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POINTS from the PASTOR
In the Book of Ecclesiastes 3: 1, we read "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" One of the glaring themes in this portion of text and the following is change. We live in a world of changes, that events and times of our human condition and existence are fluid not static. All this is to say that no matter or condition or circumstance we will both under go, and witness change as a Constance presence in our living.
It is most difficult for Churches as most major and important institutions in our lives to change, there is a natural resistance to such, and that can be understood because the "traditional" way of doing things has worked for decades, so why change now, even if all factors and indications inform us our cherished and loved church struggles to be what we once knew it was to us, and so many others.
It takes both faith and courage to invest ones self and that they love meaning their church into a process of change. Faith that God is with us in this process and journey, or more importantly that we are seeking to stay with and do that which God blesses. Secondly it takes courage along with conviction, because as the process of change is undertaken we will journey and in our journey we will travel at times through places that will be both unfamiliar and possible scary because we cannot fully chart and control where we need to go to better represent God to our surrounding world.
But be encouraged, even if you are a senior or in advanced years, you have modern sciences, medicines and technologies to support and assist you in a journey of change, as well as the model of faith exhibited by Abram and Sara in the Book of Genesis 12: 1-4; "The LORD said to Abram, "Go from all you know, your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great people, and I will bless you...you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you." So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; Abram was seventy-five years old when he and Sarai set out..."
Abram and Sarai had to journey from that they knew to that they did not know, they were past retirement age, drawing on their faith security when God said go. We as a church must go, drawing also on our faith security in God. Someone wrote "There are 3 C's in life: Choice, Chance, Change. You must make the CHOICE to take the CHANCE if you want anything to CHANGE."
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Does Your Church Have Barking Dogs?
by Lee Kricher, pastor of Amplify Church in Pittsburgh
Several years ago, I met an elderly pastor of a storefront church with about a dozen members. After talking with him, I soon understood at least one reason why his church never grew much larger. He told me that he would take his dog with him to church every week, and the dog would lie down in front of the podium and frequently bark during the service. The regular attendees got used to having the pastor’s beloved pet in church, but a visitor mentioned to him that the barking dog was a distraction. The pastor told me that he responded, “My dog is my best friend, and he stays even if that means you don’t.”
Most churches have their share of barking dogs — things that distract members and visitors from the church’s mission. Dealing with the barking dogs of your church is touchy business because dogs are beloved creatures, part of the family. Most of us have become so accustomed to the barking dogs that we don’t even notice their presence; but as soon as someone suggests getting rid of them, we grow upset or angry.
We all know that there are times in our lives when we need to eliminate good things — even things that we like — from our schedules so that we can focus our time and energy on the most important things. The same principle is true for churches. Time, energy, and resources that we invest into unnecessary programs or ministries are time, energy, and resources that cannot be invested in the things that will directly fulfill God’s vision for our church and have an impact on our ability to reach the next generation. To use an analogy, think of your church as a hot-air balloon. Some programs, ministries, and practices are like bags of sand that will have to be jettisoned if you are ever going to soar.
Because someone champions, nurtures, or defends them, some church program and ministries continue to exist long after they should have ended. These guardians come by their love honestly. The program they champion may have once had a positive impact, and it may still be having some positive impact. But we need to exercise wisdom and discernment regarding when our church programs and ministries have run their course.
What about your church? Chances are you have programs, ministries, and practices that should be eliminated. They are not bad things. They exist because they have accomplished or are accomplishing some good. But you may need to eliminate some good things because they are competing with and distracting you from the best things for your limited time, resources, and energy.
The writer of Hebrews speaks wisely about laying aside distractions: “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). We can understand how sinful things can be a distraction — sin entangles us and keeps us from running the race that God has marked out for us. But discerning when good things have become a distraction is far more difficult.
While we cannot eliminate every distraction or barrier or “barking dog,” we can try to reduce them and limit their impact.
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UMW Christmas Mini-Bazaar
Please bring your holiday items - jams, jellies, baked goods, holiday decorations and crafts to the library at the church on Friday December 2nd. We would appreciate a note or tag on the item with a suggested price. We love what you bring, but remember - THIS IS NOT A GARAGE SALE. We do not have enough room for a lot of items. We will have baskets to raffle off for the event. Please let Debbie or Diana know if you are interested in making or donating items for a themed basket.
