contact Patsy Stanley at patsystanley5@ comcast.net.

headphones, she went to the other room and began the test. He was disappointed that the doctor wasn’t playing Van Halen, but instead a series of sounds, and he heard every one. After the test, she sat down with Bob and his wife to go over the results. She confirmed that he could hear perfectly, but then she said he suffered from selective hearing and tuned out the things he didn’t want to hear. When his wife Maria heard that she started to tap her foot and give him the dirty eye. And then he writes, “I realized that what was so frustrating for Maria was a similar issue I have with God. I only hear the things from God I want to hear, and it makes me wonder if He doesn’t think I’m going a little deaf.” Jesus’ teaching in his parables are difficult lessons, hard lessons, and challenging lessons. Sometimes when we come to God’s Word, we only want to hear the nice things, the loving things, and the easy things. But Jesus’ parables challenge us to work and to work hard to hear the voice of God and the truths of the Kingdom and about ourselves. The only question is are we are going to put in the time and effort or are we going to have selective hearing. Blessings,

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Pat

Living into God’s vision for St. Peter’s

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he Gospel is a compelling narrative, communicating God’s love for us, and the hope we find in Jesus Christ. Faithful stewardship requires the church to carefully consider how we are using our financial resources to live into this compelling narrative. St. Peter’s seeks to live into God’s vision for our church by ensuring that our financial investments are in line with our mission of connecting the world with God’s love. Following is an explanation of St. Peter’s core values and how we will invest our resources in those core values in 2017. We believe that everyone is called to GATHER in worship. Participating in regular worship with a community of faith provides consistent opportunities to grow in our personal faith. Worshipping with others not only shapes our own hearts, but also provides a gift to others. We are not complete in worship without one another. Our financial commitment to this area demonstrates that worship lies at the heart of all we do. We believe that everyone is called to GROW as a disciple. Worship may ignite our hearts, but it is through consistent community found in small groups, Sunday School, or Bible study that our growth as Christians takes place. St. Peter’s provides these opportunities from the nursery to the nursing home. People at all stages of life are encouraged to go deeper in their walk with Christ. We believe that everyone is called to GO out in loving service. Mission and outreach are a vital part of God’s call on our lives and the core of what we do. We summarize this through our mission statement “connecting the world with God’s love.” We believe that everyone is called to GIVE. We understand our need to provide facilities that create spaces for all our other core values to be lived out. This covers everything from maintaining classrooms to worship spaces, ensuring that our ministries are consistently supported. We are so thankful to be doing this work together and connecting the world with God’s love.

Jamison

Job Search Assistance

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he Job Search Assistance group meets Wednesdays beginning Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in S211. We provide help with your job search or job change, including discussion of search tactics, networking, resumes, and interviewing. Come join this small group where many have found new employment. Please arrive promptly at 6:30 and bring writing materials and your most recent resume. For information, please contact John Caudill at (281) 600-8138 or [email protected].

MANcation 2017

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ANcation 2017, St. Peter’s men’s retreat, is at Camp Cho-Yeh retreat facility from Feb. 10-12. This year’s theme is “A Man and His Marriage.” If you are married, about to get married, want the chance to stay married, or ever hope to be married in the future, then this weekend is for you! You can sign up at stpkaty.org. Cost is $150 per person. For more information, contact Tony Custer at [email protected] or Pastor Mark Welshimer at [email protected].

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San Antonio Trip. On Feb. 24, the KEYS will head to San Antonio to take a guided tour of San Jose Mission, called the “Queen of the Missions.” We will have lunch at Mi Tierra Mexican restaurant and will have time to shop at El Mercado. Finally, we will visit the Alamo. We leave at 7 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. The cost is $5 per person to be paid at time of sign up at the KEYS bulletin board in the Lobby. For more information, call Michael or Carol Neuman at (832) 674-7237 or (713) 301-2373.

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pring LifeGroups kicked off this week. Members meet weekly in homes on a day and time of their choosing. There they dig deeper into scripture and the current sermon series. Each group also participates in regular socials and a mission project each semester. We are excited to announce that our first daytime ladies LifeGroup is staring this semester. If you missed our LifeGroup information session on Sunday and would like to join a group, lead a group, or have any questions, please contact Holly Couch at [email protected].

Men’s Bible Application Study

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lease join us for this series on discovering God’s design for men. Using Jesus’ time of ministry as a model, we will focus on topics such as marriage, career, and fatherhood. We meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in S101 through May. The cost for materials is $15. For more information, please call Guy Brasseux at (281) 468-8136.

