ST PETER'S NEWS
August 27, 2020
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A WORD FROM PASTOR VANICEK |
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Holy...Communion!
Maybe you have had a chance to look at the email I sent on Wednesday afternoon about how we will be moving forward with both an in-person and online way to celebrate Holy Communion together. Maybe you saw the email and said...oof...I'll read this later with a glass of wine!
I think all responses are probably fitting. Holy Communion is one of the core and central ways we practice our faith as Christians. It is deeply embedded in Lutheran worship that grace is more than just a word, but something tangible, real, and...tasty!, which is why I believe it important to treat Holy Communion as we would treat anything that is vitally important to our life...ponder it...reflect on it...wrestle with it...and step towards a faithful "reverent best guess" on how to welcome all to the Table of our Lord. CLICK HERE for a quick link to the email.
In the email are important instructions on how we will go about incorporating Holy Communion into online worship. Please read. Thank you. It may feel awkward, different, and weird at first, but these three words also describe well how it feels when God's Spirit invites us into new ways of living that makes room for ALL.
FINALLY, a follow-up note from the survey you all took. Many noted a desire to meet in small groups to reflect on these times of living through a pandemic. I have created a sign-up for 3 times...for 10 people each on September 2 and 3. Note: the September 3rd option is a Zoom option. I will lead each group with some reflecting questions, bookmarked by scripture and prayer. CLICK HERE to sign-up. The groups are intentionally small for all to have time to share.
ONE MORE NOTE...so it is almost done...a FALL BROCHURE. CLICK HERE to get a sneak peak at the cover. Committees and teams have some great familiar and new things in the works for the fall. Look for an email on Monday (the last day of August) highlighting the Fall brochure.
Blessings to your week!
Pastor Vanicek
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A few months ago, Pastor Vanicek asked me if I would consider starting a prayer ministry at St. Peter’s. At the time, I was ending my three year term on Council and needed a little time to catch up on some personal things, but yes, that is definitely something I am passionate about. Prayer. Then, about the time I was ready to be serious about it, we had a quarantine. I thought perhaps we should wait for a better time. So, I waited. And waited. Finally in mid-July, I woke up one morning and my eyes were opened to the fact that it is always a good time to pray! No matter what! Maybe now more than ever! So, let’s begin!
Who: 10 to 12 committed people
What: Prayer for an Hour - to share a time of thanksgiving and praise, of repentance and petition
When: We will start with 2 choices. Either Wednesday at noon, or Sunday at 5 p.m.
Where: Right now, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall where we can have plenty of space. Masks are recommended. However, I know it’s difficult to hear people speaking when they have a mask on so we will just have to be open to what works best for all.
How:
● This is not a class. We will pray however the Spirit of God leads us. If someone feels comfortable kneeling, they should bring a pillow. If anyone feels lead to open their hands, or raise their arms, they should do so. I will be leading the prayer time, but we can all pray, using our own words, our own voices.
● This is not an information gathering time. We will not have updates on individual prayer requests (unless the person requiring prayer asks for our prayers to be changed).
● This is serious business. Each of us should be committed to attending as often as we can possibly do so. If we have more than 10 people, we will divide into 2 groups. If either of the times listed doesn’t work for you, let me know because the time can be changed if that is what is most helpful to have a strong ministry.
● Bring a Bible. We may not always use it, but it’s a great idea to focus on a Psalm or other scripture as we lift our prayers.
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We are in PHASE 1, yet current trends are looking good for Council to consider moving into PHASE 2 sometime in September. |
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ONLINE WORSHIP INFORMATION |
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Join our live-stream worship
Sundays at 9AM
WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE:
- click the video link in the Saturday worship email.
- go to our YouTube channel and click the video.
- watch from our St. Peter's Facebook page.
