ST PETER'S NEWS
April 4, 2020
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Greetings folks of St. Peters,
As we approach Holy Week, we again wade into the heart of the Sacred Story.
On Palm Sunday, we go from parade to pandemic...from dancing to disbelief.
The journey from Palm Sunday to the cross on Friday reminds us how fragile and precious life and our world are
. In Jesus we see one who experiences the worst that this world can dish out. Yet, in Jesus, is also one who chooses vulnerability to reveal most clearly the love of God for others...for all.
This year, I believe Holy Week is exactly the story we need to come alongside our own stories
, as we walk through this time that has moved from parade to pandemic...from dancing to disbelief. Like the women who come to the tomb that first Easter morning...they ask themselves, "Who will roll away the stone?" Indeed, this is a question we ask in our own wrestling with a world turned upside down. "Who will roll away the stone...from my unemployment?...from my worries and fears? ...from my isolation? ...from (
you fill in the blank
)?"
In the Sacred Story, an angel of the Lord rolls away the stone because it says the angel "knew that the women were looking for Jesus who was crucified." (Matthew 28:5).
God will not let our stones sit still...that is the promise of Easter we cling to in all times and places. Stones are just a sign that resurrection and new life are on the other side.
Many of you likely have questions about St. Peter's: our ministries and outreach, our finances, our building project, summer VBS, the future of worship, etc. Council and leadership are evaluating all these pieces of our life together and look to provide the congregation some Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs) for the congregation in the days and weeks ahead. Please share your questions with Pastor Vanicek or one of our council members. This will help us know what information is most helpful to research and share with you all to answer questions and help lower anxiety about what's next.
In all things, let us help each other have our purpose statements squarely before us in discerning and decision making:
Together, BOLDLY living and sharing God's grace with all
.
Peace,
Pastor Vanicek
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Pastor Vanicek and Olivia will be reaching out to you to help contribute various pieces of these worships
, a witness that we are part of the priesthood of all believers who inspire and nurture each other's faith and life.
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PRACTICING COMMUNION
One thing that many miss is sharing in Holy Communion.
This time invites us to turn our question from, "How do we receive Holy Communion?” to “How does the Word of God come to us and how do we receive the Word of God?
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ORDERING AN EASTER LILY
We still have about 15 Easter Lilies unclaimed.
If you would like to claim one of the lilies to light up your home this Easter, contact the church office by phone or email tristan@splmf.org.
The cost is $10 each.
If social distancing is still in effect, someone from the church office will deliver yours to your doorstep the weekend before Easter.
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"Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul...
and great grace was upon them all."
- Acts 4:32-33
Thank you to all 20+ people who volunteered to be Grace Group leaders!
Everyone can
CLICK HERE
to see who else is in your Grace Group.
There are a few families that have to be assigned yet, but a lot has been done in a week! And, a lot of calls and connections have been made.
This work of love you are all doing in staying connected is what "Together" is all about in our purpose statement
: Together, BOLDLY living and sharing God's grace with all. May this experience of TOGETHER shape and inspire your together-ness and care for neighbors who live around you.
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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.
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For Palm / Passion Sunday...a biblical word study on "atonement and sacrifice" fits well as we enter Holy Week.
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Also, this week we continue our series titled "How to Read the Bible." This video looks at the Bible as a series of crossroad decisions.
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Craig and Vonda are providing daily and weekly faith intersection resources for families during this time.
Families, be looking out for emails and help us as staff fine tune our offerings to best nurture and enrich your family's faith and life during this time.
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AMAZON SMILE
Remember to use smile.amazon.com and choose "St Peter's Lutheran School in Marble Falls." A small % of your purchase will go to support our school. Thank you!
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MAKING FACE MASKS
If sewing is something you do, then you can help our local Highland Lakes Crisis Network.
CLICK HERE
for a link on how to make a mask.
Contact the Network
with questions.
The Crisis Network also had
an article
in the Daily Trib noting what items are needed around our community and how you may be able to help.
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WOULD YOU LIKE SOME HELP?
Need help with shopping, meals, medicines, mail or other needs? Contact Craig Orton - corton@splcmf.org.
We do have a limited supply of toilet paper and face tissue at St. Peter's if you or your neighbors are in need. Contact the church office to get some.
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ST. PETER'S SCHOOL UPDATE
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Hi Congregation -
St. Peter’s Lutheran School is hard at work during this time of social distancing.
We have continued to work with families to do virtual learning. Teachers are sending home packets of work, materials for lessons, and library books that parents pick up for the week outside the church building. Then, we are giving about 1- 1 1/2 hours a day of live and recorded instruction through private facebook groups. The students are able to interact with us through their parents. We are also utilizing Zoom to host class chats and work with small groups.
This is a new and challenging time for us all, but our teachers are stepping it up and making it work!
Due to not having the students be present physically, the school board decided to just charge 50% tuition.
We also weren’t able to meet our goal for the Lenten Meals that were cancelled. We have had to reduce some hours, withhold pay from aides, and have had to pull from our reserve funds to keep things moving financially. We are currently looking at the small business loans from the recent government stimulus package (CARE Act) to help us.
We are also excited to say that the 9th Annual Run for the Son will continue as planned on Saturday, April 18 but it will be the VIRTUAL edition!
We will still do the 1K and 5K with shirts and goody bags, but everyone will be walking or running at their own location (neighborhood, quiet road, treadmill or even the backyard).
This 5K can be done literally ANYwhere so we are hoping to get a record high number of registrants this year - we will set aside funds for scholarships and then, hopefully, use additional funds to recoup the losses.
We need your HELP - please register and support this cause while also sharing the opportunity with friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers (all near or far)!
You can register at
www.myraceregistration.com
under Run for the Son and also follow the Facebook Event with the same name to get updates!
Thank you for praying for our school, our teachers, and our students during this time!
May peace be with you, Tracy Knight
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ST PETER'S RESOURCES
LARGER CHURCH RESOURCES
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