saint paul love letter - st. paul lutheran church329 … · life was stressful at home, too....
TRANSCRIPT
Interim Pastor Burton Everist
St. Paul Lutheran Church
329 E. State Street
Mason City, IA 50401
641-423-7749
Website:
www.stpaulmc.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/stpaulmc
E-Mail:
Church Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 9 —1
Worship: Sundays 9 am
Children are always more
than welcome in our services,
and we have coloring books
for little worshipers who love
to catch up on their coloring
during church. Please ask an
usher to give you one.
Holy Communion:
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday
Fellowship: Sundays
downstairs in Fellowship Hall
immediately following
Worship.
Prayers, Thank You 2
Church News LSI Article
3
Church News Thank You from YAGM
4
Assignments Birthdays
5
Ten Commandments of Christmas
6
Survey update 7
Calendar 8
Inside this issue:
SAINT PAUL LOVE LETTER
Sharing Christ ’s Love
Sign up for our newsletter HERE or by calling the office 641.423.7749. If you
no longer wish to receive mailings unsubscribe here
COME, LORD JESUS,
BE OUR GUEST
AND LET YOUR GIFTS TO US BE BLESSED.
AMEN
This little prayer is too powerful a prayer to be limited to meal-times.
It is an Advent prayer.
Note how we pray on the first Sunday in Advent:
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection waken
us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and keep us blameless until the com-ing of your new day, for you live and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
On the second Sunday we pray for God to stir up our hearts to make way for our
guest:
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his com-ing strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our
Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The third Sunday we pray to bless us with open ears to hear and open mouths:
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your
light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
And on the fourth Sunday the great Amen (let it be):
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we
may bear your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
At each meal we ask Christ to bless his gifts that we may be fed and nourished that our lives may bear God’s love to the world.
BE! (Pastor Everist)
1. NE Iowa Synod
2. St. Paul Lutheran Church
3. Our government, military leaders, troops & families
4. All who suffer from illness, infirmity or loneliness
5. Confined shut-ins (home, hospital, nursing home)
6. Those who are dealing with losses in their lives
7. All who hunger and/or are homeless
8. All who seek God; finding comfort, peace, renewal
9. Pastor Everist and family
10. Bruce Long and family
11. Ron Lundblad and family
12. Dennis Marsh and family
13. Nicole Martin and family
14. Bill Mason and family
15. Edith Meeker and family
16. John Meyer and family
17. John P. Meyer and family
18. David Morgan and family
19. Margaret Movick and family
20. Jim Murphy and family
21. Marv Murphy and family
22. Ron Nielson and family
23. Jeff Nonnweiler and family
24. Mary Paulsen and family
25. Kirk Pedelty and family
26. Blake Petersen and family
27. Tim Rozen and family
28. Carol Rye and family
29. John Sage and family
30. Hector Sanchez and family
Should you or a family
member be admitted to
the hospital and would
like prayers/visits, list St.
Paul on forms and
request they call us.
Prayers
It’s important to pray for ALL our family & friends, so our list is rotated among
our congregation. Keep this in a convenient place for prayer time. If you don’t have a daily prayer time,
this might be a good time to begin.
During this interim period,
please contact the church office if
you or someone you know is in
need of prayers. 641-423-7749
PAGE 2
Hospital Stay?
Thank You to our Community Kitchen
Volunteers!
If you’d like to help, please contact the church
office.
This is the third year that Heather will be collecting winter gear to donate to our Mason City schools. Far too many school children are sent without hats, gloves,
boots, etc. therefore suffer our harsh winter weather and are unable to go outside for recess. Each school has a closet of items for children to borrow or
keep, depending on their situation. Please find it in your heart to donate new or gently used hats, gloves/mittens, coats, boots, snow pants or gift cards. Sizes
needed to fit K (5T) through 6th grade (12/14). Items can be left in the Narthex or in the office. Thank You!
PAGE 3
In case of inclement weather, tune in to the following:
KGLO-AM1300
KCMR-97.9
KIMT television channel 3
Facebook for cancellation notices.
CHRISTMAS DECORATING: Please join us to decorate the
church for the Christmas season on Saturday, December 2.
Brittany wanted to create a warm, happy home for her new family. She and her boy-friend, Dustin, were ready to welcome their first child. But shortly after her son, Easton, was born, Brittany knew her child was having health problems. When she and Dustin took him to the hospital, they learned Easton had asth-ma. He would need to travel across Iowa every three months for treatments and doc-tor’s visits and required multiple medications, some of which needed to be taken sever-al times a day.
Life was stressful at home, too. Brittany and Dustin lived apart, and they were usually on opposite schedules. With little family support, Brittany was often left to care for Easton alone. “It was terrible. I felt like I wasn’t doing anything right,” Brittany says. “I didn’t know if everything was going to be OK, I couldn’t provide for Easton the right way, and I didn’t know if my son was going to be taken away.” Brittany found LSI’s Early Childhood Services, and she hoped they could help her create a solid foundation for her new family. Through LSI, Brittany became involved with the New Parent Program, which provides in-home parent education. Her LSI team visited Brittany and Easton every week, presenting new tips and techniques for Brittany to use to raise a happy, healthy child. “We’ve been through a ton, but LSI has helped us through everything,” Brittany says. “I thought I was not cut out for parenting. It was just hard. I felt lonely, I felt like I couldn’t talk to anybody. But when I talked to anyone at LSI, it helped me so much.” Brittany and Dustin are using their weekly lessons to help Easton thrive as he grows into an outgoing and energetic toddler. Brittany works at a daycare and has started taking college courses in human services and social work. She wants to give back by empowering other young families in need of a support system. “I want to work with other families in need,” Brittany says. “The people at LSI are the ones to help you through the times when you don’t know what to do.”
