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The Labyrinth Walk
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
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The Altar Flowers are Given to the Greater Glory of God, and in Thanksgiving for family with November birthdays: Grace, Victoria, Toni, and Hayley.
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John Churchwell
Parish Administrator
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Find Us Faithful
St. Peter's is not only a place of employment, but a new home church for me, as I was recently confirmed into the Episcopal Church, and St. Peter's on October 16, 2017. Some have asked why I would work and be a Confirmed Member of St. Peter's, rather than a church in Little Rock where I live. My answer? Because of your unfailing generosity to the community and to each other.
Because of that generosity, I have pledged, or told St. Peter's what I will be tithing to the church, since January 2017. I was raised Baptist. Those of the Baptist faith are taught the importance of tithing early in age, sometimes taught with a flare of guilt. But as adults, it's hard to make a sacrificial monetary gift weekly or monthly to the church. But the reward of knowing that I am helping to fund a church that truly cares for each other, and those that aren't in the pews
on Sunday is invaluable.
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Stewardship Update
As of Monday, November 20, St. Peter's has received $82,680.00 in pledges for the 2018 Budget!
The proposed budget for 2018 is $525,000.00.
You may put your Pledge Card in the offering plate on any Sunday, mail it to the church office, or hand it in to the church office during regular business hours. You may also wait to turn your pledge card in on December 3, InGathering Sunday. The Vestry and Staff respectfully ask that you pray about the amount that you will be donating to St. Peter's in 2018.
Here are a few FAQs about pledging:
At this time of the year, many Churches are asking their members to make a "Pledge." What exactly is a "Pledge"?
- Is it a Legal Contract?
NO. In other words, if you find that you are unable to pay as pledged, or promised, you will not be sued or harassed.
- Is it a statement of intention to donate a certain amount?
YES
- Are there any circumstances that are acceptable for a person to cancel or decrease the amount of a Pledge?
YES Some of these circumstances could include:death of the person who made the pledge; transfer to another state; layoff or cut in salary; unexpected and exorbitant medical bills not covered by insurance.
If you have further questions on this matter, please consult a member of the Vestry or a staff member.
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Appreciative Inquiry Results
Each week, the Labyrinth Walk will have the results to a different question that Rev. Jason Alexander asked us in the Appreciative Inquiry that will be used to help search for a new Rector. Below are the answers you gave to him regarding the question:
What will be one of St. Peter's most exciting, energizing, and important accomplishments to you over the next three years?
grow
education for children
new parish hall
capital campaign for facilities
pay off the mortgage
courtyard renovation
financial stability
attracting young people
find a well-rounded rector
more diversity
strong loving leadership
community leader for human rights
home groups
casual study groups
welcome those who've been "burned" by the church
dealing with teens and elderly
develop male value
more to encourage diaconate
leader in bridging left and right
arts ministry
"if you build it they will come"
reach out to people of color
remain progressive and inclusive
retain current identity
stretch our campus
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Dollar Bills
All $1 bills in the offering plate this Sunday will go to the Discretionary Fund.
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Bank Draft Form
Did you know that you can have your tithe to St. Peter's automatically taken out of your checking our savings account? The Bank Draft Form is located in the link below. Print this form out and give it to the church office. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mike King at
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Arkansas WorkForce
Arkansas WorkForce Development will be at St. Peter's on Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Starting at 10:00am, they will be doing interviews with anyone, not just young parents, who are looking for jobs, or with anyone wanting job training or mentor training.
If you know of someone that is looking for a new start, please pass along this information.
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All Hands Ministry Team Meeting!
All Current (and those interested) Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Oblationers, and Hospitality Members are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming Ministry Team Refresher Trainings! We will be going over information such as
How to Be Heard Over Crying Babies,
Ultimate Ushering: Mastering Mixed Doubles , and To Bow or not to Bow, that is the Question.
Also, there will be snacks!.
These refreshing meetings will be held in Classroom Two on
November 19 at 10:30 AM.
A Special Holiday Session, which will include, Surviving the Christmas Eve Obstetrical Course,will be held at the same time on December 10.
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Join Bob, Peggy, and Linda as they unwrap the mysteries of our prayer book and how to use it - both communally and privately.
A simple soup supper will be served.
Childcare will be provided.
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Annual Advent and Family Feast
December 3
5:30-7:30
Mexican Fiesta Potluck * Eucharist * Advent Crafts!
with Special Guest, Jeannie McCabe
leading music!
