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

ng

el

JULY

2015

The Movement of Our Prayers

Last month I shared some thoughts

from Douglas Hyde on the nature of

leadership and service to a cause - “a

world to win.” The same cause that Marx

concluded his Communist Manifesto with

is also the cause of Christ: “Ask me and I

will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your

possession.” (Psalm 2:8). As we yet again

sit in shock and despair at the violence of

white supremacy in America we are

confronted by what Thomas Merton

termed, “the Unspeakable” - an evil

whose depth and deceit seem beyond our

ability to articulate. Merton, a Catholic

monk, coined the phrase in 1965 in the

middle of the escalation of the Vietnam

War, the nuclear arms race, and the

assassinations of Malcolm X, Martin

Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and

Robert Kennedy - all of whom were

killed for daring to suggest and walk the

way of peace through justice,

forgiveness, and reconciliation.

This past week we witnessed a truly

Christ-like action in Charleston, SC as a

church forgave and prayed for the

repentance and salvation of a racist

enemy that struck at the very heart of

their congregation. This forgiveness in no

way smooths over the pain or horror of

what Dylann Roof did but it does release

the surviving victims from the burden of

hatred or retaliation they may feel toward

him. It opens the door for his repentance

that he might be set free from the burden

of fearful white supremacy and hatred.

There may even come a day, we pray for

it, when Dylann repents of his sin and

fear and can seek to make amends to the

families in that congregation - what a

miracle that reconciliation would be.

In the meanwhile, it appears that this

event has finally broken some firm

boundaries in polite, American society as

many are discussing the Confederate flag,

a symbol of treason, oppression and

racial animosity, and whether such a flag

has any place in modern America -

especially atop government buildings that

are intended to serve all. While removing

this symbol to museums where it belongs

is surely a good step, it is merely a first

step. If only our fear of the Other, those

that differ from us, were as easy to

remove as a flag.

How do we remove our fear? When

we pray the Lord’s prayer, we are asking

for God’s will to be done on earth as it is

in heaven. Please notice the movement of

that prayer. It’s prayer directed

downward, inviting God’s reign on earth,

not on us escaping the earth or situations

we might find ourselves in. It’s a prayer

for the kingdom of God to reign - and

that reign begins within our hearts and

spreads out into all the tendrils of our

lives where it begins to butt up against

the edges of the lives of others until it

jumps and begins to spread throughout

that other life as well. This is what Jesus

was getting at when he described the

kingdom of God as a mustard seed - a

small seed that grows and eventually

takes over the entire garden, driving out

all competing vegetation. That kingdom

exorcises our fears as we are filled with

the love and character of Christ. In the

end, no matter what shaking we endure,

the kingdom of God’s love and justice is

what will remain and we can be thankful

in receiving such a precious gift. We can

face “the Unspeakable” because we first

heard the spoken words of the Son - “It is

finished.” It’s there, at the foot of the

cross, that we encounter a love that

transforms us through resurrection

power. A love that tears down whatever

dividing walls we’ve built. It’s there that

we discover a love stronger than our

fears.

July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26

Snacks Foust/Jarvis Tammy Brown Krueger/Rinehart

Family Children's Classes

Reader Walter Hacker Jay Rinehart Jenna Strick Sandy Hacker

Acolyte Dana Meyer Bailey Baumgardner Jana Krueger Claudia Wilson

Ring Bell Walter Hacker Baumgardner kids Jennifer Braun Meyer kids

Sound System Mike Lyons Drew Morrison Brian Royer David Morrison

Video Tech Ryan & Satin Lemon Claudia Wilson Barb Baker Walter Hacker

Songleaders Ann Ambler, Lisa

Harter, Jim Hildebrand

David Morrison, Becky Lyons, Bonnie

Hosler

Barb Steele, Adrian Halverstadt, Ann

Ambler Something Biblical

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

Announcements Brian Royer David Morrison Ann Ambler Adrian Halverstadt

Nursery Helper Megan Engle Nicole Baker Brandy Kalhoefer Sandy Shoemaker

Young Explorers Teacher/Helper

Sally Morrison and Jennifer Braun

Megan Condry and Connie Baumgardner

Sally Kimmel and Jennifer Braun

Sally Kimmel and Robin Baker

Kids Ignite Teacher/Helper

Dianna Whitesell and Dawn Williams

Dianna Whitesell and Dawn Williams

Megan Condry Megan Condry

Greeter-Wm St Jennifer Braun Shari Brinneman and

Claudia Wilson Laura Snider

Sandy and Kevin Shoemaker

Ushers & Greeters - West

Karen and Jay Rinehart

Dana and Fred Meyer

Robin and Scott Baker Sandy and Mike

Hacker

Usher & Greeters - East

Tom Smith Tom Smith Tom Smith Tom Smith

Usher - Center Gary Yeiter and

Kenny Foust Adam Myers and

Phil Engle Rick Chesterman and

Rick Baker 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.

