Inside this edition:
Pastor’s Article .............................................. pg. 3
Bible Study Opportunities ............................. pg. 6
Marriage Enrichment & Date Night .............. pg. 7
Getting Acquainted ....................................... pg. 9
Slate 2 January 2018
On the Cover
In February, there are lots of expressions of love tied in to
Valentine’s Day. Chocolates, flowers, and greeting cards all
express thoughts and feelings of love. The verse highlighted on
the cover of this month’s Slate gives us the true definition of love.
Love that comes from knowing Christ as our Savior from sin.
Turn to 1 John 4:7-21 to read the entire section of how much God
really loves us!
Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am
Bible Study and Sunday School: 10:30am
Saturday Evening Worship: 6pm (1st Saturday of the month)
3461 Merle Ave., Modesto, CA 95355
Phone: 209-551-0563 FAX: 209-551-8827
Website: stpetermodesto.org
Pastor Daniel Schroeder
(email:[email protected])
Mission Statement As people saved by God’s undeserved love, we want to share the Word
of forgiveness and tell of Jesus Christ. Remembering Jesus’ love, we
seek to strengthen and serve each other and our neighbors daily, acting
through faith in our Lord Jesus, as guided by the Holy Spirit.
Slate 3 January 2018
Tidying Up
Recently I finished reading the New York Times best-selling book The Life-
Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and
Organizing by Marie Kondo. It was an interesting read, although it had its parts
that made me say, “Umm … no.” She encourages the readers to talk to their
shoes at the end of the day and thank the shoes for serving that day (because
shoes have feelings, didn’t your realize that? Umm … no). She also is a follower
of the false teachings of Shintoism, the use of charms, and ancestor worship,
which is clearly portrayed in the book. Another “Umm … no.”
The book is an organization book to help you wade
through the things you have and only keep what should
be kept. Kondo’s main action she has people carry out is
to hold up an object (like a shirt) and ask, “Does this
bring me joy?” If not, then get rid of it. This is to help
you keep only the things that truly make you happy and
bring you joy in your life.
Does this bring me joy? That question seems to have a tie to the season of Lent
that begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Many observe Lent by giving up or
getting rid of things to help them focus on having a heart of repentance.
Remember that repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward the
God who saves you. Or, another way, being sorry for your sins and clinging to
your Savior who forgives you. We could almost say that Lent is a time of the
church year where we clear away the clutter and ask the question, “Does this
bring me joy … true joy … deep-down-heart-felt-soul-impacting-eternity-lasting
joy?” If not, time to say good-bye to it. Anything that leads me away from God,
doesn’t bring me true joy. Anything that clutters up my connection to my Savior
Jesus needs to be tossed.
Use the upcoming season of Lent as an opportunity to focus on what truly brings
you joy … it’s Jesus. He cleared up your cluttered account of rebellious sins. He
cleansed your life of everything that would keep you away from experiencing
the true joy of an eternal, heavenly glory. For you, he went to the cross. What
brought him joy was that you never have to experience the shame of hell.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured
the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God (Hebrews 11:1,2).
– Pastor Schroeder
Slate 4 January 2018
Sunday Worship in February
Worship in February has us ending the Epiphany season and moving into the
season of Lent. Epiphany reveals Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of all
people. Lent is a season of repentance. Ash Wednesday is the start of the 40 days
of Lent. During the 40 days we can take time to reflect on how much we need a
Savior who went to the extreme by dying and experiencing hell on the cross for
us. The Sundays in Lent, not part of the 40 days, are to be islands of refreshment
for us. On the Sundays we are refreshed to see Jesus as the Savior who wins
victories over the Devil because Jesus is God himself.
February 3 & 4 Come, Follow Me – My Word has Power
February 11 Come, Follow Me – Get a Glimpse of God’s Glory
February 18 Learn from the Lamb – An Alternative is Offered
February 25 Learn from the Lamb – The Cross Comes First
WELS Women’s Retreat – Follow up Debbie Alves, Melody Zuccaro and Linka Schroeder attended the WELS
Women’s Retreat at the Mt. Hermon Conference Center near Santa Cruz. The
retreat focus was on Luke 12:27 where Jesus says, “Consider how the lilies
grow. They do no labor or spin. Yet, I tell you, not even Solomon in all his
splendor was dressed like one of these.” The ladies had a wonderful time
enjoying Christian fellowship as they learned from God’s Word. The meals were
excellent and the mountain resort was
beautiful. If you want to plan to come next
year the retreat will be one of the last two
weekends in January. Please ask Melody,
Debbie or Linka if you have any questions.
