BEACON. the M A Y St. Peter s By-the-Sea Presbyterian Church. Vo l u m e 1 8, I s s u e 5. By Dave Rohde

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M A Y 2 0 1 2 the BEACON St. Peter s By-the-Sea Presbyterian Church Vo l u m e 1 8, I s s u e 5 By Dave Rohde When I preached my first sermon at St. Peter s last year, I focused on our potential.

And the staff and leadership seemed eager to seek out God s purpose for the church. Who wouldn t want to serve here?

desire to grow in faith and understanding of Scripture. What I should have said, but couldn t have yet known, was that St. Peter s is a church of deep faith.

1 M A Y the BEACON St. Peter s By-the-Sea Presbyterian Church Vo l u m e 1 8, I s s u e 5 By Dave Rohde When I preached my first sermon at St. Peter s last year, I focused on our potential. The neighborhood that surrounds the church seemed like a fertile mission field. The campus seemed well on its way to being a pillar in the community. And the staff and leadership seemed eager to seek out God s purpose for the church. Who wouldn t want to serve here? What I didn t see eight months ago, and what is now clear, is the church s strong foundation the traditions that have been built in its short history, the heavy commitment to prayer and the steadfast desire to grow in faith and understanding of Scripture. What I should have said, but couldn t have yet known, was that St. Peter s is a church of deep faith. Our challenge is to be a body with both deep roots and wide reach. More often than not, today s churches in the U.S. are either/or congregations. It s part of the reason congregations are shrinking across the country. Think about it: They are either on the cutting edge or rich with tradition, have services that are either liturgical or contemporary, either attract young or old people, they either focus on discipleship or mission and they either hold tightly to Scripture or interact closely with culture. I m sure you can think of many other qualities to add to this list. We have lost the both/and paradigm that is reflected in Jesus actions and the life of the early church. Jesus spent time with both the religious and those who wouldn t be allowed to set foot in church. He taught in both the synagogues and the fields. Paul wrote that circumcision was both acceptable and unacceptable. The epistles are clear that both faith and works are important for those who are in Christ. My prayer for St. Peter s is that we d learn what it means to be both/and people. As followers of Christ we have daily opportunities to do so. And as a church we are both already here and are still building. As we build, may we grow both as deep and as wide as God s love is for us.

In a series of five intriguing taxi journeys through the streets of London, apologist Joe Boot responds to a number of questions often raised today. Questions like: What about Truth and the Bible?

The five-week class starts Wednesday, May 2 and Sunday, May 6. See Matt Allan for more information and a copy of the handout. There is no cost for the material.

2 [ Experience St. Peters Adult Spiritual Growth Opportunities New Adult Class - With No Apology The Bible tells us in 1Peter 3:15 that we need to be prepared to tell people what we believe and why we believe it. In a series of five intriguing taxi journeys through the streets of London, apologist Joe Boot responds to a number of questions often raised today. Questions like: What about Truth and the Bible? What about Jesus? What about other faiths? What about Creation? What about suffering? Augmenting the With No Apology DVD are clips from Lee Strobel s, The Case for Faith, and R.C. Sproul s Defending the Faith. The five-week class starts Wednesday, May 2 and Sunday, May 6. See Matt Allan for more information and a copy of the handout. There is no cost for the material. Save the Dates: Baja Mission Trip Information Meeting Tues., May 8th, 6:30pm (Family Worship Center) Last day to sign up for trip May 20 Fund raisers: Breakfast Burritos $3 each or 2/$5 Sunday, April 29th Quatro De Mayo Friday, May th, 6:30-8pm Fundraiser Dinner, Silent Auction, Entertainment Tickets $20 ]Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Psalm 86:11 Join Dave and Hailey Rohde as they navigate through a week study. The class will be led mostly by video and includes a large amount of discussion. It is designed for couples of all stages, for those who have just been engaged through fifty year marriage veterans. Every marriage needs work, come and take advantage of this opportunity to talk about some important issues with your spouse/ partner! Meets Sundays from April 29th to May 20th from in room A of the Family Worship Center. Contact Dave for more information. PRESBYTERIAN MEN OF LOS RANCHOS The annual PMLR breakfast will take place at Good Shepherd Presb. Church on Sat., May 12, 8-10am. Guest Speaker is The Rev. David Dolan, former Associate Executive Presbyter of Los Ranchos Presbytery. Men from St. Peter s will carpool from the church. For more info., contact Matt Allan, who will take care of advance reservations and get us preferred seating. Cost $10 donation for the breakfast. If you are interested in more adult education/small group opportunities Dave at drohde@stpetershb.org Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries Bringing the good news to incarcerated youth in Orange County One of our Missions Ministry Partners is coming to St Peter s on Sunday, June 2th. This ministry is looking for volunteers. Opportunities to serve include: Leading small group Bible study; Discipling youth one on one; Worship volunteers who provide music at church services; and MatchPoint mentors who meet with a youth inside a facility and continuing the mentoring relationship when the youth is released back into the community. [ Mission Focus ] A Time For Giving... Para-Chaplain Sheri Snyder Volunteer Orientations will be conducted on the Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on July 9 th or October 15 th. Please RSVP to Para-Chaplain Sheri Snyder at or via at isaiah5812@sbcglobal.net [ Page 2 ] [ May 2012 ]

