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CONNECTIONSt. Peter’s
VOL. 7, No. 26August 11, 2017
Connecting the World with God’s Love
THIS ISSUE:Jamaica Culture
Night and Celebration
Celebrate 25 years of our
ministry partnership with
the people of Jamaica
Aug. 17 in Lott Hall.
Financial PeaceUniversity
Learn biblical and practical
principles for managing your
money at this nine-week
course starting Sept. 13.
20775 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, Texas 77450 (281) 492-8031 stpkaty.org
Saying thanks with cookies
Once again, our many cookie volunteers baked, plated, and delivered dozens of cook-ies to all of the Katy ISD schools to express our appreciation for the teachers and staff and all that they do. This year we delivered 81 platters of cookies to 69 schools. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible.
Dear Friends, I was doing some studying for this Sun-
day’s sermon and came across the following illustration about love. It gives us something to think about as we seek to “connect the world with God’s love.”
A piece of steel under ordinary conditions— in the “as-is” situation—does not have mag-netic properties. It is not a magnet. It cannot attract and/or hold. It cannot do the work of a magnet. Why? The molecules are in “chaos.” Each molecule has a plus (+) and a minus (-), and when each is pointing in a different direc-tion, some north, some south, east, and west, up and down, and in between, the metal is not useful as a magnet.
If a real magnet exerts influence upon the molecules in a favorable fashion, then all the molecules line up in an orderly manner, all norths/north, all souths/south, then it becomes useful as a magnet also! Furthermore, it can then exert influence upon another piece of steel and help it to become a magnet. Now each gives magnetism to another and still maintains its own magnetism, and it can keep on magnetizing over and over.
When we let the love of God come into our lives, his Spirit makes order out of chaos. We become “magnetic” and useful and can be used to help others to receive his Spirit and love and become useful. Being “magnetized,” we can give love to others to become “magnetic” also. When we give love, we still have it! Isn’t that great?
Are you a “magnet”? Are you giving love? Remember, you give love and you still have it! Are you letting your “magnetism” be felt by others? Be a good “magnet” and pass it on.
Note that when the metal becomes magnetized, its outward visible ap-pearance does not change. Its color, size, and shape are still the same. Just looking at it, you can’t tell whether it’s a magnet or not. However, its nature has changed. It acts and reacts differently. That’s the way we can tell. It’s how we are on the inside that matters—that makes the difference. Are your actions different? Can others tell if you have that change within?
You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, cor-rupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the like-ness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Blessings,
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Dr. Pat Sparks, Senior Pastor
Are you a magnet?
This Sunday, we will be blessing the children
and their backpacks in worship as they get ready to go back to school. We will be passing out tags for each child to attach to their backpacks. You do not have to have your back-pack to receive a tag, but we know that most chil-dren enjoy bringing them. We look forward to praying for all the children as they start a new school year.
Back-to-schoolblessing
Our next blood drive is Aug. 27 in the Scout
House from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can sign up Aug. 13 or 20 at the Information Desk in the Lobby or by contacting Marsha Asplin at [email protected].
All donors will receive a coupon for a free pint of Blue Bell ice cream. Please consider donat-ing your life-saving blood this month. If you have questions about donating, contact Marsha.
Sign up todonate blood
PatJamaica Culture Night and Celebration
Thursday, Aug. 17, 7-9 p.m., Lott Hall
Men’s BreakfastThursdays at 7:30 a.m.
Whataburger23540 Westheimer
Join us!
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Church CouncilMeeting
Tuesday, Aug. 22 7 p.m., E106
All church members are welcome to attend.
Alex Zeisig, Pastor to the West Campus
We worship a good God who works in the most amazing of ways. On July
30, we had a problem with one of our trail-ers that holds the worship equipment for Sunday mornings at the West Campus. I was stressed about getting the other trailer there because we had so many people waiting to make sure that worship happened. Pat Sparks mentioned our trailer problem to someone in the 8:30 traditional service on the Kingsland Campus, and that person left church to come help with the trailer. That Sunday the Seekers Sunday School class had come over to help with setting up, so we had plenty of hands to get everything ready on a shorter schedule.
