Pictures of the New Pipe Organ (11/19/2020) - I am pleased to tell you that we are nearing an installation date for our new pipe organ, which will be completed in 2021! When a new organ is built, it is assembled entirely in a workshop before being disassembled and reinstalled in its final location. Our organ is almost complete in the workshop now. This is a moment that has literally been years in the making! The wooden case work is finished and will beautifully complement our mid-century modern architecture while maintaining a traditional look, and the pipes have been installed. The console is 95% finished, and when it ... read more →
Prayers in the Midst of the Election (10/29/2020) - These prayers may be found in the Book of Common Prayer (1979), and may be particularly helpful around the election this year: Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States ... read more →
The Great Stories – The Resurrection (9/23/2020) - Biblical text: Mark 16, Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: It is fitting, I think, to end a series on “The Great Stories” of the Bible with the Resurrection. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the greatest story, not just of the Bible, but of human history. It is the foundation of our Christian faith. Without it, redemption is unaccomplished, we Gentiles are not part of God’s People, and the sacraments are hollow. With it, the whole universe has changed. What speaks most to me about this Event is the fact that the most ... read more →
The Great Stories – The Feeding of the Five Thousand (9/16/2020) - Biblical text: Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-14 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: Allow me a measure of bluntness in discussing this miracle. Jesus actually took five loaves and two fish and multiplied them enough to feed a crowd of more than five thousand. He didn’t share a few loaves, and that inspired people in the crowd to share what they had brought with them, so that this story is about the miracle of learning to share. That is a revisionist reading of this event that makes no sense of what the text actually says. If many had already brought ... read more →
The Great Stories – The Agony in the Garden (9/9/2020) - Biblical text: Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-72, Luke 22:39-46 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: John 18:2 tells us that the Garden of Gethsemane was a place where Jesus and his disciples would often spend time together. I can imagine the scene: Jesus and his disciples retreat to the Garden to relax, to talk, to enjoy the cool of the morning. Did Jesus know that this place of retreat would be the place where he would begin to undergo his darkest hour? Did he know this place would be where his friend would betray him and his closest followers would desert him? Everything seems ... read more →
The Great Stories – The Samaritan Woman at the Well (9/2/2020) - Biblical text: John 4:1-42 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: There are many privileges those of us living in the twenty-first century enjoy, and many hardships experienced by the people of first-century Israel, but some of them got to experience something we don’t—a face-to-face, physical encounter with Jesus. Of course, we have the presence of Christ in Scripture, in the sacraments, and in our fellow believers. But there must be something ineffably special about seeing Jesus in the flesh: to observe the subtleties of his facial expressions and posture, the lilt of his voice, the radiant warmth of his smile. The Samaritan woman ... read more →
The Great Stories – Jonah and the great fish (8/19/2020) - Biblical text: Jonah 1-2 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: Feeling overwhelmed—by life, by sickness, by hardship—is such a common human experience that the sacred writers have given it metaphorical expression by likening it to being “in the depths” (cf. Psalm 130:1-2, Psalm 40:1-3). For Jonah, being within the belly of the great fish was certainly an “in the depths” moment. In the cavernous belly, there was no light. As the fish descended deeper into the sea, Jonah was taken farther away from the surface, from light, from any hope of returning to the normal world. From within these depths Jonah prayed the ... read more →
