1. No in-house worship this Sunday, December 27. The Office of the Bishop has provided a pre-recorded Gospel reading and sermon by our new Bishop Amy Current. This will be available on our YouTube channel this Sunday by 8 am. Her sermon is based on the Gospel reading of Luke 2:22-40. Below is a devotion based on that Scripture.
It is the day after Christmas, and perhaps, like me, you still have the words and the music of a familiar or newly discovered carol circling around in your head and your heart. After the shepherds, the angels singing and the babe in the manger, today and in the days ahead we return to “business as usual,” after all, there are schedules to keep and tasks to be done. But the real implications of Christmas still await us. How will we hear the “rest of the story?” What difference will this birth make in the next days of our journey?
There are those Simeons and those Annas who we will meet who are eager to get a glimpse of this savior who has been born for them, too—waiting to hear that good news of salvation that belongs now to all God’s people. The promise of that good news is just waiting for ones like us to tell the story so new eyes may be enabled to sing with Simeon, “Now I have seen your salvation.” – James Boyce
2. Virtual Sunday Bible Study – We gather virtually through Zoom at 9:15 am. We discuss the Scripture passage that the sermon for that Sunday focused on. In the sermon you hear one particular interpretation. In Bible Study we will use questions to approach the passage in a discussion style. We welcome insights into Scripture passage that you’ve gleaned in you over the years and more immediate feelings and thoughts that came to you that day. All are welcome to join in the discussion or listen.
To access Zoom on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. click the link below and enter the required Meeting ID number and the Passcode. Or call by phone the below number and then follow the prompts to dial the required Meeting ID number and the Passcode number.
Zoom Sunday Bible Study Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89973259796?pwd=ODNtTTlCZjd2ZHNyUHNRS1oyV0hYQT09
Meeting ID: 899 7325 9796
Passcode: 1120
Dial-In by Phone:
+1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 899 7325 9796
Passcode: 1120
3. Virtual Sunday School – We miss having the joy of our kids at church and we know families are under strain with navigating a Covid world as well. We are offering kid-focused lessons to our Sunday prerecorded YouTube worship. Directly following our regular worship, you can stay tuned or call the kids over and have a short time for worship dedicated to our pre-school to early/middle elementary age kids.
4. Virtual Advent Wednesday Devotion and Prayer – If you missed last Wednesday’s devotion, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/LXBIltTvaFE
5. Christ in Our Home Devotionals for the first quarter 2021 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 if you’d like one mailed to you.
6. Pastor Ioan will be out of the office December 28-January 7. For pastoral emergencies through January 7, call Pastors Kevin & Sue Blader (First Christian Church of Winterset) at 515-468-1941.
7. Furniture Ministry – We are lifting up our St. Paul Furniture Ministry this holiday season for donations. Your donation of furniture will help those families who can not afford furniture. Financial donations to help with rent are also welcomed. In addition, if you could be available on a Saturday morning (usually around 9 am for no more than an hour), please contact Jim or Pat Nelson.
8. Blood Drive – Our next Blood Drive is Tuesday, December 29 from 2-7 pm. If you are able to donate blood, please call 1-800-287-4903 to schedule your appointment!
Church office phone: 515-462-4270
Church office email: Office@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastor Ioan Ittu: 515-419-5224
Pastor Ioan email: Pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net