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The Labyrinth Walk
Thursday, May 3, 2018
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Blessing our Graduates
We will honor our Graduates with a blessing in all services on
May 6.
If you know of someone graduating this May, please email
Jerusalem.Greer@stpetersconway.com by
April 22.
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Youth and Families Fundraiser!
During the Month of May, St. Peter's Youth and Kids will be selling greeting cards in the lobby to raise money for Youth and Family programing (such as lock-in's, bowling, camping, splash bash etc.) Cards are $1 each or 12 for $10! Lots of retro stock and Disney themes!
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Do you wish more people knew about St. Peter's warmth, ministries, and outreach?
Want to learn how to share this love authentically and without pressure to conform? Then this conference is for you!
You are invited to join Carolyn Scott, Jerusalem Greer and other St. Peter's members in attending the INVITE WELCOME CONNECT Conference, being held at St. Mark's in Little Rock on May 5.
Pre-Conference Sessions (Friday, May 4, 3-5pm)
Social Media Evangelism
The Episcopal Theology of Evangelism
Reaching Millennials
Evangelism for Skeptics
Main Conference (Saturday, May 5, 9am-3pm)
Invite | Welcome | Connect is a transformational ministry that equips and empowers congregations and individuals to cultivate intentional practices of evangelism, hospitality, and connectedness rooted in the Gospel imperative to go and make disciples of all nations.
Presented by founder Mary Parmer, and recommended by The Episcopal Church, the program is designed to accommodate congregations of all sizes and crosses all social, economic boundaries. Participants will learn to use assessment tools, surveys, checklists, and other ministry materials adaptable for the interests and needs of their parish.
More info is available here.
Wondering why this is an important event? This is what PB Curry says:
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry:
"Evangelism is about sharing the journey into a deeper relationship with God and with each other, and not about us controlling the end result. It's not increasing our market share, and it's not just propping up the institution. If we believe the relationship with a living God does matter, and that loving relationship with each other matters, then evangelism and anything that helps us to come closer as human children of God matters."
The cost is $30, scholarships are available through the church office.
Email [email protected] for more info.
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A Note from the Senior Warden
-Chris Odom
Greetings, St. Peter's Family!
Once again it's time for Conway's annual festival honoring everyone's favorite amphibian: Toad Suck Daze! This also means that we are quickly approaching the end of the school year and summertime.
On June 18, our new deacon-in-charge, the Rev. Greg Warren will have his first day in the office and his first Sunday services will be June 24. Mark your calendars now!
Also, keep in mind that we all need to be cognizant of keeping up with our stewardship pledges. If you've fallen behind, can you commit to catch up? Maybe you've had a better financial year than you planned: now would be an excellent time to increase your giving to St. Peter's! We are a vibrant, active church, but our pledges often don't reflect this. I ask you to prayerfully consider a pledge to St. Peter's:
Abundant God, you made us in your image and breathed in us a spirit of generosity that is both gift and response. Move us, we pray, to give as we have received-abundantly, generously, and joyfully that our common ministry my ever bear witness to your unfailing grace. In the name of the Three in whom we are One, Amen.
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Jr. Warden's Report
Grounds update & Closing of EYC/Food Pantry Building
Spring is here and like many of you St. Peter's is cleaning house and making repairs after a soggy, cold winter. Over the next couple of months there will be several projects taking place on the grounds of the church as well as in the building. The grounds work will be addressing our drainage issues and also an effort to create a new, safe playground area for our younger children. A donation of $1,000 has been given towards the playground project. We will be replacing the wooden privacy fence with a wrought iron fence that will allow a clear line of sight, as well as new playground equipment, ground cover and a gate. Eight sections of the fence and posts have also been donated. We estimate the total playground project to run around $2,000. If you would like to help by either giving of your time, talent or treasure, please contact me or Jerusalem Greer.
As I mentioned above we have drainage issues. For many years water has been running underneath the EYC/Food Pantry building. After consulting with two different local companies and receiving a confirming opinion from an architect the vestry has voted to no longer use the building for anything other than storage. By the end of May the nursery and Youth/Children's Church will be relocated.
The nursery will be combined, in the double classroom, with the preschool class effective June 3.
Family Formation will meet in the Parish Hall Chapel until May 27 (their last class of the ministry year)
Children's Chapel (during the 9 and 11 am services) will meet in the Parish Hall Chapel through the summer.
The Food Pantry will be moving by the end of June to our current nursery space.