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Women’s study focuses on Gideon

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o you feel overwhelmed? Inexperienced? Intimidated? Insufficient? Too old? Too young? Too invisible? Too afraid? Gideon’s story in the Bible tells of one man’s struggle with his own weakness—and the One True God who transformed it into triumph. So if you’ve ever struggled with insecurity or had trouble accepting your limitations, our seven-week women’s study of Gideon will help you see how God can use your weakness to unlock His strength. Please join us beginning Feb. 2 in S201 from 9:30-11:30 am. Each week we will watch a 30-minute video by Priscilla Shirer, followed by a group discussion. Childcare is available by contacting Amanda McDaniel at amcdaniel@ stpkaty.org. Books can be purchased at LifeWay or Amazon. Please bring your book the first day of class. Register at stpkaty.org. Contact Stacia Holda at stacia.holda@earthlink. net if you have questions.

St. Peter’s ranked #4 in blood donations

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he Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is reporting that in 2016 St. Peter’s was ranked fourth out of 431 churches in number of units donated with a total of 553 units. We held six blood drives in 2016. Out of all the organizations that held blood drives, St. Peter’s ranked 15th. Thanks to everyone who donated this year. Please consider being a donor in 2017. Our next blood drive is March 12.

How to reserve a room for your group

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re you wanting to reserve a room at St. Peter’s for a class, small group, or other activity? Visit our website, stpkaty.org, and click on Giving and Resources and then Policies and Forms. There you will find St. Peter’s Facility Use Policy and Facility Use Request Form. After you read the policy, fill out the form and follow the instructions for submitting it. You can specify how you want the room set up, including number of chairs, tables, AV equipment, etc. When your room is reserved, your event is listed on the church calendar. If you want online registration for your event or class, contact Patty Campbell at [email protected] before you fill out the form.

Welcome to our new members Carlos and Carolina Chiquillo Clifford and Sheryl Reed Travis and Jeanne Sharp Mark and Liz Shelley Mike and Erica Seigneur

ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE January 15 Traditional Worship 8:30 194 9:45 189 11:00 471 The Element 9:45 85 11:00 131 SPLASH 76 West Campus 204 West Campus Students/Kids 102 TOTAL 1, 452

January 22 Traditional Worship 8:30 210 9:45 247 11:00 395 The Element 9:45 90 11:00 160 SPLASH 75 West Campus 201 West Campus Students/Kids 113 TOTAL 1, 491

In Our Prayers

PRAYERS Marci Barnes, Jim Basham, Lee Bennett, Lynn Bortka, Dennis Bowling, Gordon Buffington, Claire Cook, Lorkeshia Davis, Faunelle Deaton, Jenifer Franklin, Joe Hawkins, Art Henderson, Mike Ibarguen, Lin Johnson, Brian Jones, Oscar Jones, Ralph Lovell, Martha McKitterick, Mary K McNamara, Lou Moore, Neil Pickthall, Kathy Powell, Janice Remmele, Virginia Reper, Fay Smith, Cheryl Swift, and Annabelle Turner. SYMPATHY To Dennis Bowling and family on the death of his sister. To Ersalene Hubbell and family on the death of her husband, Philip Hubbell. To Tom Ortowski and family on the death of his mother. PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY Tim and Alison Batig, John Belsha, Will Brandt, John Buck, Skyler Cook, Austin Foster, Westley Freeze, James Gilbert, Tyler J. Gorcie, Dylan Greismeyer, Stephen Travis Harding, Adam Higdon, 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, Justin Simon, Theo Speas, and Jasen Wilson.

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Connecting the World With God’s Love Unit Meeting. We will meet Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. in E106 for a program on closet organization by Lisa Giesler, professional organizer. She will have her book available for purchase. All women are invited to join us. (Our human trafficking program has been moved to the fall.)

The Journey Men’s Bible Study

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he Journey Men’s Bible Study invites all men to join us for the study “Victory in Spiritual Warfare” by Tony Evans Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in S204. We will focus on Ephesians 6:1018 as we learn about ways believers can implement the truths of God’s Word in spiritual warfare. New members are welcome at any time during our studies for this time of spiritual bonding and building our relationship with God and each other.

