| Sunday, January 9– Epiphany of Our Lord 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 delivering the message based upon John 2:1-11. For your devotions from God Pause: It’s like we have come full circle. If in our first reading this week Isaiah invited us to compare God’s rejoicing over each one of us as like a wedding celebration, now in the gospel we have arrived at an actual wedding—the familiar story of Jesus at a wedding at Cana. So what are we to make of this story? We aren’t told much, not even the names of the bride and groom. Just that Jesus, Jesus’ mother, and Jesus’ disciples are there; and of all things the wine runs out! The rejoicing that befits any wedding is clearly at risk. And then Jesus comes to the rescue. A miracle? In John’s story it’s called a “sign”—the “first” of the signs that Jesus will do along the way. John earlier wrote “the word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Enough for the moment to imagine that Jesus’ presence can transform sadness into joy. It is about the rejoicing that belongs to the story of God’s way with God’s people at a central moment of their human story. Worship Helpers. Greeters/Ushers: Jim and Pat Nelson; Reader: Dick Anderson; Sound, Screen, & Streaming: Jacque Mohs; Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil; Musician: Georgine Bellamy; Singer: Beth Sunds and Sue Hansen; Counters: Steve Dick and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Jacque Mohs; Communion Servers: Marilyn Mount. Flock (St. Paul’s Care Ministry) is Coming Back: St. Paul wants to re-establish an organized and intentional way to show love to our homebound, sick, disconnected or anyone struggling through some life event. Toward that end we want to bring back an adapted version of our previous Flock ministry. The Flock Ministry will help provide Christian Care to the people in our St. Paul family through actions like visitation, meal deliver, prayer, etc. Pastor Ittu will lead a conversation after worship this Sunday January 16 on our current care needs, and possible ways volunteers can help attend to those care needs in an intentional and organized way. 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. 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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New Membership Class Jan. 30 & Feb. 6: St. Paul will be offering a membership class consisting of two 45 minute sessions, led by Pastor Ioan. The first session will be on Sunday, January 30, directly after church, and the second will be the next Sunday, February 6 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.
Wednesday God Squad & Confirmation: God Squad & Confirmation Classes are on pause and will resume January 26.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.
Parent Night Weds. Jan. 19 St. Paul is encouraging parents to attend the school district’s informational session (flyer) for parents on Wednesday, January 19, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the high school cafeteria. Limited child care is available on site. Pastor Ioan will be at the Four Square Church in Winterset from 6:00p-8:00p where religious programming for preschoolers through 12 grade will be available.
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.
| Save the Date for Pastor Ioan’s Installation. It will be held Sunday, January 23, at the 9:30 service. ELCA synod representatives will be with us. Following the service, stay for a special time of church gathering and fellowship. 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. Upcoming Worship Helpers Sunday, January 16, 9:30 am. Greeters/Ushers: Lily and Wendy Burkett; Reader: Jacque Mohs; Sound, Screen, & Streaming: Wayne Martens; Videographer: Debi Martens; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Singer: Clarice Blanchard; Counters: Wayne Martens and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Jacque Mohs; Communion Servers: Mariah Allen and Rainy Gibbens. 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