| 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, November 10. Pastor Heidi Williams will be preaching on Mark 12:38-44 Here is a devotion from God Pause: We commonly think of heaven as a place we will go someday. But in John’s reorienting vision, the Lord comes here because God wants to live with us. When death is wiped out, then sorrow and pain will be, too. This story has no surprise ending. Jesus has already told it. God came to dwell with us in baby-flesh. He grew into a man who gave loving acceptance to everyone. Although we still suffer death, we know it is not the real end. Jesus died on the cross, was sealed in a tomb, yet broke out alive on the third day. So, you know the true ending of your story. It doesn’t matter whether you will go somewhere to live with God, or the Lord will come again to dwell with you. Either way, you will be in God’s presence where all things are made new, including you. Upcoming Worship Helpers November 10, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Sydney Conrad-Cook and Needed Reader: Amanda Turnquist Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Cheryl Young Musician: Sherri Briney Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Kim Patience Communion Server: Chris & Dulce Baumgarn Communion Bread: Genelle Thompson Acolytes/ Crucifer: Nicholas Brakhane and Christian Cook Pastor Heidi Announces Retirement. Pastor Heidi has announced her retirement and her last Sunday with us will be November 10, 2024. She has served as our interim pastor since August 2023. In her letter to the Council, Pastor Heidi said, “I have enjoyed our good spirits, your eagerness to serve Chrsit in the church’s ministry and among the local community, your colectie good humor, our love of established traditions, and your patience with an interim pastor who has pushed you farther than we comfortable at times.. . . It is my prayer that St Paul Church in days to come will discover more and more ways to widen the circumference of her reach with the very love of God currently manifested within the membership of the congregation. . . ” Please join us for fellowship following worship on November 10 to share your good wishes with her. “Join us for Meeting on Monday!  The coffee pot will be on (tea bags and hot chocolate packets also available). No strings attached – just a chance to visit with others in the comfort of the high school and junior high rooms at St. Paul’s. Starts at 8:30 am Monday, November 11 and continues on Mondays through December 30.”Live Streaming Feedback. If you watch our service remotely, we would appreciate any feedback on how you feel the service might be better viewed while livestreaming. You may reach out to the office at 515-462-4270, email the office at office@stpaullutheranchurch.net or let the Pastor or any council member know your thoughts. 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. |
Elf Decorating Party for Advent. Sunday November 24th following our church service. All are welcome, as many hands make light work. A pizza lunch will be provided. Please talk to Kim Patience ( or text 515-468-0503) if you can attend so she can plan the lunch. Thank you!
Holiday Hop. Hello Crafters and Bakers- the Holiday Hop is coming up in November (the Saturday before Thanksgiving). I hope you are thinking of crafts to make and what to bake. Pies are a big seller! We will also feature the Cookie Walk and the Gently used room for Christmas decorations again this year. Any questions, please contact Liz Hansen at 515-462-3987.
Ham ball dinner. The ham ball dinner was a rousing success! Thank you to everyone who participated – whether it was to set up, prepare food, work the day of the event or come to eat! We had almost $3,500 profit from the event. We had so many individuals say how much they loved our home cooked meal, and that they look forward to it every year! This event isn’t possible without all of you making it happen! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Jacque Mohs
Christmas4Kids. St. Paul is participating in the Christmas4kids event that is facilitated by CRISP. This allows families that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford Christmas gifts to be paired up with organizations/families that want to offer a helping hand. St Paul has adopted six children. Each of them has identified things they would like for Christmas, and you’ll find those wish items hanging on the board on the north side of the fellowship hall. Here’s how you can participate:
1) Select a gift tag for an item you’d like to purchase.
2) Sign up on the sign-up sheet so we know who is shopping for what gift.
3) Return the gift no later than Sunday, December 1st to the designated area in the fellowship hall. Please don’t wrap the gifts, and please attach the tag you selected to the item. Please include gift receipts for clothing.
If you want to donate wrapping paper, bows or tape, they welcome those donations. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to donate money for someone else to shop for the gift, please contact Jacque Mohs at 515-468-1899. Thank you for doing God’s work, and helping put a smile on a child’s face at this special time of year!
Evening with Bishop Amy Current. We are all invited to an Evening of Gratitude with Bishop Amy Current on Sunday, November 24. Join her for fellowship, conversation, and gratitude for the ministries of the SE Iowa Synod. The event will be held 4:30-7:00 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 SW 9th St, Des Moines. A light dinner will be served. No RSVP is necessary.
Meet and Greet Link. If you missed the Meet and Greet, you can still hear our new Pastor, Erick Swanson answer questions and preach the word. Just click on the link below to see a recording of the portion of the Meet and Greet that was held in the Sanctuary. https://www.youtube.com/live/kRAUEluFPz4?si=bg14bhPOAcAqxrEn
Pastor Erick Swanson Called. The congregation voted on Sunday, October 20, to call Pastor Erick Swanson to serve as our pastor. He and his wife Kristi are eager to join us and live in the community. In his letter to the Council, Pastor Erick said, “I would be honored to work and serve and lead with you in this dynamic and exciting time. Together, I would like us to be grounded in the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ so that we are confident we have a place in God’s goodness. At the same time, it would be beautiful to be bold enough to try venturing out in some new directions.” Through God’s good graces, Pastor Erick’s first Sunday in our pulpit will be December 1.
