Friday, August 27th Announcements

The Pharisees and scribes who challenge Jesus may think that they are listening to Moses and his call to remember the statutes and ordinances of God. But somehow, Jesus says, they’ve gotten the words right but have missed the central point of the tradition. True remembrance of the tradition is to understand what it is that the tradition seeks to maintain—it is about those things which combine to promote life in its deepest sense. Jesus agrees with Moses: God’s statutes are not first and foremost about externals—about eating the right foods or washing the dishes in the right way—they are about honoring relationships and caring for the well-being of God’s people and all of creation. In the same way it is true for us as we seek to follow this Jesus faithfully: we need to get beyond mere “right words” on our lips and let our hearts lead us to actions of love and service that can bring wholeness of life for our world.

1Come worship with us at 9:30 on Sunday!  Due to technical issues, we are not able to livestream our worship service. You are welcome to watch the service on our YouTube channel on Monday.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXGS1lerfFbq3qHAywQcofQ
Pastor Ioan will be delivering the message based on Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Here is a devotion based on that text: 

The Pharisees and scribes who challenge Jesus may think that they are listening to Moses and his call to remember the statutes and ordinances of God. But somehow, Jesus says, they’ve gotten the words right but have missed the central point of the tradition. True remembrance of the tradition is to understand what it is that the tradition seeks to maintain—it is about those things which combine to promote life in its deepest sense. Jesus agrees with Moses: God’s statutes are not first and foremost about externals—about eating the right foods or washing the dishes in the right way—they are about honoring relationships and caring for the well-being of God’s people and all of creation. In the same way it is true for us as we seek to follow this Jesus faithfully: we need to get beyond mere “right words” on our lips and let our hearts lead us to actions of love and service that can bring wholeness of life for our world.

2. Covid remindersocial distance and masks are an option and stay home to rest if you aren’t feeling well.

3. Upcoming Worship Helpers: Sunday, August 29, 9:30 am. – Greeters/Ushers (need two): Don & Linda Darling; Reader: Don Darling; Sound: Debi Martens; Videographer: Debi Martens; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Counters: Debi Martens, Steve Dick, and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Debi Martens; Communion Servers (need two): Mark & Brenda Hollingsworth

4. Upcoming Worship Helpers: Sunday, September 5, 9:30 am. – Greeters/Ushers (need two): Jim Nelson; Reader: Jim Nelson; Sound:Jacque Mohs; Videographer: Jacque Mohs; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Singer: Sue Hansen; Counters: NEEDED; Communion Bread: Karen Meyer; Communion Servers (need two): Nicole Darling

5.Sunday Bible Study: Bible Study meets in person only at 10:30 a.m. following Sunday morning worship in the front most classroom by the front office. During the class, we invite questions, comments, and connections, as we expand upon the readings from the worship service.  

6. Sunday Evening Bible Study:  St. Paul is resuming a Sunday evening Christian education and discussion time on Sept 19th.  We will begin at 5:30 p.m. with fellowship & prayer, and enter our study time at 6 p.m.  We will be studying Romans for 4 sessions and then switch topics.  Please consider if this opportunity to deepen your faithful life and connect to church members is what you may be needing coming out of these disconnected COVID times.

7. Semi-Annual Meeting We previously communicated that we were going to hold our semi-annual meeting this Sunday.  However, the Church Council determined there isn’t an action that requires a congregational vote.  Therefore, rather than cancelling bible study this week and holding our semi-annual meeting in person, we will be distributing our financial report and committee status updates via email/mail by the middle of September.  Bible study will be held at 10:30.  As always, if you have any topic you’d like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to Jacque Mohs, Council President, at 515-468-1899 or Pastor Ioan at 515-419-5224.   God blesss!

8. Choir St. Paul Choir will be starting Wednesday, September 8 at 7:10!  Excited to see old members and we of course welcome any new members to help us sing praises to the Lord!

9. Transportation Ministry – St. Paul has begun an ongoing Transportation Ministry. Our first recipients on this transportation ministry 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 will be unable to get into a high vehicle. Please contact Shirley with any questions 515-468-0121. Ronnie’s cell is 515-468-1982. You can choose to take Ronnie, pick him up, or do both.

