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.

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JANUARY

2018

“With God, all things are

possible” (Matthew 19:26). This is a

provocative statement, the kind for

which Jesus is known. He’s just

finished describing the incredible

difficulty a rich person will have

getting into the kingdom of God. His

disciples, tossing up their hands, ask

“Who then can be saved?” Jesus

responds, saying, “With man this is

impossible.” We can’t save

ourselves or anyone else.

“With God, all things are

possible.” Anyone can be saved,

even the rich man to whom Jesus

refers. I remember a friend from my

year in Indianapolis saying, “I am

too far gone for God.” What a lie the

Devil tells! I could have responded

to my friend with the disciples’

question: “If you cannot be saved,

who then can be?”

“With God, all things are

possible.” People excel at messing

things up, at straying from God.

Humanity has been getting itself into

binds since Eden. Cain and Abel

found a way to make matters worse.

By the time of Noah, even God was

distraught at how bad humanity was

doing. Christ came to earth for the

purpose of loosing the binds with

which we’ve wrangled ourselves. A

world tangled up in violence is cut

loose by the prince of peace. “Who

then can be saved?”

“With God, all things are

possible.” Or, as Emily Dickinson

puts it, “We dwell in possibility.”

We dwell in the possibility of God’s

presence. Possibility, in this case,

doesn’t mean “endless futures.” The

possibility is that when God dwells

with us we can be saved. Not just us,

but anyone. Not just some, but all.

Not just the good, but the bad and

the ugly. Not just the rich, but the

poor. And not only the poor, but the

rich. People wrangled by addiction,

people strangled by insecurity,

people tangled in adultery, people

hassled by illness, people wounded

by abuse, people burdened by

anxiety, people suffering in poverty.

“Who then can be saved?”

“With man,” Jesus says, saving

the rich man “it is impossible.” But,

he continues, “with God, all things

are possible.” Let this truth ring in

your ears, through your heart, and

into your soul. Carry it with you

wherever you go and share it with

anyone you meet. Call it to mind

when you doubt that God or anyone

else could love you. Remember it

when you encounter someone whom

you are sure neither God nor anyone

else would want to save. “Who then

can be saved?”

“With God, all things are

possible.”

In Christ,

Pastor Zen

January 7 January 14 January 21 January 28

Snacks Susan Enyeart and

Libby Davison

Reader Barb Derr Sandy Hacker Mike Hacker Jim Ambler

Acolyte Kylie Gamlin Claudia Wilson Dana Meyer Gabe Baumgardner

Ring Bell Claudia Wilson Baumgardner kids Meyer kids Scott Baker

Sound System Mike Lyons Brian Royer Drew Morrison David Morrison

Video Tech Ryan Lemon Barb Baker Sandy Hacker Phil Engle

Songleaders Ann Ambler, Lisa Harter,

Jim Hildebrand David Morrison, Bonnie

Hosler, Becky Lyons

Barb Derr, Adrian Halverstadt,

David Morrison Something Biblical

Open/Close Duty Brian Royer David Morrison Tom Jennings Tom Hosler

Announcements Ann Ambler Jim Ambler David Morrison Adrian Halverstadt

Nursery Helper Dana Meyer Kasey Davis Sandy Shoemaker and

Sandy Stephan Drew Morrison

Little Discoverers Teacher/Helper

Megan Condry Barb Derr Lauren Baker Dawn Williams

Young Explorers Teacher/Helper

Phil and Megan Engle Kelly Halverstadt Megan Condry and

Jennifer Braun Kelly Halverstadt

Kids Ignite Teacher/Helper

Betsy Royer Megan Condry Robin Baker Megan Condry

Greeter-Wm St Jill Gamlin Mike Ward Claudia Wilson Ben and Kasey

Davis

Ushers & Greeters - West

Meyer Family Robin and Scott Baker Robin and Scott Baker Theda and Vern

Neel

Usher & Greeters - East

Brett Evans Brett Evans Brett Evans Brett Evans

Usher - Center Adrian Halverstadt and

Gary Yeiter Rick Baker and Rick

Chesterman Tracy Blocker and

Terry Rodgers Tracy Blocker and

Terry Rodgers

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.

