Friday, September 9 Announcements

Come worship with us at 9:30Join us in person or or watch our livestream Sunday morning on our YouTube channel , or view the service on the YouTube channel on Monday.  Rev. Tony Nester will preside, and we will have Communion. We are thankful for Pastor Nester who will be preaching on Luke 15:1-10. Here is a devotion from God Pause:
One summer evening as I was ringing doorbells to stir up interest in our new congregation, I met a man sitting on his front porch, sipping a drink. He asked me what I wanted, and when I told him what I was doing, he invited me to join him. Questions followed. Then he told me some of his story.

His estranged brother had died just days earlier. Things had been said and done that required my host to ask for forgiveness, but he never got around to it. He would have to live with that. “What about God?” he asked. Could God forgive him the things he’d done and left undone? He wasn’t a churchgoer; was any sort of comfort available from God for someone like him?

Similar questions brought tax collectors and sinners to Jesus. What they heard—and what I shared with my host—was good news of a God who never runs out of patience and grace to forgive our sins, no matter what our story.

Worship Helpers this Sunday, September 11, 9:30 am   
 Greeters/Ushers: Don & Linda Darling
Musician: Clarice Blanchard
 Reader: Jim Nelson
 Counters: Kim Patience/Lisa Vossekuil
 Sound/Screen/Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil
 Communion Bread: Bonnie Fenimore
 Videographer: Jacque Mohs
 Communion Servers: Jason & Nicole Darling

Sunday Bible Study:   Bible Study meets 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. We will have Bible Study September 11 and 18.

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.

Introducing Interim Pastor Kathleen Wohlers. Interim Pastor Kathleen Wohlers will begin with us Wednesday, September 14 and will begin preaching September 18. Watch for a more complete introduction of Pastor Kathleen next week.

Stained Glass Window Project THANK YOU. The stained glass window project fundraising was a huge success! Thank you to all of you who gave to this project. Darko, the company that installed our current stained glass, may be able to start on our sanctuary the middle of September. Please direct any questions to Cheryl Young or Dave Stewart. Your generosity abounds at St. Paul!

CROP Hunger Walk. St. Paul, along with other Winterset churches, will participate in the annual CROP Walk, sponsored by Church World Services, on Sunday, September 25. Registration begins at 2:00 and the walk begins at 3:00. Your donations will  help end hunger and combat poverty locally, nationally, and overseas. Checks may be made out to CWS CROP and may be placed in the offering or in the Donation Station in the chapel. Give. Walk. God’s Work – Our Feet!

God’s Work Our Hands Our Feet – Sunday, September 25, 2022. St. Paul will participate in the ELCA God’s Work Our Hands day of service on September 25, 2022. We have identified projects within the community to show our neighborly love. These projects involve general outside cleanup at private residences and on city sidewalks; things like weeding, trimming, raking, power washing, tree cleanup, and simple repairs.

ALL are welcome! Please let us know TODAY if you are able to participate. You will be assigned to a team based upon your desired level of activity, and a team captain will reach out to you to confirm your activity. The day will start with a special worship service and blessing at 9:30. We will then go out into the community to provide service between 10:30 and 12:30. Lunch will be served from 12:30-1:30. Please address questions to Ann at annbartelt0204@gmail.com or 515-418-3565.

Wednesday God Squad and Confirmation. Both God Squad (4 years-6th graders) and Confirmation (7-8th graders) will begin September 14, as scheduled. Please register God Squad participants NOW – if you have not already done so – at this link.  You may also leave a message with the church 515-462-4270. The free meal for God Squad and Confirmation will begin at 5:40, followed by the program and activity from 6:00-7:00 pm. Meal volunteers are needed from 5:00-6:30pm; please use Sign-Up Genius to indicate your help. ALL are welcome!

Adult Faith Formation.  Family Fun Day # 3 is now rescheduled for Wednesday, September 21, 5:00-8:00 pm. All are welcome! Mark and Brenda Hollingsworth will host the group at their Cabin on the Hill, 2408 Millstream Avenue. They will provide hotdogs and hamburgers. Please bring a side dish to share, your own beverage, and lawn chairs. Come to enjoy good friends, good food, and games galore in a beautiful Madison County setting.

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. We will have a presentation about St. Paul’s participation in Operation Christmas Child on Sunday, September 18, at the beginning of worship. Dr. Dale Wulf, chair of this project which will benefit children across the world, will provide information about what can be donated in the Christmas boxes, and when they are to be ready for shipping. This is a cooperative project between St. Paul Trust Fund and the congregation. Learn more at Samaritan’s Purse.org.

EveryStep Grief & Loss Services is providing an 8-week support group beginning September 13th to anyone that needs help to heal.  “Understanding Your Grief” is free and open to anyone needing support. It will be held from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Chestnut Building, 901 4th Ave., Winterset. Pre-registration is required as seats are limited.  Please contact Jwalker@everystep.org, or Mike Albert, Malbert@everystep.org or call 641-342-2888.

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. September 27, 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.

Riverside Young-at-Heart-Day.  The second annual Young-At-Heart-Day at Riverside Bible Camp is coming up Tuesday, September 13, 9:30-4:00. Learn more about the event and register at https://www.riversidelbc.org/young-at-heart-day. Registrations will also be accepted over the phone (515-773-5271), as well as on the morning of the event, although prior registration is preferred.

A thank you from Nancy Schimmels:
 I would like to thank those that prayed for me or showed caring for my recovery from the accident at Modern Reflections.

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 September 18, 9:30 am   
 Greeters/Ushers: Rich & Genelle Thompson
 Musician: Georgine Bellamy
 Reader: Jacque Mohs
 Counters: Jen Acton/Lisa Vossekuil
 Sound/Screen/Streaming: Wayne Martens
 Communion Bread: Genelle Thompson
 Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil
 Communion Servers: Dean & Ann Bartelt

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