Worship with us, April 20, 9:30am. Join us in person or on our YouTube channel.  Pastor Erick will preach on Luke 24:1-12 Easter Service.  Easter service will be this Sunday, April 20th, at the 9:30am service. There will be a light breakfast served prior to service at 8:30am. Upcoming Worship Helpers April 20, 9:30 am  Greeters/ Ushers: Kristy Swanson and Nathan Swanson Reader: Amanda Turnquist Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Cheryl Young Musician: Georgine Bellamy Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Bonnie Fenimore Communion Server:   John and Kim Patience Communion Bread:  Kim Patience Acolytes/ Crucifer:   The following Lilies have been purchased in honor of or in memory of: In remembrance of our parents and in honor of our children and grandchildren.  from Dean and Ann Bartelt In honor of Easton, Avary, Cale & Kate. from Don & Linda Darling In memory of Nick Koeppe and Darrell Davis. from Chris & Traci Davis In Remembrance of our Loved Ones who have passed. from Steve & Robin Dick In memory of Johannes “Joh” Huizinga. from Corrie Huizingia In remembrance of Parents/ brothers and Bob/Karen Porter. from Roger & Marilyn Hansen In memory of my mother & my husband. from Marty Knapp In remembrance of Don Langford and Glen/ Marilyn Patience.  from John & Kim Patience In memory of Darrel & Jerry Schimmels by their family. from Nancy Schimmels  In memory of Jerry.  from Beth Schwertfeger  In remembrance of my father and Erick’s parents. from Pastor Erick Swanson and Kristi: In remembrance of our parents.  from Tad & Connie Tadlock In remembrance of parents & brothers. from Shirley Tallman In memory of Gov and in memory of Jim/ Pat Nelson. from Darrel & Lisa Vossekuil In memory of our parents. from Pat Wetlauffer Devotions from God Pause This is an old, old story. Told first by the Hebrews, the Jewish community into which Mary birthed Jesus. This is the story he grew up with. And now for us as Christians, these words ring with deep resonance as we hear again the story of Jesus’ passion. We hear in these words a profound obedience, a submission unto death—a death that reveals to us a love that sustains us even beyond death. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” This love calls us into a deep relationship that orders our lives and grasps our soul beyond anything that we can fathom. The world turns through the flames of war, through the isolation of famine, through genocide and ecocide; yet God calls us to love no matter the cost, no matter the suffering, holding us close in a promise larger than any we can comprehend. “Join us for Meeting on Monday!  The coffee pot will be on tea bags and hot chocolate packets also available.  No strings attached – just a chance to visit with others in the comfort of the high school and junior high rooms at St. Paul’s. at 9:00 am on Monday mornings.   If Winterset schools are delayed or closed because of the weather, we will not be meeting on Mondays that day.   Sunday Bible Study:  Bible Study will meet at 11:00 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.

God Squad and Confirmation. Join us for God Squad and Confirmation at St. Paul’s Wednesday evening Christian Education Program for children and youth. Confirmation classes for 7th and 8th graders began Wednesday, September 3 and God Squad for 4-year-olds through 6th grade began September 10. A free meal is served at 5:30 pm; classes and fun activities are from 5:50-6:50 pm. All children are welcome to join at any time. You can register at St. Paul or online: https://forms.gle/rPaySYQDVGEW7LRo9   Blessings,-Amanda Turnquist

Transportation Ministry. Transportation ministry is providing rides home mainly for outpatient surgery patients who cannot secure another way home. There is a clipboard in the back of the church if you would like to add your name to the volunteers. The need is occasional but so much appreciated. Questions? Contact Chris Madison (515-468-0051) Women Infants and Children Services.  WIC will be using St. Paul Church to support local families beginning Thursday, January 25.  This Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. We welcome these services to our fellowship hall every second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Pill Bottle Donations – Matthew 25: Ministries –  Matthew 25: Ministries is an international medical relief organization. We can be a part of this by donating empty plastic pill bottles. All sizes, with plastic lids, are accepted. Please remove all labels. The donation box is located near the mailboxes at church. See the flyer at the church or contact Kim Patience with questions: kimpatience62@gmail.com 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 Trust Fund.  The St. Paul Trust Fund was established in 1986 to provide Mission work outside the operational budget of the church. It supports needs locally, nationally and internationally on items such as supplying animals and tools overseas, supporting kids playgrounds to supporting youth summer camps. Please contact Dick Anderson with any questions. 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)  Pool of Siloam: Pool of Siloam is St. Paul’s local benevolence program for Madison County residents 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 April 22, 2025 is the next scheduled blood drive. Call for Cookies.  Cookies are always needed for Sunday morning services and the monthly blood drive.  They can be store bought or home-made and can be dropped off at anytime.  Jim asks that the cookies for the monthly blood drive be home-made.

Bible Study on First and Third Tuesday of the month at 9:00am.  We will be starting a new study in January 2025.  Everyone is welcome to come to this study at the quilting room / large classroom at the church.  If you are interested, please contact Linda Darling at 515-468-1131 or email ldarling1950@gmail.com Free Sunshine! If you would like to help mow the church lawn this season April through September, and get your dose of Vitamin D, please use Sign Up Genius to sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/  Thank you! Prayer Chain: St. Paul has a group dedicated to the power of prayer. If you have a prayer request for the Prayer Chain, please share it with Ann Bartelt annbartelt0204@gmail.com or the church office.   St. Paul Choir. The Choir is always looking for new members.  Choir practice is held Wednesday evenings at 7:10 pm during the months of September-May and sing a couple times each month  during these times at Sunday morning service. Everyone is welcome to spread the good news through our music ministry. Questions may be directed to Sue Hansen, choir director, 515-468-0137. Online Giving Update. St. Paul has changed our online giving to Servant Keeper, the program we also use for our Member Directory.      – Step 1: Visit our church website at stpaullutheranchurch.net    – Step 2: Look for the “Give” or “Online Giving” tab.    – Step 3: Click on the link to access our new Servant Keeper Online Giving platform.    – Step 4: Follow the instructions on the screen to create your account or log in if you already have a Servant Keeper account.  ENTER the church’s name as St. Paul Lutheran Church ELCA. Support and Assistance: For help in signing up, please contact Lisa Vossekuil at finances@stpaullutheranchurch.net or 920-979-0304. She is at the church most Sundays before and after worship to help you create your Servant Keeper account and log in. You may also set another time for your convenience and can even do it over the phone with Lisa. For a step-by-step Video Guide go to https://connect.servantkeeper.com/Z4u9o2E9 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, please contact the office and we’ll help find a way you can make a difference!    Worship Service Helpers/Volunteers Needed!  Serving as a worship leader and helper is an excellent way to become better acquainted with our congregation. All are invited to serve in a variety of capacities: usher, reader, communion server, etc. Any introduction or training you may want for the positions is offered by Debi Martens debi.martens21@gmail.com  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
Pastor Erick’s Email: Pastor@stpaullutheranchurch.net