Current News

Our annual "Giving Tree" makes its appearance in the narthex again for the 2023 Christmas season. Thank you for keeping this tradition of giving and generosity going. Local families and agencies will benefit from a wide variety of donated items, from toys and games to clothing and baby supplies.

In the season of Advent, let us all consider the ways in which we might bless others from the abundance bestowed upon us. All of the items requested will be collected until Sunday, December 17th. (Items should be returned unwrapped).

Dr Stamper shares a short 2 minute devotional from his car for this November Kindness Challenge.

As we enter into a month of Kindness Challenges, we have a unique opportunity to help our local friends and neighbors.

San Pedro has maintained a long-standing relationship with local non-profit Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM). They are still recovering from their August warehouse fire, and they are in dire need of new and gently used cold weather clothing (coats, jackets, hoodies) and casual shoes (tennis shoes, work shoes/boots) for their homeless clients. All sizes are needed for men, women and children! 

In response to their urgent need, our San Pedro Missions Team is collecting your donations from Nov 19th - Dec 10th. As part of our November “Kindness Challenge,” please start searching through your closets and checking out pre-Christmas sales! Thank you so much for sharing your bounty with our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Christ. 

With your help, we can be kind to our neighbors.

Kids and adults get a special treat on the first Sunday of their birthday month. Pick up a "It's my birthday month" badge and get a birthday cake flavored Hershey's Kiss.

We're asking folks to wear the badges out to restaurants, when shopping and as you go around town. It's an easy way to let people know about San Pedro, and a fun reminder to celebrate God's blessing through your life. You deserve a special treat, come worship and enjoy the San Pedro way to recognize your birthday.

P.s. Keep the badge and wear it for the month of your birthday, then bring it back to the name tag center so other folks can share it, too.

We're growing! With more children attending Sunday morning worship with their families, we're expanding our program into multiple classrooms. We've got a team of teachers but we need more children's ministry helpers.

The Sunday morning program we host is a special time for children. Sign-up for specific Sundays through our Sign Up Genius link: HERE. Make a difference.

For more information, please contact our Children's Ministry leaders: Alicia Jeffrey & Madison Munoz at kids@sanpedropc.org.

The men and women of San Pedro's chancel choir took their annual jaunt to the Hill Country setting of Mo-Ranch Presbyterian Retreat Center in October. Located about two hours from San Antonio in Hunt, Texas, Mo-Ranch is considered the premier getaway space for folks seeking a comfortable experience in nature.

Hiking trails, hotel quality rooms, dining halls and various worship and meeting spaces make Mo-Ranch a favorite for San Pedro members. The choir takes this retreat every year to reflect on their purpose, re-connect with Holy Spirit, and bond in Christian friendship.

Guided by our directors Mark Twehues and Stephanie Price, the 30 folks in attendance were particularly thankful for our Elders who decided to subsidize the retreat for all participants. Folks interested in the choir can read more about our music directors HERE. If you'd like to know more about Mo-Ranch, peruse their website HERE.

[This is a transcribed letter we received from Jean Bakatubia on behalf of his family. They arrived legally in The United States in search of freedom and a better life].

Dear Pastor Bryan/entire congregation,

This thank you letter is intended to show our gratitude. I and my family to the church for all the love and support you have shown us.

I am thankful to you from the bottom of my heart for all the assistance you have given me and my family. When we cam to the US, we had no place to worship. But when we came to church, you welcomed us and you showed us love.

I want to thank Bobby, Dennis, Suzy and every one else for your sacrifice to provide us with transportation to and from church and other appointments.

I am now ready to give myself a ride, and I can't thank you enough.

Thank you for the love and support. This kind of love has taught me a lot and has increased my faith in the Lord.

Pastor thank you for welcoming my family and making us fell at home. I am happy to call you all friends. Thank you.