Birthdays

01/01, Jody Kramer

01/04, Jayla Kelsey

01/06, Velma Myers

01/07, Jerry Baker

01/08, Danielle

Vanlandingham

01/09, Katie Schilling

Zetta Schultz

01/11, Tim Schultz

01/14, David Morrison

01/17, Lauren Davis

Nicole Gatchel

Yvette Jarvis

01/18, Jeff Hildebrand

Dawn Williams

01/22, Zen Hess

01/23, Tracy Blocker

01/24, Matt Harter

01/25, Kristen Spiegel

01/26, Nancy Riggs

01/30, Jim Ambler

01/31, Vern Neel

Anniversaries

01/14, Joey and Kristen

Spiegel

TEAM UPDATES

Finance Team:

November 2017

Income: Unified Budget Giving $ 12,914

Trust Income $ 1,298

Miscellaneous Income $ 280

Expenses: $ 14,058

YTD Tuck Pointing funds: $ 13,260

Fellowship Team:

Thank you, thank you, thank you, SPFCC family! The Fellowship Team is

most grateful for the outpouring of love shown by the cards and candy brought

in for our shut-in bags, and the participation in our annual cookie decorating

event! The bags that members took to our shut-ins were received with smiles, a

few tears, and gentle "thank yous". If you find yourself making a new year's

resolution early, please consider one of them to be a visit to our shut-ins.

Youth and Children’s Ministry:

Please see the children and youth page for additional updates.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Epiphany Sunday, January 7th, will be baptism Sunday. If you have been wondering about baptism or

know you would like to be baptized, please contact Zen to set up a meeting before January 7th! You can find

Zen's e-mail on the back page of the bulletin.

The annual meeting will be held after service on January 28th, 2018.

Written reports are due from the 2017 team leaders and any other group

leaders by Monday, January 8th so they can be compiled, printed and

ready to distribute by Sunday, January 21st.

SPFCC is seeking additional greeters and ushers. If you are interested in helping out in this way on Sunday

mornings, please contact Megan in the church office at (260) 356-7728 or stpetersfirst@att.net.

Volunteers are needed to provide snacks during fellowship time in the coming weeks. Available dates are

January 14th 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.

Volunteer Opportunity: In February and March, the Parks Dept. will be hosting its annual events, the Daddy

Daughter Dance (February 23rd, 24th, and 25th) and Mother Son Extravaganza (March 10th and 11th).

Volunteers will help with serving food, managing a raffle table, monitoring games and taking tickets at the

door. If you have questions or are interested in volunteering for one of the nights, please see the flyers on the

bulletin board outside the church office or contact Andrew Rensberger, Huntington Community Engagement/

Volunteer Coordinator at andrew.rensberger@huntington.in.us or 260.356.1400 ext.2003.

An additional bowler is needed for the SPFCC bowling team. If you are interested in this opportunity,

please contact Lynn Gamble at (260) 758-2845.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please continue to pray for:

Please pray for Dan Jarvis and family as he recovers after recent open-heart

surgery.

Thank you for your prayers for Nolan, Becky Lyons' great nephew. It is a

miracle! Nolan should be able to go home from the hospital soon. Please continue

to pray for him as he fully recovers.

All those facing financial, emotional, spiritual, and health stresses.

*If you would like to be added to the email prayer chain and receive prayer requests

throughout the week, please contact Megan Engle at stpetersfirst@att.net to let her

know.*

If you’re interested in visiting or sending a note to our shut-in friends, those in

local or nearby nursing homes are indicated below.

