ST PETER'S NEWS
May 7, 2020
A WORD FROM PASTOR V
Blessed Thursday to you all!

It's that time of year where gardens are starting to share their bounty, inviting us to experience God's abundance in new ways. The rare cool fronts of May remind us that summer is coming, but that such heat is not forever.

This coming Sunday is Mother's Day, a day to give thanks to all those who have shown us mothering care and support. In God we see the fullness of what mothering looks like, one who nurtures and cares for us in ways that always lead to new life. So, thanks to the internet age, physical distancing can't separate us from those whom we love. Give those who have shown you mothering care a call, maybe visit with them on FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, or any of the silly-named ways software engineers have created to see and talk with others.

Mother's Day is also a day that reminds some of the brokenness in the world. There are mothers in name, but not mothers in nurture. Mothers have been abusers, and abused or taken advantage of. We sing Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy) each week...and this week we especially call upon God's mercy, that God's kingdom come and balm the jagged scars in the lives of many in our world.

So, this week in being God's Easter people, we especially hear the call of the local Family Crisis Center that shelters women who have faced domestic violence. The local Ministerial Alliance put out a call last week to collect masks (cloth or disposable), gloves, Clorox wipes, and bottled water. See the social outreach note below for more details. Consider this Mothering Weekend to Together BOLDLY live and share God's grace with those staying at the Crisis Center.

Finally, a note about when we might re-start in-person worship. We will continue with online worship at least through the month of May. In next week's email, leadership will share how we envision phasing back into gathering for worship, fellowship, learning, and service, and note "gateway criteria" to help determine when this phasing process can begin. If you have any specific questions or concerns at this time, please don't hesitate to reach of to me.

Eastertide blessings to you all,
Pastor Vanicek
SOCIAL OUTREACHING
HELPING WOMEN IN CRISIS

They are seeing an increase in requests for shelter services right now, much of it overflow from surrounding counties. They are also receiving more hotline calls seeking assistance with food, utilities, transportation, etc, and increased non-resident counseling services. Because of the increased demand for shelter and non-shelter services under these conditions, they have a desperate need for masks (cloth ones are fine), gloves, Clorox wipes, and bottled water.   Let's make a final push to collect these item at the church by end of day Monday (5/11). If you come outside of office hours (M-F, 9-3), then place by the portico doors.
Thank you!
HIGHLAND LAKES FAMILY CRISIS CENTER
or give by text
830-460-5757
For example, text "10 SG" to give $10 to the HLFCC.
MEALS ON WHEELS COOKIES

Bake a dozen or more cookies for homebound residents in our community. We provide 10 or 12 dozen cookies each month. Please drop them by the church office before this Friday ( May 8th ). Thanks!
BIBLE STUDY AT HOME
Faith is scripture is rarely a noun...but most often a verb...an active and alive thing. Faith is like muscles, requiring exercise to stay healthy and strong. While we are in Diaspora (separated...), use these short videos as a weekly way of growing in your faith and love.

We begin each Sunday this Easter season with a Thanksgiving for Baptism. This week we take a closer look at what God's justice looks like. At the font we encounter God's abundant love, but also God's form of justice in calling us Children of God through water, word, and Spirit. This is by far one of my favorite videos they have created. How would you say God's justice is similar or different than the "justice system" of our communities and government? How can we participate more in the justice God hopes for the world?
CLICK HERE to go deeper into the
theme of "justice" in scripture.
DEVOTIONS AND MAGAZINES IN THE PORTICO BIN
NEW EDITION! NEW EDITION!
CHRIST IN OUR HOME
WORSHIP & PRAYER RESOURCES
If you missed a recent online worship, want to read the text of sermon, are looking for daily prayer resources, or want to find something noted in our weekly emails, CLICK HERE for a one-stop page on our website.
WORDS OF GRATITUDE
If you have words of gratitude to share with others in the congregation, please send to tristan@splcmf.org in the office.
OTHER RESOURCES