Friday, November 26th 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. This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday.  Pastor Ioan’s message will be based upon Luke 21:25-36, as is today’s devotion from God Pause:
There have always been those who see in the turmoil, disorder, and chaos of their world clear signs that the end times are near and Jesus’ return to judge the world in righteousness is imminent. It’s always tempting to want to know the timing and thus be on guard and not caught unexpectedly. But Luke’s words are not so clear, and the lesson of the fig tree is one of more subtle timing. Where I live in northern Minnesota, the first new growth of leaves is barely perceptible. What I usually notice is a pale green haze, just a tint on the tips of branches. There are days when it’s hard to see any change. But then daily observation is rewarded with the sight of swelling buds, unfurling leaves, and the full glory of summer green. The signs of God’s coming can be just as subtle and call for a steadfast and unwavering watchfulness.

Worship Helpers. Greeters/Ushers: Brooke Davis & Traci Davis; Reader: Ann Bartelt; Sound: Wayne Martens; Videographer: Debi Martens; Musician: Clarice Blanchard; Singer: Clarice Blanchard; Counters: Kim Patience and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Genelle Thompson; Communion Servers: Jim and Pat Nelson.

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.  

Lighting of the Greens. Our traditional service at the beginning of Advent will be held this Sunday, 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. 

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.

Wednesday God Squad & Confirmation: God Squad & Confirmation Classes will resume December 1 for three weeks (December 1, 8, and 15).  The meal will be provided by the Advent Meal volunteers.
God Squad (4 yrs. to 6 grade) begins at 5:40 p.m. with a meal. Confirmation (7 & 8 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.

We have an urgent need for substitute God Squad teachers. Please consider how teaching God’s children will help them grow spiritually. Contact Rainy Gibbens (rainygibbens@hotmail.com, 515-462-2122 or 515-229-1119 ) if you are able to help.   

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. 

Questions at the Drift. Everyone is welcome to join in conversation “drifting into questions Christians aren’t supposed to ask” at The Drift on the Winterset square Wednesday evenings. Sponsored by 1st Presbyterian Church, the conversations strive to reflect compassion, openness, respect, and a willingness to listen and learn and love. Come either at 5:00 to eat together or at 5:45 for the discussion.

Matura Operation Santa Program. To participate in Operation Santa, visit the Winterset Public Library to select tags from the Christmas giving tree. The tags will provide information about the children to help select your gift. Deadline for dropping off your gifts at the library is Wednesday, December 15.

Another option is to donate gifts or gift cards for children ranging in ages from infancy to 17 years. You may contact Matura and request the size of family or number of children you would like to sponsor. Sign up to sponsor a child/children or family no later than Friday, December 10 by contacting Beth Forst at Matura 515-462-4704.

Cards of Thanks. We have received these “cards of thanks” to be shared with you.
From John and Kim Patience: Thank you to the congregation for all the kindness shown to us upon Marilyn’s passing.  We appreciate the help with her service, the lunch served afterwards, your kind words, cards, flowers and memorials.  We are truly grateful to have such a caring church family.
 
From Rainy Gibbens: Josh, LaRee, and Marriah Allen family and I would like to thank Pastor Ioan for his persistence to involve members of the congregation in community activities.  We went to the FREE movie, Prince of Egypt on Saturday, November 20.  It was a great movie about Moses. Marriah really enjoyed sitting in the balcony with Pastor & Deb’s “house guests”  Sophie and Jackson. They have become friends. Thank you, again, Pastor Ioan!  
 
From Kim Patience: A special thanks to everyone who helped to decorate the church for Christmas. Youth and adults did a great of teamwork! And, we do not need to water the poinsettias!

Church Directory. Additional days and times have been opened up for photographs for our church directory. Please go to SignUpGenius to make an appointment on Thursday, 12/2 or Sunday 12/5. You may contact Shirley Tallman (515-462-1214, 303-437-9799) with any questions.

Pictures will be taken at the church.  If you want to do an outdoor photo, please contact Dodgen Photograph directly at 515-270-5031 to schedule an appointment. 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.
 
Advent Suppers and Services. Join us Wednesdays, December 1, 8, 15, and 22 for an Advent meal served from 6:15-6:45 pm. Advent service will follow at 7:00. We are seeking food providers and workers for this time of fellowship. Please sign up on the clipboards or contact Debi Martens (515-402-7861; debi.martens21@gmail.com) with your questions or offer to volunteer.
 
Living Nativity. The traditional living nativity will be December 21 and 22 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Madison County Historical Museum. Adult and youth volunteers are needed to be angels and shepherds, and families with babies are needed to portray Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Learn more and sign up on SignUpGenius for one-hour shifts. Please contact Megan Barrett (515-402-7861) with your questions.
 
Upcoming Worship Helpers Sunday, December 5, 9:30 am.  Greeters/Ushers: Sydney Conrad & Carson Cook; Reader: Lily Burkett; Sound: needed; Videographer: needed; Musician: Lori Paup; Singer: needed; Counters: Jen Acton and Lisa Vossekuil; Communion Bread: Ruthanne Korte; Communion Servers: Rainy Gibbens & Mariah Allen.
 
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!
 
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:

  1. Use SignUpGenius! It’s easy to access at this link and will even send you a reminder of your commitment. 
  2. Volunteer Kiosk: We have clipboards on the kiosks in the entryway for you to sign.
  3. 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 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.


Church office phone:  515-462-4270
Church office email:  Office@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastor Ioan Ittu email:  Pastorioan@stpaullutheranchurch.net
Pastoral Emergencies: 515-419-5224