| Sunday, November 21st 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. This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday. Pastor Ioan’s message will be based upon John 18:33-37, as is today’s devotion from God Pause: In the USA today we are pausing to give thanks in our state-religion sort of way. Many of us will go deeper into gratitude for a thousand things—to paraphrase Gerhard Frost: To have the gift and know the Giver is Grace indeed. As we near Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year, the gospel reading leads us to reflect more deeply on the way this world’s concepts of Power are stood on their head. Pilate will never understand. The election is about to go to Barabbas; the chaotic waters are rising up once again. The verdict will be “Loser!” And the crowds will soon go home. Until—until they are surprised by Love. It takes the gift of Spirit-led eyes to see the Cross as the Throne of the King. We have much to stir our Gratitude. This is Truth. Worship Helpers. Greeters/Ushers: Jim and Pat Nelson; Reader: Pat Nelson; Sound: Lori Paup; Videographer: Abby Hoefing; Musician: Georginne Bellamy; Singer: Beth Sunds and Sue Hansen; Counters: Wayne Martens and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Pat Nelson; Communion Servers: Jason and Nicole Darling. 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. We have an urgent need for a God Squad teacher for our second through fourth graders for the December 1, 8, and 15 and January 19 and 26. This is a group of four to five children. We are also in need of substitute teachers who can help us when the need arises. Please consider how teaching God’s children will help them grow spiritually. For Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” A big THANK YOU goes to our meal sponsors! This week’s sponsor were 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 recipient was Courtney Keiser, mother of Zane and Vivien. Prince of Egypt Free Family Movie. St. Paul invites you to the Prince of Egypt movie, this 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.  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 Tuesday, November 23. 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. 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. National Adoption Month. November is National Adoption Month, a time to honor families who have opened their hearts and homes to children and teens. For Lutheran Services of Iowa (LSI), it is a time to celebrate the families they support through Foster Care and Adoption, and to raise awareness for the hundreds of Iowa children in need of a safe, healthy home. In 30 counties across western Iowa, LSI Foster Care and Adoption recruits, licenses, and supports foster and adoptive families to ensure every Iowa child grows up in a safe, stable environment. To learn more about supporting Iowa children in foster care, visit LSIowa.org/Foster, or contact Deb Whitford, LSI Director of Philanthropy and Church Relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or 563.676.2065.  Church Directory. Additional days and times have been opened up for photographs for our church directory. Please go to SignUpGenius to make an appointment on Thursday, 12/2 or Sunday 12/5. You may contact Shirley Tallman (515-462-1214, 303-437-9799) with any questions. 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 and the Art Center, will be held this 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. 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, this 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. 515-468-0503 or Kimpatience62@gmail.com 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, run the video camera, 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 (515-402-7861) with your questions and if you are able to take an hour-long shift. Upcoming Worship Helpers Sunday, November 28, 9:30 am. Greeters/Ushers: Brooke Davis; Reader: Ann Bartelt; Sound: Wayne Martens; Videographer: Debi Martens; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Singer: needed; Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and NEEDED; Communion Bread: Genelle Thompson; Communion Servers: Jim and Pat Nelson. 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 |
St. Paul Lutheran Church, ELCA
1120 N. 8th Ave, Winterset, Iowa