EYC will end on May 9, and until better solution arises, their items will be moved to Classroom 8, which is currently the "storage/junk room." Over the next two weeks the room will be cleaned and prepared for the youth items. Anything remaining in the room after Sunday, May 13th will be donated or thrown away. If you have stored items in this room please come and pick them up asap.
Being a good steward of aging property can be a challenge. Many years ago when our new church was dedicated, Archdeacon Rev. Richard F. Milwee challenged us to "wear this place out". He urged us to not treat it like a museum, but rather a place where the finish is worn off the pews from years of corduroys and woolens sliding in and out, for the hinges on the doors to squeak from opening wide to greet each other, and for the yard to have dirt paths where children chase around the grounds. We have met that challenge and it is my prayer we will continue to "wear this place out" and be what God is calling us to be in Conway and the surrounding community.
Leigh Ann Warriner, Junior Warden
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May Friendship Day
Faulkner County Church Women United invite you to May Friendship Day.
Friday May 5, 10:00, Grace UMC, 1075 Hogan Lane
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ASCENSION DAY PICNIC
(a day early)
MAY 9
Everyone is invited to our Second Annual Ascension Day Picnic which includes Kite Flying and a Farm Eucharist at Preservation Acres!
Rev. Marna Franson from St. Nicholas in Maumelle will be presiding, and Jeannie McCabe from St. John's Fort Smith will be leading us in song.
Kite flying begins at 5PM, followed by Eucharist and a Picnic Dinner at 6pm.
The church will provided smoked pork loin, paper products and drinks. Please bring a side to share.
All ages are welcome!
Location: Preservation Acres, 41 Union Road, Greenbrier 72058
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Smoke on the Mountain
is coming to St. Peter's!
Featuring two dozen rousing bluegrass songs and the efforts of a young and enthusiastic pastor who is trying desperately to bring his tiny congregation into the modern world, Smoke on the Mountain will make it's way throughout central Arkansas this May and June as RCT takes this adult community theatre production on the road to local churches and community centers. Join us as the Sanders Family, a traveling bluegrass group, reveal their true and hilariously imperfect natures, endearing themselves to us by revealing their weaknesses and allowing us all to share in their triumphs.
Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 7:00pm
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Conway, AR
Benefiting St. Peter's Youth Ministries and Camp Scholarships!
Popcorn, Soda Pop, and Hot Dogs will be sold as concessions at intermission.
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Join us:
Walk in Love - New Formation Class
Peggy and Linda, our Deacons, plan to explore with all interested parishioners, what being an Episcopalian means.
Sundays 12:30pm (after the 11am service) in the Parish Hall.
We
will not meet on the third
Sunday of each month (this time is reserved for the new Lunch & Learn).
This adult formation class is for new or potential Episcopal church-goers, as well as seasoned, long-standing and seldom attend church-goers. It is for anyone interested in knowing more about our faith and what guides us.
We will take a journey through
The Book of Common Prayer
, the Christian life, and basic beliefs of our faith. We will walk through the liturgical year, the sacraments of the church, habits of daily prayer, and the teachings of Anglican Christianity. See how our prayer shapes our belief and our lives and how our beliefs lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The book we will use,
Walk in Love
, is a comprehensive look at the practices and beliefs found within the Episcopal faith.
Please contact deacons Peggy Cromwell or Linda Brown if you have any questions.
To check out the book online click
HERE
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CULTIVATING COMPASSION
Summer Offering from Servant Leadership School: Do you want to experience the joy of living with a loving heart? Join June Stewart on Thursday evenings, 6:00 - 8:00, in the Morgan House, beginning July 12, 2018. No books to order, no assignments. $20 fee for snacks and copies of handouts. Childcare and scholarships available upon request. Just email
[email protected]
or fill out the registration form below:
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Adult Forum
This Sunday, May 6, 2018, will be the Vicar's Forum with The Rev. Robert C. Brown. He will speak on the Eucharist.
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Bible Study
The Spring/Summer Bible Study of the Book of John meets on
Monday Afternoons in the Library or
Thursday evenings at 7:00pm in the Morgan House. Check poster in lobby for details. Join anytime!
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Mother's Day Celebration
May 13
The St. Peter's Vestry is proud to sponsor cake, mimosas (and a non-alcoholic option), and flowers to honor the mothers and mother figures who grace our church family with their love and support. Please join us in the lobby on May 13th!
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Ministry Team Training
Interested in becoming a usher, oblationer, or greeter, 30-minute training will be offered
May 20
,
June 17
, or
July 15 at 9:30
or
10:30
in Classroom 2. (Retraining for current ministry members offered at same time.)
