| 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, October 29. Pastor Heidi Williams will be preaching on Matthew 22:34-46 . Here is a devotion from God Pause: The church body of which I am a part of is called the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is not the Evangelical Lutheran Church “above” America or “of” America. It is a Church that is “in” this nation and “in” this world. We, who are part of this church body, live among all people and have the same privileges and responsibilities as everyone else, even though we are claimed by Christ in Baptism and claim Jesus Christ as our Lord. While trying to trap and trick Jesus, the Pharisees and Herodians wanted Jesus to take sides regarding a government many hated. The late German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer said in one of his devotionals that it is right into the middle of our lives that Jesus comes to us and lives with us. It is in the thick of life and citizenship that we lift high the cross and proclaim the love of God for all people. Upcoming Worship Helpers October 29, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Dick and Mary Anderson Reader: Amanda Turnquist Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Georgine Bellamy Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Bonnie Fenimore Communion Server: Debi Martens and Kara Ellingrod Communion Bread: Bonnie Fenimore Acolytes: Peyton Ray Crucifer: Christian Cook Flowers for October 29th Service- are in remembrance of Kathryn Farlow, Erica Gorman and Carmen Murry 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. |
Operation Christmas Child Campaign Begins. Operation Christmas Child is an international relief effort of Samaritan’s Purse. It provides shoeboxes for children in need filled with items, such as personal care items, accessories, school supplies, small toys, and a “wow” item. Pick up a shoe box and a list of suggestions to fill your gift box. Boxes should be returned to the church by Sunday, November 19, when they will be blessed during the worship service. Questions may be directed to Clarice Blanchard and Ted Leonard.
ELCA Good Gifts. ELCA Good Gifts provide an easy way for you to make a real impact across the world. Your gifts help share the love of Christ one goat, water well or school uniform at a time. See the catalog on the usher’s table or use this link to make your order and spread the good news: ELCA Good Gifts
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 has completed step two and is currently in a season of discernment as we interview candidates. This season may last a few months or longer. In order to protect the confidentiality of candidates, no specific information can be shared about who is being interviewed or when the interviews are planned. However, once the Call Committee decides on a primary candidate that name is submitted to the Congregational Council, who then makes preparations for a Congregational Meeting. A two-thirds vote of the congregation calls a pastor.
The Call Committee invites you to pray with us.
Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, you have given us grace to make our common prayer to you. Direct us Lord God, in this time of transition as we join in one prayer together. Grant to us in this time of searching, courage, patience, and vision and use us , we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of your people. Guide our decisions as we do the work of calling a pastor. May we receive a faithful servant who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. Through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Amen
Ham Ball Dinner Saturday, Nov. 4. It’s time to prepare for our traditional ham ball dinner! Along with the meat, we serve cheesy potatoes, homemade applesauce, green beans, rolls, and homemade pie and cake. Sign up today to provide food, work in the kitchen, serve, and give cash donations. Proceeds will go towards the church debt. Spread the word, bring your family, and invite your friends to dinner, served 4:30-7:30pm.
Holiday Hop Preparations. It may seem early, but it’s not! It’s time to begin preparations for our annual Holiday Hop, November 18! Calling all crafters and bakers and helpers. Please contact Liz Hansen (515-462-3987) or RoxAnn Rhoads (515-468-8239) with your materials and ideas and availability. Raised funds support local missions.
Pastoral care. Please feel free to contact our new Pastor, Heidi Williams, with any pastor cares you need. Her cell number is 515-450-0490
God Squad and Confirmation. St Paul’s Christian Education program for children and youth meets Wednesday evenings during the school year. PK-6th graders gather in God Squad, and 7th and 8th graders meet in Confirmation with the Pastor. A free meal is served at 5:30; classes and activities are held from 5:50 to 6:50pm. Food and monetary donations are welcome for the meal. Sign-up on Signup Genius to help in the kitchen.
Adult Faith Formation Class. Adult Faith Formation is offering a 5 session class beginning Sunday, October 22nd. The class will meet at 5:00 on Sundays through November 19th. What can we do as a community as we prepare our hearts and wait for what God has next for us? Join us for the Lectio Course, as we learn how to hear God by praying the Bible together as a community. The course materials will be provided free of charge. All are welcome.
| Senior Center Volunteers. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals for the Senior Center. It takes approximately 45 minutes and the schedule is flexible. To assist with this or learn more, please call 515.462.1334. Thank you. Transportation Ministry. Volunteers are needed for a new phase of our Transportation Ministry. Some Madison County Hospital patients need transportation after outpatient surgery. For those who are unable to secure their own ride home, St. Paul volunteer drivers would be scheduled in advance. Jim Nelson already stepped forward and drove a patient last week. If you are willing to help shuttle, please sign up at church or contact Chris Madison at 515-468-0051. Art Center Potato Bar. The Winterset Art Center will be having a potato bar with Salads, Desserts & Drinks on Sunday, Nov 5th from 11am to 2pm. Free Will Donation. email: winterset2016@gmail.com CRISP and MATURA Food Boxes CRISP and Matura are partnering again this year to provide food boxes for our families who are receiving gifts. If you are interested in helping provide a food box please contact Theresa at MATURA. Her number is 515-462-4704. They will take donations of cash/check, gift cards or food to help complete the food boxes. 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’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 ande0508@gmail.com. Please note that this is Dick’s new email. 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. (jim@nelson.dev) to let them know availability. Please note that this is Jim’s new email. 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 November 28, 2023 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. |
Church Directory. St. Paul’s family photo directory is posted on our website, stpaullutheranchurch.net. Find it under the About tab and enjoy! We will be able to add photos as they become available. We also have an online directory, Servant Keeper, that provides contact information of our members and is a valuable tool for connecting with each other. Secure to our constituents, Servant Keeper is password protected for each individual and for access to the complete directory. The information of families and individuals is only what you provide and allow to be seen. Email Lisa Vossekuil if you would like an account at finances@stpaullutheranchurch.net. Are you a new member or need to update your information? 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. Pictorial Directory: The Church Directory is in! Please contact Cheryl Young at 515-770-5806 or the church office if you have signed up to purchase any. The cost is $5.00 per booklet. If you did not sign up, we do have extras available at $5.00 a copy. You may get one at worship service or contact the office by email office@stpaullutheranchurch.net, phone 515-462-4270 or stopping in. Also an updated picture directory is now online on the church website. T o access names and contact information from our online directory Servant Keeper, see Lisa Vossekuil or contact her at finances@stpaullutheranchurch.net Are you a new member or need to update your information? Please take a few minutes to complete the online form or pick up a paper copy at the usher table and turn it into the office. New Trees on Property. Have you noticed the two new trees on our property along 8th Ave? These were recently planted to replace the ash trees that died and were cut down. Rich Thompson, Darrel Vossekuil and Wayne Martens handled the dirt work. Genesis 2:8-9 The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 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 Twila Seibert (515-462-1505) or Ann Bartelt (annbartelt0204@gmail.com) or the church office. St. Paul Choir. Choir practice is held Wednesday evenings at 7:10 pm. 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 5, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Needed Reader: Cheryl Young Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Georgine Bellamy Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Nancy Schimmels Communion Server: Needed Communion Bread: Needed Acolytes: Payton Charlet Crucifer: Marriah Allen 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 is 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
Pastor Heidi Williams: (515) 450-0490