Yours in Christ,

Jean Bakatubia

Pastor Tobias Green plays and sings a version of The Lord's Prayer that is close to his heart. Enjoy. And join us at the 9:00 am service as Tobias leads our praise team for the Contemporary Worship service in Reynolds Hall. 

Mark Twehues and Stephanie Price lead our talented vocal and musical ensembles for the traditional service. Pastor Tobias Green leads our Contemporary Service and shepherds our adult education and adult fellowship groups.

From Mark: "I have served San Pedro as music director since 2006. My desire is to bring prayerful music to worship each Sunday with the other musicians and members of our choir. I enjoy inviting others to a deepening spiritual life and relationship with Christ through music. And despite the recent reminder of many winters as a native of Ohio, I love living in San Antonio." -Mark Twehues

From Stephanie: "Hi I'm Stephanie! I am a native Texan, raised in San Antonio. I graduated from North East School of the Arts and attended Indiana University to pursue a B.M. in double bass, but felt the Lord calling me to pursue a B.M. in organ performance as well. I met her husband, Jerrod Price, at IU where he earned an M.M. in trumpet performance. School and work led us to Rice University for a short while before we married at Coker UMC and started our lives in Denver. 

I earned her M.M. in organ from the University of Denver. I maintained an active studio of piano and bass students alongside working at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church where I played organ, sang in the choir, and co-founded and directed a youth orchestra. Life took the our family to Interlochen, MI where I served as organist at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and taught piano and organ students.  

Most recently, the we've been in Cleveland, Ohio where I has served as music director and organist at First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland as well as teaching private piano and bass lessons. Jerrod and I have been married for 14 years and have 3 children: Elijah (10), Anna (9), and Sarah (6). In my spare time, I enjoy entertaining, cooking good food, and masters swimming." -Stephanie Price

From Tobias: "Our hearts brim with anticipation as we prepare to lead the 9:00 Sunday Contemporary Service and contribute to Adult Education and Discipleship within our new church community. We approach this opportunity with joy and dedication, eager to share our faith, love, and talents with the wonderful members of San Pedro Presbyterian Church. Together, let's foster meaningful relationships, nurture spiritual growth, and spread a message of hope and love, strengthening our bonds and deepening our relationship with God.” -Tobias Green

San Pedro family members had a fun time supporting local non-profit Christian Assistance Ministries (CAM) as they provide food, shelter and assistance to our neighbors and friends around San Antonio. Folks donated over 500 boxes equaling over 4,000 individual servings of popular cereal brands.

San Pedro has a long-standing relationship with CAM, donating from our annual budget towards their operating expenses, giving clothing for their clients, and collecting specific food items as requested. To learn more about what CAM is doing in our community to provide a variety of much needed support, watch the video here:

"We learned about the unclean woman that was healed from Mark 5:25-34. We traveled to several continents beginning in Australia, learning of exotic animals and what a billabong is; then to Asia enjoying fortune cookies and a gift of a necklace; then to Europe where we could experience being a woman of loyalty; on to Antarctica to have hands on experiences of cold ice, warmness of penguin feathers, the peace found in a breeze or the mighty force of cold wind; then off to South America where travel groups "created" the perfect woman; next stop is Africa where we made blankets for babies to be donated, then back to North America. 

We shared laughter and tears, made new friends, and were rewarded with wonderful memories.  

Our journey of God's " Wonderfull World" showed us His beautiful creations. We were reminded, at each stop, how a woman's faith healed her.

Bill and Chris McCartney were terrific hosts, we had everything we needed. The food prepared for us was delicious!!!"

This is an annual event with sign-ups starting in the spring through the summer. There are several women's Bible studies and fellowship groups for women of all ages to join. Contact the office for specific information. A special "thank you" to Cindy Mapes for sending our Communications Team this Fall Women's Retreat recap and for taking pictures of the event. The theme was, "Wonderful World."

Each month we witness the joys of handing out meals to our neighbors in south San Antonio. We package the meals as a team, then deliver 125 meals to two apartment complexes.

