1

MIDWEEK January 24, 2018

WEEKLY GATHERINGS

Office Hours Monday thru Friday 9 AM – 2 PM Boy Scouts Mondays at 7 PM Cub Scouts Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays at 6:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal Tuesdays at 6:45 PM TOPS Meeting Wednesdays at 6 PM Handbell Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays at 6:30 PM NAMI 4th Thursdays at 7 PM

2

Thursdays at 7 PM, 8:25 Worship Ensemble Rehearsal [either at the Korbs’ or in Sanctuary]

Fridays Pastor’s Sabbath Girl Scouts various Fridays AA Meeting Saturdays 7 PM CONFIRMATION 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays 4:30-6 PM

MEMBERSHIP CLASSES START THIS SUNDAY: It’s all in the stories!

If you are interested in membership, have questions about The United Methodist Church and its practices, traditions and theology and how we at St. Paul’s interpret and practice this tradition and

theology, gather with us on EACH of these Sundays, January 28, February 4 & 11 at 9:45 AM in the Sanctuary. We will explore membership, vows and the mission and

ministries at St. Paul’s. We ask that you be present for ALL sessions. Membership Sunday will be on Sunday, February 25 and you may join at either service. Please contact the office if you would

like to participate in these gatherings so that we can have materials prepared for you.

The Power of Music, A Concert Organized by Kinme Reeves, one of our youth

January 28, 2018 at 7 PM Kinme’s Senior project is a concert & presentation on the importance of

music in today’s society. A freewill offering will be taken. All funds raised will go to the Middletown High School Music Program for all the support and help it has

given me. Appearing will be the Middletown HS Chamber Choir, Merkai, and the New Dimension as well as Middletown High Schools’ brass and wind ensemble. Soloists include Kinme Reeves, Alexis Annibal, Ted Doyle, Kyra Kimbrough, Alexa Freeman, Olivier Zerouli

and Ethan Nylander, accompanied by Mr. Rocky Tejada, Middletown High School Director of Music.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Thursday, January 25 NAMI meeting at 7 PM in Fellowship Hall Sunday, January 28 Kimne Reeves Senior Project Concert at 7 PM

MEMBERSHIP CLASSES Sundays, January 28, February 4 & 11 at 9:45 AM in Sanctuary

Sunday, February 4 Souper Bowl Sunday after 11 AM Worship Saturday, February 10 LEADERSHIP TEAM ANNUAL RETREAT 8:30 AM-1 PM Sunday, February 11 Scout Sunday with special recognition at 11 AM Worship Sunday, February 11 Family Lent Prep from 9:30-10:45 AM on Lower Level Tuesday, February 13 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 5-7 PM Wednesday, February 14 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE at St. Georges at 7 PM Thursday, February 15--March 29 Lenten Bible Study at 10:30 AM & 6:30 PM

3

Friday, February 16 Just Older Youth [JOY] gathering at noon, Fellowship Hall Sunday, February 25 Membership Sunday [NOTE DATE CHANGE] Sunday, February 25 Sr. Highs & Families Tough Topics “Suicide” from 12:30-2 PM in

Fellowship Hall Saturday, March 17 from 8 AM – 2 PM OFFICERS TRAINING at Elkton UMC Saturday, March 17 Easter Egg Making from 8:30 AM – 1 PM Sunday, April 1 EASTER services at 7, 8:25 & 11 AM Saturday, April 21 MISSIONPALOOZA from 8:30 AM to 4 PM, Wesley UMC Dover Saturday, April 28 A Way Forward Forum at Aldersgate UMC, Wilmington DE 1-4 PM

to praise God in vibrant worship

January 28 Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Regular Worship Schedule at 8:25 & 11 AM

What Have You to Do With Us, Jesus?

Read Ahead: Mark 1:21-28 Yellow Hat goes to the Special Olympics “Polar Bear Plunge”

Don’t forget to wear your Name Tags!

