Friday, November 12th Announcements



Sunday, November 14 Come worship with us at 9:30Join us in person, or watch our livestream Sunday morning on our YouTube channel, or view the service on the YouTube channel on Monday. This Sunday we will dedicate our new chapel altar crafted by Kendrick Blanchard and Richard Thompson.

Pastor Ioan’s message will be based upon Daniel 12:1-3. For your devotions from God Pause:”Yikes! Times of pain, tragedy and loss—this reading from Daniel frightens me. Heartache, trauma, and grief hold out the prospect of things I would rather not experience. I really just want to avoid pain at all costs. But, the prophet promises, unexpectedly and mysteriously, God will show up in the midst of suffering. God will be with the people in their struggles. Maybe instead of being scared, it’s actually comforting to know that when we experience times of anguish—as is common to all—God promises deliverance, salvation, and eternal life. God’s prophet assures the people that God will continue to guide God’s people into the promised land as God has always done. God will lead them to safe places, away from anguish, oppression, destruction, and shame toward places of hope, faith, love, and abundant life.” (Mark 13:1-8) Worship Helpers. Greeters/Ushers: Morgan Vaughn and Barb Kellogg; Reader: Penelope Petsche; Sound: Lisa Vossekuil; Videographer: needed; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Singer: Marty Knapp; Counters: Wayne Martens and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Servers: Barb Kellogg and Darrell Vossekuil.
 
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.  
 
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.
Sunday Evening Bible Study Sessions now through November 21. You are welcome to join at any time our study of Jesus’ Miracles as told by Luke.  There are no books to buy; just bring your Bible. We begin at 5:30 p.m. with snacks and fellowship, and enter our study time at 6:00. Please contact Brenda Hollingsworth with your questions and/or to indicate your interest. (515-462-4092, 515-4468-8129, hollingsworthb51@gmail.com).
 
Wednesday God Squad & Confirmation: Our weekly Wednesday evening children and youth education programs are in session.  God Squad (4 yrs. to 6th grade) begins at 5:40 p.m. with a meal. Confirmation (7th & 8th 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. NOTE: God Squad and Confirmation will not meet November 24.
        A big THANK YOU goes to our meal sponsors! This week’s sponsor was Marilynn Mount. Next week’s sponsors are Erlene and Gus Henrichs. Donations of food or cash for the meal provided to God Squad and Confirmation are a much appreciated gift to our Christian education program. Please contact Rainy Gibbens (rainygibbens@hotmail.com, 515-462-2122 or 515-229-1119 ) if you would like to participate.  You may also volunteer on SignUpGenius. We are thankful for all the kitchen/food help at 5:00, child care, teachers, and activity leaders.

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.
 
Prince of Egypt Free Family Movie. St. Paul invites you to the Prince of Egypt movie, Saturday, November 20, at 2:00 pm, at The Iowa Theater. This award-winning animated musical drama tells the story of the Book of Exodus and follows the life of Moses. Bring your family and friends to enjoy this free movie all together.

Questions at the Drift. Everyone is welcome to join in conversation “drifting into questions Christians aren’t supposed to ask” at The Drift on the Winterset square Wednesday evenings. Sponsored by 1st Presbyterian Church, the conversations strive to reflect compassion, openness, respect, and a willingness to listen and learn and love. Come either at 5:00 to eat together or at 5:45 for the discussion.
Matura Adopt-A-Family & Operation Santa Programs. Donate all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner or purchase a grocery store gift card for a family to shop for their own meal. Boxes and gifts should be dropped off on Monday, November 22, between 8am and noon at the American Legion Hall, 223 N. 1st Street. Matura will distribute the Thanksgiving food boxes to families in time for the holiday.
            For Operation Santa, visit the Winterset Public Library to select tags from the Christmas giving tree starting November 8. The tags will provide information about the children to help select your gift. Deadline for dropping off your gifts at the library is Wednesday, December 15.
           Another option is to donate gifts or gift cards for children ranging in ages from infancy to 17 years. You may contact Matura and request the size of family or number of children you would like to sponsor. Sign up to sponsor a child/children or family no later than Friday, December 10 by contacting Beth Forst at Matura 515-462-4704.
 Church Directory.  Hurry! Hurry! Sign up to get your picture in a new church directory!  New times have been opened up for Thursday November 18 afternoon and evening.   Please contact Shirley Tallman (515-462-1214, 303-437-9799) to have your photo taken. SignUpGenuis will be updated with November 18 dates later next week. As of this writing, there is one opening for Saturday evening, November 13.
        Pictures will be taken at the church.  If you want to do an outdoor photo, please contact Dodgen Photograph directly at 515-270-5031 to schedule an appointment. Dodgen Photography will also take portraits of any members who are home bound or in a care facility. 
        If you are intending pictures as a Christmas gift, they will be ready for you.  The photographer does ask that you sign up using an early date to avoid the rush.
 
Holiday Hop. Holiday Hop, sponsored by six Winterset churches, the Art Center and Public Library, returns on Saturday, November 20, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Proceeds will be given to local service agencies. St. Paul features handmade crafts, baked goods, a cookie walk, and gently-used Christmas decorations. Gently used Christmas decorations and workers are needed.  Please use the sign-up clipboards to indicate your contributions and participation. Contact Co-Chairs Liz Hansen (515-462-3987, lhansen6307@gmail.com) and RoxAnn Rhoads (515-468-8239, travelingchic55@gmail.com) with any questions.
 
Elf Decorating Party. Join St. Paul Elves in decorating the church for the Christmas season, Sunday, November 21, following church service at 10:30 a.m. Many hands and strong backs make light work putting up our large trees and festive decorations. Please contact Kim Patience if you can help so she can plan for the lunch which will be provided.  Kimpatience62@gmail.com or 515-468-0503.
 
Lighting of the Greens. Lighting of the Greens. Our traditional service at the beginning of Advent will be held Sunday, November 28, at 6:00 pm. This is a time to remember the meaning of some of our Christmas traditions, finish decorating our sanctuary, and flip the switch to light the sanctuary decorations.  People are needed to provide music, manage the audio-video system, and help with ushering.  Use SignUpGenius or the clip board in the front hallway to volunteer. If you have any questions, please call Ruthanne Korte at 641-765- 4468, or by email at kortehouse68@myomnitel.com or call the church at 515-462-4270.
 
Advent Suppers and Services. Join us Wednesdays, December 1, 8, 15, and 22 for an Advent meal served from 6:15-6:45 pm. Advent service will follow at 7:00 We are seeking food providers and workers for this time of fellowship. Please sign up on the clipboards or contact Debi Martens (515-402-7861; debi.martens21@gmail.com) with your questions or offer to volunteer.
 
Live Nativity. The traditional live nativity will be December 21 and 22 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Madison County Historical Museum. Adult and youth volunteers are needed to be angels and shepherds, and families with babies are needed to portray Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Please contact Megan Barrett (515-249-1204) with your questions and if you can take an hour-long shift.

Upcoming Worship Helpers Sunday, November 21, 9:30 am.  Greeters/Ushers: Jim and Pat Nelson; Reader: Pat Nelson; Sound: needed; Videographer: Abby Hoefing; Musician: Georginne Bellamy; Singer: needed; Counters: Wayne Martens and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Pat Nelson; Communion Servers: Jason and Nicole Darling.
 
Choir: Please join St. Paul Choir rehearsals Wednesdays at 7:10 pm. We sing about twice a month and are preparing for our Christmas Cantata December 12. 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: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. 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