| 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 Matthew 28:1-10 Here is a devotion from God Pause: Suffering, pain, and loss are not usually popular themes in most dominant societies. “Successful” people, or “good” people, don’t suffer, are not in pain, and definitely do not lose. Jesus didn’t agree. The apostle Paul knew this. That is why he could challenge his friends in Philippi (and us) to “let the same mind be in [us] that was in Christ Jesus.” What mind did Jesus have? He emptied himself. He humbled himself. He let his enemies mock him, beat him, and kill him. He. Lost. Everything. Don’t be fooled by the next words, which assert how God has “exalted” Jesus. Don’t think this is another version of “success” and “goodness” based on “everything goes my way.” Jesus’ exaltation WAS his suffering, pain, and loss. His extended arms on the cross made room for everyone—especially those who experience suffering, pain, and loss—to know that they are part of God’s kingdom, along with everyone else. Upcoming Worship Helpers April 9, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Tim Mohs and Kara Mohs Reader: Amanda Turnquist Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Jacque Mohs Videographer: Jacque Mohs Musician: Clarice Blanchard Trumpet: Kael Blanchard, Addie Burkett and Brooke Davis Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Kim Patience Communion Bread: Kim Patience Communion Server: John and Kim Patience Acolytes: Lily Burkett and Kendrick Blanchard 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. |
Offering Envelopes. Finally our 2023 offering envelopes have arrived. Find them in your mailbox or on the usher table or ask Lisa Vossekuil for a box or let the ushers know you are desiring a box. Note that you may also use online giving for your offering. Contact Lisa with any questions: finances@stpaullutheranchurch.net. Use this link to set up your account: https://www.stpaullutheranchurch.net/e-giving/
Special Thank You. A very special thank you to Rich Thompson for making the new director’s podium.
Easter Lilies. The Easter Lily order was placed on March 23, 2023. If you have not done so, please drop your payment off for the lilies you ordered. The cost is $17.00 for a 6″ Easter lily. The lilies will be delivered to the church and you are free to pick them up after Easter worship and plant them or give them away. If you have placed an order for Easter Lilies Your check may be placed in the locked box outside the office or turned into the office.
Call Committee Activity. The Call Committee met three times in March, twice as a full committee and once to plan and prepare for the World Café event. The congregation was invited to participate in a World Café to provide input on the strengths of our church, where change is desired, and how our gifts will help accomplish our mission. Thank you to everyone who participated to make this a great event! In April we will analyze the World Café insights and use them to finish drafting the Ministry Site Profile. This will be the last step in the process before we begin receiving potential pastoral applications. The input of the congregation is always welcome.
Call to Prayer. We continue to emphasize the importance of the role of prayer in this Spiritual Journey of transition. Please pray for the Call Committee, the Church Council, Interim Pastor, Kathleen Wohlers, and our new Pastor. You can join us daily by praying this prayer:
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.
Nominate a Pastor. The Call Committee is seeking names of potential candidates from the congregation. If you know of someone who may be a good fit for St. Paul, please give that information to one of the Call Committee members. We will submit those names to the office of the bishop for consideration. Thank you to those who have already submitted nominations!
Easter Lilies in Honor or Remembrance of.
