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CONNECTIONSt. Peter’s
VOL. 6, No. 18April 8, 2016
Connecting the World with God’s Love
THIS ISSUE:Children’s Summer
CampsSign up today for one of our
summer programs for chil-
dren. Member registration is
open now online.
Stephen MinistryDiscover what it means to be
a Stephen Minister and how
they help care for our con-
gregation. An information
session will be held in May.
20775 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, Texas 77450 (281) 492-8031 www.stpkaty.org
Easter at St. Peter’s
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 wor-ship. 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.
Dear Friends in Christ,I recently came across something Philip Yancey shared in his book “Ru-
mors 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.
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. Neverthe-less, regardless of the circumstances, Alpine Rescue always responds to a call for help. Not once have they lectured a hapless tourist, “Well, since you obvi-ously 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 wilder-ness, 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 uncompre-hending. “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,
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Dr. Pat Sparks, Senior Pastor
Pat
God’s mission is rescue
Join or support Team St. Peter’s, which is rais-
ing 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.
Relay for Life
The Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet April
18 at 1:30 p.m. in S209 for a time of caring and shar-ing. For more information, contact Beverly Deerhake at (281) 372-8389.
Alzheimer’s Support Group
Are you being called to serve in Stephen Min-
istry? Are friends comfort-able talking to you about the issues in their lives? Do you have experiences that you think could help oth-ers? 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.
Are you called?
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Church CouncilMeeting
Wednesday, April 277 p.m., E106
Men’s Breakfast
All men are invited to come to the Whata-
burger at 23540 West-heimer Pkwy. for breakfast and fellowship on Thurs-days at 7:30 a.m. This is a great way to get to know other men at St. Peter’s. No reservations are needed.
On 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 disadvan-taged children from several countries. Through the powerful medium of song, dance, spoken word, and creative media, the children provide a com-pelling message of hope and opportunity, leaving an unforgettable impres-sion with the audience. If you can provide a place to stay for these children, please contact David Galasso at [email protected].
Children of the World choir needs host homes
Hunting for Easter eggs, adding flowers to our flowering crosses, and taking family pho-tos were popular activities during Holy Week and Easter at St. Peter’s.
Join 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 Har-vest 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 look-ing for a group or study, this is a wonderful time to see all that is offered. We also will participate in a mis-sion project during our time together. Nursery care is available, and light refresh-ments will be served. For more information, please contact Whitney Peper at [email protected].
Women’s Forum
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Brown Bag Bridge. Our next play date is April 14 at 10 a.m. in Asbury Hall.
Open 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 af-
firming 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 Saun-ders at [email protected] or (281) 492-8031.
Open Hearts Support Group
The Job Search As-sistance 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 informa-tion, please contact John Caudill at (281) 600-8138 or [email protected]. If you cannot make the meeting, feel free to contact John on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
Job Search Assistance
Easter Sunday at The Element
Easter Sunday at Living Stones
The 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.
Prayer Quilt MinistryWe 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.
Directory Photos
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PRAYERSLynn Bortka, Dennis Bowl-ing, 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.
JOYTo Jason and Melissa Barnard on the birth of their son Wilson Alexander.
SYMPATHYTo 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 Robert-son.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, Aus-tin Foster, Westley Freeze, James Gilbert, Tyler J. Gorcie, Dylan Greismeyer, Stephen Travis Harding, Adam Hig-don, 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.
In Our Prayers
Holy Thursday 218
Good Friday7:00 p.m. 220SPLASH 30TOTAL 250
EasterTraditional Worship6:30 1928:00 3779:30 1,13811:00 806The Element9:30 17711:00 148SPLASH 63Living Stones 402Living Stones Students/Kids 18TOTAL 3,321
ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE April 3
Traditional Worship8:30 1859:45 18411:00 382The Element9:45 8711:00 95SPLASH 92Living Stones 161Living Stones Students/Kids 97C2C Retreat 54TOTAL 1,337
Welcome to Our New MembersCharlie and Lindsey Benson
Kelley Lloyd Matthew Finkey and Jennifer Lovos
Chris and Suzie Morris
Now is the time to reg-ister 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 pre-paring 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.
Register today for children’s summer programs
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Connecting the World With God’s LoveOur 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 re-ceive a T-shirt.
In case you’re wonder-ing, people with controlled blood pressure, controlled thyroid condition, and diabetes can donate blood. Please consider donat-ing this life-saving gift. For more information on donating or to schedule an appointment, contact Mar-sha Asplin at [email protected].
Blood driveis May 1
Members of St. Peter’s at both the main campus and west campus generously do-nated 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.
Easter Sunday in the Sanctuary
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April 11 – 17MONDAYActs 9:1-6TUESDAYPsalm 30
WEDNESDAYRevelation 5:11-14
THURSDAYJohn 21:1-19
FRIDAYDeuteronomy 6:1-8
SATURDAY1 Timothy 6:11-16
SUNDAYAmos 5:18-24
April 18 – 24MONDAY
Acts 3:12-19TUESDAYPsalm 4
WEDNESDAY1 John 3:1-7THURSDAY
Luke 24:35-49FRIDAY
Ezekiel 34:1-10SATURDAY
Ezekiel 34:11-22SUNDAY
Ezekiel 34:23-31
DailyBible
Reading
There 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 informa-tion, contact Heather at [email protected].
Student camp registration deadline is April 17
Volunteers are an indispensable part of our Vacation Bible School pro-gram. This year we are especially in need of an adult to serve as elemen-
tary 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.
Music volunteer still needed for VBS
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 Unit-ed Methodist Women, contact Joanna Basham at [email protected] or (713) 309-5773.
St. Peter’s Events CalendarSunday, April 1012:15 p.m. Pizza With the Pastors E1066:30 p.m. ADHD Support Group S201Tuesday, April 121:30 p.m. KEYS Council E2257:00 p.m. Women of Joy S203Wednesday, April 139:00 a.m. Prayer Quilt Ministry S2016:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Small Groups Various We4 Wednesdays for Everyone E120 KIDS JAM Children’s Choirs E221Thursday, April 1410:00 a.m. Brown Bag Bridge Asbury HallSunday, April 174:00 p.m. Women’s Cancer Support S205Monday, April 181:30 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group S2096:30 p.m. Harvest Ministries Forum Asbury Hall7:00 p.m. Trustees Conference RoomThursday, April 217:00 p.m. Finance Committee Conference Room Open Hearts Support Group E225
Detailed weekly calendars of St. Peter’s events are available on our website.
Sunday 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
Are you thinking about join-ing 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 infor-mation.
Pizza With the Pastors
The Gospel of JohnTwo adult Sunday School class-es 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.