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Christmas Message from the Lay Leader
When our Savior, Jesus Christ was born the world changed with most people not noticing. But more than 2000 years later that change is still effecting an influence on the world. We are called to spread the gospel and here at St. Peter’s the message of service has been taken seriously. As we celebrate Christ’s birth and move into the New Year, for 3 months, we will be hosting families experiencing homelessness. We will provide some dinners for the families and it is hoped that some of our congregation will stop in (after 8 pm) to chat with our guests. Whatever kindness we can show to others honors our faith and demonstrates that we are Christians.
We are the fortunate ones who know the joy of having a personal Savior. We know that we can pray directly to God and that prayers are answered. We are comforted by the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
To all in the St. Peter’s family, I wish a blessed season of Advent and Christmas. May we be inspired in our celebration of the birth of Christ to go forward and continue our journey to fulfill the mission of our church: “To bring people to a personal relationship with God through Christ and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister to the world.”
Pat King, Lay Leader
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Bellevue Boys & Girls Choir- "Behold That Star!"
Saturday December 3rd, 2016 3:00 pm featuring~ Primary, Intermediate, Training, Concert & Premier Choirs 7:00 pm featuring~ Intermediate, Training, Concert & Premier Choirs Bellevue Performing Arts Center 10416 SE Wolverine Way Bellevue, WA 98004 Advance Tickets: $13 students/seniors ~ $18 general At the Door: $15 students/seniors ~ $20 general Advance Tickets available through www.brownpapertickets.com. Search “Bellevue Youth Choirs”.
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Christmas Play
We are fortunate to have the Taproot Theatre Touring Company visiting us again this Advent season. They will be performing a play titled "Hark the Harold" on December 11th at 2P. The play is about an angel named Harold who is paired with Gabriel to make the announcement about the birth of Christ. The last play Taproot did at our church, "The Inkeeper's Christmas" was very well received with the Christmas message presented in a humorous way. Tickets are on sale for for $10 each, see Pat King or stop by the office to purchase.
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Country Store
The Country Store will be open again starting December 11th and running through December 25th. This would be the perfect place to pick up some extra holiday baked goods, last minute present or hostess gift! If you would like to add your item to the store, please make sure to price your goods before adding them to the table.
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No UMW in December
The UMW Fellowship Circle will not be meeting on December 21, 2016. We will resume regular Circle Gatherings on the third Wednesday in January 18, 2017.
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Church Council
Church council will be meeting on Tuesday, January 3rd, and all regular attendees are requested to show up to approve the operating budget for 2017.
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Winter Shelter for Families
Families experiencing homeless this winter will begin arriving at St. Peter’s on December 29th. We would like to provide dinner for them on several evening before they leave at the end of March. The sign-up for providing a meal is at this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=s.signupform . Andrea of Holy Family congregation keeps the information on the home page up to date with the number of participants and address of the particular shelter. The shelter for families is obviously the most handy for those of us at St. Peter’s but others, particularly the men’s shelter, need meals as well.
Although, usually those making the meal pay for the ingredients, this year anyone who can gather a few friends to shop and put a meal together, may submit the receipts for meal ingredients to Carol Benedict, church treasurer to be reimbursed through the “Winter Shelter” fund. In addition, anyone wishing to purchase breakfast items such as fruit, fruit cups, granola bars etc. can be reimbursed through the “Fill the Pantry” fund.
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Agape Breakfast 2017
Save the date of February 11 for an exciting event with our favorite story teller Debbie Dimitre as Grandma Moses. Bring your family and friends for a morning full of memories.
Hope to see you there.
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Volunteer Needed!
St. Peter’s needs a dependable, responsible volunteer or volunteers for a critical weekly task: move the trash, recycling, and yard waste containers to the street on Wednesday for early Thursday pickup, and move them back by Thursday evening after they are emptied. We are grateful to Wayne Lambert who has been doing this for many years. He and Dianne are moving and the time has come for someone else to take on this unheralded job. If you can help with this, please talk to one of the trustees. Please also offer your thanks to Wayne when you see him, for this and his many other services to the church. Thank you, Chris Carnes
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