Tom Knapp / Kathryn Farlow (Marty Knapp)
Our Parents and Esther Bartelt (Dean & Ann Bartelt)
Our Parents (Connie & Tad Tadlock)
Our Parents & Friends (Rich & Genelle Thompson)
Our Parents (Steve & Pat Wetlaufer)
Gov (Darrell & Lisa Vossekuil)
Our Parents (Darrell & Lisa Vossekuil)
Pat Nelson (Darrell & Lisa Vossekuil)
Phil Roberts & Chan Burkett (Burkett Family)
Remembrance of Sheryl A wulf (Dale G Wulf & family)
Remembrance of Nancy McMenamin (Nicole & Jason Darling)
Remembrance of Dawn & Katie (Barb Lorimor)
Bernard & Leta Hollingsworth (Mark & Brenda Hollingsworth)
Glen and Marilyn Patience, Don Langford (John & Kim Patience)
Jon Huizinga (Corrie Huizinga)
In memory of our loved ones gone (Robin & Steve Dick)
In memory of my husband Darrel and son Jerry (Nancy Schimmels)
In honor of our grandchildren Easton, Avary, Cole, and Kate (Don & Linda Darling)
Elmer and Gladyce Korte, and Bud and Ruth Kellis (Karl and Ruthanne Korte)
Viirginia Kail (Fred Young)
Dave’s granddaughter (Fred Young)
Pat Nelson (Jim Nelson)
Kirsten Stonebarger (Jim Nelson)
Of our loved ones Bill & Nancy Dole & Dean Hartwig (Candice Dole)
In honor of my husband Joe Hansen (Liz Hansen)
For my wife Velma VanScoy (Robert VanScoy)
Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Services.
Maundy Thursday worship will be held at 7:00, April 6, at the First Christian Church. A light supper will be served at 6:30 pm. The Ecumenical Choir will perform.
Prayer Vigil will be held from 8:00 pm April 6 to 7:00 pm April 7 in St. Paul’s Chapel. sign up on the easel in the fellowship hall.
Good Friday service will be at 7:00 pm, April 7, at the First Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Kathleen preaching.
Easter Sunday worship will be at 9:30 am, April 9 with a light breakfast before the service starting at 8:30 am and an Easter egg hunt after worship for the children.
Upcoming Special Services.
- Affirmation of Faith (Confirmation) and New Member Sunday, April 16
- Last Service and Thank You Luncheon for Pastor Kathleen, April 23
- Senior Recognition Sunday, May 7
Adult Faith Fellowship presents: The Prayer Course An eight week journey Through the Lord’s Prayer. Prayercourse.org This program will start on Sunday, March 5th 2023 from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M. During this season of transition at St Paul, Strengthening our ability to pray as individuals And joining our hearts together in prayer as a congregation Will be important now and also in the days ahead. Classes will start in the sanctuary with a video, followed by discussion and snacks in the Fellowship Hall. Class dates are: April 16, 23, 30. All are welcome!
Wednesday God Squad and Confirmation. Both God Squad (4 years-6th graders) and Confirmation (7-8th graders) meet Wednesday evenings for a free meal, followed by the program and activity from 6:00-7:00pm. We thank and are very grateful for our volunteer teachers and youth helpers. The last Wednesday for classes will be April 12. Confirmation Sunday will be April 16.
Lutheran Study Bibles. There are extra Lutheran Study Bibles for sale at $36.00 each if anyone is interested in purchasing one.
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.
| 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. April 25, 2023 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. |
| 35th Annual Women’s Convention and Gathering Southeastern Iowa Women of the ELCA. Convention and Gathering will be held on June 9 and 10th, 2023 at Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines – Johnston. Make your reservations by calling (515) 334-9000. Group code for reservation is 2306LUTHERAN. Rate is $130 per night. Final date to make reservations under the block rate is Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Registration deadline is Friday, May 19, 2023. Registration fees are $80 for 2 days or $65 for 1 day. There is a printable version on the website at 2023SWORegistration.jpg (seiasynod.org) Synod Revival. A one-day event presented by the Southeaster Iowa Synod, ELCA designed to nourish and connect people to each other and to reimagine our relationships in and with the church. This event is free of charge and intended to be a joyful fun gathering for all ages full of inspiration, worship, and prayer. Bring your friends, neighbors, family, or anyone and watch what God does! Saturday, may 20th. Grand View University, Des Moines 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Learn more at synodrevival.org 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! 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. Member Information Update. 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 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! Upcoming Worship Helpers April 16, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Fred Young and Dave Kauzlarich Reader: Cheryl Young Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Cheryl Young Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Clarice Blanchard Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Jen Acton Communion Bread: Needed Communion Server: Needed Acolytes: Ellie Michelson and Blake Acton 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 Kathleen Wohlers: : (608) 387-5015