4

ASL Interpreter, Gail Garner, will be with us this Sunday at the 8:25 AM service

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am excited about the opportunities opening up before us already! The concert this Sunday organized by our own Kinme Reeves, our upcoming Leadership Retreat, Scout Sunday followed by their help with the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, an opportunity for parents & kids to prepare for Lent, community Ash Wednesday service at St. George’s, an OVERWHELMING turn-out to the all-church Lenten Bible Study, a vibrant JOY [Just Older Adults] fellowship, a “tough topics” series for our youth and parents, an expanded music program, a comprehensive Health Ministries opportunity, hands-on mission initiatives, dynamic Trustees, Finance & SPRC Teams; eight fantastic Confirmands and [drumroll] AWESOME membership classes. St. Paul’s is at work—fostered by faithfulness, fellowship, collaboration, fun—and on occasion a little food! Our MAJOR mission as a United Methodist Church is to “…make disciples for the transformation of the world.” That is one ginormous challenge! No matter where we are in our faith development, we are encouraged by the Body of Christ, specifically St. Paul’s, to grow deeper and wider in our understanding of and commitment to Christ. It’s a lifetime call. We are called to offer discipleship pathways in which we as followers of Christ model his example: what are the behaviors, habits, practices and characteristics of Jesus Christ, and do we live these? We are called to live out our membership vows as fully devoted followers of Christ each and every day of our lives [review them on page 34 or 40 in The United Methodist Hymnal].

Worship Coordinator 8:25 AM 11 AM

Ushers: June Stemmle Paul Loder, Greg Apps, John Harmer, Todd Korb, Alan Martin, Dave Sydnor,

Dave Pearl

Denis Shaffer, Dean Hatton, John Harmon & Charlii Miller

Liturgist & Announcements Paul Loder Tracy Walls-Pulling

Greeters Hickey Family Ann Raymond

Acolytes Emma Apps Zack Pompeo

Com. Set-up: Kathy Chas Cathy Blanco 2 Chalices 1 loaf + plate

of non-gluten

3 Chalices 1 loaf + plate of non-gluten

Com. Servers: Carole Harmon David & Linda Sydnor Linda Botsford & Kenzel Messick

Choir Com. Servers Rick & Tracy Pulling

Young Disciples Pastor Karin Pastor Karin

Word in Song For Where Love Is, There is God

Flowers: Janet Rowley

Fellowship: Phyllis Burris Joan Louis, Carolyn Stanley, Johanna Learish, Heather Sutton, Sharon Hunnicutt,

Amanda Alberding, Charlotte Smith

Counters: G. Guessford Chris Chappelle & Linda Botsford

5

And the opportunities listed above give each of us occasions for the in-breaking of Christ’s love as we journey together. Don’t delay! Put your feet on the pathway today!

Love & Peace to all, Pastor Karin

MUSIC MINISTRY NOTES

Calling all music lovers at St. Paul’s. WE NEED YOU. Please take just a minute to review the questions below and prayerfully consider which ones may apply to you. I know that St. Paul’s Chancel Choir and St. Paul’s Ringers bring great joy to our congregation and the MOT Community. I love to sing or play music to glorify God. I love to learn new choral music, new handbell music and/or new handbell

techniques. I have some ability to read music. I can attend 90-minute Chancel Choir rehearsals regularly on Tuesday evenings from

September through May and/or 90 minute St. Paul’s Ringers rehearsals regularly on Wednesday evenings from September through May.

I can sing with the Chancel Choir on a weekly basis at the 11 AM worship service on Sundays from September through May.

I can sing with the Chancel Choir at special worship services during the year, especially during the Easter and Christmas seasons

I can ring with St. Paul’s Ringers on a once a month basis at the 8:25 and 11 AM

worship service on Sundays from September through May

I can ring with St. Paul’s Ringers at special worship services during the year, especially during the Easter and Christmas seasons

I want to be part of a small group ministry at St. Paul’s

If in considering these questions you felt or heard the small quiet voice of God saying – “You can do this!” -- you are most welcome to be part of a very special family within the larger church family we call St. Paul’s. Still not sure? Join us for a no cost no obligation “test drive”. Give us a try, come to a rehearsal, sing or ring with us at a service and learn what members of both choirs already know – we learn, we laugh, we support each other and, most importantly, we come together to serve God in a very special way.