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College Finals Week
December 11-15
As part of our College Ministry, we will be opening the church building in the evenings during Finals Week (
December 11-15) for any college student to come in and find a quiet place to study. If you would be interested in providing some snacks at any point during that week, please contact the church office or Rev Peggy.
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What is the Eucharistic Visitor?
Eucharistic Visitors are called and licensed to minister to the ill and infirm in their congregations by taking them the Eucharist 'in a timely manner' after communion service. Early Christian writers tell about a regular practice of laity taking the sacrament home from the Sunday service.
Today, our Eucharistic Visitors not only visit and help those unable to attend church services, but especially they bring the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, using the 'Communion under Special Circumstances' service found in the Book of Common Prayer. Eucharistic Visitors represent the whole church community to those who cannot worship with us.
Reverend Dr. Linda Brown will conduct training for anyone who desires to serve in this ministry. Rita Mackintosh and Dan Allen assist trained EVs with coordination and organization of visits.
If you feel called to this ministry and would like to know more about it and possibly be trained, please contact Linda, Rita or Dan. We would like to offer the two hour training session as soon as possible for all interested parishioners.
Contact information:
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Jesus and His Jewish Influences
8:50am Discussion in Library
This set of 24 30 minute lectures by Dr Jodi Magness, Dept. of Religion. U. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks to provide an understanding of how Jesus's teachings and views were shaped by his Jewish background and context.Jodi Magness PhD is an archaeologist who has done distinguished work in Israel and Greece, participating in 20 excavations. Her primary research interests center on the archaeology of the Holy Land from the destruction of Solomon's Temple to the Muslim Conquest.
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Church's Teachings for a Changing World
Parish Hall Chapel, Sundays at 10:00am.
Books are available in the office to borrow or purchase.
All are welcome at any time.
Carolyn Scott will be happy to answer your questions.
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Brown Bag Book Club
Start Date: November 29
Time: 12:00 Noon - 1:00 pm
Place: St. Peter's Library
Kathleen Norris, the author of Dakota and Cloister Walk offers up her meditation on Mary, collecting sixty images of the mother of Jesus, from Raphael to Leonardo da Vinci--from Virgin, to peasant girl, to anxious parent, to Mother of God.
The Brown Bag Book Club will read and discuss Norris' beautifully illustrated book as their Advent Study. I hope you will make time in your busy Advent lives to come and focus on Mary, Mother of Jesus.
The book may be obtained through Amazon for approximately, $15.
Rev. Dr. Linda Brown, Deacon
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No Shave November
Attention Men: Join the fun as well as promote men's health. Enter the Best Beard Contest promoting awareness to men's health issues. Check details on the "No Shave November" flier on the Brotherhood of St. Andrew table in the Church lobby.
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Brotherhood of St. Andrew
All men of the church are invited to give one hour a month as part of your Christian experience. Join the Brotherhood of St. Andrew which meets for one hour the third Monday of each month. The Brothers pray, study scripture, and serve together. Check the lobby bulletin board for this month's meeting.
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Fall Bible Studies
The Fall Bible Study is a discussion of the Gospel of Luke. Check lobby bulletin board for additional information or telephone Joe Arn.
Afternoon Bible Study: Mondays,
12:15 pm, Church Library.
Evening Bible Study:
Thursdays,
7 pm, Morgan House
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Harry Potter Lock-In
St. Luke's NLR
6th-12th Grade
$10
If you need a ride please email Jerusalem!
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Art, Pray, Love
Many thanks to Art Pray Love committee member Dr. Doug Stroud for introducing worshipers at St. Peter's to the Guatemala Marketplace on November 12th. The items displayed so artfully showcased the creative talents of the Guatemalan artists and artisans. Proceeds from this Pre-Event Sale will help defray the cost of medical supplies needed for the Medical Mission to Guatemala. But Dr. Doug does more than manage the Guatemala Marketplace for Art Pray Love. In a previous newsletter article, he outlined the details of the medical mission which the Art, Pray, Love committee would like reemphasize.
Marianne Black heads the mission team which travels to the rural areas of Western Guatemala to provide clinics for people who live in extreme poverty and suffer from a lack of access to health care. Next year over 20 people will travel to Guatemala, at their own expense, to fulfill these needs.