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he charter members of the St. Peter’s chapter of the YMCA Leader’s Club are building a strong set of core values, developing their leadership skills, and growing in their faith on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Wesley Student Center. This partnership with the YMCA has grown out of a desire to reach the students of Taylor High School and to live into our mission of connecting the world with God’s love. Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, the group starts by doing what every group of teenagers wants to do as soon as school is out: eating snacks. Students then play games, work on homework, challenge pastors and volunteers to games of pool, beat pastors and volunteers at games of pool, and get to know each other better. The second half of the afternoon is more structured, with team-building activities, group games, discussions about values and interests, and fun. Students who participate in the Leader’s Club program, which is free, are invited to participate in activities with other YMCA Leader’s Club members from around the city over the course of the year, to go on summer service and learning trips, to take college tours, and to participate in other college prep and leadership development activities. If you know any students at Taylor who would like to participate in the Leader’s Club, please let them know they’re welcome to join us any Tuesday or Thursday to see what it’s about! If you’re thinking of volunteering yourself, or if your small group would like to provide snacks, contact Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe at [email protected]. We are very excited about this growing ministry relationship with the YMCA. On the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, St. Peter’s hosted a group of more than 40 volunteers from our Leader’s Club, our own Student Ministry, and area YMCAs who bagged 1,000 pounds of beans and rice as part of a city-wide day of service honoring Dr. King. Our beans and rice were given to the food pantry at the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides food, counseling, and other services to people in our area who are in need. This ministry is an answer to prayers from so many directions. I’ve been praying for a deeper relationship with Taylor students, the YMCA’s leaders had been praying for a Katy Leader’s Club, and many of you have been praying for the growth and fruitfulness of our ministry with families in the area. Thank you for supporting ministries like this one, and keep praying for God to do big things in and through St. Peter’s! Paz,

Nathan

Daily Bible Reading Jamaica Golf Tournament Don’t miss the best golf tournament in Katy, benefitting our high school seniors’ mission trip to Jamaica. Join us at Cinco Ranch Golf Club Monday, Feb. 20, for a four-man scramble, dinner, and awards. We’ll also have a great auction with many items for the whole family. Cost is $125 by Feb. 13. Go to stpstudentministries.org to register. For information, contact Heather at [email protected] or (281) 944-4929.

Jamaica continued from page 1 ticipate in work projects and sports ministry. Leah Lenzsch has been a part of several Jamaica missions teams. She shared what the experience has been like for her: “I have had the opportunity to go to Jamaica three times now with St. Peter’s UMC, once on a senior high school mission trip and twice during the summer as a college student. As a team, we have certain jobs to accomplish at the schools in Free Hill and Hampstead. During my time at the schools, my team and I have tiled a bathroom floor, painted an entire school, built a cement wall around Free Hill Primary, hosted Vacation Bible School, and played hours of soccer. “Jamaica holds a special place in my heart. It’s given me a new perspective on what it truly means to walk boldly in your faith and how to genuinely worship God. The people who live in Free Hill and Hampstead have so little, yet many of them radiate with a pure joy I hadn’t experienced until I went there. They love Jesus, really love Him, and the best part is they are not ashamed of their love for Him and freely welcome everyone to be a part of it, our team included. I love the people of Jamaica and that I have had the chance to create meaningful relationships with many of them. “Whether you’ve been on many mission trips or haven’t been on a single one, I highly recommend going to Jamaica. You will have the chance to meet amazing people on your team, help out immensely at the Free Hill and Hampstead schools, eat an large amount of some seriously good jerk chicken and rice, and experience the realness of God within a new culture.” Please contact Jason Trice at [email protected] if you are interested in learning about the summer trip. The approximate trip cost is $1,550. Our next meeting is Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church.

Jan. 30 – Feb. 5 MONDAY Micah 6:1-8 TUESDAY Psalm 15 WEDNESDAY 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 THURSDAY Matthew 5:1-12 FRIDAY Isaiah 2:2-4 SATURDAY Psalm 4 SUNDAY 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Feb. 6 – 12 MONDAY Isaiah 58:1-9 TUESDAY Psalm 112:1-10 WEDNESDAY 1 Corinthians 2:1-13 THURSDAY Matthew 5:13-20 FRIDAY Psalm 50:1-15 SATURDAY James 5:7-12 SUNDAY 1 Timothy 1:12-17

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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.

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

Men’s Breakfast

Wednesday, Feb. 1 10:00 a.m.

United Methodist Women

6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Nights at St. Peter’s

E106

Thursday, Feb. 2 9:30 a.m.

Gideon Bible Study begins

S201

6:00 p.m.

You Only Die Once begins

E106

3:00 p.m.

Student Super Bowl Party

Lott Hall

4:00 p.m.

Women’s Cancer Support

S205

Smocks for Life

Asbury Hall

10:00 a.m.

UMW Board

E106

6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Nights at St. Peter’s

Sunday, Feb. 5

Tuesday, Feb. 7 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8

Friday, Feb. 10 3:00 p.m.

MANcation Men’s Retreat

Camp Cho-Yeh

Pizza With the Pastors

E106

Sunday, Feb. 12 12:15 p.m.

Detailed weekly calendars of St. Peter’s events are available on our website.

Thursdays 7:30 a.m.

Whataburger

23540 Westheimer

Join us!