October 2017 Monthly Newsletter Service God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8, 9 Reflections From Pastor Rich Martin Luther Martin Luther did not like the name Lutheran, in fact he is quoted as saying: The first thing I ask is that people should not make use of my name, and should not call themselves Lutherans but Christians. What is Luther? The teaching is not mine. Nor was I crucified for anyone. How did I, poor stinking bag of maggots that I am, come to the point where people call the children of Christ by my evil name? Dear St. Peter Family, This year we celebrate the 500 th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation. Martin Luther, a Catholic Priest by calling and a Doctoral Teacher by trade, was transformed by God. The Holy Spirit welled up in him and reached his heart with a powerful message. It was a call to return to the truth of our faith. He did not desire to leave the Catholic Church but wanted to draw it back to the truth of its calling. He posted his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg as a way to stimulate discussion in and throughout the church as it was. Instead, it was seen as an affront to the order of religious dogma. He stood up and tried to call the church back to the roots of its formation, but the culture of his time would not receive it. The message that began this transformation in Luther s heart came when he read Romans 1:17, This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, It is through faith that a righteous person has life. It was at that point that the Holy Spirit took control of his understanding and his will to faithfully serve the Kingdom of God and his Savior Jesus Christ. Then Ephesians 2:8, further touched his heart, God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. As his epiphany with God 9:30am Traditional Service-S Bible Study Wednesday Bible Study Character (10am-CR) Beth Moore Bible Study (Thursday 10am CR and 6:30pm-CR) Church Staff Senior Pastor Rich Schleier Pastor Andre Miller Office Manager Churie Johnson Bookkeeper Kathy Hopfensperger Custodian Lidell Marshall 1844 E. Dana Ave - Mesa, AZ 85204 - (480) 833-4251 www.stpetermesa.org
October Lectors Jim Jim Fiedler Jan Schleier Alice Podzorski Ryker Acolytes Reflections From Pastor Rich (continued) Page 2 expanded he was further touched by 2 Timothy 3:16, All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right, and Matthew 11:29-30, Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Martin Luther s willingness to be affected by the Word of God coupled with the trust he placed in God s providence and protection lead him to place his very life at risk for the Good News. He stood against the powers in the church and the political powers of his time to bring the Holy Spirit out of the shadows into the brilliant light of day for every Christian who was willing to hear and respond. The Word of God was placed in the hands of everyday people. Faith became a personal journey led by the Holy Spirit and standing on the inspired Word of God. His story reminds me of the journey Christ took as He confronted the religious leaders of His day. Those, as he described them, as people who knew the letter of the law but who had lost the heart of the Law. Unlike Jesus, Martin Luther was a man just like us. He had his challenges and his faults. But what set him apart, was his faithfulness to the calling and revelations God gave him. The Quote by him at the top of this write up provides insight into how he saw himself in the light of God. The title Lutheran was never something he intended to be the description of a church body. Instead what he wanted, was to release people into the freedom that Christ offers His faithful followers. People who could understand that the words Jesus spoke in His hometown synagogue were true of each of his followers; Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free. Luther knew this to be truth for all who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. The Apostle Paul certainly understood it when he penned his second letter to the Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 3:17, For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. As we celebrate 500 years of revelation and what the Reformation means to the Church, we need to keep in mind that the celebration is not about one man, but about a God who, through the ages, keeps calling His children home through the power of the Word and His living presence in all those who hear, repent, and believe. His word tells us that Jesus will come again and all God s people say. Maranatha! Blessings, Pastor Rich The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and Where the Spirit is, there is freedom!