60+ children typically show up to take food back to their families. All 125 meals are given out. This is a great way to support our local community! We serve on the third Friday of every month in two teams. Sign up in the narthex after worship for next month's serving opportunity.

Avoid excessive plastic bag usage and show some San Pedro pride at the same time. Available immediately, members can purchase reusable, thermal lined shopping bags with the church logo - three colors available.

For a gift of $10, receive a shopping bag in the color of your choice AND pay the cost for a bag to go to guests. Guests of San Pedro receive a lovely shopping tote with information about our church inside. When you make your donation, you ensure a guest will get one, too.

Totes are available in the narthex. Get yours today, and spread the word about San Pedro when you shop.

Director Mark Twehues and Associate Director Stephanie Price glorify God through sacred music ensembles for worship and special events. Contact the office for information about joining our musicians. Contemporary Director Tobias Green leads our contemporary service of praise singers and musicians. Options to participate:

Chancel Choir - adult singers meet Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm for rehearsals. Anthems, offertories and special selections are offered in worship every Sunday morning. All experience levels welcome.

Adult Handbell Choir - adult ringers meet Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm for rehearsals. Handbells offer selections in worship about once per month. Beginners and experienced ringers welcome.

Soloists - singers audition for special pieces offered throughout the year.

Musicians - opportunities to play in our orchestra and for special moments in worship are vetted by auditions.

Praise Singers - 9:00 am contemporary vocalists try out at a weekly rehearsal, all experience levels welcome.

Contemporary musicians - 9:00 am contemporary praise team, tryouts weekly.

How does this not have a million views? Pastor Paul Gaedke and Youth Director Nico Carrillo put together this special instructional video to teach our Wednesday Night Kids the hand motions for their worship song.

We’re excited to add another full-time employee to our staff! In striving to fulfill our vision focus of “Second Campus, Second Service,” Tobias Green, his wife, and two children will start serving the Lord with us at the end of September. Tobias’s primary job responsibilities involve leading the worship team of singers and musicians for our 9:00 am contemporary service, which will re-launch on Sunday, October 1st. 

Tobias is also an ordained pastor, and while he holds advanced degrees, he is not ordained in the PCUSA. However, he is very passionate about teaching God’s word so he will be overseeing our Adult Education and Fellowship ministries at San Pedro. We’re excited to have this integral part of our organizational structure represented on staff every week. He’ll be contacting the deacons and key volunteers who teach and put together fun gatherings within our faith family. 

Here are a few facts about the Greens. Tobias has been married to Jasmine for 11 years. They have two daughters, Karen (8) and Denise (7). They are all currently participating in another local church but will be moving their membership as a family to San Pedro. Both daughters look forward to joining our children’s ministries programs on Wednesdays and Sundays. 

Tobias holds three bachelor's degrees in Theology, Music Ministry, and Arts in Religion, with the exciting prospect of completing his Master of Divinity within the next two years. Jasmine, a dedicated educator with a Bachelor's in Education, is currently pursuing her Masters in Clinical Counseling, a testament to her unwavering commitment to helping others.

From the Greens:

“Our hearts brim with anticipation as we prepare to lead the 9:00 Sunday Contemporary Service and contribute to Adult Education and Discipleship within our new church community. We approach this opportunity with joy and dedication, eager to share our faith, love, and talents with the wonderful members of San Pedro Presbyterian Church. Together, let's foster meaningful relationships, nurture spiritual growth, and spread a message of hope and love, strengthening our bonds and deepening our relationship with God.”

Please join the rest of our leadership team in prayer as we welcome Tobias, Jasmine, Karen and Denise to San Pedro. 

Reverend Dr Bryan Stamper shares this quick video devotional from his daily series of written devotionals. In reflecting on the book of James in the New Testament, Dr Bryan Stamper focuses on the nature of James to ACT and DO in conjunction with what we believe. 