Dr. Doug explains that the clinic group will provide a clinical setting, usually within the Episcopal Churches in the area, where the team will complete eye examinations as well as fit over 400 people with eyeglasses or sunglasses. They also provide clothing for children. The team will provide examinations for at least 500 patients and give them appropriate medications to manage acute infections and a variety of medical problems.
The surgical team will provide nasal and sinus surgeries at St. Francis Hospital and Orphanage in Putan. There will a surgeon, anesthesiologist and several operating room nurses to complete a number of surgeries in this small rural hospital.
We hope you understand a little better why we need your support at the Art, Pray Love event in January 2018.
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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Monday |
November 23
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November 24
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November 25
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November 26
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November 27
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Parish Office Closed
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Parish Office Closed
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NO FOOD PANTRY THIS WEEKEND
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7:30am
Rite I
8:40am
Nursery Opens
8:50am
Jesus/Jewish Influences
(Library)
9:00am
Enriching our Worship Eucharist
10:00am
Adult Forum
Family Formation
Choir Practice
10:30am
Ministry Team
Training
(Classroom 2)
11:00am
Rite II
12:30pm
DOK
(Morgan House)
7:00pm
Contemplative Quaker Fellowship
(Classroom 4) |
11:30am
Centering Prayer
(Side Chapel)
12:15pm
After-Noon Bible Study
(Library)
6:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous
(Morgan House)
7:00pm
Circle of Trust
(Classroom 4)
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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November 28
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November 29
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November 30
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December 1
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December 2
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10:00am
Arkansas Workforce Interviews
5:30pm
EfM
(Classroom 2)
7:00pm
Canterbury Coffeehouse
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12:00pm
Brown Bag Book Club
(Library)
12:30pm
Faulkner County Social Justice
(Morgan House)
1:30pm
Library Reserved
2:00pm
Staff Meeting
5:00pm
EYC
(Parish Hall)
5:30pm
Fledglings Writing Group
(Library)
6:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous
(Morgan House)
7:00pm
Holy Eucharist and Prayers for Healing
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2:00pm
SLS Planning
(Library)
6:30pm
Finance Meeting
(Classroom 2)
7:00pm
Enneagram
(Library)
7:00pm
Evening Bible Study
(Morgan House)
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4:00pm
Conway Locally Grown
(Parish Hall)
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9:00am
Food Pantry
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**November 22: Holy Eucharist and Prayers for Healing has been canceled due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
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Save the Date!
November 22 Parish Office Closed
November 23 Parish Office Closed
November 24 Parish Office Closed
November 26 The Rev. Robert C. Brown, preaching in all three services
December 3 First Sunday of Advent
Find Us Faithful Stewardship Sunday
The Rev. Robert C. Brown, preaching in all three services
Advent Event/Family Feast, 5:30pm, Parish Hall
December 10 Jerusalem Greer, preaching in Rite I (7:30am) and
Enriching Our Worship (9:00am)
Choir Cantata, 11:00am
December 17 The Rev. Peggy Cromwell, preaching in all three services
December 24 Christmas Eve
11:00am Service (only service for the morning)
The Rev. Dr. Linda Brown, preaching
5:00pm Christmas Eve Service
8:00pm Christmas Eve Service
The Rev. Peggy Cromwell, preaching
December 25 9:00am Christmas Day Service
The Rev. Robert C. Brown, preaching
December 26 through December 29 Parish Office Closed
December 31 The Rev. Robert C. Brown, preaching
January 15 Parish Office Closed for Mr. Luther King Jr. Day
January 27 Art Pray Love
February 14 Ash Wednesday
February 18 First Sunday in Lent
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This week's Anniversary
Mike and Lynn Schaefer 11/30
November 26
- December 3 Birthdays
B.J. Haller
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11/29
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Maggie Harvey
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11/30
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Lenka Johnson
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11/30
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Jackson Wirtz
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12/3
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O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants, as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, page 830
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Help Out the Food Pantry
Don't forget your items to bring this Sunday! You may also drop off items in the church lobby anytime during the week. With your help we are able to provide food to those in need.
2 cans tuna/water; 2 pkgs pasta; 2 cans pasta sauce
Diapers, Feminine Hygiene Products
**If you are bringing fresh produce to donate, please contact someone with a key and see that it is placed in the Food Pantry refrigerators.