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

Florence Crago

Joan Diffenbaugh

Betty Henderson

Mary Alice Shideler

Bettie Stensel

River Terrace - Bluffton, IN

Mary Gelzleichter

Heritage of Huntington

Maribelle Bechstein

John Hacker

Lavonne Haines

Mary K. Schenkel

Ada Ulrich

Announcements

Job Opening with Huntington County Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for

Humanity is in need of a ReStore warehouse assistant and truck driver. You

can pick up a copy of the job description in the SPFCC office. The job is

part-time and pays $10 per hour. If interested, please send cover letter and

resume to admin@hchabitat.org or 250 Commerce Drive, Huntington.

Help Support Mission Work in the Dominican Republic! Cassie Hacker

will be traveling to the DR for a mission trip from July 25-August 1 with

Northern Without Borders, a student run organization at Ohio Northern

University. The organization has partnered with "Solid Rock Missions," based

in the DR for the past eight years, sending groups of students there to do health

clinics and construction work in "barrios" (neighborhoods) around the country.

Solid Rock and NWB work hard to ensure that the work done maintains the

dignity of the locals and educates/strengthens their abilities to grow on their

own, as this is the most important aspect of mission work. The majority of

Cassie’s time there will be spent doing health clinics in the barrios, working

with local health professionals to streamline care. From donations collected,

the group will be able to purchase prescription medications such as blood

pressure medications, antibiotics, and diabetic supplies and will be able to

provide a wide array of over-the-counter drugs. Donations can be made by

cash or check, made out to Ohio Northern University with NWB or Northern

Without Borders in the memo. Unfortunately, the donations are not tax

deductible. Cassie will be collecting donations until July 22. Donations can be

turned in to the church office for Cassie to collect before she leaves or can be

mailed to Cassie at 2400 S 400 W Huntington, IN 46750.

Cookies for Kairos: Kairos Prison Ministry has been approved by the head of

Indiana’s Department of Corrections to hold a first ever ministry weekend for

the 13 men on death row located at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

Kristen Spiegel is coordinating efforts to support her friend and colleague, Don

Shone, one of the few Kairos volunteers chosen for this opportunity. You can

help share a bit of Christ’s goodness and love by joining together to bake

chocolate chip cookies to be distributed to the men at the Indiana State prison

in Michigan City. Kristen’s goal, with your help, is to bake 20 dozen cookies.

Please join in baking, praying, and more than likely some eating of broken

cookies on Monday, July 13 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at SPFCC. Children,

adults, and grandparents are all welcome to come and help for all or part of the

time. Please contact Kristen with any questions at

kristenlynn51@gmail.com or 317-379-9937. For more information about the

Kairos Prison Ministry visit http://kpmifoundation.org.

Birthdays

07/01, Shanece Kelsey

Virginia Oden

07/02, Tracy Krieg

07/03, Justin Baker

07/07, Karen Rinehart

07/08, Chuck Hare

Kaiden Waldron

07/09, Brandy Kalhoefer

Bud Ambler

07/10, Betty Henderson

Shane Jarvis

Crystal Smith

07/12, Heinz Bostel

Dorothy Rodgers

07/14, Claudia Wilson

07/15, Marie Hockemeyer

07/16, Tammy Brown

Danielle Lyons

Lois Stephan

07/18, Jim Kramer

Dean Stonebraker

Jean Ann Heiney

07/19, Denna Dimond

Madison Foust

07/23, Sophia Miller

07/25, Betty Moldenhauer

07/26, Carol Kimmel

Jeff Stonebraker

07/28, Terry Rodgers

Joey Spiegel

07/29, Riva Callahan

07/31, Gary Newton

Anniversaries

07/02, John & Carla Bostel

07/05, Andy & Cassie Miller

07/06, Ned & Lynn Gamble

07/10, Justin & Nicole Baker

07/24, Brian & Shari Brinneman

07/26, Mike & Becky Lyons

07/27, Nick & Angie Albright

07/28, Ken & Dottie McCurley

Youth Update

*Youth group will meet on Wednesday evenings throughout

the summer from 7-8:30 pm. All middle and high school

students are welcome to attend.