The Great Stories – The Last Supper (8/12/2020) - Biblical text: Mt. 26:17-30, Mk. 14:12-26, Lk. 22:7-39, Jn. 13:1-17:26 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: There is something radically personal about the Eucharist. The words Jesus says to his disciples in the Last Supper, and the words addressed to us every time we celebrate Communion, are not vague generalities about Jesus’ love for humankind, but second-person addresses. “This is my body, given for you.” “This is my blood, shed for you.” It is sometimes hard for me to get my head around this personal encounter with Jesus. I can understand the concept that Jesus listens to the prayers of humanity, but that ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – 2017 Backpack Sunday (8/6/2020) - We have had many backpack blessings at St. Peter's over the years! In 2017, we had stations in the Parish Hall to pray, write notes, and make crafts for our teachers. We also put together teacher gifts. Gifts were passed out during church to the teachers in our congregation. Backpacks were placed in front of the altar for the backpack blessing during all of our church services. Enjoy the photos from three years ago! And don't forget this Sunday is Backpack Sunday! We will have a drive-by parade on College Street blessing our teachers and students at 11am. Students will ... read more →
The Great Stories – The Crucifixion (8/5/2020) - Biblical text: John 19:16-37, et al. Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: “Cursed be anyone who hangs on a tree” (Deuteronomy 21:23). To reflect on the Cross is to reflect on the experience of being cursed—being utterly forsaken, rejected, and abandoned. When Jesus is nailed to the Cross, he represents and “stands in” for every human being who has ever lived. Every one of us has rebelled against God and fallen short of His glory. As we say in the Confession of Sin during the Liturgy: “We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.” ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – Summer @ St. Peter’s 2018 (7/30/2020) - We had lots of fun during our Summer @ St. Peter's outings two summers ago! We can't wait until we can gather again for field trips, fellowship, and fun. These pictures are from a Frisco RoughRiders game, dinner on the square at Square Burger and The Yard, bowling at Pinstack, a dinner cruise and an escape room!
The Great Stories – The Prodigal Son (7/29/2020) - Biblical text: Luke 15:11–32 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: It was actually comedian George Carlin who (correctly) noted that most Americans do not know the meaning of the word “prodigal.” He pointed out that, because of this parable, most people think that “prodigal” means one who has wandered off or abandoned something—it is in this sense that we refer to someone coming back to the fold as “the return of the prodigal.” Prodigal actually means “recklessly extravagant; wasteful.” Prodigality has to do with waste, not wandering. I think that makes the first part of the story even more heart-rending. As someone with ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – 2012 Empty Bowls McKinney (7/23/2020) - The very first Empty Bowls McKinney event happened in our St. Peter's Parish Hall in 2012! It was held in our Parish Hall for three years. The event outgrew our space, so it was moved to the MPAC in downtown McKinney in 2015. Enjoy these photos from the very first event -- and see how many people you can recognize!
The Great Stories – The Creation story (7/22/2020) - Biblical text: Genesis 1 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: There are some strands of Christian theology that seek to understand the details of God’s inner life. We know that the Father eternally begets the Son, and that the Spirit proceeds from the Father, and from these bare facts follow speculations about generations, processions, spirations, and the mutual indwellings of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity—as if God was something we could take apart and examine, like we would the intricate cogs of a watch. A more reserved approach, and one I agree with, takes a different angle: the inner life of ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – 2017 Jr. High Mission Trip (7/16/2020) - Twelve of St. Peter's Jr. High students served in McKinney June 18-23, 2017. They shopped for and bagged rice at the Community Food Pantry, decorated, planted, and delivered plant pots for parishioners who live at The Chateau and at Baybrooke, shopped for the food for the Summer Food Program for our Burks families, learned about and shopped for the St. Peter's Community Cupboard, planned and provided a splash night for a free Parent's Night Out, trimmed the bushes in front of the church office, cleaned inside and out at Shiloh Place, and weeded and spread mulch at Holy Family School. ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – 2019 Youth Mission Trips (7/9/2020) - The 2019 Austin Mission Trip Team worked two shifts at the Central Texas Food Bank, helped and learned about Inside Books Project, and served at Austin's Community First Village. The team also enjoyed some Austin highlights such as The Capital Building, toured the UT campus, swam in Deep Eddy's Pool, and completed a scavenger hunt at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This team included: Mtr. Kathy Heitmann, Davis Jones, Jeff Kowaleski, Tammy Snively, Becky Thompson, Tucker Thompson, Ellie Austin, Michael Burlbaw, Emma Chambers, Nicki Chambers, Mabel Cotter, Joseph Deramo, Julia Deramo, Gabriel Ezell, Galen Ezell, Helen Flanagan, Kyra Hewitt, Maggie Hull, Conall Noel, Aidan ... read more →
