A Letter from Pastor Richard Strick
Glorify, Build,
REACH
The purpose of St. Peter’s First Community Church is to glorify God, build up the body of Christ, and reach out to those in our community and world to help them become
followers of Christ.
Eva
nge
l
AUGUST
2016
Jenna and I were on the front porch the other night when a couple of
neighbors stopped by. They lived on William Street and were serving on their
mission with the Mormon Church. Many
of you are probably familiar with the two year mission Mormon youths serve, but
you probably didn’t realize that a house in
Drover Town serves as home base for many of the missionaries that pass
through Huntington. They had just received word that they were being
transferred to Ohio the next morning but
wondered if they could tour inside our church. As we were talking further in the
sanctuary, they shared that they had heard so many wonderful things about our
church from folks in the neighborhood
and they had wanted to stop by and check it out for themselves. It reminds me of the
way Eugene Peterson translates John 1:14
in the Message Bible translation:
“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the
glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous
inside and out, true from start to finish.”
In theological circles, this verse
is the foundation for what we call the Incarnation - that the Triune God took on
flesh and blood in Jesus and experienced the fullness of humanity while revealing
the face of God to creation. In ministry circles, this verse and the doctrine of the
incarnation form the basis for what is known as “incarnational ministry.” Put
shortly, incarnational ministry is moving
into a local community or neighborhood and living a life that reflects the missional
heart of Christ through loving service,
promoting justice, practicing reconciliation, and inviting others to
follow Christ in the same way. It can be reflected in the simple question, “Would
the neighborhood miss your church or
your family if you were gone tomorrow?” If the answer is no, you haven’t been
living in the fabric of the neighborhood. If the answer is yes, you’ve been imitating
the incarnation and acting as a signpost
pointing others toward the God who created all things and has acted in history
to redeem all things through Christ’s
death on the cross and resurrection.
Incarnational ministry is the reason Jenna and I have been so active in
the Drover Town Neighborhood Alliance and it’s the reason why SPFCC chose to
take the idea of an ice cream social and
expand it outward into a neighborhood block party several years ago. This year it
has morphed into slow-cooking 60 racks of ribs and enjoying some music together
on August 7th from 4 -7 pm. I hope you’ll
make time to join our church family in the neighborhood as we enjoy some good
food and make some new friends.
All of this may sound overwhelming or like something for
others, but Jesus invites and commands
all of his followers to join in this work. To help you start thinking through how God
might want to be using you and your family in your neighborhood and in the
ministry of St. Peter’s First, I’m happy to
introduce you to a simple but profound 12 minute teaching from Alan Hirsch
through RightNow Media, a “Netflix for
churches,” that SPFCC is subscribing to for a one year trial to help train and equip
all of us to live out the Gospel call on each of our lives. You can access that
teaching on your own computer from the
privacy of your own home by going to https://www.rightnow.org/Training/Post/
View/137326 and using
[email protected] for your login with the temporary password media123.
For the next year, you and your family will be able to access over 14,000 videos
just like this one to help you grow in your
walk with Christ, so be on the lookout for
our kick-off coming soon.
August 7 August 14 August 21 August 28
Snacks Children's Ministry
Kick-off—Children's Team
Malones
Reader Sally Morrison Shari Brinneman Jay Rinehart Sandy Hacker
Acolyte Jana Krueger Gabe Baumgardner Megan Engle Dana Meyer
Ring Bell Baumgardner kids Jennifer Braun Meyer kids Rick Chesterman
Sound System Phil Engle Mike Lyons Drew Morrison David Morrison
Video Tech Ryan Lemon Sandy Hacker Barb Baker Phil Engle
Songleaders Ann Ambler, Lisa Harter,
Jim Hildebrand David Morrison, Bonnie
Hosler, Becky Lyons Something Biblical
Barb Derr, Adrian Halverstadt, David
Morrison
Open/Close Duty David Morrison Tom Jennings Tom Hosler Mike Lyons
Announcements David Morrison Ann Ambler Adrian Halverstadt Brian Royer
Nursery Helper Robin Baker and Brandy
Kalhoefer Sandy Stephan and
Kasey Davis Dianna Whitesell and
Dawn Williams
Little Discoverers Teacher/Helper
Barb Derr Children’s Kick-off
Young Explorers Teacher/Helper
Lauren Baker Children’s Kick-off
Kids Ignite Teacher/Helper
Jenna Strick and Lisa Harter
Children’s Kick-off
Greeter-Wm St Sandy and Kevin
Shoemaker Shari Brinneman Mike Ward Jennifer Braun
Ushers & Greeters - West
Theda and Vern Neel Karen and Jay Rinehart Meyer Family Robin and Scott Baker
Usher & Greeters - East
Claudia Wilson Claudia Wilson Claudia Wilson Claudia Wilson
Usher - Center Gary Yeiter and Tom
Jennings Rick Chesterman and
Rick Baker Tracy Blocker and
Terry Rodgers Adam Myers and
Phil Engle
If you are unable to volunteer as scheduled, please find a replacement and notify
Megan in the church office of the change as soon as possible.
