The Spiritual Life Team
Contact the Spiritual Life Team
The Spiritual Life team is responsible for keeping banners and paraments current in the sanctuary; providing communion, as well as home communion; keeping the oil candles filled; providing ushers, acolytes, greeters; organizing men, women and family retreats; serve as music ministry liaison; providing church publicity; keeping historical records. This team also assists in providing special worship services, guest speakers, developing discussion, study and prayer groups.
Childcare: During our regular Sunday services and special events, childcare is provided for children age three and under in St. Peter’s nursery.
Adult Choir: Our adult choir is an integral part of our services. Rehearsals are every other Thursday at 7:30pm and a half hour before each service.
Children’s Choirs: We have two children’s choir that sing primarily during our 11:00am service. They meet for 15 minutes during Education Hour after lessons. The Jesus Loves Me Choir is for pre-k and kindergarten children. The St. Peter’s Super Singers is for first through sixth grades.
Women & the Word: A group or women that discuss the Bible and other texts that meets every Thursday from 9:30am – 11:15am. Childcare is provided.
Contemplative Worship: A special service filled with prayer and meditation that takes place on the third Sunday of every month at 6:00pm. Childcare is provided.
Open Forums & Films: We host regular discussion groups on theological topics on the fourth Thursday of every month. Additionally, we show films and hold discussions about those films at various times throughout the year.
Retreats: Throughout the year, St. Peter’s has many opportunities for men, women and other groups to take part in spiritual retreats.
Opportunities to Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer to be a ministry server, click here to find out about openings.
New Members to be Received
Sunday, November 23, is the date when new members will be welcomed into the St. Peter’s community of faith. Members are received through Letter of Transfer, Re-affirmation of Faith, or Baptism and Confession of Faith. Persons interested in joining our congregation on the 23rd are invited to contact the church office no later than Thursday, November 20. Membership is an affirmation of the mutual covenant we share in ministry.
Join Us to Celebrate the Winter Solstice and Season of Advent
NEW St. Peter’s Women’s Retreat
Sunday, December 7, 2008 - 6:00 p.m.
As we approach the Christmas Holiday, we often find that we are in a constant rush. We become so overwhelmed with activity that it’s easy to lose sight of the miracles and wonders of the Holiday Season. As days become shorter, it can feel increasingly difficult to take a moment to pause and reflect on the changing seasons and on the true meaning of Christmas, much less have a quiet moment to ourselves.
St. Peter’s is offering a wonderful opportunity for women from all backgrounds to take a moment to pause, reflect, unwind, and enjoy fellowship with other women. We think you will find our NEW Winter Solstice Women’s Retreat to be very enjoyable and meaningful for you. This is an excellent way to ground your Christmas Holiday in a sense of peace amidst the typical rush of the season.
The Winter Solstice Women’s Retreat will take place on Sunday, December 7 at 6:00pm. There is no cost to attend the celebration. We ask that you sign up by Monday, December 1. Please register by contacting Theresa at 846-6882 or theresa@stpeterscarmel.org. Be sure to provide your contact information when registering, including address, phone number, and email address.
Women & the Word - Wednesday Evening
Looking for God and Finding Ourselves
As Larry and Lori remind us -- God calls each of us into relationship with God. Nothing can separate us from the abundant love that God has for us. God is, indeed, still speaking. But in the busyness of our daily lives, do we take the time to listen?
Join St. Peter’s women of all ages and life stages as we gather in weekly biblical study. We’ll laugh, explore scripture, and share our faith journeys as we:
…build supportive relationships with other women;
…increase our knowledge and appreciation of God’s faithfulness; and
…experience a time of spiritual nurture and renewal.
Never studied the bible? This group is for beginners and veterans alike. Our first topic of study will be The Gospel of John, utilizing the UCC-recommended Kerygma Series. (Visit www.kerygma.com for more information.) The Gospel of John is unique in that John is not so much interested in telling the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry – as he is in explaining the underlying significance of those stories, and most particularly, exploring the true nature of Jesus. As we become familiar with John’s Gospel, wonderful discussions will be spurred relating to our everyday lives… wonderings… questions… and longings. The study guide will “lead” us as we go, and the group will be facilitated by Suzy Leagre. Questions? Contact the church office. Please note that there will be no study group on November 26.
Women & the Word - Thursday Morning
Come to St. Peter’s on Thursdays from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., and you’ll find a diverse group of women sharing prayers, insights, and support for one another. We’re studying a curriculum entitled “Adult Crossings”, and it explores eight core stories of the Bible. You can join us at any point. We promise! Don’t worry about joining us midway through this study; we simply want you to be a part of our conversations. Childcare is always provided, and we are eager to welcome you. Questions? Please contact Lori at lori@stpeterscarmel.org. There will be no Women & the Word on November 27 because of Thanksgiving.
Wednesday Evening Adult Study with Larry
Larry’s class got underway on September 24, but you are still welcome to attend. All who are interested in attending Larry’s class are invited to share a brown bag meal at 6:00 p.m. The study is from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the parlor. The fall discussions will use a DVD entitled, "Tex Mix; Stories of Earthy Mysticism." Tex Sample, a sociologist of religion, lecturer and author, shares tales that help deepen and widen faith/spirituality. He is emeritus Professor of Church and Society at the St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. Later in the year, the evening class will use a DVD entitled, "The Question of God," a resource with Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis exploring deep questions of the spirit. Join the group for one or all of the weekly sessions. Please note that the class will not meet on November 26 because of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Prayer Power
The Spiritual Life team would like to invite you to participate in intentional, directed prayer on behalf of St. Peter’s plans, deliberations and work. If you are interested in raising up in prayer concerns, plans, hopes and events of St. Peter’s, asking for discernment of God’s will and God’s blessing on our congregation, please ask Theresa to put you on this new email list. Specific opportunities for prayer will be sent from time to time. Contact Kent Newton knewton@nbbplaw.com with questions.
From the Music Director
In September, the chancel choir started their fall season. Music has long played a vital role in the life of St. Peter’s, and I hope that will continue for many years to come. To create the best music program possible, the chancel choir is returning to weekly choir rehearsals beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Weekly rehearsals will make us more secure with the music, keep our voices in better shape, and give us better flexibility all around. The earlier time should be better for those of you with young children. We will be happy to offer baby-sitting if we know in advance that there is a need, so please let me know. The choir will still rehearse 30 minutes prior to each Sunday’s worship service, as well as continue “Walk-up Choir Sunday” on the last Sunday of each month. On “Walk-up Choir Sunday,” everyone is welcome to join the choir in the choir loft as we sing a familiar piece; no rehearsal is necessary, although you are invited to rehearse in the choir room just prior to the service if you’d like a little preparation.
The chancel choir is a great group of people, but we need more voices at both services to give us additional flexibility. Please consider joining us on either a permanent or casual basis, whatever your schedule allows. If you have any questions about the choral program, please don’t hesitate to contact me at musicdirector@stpeterscarmel.org.
St. Peter’s Advent & Holiday Schedule
November 23: Fellowship Lunch followed by the Hanging of the Greens - 12:30pm
November 30: First Sunday of Advent
December 14: Children’s Christmas Program - 10:00am
December 24: Christmas Eve Services - 4:30, 7:30, & 11:00pm
December 28: Combined Worship - 10:00am
3106 East Carmel Drive
Carmel, IN 46033
Telephone: (317) 846-6882
Preschool: (317) 846-6860
Fax: (317) 844-0984
Email: stpeters@stpeterscarmel.org