The Great Stories – The Miracle at the Wedding in Cana (7/8/2020) - Biblical text: John 2:1-11 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: Like many stories from the Bible, the story of the wedding in Cana can be read on so many levels: as a miraculous manifestation (“epiphany”) of Christ’s glory and power (note its occurrence “on the third day” [2:1]); as a proof of Christ’s blessing of not only the instiution of marriage but of weddings and wedding receptions; and as an early example of Christ’s transformation of ordinary matter into something of surpassing excellence (not unlike the sacraments). My favorite aspect of the story, however, is perhaps how it sheds light on the ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – 2018 & 2019 Parades & Salsa Fests (7/2/2020) - As we celebrate our Independence Day this weekend, we thought it might be fun to look back at our celebrations from the last two years. St. Peter's and Salsa Fest shared a float in both the 2018 and 2019 July 4th patriotic parade in historic downtown McKinney. Immediately following the parade, many attended or volunteered at The RBFCU Star-Spangled Salsa Fest presented by Bernard's Gourmet Foods. All proceeds from the event benefited the Community Garden Kitchen of Collin County. 2018 Parade 2018 Salsa Fest 2019 Parade 2019 Salsa Fest
The Great Stories – The Fall of Humankind (7/1/2020) - Biblical text: Genesis 3 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: I have been thinking about original sin a lot lately—specifically, how much evidence there is for it. Right now our world is racked by disease, social unrest, and acts of brutality by persons who should be protectors. When any of us looks at the relationships in our lives, none of them are perfect and some of them are manifestly broken. We perceive within ourselves the daily struggle between doing what is right and doing what is easy. Even the systems and power structures of our world, many of which predate us by centuries, ... read more →
Episcopal Family Ministry July Speaker Series (6/29/2020) - Join the Episcopal Churches of Collin County for a digital speaker series featuring top therapists in the area about supporting families through COVID-19. They will be addressing key stressors that all of our families are dealing with right now. After each of the videos is published, you’ll be able to sign up for group Zoom calls with the psychologist and clergy for Q&A, discussion & community building. Each speaker presentation will be available at 7:30PM on the dates on the flyer. Multiple zoom call options with each speaker are available! Go to the website for more info or to sign ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – England Pilgrimage 2019 (6/25/2020) - Last summer, our group of St. Peter’s pilgrims went to England to pray in the footsteps of the faithful who came before us. They started the trip in Walsingham and ended in Canterbury, the seat of the Anglican Communion. Along the way, they formed stronger bonds, made new friends, and grew in faith.
The Great Stories – The Healing of the Man Born Blind (6/24/2020) - Biblical text: John 9 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: Can you imagine what life was like for the man who was born blind? Growing up, he never knew what he or anyone else looked like. He never knew the colors and visual textures of the everyday things we take for granted. His experience of the world was primarily auditory and tactile; he could only hear or feel what was going on around him. This meant a certain vulnerability. When you’re driving or walking in an unfamiliar place, don’t you feel more anxious when you can’t see clearly? What was it like, then, ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – 2012 VBS (6/18/2020) - Enjoy these photos from our Vacation Bible School 8 years ago! The theme was Sky: Everything is Possible with God. We had Bible story time, science experiments, games, skits, and even a Sky Dive Diner where sky themed snacks were served such as High Flyin' Floats!
