ST PETER'S NEWS
November 18, 2020
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A LETTER TO THE CONGREGATION |
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Next Thursday is Thanksgiving Day, perhaps my favorite holiday. This Sunday, November 22nd, marks the beginning of a week which is traditionally a time of extended family gatherings, large meals, football, and reflections on our many blessings. This year we have an unwanted visitor, a little bit of nature’s creation we wish to avoid, while acknowledging it will probably get worse before it gets better. |
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We have an ongoing pandemic which has altered our daily lives in numerous serious and inconvenient ways, and even taken many precious lives, perhaps even a loved one. We are all weary of the limitations imposed on our daily activities including the wearing of masks and social distancing. At one time or another over eleven million Americans have contracted the Covid virus, but I am THANKFUL for the 96% of Americans who have not.
The virus has caused us to social distance, stay at home, and even quarantine. I am THANKFUL it has not dictated that we stay indoors. Not only has the recent Central Texas weather been glorious, but time spent outdoors represents an effective way to avoid the virus. While the clear blue skies have brought us to the point of a moderate drought, I am THANKFUL for the beneficial rains which will come.
The pandemic has limited our in-person worship, but I am THANKFUL for the technology that provides us the opportunity to worship from home or afar. I am especially THANKFUL we live in a country that provides us the opportunity to worship in the faith of our choice, not someone else’s.
We hear many stories about the mental anxiety and depression brought on by the isolation and distance learning imposed by the pandemic. These are serious problems we must deal with, but I am THANKFUL for the renewed relationships within family units that have been enriched by the additional time parents and children are spending together.
This Thanksgiving season finds us in a time of political discord and uncertainty, with rhetoric seemingly unsurpassed. It has been suggested that if you are able to gather with family for Thanksgiving, one should avoid even discussing politics. We seem to move from one crisis to another, some real and some manufactured. I am THANKFUL that such events of this date in 1963 remain only a distant memory.
This pandemic has affected us as a group and individually in many different ways. Many suffer in a much more serious fashion than others. We must all be faithful and diligent in our path forward to overcome this challenge, and there is no better companion along that path than our Lord. We should always take care to acknowledge and be persistent and prayerful with the challenges, but much more importantly, we must always consciously dwell on and be THANKFUL for our many Blessings.
-Bruce Jackson
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Worship begins at 9AM
in-person & on-line
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.
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WORSHIP RESOURCES / ARCHIVES
CLICK HERE i f 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.
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Free COVID-19 testing at the Marble Falls Fire Rescue station has been extended through Dec. 30. Testing is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays at the fire station,
700 Avenue N in Marble Falls.
During the holidays, testing will be Monday, Nov. 23, before Thanksgiving, and Monday, Dec. 21, before Christmas.
As cases rise it's important to keep yourself and others safe.
One way to do that is being prepared. Testing yourself for COVID can help you to keep others and yourself safe.
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CHRISTMAS GIVING PROJECTS |
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Christmas Is For Kids Service Project
There will be collection boxes located in the Commons area through December 13th. You may drop off your unwrapped gifts for male or female children ages birth to 16 years old in one of those collection boxes.
You can Volunteer at the Marble Falls Middle School front foyer (right behind HEB)
You and your family are invited to participate in this very rewarding project. Friday, December 18th, beginning at 6:00pm we will sort toys. No experience is needed.
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Elves for the Elderly
sponsored by Meals on Wheels of Burnet County
We will be collecting the items listed below through December 6th.
The gifts are then delivered by volunteers to the homebound residents.
Items needed are: slippers, mittens, gloves, mufflers, blankets, slipper socks (with treads), lap quilts, nightlights, flashlights, & large print books.
For more information on this project, please contact the Church Office.
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Casa Angel Tree
For the Kids in the care of CPS (Child Protective Services)
The due date for all gifts is December 13th
Contact: Cindy Struchen
Stamps for Burnet County Inmates
For the inmates to send Christmas cards to their families.
Stamps are needed by Sunday, December 6th
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Would you like to be an ADVENT Family?
This Advent season, we will have families come forward during Worship to light the candles on the Advent wreath and say the prayer. If you are interested, please contact katherine@splcmf.org.
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NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR COUNCIL |
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Do you know someone at St. Peter’s whose insight and voice would be a valuable addition to council this coming year? Email Pastor Vanicek recommendations you have for council. Maybe it’s you!
The Nominating Committee will be collecting names from the congregation through December 1.
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Our "Giving Thanks" tree is set up on a bulletin board in the narthex. Grab a leaf from the basket, write what you are thankful for and add it to the tree. As Thanksgiving draws near, let us share all the ways God has walked with us. Grab a leaf on Sunday morning, or come by the church weekdays from 9:00-3:00.
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St. Peter’s Prayer Ministry prays for the church prayer list, and also for additional requests and concerns. Members of the Prayer Ministry Team receive information by email weekly and pray individually. This group does not gather in person at this time. If you have prayer concerns or requests and/or if you feel called to be part of this important ministry, contact Janette Clausen, janetteclausen@aol.com.
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BIBLE STUDIES
BYOBible Study - not meeting.
Deborah Bible Study - not meeting in person, email check in.
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BOOK STUDIES
Book club will be meeting in person at church and via Zoom on the third Monday at 2:30 pm.
Titles to read and discuss include:
November 16 -- The Gown by Jennifer Robson
December -- No Meeting
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Faith is scripture is rarely a noun...but most often a verb...an active and alive thing. Faith is like a muscle, 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 week’s Bible Study, we are exploring the true meaning of the Day of the Lord.
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Study more about what the Day of the Lord is
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The November Living Lutheran Magazine is in! Pick up at church or read online livinglutheran.org
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The November Gather magazine is available for pick up. |
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Don't forget your daily devotionals and dwelling time with God! You can pick up your Oct - Dec daily devotional! |
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This Year the Advent Devotional is THOSE WHO DREAM
from A Sanctified Art.
Please pick up a devotional from the Narthex to read and study at your leisure.
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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
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Message from our Day School-
If you shop on Amazon at all, please consider using smile.amazon.com and choosing St. Peter’s Lutheran School (Marble Falls) as your charity of choice. You do not have to re-select our charity each time you shop, but you do have to go to smile.amazon.com each time (try bookmarking the site). We would appreciate it if you could also share this valuable fundraising opportunity with neighbors, family, and friends (far and wide). It really does add up and so many people use amazon, so why not make it count for our school?
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As many are aware, National, State, and local COVID cases are trending up as we head into the holiday and winter seasons. We are holding at PHASE 2 right now. Please remember to wear a mask in public and when you gather with others, particularly indoors. Let us join together in embodying the parable of the Good Samaritan. Thank you! |
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We are in PHASE 2 of our re-gathering guidelines |
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ST PETER'S RESOURCES
LARGER CHURCH RESOURCES
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