Heritage Pointe - Warren, IN

Betty Henderson

Mary Alice Shideler

River Terrace - Bluffton, IN

Mary Gelzleichter

Heritage of Huntington

Jean Ann Heiney

Zetta Schultz

Tipton House

Kay Delauter

Madelin Lee

SPOTLIGHT on our CHURCH FAMILY

Questions asked of Becky Lyons:

Has St. Peter’s First Community Church always been your home church? yes

How long have you been a member? since confirmation

What is it about SPFCC that keeps you engaged? my church family and the service

Can you describe a time when you’ve experienced God’s love? I have felt God’s love and

peace several times and the gift of jobs and most recently the miraculous healing of my

great nephew, Nolan.

How would you express God’s mission for your life? Be nice to people, but I don’t always listen.

What are some ways you share love with those around you? Hopefully with love expressed

smiles, being friendly, and giving.

What is one thing that brings a smile to your face? joking and having fun

What is your favorite thing to do when you get the chance? I like to walk and hike the state

parks.

What is your favorite dessert (kind and flavor)? my grandma’s fruit cream pie and it doesn’t

matter whether it’s strawberry, raspberry, or peach

Extra info: Mike and I married in 1969 after meeting at International Business College, where I graduated with a

degree in accounting. I have worked with numbers ever since and am currently doing the church books.

Children’s Update

*Thank you to the volunteers who helped with our Happy

Birthday, Jesus Christmas Party! The kids enjoyed the morning

celebrating our Savior through a reading of the Christmas story,

games, activities, crafts, and snacks. Be sure to stop by the

bulletin board across from the children’s classrooms to see

photos from the party!

*In addition to our Christmas party, the kids enjoyed making

special crafts to include in the shut in gift bags! They did a

great job sharing Christ’s love this holiday season by making

cards and ornaments to give to others.

Celebration Moment: Our Happy Birthday, Jesus Christmas

Party was a blast! The kids did an awesome job working together to make it a fun-filled morning for all. It’s

encouraging to see the kids making connections about Jesus

and what His birth means for our lives.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Homework Help Update

*The program is for middle & high school students and meets

Mondays – Thursdays from 3:00-5:30 pm.

*Homework Help will resume on Tuesday, January 9th, when

the students return to school.

*With an increase of students and volunteers unable to return in

the new year, we are looking for additional volunteers to

provide assistance, support, and encouragement to the students

in 2018. If you are interested in volunteering and would like

more information, contact Megan Condry.

Celebration Moment: One of the greatest celebrations is our volunteers and the impact they are having on the lives of the

students! Several volunteers made a special effort to be at Homework Help the last few weeks before break because they

were going to miss the students! A few volunteers brought in

special treats for the kids because they really care about the students and are blessed by their time with the students each

week. We are grateful for these amazing and caring adults who

help the students with homework, speak truth into their lives,

and share Christ’s love with them.

Youth Update

*Youth group meets on Wednesday evenings from

7:00-8:30 pm. All middle and high school students are

welcome to attend.

*The youth enjoyed a fun Christmas Party together. It was a

great evening of fellowship with games, snacks, and a

Christmas movie.

*Festivus, January 12-13: Area youth groups will come together

for a lock-out all night party. Travel around Huntington &

Ft. Wayne for all kinds of games and activities. See Megan for

more details.

Celebration Moment: Everyone had a great time at our

Friendsgiving meal! The youth helped prepare a variety of

yummy dishes and even found some new ones that they really

enjoy. It’s always great to spend an evening in the kitchen

together sharing stories, laughter, and conversation.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HKC Update

*HKC (Huntington Kids Club) meets on Monday evenings

from 6:30-8:30 pm for kids in 2nd-6th grade (or ages 8-12).

HKC will return on Monday, January 8th.

*We had a great time celebrating Christ’s birth at HKC! The

kids enjoyed Christmas games, birthday cupcakes, a movie,

crafts, activities, lots of laughter, fun, and great conversations

centered around the birth of the Savior!