The West Campus people had seen it before and were not even fazed. Everyone knew that regardless of what happened we would worship God that morning. Well, everything got set up, and I got to preach on the unity of the body. I will tell you, there is something special about preaching on the unity of the body of Christ after just experiencing it for myself yet again. After a month here, I know God has great things in store for West Katy through St. Peter's. As we get ready for the school year and create space for new people to join the St. Peter's family, we could use some help at the West Campus. Please consider serving on Sunday mornings, helping us to set up or serving in worship. Don't worry about knowing what to do; people will work alongside you. Opportunities to serve include everything from be-ing a greeter to helping set up curtains. All you need is a willingness to help! It is a joy to be a part of a place that is connecting the world with God's love. If you would like to help that happen at the West Campus, please visit tinyurl.com/stpwestsignup or e-mail me at [email protected].
God and trailers
Alex
The Early Childhood Development Center
has an opening for a lead teacher for 4-year-olds. Applicants must have early childhood experience and either a CDA or college degree, preferably in early childhood. Please contact Bobbi McKinley at [email protected] for more information or to submit a resume.
ECDC is also looking for substitute teachers for the upcoming school year. If you enjoy working with young children and have free time during the week from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., please consider joining us at ECDC. Contact Lee Ben-nett at [email protected] for more information.
ECDC hiringlead teacher and substitutes
Financial Peace University
For more than 20 years, thousands of churches have hosted Financial Peace University and seen more than 4.5 million people learn to handle
money in God’s ways and take control of their futures. St. Peter's is offer-ing Financial Peace University this fall. The nine-week course will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, and spend and save wisely using practices that are both biblical and practical. Our Fall 2016 class paid down $22,000 in debt in nine weeks and cut up dozens of credit cards. We will meet Wednesdays beginning Sept. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Asbury Hall. Childcare is available. We will have a short preview class on Aug. 27 at noon in the Sanctuary. Register at stpkaty.org. Contact Joel Allard at [email protected] or Jennifer Prewitt at [email protected] for information.
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KEYS Information Has Moved. The KEYS will now be at the Information Desk in the Lobby with informa-tion and registration for all trips and events. Galveston Railroad Muse-um. All aboard! The KEYS seniors will be traveling to Galveston on Sept. 12 to visit the Railroad Mu-seum, take a short ride on the Harbor Express, view rail cars, and then enjoy shopping/lunch on The Strand. The cost of the trip is $12 plus lunch. The bus will leave St. Peter’s at 8 a.m. and return at ap-proximately 4 p.m. Sign-up will start on Aug. 20 at the Information Desk in the Lobby. Please pay when you sign up. Contact Cindy McKinney for any addi-tional information at (281) 676-4621.
We are welcoming singers, instrumentalists, and dancers for the upcom-ing year. Grace Notes sings in worship services at St. Peter’s once a
month and performs a musical program of sacred, patriotic, and Broadway music in the community at various facilities and events during the school year.
Tuesday mornings are our rehearsal/performing days. Rehearsals are 9:30-11:30 a.m. beginning Aug. 15 in E106. For more information, please contact Gail Shipley at (281) 782-1598 or [email protected]. Child care is available.
Grace Note’s Women’s Choir
The Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet Aug.
21 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
We have room on our team for you if you would like to participate in the Katy Back-to-School 5K, which is Labor Day, Sept. 4. This is a chipped
timed race on a certified course benefitting Katy Students Run. KSR focuses on transforming the lives of high school students in the Katy
area by developing character and promoting healthy choices through train-ing for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Through mentorship, uncondi-tional acceptance, and training for a half marathon, KSR empowers youth to set and achieve life-altering goals.
If you would like to run or walk with our team, contact Kim Poer at [email protected].
Katy Back-to-School 5K benefits students
The Seekers Sunday School class took a field trip to attend the West Campus on July 30, where we enjoyed worshiping with Pastor Alex Zeisig and the West Campus congrega-tion. We were all amazed at the dedication of our brothers and sisters at the West Cam-pus and how they work to create a great worship environment. Pastor Alex challenged us with a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 12. We encourage everyone to take a Sunday to visit the West Campus and see how they are reaching out to those in the western part of our community who are looking for a church home.