L to R: Debbie Alves, Linka
Schroeder, Melody Zuccaro
Slate 5 January 2018
Lenten Schedule
Taking time to hit the pause button for quiet contemplation and reflection brings blessings to our souls. The Wednesday evening devotional services in the season of Lent allow us to meditate upon Jesus’ work for us as our Substitute and Savior, truly a blessing. This year’s Lent series uses the them, “Jesus Christ Is Our Great High Priest.” The theme focuses on one of the three roles of Christ; he is our Priest. Through a study of selections from Hebrews, we will see how Jesus was and is the High Priest of high priests and how his role as the ultimate High Priest affects the lives of his followers by faith now and forever.
Please note the following schedule of special worship times and events during this year’s season of Lent through Good Friday. The midweek services and Holy Week evening services are at 6:30 pm. A supper will be served at 5:30 pm preceding the Wednesday services.
FEB 14 - ASH WEDNESDAY Imposition of Ashes and the Lord’s Supper offered
FEB 21 - MIDWEEK LENT 2 Pastor Matt Natsis of Good Shepherd--Livermore preaching
FEB 28 - MIDWEEK LENT 3 Pastor Mark Schewe of St. Peter–Clovis preaching
MARCH 7 - MIDWEEK LENT 4 Pastor Schroeder preaching
MARCH 14 - MIDWEEK LENT 5 Pastor Mark Schewe of St. Peter–Clovis preaching
MARCH 21 - MIDWEEK LENT 6 Pastor Schroeder preaching MARCH 25 – PALM SUNDAY Procession of Palms by children MARCH 29 – MAUNDY THURSDAY
Lord’s Supper offered MARCH 30 – GOOD FRIDAY
Tenebrae Service (Service of Darkness)
Slate 6 January 2018
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Every Sunday, 10:30am, Fellowship Hall
January – March Hard Sayings of Jesus
MONDAY LAY-LED BIBLE STUDY
Every other Monday, 7:00pm
at The Hejnals’, 3309 Palliser Way, Modesto
January – March More Prepared to Answer
TUESDAY MORNING MEN’S BREAKFAST BIBLE STUDY
Every Tuesday, 6:30am
at Perko’s Restaurant, 3500 Oakdale Rd, Modesto
January – February Galatians: Set Free
TUESDAY WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Every other Tuesday, 6:30pm, Fellowship Hall
January – March Engage (Video-based)
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Every Thursday, 9:30-10:30 am, Fellowship Hall
January – March Unraveling Revelation
THURSDAY BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS
Every Thursday, 6:30pm, Fellowship Hall
January – March Christianity 101: People Close to God
FRIDAY WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Every other Friday, 10:30am, Fellowship Hall
January – March Engage (Video-based)
FACEBOOK STUDY – WORDS BRINGING WISDOM
Weekly on a private Facebook group
January - February Christianity in the Age of Terrorism
Slate 7 January 2018
Everyone has plans to improve on something
this year. Everyone wants their marriage to
last for life.
… Why, then, do some marriages last while
others do not?
… Why are some marriages bubbling with
joy, while others go flat?
Why not actually carry out a plan to improve your marriage? Here’s some help
how to do that ...
Married for Life is a marriage enrichment and date night four-week workshop
meant to strengthen marriages and homes. We'll be looking at God's Word for
strength and guidance so that whether your marriage is struggling and needs
some help or thriving and you want to keep that fire going, you can stay Married
for Life. The workshop is four-week course which will be held on the following
Fridays in February at 6:00-6:45 pm, at St. Peter:
February 2 - “Love & Respect”
February 9 - “The Love She Most Desires”
February 16 - “The Respect He Desperately Needs”
February 23 - “Keeping the Right Cycle Spinning”
Each session will last roughly 45 minutes. The reason for holding these
workshops on Friday evenings is so that a couple who attends this workshop
could then go out on a date after the workshop and talk about what was
discussed that evening in the workshop. Childcare at church will be provided for
those who would like that service for their date.
If you plan on attending, please email Matt Tablit, Jr. at [email protected]
Pastor Schroeder at [email protected] or call the church office at
(209) 551-0563. Please indicate if you will need childcare.