*Operation Backyard is coming: July 10-12. Middle and

high school students from Huntington will come together for

the weekend to live, learn, serve, and have fun together. If

interested, please see Megan.

Celebration Moment: Last weekend some of our youth went

to a cookout party with the youth from Markle United

Methodist Church. They

had a great time laughing,

eating, boating, taking

pictures, and so much more

together!

_________________________________________________

Homework Help

*We had a great time celebrating our year at Homework

Help! We had a special night recognizing the students who

attended the most this year. One student only missed 2 days

all year!

*Thanks again to our 26 volunteers who invested over 580

hours in the students this year!

Celebration Moment: Talking with parents at the end of the

year was a great encouragement. They continue to be so

appreciative of the program and what a benefit it is to their

children. Many students and parents shared that they are

looking forward to being back again next year!

Children’s Update

*Thank you to all the kids who helped celebrate dads this

Father’s Day! The kids did a great job being interviewed for

our video, making thoughtful cards, and presenting tie treats

to their dads. The Father’s Day video is now up on the

church Facebook page.

* Kids Summer Fun is underway! The kids have enjoyed

our Frozen and Chef Nights! Upcoming events for July are:

Prayer Adventure Night: July 7 from 6-8 pm

Hands on in Huntington: July 18 from 10 am-2pm

Movie Night: July 23 from 6-9 pm

It’s not too late to join in on the fun! Registration forms are

available in the William St.

foyer. Be sure to grab one for

you and a friend!

*Help Us Grow: Please return items for our children’s

ministry expansion drive by Sunday, July 12. Thank you!

*Mark your calendars for our Children’s Kickoff on Sunday,

August 16th. Join us as we kickoff our children’s ministry

expansion, recognize, and celebrate our children’s ministry

here at SPFCC.

*Volunteers: If you are interested in volunteering with our

children’s ministry please let Megan know. Additional

volunteers are needed as we expand!

Celebration Moment: Interacting with the kids at our chef

nights was definitely a highlight! The kids and the adults

had so much fun cooking and sharing a meal together!

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

Pray for the volunteers who interact with them each week.

Being Filled

“Food and cooking are among the richest subjects in the

world. Every day of our lives, they preoccupy, delight, and refresh

us. Food is not just some fuel we need to get us going toward

higher things. Cooking is not a drudgery we put up with in order

to get the fuel delivered. Rather, each is a heart’s astonishment.

Both stop us dead in our tracks with wonder. Even more, they sit

us down evening after evening, and in the company that forms

around our dinner tables, they actually create our humanity” (The

Supper of the Lamb).

I’m reminded that there is something powerful that happens in

the simple. There is something powerful that happens when we

gather together over food - in kitchens, in backyards, and at tables.

Something beautiful happens. We let our guard down, we jump

into an adventure, we make messes, we laugh, and we open

ourselves up in a new way.

There is something that happens whenever you gather together

around food. I was reminded of that recently with our Chef Nights

with the kids. Those nights were some of the most fun and

rewarding I have had in awhile. I am generally a neat freak. I like

things to be in order, I like things to be clean and tidy but in the

kitchen it’s a whole other story. You let your guard down, you

enter into the experience, you embrace it, and you live in the

moment. You enjoy the unexpected. You laugh when somehow

everyone has flour in their hair. You remember and share about

other times in the kitchen. You work together in new ways and

you learn about one another. Cooking with the kids was all of

these things. We laughed together, we made goofy sounds, we

talked about other cooking experiences, and as we prepared to feed

our bodies, we also fed our hearts through our conversations,

sharing, listening, laughing, and loving.

Last year we started having At the Table nights with the youth

group. We would cook and then share a meal together. Whenever

we talk with the youth about their favorite things or what they

would want more of, the resounding answer is always more

cooking nights. Probably because they have experienced that

beautiful thing that happens when we gather around the table. It’s

an opportunity to be yourself, to have fun, to make mistakes in a

safe environment, to work towards something and then enjoy

together the results. We get to know each other better through

those experiences because we are not only nourishing our bodies

but also our souls.

