From the Deacon: Intercessory Prayer: an Opportunity to Show Concern, Love

On Sunday, during the Prayers of the People, we pray for individuals as well as for the whole human family.  At St. Peter’s it is very easy to add someone’s name to the prayer list.  You can place a name on the prayer list by filling out a prayer card or calling the office or telling a member of the clergy.  Everyone has his or her own reasons for putting someone’s name on the prayer list.  In most cases we remove the person’s name after a month unless you request that we continue that person’s name.  This is so that those who are in crisis may be at the heart of the prayers.

Some might wonder why adding a name to the prayer list matters at all.  Let me give you a personal example:  When one of our granddaughters was born, she had a tumor in her lung for which she had surgery.  It was a serious condition, and she was hospitalized for an extended time.  During this period, Jon’s and my focus was on being at the hospital, helping out with the other children, and offering support to our daughter and son-in-law.  We also tried to keep other family members informed of the progress of little Rebecca. 

I knew that many friends, acquaintances, and members of the church we attended were praying for us.  I don’t know specifically what those prayers were, but I did know that much love was being put into the prayers.  And, even though it was a frightening and uncertain time for us, I somehow felt a peace that didn’t come from my own struggles.  When I went to bed at night, I felt I could rest on the prayers of those who cared and were praying for us.

Our granddaughter is now 11 years old and thriving.  But, even if the outcome had been different, the prayers were still valuable and helpful to us.  I felt those prayers as surely as if they had been medicine from a physician.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who lost his life in World War II, spoke about prayer in this way:

It matters little what form of prayer we adopt...or how many words we use.  What matters is the faith which lays hold on God, knowing that He knows our needs before we even ask Him.  That is what gives Christian prayer its boundless confidence and its joyous certainty.  We simply make petitions and requests to One who has the heart of a Father.

Of course, God's will must be the primary object of our prayers... and we must recognize prayer as an instrument of God's will.  Therefore, we pray that God's will may be done throughout the world...and in intercessory prayer we bring people... from around the  world...into the presence of God.

As you bring people you love into the presence of God through prayer, may God’s love comfort you as well.

 OUTREACH

Food pantry donations have dropped considerably all over and the need is greater now than ever.

The need was brought closer to me by the lady I take ceramics from.  She was telling me that they really hadn’t been getting much money out of the two rental properties they had inherited, because she felt that she just couldn’t raise the rent.  The individuals are both in their 80s and live off their social security, which is $600 per month. Their rent is $300.  Do you think you could live on $300 a month? There are always medical bills, utilities and food. Probably you would do without food if necessary. I am sure those who St. Mary’s takes care of are in the same situation.

If you can, just purchase one of the items, you don’t need to buy everything. Every $5 or $10 makes a difference.

If you want to participate and cannot get out and shop, make a check to St. Peter’s and designate “outreach” in the memo portion and we will do the shopping for you.

All items you bring should be put next to the big trunk in the undercroft entrance. If you can’t get them downstairs, just let one of the ushers know and they will take care of them for you.

Suggested items:  canned meats or canned goods containing meat (ravioli, soups, chili, etc.), canned fruit

On another note, the Outreach Committee donated $500 to the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies program, Maison de Naissance. By participating in the Millennium Development Goals, our contribution received matching funds from the committee overseeing the funds gathered in through our Emmaus boxes.

Our Directory is Being Updated

Rebecca Fisher has taken on the task of contacting every family in the parish to make sure that our directory contains accurate and complete information. She will be making certain that all family members are listed, that mailing information is accurate, and that we have correct phone numbers, email addresses, birthdays and anniversaries. She has a big job ahead of her. Thank you for helping Rebecca with this project.

 

St. Peter’s Preschool: Company Provides Labor

A big thank you to the landscaping company The Gardner Who Cares.  They supplied the day school with sand and mulch at cost for the playground and did not charge for labor.  This was a huge savings to the school.  The Gardener Who Cares is owned and operated by the extended family of one of our day school families.

Know anyone looking for preschool this fall?  Please be sure to mention St. Peter’s Day School.  We have 9 children graduating this year, so there will be space available for all ages.

West Missouri Youth Events

Missionpalooza – July 22-27

Hopefully, you’ve seen this year’s Missionpalooza poster in by the bulletin board at church – and are ready to sign up and put your faith in action. The theme is “Essential Peace.” If you’re new to Missionpalooza – for five days youth from Missouri, Kansas and beyond come together in community, mission, fellowship and worship – both inside and outside the walls of the church. Students spend the night at St. Paul’s, Kansas City, and spend their days in the urban mission field heeding Christ’s call to feed the hungry, visit the sick and comfort those in need. When not serving, they will gather for worship and fun activities such as games, music, movie night, outdoor barbecue and alternative Saturday afternoon fun day.