A group of music loving choir members got together to make quick work of sorting, clearing out, and preparing our music files for the latest updates to our choir room. For the past two years San Pedro's been making major renovations to buildings, roofs, and grounds. The latest upgrade in the Arnold Building is the music office and rehearsal space.

Pictured is our beloved Music Director, Mark Twehues, with faithful friends and singers after a quick project to ensure our music library is safely secured for the next phase of renovation. The "grand opening" and big reveal will officially take place on Pentecost Sunday, May 28th.

Christian Assistance Ministries recently suffered a fire at their warehouse facility. Our San Pedro Co-Directors of Missions, Melissa & Scott Boedeker, delivered an $11,000 check to Mary Henderson, CAM's Director of Operations & Volunteers.

From CAM's website: "CAM experienced a fire that has done considerable damage to our warehouse which is the heart of so much that we do and enables us to provide resources to so many. This warehouse is located on the Campus of Grace Lutheran Church at our downtown location (110 McCullough). At this time, we are seeking your support through prayer and any financial contribution you would like to make in order for us to quickly repair and replace items."

San Pedro is also signing people up for hands-on work to clean up CAM's warehouse. You'll hear details in worship with opportunities to sign-up in the narthex after worship. You can also register to help through CAM's website. https://christianassistanceministry.org/

Thank you to all our San Pedro members who give generously. Your faithfulness is why we are able to give away extra financial assistance to our friends who serve God at other non-profits during their times of need.

San Pedro is pleased to announce Scott and Melissa Boedeker have answered the call to serve as the new co-directors of our Missions Team! This volunteer position works with our members who coordinate opportunities to serve our local, national and international missions opportunities. They will be attending staff meetings, publicizing events, and acting as our point of contact with the local non-profits we support.

The Boedekers moved to San Antonio just over a year ago, coming from the west coast where they were based for Scott's military service. Their family is excited to join another of Dr Stamper's churches (they were members of his San Diego church). 

Texas is not entirely new for Melissa, who is originally from El Paso. She is a Texas Aggie, earning her degree in Biomedical Engineering and then her Masters in Health Systems at Georgia Tech. She worked as a healthcare consultant for several years. Scott grew up in Tulsa, OK, attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, then went on to serve 20 years as a Naval Aviator. He then worked as a civilian for the Department of the Navy as a program manager in San Diego. He served several deployments aboard aircraft carriers while on active duty and spent one year on the ground in Iraq while on loan to the Army. 

Scott and Melissa married in 1996 and spent most of Scott’s Naval career in San Diego, with just a two year break in Monterey, CA, while Scott attended the Naval Postgraduate School. Their daughter, Madeleine, was born in 2004 and is now a sophomore at Texas A&M! When she decided to head to the great state of Texas for college, she asked Scott and Melissa to move to Texas too - so they did (true story!). She enjoys having her parents close, but not too close. So Scott and Melissa are now empty nesters, with just their youngest girl at home - a sweet 9 year old rescue pup, Winnie (pictured).

Scott, Melissa and Madeleine enjoy traveling as a family and they all love living in Texas! They've traveled to 12 National Parks together this year and had a blast exploring Utah, South Dakota, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming this summer. Here in SA, Scott enjoys sailing at Canyon Lake and flying radio controlled airplanes. Melissa is involved with the San Antonio Chapter of the Aggie Moms Club and volunteers weekly with one of our missions partners, CAM (Christian Assistance Ministries). 

From Scott and Melissa, "We look forward to meeting more friends at San Pedro and serving on Missions with many of you. We're new, so we'd love to work with as many long-serving and brand new members (like us). Let's bless our local neighbors and show the love of Christ like so many great people who've been at San Pedro have done over the years."

Please make the Boedekers feel welcome, and take this opportunity to get involved with missions at San Pedro!

Glue is a school supply staple that reminds us of our early childhood education. It's a purchase parents around San Antonio still add to their shopping list for their children. It's one cost of many that adds up quickly - inflation has affected school supplies, too.

