Friday, October 29 Announcements


Come worship with us at 9:30Join us in person, or watch our livestream Sunday morning on our YouTube channel, or view the service on the YouTube channel on Monday

For Reformation Day, Pastor Ioan’s  message will focus on Psalm 46, upon which the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is our God” is based. For your devotions from God Pause: “We all know and love Psalm 46. It is definitely one of the more familiar psalms from the Psalter. When we hear a familiar psalm over and over, sometimes the meaning of the words and statements contained in that psalm can escape us. Take, for instance, the latter half of verse seven. The God of (a cheating scoundrel) is our refuge! Jacob was a cheating scoundrel; the kind of person you would not want to have a financial relationship with. Jacob had cheated his brother and his uncle. Both men vowed to get their revenge on the cheat, Jacob. God, however, would not let that happen. God quelled the fierce anger of Laban, Jacob’s uncle, and Esau, Jacob’s brother, welcomed him in peace. The good news today is that God indeed is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. We may call upon God when we are in any kind of trouble, even when we are the ones who have caused our own trouble. The God of a cheating scoundrel is our refuge. Do not fear, fellow sinner. God is your refuge, too.”

Worship Helpers. Greeters/Ushers: Morgan Vaughn and Barb Kellogg; Reader: Ann Bartelt; Sound: Jacque Mohs; Videographer: Lisa Vossekuil; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Singer: Lori Paup; Counters: Jen Acton and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Jacque Mohs; Communion Servers: Sally Wilke and Dean Bartelt.
 
Sunday 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.
 
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 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.
A big THANK YOU goes to our meal sponsors! This week’s sponsor for our Halloween fun were Jim & RoxAnn Rhoads and Liz Hansen. Next week’s sponsors are the Brad and Alyssa Tadlock family. 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.
Matura Food Pantry. Our offering to the Matura Food Pantry is blessed the first Sunday of each month. For November 7, 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.

Christmas4Kids. 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. Please sign up by Friday, October 29. Questions? Contact CRISP at 515.462.9400 or CRISP@familyresourcelink.org

God’s Work Our Hands Revisited. St. Paul’s God’s Work Our Hands project was featured in the Southeastern Iowa Synod News. Read the story to see how other churches in our synod shared their blessings with their communities. 
 
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.

LifeServe Blood Drive. Successful Blood Drive. We had another very successful blood drive last Tuesday, 10/26. Thank you to the callers Liz Hansen and Genelle Thompson; the cookie and bar bakers Bonnie Fenimore, Ted Leonard, Pat Wetlaufer, Pat Nelson, and Liz Hansen; and our always-there- ready-to-help canteen worker Shirley Tallman. The staff from LifeServe really like coming to Winterset because you make them feel welcome! Jim Nelson, Blood Drive Coordinator.
Church Directory.  It’s time for a new church directory!  Please sign up now to have your picture taken. Photograph appointments for November 6, 7, 13, and 14 can be made on SignUpGenius or at church using the forms on the sign up table.  If these dates won’t work for you, other dates can be opened up to accommodate you. Please contact Shirley Tallman (515-462-1214, 303-437-9799) if you want a different date. Pictures will be taken at the church.  If you want to do an outdoor photo, please contact Dodgen Photograph directly to schedule an appointment. Call 515-270-5031. 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, returns on 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) to contribute and participate.
 
Lighting of the Greens. 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 read the different scriptures and the meanings of the different traditions, manage the sound system, or help with ushering.  Use SignUpGenius or the clip board in the front hallway to volunteer.  Please prayerfully consider helping on that Sunday evening.  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.
 
Upcoming Worship Helpers Sunday, October 31, 9:30 am.  Greeters/Ushers: Dale Wulf and Kendrick Blanchard; Reader: Lily Burkett; Sound: Wayne Martens; Videographer: Bristol Tadlock; Musician: Georginne Bellamy; Singer: needed; Counters: Steve Dick and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Ruthanne Korte; Communion Servers: Nicole Darling Family.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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 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 SignUpGenius is updated.
 
Enjoy Fall’s Fresh Air! If you would like to help mow the church lawn one more time to help make sure it’s in good shape for winter, please sign up on the clipboard on the kiosk in the front hall.
Church office phone:  515-462-4270
Church office email:  Office@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastor Ioan Ittu email:  Pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastoral Emergencies: 515-419-5224