Friday, September 23 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 Kathleen Wohlers will be preaching on Luke 16:19-31. Here is a devotion from God Pause: A friend of mine, writing a book on the parables, once observed that preaching on the parables is like trying to explain a joke: you either get it or you don’t. In this case, Luke’s story seems to offer two options for interpreting Jesus’ parable of “The Dishonest Manager.” Yesterday we focused on being savvy. Today we see in verse 9 a reminder that how we handle our wealth has eternal consequences. For sure we are “saved by grace through faith,” but we still must give an accounting of our stewardship of life. In that vein, the hymn “Into Paradise May the Angels Lead You” (ELW 222) speaks of being welcomed in the holy city, Jerusalem, where “Lazarus is poor no more” and there is “everlasting rest.” How we use our wealth reflects how our faith has shaped our lives. Indeed, faithfulness leads to generosity. And our generosity will perhaps be reflected when, in the kingdom, we sit at table with our brother Lazarus.

Pastor Kathleen Wohlers introduction bio.  As a second career pastor I have served congregations in Wisconsin and Iowa, retiring from Peace Lutheran Church in West Burlington September 1 of 2021.  Growing up on a small farm in Southeastern Minnesota gave me the basis for rural ministry.
My ministry began as a Synodically Authorized Minster to place. Meaning I was authorized by the Bishop to serve a very small rural congregation, in Word and Sacrament only  in that one congregation. From there I went on to Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque and was ordained to Word and Sacrament ministry June 14, 2008.
Before God called me to full time ministry, I was a pre-school teacher and administrator in a Christian setting. My husband Dennis and I met in high school art class, have three children, three grandchildren, and a most delightful great grandson.
We currently live in Pleasant Hill with the greatest golden doodle ever! (At least we think so) His name is Mr. Finnegan Heartsong. In my previous call, he would accompany me to care facilities and engage with the residents. 
Some of the things I enjoy are traveling, walking, reading and listening to audio books.
I look forward to our time together, sharing God’s love, being the hands and feet of Christ for the sake of the world.
Pastor Kathleen Wohlers 🌻

God’s Work Our Hands. This Sunday, September 25, we will gather for our service projects to our community and church family.  Anyone is welcome to join us! Following worship and a special blessing, we will take a large group photo, gather into our teams, and head out into the community from 10:30-12:30 to share God’s Work with our hands.  Lunch will be available at the church from 12:30-1:30, thanks to the Kitchen Crew. T-shirts will be available to pick up this Sunday.

CROP Hunger Walk. 
St. Paul, along with other Winterset churches, will participate in the annual CROP Walk, sponsored by Church World Services, on Sunday, September 25. Registration begins at 2:00 and the walk begins at 3:00. Your donations will  help end hunger and combat poverty locally, nationally, and overseas. Checks may be made out to CWS CROP and may be placed in the offering or in the Donation Station in the chapel. Give. Walk. God’s Work – Our Feet!

Worship Helpers this Sunday, September 25, 9:30 am   
 Greeters/Ushers: Dick and Mary Anderson
Musician: Clarice Blanchard
 Reader: Cheryl Young
 Counters: Bonnie Fenimore/Lisa Vossekuil
 Sound/Screen/Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil
 Communion Bread: Liz Hansen
 Videographer: Leon Schwartz
 Communion Servers: John and Kim Patience

Sunday Bible Study:   Bible Study meets 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. Sunday Bible Study will not meet September 25.

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.

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!

ALL are welcome! Please let us know TODAY if you are able to participate. You will be assigned to a team based upon your desired level of activity, and a team captain will reach out to you to confirm your activity. The day will start with a special worship service and blessing at 9:30. We will then go out into the community to provide service between 10:30 and 12:30. Lunch will be served from 12:30-1:30. Please address questions to Ann at annbartelt0204@gmail.com or 515-418-3565.

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 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.  Operation Christmas Child boxes, sample filled boxes, and information about what may go into the boxes are available at the church. These gift boxes, benefiting children across the world, is a cooperative project between St. Paul Trust Fund and the congregation. You may direct questions to Dr. Dale Wulf, chair of the project, 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. September 27, 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

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 2, 9:30 am   
 Greeters/Ushers: Needed
 Musician: Georgine Bellamy
 Reader: Debi Martens
 Counters: Steve Dick/Lisa Vossekuil
 Sound/Screen/Streaming: Needed
 Communion Bread: Connie Tadlock
 Videographer: Needed
 Communion Servers: Needed and Marilyn Mount

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