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Tithing to St. Peter's Using Direct Draft from Bank Accounts
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
Use the link below to print a withdrawal form and return it to the Parish Office.
http://stpetersconway.org/wp-content/uploads/ACH-Authorization-Form.pdf
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Stewardship and FInancials
| Ending 5/3/18 |
Plate Offering |
$3,160.00 |
Ending 5/3/18
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Direct Deposit |
$125.00 |
| Ending 4/26/18 |
Plate Offering |
$2,106.00 |
| 4/26/18 |
Direct Deposit |
$3,325.00 |
| Ending 4/19/18 |
Plate Offering |
$2,849.00 |
| Ending 4/12/18 |
Plate Offering |
$3,219.00 |
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| *these amounts include operating funds only |
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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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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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Monday |
May 3
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May 4
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May 5
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May 6
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May 7
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7:00pm
Evening Bible Study
(Morgan House)
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4:00pm
Conway Locally Grown
(Parish Hall)
6:00pm
Morgan House Reserved
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9:00am
Food Pantry
9:00am
Morgan House Reserved
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7:30am
Rite I
8:50am
Library Class
9:00am
Enriching our Worship Eucharist
10:00am
Choir Practice
Adult Forum
Family Formation
11:00am
Rite II
12:30pm
Walk in Love
(Library, Classroom 2)
2:00pm
Walking the Mourner's Path
(Library)
7:00pm
Contemplative Quaker Fellowship
(Classroom 4)
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12:15pm
After-Noon Bible Study
(Library)
6:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous
(Morgan House)
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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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May 8
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May 9
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May 10
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May 11
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May 12
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1:30pm
Compassionate
Communication
(Library)
5:30pm
EfM
(Classroom 2)
6:00pm
Faulkner County Social Justice
(Morgan House)
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12:00pm
BrownBag Book Club
1:30pm
Library Reserved
2:00pm
Staff Meeting
3:30pm
EYC
5:30pm
Fledglings Writing
Group
(Library)
6:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous
(Morgan House)
7:00pm
Holy Eucharist and
Prayers for Healing
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6:00pm
Moms Demand Action
(Parish Hall)
7:00pm
Evening Bible Study
(Morgan House)
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4:00pm
Conway Locally Grown
(Parish Hall)
6:00pm
Wedding Rehearsal
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9:00am
Food Pantry
5:00am
Sakevicius/
Compton Wedding
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May 6 Graduation Sunday
May 9 Ascension Celebration
May 13 Mother's Day
May 20 Pentecost Sunday
May 23 Vestry Meeting, 6:00pm, Classroom 2
June 17 The Rev. Robert C. Brown's last Sunday
June 18 The Rev. Greg Warren's first day in the office
June 24 The Rev. Greg Warren's first Sunday at St. Peter's
August 12 Rally Day/Blessing of the Backpacks
October 8 Bishop Sunday
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May 6 through May 12 Celebrations
Birthdays
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Parker Teague
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May 6
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Sophia Warriner
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May 6
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Lynn Schaefer
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May 8
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Dinah Reed
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May 9
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Jackson Rich
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May 10
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Kim Walter
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May 10 |
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Melissa Butler
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May 11
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Melissa Felty
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May 12
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Anniversaries
Phillip and Annette Bell May 12
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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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Food Pantry Schedule Change
Dear St. Peter's Family,
Beginning with the first
Saturday in June, the food pantry will be open on the 1
st and 3
rd
Saturday of each month. The hours of operation will still be
9:00 a.m. to noon on those Saturdays.
This change is due to the decrease in the number of people we are serving in the food pantry each month. The decrease in numbers could be due to the access of other pantries in our community that are open to our members, the number of members who are more financially stable due to new employment or other unknown reasons.
The first
Saturday of the month has always been the busiest, but other Saturdays have become very infrequently used by our pantry members. Some of those Saturdays, we are only serving 10 to 15 people. The food pantry is still a vital ministry that we need at St. Peter's as there are families who need our assistance. Our volunteers are very dedicated and I am extremely grateful for all that you continue to do for the pantry. I am hopeful that this change will give our volunteers an opportunity to continue serving those who need our pantry each month, but will also be a better use of your time on the days you do volunteer.
A notification will be posted on the food pantry door and copies of the notification will go in all bags for the members who visit the pantry in May so they are aware of the changes.