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Pantry Musings
This Sunday is called Christ the King Sunday. It is a concept that I have difficulty accepting as a part of my faith. Here is why I do not really feel that kingship fits Jesus. Kings have power over defined geographical dominions that they must protect often with might and militantly. This definition of kingship appears to be the reason that we are celebrating Christ the King. That does not fit with my understanding of the messianic spirit found in Jesus who was a healer; a person who could challenge or be challenged in a peaceful manner that was redemptive; a man of peace; a person who could be flexible and adaptive; a person who broke the law when it was necessary for live to continue. Certainly he showed us his prophetic spirit. He was clear about the abuse of the Temple and the riches that were gained by some at the expense of many, often the poor. He was so angry that he turned tables over and created mayhem. So I'm not talking about a soft and cuddly Jesus, but rather a person who tried to solve problems meeting them peacefully and directly and firmly. When he ascended, I feel certain that his personality did not change. He first of all is a man of love, and it turns out that he learned to love us all, not just the Israelites. The despicable Samaritan woman at the well taught him this, there were other incidents as well. Hence, we may conclude he was open to change and could learn from others even those his society defined them as despicable. His is a redemptive spirit that reaches out to all: it is up to us to respond. The apostle Paul understood Jesus' death and resurrection as a gracious gift of salvation to all. I tend to agree with Paul on this point: salvation is given by grace to all. Galatians is the place that Paul sets forth his argument most systematically,although you find his thought on our salvation in almost every letter that he wrote. Paul talked a great deal about the fact that we were free from the law, the difficulty here is to know which or what law. At the time that Paul was writing, the Jews were responsible to live into all of the Torah so being free from the law would mean losing much of their scripture. I suspect that he was talking about the Purity Laws, but that is an educated guess. I believe that if we try to love our neighbor and love God we will be followers of Jesus that I believe is enough. I am content with knowing Jesus was there for all of us who need love and that is all of us. He was our shepherd not our king. -- Ann Drake
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Scripture Readings for Sunday, November 26, 2017
The 9:00am Service will lead the Psalm
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.
Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.
Psalm 100
1 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.
2 Know this: The Lord himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise; *
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
4 For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Ephesians 1:15-23
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
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Prayers of the People
Prayers and Petitions:
In Loving Support for:
Jenny, Doug, and Odessa; Micah; Sam; Mouaz; Natalie.
In Constant Prayer for our Future Rector, whomever God leads to us.
Thanksgivings:
We give thanks for the people of St. Peter's and visitors with us this week.
We give thanks for: Bret and Mary Etta Qualls, Janna Davenport, Maggie Erbach, Emma Fulmer; Jeff, Krista, Lydia, Annette and Lydia Quinn; Casey Quast and Carol Gulas; Jeff, Krista, Annette and Lydia Quinn; Harry Readnour; Ric Warren, Shari, Ashlyn, and Julia Readnour; Charlie Redditt, Carla Bell, Lucia, Francesca and Robert Redditt; Danny and Dinah Reed; Rob, Nikki, Banyon, and Jessica Reid
We give thanks for the Family Bible Church.
We give thanks for the Temple B'Nai Israel.
We give thanks for our Finding Us Faithful Stewardship Program.
We give thanksfor The Rt Revd Saman Farajalla Mahdi, Sudan.
We give thanks for Rev. Jose Morales Perez and St. Matthew's, Chuguexa )choo-yakes-ah).
We give thanks for The Vestry at St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia.
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Team 4
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7:30am
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9:00am
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11:00am
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Lectors
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Ann Drake
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Dave Campbell
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Leigh Ann Warriner
Lillian Petrucelli
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Ushers
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Pam Holt
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Tracy Simpson
Walker Simpson
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Deana Weindorf
Erin Weindorf
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Oblationers
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Mary Etta Qualls
Joe Arn
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Daniel Grayling
Claire Losardo
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Greeters
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Austin Losardo
Nancy Thompson
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Austin Losardo
Nancy Thompson
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Eucharistic Visitor
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Dan Allen
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Eucharistic Minister
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Pam Holt
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Tanya Buchanan
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Beth Brady
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Acolytes
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AM: Wylie Greer
C: Aiden Hill
G: Amaris Hill
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AM: Wylie Greer
C: Harper Sobel
T1: Jack Wirtz
T2: Miles Greer
G: Ashlyn Readnour
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Vestry Counters
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Altar Guild
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Team 4
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