Friday, October 15 Announcements

                                                      Sunday, October 17
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 MondayPastor Ioan will be delivering the message based on Isaiah 53:4-12.  For your devotions from God Pause: Have you ever felt cut off from the land of the living? This is how some people describe grief and loss. This is how some people describe dealing with debilitating illness. And sometimes, those who suffer from great injustice describe that same sense of being cut off from life. Over and over the people of God have felt certain that the future was closed, that hope was gone, that possibilities were exhausted, and yet, somehow, the promise is that God continues to work to bring life. The suffering servant will be exalted. When we look at the suffering of others, it often feels so unfair, so outrageous, but because we are joined to one another, we too will suffer. Where there is love, suffering is unavoidable. But suffering is not the end of our story. God can do something with suffering; out of death can come life.Worship Helpers. Worship Helpers: Nikki and Grace Anderson; Reader: Grace Anderson; Sound:Wayne Martens; Videographer: Debi Martens; Musician: Georgine Bellamy; Singer: Sue Hansen; Counters: Dean Bartelt and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Debi Martens; Communion Servers: Wendy and Lily Burkett.Office Manager Joins St. Paul Staff. Traci Davis has joined the St. Paul staff as our office manager. She brings fifteen years of office experience from her family-owned property management business. As Traci transitions into her new position, office hours will generally be 9:00 am to noon Tuesday through Friday. Contact the church at 515-462-4270, office@stpaullutheranchurch.net and Pastor Ioan at 515-419-5224, pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net.

Sunday Morning Bible Study: Bible Study meets at 10:30 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. Wednesday God Squad & Confirmation: Our weekly Wednesday evening children and youth education programs are in session.  God Squad (4 yrs. to 6 th  grade) begins at 5:40 p.m. with a meal. Confirmation (7 th  & 8 th  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. Confirmation families please email this form to Pastor Ioan to let us know you child with be attending.
A big THANK YOU goes to our meal sponsors! Donations of food or cash for the meal are always welcome; please contact Rainy Gibbens (rainygibbens@hotmail.com) about your donations. You may also volunteer to help on SignUp Genuis. We are thankful for kitchen/food help at 5:00, child care, teachers, and activity leaders.

Sunday Evening Bible Study:  Adult Faith Formation evening program meets for the final session of the study of Romans this Sunday, October 17, at 5:00. The focus will be Romans Chapters 12-16.

New Evening Bible Study Sessions Begin October 24. A five-week study of Jesus’ Miracles as told by Luke will run Sunday evenings, October 24-November 21. If you have a favorite miracle story that you would be willing to lead the group in discussion, please contact Pastor Ioan or Ann Bartelt (annbartelt0204@gmail.com).
You are welcome to join the group at any time! 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, 515-446-88129,   hollingsworthb51@gmail.com).         
CRISP Fundraiser. The last day to order nuts and candy for Community Resources IService to People’s annual fund raiser is Monday, October 18. Please visit the CRISP website to access the catalog and order sheet.

CRISP has announced Christmas4Kids Madison County 2021. The organization is now preparing to match Madison County families in need to organizations, individuals and families wanting to help with gifts this holiday season. See the flyer on the kiosk to learn how you can sponsor a child or contribute to this community cause. Questions? Contact CRISP at 515.462.9400 or CRISP@familyresourcelink.org.

The Winterset Stage Theater. Auditions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will be held Saturday, October 16 at 10:00 am at the Iowa Theater. It will be directed by our own Sally Wilke! Performance dates are December 9-13. Interested actors are asked to sign up in advance at www.TheWintersetStage.org. Questions may be directed to info@TheWintersetStage.org or 515-462-5156.  In Case you Missed It! Pastor Ioan and Deb celebrated their first wedding anniversary Tuesday, October 12.

Church Directory.  It’s time for a new church directory!  Information on dates and times for taking your photographs will be available soon.  We will be signing up at church or on Sign-up Genius. Pictures will be taken at the church or in another setting of your choice. The photographer will accommodate special requests. We will be using Dodgen Photography on Hickman Road, Des Moines.

Christ in our Home. Christ in our Home is a daily devotional resource provided by St. Paul. You can pick up a copy of this quarter’s issue at the church. The devotions include a scripture reading with a corresponding devotion and prayer concern.

Upcoming Worship Helpers Sunday, October 24, 9:30 am. Greeters/Ushers: Stephanie and Jace Bellamy; Reader: needed; Sound: Matthew Brakhane; Videographer: Abby Hoefing; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Singer: needed; Counters: Kim Patience and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: needed; Communion Servers: needed.

Prayer Chain. 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 (515-822-6092) 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.

Choir: Please join St. Paul Choir rehearsals Wednesdays at 7:10 pm. 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:
     1. Use SignUp Genius! It’s easy to access at this link and will even send you a             reminder of your commitment.
     2. Volunteer Kiosk: We have clipboards on the kiosks in the entryway for you to           sign.
     3. 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 SignUp Genius to indicate when you will 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 SignUp Genius is updated.

Free Sunshine! If you would like to help mow the church lawn this fall to help make sure it’s in good shape for winter, please use SignUp Genius to sign up
Church office phone:  515-462-4270
Church office email:  Office@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastor Ioan Ittu email:  Pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastoral Emergencies: 515-419-5224