PAGE 4
ADVENT SERVICES Brief, reflective advent services will be at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates/locations:
Wednesday, December 6: Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Wednesday, December 13: St. John’s Episcopal Church
Wednesday, December 20: St. Paul Lutheran Church
Ushers (2 needed per Sunday)
3. H Gaiser / C Schriver
10. R & B Lundblad
17. D & N Marsh
24. 9am J & C Meyer
24. 5:30pm volunteer??
31. K & D Truka
Please consider helping to usher.
Call the church 423-7749 to be
added to the list, or email
Lectors
3. D Marsh
10. G Barker
17. J Aberg
24. R Lundblad
31. K Truka
Acolytes
3. D Stockberger
10. D Murphy
17. L Angell
24. 9am P Steinfort
24. 5:30 volunteer?
31. D Stockberger
Coffee Hour
3. J Wallace
10. S Aves
17. C Schriver / M Movick
24. L Angell / K Cornick
31.
Sign-up sheet for serving
coffee is passed every Sunday!
Count Offering
3. L Angell & J Bailey
10. P Steinfort
17. R & B Lundblad
24. L Angell & J Bailey
31. L Angell & J Bailey
Financial Assistant:
Jean Harms
Council Person:
Ron Lundblad 424-3366
Altar Guild:
Diane Murphy 512-5851
Phyllis Wright 423-3196
Community Kitchen
Volunteer Day:
Thur 14th at 4:00 p.m. starting in
January 2018, St. Paul’s night
will be the 3rd Thursday of each
month.
Contact: Jim Wallace 430-8444
Council Meeting:
Thur 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Men’s Fellowship:
Each Wednesday at 9:30
M&Ms Quilting:
Each Wednesday at 9:30
Strategic Planning:
Wed Dec 6 at 6:30
WELCA:
Wed Dec 6 at 9:30 at Becky’s
*******************************
Loveletter deadline: 22nd
Bulletin deadline each Thurs 1:00
*******************************
Happy December
Birthday!
1. Beverly Harris
2. Annika Angell
3. Tabitha Thies
4. Debra Christiansen
Tyler Thies
9. Corrine Butler
Samuel Wetter
14. Jacob Cornick
Dixie Howell
17. Margaret Movick
18. Nathan Hendrickson
21. Elle Buffington
24. Brandon Hewitt
29. Brianna Buffington
31. Jim Aberg
PAGE 5
If we have missed you, please let us know. Thanks!
www.stpaulmc.com www.facebook.com/stpaulmc
PAGE 6
TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR CHRISTMAS
Thou shalt prepare early. Don’t wait until the last minute to get into the Christmas spirit.
Thou shalt keep Christ at the center of Christmas. Don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the commercialism of the season. Resolve to read one of the Gospels during December. Meditate upon what it means that Christ came into the world.
Thou shalt make Christmas a family time. Do things together. Decorate the tree, play games, bake cookies, shop, write cards, have devotionals, go caroling, attend church together. Thou shalt remember those who are less fortunate. Contribute significantly to an organization serv-ing the needs of others throughout the year. Give a Christmas gift to your church. Thou shalt give thyself with every gift. Put some thought into the gifts you purchase. Give a gift that represents you. If possible, make something instead of buying something. Thou shalt learn to be a good receiver. Many of us have trouble receiving graciously and gracefully. Thou shalt put music into Christmas. Buy several Christmas CD’s and play them again and again. Attend church choir cantatas and special Christmas programs. Sing carols with loved ones. Thou shalt slow down. Remember: Christmas is supposed to be a season of peace, not hypertension. Thou shalt remember to worship. The church is the place you are most likely to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. Thou shalt receive Christ into thy life. Don’t just talk about the Christ of Christmas; receive him into your life as Lord and Savior.
*(Garden Psalms, God’s Gift of Comfort and Abundance by Honor Books, Tulsa, Oklahoma)
PAGE 7
SHARE GOD’S LOVE;
SERVE ALL PEOPLE
The Council adopted this mission statement to guide our prayers and thinking as we ask
how God wants us to be doing God’s work. In this spirit we explore the possibilities open
to us in the year ahead.
Responses to the survey of possibilities and problems for serving God in cooperation with
Our Saviour’s, St. John’s, or both or by ourselves alone were diverse. Strong feelings were
expressed. We care deeply. That passion is good!
The Council is seeking to respond empowered by St. Paul’s call for us to love:
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always, Always looks for the best,
Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
So, at this stage we are keeping all options open and meeting with all parties to move for-
ward.
We need to get to know one another better (there have been misunderstandings.)
To that end we will have an opportunity during Advent to worship at each other’s place of
worship and meet one another with Christ at the center.
Wednesday, December 6 at 6:00 we worship at Our Saviour’s.
Wednesday, December 13 at 6:00 we worship at St. John’s.
Wednesday, December 20 at 6:00 we worship here at St. Paul.
May the spirit of Christ’s love live in our hearts and guide our way.
We do not know where God is guiding us, but we trust God is at work.
BE! (Pastor Everist)
