St. Peter Lutheran Church September 2017 Monthly Newsletter

Transcription

1 September 2017 Monthly Newsletter Service Reflections From Pastor Rich Martin Luther No one can believe how powerful prayer is and what it can affect, except those who have learned it by experience. Whenever I have prayed earnestly, I have been heard and have obtained more than I prayed for. God sometimes delays, but He always comes. Dear St. Peter Family, Jesus replied, All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. John 14:23 This summer has been a time of adjustment for our church. It has been a time of reflection and a new atmosphere of peace and anticipation has come. As I have shared with you before, St. Peter is a Resurrection Church. A number of people have commented how the atmosphere in worship and around the church has been warm and comfortable. It appears we have begun anticipating the blessings that are coming. Our focus is on the future and the great things God has in store for St. Peter. I have been praying that God would bring some families into our congregation who had small children and were looking for a family of faith. One of our breakthrough moments happened during August. We suddenly needed to offer a Children s Sermon during our worship time. I am excited to say that during August, we have had as many as 11 children up front with me as we ve talked about Jesus and His love. What a joy to hear the noise and activity that children bring to worship! This is just the beginning of what God has in store for His faithful people at St. Peter. 9:30am Traditional Service-S Bible Study Wednesday Bible Study Character (10am-CR) *Starts September 20th Beth Moore Bible Study (Thursday 10am CR and 6:30pm-CR) *Starts September 7th Church Staff Senior Pastor Rich Schleier Pastor Andre Miller Office Manager Churie Johnson Bookkeeper Kathy Hopfensperger Custodian Rick Kowalski 1844 E. Dana Ave - Mesa, AZ (480)

2 September Lectors Marcy Perry Judy Stout Judy Stout Reflections From Pastor Rich (continued) Pastor Andre also brings an abundance of joy to St. Peter as he serves our church family. His congregation, New Beginnings, is continuing to grow and bring a vital ministry of the Word and service to our church campus. I am so blessed to have such a talented and committed brother in Christ serving beside me. I can also see his love bearing fruit in our congregation. I wanted to extend my personal gratitude for what he has done so far for our ministry and look forward to the years ahead as we worship and serve the Kingdom in unity fulfilling the hope Jesus expressed in John 17: As we head into the fall and begin the walk toward the celebration of Christ s Birth, let the Joy of the Lord explode from you and drench our world with the saving grace of our Savior. Maranatha! Blessings, Pastor Rich Page 2 Acolytes The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and Where the Spirit is, there is freedom!

3 A Message From Ray Page 3 Ushers Jim & Jan James McManis Jim & Jan James McManis Communion A special thank you to Darryl Potrualski for setting us up with a Labor Day golf outing at Kokopelli this year. While the numbers were down, the fun and fellowship was still abundant. We got started at 7 am so we beat the heat. Looking forward to next year also. As the fall months are fast approaching, we do look forward to the return of our important winter visitors. We hope everyone had a very enjoyable summer and that God has recharged our systems with renewable energy and a viable outlook for the future. A very special thank you to Rick Kowalski for his faithful service to God and St. Peter. Rick has tendered his resignation and will be leaving as custodian around the end of September. When you get the opportunity, please tell him how much his service has met to everyone at St. Peter. We have mailed out letters to different Lutheran congregations in the upper Midwest and the Northwest. These letters were designed to invite anyone coming to the Phoenix/Mesa, or surrounding areas, to come and join us at St. Peter as we all rejoice in the blessings that we have enjoyed. Looking ahead to a bright future for all. In service to Christ: Ray Housh

4 Note from the Women s Combined Circles PASTOR EAVES RECIPE FOR A HAPPY CHURCH 4 cups of Love 2 cups of Friendship 3 cups of Forgiveness 5 spoons of Hope 2 cups of Loyalty 2 spoons of Tenderness 1 cup of Commitment 1 barrel of Laughter 4 quarts of Faith 1 truckload of Grace Take Love and Loyalty, mix it thoroughly with Faith and Commitment. Blend it with Tenderness, Kindness and Understanding. Add Friendship and Hope, sprinkle abundantly with Laughter. Bake it with Sunshine and serve daily with generous helpings. Page 4 Congregational Leadership Council President Ray Housh Council Vice President Marcy Perry Council Secretary Lois Kimbrell Council Treasurer Debbie Lawrence Education/Youth & Family Ministries Jean Kennedy Finance & Stewardship Jim Fiedler Outreach, Fellowship, & Christian Service Property Chair Rodrick Mitchell STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSES: August 2017 Current YTD Income 13, ,797 Expenses 18, ,798 Total -5,326-18,001 DEDICATED GIFTS Current YTD Income ,129 Expenses 1,621 32,966 Total -1,402-8,837 Luke 6:38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Chair Jim and Jan Partners in Ministries Prayer Chain Chair Office St. Peter Women President Waneta Housh Altar Guild Chair Kathy Hopfensperger

5 Announcements Page September Events September 4th: Sisterhood of St. Peter (7pm-IHOP: Val Vista & Baseline) September 11th: Committee (6pm-CR) Finance Committee Property Committee September 12th: Women s Combined Circle (9:30am-GH) Church Council September 16th: Dining Out (9am-Golden Coral, 1868 Power Road Mesa AZ 85205) September 18th: Sisterhood of St. Peter (7pm-IHOP: Val Vista & Baseline) DINING OUT When: September 16th/9am Where: Golden Coral 1868 N Power Road (McKellips & Power Rd) Mesa, AZ Contact Karen Goss at (480) to RSVP. Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthdays Anniversaries Randy Perry 9/7 Bernard & Judy Stout 9/15 Gavin 9/15 Donald Benttine 9/23 Barbara Rackley 9/26 Gloria Ballou 9/27 BETH MOORE BIBLE STUDY To Live Is Christ-The Life and Ministry of Paul On September 7, 2017, you are invited to join us and Beth on a journey into the life and heart of Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, who served faithfully and loved heartily. We will discover him to be a man who formed many close friendships with both men and women. Once again, we will have two times available each Thursday to participate in the study. The same lesson will be shown at each time. The morning session will begin at 10am and the evening session will begin at 6:30pm. The workbooks will be available at Lifeway Christian Bookstore located at Stapley and Baseline in Mesa. Also, there will be goodies available. New on Facebook.. Patio Pastor Did you know that you can pay your tithes and offerings on-line? You can go to and select Giving from the menu bar.