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 Sunday, July 9. Pastor Kathleen Wohlers will be preaching on Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Here is a devotion from God Pause: “Do not be afraid.” Why might we be afraid? Because life can be frightening and faith in Christ requires embracing rather than avoiding challenges. Jesus warned “the gate is narrow, and the road is hard that leads to life.” At Luther Seminary in the 1980’s, a retired professor shared two insights: the first,“God saves the hardest challenges for the end of life;” the second,“God stacks the greatest gifts on the lowest shelves so they’re within the reach of everyone.” Life can be frightening—especially as we age—but fruit of the Spirit—like “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—is available to all. When I was discerning a “call” to ministry, my grandfather, himself a preacher’s kid, tried to redirect me. His mother once needed surgery. His father first asked, “How much will it cost?” Not wanting economic hardship for me, he encouraged becoming a lawyer instead. Sometimes following a “calling” puts us at odds with even our closest relationships. Upcoming Worship Helpers July 2, 9:30 am Worship in the Park Worship in the Park July 2. Worship will be at 10:30, Sunday, July 2, with our church families across Winterset: 1st Presbyterian, 1st Christian, 1st United Methodist, New Bridge, and Foursquare Gospel Churches. The offering will go to Wildwood Hills Ranch; please make checks payable to them. Bring lawn chairs; parking help will be available. A potluck will follow the service. Bring a side dish to share; pork sandwiches, beverages, and table service will be furnished. Sunday Bible Study: Bible Study will meet at 11:00 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. |
VBS. Vacation Bible School will be held July 10-13 for children entering grades 1-6 in the 2023-2024 school year. This year’s theme is Uncovering the truth of who God is and who we are. Hours are 9:00 to 2:00; snacks and lunch will be provided. Please register online on our website or download the registration form. Children from the community are welcome! Helpers with the children and in the kitchen are needed. Please contact Amanda Turnquist, coordinator, anturnquist_316@hotmail.com or 319-491-4052.
VBS Donations. If you would like to donate for VBS meals and snacks, grocery or cash donations are greatly appreciated. We are planning on about fifty people to feed. You may drop of cash donations for food at the church office or designate in the offering plate. If you would like to donate grocery items, please talk to Kim Patience. Thanks you for supporting our children’s ministry
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.
Senior Center Volunteers. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals for the Senior Center. It takes approximately 45 minutes and the schedule is flexible. To assist with this or learn more, please call 515.462.1334. Thank you. Iowa Bishops Ride Against Hunger. The three ELCA bishops in Iowa are riding in the 50th Annual RAGBRAI, riding 50+ miles together each day, celebrating and highlighting 50+ anti-hunger ministries in the three synods and raising $50,000 for ELCA World Hunger. Join them, donate to the cause, make a pledge. Learn more at https://sites.google.com/seiasynod.org/bishops-ragbrai/ 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. July 25, 2023 is the next scheduled blood drive. Call for Cookies. Cookies are always needed for Sunday morning services and the monthly blood drive. Sunday morning cookies and bars can be store bought or home-made. Jim asks that the cookies for the monthly blood drive be home-made. |
Mailboxes. Members who previously did not have a mailbox, there is now one with your name on it! The names are not in exact alphabetical order, but your box should be in close vicinity to where your name would fall. Please see Lisa Vossekuil or Cheryl Young if you cannot find yours or if we inadvertently missed you. (The mailboxes will be totally redone after we have the Servant Keeper sign-ups) Member Photo Directory. St. Paul’s family photo directory is now posted on our website, stpaullutheranchurch.net. Find it under the About tab and enjoy! We will be able to add photos as they become available. If you are new to St. Paul or missed including your photo, please contact Cheryl Young or the church office. 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. Are you a new member or need to update your information? 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, please contact the office and we’ll help find a way you can make a difference! Upcoming Worship Helpers July 9, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Dick and Mary Anderson Reader: Amanda Turnquist Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Cheryl Young Musician: Clarice Blanchard Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Kim Patience Communion Server: Needed Communion Bread: Genelle Thompson Acolytes: Blake Acton 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 is 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