Why is it that whenever you are at someone’s house it seems

that everyone ends up hanging out in the kitchen or around the

dinner table long after the food is gone? It’s that connection. Food

draws us together in such a powerful way that once we’ve entered

into that experience, we want to hang onto it. When we are

gathered at the table, we are listening, we are learning, we are

living together. We ask questions, we share stories, we laugh, we

cry, we pray, we mourn, we dance, and we are reminded that we

share much in common. We step out of the busyness of our lives

and we live in those moments. It’s like time passes in a new way.

You could linger around the table for hours.

“The table is where time stops. It’s where we look people in the

eye, where we tell the truth about how hard it is, where we make

space to listen to the whole story, not the textable sound

bite” (Bread and Wine, pg 257).

After college, I remember gathering almost weekly with a group

of friends around the table. I think it started out more as a

necessity of needing to eat and figuring if we pulled our resources

we could save some money but what happened was far more than

we ever expected. Those gatherings became the highlights of our

weeks. We found ourselves sharing our lives in tiny kitchens,

creating meals out of leftovers, and transitioning to our post

college lives together. I don’t think I realized until recently when

cooking with the kids what a blessing those meals in that season

were for me. They met a need in my life, in my faith, and in my

journey as my body and soul were fed as we gathered together.

Isn’t it fitting that our deepest longings for community,

fellowship, and friendship are filled in kitchens and around tables

because it’s in those places where we invite ourselves to open up

and we invite others to do the same.

That’s probably why gathering around the table is such a

spiritual experience. We find ourselves closer to Christ and closer

to our brothers and sisters. We are living in the moment. We are

attuned to what is happening right before us, around us, and in us.

In his book, Living the Resurrection, Eugene Peterson refers to our

daily meals as a primary place for spiritual formation and a place

where we experience the presence of Christ (pg 73-74). Maybe

that’s why we gather over food in celebration and in loss, because

we know what the table means. We know that gathering around

the table means we can be ourselves, we can let our guard down,

we can laugh, we can cry, and we can be accepted for who we are.

We all long for it, we desire it, and we were created for it.

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to

feel seen and heard and loved. It’s about declaring your table a

safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment. Part of that, then, is

honoring the way God made our bodies, and feeding them in the

ways they need to be fed” (Bread and Wine, pg 114).

So go ahead, gather at the table, linger in the kitchen, invite

friends over and try a new recipe, fire up the grill with family

because we know that we are meeting together and being fed in far

deeper ways than just the food we share.

A Letter from Megan Condry

HKC Update

*The kids had a great time at our first Summer HKC night in June. They enjoyed lots of games and

activities with hats as we learned about the helmet of salvation. They even made their own edible

helmets!

*Summer Gatherings! Throughout the summer, the kids from HKC will have opportunities to get

together to connect, continue forming relationships, and grow in their faith.

Celebration Moment: Our first summer HKC was a blast! The kids had so much fun reconnecting

and spending time together.

SPFCC July Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 8 am Garden to Table 7 pm The Flock (Youth)

2 SPFCC Office Closed

7:40 pm SB SPFCC v. EUM

8:50 pm SB SPFCC v. The Well

3

4 Independence Day

5 9:30 am Worship

6

5:30 pm Champion Achievers Hispanic Fellowship

7 SrPak Prep 6 pm Kids’ Summer Fun- Prayer Night

8 6:30 pm SB St. Paul’s v. SPFCC 8:50 pm SB SPFCC v. Markle

9 5:30-7 pm Meal Ministry

10 Operation Backyard (through the 12th) 5:30 pm Bucher Wedding Rehearsal

11 10:30 am Bucher Wedding

12 9:30 am Worship

13 10 am Cookies for Kairos

14 6:30 pm Council

15 7 pm The Flock (Youth)

16

17 6:30 pm SB SPFCC v. The Awakening

18 10 am-2 pm Kids’ Summer Fun - Hands on in Huntington

19

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

20 8:30 am Cooking with Love

5:30 pm Champion Achievers

6:30 pm HKC

6:30 pm SB Central Christian v. SPFCC

Hispanic Fellowship

21 SeniorPak Prep

6:30 pm Women’s Team Meeting

22 7 pm The Flock (Youth)