*We are looking for additional volunteers to help on Monday

evenings in 2018. If you would be interested in building

relationships with

students, sharing

Jesus, and having

fun, see Megan for

more details.

Celebration Moment:

The month of

December has been a

celebration as we’ve

been focusing on

Christ’s birth and what

that means for our lives.

From learning the words

of Advent to reading

various Scriptures, the

kids have been asking

some great questions

and discovering more

about the greatest gift

we’ve ever received!

Please continue to pray for all the children & youth involved in these activities.

Pray for the volunteers who interact with them each week.

Advent People

Through the Advent season, I’ve been journeying through

Ann Voskamp’s book, The Greatest Gift. I feel as though

I’ve been meeting with Ann for coffee each morning as she

embarks so beautifully into the lineage of Jesus and calls us

to think more deeply about Jesus being the greatest gift

we’ve ever received. As I’ve come to the end of these

readings, I’ve realized that so much of the Advent season is

applicable to us as we enter a new year. During Advent,

we’ve quieted our hearts, we’ve created space to be with

God, we’ve longed for the child to come with eager

anticipation, and we’ve walked in hope. The posture of our

hearts during this season should be the posture of our hearts

always. Just because Christmas is over does not mean that

we need to pick up the stress, worry, and weight of the things

we held before. Let us be Advent people, all the year

through, as we remember that the Christ child in the manger

was God’s great gift to us, rooted in love and grace.

Throughout the book, Ann comes back again and again to

this phrase – God gives God. Each time I read those words, I

pause, I close my eyes, and I reflect on the depth and breadth

of those three simple words. God gave Himself. God gave

Himself because He loved us and wanted a way for us to

have a relationship with Him again (John 3:16-17). This gift

isn’t one that we just open at Christmas or the few weeks

before when our focus is on the child of Bethlehem, but

instead this is the beautiful gift we get to receive each and

every day. When I think about Jesus being a gift, it changes

my perspective. If Jesus were a gift wrapped under your

tree, would you leave Him there, unopened? Would it be the

gift that gets shoved back into a closet to be used again next

year? Or just maybe, if Jesus were a gift under your tree,

would you run to it with all the excitement of a child making

quick work of tearing off the paper to uncover the gift

inside?

As we enter a new year, will you choose to see Jesus as

the greatest gift you’ve ever received and eagerly open the

gift each day by spending time with Him, letting His love fill

you, allowing His strength to guide you, and freeing yourself

to be a vessel of Him to the world around you? “God gives

God. That is the gift God always ultimately gives. Because

nothing is greater and we have no greater need, God gives

God. God gives God, and we only need to slow long enough

to unwrap the greatest Gift with our time: time in His Word,

time in His presence, and time at His feet” (The Greatest

Gift, 60).

Of all the resolutions or things we hope to do or be in the

new year, unwrapping the gift of Jesus sure sounds like the

best idea to me! As we spend more time with Him, we find

that our priorities begin to change, our worries and fears fall

away, and all those other “things” we hoped to do in the new

year, begin to happen or begin to find proper perspective as

we find more of what really matters. “When the King rules

your world, you cease to rule or worry” (The Greatest Gift,

170). When we allow Jesus to reign, we see with fresh eyes

and our desires begin to align with His. We find ourselves

more prone to trust than to worry. We long to be with Him,

seeking His will, rather than trying to orchestrate our way.

“God gives God. He withholds no good thing from you.

And the good things in life are not so much health, but

holiness; not so much riches in this world, but relationship

with God; not so much our plans, but His presence – and He

withholds no good thing from us because the greatest things

aren’t ever things. He doesn’t withhold Jesus from you.

Christ is all your good, and He is all yours, and this is always

all your miracle. No matter the barrenness you feel, you can

always have as much of Jesus as you want” (The Greatest

Gift, 202).

Those words, you can always have as much of Jesus as

you want, bring tears to my eyes. They are tears of hope and

joy, knowing that no matter what, Jesus longs to be with me.

