Ministries at St. Peter's
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Worship
Worship at St. Peter’s features spirited music and a Bible-based message led by an active laity and pastor committed to the Word of God. The 8:30am service offers an informal atmosphere for adults, youth, and children who seek a less structured worship experience. The 11:00am service is more traditional, with music by the Adult Choir. In addition, during the sermon children are invited to attend Children’s Church.
A nursery is provided for small children during both services. While at the 8:30am service Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday, at 11:00 Communion is usually offered on the first Sunday of each month.
Plan now to attend Holy Week and Easter Services:
- Palm Sunday Service on March 28 at 8:30am and 11:00am
- Maundy Thursday Service on April 1 at 7:00pm
- Good Friday Tenebrae Service on April 2 at 7:00pm
- Easter Sunrise Service on April 4 at the church cemetery (7:00am) followed by breakfast at the church
- Celebration of the Resuurection on April 4 at 8:30am and 11:00am
Education
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Sunday School classes for all ages meet at 9:45am. The nursery and preschool classes are on the main level. The remainder of children and youth classes meet on the lower level. There are three adult classes:
- The Wesley Class meets in the Fellowship Hall.
- The Gin Holman Class meets in a classroom on the main level.
- “The Young Adult Class meets on the lower level.
- In March all three of these classes will be studying the bestselling book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Robert Schnase.
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- On September 10 the Thursday morning group began studying Beloved Disciple: The Life and Ministry of John by Beth Moore. The group meets in the fellowship hall from 9:45 to 11:30. Please prayerfully consider joining; the blessings include fellowship, lively discussion and a closer walk with the Lord.
- Starting Sunday, February 21 at 7 pm, a new 6 week study will
begin especially for women who haven't been able to participate in weekday meetings
due to conflicts with work or taking care of young children. Titled "Rejuvenation
with Living Water: God’s Loving Gifts of Grace, Peace and Rest," the study will take
a look at the support that God gives us through scripture and the importance of
His support and encouragement to support, love and nurture each other and ourselves
along life's course.
- All of the materials will be provided at the meeting - no homework required!
- Meetings will feature some relaxation techniques borrowed from spa experiences to make it fun
- Everyone is encouraged to bring a neighborhood friend for this fun weekly retreat just for women
- We will meet weekly on Sunday nights at 7 pm in the church parlor starting February 21.
- Childcare will be provided - just let us know the number of kids you'll be bringing to the nursery.
Contact Susan Barker - s_tbarker@yahoo.com or call 363-0491 – if you have any questions or to arrange for child care. - Ladies' Retreat March 19-20: All women are invited to participate in a Ladies Retreat at Shalom House Retreat Center in Montpelier. The topic is Pray ALL-Ways, to be lead by Cindy Lee, Director of Discipleship Ministries at Shady Grove UMC in Mechanicsville. The retreat will begin with dinner on Friday night at 6:00 pm and end Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm. Registration forms and additional information are available at the church.
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Missions
The people of St. Peter’s feel called by God to reach out in love and concern to the hurting of our community and the world.
- St. Peter’s Church is in covenant relationship with Valentine and Jacques Akasa, a husband and wife team of missionaries assigned to the Wings of Caring Aviation Ministry based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jacques works as a pilot-mechanic and program director of the ministry while his wife is a radio operator, bookkeeper, and flight tracker. Jacques and Valentine visited St. Peter’s in September to explain how Jacques survived a crash earlier this year, but his plane did not. This Christmas St. Peter’s had the goal of raising $5,000 toward the purchase of another plane for the Wings of Caring ministry. Despite snowy weather in December, St. Peter’s surpassed its goal, raising more than $6,000 for the Wings of Caring Aviation Ministry.
- We support local organizations including the Western Hanover Emergency Action Team and Hanover Habitat for Humanity. Periodically we have provided assistance to families who heat with wood by delivering truck loads of split firewood.
- Families enjoy the joy of giving as they shop in the fall to pack shoe boxes with toys, clothes, games, etc. for Operation Christmas Child, sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. St. Peter’s typically sends more than 100 shoeboxes to join the millions delivered to children worldwide.
