| 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 Isaiah 11:1-10. Here is a devotion from God Pause: Since the COVID pandemic has eased in most places, many of us have been able to physically return to our worship spaces. Even with the continuing mask recommendations, the words of the Psalm have become our words. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” By being away from our church buildings, we missed many of the familiar surroundings. But we also missed more. We may have been able to share the peace when we were worshiping on Facebook or Zoom. But how much better it is to actually look into someone’s eyes and say, “The peace of the Lord be with you.” And then have that person respond, “And also with you.” Worship spaces can be wonderfully comforting, yet how much more comforting it is to be present with our siblings in Christ. There is no better reason to go to the house of the Lord. Upcoming Worship Helpers December 4, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Jacque and Tim Mohs Reader: Marriah Allen Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Wayne Martens Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Georgine Bellamy Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Kim Patience Communion Bread: Jacque Mohs Communion Server: Troy and Erin Gwinner 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. |
Usher and Communion Server classes. Have you ever wanted to Usher or help serve Communion, but were unsure of what was involved? After service on December 4, Jacque Mohs and Debi Martens will host a How to Serve Communion Class and How to Usher Class. These sessions should only take about 15 minutes. These classes will be offered again in the future if you are unavailable on the 4th.
Missing card table. Liz Hansen is missing her round, brown card table. It was last seen about a week ago in the back with the church’s tables. It anyone might know where the table was placed, please contact the office or Liz.
Thank you. A big thank you to everyone who carried down decorations for the Holiday Hop and Elf Christmas Decorating Party. Thank you to all who volunteered to decorate the church for the advent season. You are blessing and it is greatly appreciated.
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.
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES. St. Paul Flock Committee will be sending our “College Students” care packages to provide some uplifting encouragement and nourishment for FINALS WEEK. Individual bags will be set out in the fellowship area starting Nov. 20-Dec. 4, marked with their names and available for your generous giving. Our students may be struggling with their faith, emotions and handling the everyday stresses of college and receiving a package of “love” from their hometown congregation may just be the push they need to finished their semester strong.
Suggested items needed for the care packages include but not limited to: Personal notes of encouragement, devotional book, gift cards to dining establishments, gas gift cards, granola bars, individual snack items (chips, trail mix, fruit chews, crackers), cookies, mac-n-cheese cups, soup cups, breakfast bars, poptarts, small cereal boxes, hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, hair products, etc..), AA batteries. Packages will be mailed out on Monday, Dec. 5th. Donations can be left in the individual bags or on the table to be divided among all of our college students. Questions or monetary donations can be directed to Nicole Darling. We have the following students to “care” on:
We have the following students to “care” on:
Kiernan Blanchard-Drake University
Josie Burkett-University of Iowa
Easton Darling-Simpson College
Alexis Davis-Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emma Dole-Simpson College
Carissa Gerwig-Iowa State University
Kelsey Gerwig-Iowa State University
Tyler Gerwig-Iowa State University
Jackson Kimball-Colorado School of Mines
Amy Lehman- DMACC in Boone
Megan McDonald- UNI
Allie Stolte-University of Iowa
Advent Suppers. Congregational meals will be held Wednesdays prior to Advent Services: December 7, 14, and 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.
Christmas Store at The Jackson Building. Redeemer Church and Alabaster Ministries are well underway into planning their annual Christmas Store at The Jackson Building. The Alabaster Christmas Store has been around for 14 years, providing families with a free breakfast, a gospel message and a large selection of free Christmas gifts. Redeemer Church and Alabaster Ministries are thankful for the generous contributions from area churches, volunteers, and local businesses that have made this possible over the years. This years Christmas Store is: December 10th, 8:30am at The Jackson Building If you want to contribute, here are a couple of options:
1. Prayer! This is a wonderful event that serves many families within our community. Please be praying that the gospel message be received and that these families walk away feeling loved.
2.Redeemer Church and Alabaster Ministries are taking NEW gifts, priced roughly $25 or less from now until December 9th. All donations can be dropped off at The Redeemer Church Office – 113 S John Wayne Dr. The entryway is accessible after hours. If your church wants to contribute in this way, please respond and let Redeemer Church and Alabaster Ministries know. Redeemer Church and Alabaster Ministries will provide a list of suggested items.
3. If you want to contribute monetarily, donations can be made to Redeemer Church, Christmas Store in the memo. This money will be used to purchase gifts. Redeemer Church and Alabaster Ministries mailing address is 113 S John Wayne Dr.
JULEFEST 2022: FOLLOW THE STAR. Grand View’s Julefest 2022 is entitled Follow the Star.This annual Christmas celebration will be held on December 3, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. and December 4, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 600 6th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. Julefest is Grand View’s Advent and Christmas gift to the community. Each year Grand View University’s Choir and Wind Ensemble retells aspects of the Christmas story. This year they invite us to look up from the road of our life’s journey to see the great light that has appeared. We follow along with the wise men to Bethlehem where we shall behold Jesus, our true and Morning Star, who will guide us on a new path of life. Let us follow and walk as children of light.
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 11, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Liz Hansen and Trudy Langford Reader :Dick Anderson Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Jacque Mohs Videographer: Needed Musician: Clarice Blanchard Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Jen Acton Communion Bread: Kim Patience Communion Server: John and Kim Patience 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