When it feels somedays as if we are all alone, may we know

fully that there is enough Jesus for you and for me, and He is

never going to run out. Somedays the tears are tears of

sadness realizing the times that I’ve neglected His gift to be

there with me. Jesus is always there. These are words that

we say often, but do we fully grasp what that means? Maybe

it’s because there have been Christmas cookies all around,

but it makes me think of Jesus being the never ending cookie

jar! Every time you reach your hand in, there is enough for

you. Eating too many cookies may not be the best analogy

but I do think it’s a tangible reminder to us that He is always

available to us, and unlike returning too many times to the

cookie jar, we can never return too many times to meet with

Jesus. We can’t ask for too much Jesus!

“There is no need to produce or perform or perfect –

simply become a place for God. That is all” (The Greatest

Gift, 221). Did you hear that truth? We don’t have to be any

sort of way to come to Jesus. All we have to do is become a

place for Him. All we have to do is open ourselves to Him.

We don’t have to pick anything up in order to be with Him.

In fact, we get to lay things down. He invites us to lay

ourselves aside and allow Him to fill us. An open spirit is all

we need!

As we approach the new year, let’s be advent people;

people who live each day filled with hope. People who

realize that Jesus is the gift each and every day. Let’s not

leave Jesus under the tree, hidden in a closet, or only

someone we spend time with when we need Him. God gives

God! There is enough Jesus for you and for me and we can’t

get enough of Him! Embrace and enjoy the Gift this year.

The greatest gift ever given, the gift that is available every

day, the gift that is full of love, mercy, and grace. “Wise

men are only wise because they make their priority the

seeking of Christ” (The Greatest Gift, 22). May your new

year be filled with seeking Him and unwrapping the gift of

His presence.

A Letter from Megan Condry

SPFCC January Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

SPFCC Office Closed 11 am-5 pm FH Rental

2

SeniorPak Prep

6:30 pm Community Prayer Service - New Hope 7 pm Circle

3

6:30 pm Choir

4

5

6

7

9:30 am Worship

8

6 pm Girl Scouts 6:30 pm HKC

9

6:30 pm Council HH

10

6:30 pm Choir 7 pm Youth

Group HH

11 HH

12

13

14 8:45 am Fellowship Team Meeting

9:30 am Worship

15

6 pm Girl Scouts

6 pm Something Biblical

6:30 pm HKC

HH

16 SeniorPak Prep 6:30 pm Women’s Team Meeting HH

17 6:30 pm Choir 7 pm Youth Group HH

18

HH

19

20

12-4:30 pm FH Rental

21

8 am Men’s Breakfast

8:30 am Children’s Team Meeting 9:30 am Worship

22

5:30 pm Worship Team Meeting 6 pm Girl Scouts 6:30 pm HKC HH

23 HH

24 6:30 pm Choir 7 pm Youth Group HH

25 10 am-8:30 pm FH Rental HH

26

27

8:30 am-noon FH Rental

28 9:30 am Worship

29 6 pm Girl Scouts 6:30 pm HKC HH

30

SeniorPak Prep 6:30 pm Property Team Meeting HH

31 6:30 pm Choir 7 pm Youth Group HH

*HH denotes Homework Help program, which runs from 3 - 5:30 p.m.

A Note From the Ministry Coordinator:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on

your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge

him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

On a Friday in early December, Emmitt, had a

wonderful nine-month checkup at the doctor’s office.

Praise God for healthy kids! But, by Monday, something

was not quite right. Emmitt had a low-grade fever, was

fussy, was pulling at his ears, and had a very runny nose

and puffy eyes. I thought he may have an ear infection. We

soothed him with infant Tylenol and extra snuggles and

made an appointment for him to see the doctor on Tuesday

morning, and, sure enough, he had his first ear infection.

