| Sunday, February 13 Come worship with us at 9:30. Join us in person, or watch our livestream Sunday morning on our YouTube channel, or view the service on the YouTube channel on Monday. Pastor Ioan will be preaching on Psalm 1, and here is a devotion from God Pause: My first parish in the dry-land farming country of northeast Montana was basically treeless, except for along the Big Muddy, where large cottonwoods were rooted in its stream. Psalm 1 introduces the Psalter with this image of depending on God as being like a tree that depends on a river in inhospitable conditions. But there was a severe drought when I served in northeast Montana, and the Big Muddy went dry. Nevertheless, the cottonwoods were sustained by the subterranean moisture invisible to the eye. When we encounter the arid times of depression, oppression, loneliness, ill-health, and grief, we trust that God will sustain us even when we cannot sense it. For in the water and the Word of baptism, we have been rooted into the very life of Christ. “It is not I who lives, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). We trust that God is an ever-flowing stream of justice, unconditional love, and blessing. Worship Helpers. Greeters/Ushers: Ted & Bea Leonard; Reader: Dick Anderson; Sound, Screen, & Streaming: Jacque Mohs; Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Singer; :Clarice Blanchard; Counters: Jen Acton and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Jacque Mohs; Communion Servers: John and Kim Patience Sunday Bible Study: Bible Study meets 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. Class will be held with a substitute leader. New Members Class TODAY Feb. 13 & 20: St. Paul is offering a membership class consisting of two 45 minute sessions, led by Pastor Ioan. The first session is today, directly after church, and the second will be the next Sunday, February 20 also directly following worship. Contact Pastor Ioan with your questions and to express your interest. A commitment of membership is for those who wish to make a public promise of helping move God’s ministry forward at St. Paul through the giving of time, talent, or treasure. Our two-session membership class will include ~Opportunities for growing closer to God & fellow St. Paul friends and families ~The character and values of St. Paul as a community of Christians, and the vision for our continued ministry ~Lutheranism & our ELCA Denomination. ALL, members or not, are welcome at St. Paul and all that it offers. We are blessed by your presence, just as we hope you are blessed by your time with us. COVID Reminder: Masks are encouraged for all services and ministries at St. Paul. Please come, worship, and be fed! If you want to wear a mask to keep some distance between yourself and others at any service or ministry, for any reason, please do so with St. Paul’s full blessing. |
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Wednesday God Squad & Confirmation: God Squad & Confirmation Classes will have class on February 2. God Squad (4 yrs. to 6 grade) begins at 5:40 p.m. with a meal. Confirmation (7 & 8 grades) starts at 6 p.m. Children and youth are welcome to join at any time throughout the year. Please sign-up for God Squad through our website home page.
A big THANK YOU goes to our meal sponsors! Donations of food or cash for the meal are always welcome; please contact Rainy Gibbens (rainygibbens@hotmail.com) about your donations. You may also volunteer to help on SignUp Genuis. We are thankful for kitchen/food help at 5:00, child care, teachers, and activity leaders. Recipients of the FREE Movie Pass for 2 & Concession Stand Gift Certificate this week are the Josh & LaRee Allen Family.
Wednesday Gift for Parents & Guardians. Come inside to see all the good things that are happening at God Squad and Confirmation. You are welcome to join us for the meal, the activities, and the lessons. Be the first parent or guardian to approach Coordinator Rainy Gibbens, referring to the free gift. You then will receive two tickets to the Iowa Theater and a certificate for the concession stand. This is a weekly gift that can be received once per family as a blessing for all you do in God’s name for your children. This week’s recipients were Colt and Katie Stephens, parents of Hattie, first grader.
Children & Youth Volunteers Needed: In order for our Youth Programs (VBS, GOD Squad & Confirmation) to be a success, our St Paul Lutheran Church Community need volunteers. We are asking for parents/guardians of the children attending Youth Programs to PLEASE HELP. We need teachers, kitchen helpers, greeters, nursery care givers, general helpers in all areas. We want to bring the children AND their parents/guardians back INTO the church. Your participation is two-fold. You are essential for; (1) the spiritual development of our children and their future, (2) regaining a thriving and healthy church community. The St Paul members continue with their financial support, which is greatly appreciated and needed. We also need volunteers to actively participate. Please consider volunteering to make a difference for our children and church. Thank you.
Adult Faith Formation Sunday Evening New Series. You are welcome to join the Sunday evening adult faith formation study anytime! We are currently reading The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. This book, along with Bible study, is the topic of this five-week study which ends February 13. Snacks begin at 5:30 followed by an hour of study and conversation. Contact Brenda Hollingsworth or Ann Bartelt with any questions.
Post Prom is holding a dessert walk this Sunday 12-4pm.
Furniture Ministry. St. Paul collects and gives home goods, furniture, and appliances to those in need. Contact Lisa Vossekuil (920-979-0304; levossekuil@gmail.com) about any donations. Monetary gifts are also appreciated for our storage units.
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.
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. Offerings to the Pool of Siloam 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. February 22, 2022 is the next scheduled blood drive.
Lion’s Bags to Benches. Winterset Lions are collecting and recycling plastic bags to earn benches to donate to the community. The goal is to collect in a six-month period 500 pounds of plastic film and bags. With that, the Lions will receive one bench to donate to the community Look for recycle bins at Ben Franklin Covered Bridge Realty, the Methodist Church, Sports Page, with more to come.
| 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! Giving Envelopes. The 2022 giving envelopes are now available in your church mailbox. Should you desire a set, please contact the church office. Alternatively, you may give online by signing up on our church website. 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. Additional Worship Helpers Needed: March and April are important months. Ash Wednesday, Lenten services and Holy week are in the near future. With the additional services comes the need for additional people to volunteer to help with these services. These services have been added to SignUp Genius. Please visit the website and sign up early so the service you like to help with is still available for you. Upcoming Worship Helpers Sunday, February 20, 9:30 am. Greeters/Ushers: Troy and Erin Gwinner; Reader: Debi Martens; Sound, Screen, & Streaming: Wayne Martens; Videographer: NEEDED; Musician: Georgine Bellamy; Singer; :Sue Hansen; Counters: Steve Dick and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Erin Gwinner; Communion Servers: Bonnie Fenimore and Ruthanne Korte Choir: Please join St. Paul Choir rehearsals Wednesdays evenings at 7:10 pm. We sing about twice a month. We are excited to see current members and enthusiastically welcome any new members as we sing praises to the Lord! 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: 1. Use SignUpGenius! It’s easy to access at this link and will even send you a reminder of your commitment. 2. Volunteer Kiosk: We have clipboards on the kiosks in the entryway for you to sign. 3. Call the Church office at 515-462-4270. 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. His appointments begin at 10:30 a.m. and end at approximately 2:30 p.m. He needs to be picked up no later than 9:40 at North Ward, 415 N. 2nd Street, Winterset, at the south door of the east building. 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. |
Church office phone: 515-462-4270
Church office email: Office@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastor Ioan Ittu email: Pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastoral Emergencies: 515-419-5224