Friday, April 26 Announcements

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 Sunday, April 28.   Pastor Heidi Williams will be preaching on John 15:1-8. Here is a devotion from God Pause: The writer of First John says we know God’s love because Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. Abiding in that love, means that we also ought to be helping those in need around us. After retirement, I began delivering groceries twice a month to five or ten people who could not get to the food shelf. The week before Christmas, I was delivering the groceries to a wonderful woman out in a very rural area. When I got there, she had prepared a homemade snack and a card for me. I thanked her and felt so blessed. In her “wealth, or lack of,” she shared her love for me. The snack, a twenty-dollar bill, and a Christmas card combined to be the best gift I got during Christmas. Indeed, let us love, not in word or speech, but in action.

Upcoming Worship Helpers April 28, 9:30 am 
Greeters/ Ushers:  Dave Kauzlarich and Fred Young
Reader: Amanda Turnquist
Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Cheryl Young
Musician:  Sheri Briney
Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Kim Patience
Communion Server: John and Kim Patience
Communion Bread: Kim Patience
Acolytes/ Crucifer: Nick Brakhane, Blake Acton and Logan Moeller

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.

Part-Time Musician.  St Paul is looking for a part-time musician to provide accompaniment for worship services. This would require playing for church service probably once a month on the piano or guitar, if you are interested, please contact Pastor Heidi or Beth Sunds.

Affirmation of Baptism April 28.  The Celebration of Confirmation will be Sunday, April 28, during worship service. To honor our confirmands, all are invited to a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m., hosted by the Kitchen Crew, and to a cake reception following worship.  

Little League Concession. I am looking for volunteers to help me work the little league concession stand the week of May 6th-10th. It would be from 4:30pm – 8:30pm each night that week. The goal is to raise $750 seed money towards Junior High/High School fellowship events like baseball games, swimming, movies, etc.  I would need 4-5 people for each night. They can call, text or write me for more information. 
Thank you! Tom Acton 
515-991-0167
tacton09@yahoo.com

Free Concert. Hello friends. We’d be grateful if you’d extend an invitation to your congregations to join us at First United Methodist Church for a free concert on May 2nd. I’m attaching some graphics that you can use in your bulletins, emails, etc. and tomorrow or Wednesday, I’ll try to make the rounds with some posters.  Thanks! Megan & Mark

LSI Birdies for Charity. Now is the time to donate to Lutheran Services of Iowa through the Birdies for Charities Program as part of the Principal Charity Classic. LSI will receive matching funds from Sammons Financial, making it possible for LSI to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build communities throughout Iowa. Give before June 1 with checks to LSI, Birdies for Charity on the memo line, and mail to Lutheran Services of Iowa, 3125 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311-3809. You may also give online at lsi.org/give and include Birdies for Charity in the dedication section. 

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. If you have questions, contact chairman Jim Nelson at jim@nelson.dev 

Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp Sign-up.  Riversides many different summer camps is open from March to June.  Make sure to sign up soon because spots go fast!  Sign-up at RIVERSIDELBC.ORG.  The Trust Fund is covering a portion of each camper’s fee.  Riverside LBC provided a code to discount the cost, then bills the Trust Fund after registration closes.  The code is: 24SPL.  We hope your kid(s) will enjoy some quality time this summer, embracing the beauty of the God’s creation while fellowshipping with their friends & other campers from across Iowa.  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Riverside LBC is joining us this Summer to help us run VBS!
Monday, July 8th – Thursday, July 11th : 9AM – 2PM This year, we are exploring what John 15:5 means in our lives: How we can cultivate faith, a renewed mind, peace and purpose through the love and teaching of God’s word. Registration is open & can be done online at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmGNt2AFb_UHBgY44yYYY6ikFuQ9tWciNJlWgvE_7ZZwN5IA/viewform Physical registration is available at the Greeter’s / Usher’s Table in the Fellowship Hall.   Amanda Turnquist. 
  Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp
  3001 Riverside Rd
  Story City, IA 50248
1-515-733-5271 or 1-800-372-7748

Not an official St. Paul member yet, but want to be? We would love you to have you join the St. Paul family.  Please contact Nicole Darling with details on how and when this can happen.