Peace be with you,
Christy Garrett-Jones
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This week's Food Pantry Need
2 mac and cheese; 2 corn muffin; 2 cans green beans
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Pantry Musings
The Gospel of John is markedly different than the other three gospels in the canon, and very different than any of the other gospels that we have discovered in recent history. John, it seems, wants to present a case for believers. It is not his purpose to give a series of events in the life of Jesus so that you have a feel for what Jesus was about in his life. John presents his material in such a manner that you participate in it in a corporate manner. In other words, his material, at least some of it, is to be used in worship and study. As you read the gospel, it often feels as though you should be chanting it. You are not only called to participate. You are presented with events that are designed to elicit belief over against the views held by the Jews at the temple. John was working at a time when the Jews of the temple had decided that the views of the Jews who believed in Jesus as the Messiah were not acceptable in the temple any longer. In other words, the Christian Jews were a distinct group and not a part of orthodox Judaism any longer.
John, chapter 11, beginning with verse one, we have the story of Lazarus' resurrection. This is the last Sign, presented in John, of the Messianic qualities of Jesus. Jesus arrives at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary some four days after the death of Lazarus. When Jesus arrives Martha, and then Mary, both berate Jesus telling him that had he come when Lazarus was sick he would not have died. It is clearly an emotional scene, even Jesus weeps. Both women acknowledge the resurrection at the end of time, a view held by some Jews. With some prompting, they come to embrace that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Which is quite a bit different than the beliefs of the temple goers, for it gives Jesus the power of creation and places him close to God. Not something the temple supporters feel comfortable confessing, hence, they plot to kill Jesus. As Mary and Martha and their friends grieve and watch Jesus has them open the grave, a cave, and he calls Lazarus to come out. He comes out and enjoys the party. Jesus has shared with the crowd that he has the power to grant life in cooperation with God. He can do it now for Lazarus, Martha and Mary, and for all who believe in him. Some have understood the resurrection of Lazarus as a prefiguring of the death and resurrection of Jesus. -Ann Drake
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Scripture Readings for Sunday, May 6, 2017.
The 9:00am Service will lead the Psalm and read from Acts.
Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
Psalm 98
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.
1 John 5:1-6
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
John 15:9-17
Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another."
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Prayers of the People
Prayers and Petitions:
Nikki; Meredith; David; Daniel; Kaden; Linda; John
In Loving Support for:
Sam; Mouaz; Natalie.
In Constant Prayer for our upcoming Priest in Charge, The Rev. Greg Warren, and his partner, Mark Lamb.
In Continued Prayers for:
Sara Edmondson, Helen Snipan, Jacquie Seroy, Martha Denson, Fred and Lillian Petrucelli,
Rowena Malone.
Thanksgivings:
We give thanks for the people of St. Peter's and visitors with us this week.
We give thanks for: Chloe Hammett; Brett and Brandon Hardison; Jane Harris; Emily Harris; Mathilda Hatfield; Amy Hawkins and Paxton Amy.
We give thanks for the Bible Baptist Church.
We give thanks for the Islamic Center of Little Rock.
We give thanks for our Thursday Office Volunteer, Patsy Evans.
We give thanks for The Rev. Heber Ruiz & St. Martin of Tours, Totonicapan (toe-toe-neeka-pan).
We give thanks for The Anglican Church of Kenya, The Most Revd Jackson Ole Sapit Primate and Archbishop of All Kenya.
We give thanks for the Spirituality of Aging Forum at St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia.
The Departed:
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Ministry Team 1
Jeffrey Ward, Team Leader
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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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Nathan Greer
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Jeff Ward
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Amy Hawkins
Tracy Simspon
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Greeters
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Miles Greer
Nathan Greer
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Erin Weindorf
Deana Weindorf
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Ushers
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Jerusalem Greer
Miles Greer
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Kristina Ward
Stephanie Johnson
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Claudia Wiltgen
Ashlyn Readnour
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Oblationers
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Ella Johnson
Charlotte Ward |
Ashlyn Readnour
Julia Readnour
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Eucharistic Visitors
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Tanya Buchanan
Rita Mackintosh
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Doug Stroud
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Eucharistic Ministers
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Pam Holt
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Judy Helm
Paul McCowan
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Jay Ruud
Kelley King
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Alcolytes
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AM:
CB: Kathryn Spinks
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AM: Wylie Greer
C: Wylie Greer
T1: Austen Lasardo
T2: Jackson Wirtz
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Vestry Counters
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Carolyn Scott
Leigh Ann Warriner
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Altar Guild
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Team 3
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