| 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. The St Paul Lutheran Church choir will be performing this Sunday. . Here is a devotion from God Pause: “I’m bored,” my daughters declared from the back seat, only an hour into a long day’s drive to our vacation destination. They had burned through the best of my pre-planned activities, and it was hard not to sympathize, knowing all too well the struggle with the suffering of boredom. I myself had packed three books, a crochet project, two movies on my phone, and car snacks. The “not-quite-there-yet” state of waiting was painful for me too. I realized that all the entertainment—the study, the work, the consumption in the face of boredom—was an escape from the time and space to reflect on the things I’d avoided and to feel regret for the things I’d done. The agony of waiting, I discovered, was not the waiting itself, but what was waiting there for me—the “not-quite-there-yet” reminder of our sinful world and my sinful self. St Paul Lutheran Choir will be singing the Cantata will be performing for this Sunday’s Service Upcoming Worship Helpers December 18, 9:30 am Leader: Jacque Mohs Greeters/ Ushers: Genelle and Rich Thompson Reader :Rich Thompson Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Eric Hoefing Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Georgine Bellamy Musician: Mariah Allen- Piano Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Bonnie Fenimore Communion Bread: No Communion Communion Server: No Communion 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. |
The regular annual meeting will be held February 26 following worship. At that meeting, Council and Committee elections will be held, constitutional changes will be ratified, and year-end reports will be given. Your attendance is appreciated at these congregational meetings.
Adult Faith Fellowship. 2nd half of The Chosen. You are invited to join Adult Faith Fellowship Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. for four weeks, beginning January 8th through January 29th. In 2022 about 24 of us watched the first four episodes of The Chosen together. In January we will watch the last four episodes (one per week) followed by a light meal and guided small group discussions. All are welcome. If you haven’t seen the first 4 episodes we highly recommend you download the Chosen app (it’s free) and watch them before you join us for the last 4 episodes. For more information contact Brenda Hollingsworth at 515-468-8129.
Year End Giving. Anyone wanting to give to St. Paul in 2022 must have their contribution in the lockbox outside Pastor’s office no later than Friday, 12/30/22, at 4pm. At that time, Financial Secretary Lisa Vossekuil will pick up any monies in the lockbox, enter it into Servant Keeper so that the congregants will get credit, and then make the bank deposit. Questions may be addressed to finances@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Call Committee Being Formed. The congregation council is seeking the names of those who are willing to serve on the call committee for our next pastor. The call committee of 6 members should reflect the makeup of our congregation, assuring representation of our diversity (gender, age, new and longtime members), as well of our ministries (worship, children and youth, education, service). We seek those who can commit to this critical work of an unknown time and who can represent the congregation for the good of the whole.
The congregation council desires to know of your interest and/or nomination of others by December 12. The council will consider the names brought forth at their December council meeting. The call committee will be nominated by the council and elected at a special congregational meeting in January. To learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the call committee pick up a copy from the ushers’ table or click this link
https://www.stpaullutheranchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Call-Committee-Info-from-Synod.pdf. Any questions may be directed to the council.
Advent Suppers. Congregational meals will be held Wednesdays prior to Advent Services: December 21. Meals will be served from 6:00-6:20, followed by worship at 7:00. You may sign up to provide food, help, or monetary donations on the clipboards on the Ushers’ Table.
Lutheran Study Bibles. There are extra Lutheran Study Bibles for sale at $36.00 each if anyone is interested in purchasing one.
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.
Volunteering at the Living Nativity: The Winterset United Methodist Church is preparing for the 31st iteration of the Living Nativity which will be held again at the Madison County Historical Complex, on Wednesday, December 21st, and Thursday, December 22nd from 6:00 – 8:00pm. It takes many hands and feet to make this event possible each year! Each hour of the event needs:
- 2 adult hosts
- 1 adult car greeter
- 1 adult shepherd supervisor
- 1 adult angel supervisor
- 1 adult innkeeper
- 4 youth shepherds
- 4 youth angels
- 1 ‘holy family’
- 1 reception supervisor
That’s 7 adults and 8 youths each hour! If you feel that you can serve in one of these roles during this event, please sign up using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4aacaf2fa6fb6-living
If serving outdoors doesn’t work for you. Perhaps you could donate some cookies or bars for the reception? You can also sign up for those areas of service in the same link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4aacaf2fa6fb6-living If you have specific questions, contact Megan Barrett: mgnbarrett13@gmail.com or 515-249-1204.
Attending the Living Nativity: Celebrate the Advent season and Christmas with this unique representation of the birth of Jesus, sponsored by Winterset’s First United Methodist Church with cooperation from other Winterset churches and community members. Follow the star to the Museum Complex, where you’ll be greeted by the innkeeper, escorted by the shepherds, serenaded by the angels, and have the opportunity to observe the Holy Family and the baby Jesus. You can also enjoy refreshments inside the museum lounge before or after your tour through the Live Nativity. There is no admission charge and all are welcome.
ELCA Good Gifts. ELCA Good Gifts can be Christmas gifts that express your faith, make a difference in the world, and honor your loved ones. ELCA Good Gifts provides more than 50 different gift-giving options that grow the church, fight hunger, and transform lives. These gifts, starting at just $10, provide direct support for the churchwide ministries of the ELCA. Access the gift catalog at https://goodgifts.elca.org/
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. December 27, 2022 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.
| 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. 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 December 24, 5:00 pm Greeters/ Ushers: Jacque Mohs Family Reader: Kara Mohs Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Wayne Martens Videographer: Needed Musician: Clarice Blanchard Communion Bread: Debi Martens Communion Server: Debi Martens and Needed Upcoming Worship Helpers December 24, 7:30 pm Greeters/ Ushers: Needed Reader: Marriah Allen Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil Videographer: Needed Musician: Georgine Bellamy Communion Bread: Kim Patience Communion Server: John and Kim Patience Upcoming Worship Helpers December 25, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Needed Reader :Needed Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Wayne Martens Videographer: Needed Musician: Needed Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Steve Dick Communion Bread: Debi Martens Communion Server: Debi Martens and Needed 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