Worship, Community, Education, Outreach

January 1, 2010

So often when I meet with people who are new to the parish I describe St. Peter’s as a church with four pillars: Worship, Community, Education, Outreach. In corporate Worship we encounter the presence of the living God as His Spirit makes Him known through Word and Sacrament. This encounter with the Truth and Grace of God propels us into fellowship, education and mission.

Because we have knelt side-by-side at God’s altar and shared the Body of Christ we are bound to one another in the intimacy of Christian Community. This fellowship begins on the front lawn of the church every Sunday, and continues in Wednesday night dinners, Acts 2:42 groups, at the Men’s Breakfast, at Mary and Martha Circle, and in dozens of other ways.

Because in worship we have encountered the mystery of God’s Grace in Jesus, we cannot help but want to know more through Education in His Word. Children and Youth learn all the basics of Scripture through Sunday school classes,Wednesday night classes, Sunday night youth programs, Confirmation Class, Acolyte training, and all the other ministries available for children and youth. But our adults have not graduated from the study of God’s Word; it is a life-long endeavor. So adults, too, are refreshed in the basics of God’s Word and called to a deeper understanding through a large assortment of Adult Bible Study programs.

Because in worship we encounter the undeserved Grace of Godwe are filledwith a gratitude that overflows into the lives of others through Outreach. We express our gratitude to God by volunteering for one of the many local outreach ministries that St. Peter’s has adopted, donating food for the ECHO food pantry, participating in the KAIROS prison ministry, becoming a Sponsor Family for the College Ministry Program, or going on a mission trip to Uganda, Cuba, or Guatemala.

I hope you will find in the pages of this website opportunities for Fellowship, Education,and Mission that will help you respond to the Truth and Grace of God that you encounter inWorship.

God’s Blessings,

Eric D.Dudley+
Rector