As always please feel free to see me before or after the traditional worship service on Sundays, call me at 443. 786. 9010or e mail me at shelley@goeaston.net if you have any questions or need more information.

Blessings, Shelley

6

8:25 WORSHIP ENSEMBLE Music ensemble practice this Thursday, January 25 from 7-8 PM at the Korbs’ home. New members always welcome! Mary Korb

to deepen our spiritual walk with Christ

ADULT STUDIES continues this Sunday in Fellowship Hall at 9:45 AM.

Facilitated by Rev. Ryan Scott. You will be blessed by the study, the discussion & the fellowship! One of the roles of the Church is to facilitate understanding of Scripture, Christian

Tradition & Experience with our Reason.

7

ALL CHURCH LENTEN BIBLE

STUDY Thursday Mornings at 10:30 AM &

Thursday Evenings at 6:30 PM

Beginning Thursday, February 15

In Restored, author Tom Berlin encourages us to reflect and meditate through our own brokenness, showing us that it is only when we focus on the cross as a place to surrender

control that we can leave our mess and find true redemption. This 6-week study uses Scripture, devotional tools, and the writings of Ignatius of Loyola, John of the Cross,

St. Augustine, John Wesley, Evelyn Underhill, and others. Books are $11.

The material will be the same at both sessions. Sign up in the Narthex or Fellowship Hall this Sunday.

I am excited about these opportunities to build relationships, delve into scripture a bit deeper, challenge each other, and just learn more about our faith as we travel the Lenten road

together! And our hope is that this will pave the way for renewing our ongoing Bible Study here at St. Paul’s. Pastor Karin

Perhaps you like art or just to doodle…. Another opportunity for Lent will be to use this Lenten devotion, Making Marks, in an art-making, mark-making practice. We will determine a gathering time based on interest. Sign up in the Narthex or Fellowship Hall. Books are $25.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE! We are getting there! We now have 103 pledges for

$230,950…about $20,000 short of our minimum budget.

The SPRC is pleased to announce we have reached an agreement with Jeff Anderson to be the organist/accompanist for the 11 AM worship service. Jeff brings a wealth of talent and experience with him to this position. Please join us at 11 AM

Worship to welcome Jeff and enjoy having him share his faith through his music. He will begin on February 4. Keith Sparks, SPRC Chair

8

TRUSTEES

Your Trustees are busy! This week’s meeting had 100% attendance and elected Mike Kennedy as chairperson, Pat Haberstroh as Vice Chair & Dave Sydnor as Secretary. Your Trustees also include Lenny Pompeo, Barbara Lynn Manlove, Ron Sutton and

the co-chair of Leadership Cathy Blanco & Steve Johnson. St. Paul’s is fortunate to have such a dedicated team who watch over everything from light bulbs to trash removal, from leaks to thermostats. Say thank you when you see them!

ANNUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT Saturday, February 10

All Leadership Team members at all levels are expected to attend our Annual Leadership Retreat from 8:30 AM – 1 PM. This is a working session for your ideas, insights, suggestions as we continue to chart the path of St. Paul’s, all the while prayerfully discerning God’s will for our congregation. “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” –Henry Ford “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” –JFK, former President of the United State

Wilmington District Leadership Training: ALL St. Paul’s Leadership Team Members are expected to attend. When: Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 8 AM – 2 PM Where: Elkton UMC, 219 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921

A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO SHARYN SHEATS for taking

the time to clean out the church supply closet—she even scrubbed the floor! Let’s keep it as neat and tidy as she left it! We are grateful for your wonderful services, Sharyn!

