August CrossCurrent

Beloved Siblings in Christ,

August is a strange, in-between month.
Summer is still here. The days are still warm, the evenings still invite us outside, and there is still time for vacations, backyard gatherings, and a little more rest. But we can also feel fall approaching. School begins again for my children. Calendars fill up. The rhythms of church and community begin to return.

Before everything gets busy again, I hope you will take some time to breathe, to rest, and to reconnect with God. Notice where God has been present in the big and small moments. Notice the presence of God in the wind, rain, smiles, hugs, grass, bunnies, flowers, and in the normal everyday mundane moments of life.

This fall, we will begin a new sermon series exploring prayer: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it still matters.

Too often, prayer is treated like a genie lamp: say the right words, believe hard enough, and perhaps God will grant our wishes. But prayer is not a formula for controlling God or escaping the difficulties of life. Prayer is a practice. It is how we become more attentive to God, more honest with ourselves, and more open to the people and world around us.

Sometimes prayer changes our circumstances.
Sometimes prayer changes us.
And sometimes prayer simply reminds us that we are not alone.

As summer begins to wind down, I hope you will enjoy these remaining warm days. Take a walk. Sit on a porch. Share a meal with someone you love. Pay attention to something beautiful. Eventually, as fall approaches, I hope you will come back to church. Not because attendance is another obligation to add to an already crowded calendar, but because we need one another. We need a place to breathe, to worship, to ask questions, to receive grace, and to remember that we belong.

Wherever this summer has taken you, there is always a place for you here.

Rev. David Petty

Sunday School-

On Sunday, Sept. 20th we will begin a 6 week Sunday School study of the Lord's Prayer. We will be using the study book "Pray Like Jesus" by Don Underwood." It is remarkably simple and brief. Most Christians already know it by heart and can easily recite it. In fact, that might be part of the problem: it is so well known that most of us never think about the words as we rattle them off. But the Lord's Prayer is both an insightful theological statement and, if recited daily, a powerful tool for developing a rich devotional life." The participant's book is available on Amazon. Please plan on bringing something for journaling. By that time, school supplies will be on sale so you can purchase a Composition Book or small notepad.

B-COS We Care about our students……..
As of May 2025, Beyond the Classroom has provided clothing to over 105,000 students. During the 2024–2025 school year alone, the program assisted students from 70 schools across El Paso County, offering clothing, hygiene items, and $75 Famous Footwear gift cards.

A total of 1,700 students received these items. In addition, 470 students from eastern El Paso County and additional students in our area received $75 Famous Footwear gift cards. Our four major events, held over nine weeks, took place at the Family Success Center, hosted by Pikes Peak United Way. While families selected clothing and hygiene items during the events, many also accessed additional services offered at the Family Success Center.

This program works closely with school counselors and liaisons in high-need schools, identified using federal free and reduced lunch data. Designated schools receive student allotments and are responsible for scheduling families to attend events. Beyond the Classroom is grateful for its partnership with Pikes Peak United Way and the Family Success Center, which provide valuable wraparound services for families in need. For the second consecutive year, Widefield High School also supported the program by holding a coat and blanket drive to help keep students warm.

Recent Program Impact

During the 2024–2025 school year, the program distributed 1,700 Famous Footwear gift cards, over 6,000 pieces of clothing, and 6,800 hygiene items to students in need. Beyond the Classroom also reached an additional 16 schools in the Pikes Peak region, distributing 470 more gift cards—all within an annual budget of $225,000.

Each communion Sunday thereafter we will have a basket for those who feel called to give above and beyond their pledge. This "second-mile" giving will help fund the pastor's discretionary fund, which helps meet community needs as they arise, such as gas, lodging, clothing, etc. Feel free to bring your spare cash and change to help make a change in the lives of those in need.

St. Paul’s members- we need your help. If you know of anyone in our St. Paul’s family who is homebound, in a nursing home, or unable to come to church for a while, please let me know their name and phone number. I will be happy to contact them and see if they would appreciate having communion brought to them. Lu Petersen, 597-2824.

As the holidays approach, it’s never been a better time to purchase grocery cards from the church. They can be used at all Safeway and Kings Soopers stores. In addition to using them for your own grocery shopping, they make great gifts and stocking stuffers. They are as simple to use as a credit or debit card. You can purchase grocery cards for $25, $50, or $100. The cards never expire and you can use them multiple times until the entire balance on the card has been sent. Best of all, the church makes 5% of the face value of each card sold.

A number of students attending the TESLA school across the street from the church have some needs that you can help supply. They need food cards, deodorant (boys and girls scents), hairbrushes, toothpaste/toothbrushes, hoodies/sweaters (all adult sizes), and boys’ and girls’ t-shirts and long sleeve t-shirts (all adult sizes).
They have also asked for help with a food drive. You can donate grocery cards or non-perishables. Any assistance you can provide will let the young people know that people care about them.

We will be collecting coats for Springs Rescue Mission. A box is located in the Narthex.

The Children’s Ministry has been called to collect pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.
A jar will be placed in the Narthex on the information table.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact

Sept. 13 Potluck - We will be welcoming everyone back from Summer Activities with a special potluck on Sept. 13th. Our main dish will be Mexican Fiesta... the church will provide the base ingredients (Fritos, rice, chili). A sign-up sheet for bringing the toppings will be on the Volunteer table starting Aug. 16th. If you don't want to sign-up for one of the toppings, please bring a side dish or dessert. Let's come together for food, fun and fellowship!

5:00p Youth Group