| 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 Ioan Ittu will be preaching on Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–23 , and here is a devotion from God Pause: “Though probably one of the latest writings in the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes has been traditionally associated with Solomon because of his reputation as the wisest of Israel’s kings. Whoever the writer, he laments, “all is vanity,” or in other translations, “meaningless,” “mist,” or “smoke.” As we age, we might identify with those sentiments: we have worked hard, but in the end, what did it all accomplish? “Is that all there is?” as jazz singer Peggy Lee wondered wistfully. If we looked up today’s reading hoping for an uplifting message, we might be sorely disappointed! Or must we? The writer may sound like an old crank who resents leaving his riches to his clueless, young heirs. Yet he himself admits that harboring this resentment is not only vanity, but a great evil. He knows that there is more than the material success he has achieved, and that what he has accomplished is a gift from God meant to be given back to the world.” 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. Upcoming Worship Helpers July 31, 9:30 am Greeters/Ushers: Rich & Genelle Thompson; Reader: Dick Anderson; Sound, Screen, & Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil Videographer: Jacque Mohs ; Musician: Beth Sunds and Video; Counters: Kim Patience and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Pat Nelson; Communion Servers: Bonnie Fenimore and Kim Patience 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. What’s New & Mark Your Calendars Pastor Ioan will be out of the office from August 1st to 8th. For pastoral emergencies through August 8th, call Pastors Kevin and Sue Blader of the Winterset First Christian Church at 515-468-1941. PURPLE: America, We Need to Talk screening Thursday, August 4. The SE Iowa Synod is sponsoring a screening of PURPLE: America, We Need to Talk, a documentary presented by the organization Resetting the Table.org. The showing and discussion will be held Thursday, August 4, at Faith Lutheran Church in Clive, 6:30-8:30 pm. Filmed in rural Iowa and Wisconsin, PURPLE follows the conversation of people with opposing viewpoints confronting their differences head-on and the experiences behind their views. (See the trailer on YouTube: PURPLE Docuseries Teaser.) PURPLE presents a rare political conversation that uplifts, provokes, and inspires while going toward the heat of passionate political differences. This is a great opportunity to learn more about courageous communication across divides, and how to talk with each other as Jesus would have us do. Lumberjacks needed August 6. We have 3 dead ash trees on the church property that need to be removed. Our plan is to take them down with member help. When? August 6th at 9:00 a.m., weather permitting. Rain date is August 13th. What do we need? -Able-bodied individuals who are comfortable around chain-saws -People that can help load brush onto trailers and haul it away -People that can help rake up sticks and twigs -Several chain-saws -Pickups and/or trailers -Rakes Any questions? Contact Wayne Martens at 515-493-8392 Thank you to Pastor Ann Epperson who is preaching Sunday August 7th while Pastor Ioan is away on vacation. Ann is the former co-pastor, with her husband Bob, of the Winterset Foursquare Gospel Church. After a number of years in Winterset (1979-2015), Ann and Bob sensed a call to do missionary work In Papua New Guinea. Having completed their missionary call, they returned to their beloved Winterset Community and now again serve at their Winterset Foursquare Gospel Church as Associate Ministers. Please extend to Pastor Ann St. Paul’s warmest welcome. Semi-annual Meeting: Stay after worship service August 14th at 10:30 a.m. for our semi-annual meeting. Reports will be given by committee chairs, ministry teams, Council President Jacque Mohs, and Pastor Ioan. Watch for more details regarding new business. Worship and Congregational Meeting with Bishop Amy Current August 18. Our SE Iowa Synod Bishop, Amy Current, will be presiding and preaching at a special congregational service and gathering on Thursday, August 18, at 7:00 pm. The service will include Holy Communion. After the service Bishop Current will present her report to the congregation. All are welcome to worship and hear the Bishop’s report. St. Paul at the iCubs: St. Paul youth will be going to see the iCubs play the St. Paul Saints in a Triple-A baseball game on August 28th at 1:08pm. We invite all St. Paul youth, 5th grade through 12th, their families plus 1 friend to join us. Tickets for all children, youth and adults are free. Thank you to our generous members for supporting St. Paul’s children, youth and family ministry. Meet-up at St. Paul church at 11:30am to carpool together. Please RSVP below by August 10th on Sign-Up Genius so we can get group tickets to sit together. |
Adult Faith Formation. Family Fun Day # 3 will be Wednesday, August 10, at Mark and Brenda Hollingsworth’s Cabin on the Hill, 2408 Millstream Avenue. They will furnish hotdogs and hamburgers, as well as outdoor games. Please bring a side dish to share, your own beverage, and lawn chairs. Join us from 5:00-8:00 pm to enjoy the beautiful views in the cool shade with great friends, good conversation, and a shared faith.
Wednesday God Squad: Tentatively, it may be held again, September 2022 through April 2023.
Youth Committee: Busy working for the St Paul Lutheran Church Youth! Please look for changes & events this Summer & moving forward. We are currently working on August & September. The newly formed Luther League, Grades 5th through 12th, will have opportunities to grow together as a group, have some fun & share some memories made together.
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. August 23, 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.
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 9:20 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. Free Sunshine! If you would like to help mow the church lawn this season, and get your dose of Vitamin D, please use Sign Up Genius to sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/ Thank you! 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 Sunday, July 31, 9:30 am August 7, 9:30 am Greeters/Ushers: Bruce Radley and Kara Ellingrod; Reader :Needed; Sound, Screen, & Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil; Videographer: Jacque Mohs ; Musician: Video; Counters: Needed and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Marilyn Mount; Communion Servers: Marilyn Mount and Barb Kellogg 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 Ioan Ittu email: Pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastoral Emergencies: 515-419-5224