CONNECTIONSt. Peter’s

VOL. 8, No. 2September 8, 2017

Connecting the World with God’s Love

THIS ISSUE:Urgent need for volunteers this

weekendPlease sign up at stpkaty.

org by 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8,

if you can help with packing

up or mucking and gutting

homes Saturday or Sunday.

Flood buckets available

Flood buckets can be picked

up from the church office

Monday through Thursday

from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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

Workers pray before tackling the huge task of mucking and gutting a flooded home, just one of many that our volunteers will be packing up and cleaning in the coming days. St. Peter's has also reached out to our neighbors with donations of cleaning sup-plies, food, hygiene items, blankets and pillows, and toys and activities for children. We fed people with a pasta dinner and a potluck supper. We are offering emotional and spiritual support for adults and children and helping parents and teachers learn how they can support children who have experienced loss and change. And we have prayed for and loved so many people who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Coming together after the storm

Dear Friends, As the effects of Harvey continue to linger

over our community, the rest of the pastors and I have been talking about the inability of people to gather on a regular basis. Our routine patterns of life have been disrupted. School is not in session. Many businesses are still closed.

The outpouring of love and support we’ve seen in our community is astonishing. I’m so proud of St. Peter’s and our continued ef-forts to be a part of the work God is doing in Katy. We have been busy. In this good work, we don’t have time to pause and reflect on what’s been happening around us and to us, let alone share our story. We are all survivors of Harvey. Each of us experi-enced the storm in our own individual way.

We have stories to tell. Stories have always been an integral part of our Christian tradition. Stories have the power to bring hope and healing. We need to tell our stories. We would ideally share them over a warm cup of coffee or a meal, but we are not in ideal circumstances. As your pastors, we would like to extend the invitation for you to write your stories and share them with us. Journaling has always been a Christian practice. It is testimony through the written word. If you don’t know where to start, here are some questions to consider:

At what point were you the most scared?For whom did you need to be strong?Who was strong for you?Where did you see God in the midst of the storm? Please e-mail your story to one of the following pastors: Dr. Pat Sparks, psparks@stpkaty.orgRev. Kim Poer, kmpoer@stpkaty.orgRev. Kris Bagley, kbagley@stpkaty.orgRev. Alex Zeisig, azeisig@stpkaty.org

Blessings,

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Dr. Pat Sparks, Senior Pastor

We all have stories to tell

Pat

Due to Hurricane Harvey flooding impact, relief,

and recovery efforts, we will postpone Financial Peace University until spring. For information, please contact Joel Allard at jobuya@gmail.com.

Financial Peace University postponed

Open Hearts is a sup-port group for families

and friends of LGBT per-sons. We offer a safe and affirming 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. Our next meeting is Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in E225.

For more information, please contact Elaine Saun-ders at esaunders@stp-katy.org or (281) 492-8031.

Open Hearts Support Group

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The Alzheimer's Support Group will meet Sept.

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

Hurricane Harvey RecoveryIf you need help,

please call (281) 492-8031, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

If you can volunteer to help others, please visit stpkaty.org to let us know.

Job SearchAssistanceon hold

Because of issues related to Hurricane Harvey,

Job Search Assistance will not meet for a while. Please watch for information about when the group will start up again.

Monday Morning Bible Study will be focusing

on 2 Samuel this fall. This women’s study will cover the history of King David’s reign.

We meet at 9:30 a.m. in E225 for weekly informal discussion beginning Sept. 11. The study runs through the school year, and you can join at any time. For more information, contact Mary-ann Fanty at (281) 395-1719.

Monday MorningBible Study

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Brown Bag Bridge. Our next play date is Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. in E106. Please join us!

Please join Gen Acts Sunday School class for

a three-week series that will help you “Discover Your Spiritual Gifts” begin-ning Sept. 10 at 9:45 a.m. in S201. Newcomers are welcome.