So San Pedro's annual "Back to School Grab" for families and children is a simple way we continue our commitment to being good neighbors. The social worker at Coker Elementary School identified several dozen children and families who might be interested in free school supplies. Almost all of those invited by the school stopped by to walk around Reynolds Hall and pick up what they wanted.

Thanks to all who donated towards several thousand dollars worth of supplies. Because of your generosity, extra items were sent to Presbyterian Children's Home and passed along to Coker Elementary to help out other families who need last minute school items. The next time you see some glue, remember the love of Christ that binds us together and calls us to share that love with others.

"{In addition} to all {the good things of God we wear} put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." Colossians 3:14

San Pedro PC has some exciting news for our youth program this fall (2023) and spring (2024) semesters! Students in 8th grade and older are invited to take part in confirmation this school year. Confirmation is a time for our youth to seriously consider their faith through diligent Bible study, special classes, and service work, then decide if they are ready to make their faith statement to commit their lives to Christ. 

NOTE: Registration for confirmation is due by September 10th, with classes starting the following Sunday the 17thwhich will replace our usual youth group meeting. This will allow younger students to experience what the program will be like for them in the future.. Classes will take place immediately after the 10:30 worship service (12:00 to 2:00 pm). Lunch will be provided. Students who are not yet eligible to be confirmands will will have a break out session just for them with Pastor Bryan and other leaders.

We understand some eligible students may not feel prepared for the confirmation program. However, we strongly encourage parents to carefully consider registering their student(s), as it will not be offered every year.

The program for Confirmation classes will run from September 24th to March 31st with a total of 22 classes. There will be no classes on Sundays after Thanksgiving or during the month of December. To successfully complete the program, each student must attend a minimum of 16 classes. Make-up dates will be provided for those in need of scheduling flexibility.

For more information about this extremely important faith step in the lives of our young students, contact Director of Youth Ministries at nico@sanpedropc.org.

San Pedro's mission team helps feed on average 125 meals to local folks through the Mobile Loaves and Fishes ministry every month. Clothing and hygiene items also go out to three different locations. Mobile Loaves and Fishes is a non-profit focused on helping local communities in a variety of ways. San Pedro is primarily involved with their mobile food distribution efforts.

You can sign up to help once a month by reserving your spot to serve at the narthex outside the sanctuary on any given Sunday. Read more about Mobile Loaves and Fishes HERE.

San Pedro PC joined other Presbyterian churches to build another Habitat for Humanity home in 2023. met every Saturday during our commitment period. No previous building experience was needed and all tools and lunch was provided.  Interested in the next build? Look for signups late fall.

As a reminder, Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio constructs modest, affordable homes alongside hardworking families in San Antonio and Bexar Counties. The people receiving the homes participate in the build. Habitat likes to say, "we provide a hand-up, not a handout." San Pedro has been a longstanding financial and hands-on supporter of this area branch of Habitat for Humanity.

If you have any questions please contact: Gene Trevino genetrevino@prodigy.net 210-479-7650

Nico Carrillo has worked with local teenagers in the San Antonio area by way of a local church, and he has his own ministry he created with other folks passionate about leading folks to Christ.

From Nico:

"I was born in San Antonio and grew up in the Floresville area. I pursued degrees in various fields (including culinary arts, and physical therapy) before I followed God's call into the ministry. Following this calling led me to obtain an associate's degree in music from San Antonio College and a bachelor's degree in worship studies from Liberty University.

It was in my pursuit of God that I felt there was more that I could do to glorify Him in the way that I live my life. My siblings and I partnered in a small business, Overflow, where we strive to live intentionally for God's glory through creative worship. This mission includes screen printing Scripture-inspired apparel with eco-friendly practices while sourcing our garments from fair trade and sustainable sources, and then giving back to impoverished communities and environmental efforts.

