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

rstrickbttc@yahoo.com 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 (kdavis@pathfinderservices.org 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: stpetersfirst@att.net

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

rstrickbttc@yahoo.com

Becky Lyons, Financial Secretary

stpetersfirstcom@yahoo.com

Megan Condry, Youth & Children’s Director

419.733.1272

megancondry@gmail.com

“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