- worship off-line anytime by clicking here.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY:
- 11am - 12pm - Drive-thru communion at Portico (please use same drive-thru direction as Rally Day)
- we will also begin having Holy Communion this Sunday as an option during live-stream worship. We ask folks to use the communion kits we provide for free and only use during the actual live-stream of worship. Kits can be picked up in the Commons W-F / 9am-3pm. CLICK HERE to read about theological meaning behind this.
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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.
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BIBLE AND BOOK STUDY UPDATES |
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BIBLE STUDIES
Deborah Bible Study - not meeting in person, email check in. Contact Pam Wettstein
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BOOK STUDIES
Book Club - meeting each month via Zoom on the third Monday at 2:30pm. Next books we are reading and meeting dates:
September 21st - A Piece of the World
by Christina Baker Kline
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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.
What is the Tree of Life, how did Sin come to be, and how to we find the Garden? In our lives and especially this year we hear multiple opinions on what is wrong and what is right. What is good and what is bad. In this series we hear about how choosing for ourselves (picking false gods) can lead to us being worse off than relying on our faith in God (picking from the Tree of Life).
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Study more about the Tree of Life
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NEW STAFF MEMBERS FOR THE FALL |
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As Craig and Vonda go off staff, Council will be looking at how to replace those positions as well as use this time to make sure we are staffed for growing into future needs of congregation and community. In the meantime, Council in consolation with Pastor Vanicek have hired Nick Bohmann and Katherine Terrell into part-time rolls this fall for key ministry areas. |
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Nick Bohmann
Member Care Minister
Nick with be working alongside Pastor Vanicek to help check-in with our Grace Groups and congregation, and in the process help Pastor Vanicek know how to focus pastoral care time in the best way for the life of the congregation. Nick is also part of our Member Care Team that helps with Home Communion and following up on individuals who are on our weekly prayer list. Thank you Nick!
Nick is a native Texan born is Crystal City, Texas in 1939. He grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Sam Houston High School. He and his Mom and Dad were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, San Antonio where he and wife Shirley still have friends and family.
After high school, Nick attended Texas Lutheran College graduating in 1961. After college, Nick went on to graduate school at Trinity Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He and his wife Shirley were married in 1963. He graduated from Trinity in 1965. After living and working in South Austin for 30 years plus, he and Shirley decided to retire and move to the Hill Country in 2005. They joined St. Peter’s soon after moving and have been involved in the life of St. Peter’s since.
Nick and Shirley have three sons, all married and five grandchildren. Wife Shirley is a serious quilter. Nick is a member of the Volunteer Fire Dept. in Sunrise Beach. He is an avid Model Railroader and collects railroadiana.
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Katherine Terrell
Youth and Family Coordinator
Katherine will be taking over some pieces from Vonda and Craig's roles. In particular, she is updating our communication information with our families, helping Anna Womack and Tracy Knight coordinate fellowship and Bible study gatherings for various ages, and doing the important behind the scenes grunt work that makes youth and family ministry possible. Thank you Katherine!
Katherine Terrell was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University where she met her husband, Eric. They have two children, Ryan (15) and Katie (11). They have been members of St. Peter’s since 2006. In her spare time, Katherine enjoys reading, hiking and riding her horse.
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GRATITUDE AND CONGREGATIONAL NOTES |
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Please send Tristan any notes that you would like to share with the congregation. Thank you. tristan@splcmf.org
Hi, Everyone! There is a new group on Facebook called St. Peter's Marble Falls. This is a closed group by invitation only. During this crazy time, while we cannot interact with one another in the narthex before and after worship, it's a place to share some good news, some fun events, pictures, reminders, etc. .... Janette Clausen is the administrator so if you are on Facebook and have not been invited please contact Janette (janetteclausen@aol.com) for an invitation.
EARLE GUTHRIE
prayers for the family and friends of Earle Guthrie. Earle was organist at St. Peter’s for nearly 20 years, beginning in 1981. Earle and Jane left to retire to their hometown of Waco, where he passed away last Friday after several years of declining heath. For more information on expressing condolences to Jane and the family, text or call retired pastor David Henry (830-832-4991).
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