| Come worship with us at 9:30. Join us in person or or watch our livestream Sunday morning on our YouTube channel , or view the service on the YouTube channel on Monday. Pastor Kathleen Wohlers will be preaching on Luke 18:9-14. Here is a devotion from God Pause: Who taught you about God, Jesus Christ, and life as God’s child? What were their views? While completing my MA degree in theology, I used Bibles from various denominations. Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish Bibles often vary in their book list and order, each often revealing the English translators’ theological perspectives about God. Does God value males as creation’s pinnacle or does God equally value and promote all genders? Does God chiefly value lives lived by faith-as-trust or does God want lives lived according to a set of rules? How we have been taught to interpret scripture affects the message we will pass on. Our current national and denominational debates often center around who should hold power, privilege, and leadership. Shall we retain traditional structures intrinsically benefitting white males, or favor new paradigms of leadership sharing power with all genders and ethnicities? The answers will lie in part with how the majority views their role in relationship with God. Worship Helpers this Sunday, October 23, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Nancy Schimmels and Pat Nelson Reader: Debi Martens Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Wayne Martens Videographer: LIsa Vossekuil Musician: Clarice Blanchard Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Kim Patience Communion Bread: Marilyn Mount Communion Server: Marilyn Mount and Barb Kellogg Sunday Bible Study: Bible Study will meet at 10:45 a.m. following morning worship in the front most classroom near the church office. During the class, we invite questions, comments, and connections, as we expand upon the readings from the worship service. Larger Bulletins & Kids Bags: The ushers will have large print bulletins available. St. Paul has kids’ bags to engage your child during church. They are hanging on hooks by the entry doors or see the ushers. |
Stained Glass Windows Dedication. We will dedicate and celebrate the new stained glass windows on Sunday, October 23rd during church service. These windows are a memorial to Erlene Henrichs and a gift from the congregation. A fellowship luncheon will follow worship. Beef burgers will be served, and a homemade pie and ice cream reception will be included. If you have a favorite homemade ice cream or pie recipe you would like to make and share, please sign up on the sheet at the ushers’ table.
Adult Faith Formation The Chosen. Connect with other adults and deepen your walk with Jesus together in Adult Faith Formation fellowship Sunday evenings. Beginning October 30 and running through November 20, we will study what it means to be “chosen” according to Isaiah 43:1-21. Each week, beginning at 5:00 pm we will view an episode from the TV series “The Chosen, Season 1” in the sanctuary on the big screen. After the viewing, we will move to the fellowship hall for a light meal and guided small group discussion. We will dismiss at 7:00 pm. Join the group for any session as your schedule allows. Everyone is welcome.
Holiday Hop November 19. Calling all crafters and bakers to contribute to our Holiday Hop event. St. Paul offers home-baked goods and a cookie “walk,” high-quality seasonal crafts and gift items, as well as gently-used Christmas decorations for the annual community-wide Holiday Hop. Proceeds benefit local charitable organizations. Contact co-chairs Liz Hansen 515-462-3987 and RoxAnn Rhoads 515-468-8239 with any questions, your ideas, and your contributions.
Christmas4KIDS. C.R.I.S.P. is now preparing to match Madison County families in need to organizations, individuals and families wanting to help with gifts this holiday season! Send us your name or organization’s name, along with contact information and how many children you want to sponsor BY OCTOBER 24TH. Questions? Contact us at CRISP@familyresourcelink.org or call us at 515.462.9400.
Church in Transition. The Congregation Council has begun the Transition Process that includes the steps toward calling a new pastor. The Synod has laid out three items that we must first complete: council training, reviewing our constitution, and strategic planning that includes a vitality survey of the congregation. We are attending weekly transition workshops, facilitated by the Synod staff. A call committee will be formed once these are completed, most likely in the first quarter of 2023.
All Saints Sunday. In preparation for All Saints Sunday, November 6, please notify the church office of the dearly departed from the past year to be honored at the worship service.
Wednesday God Squad and Confirmation. Both God Squad (4 years-6th graders) and Confirmation (7-8th graders) began on September 14, as scheduled. Children and youth are welcome to join at any time. Please register God Squad participants at this link. You may also leave a message with the church 515-462-4270. The free meal for God Squad and Confirmation begins at 5:40, followed by the program and activity from 6:00-7:00 pm. Meal donations, both monetary and food, are gladly accepted. Please see Kim Patience about your donation, 515-468-0503. Meal serving volunteers are needed from 5:00-6:30pm; please use Sign-Up Genius to indicate your help. ALL are welcome!
Youth Committee: The newly formed Luther League, Grades 5th through 12th, will have opportunities to grow together as a group, have some fun, and share memories made together. Suggestions and questions may be addressed to Clarice Blanchard and Ted Leonard. Please watch for future youth events.
Operation Christmas Child. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to be a personal ambassador of good will and an opportunity for you to share your faith. Please have Operation Christmas Child gift boxes at St Paul’s by 5:00 PM Friday November 11, 2022 (Veterans Day). Please place completed gift boxes on table in the church hallway entrance. Postage to cover cost of delivery of gift box is $10.00 per box which can be placed inside of the box if possible. Two people can go together to purchase gift items for box and share the $10.00 cost of postage. Boxes should be marked as to gender and age of intended recipient. Labels for gender-age and scotch tape are on usher’s table. Picture of the family sending the gift is always encouraged to be enclosed in gift box. Developing a feeling of camaraderie and friendship with the giving family may be the most cherished part of the giving and receiving process for these children. Unapproved box items: No food items, including candy, gum, vitamins No war/violent toys (such as guns, soldiers, etc) No liquids Tooth brushes are welcome and encouraged. The 12 lesson Christian Gospel program entitled “The Greatest Journey” is offered to all gift package recipients. Any questions, contact Dale Wulf 563-503-9054. and learn more at Samaritan’s Purse.org. Filled boxes must be returned to the church no later than November 11.