Volunteers are needed to provide snacks during fellowship time in the next couple months. Available dates are
August 7, August 21, September 4 and all dates following. If you are interested in serving in this way, please sign up
on the clipboard on the bulletin board outside the office. If you would like to purchase snacks, but do not want to be
the snack host or vice versa, please see Barb Derr.
ANNOUNCEMENTS SPF Community Connection: A group from SPFCC will be attending
a Fort Wayne TinCaps game on Friday, August 19th at 7:05 pm!
Purchase your own lawn seat tickets and meet us at Parkview Field. Stick
around for the post-game fireworks, too!
SPF Community Connection: Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 pm - God
Speed (continuing through October): St. Peter’s First has launched its
first annual community of walkers which will continue meeting on Thursday evenings
throughout the remainder of the summer/fall months. God
Speed will meet at SPFCC weekly rain or shine. You and your
family are invited to join the group, and you are encouraged to
invite friends, as well. God Speed will wrap-up the season in
October with a walk through the Labyrinth at Victory Noll.
See you next Thursday!
Join us for the third annual YMCA-Drover Town 5K on September 10th! Pick up
your registration form for the YMCA-Drover Town 5K in the William Street foyer or
register online at https://goo.gl/UIoq20. Registration is only $15 through August 26th!
After August 26th, the fee is $20. Those registered by August 26th are also guaranteed a
race t-shirt. Join us on September 10th for this fun event to benefit the YMCA and
SPFCC and to showcase the beautiful Drover Town neighborhood!
Volunteers are needed to help with Pathfinder Drover Town surveys! You can meet
neighbors by sharing a brief survey in the neighborhood or you can help by entering the
data once information is collected. We will meet in the SPFCC parking lot on Friday,
August 5 from 1-3 pm. If you are able to help with this project, please contact our very
own Kasey Davis ([email protected] or 260-519-0937) or Megan Engle in
the church office.
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, November 12th, St. Peter's First Community Church will
once again be hosting the city-renowned Autumn Steak Supper from 4:30-7 p.m. in
Fellowship Hall. Stay tuned for more details soon!
SPFCC women, mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 6th, when our Circle of
Faith group kicks off another amazing year. We will meet at 6:30 pm for a pitch-in meal
at the rural home of Ann Ambler. Table service, meat, and drinks will be provided. Please
bring a side dish to share. Come join the fun and help plan our
2016-17 season!
SPFCC Is Partnering with RightNow Media for a one-year
trial to give all of our church family access to an exciting new
video library called RightNow Media. It's essentially the "Netflix
of Bible Studies" because you will have instant access to thousands
of great videos for kids, youth, parents, married couples and more.
You’ll be able to view these videos from your phone, tablet or
computer on your own or in a group setting through a TV or
projector. There are over 14,000 videos from some great teachers. Be looking for
an official "invitation email" soon to give you FREE access to this library. If you would
like to opt out of receiving these emails regarding RightNow Media, please let us know.
We want every family to use RightNow Media, and we appreciate hearing any feedback
you have regarding your use of the site.
A new and returning members class will be offered this fall. Please contact the church
office to indicate your interest.
The Drover Town Block Party will be held on August 7th from 4-7 pm. The Block
party will be held at SPFCC. The Drover Town Neighborhood Alliance is organizing the
Block Party this year, and SPFCC is partnering with this group. The Block Party will be
different this year than it has been in the past, but will be just as exciting! One new
feature will be grilling ribs as part of a Drover Town project.
