Friday, October 14 Announcements

Come worship with us at 9:30Join 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 Tony Nester will be preaching on Genesis 32:22-31. Here is a devotion from God Pause:   Martin Bell rewrites today’s gospel reading in a story called “Where are The Nine?” As Bell tells it, ten lepers were cleansed but all were affected in different ways. Yes, one returned to give Jesus thanks. But as for the nine? One hid in fear. One was offended by this example of such cheap grace. One couldn’t handle his new identity. One was so joyful he forgot to give thanks. One ran straight home to see her family. One, tired of groveling, refused to say “Thank you!” ever again. One thought that Jesus had nothing at all to do with his healing. One believed that the Kingdom of God was at hand and ran to tell everyone the good news. One simply smiled mysteriously and disappeared from sight. Bell’s take? Even as he asked, “Where are the nine?”, Jesus knew full well where they were. “He knew all along.” Then, like the last of the nine, Jesus smiled mysteriously and disappeared from sight. What do you make of that?


Worship Helpers this Sunday, October 16, 9:30 a
m   
 Greeters/Ushers: Jeff and Barb Stiles
Musician: Georgine Bellamy
 Reader: Cheryl Young
 Counters: Dean Bartelt /Lisa Vossekuil
 Sound/Screen/Streaming: Jacque Mohs
 Communion Bread: Trudy Langford
 Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil
 Communion Servers: Jason and Nicole Darling

Birthday Celebration. Nancy Schimmels is celebrating her 75th birthday and will treat the congregation to cake after worship this Sunday. Please join us in fellowship to honor Nancy. 

Sunday Bible Study:  Bible Study will meet 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. 

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.

Stained Glass Windows Dedication. We will dedicate and celebrate the new stained glass windows on Sunday, October 23rd during church service. These windows are a memorial to Erlene Henrichs and a gift from the congregation. A fellowship luncheon will follow worship. Beef burgers will be served, and a homemade pie and ice cream reception will be included. If you have a favorite homemade ice cream or pie recipe you would like to make and share, please sign up on the sheet at the ushers’ table. 

Holiday Hop November 19. Calling all crafters and bakers to contribute to our Holiday Hop event. St. Paul offers home-baked goods and a cookie “walk,” high-quality seasonal crafts and gift items, as well as gently-used Christmas decorations for the annual community-wide Holiday Hop. Proceeds benefit local charitable organizations. Contact co-chairs Liz Hansen 515-462-3987 and RoxAnn Rhoads 515-468-8239 with any questions, your ideas, and your contributions. 

All Saints Sunday. In preparation for All Saints Sunday, November 6, please notify the church office of the dearly departed from the past year to be honored at the worship service. 

Lutheran Disaster Response Giving. Gifts through the ELCA are welcome in response to Hurricane Ian that hit Florida, September 28. Donations may be given on their website  or mailed directly to Lutheran Disaster Response, PO Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009 or by calling 800-638-3533.

Fields of Faith Gathering. The Winterset School Fellowship of Christian Athletes will be hosting a peer-to-peer fathering at McGaffin Football Field, Sunday, October 16, at 7:00 pm. Students will gather to share their faith stories and challenge each other to apply the Bible as their “game plan for life.” All are welcome.

God’s Work Our Hands Thank You. Sunday, September 25, sixty St. Paul adults and youth worked at 12 different projects around the community, supporting senior citizens who needed help with their landscaping and home upkeep. We also delivered 27 quilts to those in nursing homes, picked up debris left by the March tornado, organized home goods for our furniture ministry, cleaned up city alleys and sidewalks, and readied perennial beds for fall. Thank you to our Kitchen Crew fed us well. Thanks to our lead team of Ann Bartelt, Jacque Mohs, Nicole Darling, Barb Kellogg, Jim Nelson, Dick Anderson, and Rana Scarlett.

Wednesday God Squad and Confirmation. Both God Squad (4 years-6th graders) and Confirmation (7-8th graders) began on September 14, as scheduled. Children and youth are welcome to join at any time.   Please register God Squad participants at this link.  You may also leave a message with the church 515-462-4270. The free meal for God Squad and Confirmation begins at 5:40, followed by the program and activity from 6:00-7:00 pm. Meal donations, both monetary and food, are gladly accepted. Please see Kim Patience about your donation, 515-468-0503. Meal serving volunteers are needed from 5:00-6:30pm; please use Sign-Up Genius to indicate your help. ALL are welcome!

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.

Operation Christmas Child.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to be a personal ambassador of good will and an opportunity for you to share your faith. Please have Operation Christmas Child gift boxes at St Paul’s by 5:00 PM Friday November 11, 2022 (Veterans Day). Please place completed gift boxes on table in the church hallway entrance. Postage to cover cost of delivery of gift box is $10.00 per box which can be placed inside of the box if possible. Two people can go together to purchase gift items for box and share the $10.00 cost of postage. Boxes should be marked as to gender and age of intended recipient.  Labels for gender-age and scotch tape are on usher’s table. Picture of the family sending the gift is always encouraged to be enclosed in gift box.  Developing a feeling of camaraderie and friendship with the giving family may be the most cherished part of the giving and receiving process for these children. Unapproved box items: No food items, including candy, gum, vitamins No war/violent toys (such as guns, soldiers, etc) No liquids Tooth brushes are welcome and encouraged. The 12 lesson Christian Gospel program entitled “The Greatest Journey” is offered to all gift package recipients.  Any questions, contact Dale Wulf 553-503-9054 and learn more at Samaritan’s Purse.orgFilled boxes must be returned to the church no later than November 11.

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. October 25, 2022 is the next scheduled blood drive.

Call for Cookies. Our supply of cookies for Sunday mornings and our monthly blood drives needs to be replenished. Due to the event of August 14 and following the advice of law enforcement, we had to destroy what was saved. Thanks to all the cookie bakers who support our outreach.

Family of Tom Knapp: Our sympathy and prayers are with the family of Tom Knapp.  Almighty God, source of all mercy and giver of comfort deal graciously with all who mourn Tom’s death, that casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your love. Amen “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

St. Paul Choir. The choir has begun its new season with rehearsals at 7:10pm Wednesday evenings.  We are always looking for new members, and all singers are welcome.  We hope to see you there!

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 9:40 a.m. 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 October 23, 9:30 am   
 Greeters/Ushers: Needed
 Musician: Clarice Blanchard
 Reader: Needed
 Counters: Kim Patience /Lisa Vossekuil
 Sound/Screen/Streaming: Wayne Martens
 Communion Bread: Needed
 Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil
 Communion Servers: Needed

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
Pastoral Emergencies (Jacque Mohs): 515-468-1899