Jr. High... High School... College... [ Student Ministries ] No youth Sunday May 13 Mother s Day! We incorporate texting as a form of communication.

org and be sure to list your name, phone number, and carrier. (verizon, t-mobile, etc) [ Women s Ministries ] Crafters night out Friday, June 1st (7-9pm) in the Christian Education Building.

It s a great way to get some of your unfinished projects moving along, and also to get new ideas! All are welcome! For more info: Jan Harvey (jharvey@stpeters.org) or Shirlee Wallingford.

We will explore questions such as: As Christian women, how do we learn the themes and stories running like a common thread through our lives?

After exploring these ideas, we hope that you will walk away with a clearer understanding of your story as a Christian woman, and the deeper meaning behind Happily Ever After. Tickets $25.

3 Jr. High... High School... College... [ Student Ministries ] No youth Sunday May 13 Mother s Day! We incorporate texting as a form of communication. This free service will enable us to share instant information with parents, relatives, or guardians. If you would like to sign up for this free service simply ESiggson@ stpetershb.org and be sure to list your name, phone number, and carrier. (verizon, t-mobile, etc) [ Women s Ministries ] Crafters night out Friday, June 1st (7-9pm) in the Christian Education Building. This month we meet at the beginning of June due to the Memorial Day holiday. Bring your project and join us for a time of crafting and fellowship. It s a great way to get some of your unfinished projects moving along, and also to get new ideas! All are welcome! For more info: Jan Harvey (jharvey@stpeters.org) or Shirlee Wallingford. Ladies, please join us at the Women s Spring Tea on Saturday, May 19, 2012 for an interactive experience, focusing on the Once Upon A Time in our own lives. We will explore questions such as: As Christian women, how do we learn the themes and stories running like a common thread through our lives? How do we find comfort in the universality of our personal stories? Which female character in the Bible do you most identify with? After exploring these ideas, we hope that you will walk away with a clearer understanding of your story as a Christian woman, and the deeper meaning behind Happily Ever After. Tickets $25.00 and may be purchased between services on Sunday mornings. He Said to them, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:1 QuickTime and a Photo - JPEG decompressor are needed to see this picture. [ Children Ministries ] Kids Night Out! Be sure to sign up for KNO this month, May 11, 6:009:00. Space is limited, so hurry! Please contact Jan for more information jharvey@stpetershb.org [ May 2012 ] Family Worship Center Noon - 2:30pm Dates: Cost: Ages: Vacation Bible School!! June ( - Noon) $25/child Children entering K - 5th Grade in Fall 2012 Vacation Bible School will be here before we know it! We need many volunteers and helpers and we will be calling YOU! Sign up early to support this Children s Ministry outreach into our community. [ Page 3 ]

4 [ May 2012 ] at a glance... SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Youth Grp. 6:5pm Family Taco Dinner Night (Baja Mission Fundraiser) 6:30-08:30pm Holy Communion Blood Pressure Screening 10:00am Baja Mission Trip Info. Mtg. 6:30pm Deacons Meeting 7pm Property/Fin. 5:30pm Youth Grp. 6:5pm Kids Night Out 6-9pm Presby. Men of Los Ranchos Breakfast 8-10am Mother s Day! Session 7pm Youth Grp. 6:5pm Women s Annual Tea Noon - 2:30pm 26 Youth Grp. 6:5pm Teen Challenge Choir - Both Services (June 1) Memorial Day Church Office Closed Health Ministry 7:30pm Youth Grp. 6:5pm Crafters Nite Out 7pm Sunday Worship Service 9:00/10:5am [ May 2012 ] [ Page ] Youth Sunday School 9:00am Adult Class Children s & Preschool Sunday School 9:00/10:5am Presbyterian Arabic Fellowship 6pm

March operating expense was $51,19, a difference of ($11,801). This means we are like the government, that is running at a deficit.