Some fun facts: I am a tennis player, I enjoy musical theater, and I am a songwriter. I feel blessed and honored to be a part of the San Pedro PC family."

Nico has been serving San Pedro as a full-time staff member for the past two years on our main programming team, focusing primarily on ministries to junior high and senior high students. He also helped launch our contemporary worship service.

San Pedro is a community of generous saints who contribute to local charities. Recently our Missions Team gave $15000 to House of Neighborly Services in support of their new food pantry.

Pictured - House of Neighborly Services Executive Director, Sandra Morales, and Development Director, Linda Canizales, met with our Senior Pastor, Dr Bryan Stamper, to receive this latest gift from our surplus of funds. An unplanned gift, this money represents the faithfulness of San Pedro members to support organizations who bless our neighbors with food, clothing, and support services.

Read more about House of Neighborly Services here: https://hnstoday.org/

We hosted our first ever "Sundae Undie Sunday" event Ito close out our end of school year celebrations. The turnout was strong with 1,561 pairs of new children's undies collected in one day.

All the items and some cash will be donated to Christian Assistance Ministries (aka CAM) here in San Antonio. You can read more about their ministries and service to needy folks in our community here - https://christianassistanceministry.org/

About 20 years ago, the idea of a cross wall was created and named, "Crossroads" on our main campus to show the crossroads the families of San Pedro Presbyterian Church had experienced. It was requested that each family seek out and contribute a cross that symbolized an important moment or event in their lives. The crosses were chosen for a variety of reasons. Some were to memorialize a loss or a difficult situation like an illness, or the death of a loved one. Some were to celebrate a new beginning like the birth of a child, a marriage, a new home, or overcoming a difficult situation. Some crosses were donated to members by other members as personal gifts for a graduation, a promotion, or a new job.

All in all, these crosses span several generations of “life” in this church as well as the people who fill it each day. If you would like to learn more about the significance of each cross and the families who contributed, there is a book in the fireside room with a picture and a history of each cross.  It is important to remind old and new families who and what embodies San Pedro Presbyterian Church.

If you haven’t done so already, please bring a cross to add your footprint to our wall. 

When I came up with the idea of an outdoor fellowship event for men that involved fishing and hog hunting, I wasn't sure the idea would move forward. But when Reverend Carla Mathews and her husband, Danny, offered the use of their Floresville ranch, it felt like a Holy Spirit nudge to explore the concept further.

It turns out there are other churches in Texas (and around the country) who host outdoor ministry events for men and families. There are even several who put together annual hog hunts! A lot of people enjoy fellowship in God's creation - churches close to great outdoor spaces have been camping for years. And as most people who spend a lot of time outside know, it's not really about "catching" or "hunting;" it's more about spending time with friends in relaxed settings.

So a half a dozen of us threw our gear together and headed down to Floresville. The Mathews named their ranch, "Lalaland." It's a 170 acre retreat space for their extended family who make their way from around the country for big holiday seasons. They've expanded and stocked their pond, which now have serious sized bass, a few catfish and lots of brim.

The men who went out in the blinds only saw one hog just before dark, but most everybody caught some fish. If you'll look carefully at the attached image, you can see me holding up two large bass at the same time. Those were caught on the same, double treble hook top water lure, at the exact same moment. I've never seen anything quite like it, but we got it on video to prove it's not just a fish tale.

Aside from the hunting, I learned a lot about hosting a group of men for a short overnight retreat. In addition to appreciation for Danny and Carla, much thanks goes out to Pastor Paul for putting together a delicious chili meal and two large breakfast casseroles. The man knows how to feed people!

Aside from the food and activities, I enjoyed having a little time to learn more about a few of the men in our church. So if you know anybody who'd like to go on another outdoor adventure, call the office and get in touch with me. And remember we're hosting every other month men's fellowship gatherings at local spots to play pool, throw darts, and enjoy local beverages.

Ask around and you'll find lots of gatherings where food, friends and fun are being organized by San Pedro family members.