| 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 4:12-23 . Here is a devotion from God Pause: Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow him in his ministry, offering them opportunities to learn from him along the way. They were willing to follow Jesus, to move in a new direction with him, without knowing where they were going, what they would be doing, and what would be the end result. Were they scared? Probably. But their fear was overcome by the presence of the holy, their days became sacred as in their following they became more and more aware of what they could be and do with Jesus’ presence in them. And just think of all we can be and do with Jesus’ presence in us as we follow their example of being a disciple of this Jesus! January 29, we will have Pastor Dan Kuckuck with us. He is our Synod representative for the Call process. Pastor Kathleen will preside and Pastor Dan will preach. Everyone will have an opportunity to interact with him following worship; he will also meet with the Call Committee. Upcoming Worship Helpers January 29, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Mark and Brenda Hollingsworth Reader: Cheryl Young Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Wayne Martens Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Georgine Bellamy Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Bonnie Fenimore Communion Bread: Bonnie Fenimore Communion Server: Debi Martens and Bonnie Fenimore 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. |
January 24 Blood Drive. We had a very successful blood drive Tuesday. Collected 53 pint of blood, saved 159 lives .. We had 4 first time donors.. Thanks to the donor callers Liz Hansen and Genelle Thompson. The cookie and bar makers Liz and Ted Leonard and our faithful canteen worker Shirley Tallman. Thank to Dick Anderson, Gerald Soper, and Don Darling for set up and Wayne and Debbie Martin for tear down. Everyone’s help make for a very successful drive. Jim N
Souper Bowl of Caring. Keeping with a St. Paul tradition on Super Bowl Sunday, we will take a special offering for ELCA World Hunger. From health clinics to microloans, food pantries to soup kitchens, advocacy to community organizing, across 63 countries, including the United States, our gifts support meaningful solutions that get at the root causes of hunger. Checks may be written to ELCA World Hunger and will be collected during worship.
Transition and Call Committee Update. St. Paul’s Call Committee was elected by the congregation at the special meeting Sunday, January 22. The members are Georgine Bellamy, Lilly Burkett, Sydney Conrad-Cook, Troy Gwinner, Liz Hansen, Brenda Hollingsworth, and John Patience. Pastor Dan Kuckuck will be with us Sunday, January 29, for worship, fellowship, and meeting with the Call Committee. Pastor Dan serves as an Assistant to the Bishop and manages the areas of mobility and call process and rostered minister leadership
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.
SE Iowa Synod Mission Report. The 2022 Mission Spending Annual Report from our Synod is now available. The report is intended to help us see, at a glance, the impact of our congregation’s mission support from 2022. St. Paul’s Mission Support represents about 4.5% of our total budget. To see the financial impact of our giving and read stories of our ministry, view the full report at this link or pick up a copy on the ushers’ table.
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.
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. February 28, 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. |
| Pastor Lisa Klein Goodwin. Former Pastor Lisa Klein Goodwin passed away January 4, 2023. She served as St. Paul’s pastor 1989-1993. We ask for your prayers for her husband Stephen (Bloomington, IL) and her family. Her obituary can be viewed at this link. Cards may be mailed to Stephen at 2608 Rainbow Ave. Unit 2, Bloomington, IL 61704. 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. 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! Upcoming Worship Helpers February 5, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Dick and Mary Anderson Reader: Mariah Allen Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Jacque Mohs Videographer: Needed Musician: Georgine Bellamy Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Steve Dick Communion Bread: Rainy Gibbons Communion Server: 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
Pastor Kathleen Wohlers: : (608) 387-5015