ST PETER'S NEWS
March 26, 2020

A WORD FROM PASTOR V
Greetings folks of St. Peters,

Our local elected and health leaders have asked that non-essential people stay in-place to flatten the curve of the virus spread. I believe as we are able, we should all heed this call to action for the sake of our neighbor. The article in the DailyTrib gave a list of essential organizations, but did not list the church. Yet, I can't help but hear the call of God to us through the waters of our baptism..." You ARE a child of God. You ARE essential to God's plan to bring life to your community and our world."

I wonder if the church didn't make the list because we have become accustomed to calling "church" what we do when we gather on Sunday mornings in large groups in a building. There was a wonderful meme the other day on Facebook that said, " with church doors shutting across America, it is time for us to show that church has never been about the building. "

Grace Groups is all about saying to others, you are essential in this crisis. Worshipping from home is our witness to our neighbor that they are essential to our life together. Getting more take-out than usual is how we let others businesses know they are essential to what we love about the Highland Lakes. Saying thank you to workers at grocery stores and hospitals is the theological equivalent of saying, " You are essential! " Making face masks from home, sharing toilet paper, and helping an older neighbors run an errand or two is well... doing the essential in this time ...BEING the church...EMBODYING God's love for someone else in need.

Blessings on being essential these days. Look for the weekend worship email Saturday afternoon. May your day be filled with the moving of the Spirit of God.

Peace,
Pastor Vanicek
"SOCIAL DISTANCING" AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
The trending word for the past few weeks has been "social distancing."  The news cycle speaks about it like something to be avoided, an annoying ritual we are forced to endure...yet, "social distancing" is not some new phrase we just came up with over the past few weeks.  It has been around for centuries. Social distancing has been something people have been choosing and doing intentionally since ancient times... READ MORE .
WORSHIP UPDATE & NOTES
HOLY WEEK NOTES

We have decided to extend suspending our in-gathering worships through Easter, based on the recommendation of our Worship Committee.

We will continue to provide online worship resources to keep folks connected. And, ministry staff is working to providing online resources to reflect the variety of worship we would have in-person during Holy Week. Complimentary print resources will be available, and will be sent to our members who do not have email or internet. Pastor Vanicek and Olivia will be reaching out to you to help contribute various pieces of the worships , a witness that we are part of the priesthood of all believers who inspire and nurture each other's faith and life.
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? READ our bishop's reflection on communion.

For now, we invite you into some new sacramental practices you can do at home. Click the button to download a brochure on how to remember your baptism in washing hands, and how to remember our communion with others as part of mealtimes. Thank you to Pastor Tim Koester (a classmate of Pastor V) whose congregation (St. Michael Lutheran in Omaha, NE) developed this resource.
ORDERING AN EASTER LILY

St. Peter's has had 20 Easter Lilies ordered for some time. 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.
GRACE GROUP UPDATE
"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.
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.
In this time...a biblical word study on "peace" seems fitting.
Also, this week we begin a series titled "How to Read the Bible."
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.
SOCIAL OUTREACH NOTES
THE BLOODMOBILE SUCCESS!
19 units of blood were donated, which saves approximately 57 lives. Thank you for donating!
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!
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.
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.
UPDATES ON UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Run for the Son has been postponed to a later date TBD.
  • March Retiree Roundup will NOT be meeting.
  • Holy Week worship will all be online / with at home resources available.
RESOURCES