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PRAYERS
Marci Barnes, Jim Basham, Den-
nis Bowling, Gordon Buffington,
Claire Cook, Lorkeshia Davis,
Faunelle Deaton, Jenifer Frank-
lin, Joe Hawkins, Mary Ruth
Heger, Art Henderson, Mike
Ibarguen, Brian Jones, Oscar
Jones, Lisa Leitch, PK Loeffler,
Ralph Lovell, Kathy Powell,
Virginia Reper, Katherine Sad-
owski, Fay Smith, Cheryl Swift,
and Annabelle Turner.
JOY
To Jared and Alex Jones on the
birth of their daughter Claire.
To Dylan and Becca Pruitt on the
birth of their daughter Charline
Linn.
PRAYERS
FOR OUR MILITARY
Chris Barnes, Tim and Alison
Batig, John Belsha, Will Brandt,
John Buck, Jonathan Burdette,
Skyler Cook, Austin Foster,
Westley Freeze, James Gilbert,
Tyler J. Gorcie, Dylan Greis-
meyer, Stephen Travis Harding,
Adam Higdon, Mike Linn, Blake
Nunes, Cameron Nunes, Ryan
O’Quinn, Melissa Ouellette, Mat-
thew Platz, Noah Platz, Shawn
Platz, Hamilton Rencurrel,
Jack Ritchie, Don Rolleg, Ben
Saunders, Jacob Shinkle, John
Simmons, Justin Simon, Theo
Speas, Jason Steele, William J.
Wafer III, and Jasen Wilson.
In Our Prayers
Welcome to our new membersJames and Kaitlyn Cole
July 30Traditional Worship8:30 162 9:45 19711:00 370The Element9:45 9511:00 125 SPLASH 48West Campus 92West Campus Kids 7TOTAL 1, 048
ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE
August 6Traditional Worship8:30 184 9:45 21611:00 368The Element9:45 10011:00 115SPLASH 49West Campus 75West Campus Students/Kids 37TOTAL 1, 144
Making a difference through teaching
Dawn Champagne has been volunteer-ing in Children’s Ministry since 2003. She
said that as the mother of an active son, she realized how important it is for parents and active children to enjoy their time at church. She wanted to create pleasant, fun, relaxing environment in Sunday School for the chil-dren, which would allow the parents to par-ticipate in Sunday School or worship without worrying about their child.
She volunteers in children’s Sunday School and in Vacation Bible School. As her own children have gotten older—her old-est is now 20—Dawn said she enjoys staying connected with the younger children and parents. She also has passed on her love of volunteering to her children, who continue to help at Vacation Bible School each year. “I see VBS as a valuable way for my kids and me to continue to spend time together,” she said. “It’s one guar-anteed week a year.”
Dawn said she feels proud when she sees teenagers who were in her Sunday School class still active at St. Peter’s. “It makes me think that al-though they may not remember me, maybe their time in my class was the beginning of a little root of something that has led to a happy overall feel-ing of going to church.”
Dawn is among the many teachers and volunteers who are helping chil-dren grow in their faith here at St. Peter’s. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please contact Elizabeth Bucher at [email protected].
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This will be a two-part study starting Sept. 6 with a study of Paul’s letter to the Romans, which will last 12 weeks. After the first of the year, we will
resume with a study of the book of Isaiah, which will be an eight-week study. This class meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in E225. Register at the Information Desk in the Lobby.
Two-part study covers Romans and Isaiah
What kind of message does the book of Isaiah have for us today, even though it was written probably 2,800 years ago? Take time to dis-
cover the answer by joining a weekly study of the Book of Isaiah. The class is 12 weeks beginning Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m. We will be using the Daily-Weekly curriculum of Dr. John Oswalt of Asbury Seminary. There will be a sign-up sheet at the Information Desk in the Lobby during August.
In this study, Dr. Oswalt takes learners on a deep dive into chapters 40-55 of Isaiah, where we discover that often when we experience the fire of captivity, it is not for the purpose of destroying us, but rather for the purpose of cleansing us and revealing to us the strength and sovereignty of God. These chapters are the greater part of Isaiah known as the Book of Comfort. Chapter 40 begins with the familiar phrase, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God," which Charles Jennens selected for George Frideric Handel to put to music in the oratorio we know as "Messiah."
The class will meet weekly except at Thanksgiving. Study manuals are $16 and will be available before the first class. Class format is based on a 15- to 20-minute video featuring Dr. Oswalt, followed by questions based on the video and study manual. For more information about the class, you may con-tact Karen Palfreyman at [email protected].