The Anglican Way – Weeks 1, 2 & 3 (6/18/2020) - In our church, there are Christians of all stripes, from low church to Anglo-Catholic and everything in between. For five weeks, Fr. Perry, Mtr. Kathy, and Fr. Lorenzo are co-teaching a digital class on "The Anglican Way." The videos will be in the weekly message, and will cover topics like the liturgy, ritual, and some basic theology. This series will be fun for the clergy and should include plenty of banter between the "low church" and "high church" camps! Watch the first 3 videos below: Week 1: "Bishops and Priests and Deacons, oh my!" Week 2: Worship - High, Low, ... read more →
The Great Stories – The Exodus (6/17/2020) - Text: Exodus 14 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: The liberation of the Israelites from Egypt after 400 years of slavery is the defining event of the Hebrew Bible and the central celebration of Judaism. I don’t think we as Gentile Christians can really understand the Exodus unless we first try to see it from a Jewish perspective. For devout Jews, the Exodus is not merely a symbol or a typology that can be applied to other situations. The Exodus was a real historical event wherein the real God liberated a real people from real slavery. For Jews living before, during, and ... read more →
The Great Stories – Jesus’ Temptation (6/10/2020) - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness Biblical text: Matthew 4:1-11 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: After his baptism but before beginning his public ministry, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert to relive Israel’s experience of wandering in the wilderness for forty years. Jesus fasts and prays for forty days, a day for each year. Why does Jesus undergo this retreat before he begins his ministry? Two principal reasons are solidarity and recapitulation. By reliving the experience of his people in miniature, Jesus is demonstrating his love for and solidarity with the Jewish people. They are God’s people, and Jesus ... read more →
Rector’s Update, June 9 (Outdoor Services) (6/9/2020) - Hello friends, The Bishop has issued a pastoral directive that expands our ability to meet in-person with social distancing measures in place. This weekend, St. Peter's will be offering in-person outdoor services in addition to live-streamed worship! I recognize that this will be met with varying and strong opinions. For some, this is a step too far. For others, this will be met with joy. And still others believe this is not enough. This decision was reached with much study, advice, and prayer. I know what is at stake, and I do not take this lightly. Here is the schedule ... read more →
The Anglican Way – Week 1 (6/5/2020) - In our church, there are Christians of all stripes, from low church to Anglo-Catholic and everything in between. For five weeks, Fr. Perry, Mtr. Kathy, and Fr. Lorenzo are co-teaching a digital class on "The Anglican Way." The videos will be in the weekly message, and will cover topics like the liturgy, ritual, and some basic theology. This series will be fun for the clergy and should include plenty of banter between the "low church" and "high church" camps! Watch The Anglican Way, Week 1: "Bishops and Priests and Deacons, oh my!" here:
Throwback Thursday – Fr. Perry’s Installation September 2017 (6/4/2020) - Can you believe it's been almost 3 years since we officially welcomed Fr. Perry and family into our St. Peter's family? Take a look back at these photos from the night of his installation, September 13, 2017! We catered sandwiches and salad from Panera before the installation, the service began at 6:30pm, and there was a tea and dessert reception following with all things lemon - Fr. Perry's favorite!
The Great Stories – The Annunciation (6/3/2020) - The Annunciation Biblical text: Luke 1:26-38 Fr. Lorenzo’s commentary: The Annunication of the birth of the Messiah to Miriam, a young Jewish woman living in first-century Palestine, is surely one of the great moments in human history. The Annunciation shows that nothing is impossible for God. A virginal conception, a contradiction that had never happened nor will ever happen again, became the first act in the drama of Christ’s redeeming life. One of the things I find fascinating about the Annunciation is that it expresses the two fundamental dimensions of life with God: divine initiative and human response. God clearly ... read more →
“Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. (5/30/2020) - If you have never read Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," I encourage you to give it your full attention. If you have, I invite you to do it again. It is a beautiful and theologically rich text that is painful to read and calls us each to look inward and to respond. Here it is in its entirety. After you finish, take time to pray. --------- "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" 16 April 1963 My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – Praise to the Living God! Congregational Hymn Sing, 2018 (5/28/2020) - Sing along with this recording of the congregation from 2018 singing “Praise to the Living God!” And enjoy the photos taken by Dickie Hill!