Birthdays
08/01, Zachary Vanlandingham
08/04, Megan Barker
08/05, Don Sult
08/08, Mike Krieg
08/09, Jessica Baker
08/12, Rick Baker
JJ Johnson
Ruby Kramer
08/14, Kayla Meyer
08/16, Monet Kelsey
Barbara Seemeyer
08/18, Scott Baker
08/20, Jana Krueger
08/24, Herbert Oden
Frances Shuff
08/31, Jeff Barnes
Anniversaries
08/03, Melvin and Margie Cox
08/04, Justin and Megan Barker
08/05, John and Susan Meyer
Ronald and Barbara Reed
08/09, Aaron and Jessica Baker
08/10, Gary and Joy Newton
08/14, Tom and Susan Smith
08/16, Scott and Robin Baker
08/20, Rick and Barb Baker
Joan and Jerry Benson
08/22, Rick and Karen
Chesterman
Mike and Sandy Hacker
08/24, Tom and Linda Jennings
08/30, Jim and Ann Ambler
Dan and Linda Stephan
08/31, Kennith and Diane Hill
Congratulations to the recently wed couple,
Matt and Kristin (Flint) Harter,
married on June 11, 2016!
Isaiah 40:31
Youth Update
*The youth have been enjoying our summer gatherings.
We’ve tried some new things (spending an afternoon doing
crafts together and cooking brunch), enjoyed some favorites,
(swimming
and games)
and
celebrated
many more
great ways to
connect and
grow this
summer.
*The youth group fall calendar will be coming soon.
Check out all that will be happening for middle and high
school students this fall!
*Operation Backyard Beta: Sunday, August 7 from
10:30 am – 5:00 pm. Middle and high school students from
Huntington will come together for the day to live, learn,
serve, and have fun together. If interested, please see Megan
or pick up a registration form in the William St. foyer.
Celebration Moment: Some of the youth group girls
gathered to tie-dye last month. It was definitely a highlight
for them!
They enjoyed
putting their
creative minds
to work trying
out different
designs and
color
combinations. a_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Homework Help Update *The upcoming school year is right around the corner which
means Homework Help will be kicking off very soon! We
are looking for volunteers who would be willing to invest
around an hour a week with the students. If you plan to help
again this year or would like to start helping, please let
Megan know.
*Back to School Snacks. The Homework Help program
will be kicking off later this month and we’d like to get our
pantry ready! During the month of August we will be
collecting snacks and drinks. Each day the students receive
a snack and drink to stimulate their minds and bodies for
their studies! If you would like to help us stock our pantry,
please drop off items between August 1-August 28.
Drink Ideas: Juice boxes, Kool-aid jammers, Hi-C,
or any other small individual bottles.
Snack Ideas: Individually packaged items: chips,
Pringles, cookies, crackers, granola bars, fruit
snacks, etc.
Celebration Moment: It has been great to connect with a few
students who attend Homework Help who also attend youth
group. I’ve enjoyed continuing to interact with them and
their families over the summer.
Children’s Update
*Kids’
Summer Fun
has been a
blast! The kids
have enjoyed
being a chef,
learning more
about Jesus
through a fun
movie, gearing
up for the
Olympics with a night full of games, and searching for
treasure. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered,
and helped with these events.
*Back to School Drive. Our children’s ministry is
collecting supplies for the new school year. Cards with
needed items will be on the bulletin board across from the
children’s classrooms beginning July 31st. Grab a card or
two and pick up a few items while you are out shopping!
Return items by Sunday, August 21st. Thank you for your
continued support of our children’s ministry!
*Mark your calendar for our Children’s Kickoff on Sunday,
August 14th. Join us as we recognize and celebrate a new
year in our children’s ministry. Children who will be
transitioning to a new class will do so on August 14th. Our
children’s classes are:
Nursery (Infant – age 2)
Little Discoverers (Preschool: ages 3-5)
Young Explorers (K-2nd grade)
Kids Ignite (3rd-5th grade)
*Do you like spending time with kids? Do you enjoy
smiling, laughing, and learning new things? If you said yes,
then volunteering in our children’s ministry on Sunday
mornings may be a good fit for you! We are so thankful for
the time, energy, and prayers our volunteers invest in the
kids. We are looking for more fun loving individuals who
want to share Christ’s love with the kids. If that’s you,
please contact Megan Condry for more information.
Celebration Moment: The kids’ excitement about Kids’
Summer Fun has definitely been contagious! It’s been great
to hear the kids talking about the events and asking if we can
do it again! What a celebration to see kids telling their
friends about Jesus and inviting them to our Kids’ Summer
Fun gatherings.
Please continue to pray for all the children & youth involved in these activities.
Pray for the volunteers who interact with them each week.
Turning the page, change, and freedom
Several years ago I fell in love with this journal at Barnes
and Noble. It was a “real” journal. It was larger in size, had
beautiful light red covers, unique texturing, thick lined
paper, and an elastic band that went around the middle.