JOY is back with new events for 2018. Our first event

will be February 16 at 12 noon in Fellowship Hall [lunch will be provided by JOY]. Adrienne Dillard has a new book titled Everyday Is

Grandparents Day and she will have activities for us to participate in dealing with the younger generation. You do not want to miss this

special opportunity JOY is providing for all interested. WHAT IS JOY? Just Older Youth! Our young-at-heart fellowship group who gather for friendship and conversation on new topics, dine together and attend special events. It’s fun, it’s faith-filled and it’s relationship-building!

9

REACH IN & COMMIT: LENTEN BIBLE STUDY Thursday mornings and

Thursday evenings beginning February 15.

Sign up in the NARTHEX.

FAMILY LIFE DEPARTMENT

UPDATES from Vicki Spence

January/February POCKETS are in the Narthex.

FAMILY LENT PREP

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11

9:30-10:45 AM on

Lower Level

Parents & Kids join us to prep for this Holy Season. Crafts, games, devotions and snacks! Don’t miss it!

Sr. Highs & Families TOUGH

TOPIC – SUICIDE

FEBRUARY 25 - 12:30-2 PM

We have people to share personal experiences and resources on this tough topic with guest speaker Rev. Dr. Karen Covey-Moore.

SENIOR HIGHS AND YOUR FAMILIES There are many things that come at our youth in today’s world. Some are fun and harmless—others are dangerous and fear-producing. Youth at St. Paul’s regularly have lively, thought-provoking discussions in Sunday School each week and often have questions beyond our level of expertise. We have polled students and parents and have arranged for a variety of experts to share information with us and to answer questions. Please mark your calendars and join us for:

SR HIGH “HOT TOPIC” SERIES 12:30-2 PM in Fellowship Hall February 25 - Suicide March 18 - Opioid & Substance Abuse April 15 - Internet Safety, Gaming & Human Trafficking We will share lunch and lively discussions. Bring your questions and your friends.

CONFIRMATION CLASS meets 1st, 3

rd & 5

th Sundays,

from 4:30-6 PM.

NEXT CLASS IS February 4

Our kids are reading Scripture, learning the Apostles’ Creed & its meaning, history of the Christian Church and The United Methodist Church and its founder John Wesley, how to pray, how worship is

10

planned & how our denomination is organized and more. Are you smarter than a confirmand? In addition, they are planning at least two mission experiences—stay tuned because they will need your help!

JOYS & CONCERNS: Please take the opportunity to go to our website

(www.stpaulsodessa.org) to complete a prayer request—it is the most convenient, 24-7 way to get your concerns on our prayer lists. Please alert the office when someone can be taken OFF the list by emailing stpodessa@stpaulsodessa.org. Submitting a Prayer Request is the best and most assured way that your request will be added to the mid-week and worship folder but for HIPAA reasons PLEASE get permission before adding. We do our best to keep up with the needs of our congregation, but we may not always have up-to-date information. If you or a loved one are in need of a pastoral visit, please

call the church office to schedule. DONNA SHANK IS NOW HOME AND WELCOMES VISITORS [Please call first] BLANCH BAILEY IS AT BROADMEDOW AND WELCOMES VISITORS. RECENTLY ADDED: June Glass, Natalie Reitzes; victims of violence of Kentucky CONTINUED PRAYER:

Dawn Buckworth Ken Glass Clark Ellis Guise family on loss of Jim’s father Judy Vallely Joanne Argoe Angela Christian

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Jannicelli Donna Shank Donna Austin Robert O’Grady June Anderson Paul Nappi Taylor Shoun

Kitty Hutchison Bob Connell Stewart Hettig Janet Pompeo Cindy Faye Littleton Aleksandra Fratta John Shields

11

Gerald Davis Elayne Guy Richmond Draper Cathie Kathy Henry Jan Sentmann Jackie Connell Jane Johnson Mickey Gibson Mitchell Family Larry Meyer

Scott Ludvigson Family Joy Davis Sam Moore Darryl Calvert Betty Hastings Gavin Rich Unger Toni A. David Snipes Beverly Bederman

Sheri Hatton Barbara Hatch Ryan Whitmer Eleanor Cleaver Mario Semmler Chip Johnson Diane Jones Sheridan Outten Merle Ciesielski Maggie McCombs Celeste Cox