Pastoral care.  Please feel free to contact our new Pastor, Heidi Williams, with any pastor cares you need.  Her cell number is 515-450-0490

God Squad and Confirmation. St Paul’s Christian Education program for children and youth meets Wednesday evenings during the school year. PK-6th graders gather in God Squad, and 7th and 8th graders meet in Confirmation with the Pastor. A free meal is served at 5:30; classes and activities are held from 5:50 to 6:50pm.  Food and monetary donations are welcome for the meal. Sign-up on Signup Genius to help in the kitchen.


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) For January through March, please contact Cheryl Young (515-770-5806) to make arrangements. 

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.

Matthew 25: Ministries – Pill Bottle Donations. Matthew 25: Ministries is an international relief organization that supports medical missions. We can be a part of this by donating empty plastic pill bottles. All sizes, with plastic lids, are accepted. Please remove all outside labels. See the flyer at the church; the donation box is located near the mailboxes. Contact Kim Patience with any 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’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 ande0508@gmail.com. Please note that this is Dick’s new email.

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 Cheryl Young (4evrlaffn@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 May 28, 2024 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 March.  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 starting next week, and get your dose of Vitamin D, please use Sign Up Genius to sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/ Thank you!

Pictorial Directory: The Church Directory is in!  Please contact Cheryl Young at 515-770-5806 or the church office if you have signed up to purchase any. The cost is $5.00 per booklet. If you did not sign up, we do have extras available at $5.00 a copy. You may get one at worship service or contact the office by email  office@stpaullutheranchurch.net, phone 515-462-4270 or stopping in.  Also an updated picture directory is now online on the church website. To access names and contact information from our online directory Servant Keeper, see Lisa Vossekuil or contact her at finances@stpaullutheranchurch.net  Are you a new member or need to update your information?  Please take a few minutes to complete the online form or pick up a paper copy at the usher table and turn it into the office.

Call Committee Activity.  Bishop Current’s office has provided us with an easy to follow four step process for use by call committees. The four steps are:
1 Leave-taking – Saying goodbye
2 Preparation – Formation of the call committee, Workshops and Ministry Site Profile.
3 Discernment – Identifying potential candidates, Interviewing candidates, Council recommendation and Call.
4 Walking Together – Installation, Check in at 3-6-12-18 months, One year review

The Call Committee has completed step two and is currently in a season of discernment as we interview candidates. This season may last a few months or longer.  In order to protect the confidentiality of candidates, no specific information can be shared about who is being interviewed or when the interviews are planned. However, once the Call Committee decides on a primary candidate that name is submitted to the Congregational Council, who then makes preparations for a Congregational Meeting. A two-thirds vote of the congregation calls a pastor.
The Call Committee invites you to pray with us.
Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, you have given us grace to make our common prayer to you. Direct us Lord God, in this time of transition as we join in one prayer together. Grant to us in this time of searching, courage, patience, and vision and use us , we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of your people. Guide our decisions as we do the work of calling a pastor. May we receive a faithful servant who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. Through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Amen

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 Twila Seibert (515-462-1505) or Ann Bartelt (annbartelt0204@gmail.com) or the church office.  

St. Paul Choir. Choir practice is held Wednesday evenings at 7:10 pm. Everyone is welcome to spread the good news through our music ministry. Questions may be directed to Sue Hansen, choir director, 515-468-0137. 

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!   

Upcoming Worship Helpers May 5, 9:30 am 
Greeters/ Ushers:  Dave Kauzlarich and Fred Young
Reader: Lisa Vossekuil
Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Cheryl Young
Musician: 
Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Jen Acton
Communion Server: Wayne and Debi Martens
Communion Bread: Debi Martens
Acolytes/ Crucifer: 

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 is 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
Pastor Heidi Williams: (515) 450-0490