I eyed it every time I went into the store thinking how
wonderful it would be to have that journal. Oh the deep
thoughts, prayers, and stories it would hold. It would really
take me into adulthood since it was such an elegant journal.
I finally got that journal and remember writing on that
first page. All the life that would be lived in those pages.
I carried it around and wrote about life in that journal for
years. A few months ago I realized that my love for the
journal was gone and it felt like those last pages kept
multiplying. It felt as though I would never reach the end.
I was ready for a change.
As I looked back through that not so perfect red journal
with the pages curled up and several marks on the covers, I
realized how much life had been lived between those pages.
I am so thankful that our God is a God of love, grace, hope,
life, and transformation. I’m glad that God doesn’t see me
as I am, put me in a box, and leave me alone, saying I’ll
never change. We serve a God who longs to see us
constantly being changed and transformed into His likeness.
He loves our curled up pages, tear smudged words, and less
than perfect exterior. He loves taking this journey with us.
In looking back through that journal there were many
beautiful and painful moments. There were times of joy and
times of loss. The thing that resoundingly came through
those pages was the hope we have in Christ, that I am not
finished, and that I am growing and changing.
Sometimes we just need a change. It can be as simple as
starting a new journal or it could be as big as moving to a
new city. It’s removing something for a season in the
practice of fasting. It can be changing our surroundings or
simply moving to a different seat to shift our perspective.
We all need those reminders that we are not just stagnant
beings but rather are always changing and growing. Often
for me it’s the smallest things; sitting in a different chair,
listening to music, or starting a new book. I need tangible
reminders of the internal changes going on inside me.
Other times I need to make changes in my habits and
disciplines to create more or new space for the work God is
doing. As I changed to a new journal, I also brought out a
transforming book I had read a few years ago. I changed my
routine and created more space to be with God. Through
words in various places recently, I have heard again that I am
free!
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm,
then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke
of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Freedom in Christ is a beautiful and hard thing. It’s
always there for us but we have to choose to live in it, to
receive it, and to grow. This freedom looks different for
each of us in the different seasons we find ourselves in. It’s
the freedom to give something up for something even better.
It’s the freedom to not worry about pleasing people but
seeking to please Christ through our lives. It’s choosing to
see people and situations through the eyes of Christ.
Freedom allows us to say that might have been who I once
was or how I once handled this, but I am not defined by that
but rather am redeemed through Christ. There are so many
examples of what this freedom in Christ looks like. It gives
new life and meaning to these beautiful words from John
10:10, “I have come that you may have life and have it to the
full.”
“God’s love for us isn’t threatened by our broken pieces.
We are each a work in progress, and he’s the one completing
the work, with all kinds of love and patience” (Savor, pg
219). You are a beautiful work in progress. God loves you
deeply and longs for you to experience true freedom found in
Him. What needs to shift or change in your life to
experience this freedom? Where is God asking you to give
something up to experience something even greater? What
would transformation look like in your life? Take some time
and talk to God about these things. He loves to hear from us.
Set aside some time today to look back at what God has
changed in your life and thank Him for His grace. Ask Him
what He is longing to grow, change, and transform in your
life now.
“But grace is an even better gift, because it allows me to
do more than just erase; it allows me to become more than I
was when I did those things” (Bittersweet, pg 83).
Christ sets us free.
Let’s live in that freedom.
A Letter from Megan Condry
HKC Update
*The kids from HKC will be gathering a few times later in August before we kickoff the new year in September!
Celebration Moment: It was a joy to have some relational time at an earlier gathering this summer. The kids enjoy these
opportunities to share with our caring adult volunteers.
SPFCC August Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 6 pm Something Biblical
2
SeniorPak Prep
6:30 pm
Community
Prayer Service -
New Hope
3
7 pm Youth
Group
4 6:30 pm God Speed
5
6
7 9:30 am Worship Operation Backyard Beta 4-7 pm Drover Town Block Party
8
9
6:30 pm Women’s Team Meeting 7:15 pm Steak Supper Meeting
10 7 pm Youth Group
11
6:30 pm God Speed
12
13
14
8:30 am Fellowship Team meeting 9:30 am Worship Children’s Ministry Kickoff
15
9:30-11:30 am Cooking with Love 6 pm Something Biblical
16 SeniorPak Prep 9 am-4 pm Active Living Workshop 6:30 pm Council
17 7 pm Youth Group
18
6:30 pm God Speed HH
19 7 pm Fort Wayne TinCaps game
20
21
8:30 am Children’s Team Meeting 9:30 am Worship
22
5:30 pm Worship Team Meeting 6:30-8:30 pm HKC Fun Night
23 HH
24 7 pm Youth Group
25 6:30 pm God Speed HH
26
27
28
9:30 am Worship
29 6:30-8:30 pm HKC Fun Night HH
30 SeniorPak Prep 6:30 pm Property Team Meeting HH
31 7 pm Youth Group HH
*HH denotes Homework Help program, which runs from 3 - 5:30 p.m.
