ST PETER'S NEWS
July 23, 2020
A WORD FROM PASTOR VANICEK
Greetings everyone!

Thursday morning I was the driver for my mom, who had her second planned cataract surgery. I am amazed at how it took less time to do the surgery than to do all the paperwork and pre-op. In 30 minutes, a cloudy lens was removed and a new one was installed in her eye...a repeat of what they did for her other eye back in May. After that first procedure she remarked at the colors, how things were brighter and more vivid. A cataract surgery can enable you to see the world in a whole new way.

2020 has been a bit of a blur for me...kinda like a cloudy lens. So much has happened... from COVID19, to protests and rallies, to online school and worship, to dining and grocery shopping with masks on. The coming fall looks to be filled with more of the same. It would be natural to simply get frustrated, angry, and say “enough!”

Yet, you and I are called into a unique vocation as Christians. Yes...we can feel the range of emotion, but at the core of our calling is to see and respond to the world through a particular lens...a cross-shaped lens. This is the lens by which God sees us! This is the lens by which we can see how much God loves us...how much God loves ALL! It is through this lens that we see Christ in our neighbor and God at work all around us bringing hope and new life.

What about this Fall looks cloudy to you?
What lenses are you using see and make sense of the world?

As important as it is to watch the daily newsfeed, let us not forget to get an equal or larger dose of God’s good-news-feed! When overwhelmed a couple weeks ago, I found Psalm 77. Wow. When I worry about this Fall, I read out loud Jesus’ reflection on the lilies and the bird (Matthew 6). When I wonder what in the world is going on...I meet Jesus at night alongside Nicodemus (John 3). My soul and life are fed. My hope is restored. I see my family, my neighbor, and our world in a whole new way...like I have been through some holy cataract surgery. May the lens of Christ transform how you see and live in the world this weekend and in the season to come.

Speaking of seasons...the Fall is right around the corner. Congregational life will look a little different. Expect a survey early next week with some specific questions to help flesh out ideas that committees and staff are working on to adapt things for the fall. For example, we are looking at having a Favorite Hymn Sunday where you can vote via text DURING live-stream worship to pick the next hymn. Let the Spirit speak! I am working on details to start offering communion in the near future...the best way to open the table safely to all is to offer various options. Rally Day is looking to have a drive-through event...to get backpacks blessed, drive through a hose shower to remember your baptism, and more fun and memorable ways to mark the start of the school year! The Spirit is infinitely creative...so let us be open to joining into God’s life-giving creativity in new ways this Fall...and forever be transformed in how we see and live in the world!
Peace,
Pastor Vanicek
NEED A LUTHERAN MASK?
We still have some home-made masks in the bin by the Portico entrance. Yet, if you would like to do something a bit BOLDER, check out the options at OLDLUTHERAN.COM.
RE-GATHERING STATUS
We are in PHASE 1.
Case trends are not yet in a 2-week declining trend in Burnet & surrounding counties.
WORSHIP UPDATE
Join our live-stream worship this Sunday at 9AM!

To watch the live-stream worship, you can:
  • click the video link in the Saturday worship email.
  • go to our YouTube channel and click the video.
  • watch from our St. Peter's page on Facebook.

REMEMBER: If you subscribe to our YouTube Channel or Facebook page , your mobile device will be notified when we go live.
MINISTRY MOMENT
Covid$19 Summer Challenge

COVID-19 has challenged everyone in so many ways. For the hungry, the need is great, and you can help raise funds for the Helping Center of Marble Falls!

Purchase a chance to win one of the following prizes: ​
        $500 Apple gift card
        One of two $125 Backbone Valley Nursery gift certificates (donated by St. Peter's and Thrivent)​
        Assorted Grass Fed Beef in a Cooler (donated by Rancho de Reyes)
A single chance is only $19.00! Buy in bundles for more chances to win!

Go to https://www.helpingcenter.org/covid19-summer-challenge/ for details and to make a purchase.

No masks, social distancing, or hand washing required, but hurry! The offer ends August 19, 2020. The random drawing will be held September 1, 2020.  All proceeds benefit the Helping Center of Marble Falls. Let us join Christ working in our community to feed all who hunger.
ST. PETER’S BLESSINGS CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
ST. PETER’S BLESSINGS IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!

St. Peter’s Blessings, an outreach program to provide food to needy Marble Falls ISD students on weekends, is in need of volunteers. 

We are looking for 3 board members to help us in this ministry. Board members serve a term of 3 years and we meet about 3 times a year for about an hour as a board. The rest of the ministry is spent gathering food and packaging the food for students. Last year we served 155 students each week of the school year.

We will also need volunteers once deliveries begin again to help package the food and make deliveries to each of the schools once a week. So, if you are unsure of becoming a board member try volunteering a couple of times a year to see if this is a ministry you would like to become more involved in.

If you have any questions or have an interest in becoming involved please feel free to reach out to:
Dennis Reed at (830) 798-5942 or dwreedent@gmail.com
Or
Cal Clausen at (432) 352-1383 or calvinclausen@yahoo.com

Please reply to Dennis or Cal with your interest in serving as a board member or volunteer by August 6th.  
Thank you!
MINISTRY UPDATE
BIBLE STUDIES
BYOBible Study - not meeting. Contact Dusty Knight

Deborah Bible Study - not meeting in person, email check in. Contact Pam Wettstein

Agape Bible Study - not meeting. Contact Belva Latshaw

Bible in a year - finishing up with a final in person meeting when we are able to meet. Contact Craig Orton
BOOK STUDIES
Book Club - meeting each month via Zoom on the third Monday at 2:30 pm. Will be Discussing News of the World by Paulette Jiles. Contact Betty Matejosky for more information.
BIBLE STUDY AT HOME
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.

This week we talk about how we view Heaven and Earth. When we think of Heaven we usually separate it from Earth, but Jesus brought the two together. This week's Bible Study is a look at the Heaven and earth and how they are not two wholes but rather two parts of a whole.
Want to study the renewal of Earth in God's image.
DEVOTIONS AND MAGAZINES IN THE PORTICO BIN
CHRIST IN OUR HOME
WORSHIP & PRAYER RESOURCES
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.
GRATITUDE AND CONGREGATIONAL NOTES
Please send Tristan any notes that you would like to share with the congregation. Thank you. tristan@splcmf.org
OTHER RESOURCES