- For the 5th year in a row, St. Peter’s sent volunteers and supplies to the All God’s Children Camp at Westview on the James, where the children of incarcerated mothers enjoy a carefree week of recreation and Christian nurturing. The church also supports the camp financially.
- Mission to Virginia is an annual outreach effort to help
those in need in our own community. After a rainout in November, participants gathered on
December 12 to complete winterization tasks on homes in Montpelier.
- Hurricanes, floods and tornadoes – UMCOR [United Methodist Committee on Relief] is ready to help. Our church agency is recognized for its prompt and efficient operation. St. Peter’s collects items for health, school, layette, and sewing kits to send to UMCOR in June. Monetary gifts are also welcome.
- February was Heart Havens Month. Heart Havens is a ministry of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church which builds homes so that adult mentally challenged persons can live independently, yet be supervised. On January 3, the Ashland District broke ground for a Heart Havens home to be built in Ashland. In the months ahead St. Peter’s will develop strategies for working with Heart Havens.
- Haitian Relief: the United Methodist Committee on Relief [UMCOR] is working with other aide agencies and partners across the world to respond effectively to the people of Haiti after the devastating earthquake in January. Haiti is often referred to as "the poorest of the poor." 100 percent of donations go to help the people of Haiti. If you wish to donate, make your check payable to St. Peter’s UMC and write Haiti on the memo line.
- Health Kits Needed: Health kits provide basic necessities to those affected by natural disasters or human conflict. The kits also serve as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition and cooking classes. Health kits may be dropped off at the church office Monday through Thursday, 8:30-12:30, or on Sunday mornings. All Health Kits left at St. Peter’s will be delivered to UMCOR pick-up sites.
- 1 Hand towel (15’-17’ x 25’-27’) No kitchen towels
- 1 Sturdy washcloth
- 1 Comb
- 1 Nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
- 1 Bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
- 1 Toothbrush (single brushes in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)
- 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
- $1.00 to purchase toothpaste
(UMCOR purchases in bulk to add to health care kits to ensure that the product does not expire before they are sent.)
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To Make A Health Kit:
Put in one-gallon plastic bag:
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Scouting
The church sponsors Boy Scout Troop 706, Cub Scout Pack 706 and Girl Scout Troop 89. Since its creation in 1984, Troop 706 has awarded over 31 Eagle Scouts. Check out the church calendar for meeting times and days.
Fellowship
Known for our friendliness, we believe opportunities for fellowship build relationships and strengthen the sense of belonging to a caring congregation:
- St. Peter’s offers Family Night Dinners from 6:00–6:45pm on the first Wednesday of each month during the school year. The dinners will resume on September 2.
- Work areas in the church sponsor small fellowship dinners in members’ homes, and activities such as day trips, picnics, Easter sunrise breakfast, and theater outings.
- A painting club meets weekly at church from 10:00 – 12:00 on Tuesday mornings. For the artist in everyone; all are welcome.
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St. Peter’s plans meaningful activities to teach children about God’s love and enhance parenting skills in the congregation.
- New "Breakfast on the Beach" Sunday School Program Kicks Off on February 21
Join the fun in Sunday School with the new program for grades K-5 called Breakfast on the Beach. The entire Breakfast on the Beach study will focus on the verses in John 21: 1-15 showing how Christ feeds us and asks us to feed others. Each week class leaders from multi-generations will take a unique approach to the lesson through fun activities like:
- Creative Cookery
- Art
- Music/Movement
- Science
- Storytelling/Drama
- Games
- Easter Sunday will feature a special celebration for all children
Children are asked to bring a non-perishable food item each Sunday for community pantry needs as we follow Christ's instructions to feed His sheep.
"Breakfast on the Beach" starts Sunday, February 21 at 9:45am. See you there!
- Other Upcoming Children's Ministries Events:
April 3 - Easter Egg Hunt 10am - 12pm
May 16 - Family Putt-Putt at Bogey's 2:30 pm
Youth
The Youth meet every Wednesday night at 7:00 pm and for Sunday School every Sunday morning at 9:45am. Youth director Katherine Burton is busy planning activities for the new year. Activities in February included:
- The youth will be leading the Easter Sunrise Service on April 4 at 7:00am at the church cemetery.
- Confirmation classes begin during Sunday School at 9:45 on March 7. Confirmation Sunday will be May 2.