Are you thinking about joining St. Peter’s? Do

you want to know more about this church and the United Methodist Church? If so, you are invited to attend our monthly Pizza With the Pastors Sept. 10 at 12:15 p.m. in E106. For more information, please contact Patty Campbell during the week at pcampbell@stp-katy.org or (281) 492-8031.

Pizza With the Pastors

Discover yourspiritual gifts

We currently have flood buckets, other cleaning supplies, and water available in the Conference Room. These items can be picked up

through the church office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.We are in urgent need of volunteers to pack up about 20 houses and

muck and gut them on Saturday, Sept. 9, and Sunday, Sept. 10. Please sign up at stpkaty.org by 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, if you can help.

Volunteers needed, supplies available

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PRAYERSMarci Barnes, Jim Basham, Dennis Bowling, Gordon Buff-ington, David Burrough, Claire Cook, Lorkeshia Davis, Faunelle Deaton, Jenifer Franklin, Joe Hawkins, Mary Ruth Heger, Art Henderson, Mike Ibarguen, Brian Jones, Oscar Jones, Ralph Lovell, Kathy Powell, Virginia Reper, Katherine Sadowski, Fay Smith, Annabelle Turner, and Sharon Van Huss.

JOYTo Jamison and Katherine Doeh-ring on the birth of their son Henry Jamison.To Michael and Michelle Giroir on the birth of their son Mat-thew Everett.

SYMPATHYTo Colin Hattle-Spence and fam-ily on death of his brother.To Heather James and family on the death of her father.To Mark Mandagelo and family on the death of his mother, Dottie Mandagelo.To Phil Swift and Ashley Swift on the death of their wife and mother Cheryl Swift.

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

September 3Traditional Worship8:30 212 9:45 20711:00 427The Element/West Campus9:45 11511:00 170 SPLASH 73TOTAL 1,204

ST. PETER’S ATTENDANCE

The GriefShare Support Group

is for anyone who has suf-

fered a loss. We will begin meet-

ing Thursdays on Sept. 14 from

6-7:30 p.m. in S101. For informa-

tion, contact Kim Poer at kmpo-

er@stpkaty.org or (281) 492-8031.

GriefShare Support Group

Hurricane Harvey Recovery

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Investing in marriage and building family are some

of the greatest callings that have been bestowed upon us. Karen Stubbs, of Birds on a Wire Ministries, and her husband Greg will share their personal experience and insight to inspire you to Make It Count.

Mothers of Young Children will host this free event Sept. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Lott Hall. Register at stpkaty.org. Everyone is welcome to join us.

We will be accepting donations for Hurricane Harvey relief at the door.

Make It Count

Paul shows us how to live fully as a servant to

Christ. In “To Live Is Christ,” an 11-week Beth Moore study of the Book of Acts and the Letters of Paul, we will be challenged to follow Paul’s example just as he followed the example of Christ.

Register at stpkaty.org for the 9:30 a.m. class (in S201) or 6:30 p.m. class (in E225). The study begins Sept. 12. Please purchase a book to bring the first day of class.

To Live Is Christ: The Life and Ministry of Paul

Please join the Prayer Quilt Ministry Sept. 13 in E221 from 9 a.m. to noon. This ministry has created more than 1,000 quilts to give to those needing

comfort. The quilts are prayed over by the group before they are delivered. Quilting experience is not required. For more information, contact Tereasa Reimer at (281) 468-9367.

Prayer Quilt Ministry offers comfort

Hurricane Harvey Recovery

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Sept. 11 – 17MONDAY

Exodus 14:21-31TUESDAY

Genesis 50:15-21WEDNESDAY

Romans 14:1-12THURSDAY

Matthew 18:21-35FRIDAY

Deuteronomy 24:14-15SATURDAYPsalm 131SUNDAY

James 2:1-13

Sept. 18 – 24MONDAY

Exodus 16:2-15TUESDAY

Jonah 3:10-4:11WEDNESDAY

Philippians 1:21-30THURSDAY

Matthew 20:1-16FRIDAY

Jeremiah 1:4-10SATURDAYPsalm 110SUNDAY

Galatians 2:15-21

DailyBible

Reading

Do you like to play baseball, toss beanbags, or throw snow balls? If so, join the volunteers who provide the fun at The Gathering. Senior adult

care receivers at The Gathering enjoy games, crafts, exercise, music, Bingo, and lunch while their caregivers have some time to themselves. Volunteers, both men and women, make this important ministry possible. The Gathering meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from September through May at 10 a.m. in Asbury Hall. If you can add smiles and friendship to The Gathering, please call Peggy Woodward at (281) 578-5760.