Slate 8 January 2018
Connect Groups (February – April Session)
New Groups Los Modestos This is an informal get together to practice Spanish with your friends
from church. The idea is to get people talking in Spanish no matter the level
of speaking ability. We will meet at group member’s homes, at church and at
restaurants.
Tough Mudder Half It’s always great to exercise and you will have accountability
partners to encourage you to train. We will have a “couch to 5K” plan to help
you prepare for the Tough Mudder running part. You will have the fun
benefit of racing the Tough Mudder Half together with your St. Peter family
... AND get a cool T-shirt that said you did it!! Join us!
Cycling This Connect Group will be directed toward beginning bicycle
riders, both kids and adults. The intent is to promote bicycle riding as an
outdoor activity that improves physical fitness, boosts happiness, reduces
stress, and promotes fellowship among members. There will also be
educational opportunities to learn about care and maintenance for your bike.
The costs for this group should be minimal for gasoline and picnic lunch on
the last ride of the session.
Connect Groups - Updates
Taste of Modesto In January the ladies enjoyed an evening out at Ralston’s Goat in
downtown Modesto. They will next “taste” at Papapavlos Mediterranean
Restaurant on Standiford in Modesto on February 27th
.All ladies 21 and
over are invited to join in the fellowship and fun of trying out eateries in
Modesto!
Slate 9 January 2018
Ashley Gill Ashley was born in Modesto, and she has three
sisters and one brother.
Ashley is currently doing some substitute work
through the Ceres School District, as well as
working with the St. Peter Pre-School. She loves
working with our little ones, because they are so
inviting to anything you might want to teach
them, show them, or share with them.
She loves traveling and biking. Her last trip was
to Japan and Australia, but she has also traveled to Spain and Turkey!
What brought Ashley to St. Peter was her brother Kenny. He came first, and
then convinced Ashley and their mom to join them. What keeps her at St. Peter
is the fact that it is more traditional—it teaches God’s Word “as it is”.
Ashley sees herself becoming more active socially at St. Peter, getting to know
the St. Peter family a little better.
Ashley’s favorite weekend get-away is Santa Cruz, and the number one item on
her bucket list is to visit Morocco.
Sweetheart Brunch – Sunday February 11
On Sunday, February 11, after church, the men of
the congregation will be hosting a Sweetheart
Brunch. Everyone is invited to enjoy the brunch
while the men take care of everything.
There will be a meeting after church today to help
organize and finalize the preparations for the event.
All men are invited to participate and show their
appreciation for the women in their lives. Please be
at the meeting or talk to Jerry Baggett if you plan on
helping.
Slate 10 January 2018
St. Peter Preschool VOICES IN CHURCH AND ART SHOW PICTURES:
I thank God for a special day with the preschool families. It was a day we
heard little voices praising their Savior. We heard the precious Gospel truths
which nourished our souls and then after service, we saw a glimpse of the gifts
God has given his little ones in their displayed artwork!
Slate 11 January 2018
Pioneers will meet on Thursday, February 1, at 3:30-5pm for the Preschool-3rd
Grade age kids and Thursday, February 8, at 7-8pm for the 4th
-8th
Grade kids.
We will make Valentine’s cards for our shut-in members and members who are
students away at school. We will also have a snack and devotion.
In January, we had a group art project led by Servando
Garcia. The Pioneer kids were to draw a cross on the
white board but were given several physical challenges
that made the work difficult. Challenges included being
blindfolded, using someone else’s arm to draw, and using
a marker at the end of an 8-foot long pole. After putting
weights on that 8-foot pole, drawing became extremely
difficult. This project helped the kids imagine some of the
physical challenges that Christ endured while keeping
focused on the cross to win our salvation.
Youth Group will meet on Thursday, February 18, at 7-8pm. We will continue
with our “Do I Have to Make a Choice?” Bible study with the topic of
“Choosing How to Spend the Money I Earn”. We started this topic in January
and will finish it this month. Please join us and bring your friends!
Slate 12 January 2018
Mornings with Mommy Outreach Program Continues to
Grow! Our infant to preschool outreach program has been seeing an increase in
attendance. We recently expanded the program to 4 sessions per month, meeting
on the first and third Wednesdays at 9:00am and 10:30am. The program
provides an informal setting to get to know families in the area with young
children. Parents enjoy the opportunity to mingle with other parents and
participate in activities and crafts with their children. Dads are always welcome
too! If you would like to know more about this program or how you can assist,
please speak with Rachel Schroeder.