5 Continuing the Journey... The Property & Finance Committee especially thanks the men and women who participated in the March 31 st workday. Our campus looks wonderful and added to the joy of Palm Sunday and Easter. [ Worship & Music [ Finance Committee] OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSE Ministry & Missions income for March was $39,38. March operating expense was $51,19, a difference of ($11,801). This means we are like the government, that is running at a deficit. Our tithes and offerings for January through March 2012 were $10,500 behind offerings for January through March We need to remain aware of the ongoing needs of running the Church. Notes From the Choir Loft ]He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ... I Peter 1:3 For more information about the Music Ministries at St. Peter s By-the-Sea please contact the church office at or us at info@ stpetershb.org It was an incredible Easter season. We d like to thank you, the congregation, for all the kind words, both spoken and in the notes we ve received about the Maundy Thursday service We Were There. God s presence in the music and readings was evident and we are so pleased to know the service touched your hearts as it did ours. Also, there are some people that need to be acknowledged for going above and beyond to help put together We Were There: Alexis Maron directed the drama and helped bring out the very essence of each character; Donna and Dennis Maron set the stage; Jeff Backman evoked the mood through lighting and as always our wonderful Worship Tech Team of Max Karon and AJ Dickerson for their work with sound and visuals. The miracle of the resurrection doesn t end on Easter morning. Here at St. Peter s By-the-Sea it is lived out through us every day as believers in Christ. Let s keep the miracle alive. the body is a temple... You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20 [ Health Ministries ] FREE HEALTH MATERIALS. Please plan to look over health and safety materials on our Information Table located adjacent to the Blood Pressure Clinic, the 1st Sunday of every month. We strive to offer current materials on a continuing basis for our membership. Spring Cleaning Shoule Include Your Medicine Cabinet... were prescribed. A drug that helps you could be dangerous for someone else. That s a great idea, but it raises a worrisome question: how should one get rid of unused or expired medication? You really don t want your drugs and private health information to fall into the wrong hands (or even paws!) If no specific disposal directions are on the drug label or patient information that comes with it, throw them into your household trash, but only after taking certain precautions: 1. Remove the drug from it s original container and put it into a sealable plastic bag. 2. Destroy and disguise the medication by adding a small amount of water to pills or capsules, and mix with an undesireable substance such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. This will make it less appealing to children and pets and unrecognizable to anyone who may intentially go through your trash. 3. Seal the bag and throw it in the trash.. Before throwing away presription containers, remove the label or black out personal information. 5. Never give presctiption medications to anyone other than the person for whom they These same procedures apply to over-the-counter medications, as well as prescription drugs. SPRING IS HERE! ENJOY! Submitted by Fran Pike, Health Ministry Nurse [ May 2011 ] [ Page 5 ]

6 NON-PROFIT ORG. S t. P e t e r s B y - t h e - S e a B o l s a C h i c a S t. H u n t i n g t o n B e a c h, C A US POSTAGE PAID HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA PERMIT NO. 130 The Beacon Beacon Deadline: 15th of the month. Submit all articles to elders. Elders submit by to info@stpetershb.org. In an emergency, materials may be dictated to the church secretary. 5/1 Carol Clear 5/2 Jim MacBeth 5/ Joan Bennett Carl Stewart Phyllis Standley Nancy Turner 5/5 Barbara Raymond 5/6 Rita Bass Dolores Crooks 5/7 Dennis McNulty Zach Smith 5/8 Tom Cross Marvin Holm Shayna Wilson S t. Peter s By-the-Sea Presbyterian Church Bolsa Chica St. Huntington Beach, CA 9269 Phone FAX Happy Birthday to the Following Members: Fay Wright 5/9 Karen Sheffield David Valazza 5/10 Hailey Rohde Kathy Rizzo 5/13 Ulises Araujo Kristi Hunt 5/15 Maynard Axvig Larry Kasper Christina Twaite Dave Weigel 5/16 Jack Devine Amy Gasso Paul Mangone Sunday Worship Services 9:00 am Traditional/Blended Service Nursery/Childcare available 10:5 am Contemporary Service Nursery/Childcare available 5/17 Sheila Krussman James Townsend 5/18 Karla Alltizer Dave Rohde 5/21 Phyllis Reeser 5/22 Arthur Gomé 5/25 Marie Loo 5/27 Ed Herro 5/28 Kelley Cross Kathy Fuller 5/30 Bonnie Shepstone 5/31 Bob Cogan

IN THIS ISSUE. From the Bridge. Summer by Pastor Chris Grange YOUTH MINISTRY SUMMER CHILDRENÔS MINISTRY SUMMER ADULT BIBLE STUDY COMING IN JULY

IN THIS ISSUE. From the Bridge. Summer by Pastor Chris Grange YOUTH MINISTRY SUMMER CHILDRENÔS MINISTRY SUMMER ADULT BIBLE STUDY COMING IN JULY Summer 2015 IN THIS ISSUE YOUTH MINISTRY SUMMER CHILDRENÔS MINISTRY SUMMER ADULT BIBLE STUDY COMING IN JULY HELLO AUGUST THE FINAL WORD From the Bridge by Pastor Chris Grange This will be my final article