| 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, August 13. Pastor Heidi Williams will be preaching on Matthew 14:22-33 Here is a devotion from God Pause: Yesterday we read this lesson as if we were among the people who needed to be fed. Today, read this lesson as if we are the disciples. Even before being asked to do anything, the disciples offered up an excuse of why they couldn’t help the people. “Send them away” they told Jesus. Even after they had gathered up some bread and a couple of fish, they dismissed the idea that this paltry offering would help. Rejecting all excuses, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people. We who have been so richly fed by God’s own hand are to now serve those who have need. An hour to help someone, a $10.00 check to a charity, a smile to someone at the gym. By themselves, these gifts may seem almost meaningless. But when God’s blessing is added to all the gifts of all who believe in Christ, it will be said “and those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Upcoming Worship Helpers August 13, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Fred Young and Ted Leonard Reader: Cheryl Young Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Jacque Mohs Musician: Georgine Bellamy Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Steve Dick Communion Server: John and Kim Patience Communion Bread: Debi Martens Acolytes: Ellie Michelson Welcome Pastor Heidi. Today we welcome Pastor Heidi Williams as our new interim pastor. She will be with us until we call a new pastor. Greetings in the name of Jesus! My name is Heidi Williams. I am Iowa born and raised, both in central and southeast Iowa. I graduated from Drake University in 1977 and from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1984. Over the last 39 years, I’ve served parishes under call in Philadelphia, PA (12 years) and Slater, Iowa (14 years). Somewhere among those same years, I have served 7 parishes in interim positions, and been a roofer and a reporter/photographer for a small town newspaper. I am delighted to partner with you in the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to walk with you in your path in faith and life, and to share the Word in preaching and the precious gift of God’s eternal grace in the sacraments. Let us pray together and individually for one another, for God’s Spirit to guide our life together for the sake of his love being lived out among each of us and all of us. May God bless our work and worship with a joy that “shines out like shook foil” (Gerard Manley Hopkins), i.e. joy that flashes noisily (me). Heidi L. Williams 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. |
Semi-Annual Meeting August 20.
Join us after worship on Sunday, August 20 for our semi-annual meeting. We’ll celebrate the paying off of our mortgage and hear the report of the second phase of the capital campaign to eliminate our $70,000 debt. Committee and team reports and the financial report will also be given.
Confirmation and God Squad. Confirmation is scheduled to begin August 30 with a parent meeting; classes will start September 6. Watch for communication from Pastor Heidi with the details. God Squad’s first night will be September 13. Registration materials will be available soon.
Family Fun Day. The Adult Faith Fellowship would love to have your family join us for Family Fun Day. Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Fred & Cheryl Young’s home 1824 Pammel Park Road, Winterset, IA. Remember to bring your own beverages, a side dish to shar and lawn chairs. Hosts will furnish meat and tableware.
Church Choir. Our church choir will start on Wednesday, September 13th at 7:10pm
Holiday Hop Preparations. It may seem early, but it’s not! It’s time to begin preparations for our annual Holiday Hop, November 18! Calling all crafters and bakers and helpers. Please contact Liz Hansen (515-462-3987) or RoxAnn Rhoads (515-468-8239) with your materials and ideas and availability. Raised funds support local missions.
Bishops Ride Against Hunger. St Paul collected $422.00 which was then matched by the Trust Fund so a total of $844.00 was sent to the synod for the ride.
Faith in the Future, Imagining the Next Chapter. Our pledge drive for eliminating our remaining debt has begun! With gratitude to God, our commitment to paying off the final building loans to the Trust Fund and the Fellowship Fund will move us into our next chapter. Your commitment, above and beyond giving to the General Fund, may extend over a two-year period. Letters and pledge cards have been mailed; if you do not receive one, please see the ushers’ table. We ask that pledges be returned by August 13. Questions may be addressed to Wayne Martens, chair, or Ann Bartelt, Council president.
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
Youth Outing. Calling all youth to the ballgame! Join your St Paul friends for a trip to the Iowa Cubs, Sunday, August 20, as a guest of the congregation. Students in third grade through high school may bring one friend. Meet at the church at 11:30 to carpool. Bring money for snacks and souvenirs. Chaperones and drivers are needed and will be provided tickets into the game. Sign up by August 14 by contacting Tom Acton 515-991-0167 or pick up a sign-up form at the church.
God’s Work Our Hands. We are also planning for this day of service September 10. Please share with Ann Bartelt or Jacque Mohs any needs that we can fulfill in a couple of hours of time that Sunday.
Call Committee Activity. The Ministry Site Profile is a summary that tells about St Paul Lutheran Church, what’s important to us and how we bear witness to Christ’s love in our community. The Call Committee wrote this narrative about St Paul with the help of each of you who participated in surveys and interviews. The Ministry Site Profile (MSP) was submitted on May 25th and approved by the office of the Bishop on June 2nd.
Here’s a small portion called the “Summary Description” we submitted: St Paul Lutheran Church is a small but mighty church with a big dream to have a healthy church culture, one that changes lives. We believe our primary calling as a congregation is to love God and love people. This congregation will welcome a pastor who loves the Lord, Jesus Christ, and spends sufficient time alone with God to sustain the work of the ministry, by living out of a cup that overflows; one who is willing to train and partner with us in the work of evangelism; who is willing to walk together with us as we learn a theology of grieving; who is willing to faithfully bear with us as we struggle to yield in the areas where God is at work transforming us.
Now we wait, knowing that God is leading us into a season of waiting and listening and trusting. While you’re waiting and listening and trusting please remember to pray for discernment for your Call Committee and for the Church Council.
Lutheran Study Bibles. There are extra Lutheran Study Bibles for sale at $36.00 each if anyone is interested in purchasing one.
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.
| Senior Center Volunteers. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals for the Senior Center. It takes approximately 45 minutes and the schedule is flexible. To assist with this or learn more, please call 515.462.1334. Thank you. 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 ande0508@gmail.com (please note, this is his new email address). 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.(jim@nelson.dev) 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 August 29, 2023 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. |
| Church Directory Sign Up. Remember when you filled out an information sheet for our membership directory? Now you can have access to our online directory, Servant Keeper, that provides contact information of our members. Servant Keeper is a valuable tool for connecting with each other and is secure to our constituents. It is password protected for each individual and for access to the complete directory. The information of families and individuals is only what you provide and allow to be seen. We will be available to sign you up for an account. Email Lisa Vossekuil if you would like an account at finances@stpaullutheranchurch.net. Mailboxes. Mailboxes are now in order and you should have one. If you do not, please let Traci know. Member Photo Directory. St. Paul’s family photo directory is now posted on our website, stpaullutheranchurch.net. Find it under the About tab and enjoy! We will be able to add photos as they become available. If you are new to St. Paul or missed including your photo, please contact Cheryl Young or the church office. 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 Twila Seibert (515-462-1505) or Ann Bartelt (annbartelt0204@gmail.com) or the church office. Member Information Update. 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 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, please contact the office and we’ll help find a way you can make a difference! Upcoming Worship Helpers August 20, 9:30 am Greeters/ Ushers: Fred Young and David Kauzlarich Reader: Amanda Turnquist Sound/ Screen/ Streaming: Lisa Vossekuil Musician: Clarice Blanchard Counters: Lisa Vossekuil and Dean Bartelt Communion Server: John and Kim Patience Communion Bread: Kim Patience Acolytes: Payton Charlet 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 is 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
Pastor Kathleen Wohlers: : (608) 387-5015