separation is difficult; for some it’s unbearable. what the apostle paul … · 2020-07-01 ·...

God’s work. Our hands. Newsletter of Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Grange TX

A Member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America July 2020

June 30, 2020 Members of the Body of Christ at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39) Separation is difficult; for some it’s unbearable. What the Apostle Paul wants us to remember is that nothing in all of creation will be able to separate us from God. That’s particularly relevant in this time and place as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 virus. This has been going on since mid-March. I’m so completely over this whole situation. I’m tired of the separation. I’m tired of not being able to have “proper” in house worship. I know I’m not alone in that. With the case counts in Fayette County, and in La Grange in particular, we’ve made the extremely difficult decision to discontinue in house worship at this time. While attendance has been way down (less than 20 per service), those that are attending are by and large the most vulnerable. With the virus numbers continuing to climb, this concerns me. Jesus calls us to care for the most vulnerable. Everything Jesus did was centered on that. Council will reevaluate in two weeks. When we begin to see a decrease in cases in Fayette County, then we’ll reopen in-house worship. In the meantime, we will continue to do Facebook Live worship services at 9 a.m. on Sundays (July 5 & 12), which will also be live audio streamed. We will also be broadcasting on KVLG/KBUK at 10 a.m. on Sundays (1 week delayed). Believe me when I say, we did not come by this decision lightly. It was a painful decision, but one that must be made. Pastor Candy Almighty and merciful God, you are the only source of health and healing; you alone can bring calmness and peace. Grant to us, your children, an awareness of your presence and a strong confidence in you. In our pain, our weariness, and our anxiety, surround us with your care, protect us by your loving might, and permit us once more to enjoy health and strength and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Weekly bulletins are in a box outside the double doors under the drive through on Walnut Street. Christ in

our Homes for July-September are also in the box. You are welcome to pick them up at your convenience.

Here is a list of what we offer online or radio:

~ Listen to our weekly services on KVLG/KBUK 104.9 FM Sundays at 10 a.m.

~ Sunday worship service will be livestreamed on FB at 9 a.m. at

https://www.facebook.com/stpaullg/

You DO NOT have to have a Facebook account to watch!

~ Listen to our 9 a.m. worship service at www.stpaullg.org. (Click Listen)

~ Click on the Weekly Services tab to watch Sunday services anytime

~ Click on the Bulletins tab to view our weekly bulletins in PDF.

Please bear with us as we follow the CDC recommendations - our main focus is to keep our members safe and healthy.

Offerings can be mailed to St. Paul, PO Box 567, La Grange, Texas, 78945 or dropped off in the box in the wooden office door. You may also donate online by going to www.stpaullg.org and clicking “Donate Now.” You will be directed to MyEofferings where you can register to give online. You choose the frequency of giving - you may make a one time offering or schedule when you prefer.

VBS NEWS…….

As of now (June 30) VBS is still on.

• We will have in-person VBS from 8 am to noon during the week of July 27-31

• Registration Form will be forthcoming soon. Look for it on our Facebook page.

• The magic number is 60. If we are at 60 active cases on the Monday before VBS (July 20th), then we will call off the in-person VBS.

• In the event of calling off in-person VBS, we will make our virtual VBS available to all those who registered.

• We also can disseminate the virtual VBS to families wishing to be a part of this ministry but are not comfortable with their children attending an in-person VBS.

• Any families interested in the virtual VBS, please let the office know!

Due to all the uncertainty with the virus, Council voted to cancel Celebration Sunday.

Caleb and the LYO Sponsors also made the difficult decision to cancel the LYO trip this summer.