Pulpit Schedule. Pastor Kathleen Wohlers will be with us and preach November 17 and 24.
St. Paul Participates in Operation Christmas Child. Our congregation is invited to participate in filling a shoebox for children in need across the world. Operation Christmas Child is an international relief effort of Samaritan’s Purse. Shoeboxes may be filled with items such as personal care items, accessories, school supplies, small toys, and a “wow” item. Stop in the fellowship hall to pick up a shoe box and a list of suggestions to fill your gift box. Boxes must be returned to the church by Wednesday, November 20. Questions may be directed to Ann Bartelt.
Part-Time Musician. St Paul is looking for a part-time musician to provide accompaniment for worship services. This would require playing for church service probably once a month on the piano or guitar, if you are interested, please contact Pastor Heidi or Beth Sunds.
Not an official St. Paul member yet, but want to be? We would love you to have you join the St. Paul family. Please contact Nicole Darling at 50273@gmail.com with details on how and when this can happen.
God Squad and Confirmation. Join us for God Squad and Confirmation at St. Paul’s Wednesday evening Christian Education Program for children and youth. Confirmation classes for 7th and 8th graders began Wednesday, September 4 and God Squad for 4-year-olds through 6th grade began September 11. A free meal is served at 5:30 pm; classes and fun activities are from 5:50-6:50 pm. All children are welcome to join at any time. You can register at St. Paul or online: https://forms.gle/rPaySYQDVGEW7LRo9 Blessings,-Amanda Turnquist
| Transportation Ministry. Transportation ministry is providing rides home mainly for outpatient surgery patients who cannot secure another way home. There is a clipboard in the back of the church if you would like to add your name to the volunteers. The need is occasional but so much appreciated. Questions? Contact Chris Madison (515-468-0051) Lutheran Disaster Response. Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response equip the ELCA Synod to respond to any disasters, whenever and wherever they strike. Currently, Floridians and citizens in other southeastern states are recovering from the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With your help, Lutheran Disaster Response supports the millions of people affected by these storms. Please use this link to donate directly: https://give.elca.org/page/68904/donate/1 Women Infants and Children Services. WIC will be using St. Paul Church to support local families beginning Thursday, January 25. This Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. We welcome these services to our fellowship hall every second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Matthew 25: Ministries – Pill Bottle Donations. Matthew 25: Ministries is an international relief organization that supports medical missions. We can be a part of this by donating empty plastic pill bottles. All sizes, with plastic lids, are accepted. Please remove all outside labels. See the flyer at the church; the donation box is located near the mailboxes. Contact Kim Patience with any questions: kimpatience62@gmail.com 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 Trust Fund. The St. Paul Trust Fund was established in 1986 to provide Mission work outside the operational budget of the church. It supports needs locally, nationally and internationally on items such as supplying animals and tools overseas, supporting kids playgrounds to supporting youth summer camps. If you have questions, contact chairman Jim Nelson at jim@nelson.dev 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@nelson.dev. Pool of Siloam: Pool of Siloam is St. Paul’s local benevolence program for Madison County residents 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 November 26, 2024 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 and can be dropped off at anytime. Jim asks that the cookies for the monthly blood drive be home-made. |
| Call Committee Activity. Bishop Current’s office has provided us with an easy to follow four step process for use by call committees. The four steps are: 1 Leave-taking – Saying goodbye 2 Preparation – Formation of the call committee, Workshops and Ministry Site Profile. 3 Discernment – Identifying potential candidates, Interviewing candidates, Council recommendation and Call. 4 Walking Together – Installation, Check in at 3-6-12-18 months, One year review The Call Committee rejoices in the election of Pastor Erick Swanson as our new pastor. We are looking forward to step 4, Walking Together. Bible Study on First and Third Tuesday of the month at 9:00am. We will be starting a new study in January 2025. Everyone is welcome to come to this study at the quilting room / large classroom at the church. If you are interested, please contact Linda Darling at 515-468-1131 or email ldarling1950@gmail.com 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 Jim Nelson (515-468-1675) jim@nelson.dev or Ann Bartelt annbartelt0204@gmail.com or the church office. St. Paul Choir. The Choir is always looking for new members. Choir practice is held Wednesday evenings at 7:10 pm during the months of September-May and sing a couple times each month during these times at Sunday morning service. Everyone is welcome to spread the good news through our music ministry. Questions may be directed to Sue Hansen, choir director, 515-468-0137. 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 November 17, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: LaRee Allen and Rainy Gibbens Reader: Cheryl Young Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Jacque Mohs Musician: Georgine Bellamy Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Jen Acton Communion Server: Kara Ellingrod and Linda Kenyon Communion Bread: Cheryl Bales Acolytes/ Crucifer: Natalie Hoefing and Marriah Allen Worship Service Helpers/Volunteers Needed! Serving as a worship leader and helper is an excellent way to become better acquainted with our congregation. All are invited to serve in a variety of capacities: usher, reader, communion server, etc. Any introduction or training you may want for the positions is offered by Debi Martens debi.martens21@gmail.com 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 Heidi Williams: (515) 450-0490