| 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, September 29. Pastor Heidi Williams will be preaching on Mark 9:38-50. Here is a devotion from God Pause: Who is there who has not at some time or other been involved in a discussion about the nature or importance of good works in the life of the Christian. The author of James asserts that true wisdom knows that good works originate not in ourselves but come down from above as a gift from God. Life must be quite hard if one must wonder, each day before going to sleep, if one has accomplished enough good works that day. How much better it is to go to sleep knowing that good works arise from how we respond to all Jesus has already done for us, not first from what he demands of us. We can do them with joy instead of fearing we have not done enough. The covenant of God with humanity comes first of all as God’s fruitful gift. So we hear repeatedly: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.” Upcoming Worship Helpers September 29, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Dave Kauzlarich and Fred Young Reader: Amanda Turnquist Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Sherri Briney Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Jen Acton Communion Server: John and Kim Patience Communion Bread: Kim Patience Acolytes/ Crucifer: 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. |
Holiday Hop. Hello Crafters and Bakers- the Holiday Hop is coming up in November (the Saturday before Thanksgiving). I hope you are thinking of crafts to make and what to bake. Pies are a big seller! We will also feature the Cookie Walk and the Gently used room for Christmas decorations again this year. Any questions, please contact Liz Hansen at 515-462-3987.
Honoring 50 Years of ELCA World Hunger. For the month of October, St Paul will receive your special offering to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ELCA World Hunger. Since 1974, congregations like ours have responded to the needs of hungry people across the globe by providing relief, education, and advocacy to combat hunger and its root causes. This anniversary provides us the opportunity to join congregations across our synod as the challenges of hunger are growing due to climate change, drought and storms, natural disasters, and armed conflict. You may give online at ELA.org/hunger/donate. Or drop your gift in the offering plate; make checks payable to St. Paul and write ELCA World Hunger on the memo line. Or mail checks made out to ELCA World Hunger directly to ELCA World Hunger PO Box 1809, Merrfield, VA 22116-8009. World Food Day Zoom Webinar. In celebration of 50 Years of ELCA World Hunger program, a zoom webinar will be held Tuesday, October 15, at 7:00 pm. This event will be hosted by Bishop Rev. Amy Current and Imran Siddiqui, vice-president of the ELCA. You will hear first hand stories from partners at ELCA World Hunger projects from as far away as Chili and as close as Iowa’s Quad Cities. Learn about the impact of 50 years of ELCA World Hunger work and become equipped to be a part of the next 50 years. Register here If you have trouble registering, please contact Helpdesk@elca.org.
Part-Time Musician. St Paul is looking for a part-time musician to provide accompaniment for worship services. This would require playing for church service probably once a month on the piano or guitar, if you are interested, please contact Pastor Heidi or Beth Sunds.
Not an official St. Paul member yet, but want to be? We would love you to have you join the St. Paul family. Please contact Nicole Darling at 50273@gmail.com with details on how and when this can happen.
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. Join us for God Squad and Confirmation at St. Paul’s Wednesday evening Christian Education Program for children and youth. Confirmation classes for 7th and 8th graders began Wednesday, September 4 and God Squad for 4-year-olds through 6th grade began September 11. A free meal is served at 5:30 pm; classes and fun activities are from 5:50-6:50 pm. All children are welcome to join at any time. You can register at St. Paul or online: https://forms.gle/rPaySYQDVGEW7LRo9 Blessings,-Amanda Turnquist
| Art Center Baked Potato Dinner. This Sunday 9/22, the art center will be having a baked potato dinner from 11am-2:00pm. Free will offering. Transportation Ministry. Transportation ministry is providing rides home mainly for outpatient surgery patients who cannot secure another way home. There is a clipboard in the back of the church if you would like to add your name to the volunteers. The need is occasional but so much appreciated. Questions? Contact Chris Madison (515-468-0051) Women Infants and Children Services. WIC will be using St. Paul Church to support local families beginning Thursday, January 25. This Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. We welcome these services to our fellowship hall every second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. 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 Trust Fund. The St. Paul Trust Fund was established in 1986 to provide Mission work outside the operational budget of the church. It supports needs locally, nationally and internationally on items such as supplying animals and tools overseas, supporting kids playgrounds to supporting youth summer camps. If you have questions, contact chairman Jim Nelson at jim@nelson.dev 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.dev. Pool of Siloam: Pool of Siloam is St. Paul’s local benevolence program for Madison County residents 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 22, 2024 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. |
| Bible Study on First and Third Tuesday of the month at 9:00am. We will be starting a new study in March. Everyone is welcome to come to this study at the quilting room / large classroom at the church. If you are interested, please contact Linda Darling at 515-468-1131 or email ldarling1950@gmail.com Semi-Annual Reports. Semi-annual reports of committees and teams are available on the usher’s table or from the church office. Of special interest is the treasurer’s report; St. Paul has no debt! Included is the Ragbrai final report and thank you from Pork Belly Ventures. Questions may be addressed to any council member. 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. To 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. 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 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 Jim Nelson (515-468-1675) jim@nelson.dev or Ann Bartelt annbartelt0204@gmail.com or the church office. St. Paul Choir. The Choir is always looking for new members. Choir practice is held Wednesday evenings at 7:10 pm during the months of September-May and sing a couple times each month during these times at Sunday morning service. 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 October 6, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Dave Kauzlarich and Kelly Moeller Reader: Needed Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Cheryl Young Musician: Needed Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Kim Patience Communion Server: Chris and Dulce Baumgarn Communion Bread: Kelly Moeller Acolytes/ Crucifer: Landyn Moeller Worship Service Helpers/Volunteers Needed! Serving as a worship leader and helper is an excellent way to become better acquainted with our congregation. All are invited to serve in a variety of capacities: usher, reader, communion server, etc. Any introduction or training you may want for the positions is offered by Debi Martens debi.martens21@gmail.com 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