Communion Pick Up or Delivery Instructions (5/27/2020) - We are offering curbside Communion pick up or delivery once a month. The next Communion pick up is Saturday, June 6 from 2:30-3:30pm. You must sign up here to pick up Communion or have it delivered to you: tinyurl.com/communionjune You must follow these instructions, which come from the Bishop’s directives, in order to pick up Communion: Pull up to the handicap entrance on College Street. Stay in your vehicle - we will come to you. You must wear a mask for the clergy to bring you the Sacrament. Roll down your rear window so one of the clergy can place the ... read more →
Throwback Thursday – 2018 St. Peter’s Women’s Annual Gala (SWAG) (5/21/2020) - Saturday, April 28, 2018 was the St. Peter’s Women’s Annual Gala or SWAG! All women were invited to attend. They started with wine and hors d’oeuvres, had a Cynthia Elliot Boutique style show, and then a delicious dinner followed that was planned, prepared and served by the men of our church! Profits made from the event were donated to the St. Peter’s Scholarship Fund. Have fun looking at all of these sweet smiling faces!
Rector’s Update, May 18 (5/18/2020) - Dear friends, As businesses begin to reopen across the state, I write to update you on our plans at St. Peter's. The Bishop has decided that Episcopal Churches will continue to offer exclusively online worship until the county in which they reside has at least two weeks of decline in active cases of COVID-19. In Collin County, that is not expected to happen for some time still. When we do reach that point, there will be specific guidelines from the Diocese about the procedures and precautions for reopening, and I know that despite those precautions, not everyone will be ready ... read more →
Friday Night Pipes! Live-Streaming Organ Music (5/15/2020) - Please join us tonight, May 15, at 7pm to hear live organ music played by our Organist and Choirmaster, Evan Marshall Snyder, from the St. Peter's Loft! Join us on Facebook Live at 7pm here: facebook.com/stpeters.mckinney or listen to the recording on Facebook anytime after the event. Please send your hymn requests to esnyder@stpetersmckinney.com.
Wednesday Night Adult Class @ Home – Rowan Williams (5/13/2020) - Rowan Williams, Archbishop and Theologian Dates: 1950-present Location: Wales; England Context: Rowan Williams is a Welsh Anglican bishop and theologian who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012. He was born in 1950 to Welsh-speaking parents. Williams was a devout Christian and gifted student from his youth. He studied theology at Cambridge University, then completed a doctorate in theology at Oxford University. He trained for the ordained ministry at the College of the Resurrection in West Yorkshire. He was then ordained deacon and priest in the Church of England. In the years following, Williams split his time ... read more →
Music Monday Every Monday @ Noon! (5/11/2020) - Every Monday Evan Snyder will be live-streaming piano music from St. Peter's! Join him on our St. Peter's Facebook page here at noon today or listen to the recording any time after the event. To make a request, send an email to esnyder@stpetersmckinney.com or comment with your request on Facebook during the live-stream event.
Throwback Thursday – 2018 Tea Party Picnic (5/7/2020) - A Not at All Prim & Proper, Proper English Tea 2018 Our Tea Party Picnic had a hat contest, outside games and activities for kids, live music, tea, sandwiches and salads by Game Day Foods (now Bernard’s Gourmet Foods), homemade scones with cream and jam made by Judy Shaw, and more desserts than we could possibly eat brought by our parishioners. Share with us your favorite St. Peter’s picnic memory--and it doesn’t have to be from this picnic. We have had a spring picnic at St. Peter’s for many, many years! Bonus points if you can tell ... read more →
Wednesday Night Adult Class @ Home – Stanley Hauerwas (5/6/2020) - Stanley Hauerwas, Theologian and Ethicist Dates: 1940-present Location: United States Context: Stanley Hauerwas is an American Methodist theologian who is widely considered one of the most creative and influential Christian thinkers of the modern era. Hauerwas was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1940 and grew up in a working-class family. He was baptized, raised, and confirmed in the Methodist Church. Hauerwas completed his Bachelor of Arts at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, then completed three master’s degrees and a PhD in theology at Yale University. He entered academia, teaching at Augustana College, University of Notre Dame, and Duke Divinity ... read more →
Music Monday @ Noon Today! (5/4/2020) - Every Monday Evan Snyder will be live-streaming piano music from St. Peter's! Join him on our St. Peter's Facebook page here at noon today or listen to the recording any time after the event.