1 Mary Ann Butler, David Johnson

2 Vyvynne Friemel, Bailey Karisch, Janis Stancik

3 Karen Bellue

4 Trent Schielack

5 Larry Drab, Liz Tannler

6 Gilbert Freudenberg, Stone Schielack

7 Wayne Anders, Heather England, Peggy Johnson,

Jonathan Mahlmann, Gary Prause

9 Aldine Bernshausen, Melissa Sanchez

10 Ray Goehring

11 Caleb Grimes, Richard Oppermann

12 Marc Fitzpatrick, Sarah Kay, Susie Morgan,

Elizabeth Schneider, Madelynn Stevens

13 Dawson Canada, Wes Canada,

Rodney Kaltwasser, Skarlet Schielack

14 Mark Boyd, Steven Marshall, Ella Busch Pineda

15 Russell Dittrich, Carolyn Hunger, Liz Mielke,

Kim Miori, Glen Roscher

16 Norma Adams, David Weyand

17 Patty Ehler, Melinda Zajicek

18 Sharon Jochen, Phyllis Sierk, Joyce Steinmann

19 Alyssa Boehm

20 Verlene Noak

21 Clayton Cook, Justin McGraw, Ruby Tielsch

22 Carolyn Bennetsen, Andrew Boyd,

Chelsea Fajkus

23 Shelly Fisbeck

24 Bradley Friemel, Albert Jakobeit, Colton Jones,

Jacob Ramos, Betty Schmidt

25 Delbert Gest, Kalie Pietsch, Evynn Wilson

26 Natalie Blackwell, Malu Pestana

27 Gerald Hughes, Taylor Toddy

28 Wade Jaster

29 Kristin Brown

31 Carolyn Buchanek, Abby Steinhauser,

Amanda West

Daryl & Aimee Elles July 2 26 years

Vernon & Tammy Oehlke July 3 39 years

Frank & Sandra Teykl July 3 34 years

Mark & Sheila Bage July 7 19 years

Paul & Patty Brown July 8 38 years

Frank & Lisa Moellenberndt July 8 31 years

Clinton & Cheryl Rohde July 8 48 years

James & Kathy Brewer July 11 51 years

Erwin & Bonnie Sladek July 15 42 years

Jared & Amanda West July 15 13 years

Brad & Kay Schielack July 16 37 years

Glenn & Sherise Davis July 19 34 years

Deric & Katy Weyand July 21 8 years

Clay & Susie Morgan July 23 32 years

Ralph & Faith Frerichs July 25 39 years

Richard & Denise Paine July 25 1 year

Clayton & Gail Cook July 26 40 years

John & Tanya Psencik July 27 24 years

Michael & Jeanenne Klesel July 29 48 years

Elton & Annie Oppermann July 31 49 years

July Birthdays & Anniversaries

Our Christian Condolences to the families of:

Elton Jochen, who died May 24

Ruth Hensel, who died June 4

Gary Piwetz, who died June 15

Estella Lueders, who died June 27

Rest eternal grant them, O Lord, and let light

perpetual shine on them.

Our Mission Statement: Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church,

in the name of Christ, cares, shares, and provides Christian growth opportunity to our community.

Saint Paul 2020 Congregation Council

Jackie Skelton, President

Karen Bellue, Vice-President

Linda Anders, Secretary

Peggy Pfeiffer, Treasurer

Russell Dittrich, Mission/Peru Outreach

Tyler Dockery, Stewardship/Finance/Endowment

David Ehler, Property

Larry Faldyn, Parish Education/Youth

Ginger Friemel, Worship/Technology

Frank Macaulay, Outreach/Social Ministry

Office Phone: 979-968-5657 Fax: 979-968-6950

Pastor Cell Phone: 979-966-2459

Fellowship Hall Phone: 979-968-9603

www.stpaullg.org [email protected]

Saint Paul Lutheran Church Leaders

The Rev. Candis O’Meara, Senior Pastor [email protected]

(979)966-2459

Caleb Parks, Faith Life Leader [email protected]

(512)944-7859

Melinda Zajicek, Office Manager [email protected]

(979)820-8793

Sherise Davis, Organist

Jean McHenry, Organist

Kathy Toensing, Adult Choir/Praise Band Choir

Carolyn Bennetsen, Mannie Fritsch-Schmid, Agnes Hannes, Lummus Hannes, Ruth Hensel, and

Paul Mikula, Stephen Ministers

Messenger July 2020

Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

P O Box 567/427 S Washington Street La Grange, Texas 78945

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid La Grange, Texas

Permit No. 83

Pray for Healing!

During this time, the office is not open regular hours.

Please call 968-5657 if you need to come in. Offerings

can be left in the drop box in the wooden office door.

Pull the drawer to open, then drop in your offering!

JARED & AMANDA WEST

104 MILLER DR

KINGSLAND GA 31548-7103













VBS NEWS…….