Episcopal Youth Event (E.Y.E)

July 8-13 in San Antonio, Texas

Missionpalooza—July 22-27 at Kansas City

August 22-24 – YAC Fall Retreat.

September 26-28 – Happening No. 58.

Application forms for upcoming events are online at www.diowestmo.org or by contacting Kim Snodgrass at kimwestmo@swbell.net or calling 417-793-0780.

Gift Shop News: Funds Provided Landscaping

If you have not yet viewed the improvements to the island and grounds in front of the church, please take a look.  The Gift Shop funds paid over $2300. for the recent landscaping work done by Rosehill.  My thanks to Jim McDowell, Anita Eulitt, Suzanne Hoff, Irislee Pringle and Bob Noll for their advice and final approval of the plans.  

This is only one of a number of additions the Gift Shop has provided over the years to enhance the beauty and aid in the functioning of St. Peter's.  Notably are the Karostan rug in the parlor, the antique French court cabinet in the narthex, the stained glass window panels in the parlor doors and much  more.

With the most recent expenditures, our Gift Shop funds are extremely low and needs building up again.  The only way this can be accomplished is, you guessed it,  by your purchases in  the Gift Shop.  Won't you please help?

We gratefully welcome two new Gift Shop hostesses for the 10 a.m. shift:   Kemp Wiese and Debbie Marchand.  We also need two volunteers for the 8 a.m. shift.  This duty involves only about 30-40 minutes once a month.  Plus, this is a fun way to serve your church.

What is the Order of St. Luke?

Hope and Healing through Prayer

Have you seen the person in the side chapel on Sundays during communion?  He or she is a member of OSL. The International Order of St. Luke the Physician (OSL) is made up of clergy, health professionals and lay people who believe healing is an essential part of the teaching and practice of our Lord Jesus Christ and that the healing ministry of Christ belongs in the Church today. It is an interdenominational Christian order of faith, prayer, and service. The order believes that God uses many avenues for healing – some spiritual and some medical – and that they should be supportive of one another.

We would like to share with you an excerpt from an article found in the OSL journal “Sharing” April 2005 issue written by the Rev. James Ross:

Prayer is communication with God…When it comes to healing, the most important thing we can do for each other is to pray.  It brings healing to the one praying, and to the one prayed for.  And even I suspect to the one prayed to.  For in daring to believe that prayer is worth our effort, we begin to heal the breach between ourselves and God..… Prayer is an unknown, and all too often, untried quantity, even in Christian circles.  Yet it has a miraculous potential to change the world.  Most of us talk more about prayer than we practice it.

I know for myself, when I do pray, that amazing things happen.  It’s as if it unleashes an unseen power into the world – a power that releases everyone, including myself, to give and to receive love.  Where love is, healing takes place.

So now that you know about us, please come over on Sunday, if you feel that you or someone you know are in need of healing prayers or thanksgiving. Whatever you say is kept in confidence.  Also, you can call on any or all of us at any time, not just on Sunday.

If you feel called to be part of OSL, or just interested in seeing what we are about, please plan on attending our next meeting, Monday, August 4, at 7 p.m.

Our next Healing Service, will be Sunday, August 31, at 10 a.m.

Summer Christian Formation

Christian Formation continues on during the Summer; no slacking off at St. Peter's!

Children's Christian Formation continues with the help of Jennifer Moritz, Amie Ralston and Tina Seeley, all new teachers for our summer program.  The curriculum is Exploring Faith, specially made for early and middle elementary students.  Class begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at the time of the exchange of the Peace. 

Adult Forum will focus on Figures in the Old Testament.  Deacon Linda and I will lead in conversations about Abraham, Jacob, Moses and Ruth.  Who were these persons?  What was their importance in the unfolding revelatory plan of God?  Just like all human beings, none of these four persons were perfect, but each of their lives provides lessons of faithful people intent on listening for God's call and action in their own lives.

Children's classes start at 10 a.m.; Adult Forum begins at 9:05 a.m.  Summer is a great time to "cool down a bit" in our daily activities, and you're more than welcome to "cool down” in our educational programs for all ages!

Observances in July

Celebrate Important Lives through the Episcopal Church Calendar

On July 17 we celebrate the life of William White, the first presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, chaplain to the Continental Congress and the only Episcopal cleric in Pennsylvania to side with the American revolutionary cause. On the 30th of the month, we celebrate William Wilberforce, a British politician who fought for the abolition of slavery, worked to establish a free colony in Sierra Leone, and helped to found the Church Mission Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

St. Mary Magdalene, Thomas à Kempis, Mary and Martha of Bethany and Ignatius of Loyola are others celebrated this month.

Discover other special observances, along with appropriate Bible readings for each day, with your own copy of the church calendar. Information on individuals listed is freely available on the Internet at sites like en.wikipedia.org; just search for the Episcopal Church calendar of saints.