1. Join us outdoors this Saturday, September 19 at 5:00 pm or Sunday, September 20 at 10:00 am. This week’s sermon is based on Philippians 1:21-30. Below you will find a devotion based on our Scripture:
At the annual meeting of a rural congregation, a younger woman spoke up, offering an opinion. Nearby, one of the older saints turned to her neighbor and said, “Who was she before she got married?” Was there an underlying question? Maybe something like, “Where did she earn the right to speak?” Had she borne the heat of the day when the parsonage needed wallpapering? Had her parents helped pay for the new addition? Did she know how many eggs to put in with the coffee? Into our many ways of counting, categorizing, and distinguishing who has earned what, Jesus comes, and he says, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” Kingdom thinking—where there are no more stripes earned. Kingdom thinking—where first and last and in-between are all jumbled together. Kingdom thinking—where none of us can claim anything but gratitude that we are in the mix as recipients of God’s generous mercy.
-Paulette Thanig Creswell ’95 M.Div. Retired, Madison, WI
2. Parishioners are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets for gathering on the church lawn. During a time of meet and greet after the worship services, we are all invited to bring our own picnic lunch to enjoy a time of fellowship.
Health and Safety Protocols for Outdoor Worship and Fellowship
The Congregational Council approved the following worship plan for the first three weeks in September:
- Worship will be held outdoors on the south church lawn, and a speaker system will be used.
- Saturday’s abbreviated version will begin at 5:00 pm.
- Sunday’s service will begin at 10:00 am.
- Please wear a mask on the church property; you will be provided one if needed.
- Six feet social distancing between famiy groups will be observed. The ushers will assist you with seating as needed.
- Greet others with a wave, a nod, a bow, a fist or elbow bump.
- Offering will be collected upon your arrival.
- We encourage worshipers to use the rest room before attending the worship service. If the
bathroom must be used, signs have been posted on proper use, including sanitizing protocols. - Should it be raining, we will move indoors and implement all of the above.
3. For those who cannot attend worship Saturday or Sunday, Pastor Ioan’s message will be posted online on Monday (instead of Sunday).
4. We have new emails in the office! Please use the following:
Pastor Ioan: Pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Dalene (Office Manager): Office@stpaullutheranchurch.net
5. Cookies Needed for Blood Drive! Our next Blood Drive will be Tuesday, September 22. (Date change from last week’s update.) We need cookies & canteen workers! Please bring your donation to the church before noon Tuesday. Also, if you are able to donate blood, please call 1-800-287-4903 to schedule your appointment!
6. We are loooking for “With One Voice” accompaniment edition book. Please let the office know if you see it!
7. Christ in Our Home Devotionals for the 4th quarter are now available from the church office. Let the office know (office@stpaullutheranchurch.net) if you’d like one placed in your church mailbox or would like one mailed to you.
8. Confirmation begins Wednesday, September 23, 6:00 p.m. 7th & 8th graders welcome!
9. OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD is fast approaching! Please be thinking of items you would like to pack in your shoebox this year. The plastic OCC tubs have been ordered and will be arriving soon. The marketing materials are on their way. This will be our 14th year of packing shoeboxes. Let’s make this a family service project and have fun changing the stars for children in need of a Savior. This might be the most important year ever to reach children around the world and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. The pandemic has caused fear and panic amongst families and they have lost hope for their futures. We want children to know that God loves them. God has not forgotten them. God cares for them and their families. This box filled with gifts for the children is a powerful way to share the message of God’s unending love. If you are unable to shop for items to be put into a box, Samaritans Purse offers “Build a Shoebox Online.” Visit their website samaritanspurse.org/occ. You may track your shoebox by paying for postage online. Visit the website to complete that option. Be sure to print off the mailing label and attach to the outside of your box so you will know where it is headed. Postage for each box will be $9. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lonna Nielsen at 515-210-4086. Our collection date will be Nov 7th. We will notify everyone when the plastic tubs and brochures are available. Until then GET SHOPPING!
Church office phone: 515-462-4270
Church office email: Office@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastor Ioan Ittu: 626-419-6331
Pastor Ioan email: Pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net