BIRTHDAYS

January 24 Eric Gustafson January 30 Megan Gustafson Lois Loder

ANNIVERSARIES January 25 Sam & Barbara Moore January 29 Hap & Barbara Bonham

GENTLE OFFICE REMINDERS from Alice Mullins, Administrative Assistant

Before you determine the date of your event, check the Church Calendar by first going to our Calendar of Events on our website at this link http://www.stpaulsodessa.org/774769. If the time and date is open, contact Alice in the church office to double-check that the date is indeed open and follow through on all necessary protocols, which Alice will help you with. She will then make sure it goes on the published church calendar.

If you are meeting in the church please lock the doors, lower the heat & turn off lights upon exiting the building. Thank you.

Building Ministry & Church Calendar – If your group is meeting at the church during the week please check the church calendar to ensure your space is reserved. Please contact the office if your meeting is canceled or needs to be rescheduled.

To Access the Directory go to the website and click on About Our Church > scroll down to

Church Directory > USER NAME is member > PASSWORD is spumc

ST. PAUL’S STAFF

Rev. Karin Tunnêll pastor@stpaulsodessa.org 302-668-6685 Alice Mullins stpodessa@stpaulsodessa.org 302-378-2420 Vicki Spence familylife@stpaulsodessa.org 302-598-8768 Shelley Reel shelley@goeaston.net 443-786-9010 Duane Dillard duanedillard@gmail.com 410-620-4650 Jeff Anderson jmanderson@ccps.org 610-761-9818 Jeanne Hatton Organist Emeritus 302-378-1670

12

with acts of love & compassion

The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

YELLOW HAT OFFERING of $158.49 from this past Sunday went to support our

Nicaraguan child, Yesprin.

January Is National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month

https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign

NAMI: NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS will meet Thursday, January 25 at 7 PM St. Paul’s will host a NAMI Support Meetings for family members, loved ones and caregivers of people with mental illness. These meetings are offered at no cost to participants. The NAMI Family Support Group Program is a peer-based, mutual support group model. The vision is that every family member/caregiver/loved one in our state who has a loved one with mental illness will have, within reasonable driving distance, a NAMI Family Support Group to attend. NAMI Delaware’s Mission is “to support, educate and advocate until there is a cure for severe and persistent mental illness.” 302-427-0787 www.namidelaware.org

SPECIAL OLYMPICS DELAWARE POLAR BEAR PLUNGE REHOBOTH BEACH, FEBRUARY 4 at 1 PM

Brrrrr!!! It's cold and blustery and time for all polar bears to take a dip in the ocean! It's time for the annual Special Olympics Delaware Polar Bear Plunge on February 4th at Rehoboth Beach. This year the Blanco family will plunge, and we set a goal of $5,000. That is a big goal, however we are supporting athletic training and competition for over 4200 Special Olympics Delaware athletes that will benefit from your

donation. We will be freezing for a reason, and couldn't be happier to do so when we see those winning smiles as they compete in year-round sport programs. Our fundraising site is https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/1245474. At St. Paul's, as we continue to "Reach Out" we know that everyone wins! Thank you! Cathy Blanco

13

Here are our current food pantry needs for NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE: Cereal Pasta

Spaghetti Sauce

Chef Boyardee

Small peanut butter Small jelly

Instant Mac & cheese

Can Tuna

Juice/drinks

Rice

After school snacks – cookies, peanut butter crackers, graham crackers, applesauce etc. Toothpaste

Bath soap

Deodorant Tissues

Toilet paper

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY

February 4. It is “SOUPER BOWL” time again after 11 AM service. There will be a variety of soups available for $2 each, salad and dessert are available for $1 each. Quarts of soup will be available for purchase after everyone is served for $6 per quart. If you would like to donate your favorite soup(s) please contact Kathy Chas @ 302-540-3046 or kmchas07@gmail.com by Thursday February 1. We will be creating a recipe brochure with all the wonderful soups recipes after the event. Proceeds will be going to Maggie McCombs.