Gathering volunteers provide fun for seniors

We are starting a children’s bell choir this fall under the leadership of Carol Mungavin who has 35 years of experience in playing and direct-

ing children and adult handbell choirs. Children in grades 3, 4, and 5 are in-vited to be a part of this new music group. The first meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in S101. We ask that parents attend this first meeting with their children. For more information, contact Carol Mungavin at (821) 546-8317.

St. Peter's forms new children’s bell choir

KIDS JAM children’s choirs will be starting Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. and we invite all children age 4 through fifth grade to join us. Our first perfor-

mance will be during St. Peter’s 40th Anniversary Celebration Sunday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. We will also be working on our exciting new Christ-mas musical, “The Secret of Snowflake County.”

You can sign up at stpkaty.org. Click on any worship venue and then Events to find KIDS JAM registration. We also ask adults to please prayer-fully consider volunteering with KIDS JAM. We need two lead teachers, two classroom helpers, creative crafters, set designers, and choreographers as we teach children about Christ’s love through song.

Come make music, make friends, and have fun with us! Contact Jana Ellsworth at jellsworth@stpkaty.org to volunteer.

KIDS JAM children’s choirs begin Sept. 13

IMPACT, our Wednesday night program for children age 3 through fifth grade, begins Sept. 13 from 6:30-7:30. We have Bible studies, Bible lessons,

crafts, music, peer interaction, and homework time. We hope that through what they learn at IMPACT, children can go out and make an IMPACT for Christ. Children are grouped into three levels: preschool, kindergarten-sec-ond grade, and third-fifth grade. Preschool meets in E120 and elementary meets in E224.

Teaching children to make an IMPACT

St. Peter’s Events CalendarSunday, Sept. 1012:15 p.m. Pizza With the Pastors E106Monday, Sept. 119:30 a.m. Mon. A.M. Bible Study begins E225Tuesday, Sept. 129:30 a.m. To Live Is Christ Study begins S2011:00 p.m. KEYS Council E2256:30 p.m. To Live Is Christ Study E2257:00 p.m. Women of Joy S203Wednesday, Sept. 139:00 a.m. Prayer Quilt Ministry E2216:30 p.m. Wednesday Nights at St. Peter'sThursday, Sept. 1410:00 a.m. Brown Bag Bridge E1066:00 p.m. GriefShare Group begins S101Sunday, Sept. 174:00 p.m. Women’s Cancer Support S205Monday, Sept. 181:30 p.m. Alzheimer's Support Group S2097:00 p.m. Trustees Conference RoomTuesday, Sept. 199:30 a.m. The Book of Isaiah Study begins E225Wednesday, Sept. 2010:00 a.m. United Methodist Women E1066:30 p.m. Wednesday Nights at St. Peter'sThursday, Sept. 217:00 p.m. Open Hearts Support Group E225 Finance Committee Conference RoomDetailed 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

9:45 a.m. St. Peter’s West Campus meeting with The Element

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

The Element Contemporary Worship

SPLASH Children’s Worship

Sunday School for Adults

On Sunday, Oct. 8, we will

celebrate 40 years of

ministry at St. Peter’s. Everyone

will worship together in the

Sanctuary at 9 and 11 a.m.

One of our former pastors,

Charles Millikan, will preach,

and worship music will be

provided by many of our music

groups and praise bands.

Please mark your calendar

for this special event in the life

of St. Peter’s.

St. Peter’s 40th Anniversary

Celebration