Children’s Chapel Sundays @ 10:30am (5/3/2020) - Children's Chapel is on Facebook every Sunday at 10:30am. Please join us every Sunday morning or watch the recording with your children any time after the event. You can also watch today's Children's Chapel here:
Friday Night Pipes! Live-Streaming Organ Music (4/30/2020) - Please join us this Friday night, May 1, at 7pm to hear live organ music played by our Organist and Choirmaster, Evan Marshall Snyder, from the St. Peter's Loft! Join us on Facebook Live at 7pm here: facebook.com/stpeters.mckinney or listen to the recording on Facebook anytime after the event. Please send your hymn requests to esnyder@stpetersmckinney.com.
Wednesday Night Adult Class @ Home – John Stott (4/29/2020) - John Stott, Pastor and Theologian Dates: 1921-2011 Locations: London, England Context: John Stott was an Anglican priest and theologian who is considered one of the most influential evangelical Christians of the twentieth century. Born in London to an agnostic father and a Christian mother, Stott was baptized, raised, and confirmed in the Church of England. It was not until his late teenage years, however, that he experienced a profound conversion to Christ. He studied French and theology at the University of Cambridge, then pursued training for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Ordained deacon and then priest, he served his curacy ... read more →
Children’s Chapel (4/26/2020) - Children's Chapel is live on Facebook every Sunday at 10:30am. Please join us live every Sunday morning or watch the recording with your children any time after the event. You can watch today's Children's Chapel here:
St. Peter’s Giving Options Available (4/24/2020) - People have asked how they can continue to offer their gifts. Here are some options available: Write a check every week and put it in the mail (511 Foote St. 75069). Set up a recurring gift with your bank - which avoids processing fees. You must use our office address (511 Foote St. 75069). Go to our church website and select Give on the menu or follow this link to give once, or to set up recurring gifts. If you have any questions about giving or would like assistance, please contact the Parish Administrator, Mariana Pearson, at mpearson@stpetersmckinney.com.
Virtual Empty Bowls McKinney (4/23/2020) - This year Empty Bowls McKinney will hold a virtual raffle and online auction one week from today, on April 30. Our event provides over 80% of the funds for Community Lifeline Center’s food pantry. We are asking everyone to purchase a “ticket” to the event that will be a direct donation to CLC. A drive-by bowl pickup will be held for ticket holders at a later date. Purchase your tickets here: www.emptybowlsmckinney.com. Empty Bowls McKinney Raffle Tickets! Buy an Empty Bowls McKinney raffle ticket and you could win one of the bowls seen above. The purchase price of one raffle ticket ... read more →
Wednesday Night Adult Class @ Home – Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4/22/2020) - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pastor and Anti-Nazi Dissident Dates: 1906-1945 Locations: Germany; United States; England Feast Day: April 9 Context: Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German evangelical pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident. Born in Breslau, Germany in 1906, Bonhoeffer was raised in a large family by well-educated parents, who encouraged his academic pursuits. He studied theology at the universities of Tubingen and Berlin, as well as Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He returned to Germany and was ordained a Lutheran pastor. Soon afterwards, the Nazi Party rose to power in Germany. A Nazi pressure group known as the German Christian movement ... read more →
Birthday & Anniversary Prayer (4/22/2020) - Happy birthday and/or anniversary to those celebrating this week! Everyone can watch the video for a comforting prayer that can apply to all of us whether or not we are celebrating a milestone this week. Blessings to all.