Maggie McCombs Maggie is connected to St. Paul’s through several of us. She is the great niece of Kitty Hutchison and Jackie & Bob Connell, and the

2nd cousin of Kathy Chas. Maggie and her family are grateful for your past help

and very appreciative that you are kind enough to dedicate this Souper Bowl

luncheon once again to meeting her needs.

Maggie is now 26 years old. It’s been 6 years since Maggie was shot by a stalker and left paralyzed from the shoulders down. Your prayers and kind support in the past have helped Maggie get a van to transport her to appointments, a standing chair which is so important for quads, and funds to help with paying caregivers.

14

She requires round the clock care. She resides in the home of her father and on good days caregivers show up as planned. On not-so-good days, her dad spends the days and nights pinch hitting to meet her needs. As you might imagine, a quadriplegic requires help with everything.

Nerve pain is still an ongoing issue, but she is using a new drug that helps some with that but unfortunately has some undesirable side effects. They continue to try new things as they become available.

Her transport van after 5 years is in need of new tires. So your help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Most of all your prayers are appreciated. Please pray specifically for the following:

• That there be a continual supply of good quality care givers for Maggie

• That Maggie’s dad receives the respite he needs on occasion

• That Maggie finds her purpose! There was a reason that God didn’t let her die on January 8, 2012.

Thank you

THE CHRISTIANA HUB WILL BE OPEN ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10 at Christiana UMC at 10

AM. There will be school kits to put together and Health kits need verifying. If you can attend it will be appreciated. God Bless Ruth Rawlins, Co-coordinator Christiana UMC HUB

Flip Out at the ANNUAL

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 in Fellowship Hall from 5-7 PM Fatten up at our Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper before you begin Lent. Mouth-watering pancakes, hot syrup, sausage & and more! Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 204

REACH OUT & INVITE: Invite your friends to LENTEN BIBLE STUDY Thursday

mornings & Thursday evenings beginning February 15.

Sign up in the NARTHEX.

“A WAY FORWARD” FORUM SATURDAY, APRIL 28 at Aldersgate UMC in

Wilmington DE from 1-4 PM. Please note the change of date and time. You may

know that the Bishops created a Commission on a Way Forward at the last General Conference, in 2016, to present options for United Methodists to live together faithfully with differing beliefs around the issues of human sexuality. The two primary aspects of these concerns involve language in the Book of Discipline around conducting same-gender weddings and ordaining “self-avowed practicing homosexual” people.

15

SEXUAL ETHICS TRAINING LEVEL 2 – SAFE SANCTUARIES IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

Saturday, February 24 8:30 AM-3 PM Whatcoat/Dover Presented by Rev. Joy Melton, Esq., an ordained deacon in the North Georgia Conference & practicing lawyer [Hindson & Melton, LLC]. This NEW resource will offer practical applications for use in our digital world such as: • Standing up to & preventing Cyberbullying, Cyberstalking, & Sexting • New information on internet pornography & media usage Pre-Registration is Required: www.wilmingtondistrict.org/SafeSanctuary.pdf Please return your registration form and $35 fee (includes workbook & lunch) by February 4, 2018

The Middletown High School Theatre Program proudly presents Shrek the Musical, directed by Amanda Chas, Michael Husni, and Rocky Tejada on March 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 10th on the Middletown High School stage. Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 7:30 pm, and Saturday afternoon matinees are at 2:00 pm.

As a special engagement, the Middletown High School Theatre Program will be hosting Shrek’s Fairy Tale Swamp Fest on Saturday, March 3rd and 10th immediately following the matinees. Children ages 5-12 can enjoy a fun-filled “swamp party” with games, crafts, and mud-pies alongside their favorite characters from the show. Reserve your seat in the swamp today! ($10 per child.)

Please visit our website www.middletownhs.org to purchase your tickets for Shrek the Musical and Shrek’s Ogre-sized Fairy Tale Swamp Fest!