We soon started antibiotics that began to clear up his

infection and helped him feel better. Phew! He was on the

mend! But, soon after I began to feel relief that Emmitt

was getting better, I noticed Eloise’s eye was red and

puffy. Oh no! I thought it may be pink eye. So, on

Wednesday morning, we made our third trip in six days to

our pediatrician’s office. Sure enough, Eloise had pink eye.

She started eye drops which soon helped her get better,

too. Phew! Praise God for doctors who are able to diagnose

us and medicine that helps us feel better! Of course, all of

this happened while Phil was out of town for work, so I

was acting as a single parent for a couple days. Praise God,

also, for grandparents who are willing and able to take our

kids to doctor’s appointments and cuddle with them so that

we can continue working as normal. Here’s to hoping and

praying we can go at least a few weeks (or months)

without additional sickness in our house!

As I was going through these several days of dealing

with the sicknesses of my kids, I felt God helping me

realize more and more to trust Him. First, trust how God

has equipped you. God has given each of us unique gifts,

talents, and experiences to use to glorify Him. Use them!

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,

let us use them,” (Romans 12:6). I realized that through the

experiences I’ve had being a mom for a little over two and

a half years, I was now better able to know what may be

ailing my kids and what they need. Poor first-born Eloise

suffered from pink eye for a couple days the first time she

had it because we didn’t recognize it as pink eye and wrote

it off as an allergy symptom. This time around, I knew

right away that it looked like pink eye, and we took her to

the doctor. Thankfully, in this instance, I trusted the

experience God had given me. Unfortunately, I don’t

always trust Him so freely. Secondly, trust that God will

use others to help when you seek out their wisdom. In this

case, I made appointments with our pediatrician as soon as

I realized something was not quite right. I know the

pediatrician has the wisdom to figure out what may be

making my kids sick and knows what medicine they may

need. I’m not an expert in those areas, but I am learning to

trust my motherly instinct and take them to the doctor

when I know something isn’t right. Trust the gifts He has

given you, but also trust the gifts He has given to others.

We don’t have to go through this journey of life alone, and

God doesn’t want us to do so. He’s given us each unique

abilities and experiences so that we can serve one another

and can live in community with one another.

As God continues to bind the message of trust to my

heart in new

ways, He is

encouraging me to

stop overthinking

things and instead

to trust…my gifts,

my experiences,

my community, and most importantly His love. He’ll take

care of us. He’ll meet our needs. He’ll exceed our

expectations. But, it requires letting go of the control we

think we have in these areas. It seems counterintuitive to

start the new year with a mindset of discerning less, but in

many ways, I believe it’s what God is calling me to do.

Stop analyzing so much. Quit second guessing everything

God tells you. Learn to trust His voice and His plan for

you. Don’t worry about what others will think. Don’t try to

decide whether this is the same decision you would make

if you were to make it five years from now. Just trust God

and do it. God is with you here and now, loving you, and

calling you to trust Him with all you’ve got. If God has

placed something upon your heart, trust it, and run with it.

If somehow we’ve misinterpreted God’s desire for us, let’s

trust that He is big enough to let us know and that He will

get us back on the path He has for us. But, before He can

let us know we’re on the wrong path, we have to take a

path! We don’t have to see the whole path before we take

the first step. God just calls us to trust Him and obey. In

what area is God calling you to trust Him more fully? How

is God leading you to use your gifts to glorify Him?

Always be in tune with God. Always be listening for His

voice. But, don’t overanalyze every move you make.

Instead, especially as we begin a new year, let’s focus on

trusting God, allowing the gifts He’s given us to flourish

by putting them to use serving one another and bringing

Him glory!

~Megan Engle

Eva

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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

Zen Hess, Pastor

260.224.5698

zenxhess@gmail.com

Becky Lyons, Financial Secretary

stpetersfirstcom@yahoo.com

Megan Condry, Youth & Children’s Director

419.733.1272

megancondry@gmail.com

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give

you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11