A Note From the Ministry Coordinator:
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children
are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4
Eloise has recently begun repeating almost
anything we say. She seems to add a new word to her
audible vocabulary each day! Although it is often
difficult to understand the words she says, we know
she is working hard to say many different words and
to make her words sound like ours. A couple weeks
ago on our drive into town in the morning, I finished
praying and said, “Amen,” and, for the first time, she
repeated “Amen” after me. This is an extremely
exciting moment in the life of a parent! My baby girl
is in the beginning stages of learning to pray, and I’m
so very thankful that God has continued to challenge
me to pray out loud with her each day, even on the
days when I don’t feel like it or on the days I feel like
it’s not doing any good. Since that initial “Amen,”
Eloise has
continued to
say “Amen”
with us at the
end of our
prayers, and I
cherish each
“Amen” I hear
from her.
These moments have helped me reflect in deeper
ways on my own spiritual life. There are so many
things I want to teach Eloise. I want to teach her to
learn to enjoy being active, to learn to explore and be
creative, to learn the joy that comes from serving
others, to learn to love Colts football, and so many
more important lessons, but the most important thing I
want to teach her is to know God and to know how
much God loves her. Although I am so very grateful
that Eloise is learning to pray, I wonder what more I
can do to encourage her to know Jesus as her friend,
but also as her Savior. Does she see me reading my
Bible? Does she hear me telling her the story of God’s
great love and sacrifice? Does she see me living out
the lessons of humility, service, love, and grace, even
in the difficult times?
Through Eloise’s continued vocabulary
expansion, I am also reminded that our words need
not make sense in order for God to desire to hear
them. I encourage Eloise to keep talking, even when I
don’t understand what she is saying. I know she is
strengthening her verbal skills and needs to keep
practicing them in order for things to become clearer.
Isn’t this also true of our words to God? He doesn’t
need us to make sense of it all before coming to Him.
If He did, He would never hear from any of us! God
encourages us to talk to Him, and He gladly listens,
even when we don’t feel like our words make sense,
even when we can’t pray as eloquently as those we’ve
heard before. “If we don’t know how or what to pray,
it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us,
making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching
groans,” (Romans 8:26). And, often, as we continue
talking to God…and listening to Him, things become
clearer to us, as well.
What are you teaching the next generation? Are
you modeling Biblical principles of humility, service,
love, and grace? Are you teaching them to pray boldly
and without fear, no matter the eloquence of their
words?
Maybe an even better question is, “What are you
learning from the next generation?” I’m amazed at
how much I learn from Eloise when I humble myself
enough to realize a sixteen-month-old may very well
be able to teach me more than I can teach her. I
encourage you to allow God to speak to you in a
variety of ways, to learn from Him every opportunity
you get, and to share what you’re learning with
others, so that we may walk together in God’s truth as
we all join in a beautiful, “Amen!” ~Megan Engle
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Please continue to pray for:
The family of Helene Stahl with sympathy after her recent passing.
All those facing financial, emotional, spiritual, and health stresses.
Eva
ng
el
ST. PETER’S FIRST COMMUNITY CHURCH 206 ETNA AVENUE HUNTINGTON, IN 46750
Worship 9:30 am Conversation and Refreshments
10:45am
Glorify, Build,
REACH
The purpose of St. Peter’s First Community Church is to glorify God, build up the body of
Christ, and reach out to those in our community and world to help them become followers of
Christ.
ST. PETER’S FIRST COMMUNITY CHURCH
phone: 260.356.7728
fax: 260.356.7514
email: [email protected]
web: www.spfcc.org
https://www.facebook.com/StPetersFirstCommunityChurch
Megan Engle, Ministry Coordinator
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8 am-4 pm
Richard Strick, Pastor
260.224.2146
Becky Lyons, Financial Secretary
Megan Condry, Youth & Children’s Director
419.733.1272
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -
think about such things.” Philippians 4:8