Lutheran Disaster Response Giving. Gifts through the ELCA are welcome in response to Hurricane Ian that hit Florida, September 28. Donations may be given on their website or mailed directly to Lutheran Disaster Response, PO Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009 or by calling 800-638-3533
Matura Food Pantry: Our offering to the Matura Food Pantry is blessed the first Sunday of each month. Help us fill the shopping cart will non-perishable food, diapers, and even pet food. Checks made out to Matura Madison County or cash are also accepted.
St. Paul’s Trust Fund: The Trust Fund committee, elected by the congregation, supports mission projects ranging from national and international disaster relief, congregants’ mission trips, and camping scholarships for youth and children. Please contact Chair Dick Anderson with any questions or suggestions for mission support at REAND0508@aol.com
Furniture Ministry: St. Paul collects and gives home goods, furniture, and appliances to those in need. Contact Lisa Vossekuil (920-979-0304 or levossekuil@gmail.com) about any donations. Monetary gifts are also appreciated for our storage units. The Furniture Ministry needs able bodies to help with picking up and delivering furniture on a Saturday morning (usually 9;00 – 10:00 a.m.). Willing workers should contact Lisa (levossekuil@gmail.com) or Jim N.(jnelson91@q.com) to let them know availability.
Pool of Siloam: Pool of Siloam is St. Paul’s local benevolence program that provides monetary support for those in need of such things as gas money or car repair, rent or mortgage assistance, and utility bills. In partnership with local agencies (CRISP, Matura, and Crisis Intervention), we annually serve over 100 individuals, including children. All giving to the Pool of Siloam is matched by an anonymous donor. Offerings to this program can be indicated on your giving envelope or online giving form.
LifeServe Blood Drive: St. Paul hosts the community LifeServe Blood Drive every fourth Tuesday of the month. We are known for our home-baked goods and appreciate your donations of cookies and bars. Please bring them to the church by noon the day of the drive. October 25, 2022 is the next scheduled blood drive.
Call for Cookies. Our supply of cookies for Sunday mornings and our monthly blood drives needs to be replenished. Due to the event of August 14 and following the advice of law enforcement, we had to destroy what was saved. Thanks to all the cookie bakers who support our outreach.
| St. Paul Choir. The choir has begun its new season with rehearsals at 7:10pm Wednesday evenings. We are always looking for new members, and all singers are welcome. We hope to see you there! Ongoing Transportation Ministry: St. Paul’s transportation ministry helps families who have are in need of transportation to appointments. Our current recipients are Ronnie and Shirley Addy who need transportation to Ronnie’s kidney dialysis three days a week in south Des Moines at Fresenius Kidney Care, 6651 SW 9th Street. He needs to be picked up no later than 9:40 a.m. at North Ward, 415 N. 2nd Street, Winterset, at the south door of the east building. Pick-up is at 2:30 p.m. at the Fresenius Kidney Care. Ronnie is unable to get into a high vehicle. Please contact Shirley with any questions 515-468-0121. Ronnie’s cell is 515-468-1982. Please use SignUpGenius to indicate when you are willing to drive Ronnie. Note you may sign up to take him, return him, or do both. Please include your cell phone number in the comments. This is a long-term ministry, so check back often as SignUpGenius is updated. Member Information Update. To coincide with our new picture directory, it’s time to update our congregation’s directory with current and accurate information for you and your family. Please take a few minutes to complete the online form or pick up a paper copy at the usher table and turn it in to the office. Free Sunshine! If you would like to help mow the church lawn this season, and get your dose of Vitamin D, please use Sign Up Genius to sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/ Thank you! Got Time? Got Talent? We Want You! We have a variety of opportunities available where you can showcase an existing talent or pursue an interest you have. Do you have finance or organizational skills, like to show your concern for others, can teach others, or know your way around building maintenance? All of these skills can be put to use on various St. Paul committees that need our time and talent. So, if you want to give back to our church, give Jacque a call at 515-468-1899, and she’ll help find a way you can make a difference! Prayer Chain: St. Paul has a group dedicated to the power of prayer, with faith and action following the words of 1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” If you have a prayer request for the Prayer Chain, please share it with Twila Seibert (515-462-1505) or Jim Nelson (jnelson91@q.com) or the church office. Thank you, Twila, for organizing our calling tree and Jim for giving notice of prayer needs by email. If you feel called to intentionally pray for others, please contact Twila Seibert or Jim Nelson to be added to the praying group. Upcoming Worship Helpers October 30, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Needed Reader: Dick Anderson Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Wayne Martens Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Clarice Blanchard Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Jen Acton Communion Bread: Debi Martens Communion Server: Debi Martens and Marilyn Mount Worship Service Helpers/Volunteers Needed! If you are able and willing, we need your help in returning our 9:30 service to “normalcy.” It’s important that all of the positions be filled. Worship team members Debi Martens and Pat Nelson are available for any “training” you may want. 3 Easy ways to sign up: Use SignUpGenius! It’s easy to access at this link and will even send you a reminder of your commitment. Volunteer Kiosk: We have clipboards on the kiosks in the entryway for you to sign. Call the Church office at 515-462-4270. |
Church office phone: 515-462-4270
Church office email: Office@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastoral Emergencies (Jacque Mohs): 515-468-1899