Please use this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b48afaf22a6ff2-transportation to SignUp Genius to indicate when you will are willing to drive Ronnie to and/or from his appointment. Please include your cell phone number in the comments. This is a long-term ministry, so check back often as SignUp Genius is updated.

10. God’s Work. Our Hands. Our Feet. Our congregation will soon engage in service work right here in our community. We are one of over 9,100 ELCA congregations participating in the “God’s work. Our hands.” day of service. Across the country, thousands of members will engage in service work to make a positive change in our communities, build and deepen relationships, and share God’s love.

Join us as we do God’s work with our hands! You can also show God’s love by participating in the CROP Hunger Walk. St. Paul’s day of service will be September 26, 2021. Following 9:30 worship, we will go out into the community to provide service between 10:30 and 12:00-12:30. Lunch will be served from 12:00-1:00. You may choose to participate in the CROP Walk, which will follow at 2:00. We are gathering suggestions for the community projects. Examples are clearing gardens, cleaning gutters, cleaning roadsides, and thank you notes to our civil servants. God’s Work is wide open! Projects will be announced on or before September 12. Please go to this link to provide suggestions for projects and to indicate your willingness to serve by August 31. https://forms.gle/YL6mFJBNmWYSiguV6 Paper copies of the suggestion form may be picked up from the church kiosk. Please return them to Ann Bartelt’s church mailbox and address questions to annbartelt0204@gmail.com or 515-418-3565. We look forward to participating in “God’s Work. Our Hands. Our Feet” day of service! 

11. God’s Work. Our Hands. Our Feet The quilters have volunteered to gift people quilts and a treat to show our love. This would include anyone that also is sheltered at home. We are asking people if they have any large or medium sized quilt bags that would hold a quilt. Please bring them to church before the special day!

12. Part-Time Office Manager St. Paul Lutheran Church seeking qualified candidates for 20 hours a week Office Manager position.  Click here for Job Description.  Apply with a brief one page (no more than 200ish words) letter of interest to Pastor Ioan for consideration.  Applications to be collected and reviewed until the position is filled.

13. Meals from the Heartland – From Georgine: Please sign up this weekend at church or give me a call.  They are requesting that we confirm our number of people as soon as possible! The meals we will be packaging will be going to Hatti! Times were filling up fast so I took the Saturday morning from  9-11 on September 4! I signed us up for 29 people   It will be at their West Des Moines location again this year!  Hair nets will be provided!  Masks are optional at this time but I would recommend Mask! We will be packing larger food packs this year, some heavier lifting will be required! You’ll be standing for 2 hours so wear comfortable shoes! Families welcome, children should be at least 6 years old and accompanied by an adult! We will plan to meet Saturday morning, September 4 at the church be there ready to leave by 8:15. Sign up at church or call me!  Please bring a friend! Learn more about Meals from the Heartland at. mealsfromtheheartland.org.

14. Wednesday Confirmation & God Squad Resuming: We are starting up our weekly Wednesday evening children and youth education programs on Sept. 15th.  God Squad (4 yrs. to 6th grade) begins at 5:40 p.m. with a meal. Confirmation(7th & 8th grade) starts at 6 p.m. each Wednesday.  Please email this form to Pastor Ioan to let us know you child with be attending.

15Worship Service Helpers/Volunteers Needed!  If you are able and willing to help with our 9:30service, we need you!Please consider helping with St. Paul’s return to normalcy by volunteering. We especially need two Communion Servers for each Sunday to sign-up at this time, but there are lots of positions that need filling!  3 Easy ways to do it:
1.    Use Sign-Up Genius! It’s easy to access and will even send you a reminder of your commitment. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b48afaf22a6ff2-stpaul.   
2.    Volunteer Kiosk: We have set-up kiosks in the entryway.
3.    Call the Church office- 515-462-4270

16. 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/go/60B0B48AFAF22A6FF2-20201 Thank you!