Ushers Communion Marianne Benttine A Message From Ray Page 3 FINNALY It s almost over. That s the summer that I refer to. I understand this was the fifth hottest summer on record. What a wonderful change the last few days have made. Changes this time of the year send a signal that we (at St. Peter) look forward to each year. That being the return of our winter visitors. I think most of us can remember them darn good old days when going to Apache Junction was like entering a juggernaut of crazies since US 60 had not been built. The restaurants everywhere were full almost all the time and the early bird specials were the national outing for everyone over 60. St. Peter, along with most churches, needed a parking lot director to accommodate the steady flow of traffic as the first service let out and the second service was about to get underway. It isn t all that unusual to hear many of the older members say, I remember when we used to fill this church. I, too, remember those days. They are all in the past. What used to be the eastern most Lutheran Church in the valley the church that started 6 or 7 mission churches one of the dominating churches in the valley is no more. St. Peter is now considered an inner city church and some have even pronounced the last rights over our congregation. While St. Peter has gone through some extreme times this year, I think it is important that everyone knows that our pulse still is beating and the lungs are still taking in air and expelling at a normal rate. Our attendance is down and the giving is down, but our spirits are high and the slow process of rebuilding is taking shape. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ST. PETER HAS ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THE CONGERGATION CAN PROVIDE. Your time, talent and volunteer efforts are needed. Your prayers are needed. You have heard this one many times - Your financial support is needed. I have started the 2018 budget process with the council. We will be putting together a budget that reflects (as close as possible) a balanced budget. We have already taken some steps to reduce the outlay of cash where possible. I was totally amazed when I got together with Pastor Rich and Pastor Andre. I pride myself in that I m slightly above an average run of the mill salesperson and was prepared to put the press on both. They beat me to the punch and both volunteered to reduce their pay by 20% for the balance of the 2017 year. The new budget for 2018 may require more, but both have said they will do what it takes. For that, St. Peter is very blessed. I want you all to know that we will do whatever needs to be done to push St. Peter into the future. We now have peace in St. Peter and can unabatedly move things forward. Blessing to all and may The peace of the Lord be with you for the rest of your life and one day more. In service to Christ Ray Housh
GAME NIGHT PART 2 Come One, Come All! The second (sort of) annual game night is scheduled! I know that you are so very excited! We had so much fun last year, so we decided to do it again! Mark your calendars for Friday night, October 20 th, 2017. We will be meeting in the Kvamme Room at 7:00pm. Please bring a game that you like from home and we will all share in playing them. AND HERE S THE EVEN BETTER NEWS! This event is also a SNACK POT-LUCK! Please bring a snack to share with your fellow gamers! Please sign up on the sheets, either in the Great Hall or on the Information Desk in the Narthex. DON T MISS ALL THE FUN! 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 Jan Schleier STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSES: September 2017 Current YTD Income 12,745 142,542 Expenses 12,977 160,775 Total -232-18,233 DEDICATED GIFTS Current YTD Income 230 24,905 Expenses 1,180 34,146 Total -950-9,241 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. Property Chair Rodrick Mitchell Chair Jim and Jan Partners in Ministries Prayer Chain Chair Office St. Peter Women President Waneta Housh Altar Guild Chair Kathy Hopfensperger
Announcements Page 5 168 October Events Oct 2nd & 16th: Sisterhood of St. Peter (7pm-IHOP: Val Vista & Baseline) Oct 3rd: Women s Board Meeting (9:30am- GH) Oct 10th: Ruth Circle (8:30am-Broken Yolk Café) Oct 10th: Martha Circle (9:30am-GH) Oct 17th: Women of St Peter General Meeting (11:30am-GH) Oct 21st: Dining Out (6pm-Midwest Meats- 4308 E Main Street Mesa, AZ 85205) Oct 24 th & 31st: Quilting Day (9am- GH) DINING OUT When: October 21st/6pm Where: Midwest Meats 4308 E Main Street Mesa, AZ 85205 Contact Ray or Waneta Housh at (480)839-2852 to RSVP. Birthdays Raymond Housh 10/7 Marianne Benttine 10/8 Lois Olson 10/8 Jan Schleier 10/8 Bev Miers 10/10 Darryl Poturalski 10/26 Jeanne Kennedy 10/30 Birthdays & Anniversaries Anniversaries No October Anniversaries. BETH MOORE BIBLE STUDY To Live Is Christ-The Life and Ministry of Paul 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. Did you know that you can pay your tithes and offerings on-line? You can go to www.stpetermesa.org and select Giving from the menu bar.