23 5:30-7 pm Meal Ministry 6 pm Kids’ Summer Fun - Movie Night

24

25

26 9:30 am Worship

27 5:30 pm Worship Team Meeting

28 6:30 pm Property Team Meeting

29 7 pm Flock (Youth)

30 Rummage Sale Set-up

31 Rummage Sale

** All SPFCC softball games will be played at Evergreen Park unless otherwise noted. **

A Note From the Ministry Coordinator:

“As you learn more and more how God works, you will

learn how to do your work.” Colossians 1:10

I’m learning that many things are more difficult and

take more time with a child in tow, and some things are

impossible to do with a child in tow. Each time I leave the

house with Eloise, I need to make sure I have all the things

she may need while we are gone…food, diapers, wipes, a

change of clothes, etc. Although this has become much

more routine for me now that she’s been in our lives for

three months, I’ve realized that anything I do with her

often takes twice the amount of time it used to take

because she will need to be fed, changed, or tended to in

some way.

Spur of the moment trips are just not feasible any

longer. And, even planned trips take much more planning

now than they used to take. If we decide to leave home

without Eloise, it means finding someone to watch her

while we’re gone. Thankfully, Eloise has four grandparents

nearby who are typically more than willing to watch her! If

we leave home with her, we must work around her eating

schedule in order for her to hopefully be content while

we’re gone. And, at times, other traveling difficulties arise.

A couple months ago while spending the morning in

downtown Indianapolis to cheer on Phil in the Mini-

Marathon, I realized there is no way possible for me to use

a porta potty while I have Eloise with me in a stroller. I

was reminded once again that many things are more

difficult with a child in tow, but some things are

impossible to do with a child in tow. Thankfully, a kind

soul allowed me to use the restroom in a downtown hotel

lobby which is typically reserved for hotel guests only.

I’ve had to prioritize and cut a lot of things out of my

life since Eloise has been born mostly because I just don’t

have the time or energy to do it all. I am extremely grateful

for all that Eloise continues to bring to my life, and all of

the time and energy devoted to Eloise now is worth much

more than the things I have given up. In making these

transitions, I’m realizing more than I have before that

cutting things out is not bad, and sometimes it is actually

really great! I’ve spent time praying about and discussing

what things in my life are most important and what things

in my life can be cut. I’m realizing that living fully doesn’t

mean overcrowding my life with more and more things

trying to be the busiest person in Huntington. A full

schedule does not mean I’m living fully. I must say no to

things, even good things, for the better things. Obviously,

taking care of Eloise is one of the things at the top of my

priority list. In order to determine what other things should

remain in my life, I’m learning to ask what is most

glorifying to God. I believe many of us are busier than we

would like to be and have things in our lives that could be

cut out if we would allow ourselves time to evaluate the

activities in which we are involved. I know God is still

working in my life, and there are additional things that can

be cut out of my life in order to bring the most glory to

Him.

This reminds me of a lesson I learned while working

with the Wells County Leadership Academy. One of the

Habitudes we covered focused on pursuing your strengths.

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things

well” (Romans 12:6). Common sense tells us to focus on

our weaknesses, but if we focus on our weaknesses, we

end up being average at everything, rather than great at

something. Dr. Tim Elmore, author of the Habitudes

books, in explaining research by Marcus Buckingham,

writes, “[M]ost people are living out someone else’s life

badly. They never thrive because they try to follow a

pattern laid out by someone else; they never realize what

they’re really supposed to do, and they never go where

they’re really supposed to go. They’ve simply followed the

direction and strengths of someone else they

admire” (http://growingleaders.com/blog/leading-from-

your-strengths/).

What activities need

to be in your life in

order for you to live

most fully into the

person God has called

you to be? Where do

you find that sweet

spot, that place where what you’re doing doesn’t feel like a

burden or like extra work, but is enjoyable and in turn you

naturally excel at it? What activities make you feel fully

alive? Pursue those things!

I pray you will allow yourself to say no to some things,

even good things, so that you are able to focus on the best

things. As you learn more and more how God works and

wants to work in your life, may you learn how to do your

work to glorify Him, finding your sweet spot and pursuing

your God-given strengths, so that you may live fully into

the person God has called you to be. ~Megan Engle

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please continue to pray for:

The family of Mary Schilling with sympathy after Mary’s recent passing.

The family of Duane Gamble with sympathy after Duane’s 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

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can

heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen.”

James 5:16