What is the message of the prophet Isaiah?
Please join us beginning Sept. 6 for a study of John’s Gospel. We meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in S205 throughout the year. Child care is avail-
able. For more information, contact Dorothy Greer at [email protected].
The Gospel of John
Enjoy a night out while your kids have fun at
church with friends and activities. Our next Parents’ Night Out is Sept. 1 from 6-9 p.m. for children from birth through fifth grade. Check-in is at the Nursery. Dinner and activities will be provided for children ages 2 and up. For children younger than 2, bring your child’s dinner when you drop them off.
The cost is $20 for the first child and $30 for two or more children. Regis-ter at stpkaty.org. Church member registration is Aug. 14-30. Community registra-tion is Aug. 21-30. Space is limited, and refunds will not be offered after registra-tion is closed.
For more information, contact Nursery Coordina-tor Amanda McDaniel at (281) 492-8031 or [email protected].
Parents' Night Out is Sept. 1
We will present Bibles to third-graders on Aug.
20 at all services except the 8:30 a.m. traditional service. If you would like your child to receive a Bible, please contact Children’s Ministry Director Elizabeth Bucher at [email protected] for information.
Third-grade Bible presentation
Monday Morning Bible Study will be focusing on 2 Samuel this fall. This women’s study group will cover the history of King David’s reign, includ-
ing the covenant God made with David and his descendants. We meet at 9:30 a.m. in E225 for weekly informal study beginning Sept. 11. We have monthly lunches and participate in several mission projects. The study runs through the school year, and you can join at any time. The group uses the Serendipity Bible, which includes questions for each book of the Bible. For more informa-tion, contact Maryann Fanty at (281) 395-1719.
Monday group begins study of 2 Samuel
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Aug. 14 – 20MONDAY
Genesis 45:1-15TUESDAY
Isaiah 56:1-8WEDNESDAY
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-36THURSDAY
Matthew 15:21-28FRIDAY
Deuteronomy 18:15-22SATURDAY
Exodus 34:1-9SUNDAY
Psalm 145
Aug. 21 – 27MONDAY
Exodus 1:8-2:10TUESDAY
Isaiah 51:1-6WEDNESDAYRomans 12:1-8
THURSDAYMatthew 16:13-20
FRIDAYEsther 3:1-8SATURDAY
Esther 4:1-17SUNDAY
Esther 6:14-7:10
DailyBible
Reading
James 1: 22-25 “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.”
This verse reminds us that God desires us to internalize the Word into our lives. It is an invitation to enter into the freedom of God’s love and to become more of ourselves. To gaze into the mirror of our lives and realize just how fully and completely we are loved by God.
—Alex Zeisig
Favorite Bible Verses
Rain didn't keep these kids and adults from enjoying St. Peter's end-of-summer water bash. After going through 800 water balloons, the kids had fun playing with shaving cream. They even made a game out of cleaning up the shaving cream. Everyone went home squeaky clean and ready for bed.
St. Peter’s Events CalendarSunday, Aug. 1312:15 p.m. Pizza With the Pastors E106Thursday, Aug. 177:00 p.m. Jamaican Culture Night Lott Hall FInance Committee Conference RoomSunday, Aug. 20Third-Grade Bible Presentation 4:00 p.m. Women’s Cancer Support S205Monday, Aug. 211:30 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group S2096:00 p.m. Adoption Support Group S0217:00 p.m. Trustees Conference RoomTuesday, Aug. 227:00 p.m. Church Council E106Friday, Aug. 256:00 p.m. Friday Night Friends E221Sunday, Aug. 278:00 a.m. Blood Drive Scout House12:00 noon Financial Peace Preview SanctuaryFriday, Sept. 16:00 p.m. Parents’ Night Out Nursery
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. 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
As you prepare to go back to school, please help Clothed
by Faith restock their clothing storage for families in need. Requested items include boys’ and girls’ clothing, undergar-ments (new), socks (new), and shoes of all sizes. All items must be clean, stain-free, and in new/gently used condition. To re-ceive a donation receipt, please bring items to Clothed by Faith at 802 Dominion Dr. #100 (M-F, 10-4 p.m.). Clothing also may be dropped off in the designated bin in the Lobby throughout the month of August. For more information, visit clothedby-faith.org.
Help outfit students for the school year
