Dear St. Paul’s UMC family,

Greetings and happy February! The focus of this month’s letter is to announce criteria for the St. Paul’s UMC Scholarship, and to encourage all of the members of our 2017 senior class to apply. 1. The St. Paul’s UMC Scholarship is offered to graduation seniors in high school who are active, Professing Members of St. Paul’s

UMC. 2. Applications must be turned in to the church office by Wednesday, April 19, 2017. 3. All students applying will be given consideration for a scholarship. 4. The maximum scholarship for 2017 will be for up to $500, paid to the order of the student’s post-high school learning

institution. 5. The applicant must be enrolled in or have plans of enrolling in an undergraduate university, community college or technical

school. 6. The student shall be an active Professing Member of St. Paul’s UMC for at least one year prior to making application (Professing

Members make covenant with God to reject evil, repent of their sin, and confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; Professing Members are loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church and do all in their power to strengthen its ministries; Professing Members faithfully participate in the ministries of their church by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness.)

7. The student’s “faithful participation” will be determined by measuring regular worship attendance, and regular participation in youth group, Sunday School, short-term Bible Studies, and service inside and outside the four walls of the church.

8. The student will share about their Christian Witness by completing an application that will include responses to these questions: A. “Describe your past involvement in service, mission, and / or community service projects inside and outside the

four walls of St. Paul’s UMC, especially during your senior year.” B. “How have you grown in your Christian faith since becoming a member of St. Paul’s UMC?,” C. “How do you see yourself continuing to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ in relation to your future career plans,

goals, and ambitions? 9. In addition, the Committee will consider the gifts and graces of the individual, including evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit. Jesus

told His followers, “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16). The apostle Paul shares the Fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

10. The committee will evaluate each applicant based on the objective and subjective criteria set forth above. 11. The names of the scholarship recipients will be withheld until the Sunday the scholarships are awarded. While an award based entirely on objectively-measured criteria would be more easily determined, there is also the danger of mischaracterizing the Christian faith as nothing more than a legalistic series of do’s and don’ts. Our hope is to develop young people who are Jesus-followers for life – young men and women growing in faith, loving God and loving people as they love themselves and as Jesus loves them. We hope and pray the faith-seeds planted and nurtured in these youth will continue to grow for their entire lives. Would you join with me in praying for our St. Paul’s babies, kids, and youth, including our upcoming graduating seniors? Blessings in Christ, Pastor Joe

THE

SP RE

400 Wayne Ave., Defiance, OH 43512 www.defiancestpauls.org

Church Office, Kristine Bartley: 419-782-3751 secretary3751@defnet.com

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

ISSUE | FEBRUARY | 2017

2/01 Mary Alice White

2/01 McKenna Shock

2/01 McKailyn Shock

2/02 Imogene Leforgee

2/03 Ruth Ann Wilder

2/04 Khloe Hayman

2/04 Trevor Rose

2/05 James Bauer

2/05 Chelsy Shuherk

2/05 Jonathan Sommers

2/05 James Derrow

2/07 Stephen Hubbard

2/08 William Coffman

2/08 Ron Gutman

2/08 Cindy Gerdeman

2/08 Jennifer Saner

2/08 Katie Baden

2/09 Cliff Lucas

2/09 Kyle Weber

2/10 Dan Price

2/11 Erin Webb

2/12 Sarah White

2/12 Morgan Porter

2/14 Paul Sulpizio

2/14 Valerie Otte

2/14 Hannah Kissel

2/14 Everett Kissel

2/16 Brittany Clemens

2/16 Tim Rickabaugh

2/17 Malakai Wieland

2/18 Chad Shuherk

2/18 Tyler Lucas

2/19 Robert Burris

2/20 Noah Arnett

2/20 Cloee Arnett

2/20 Mallory Morton

2/20 Taylor Craft

2/21 Steven Powell

2/23 Carolyn Belden

2/24 Lynn Dunckel

2/24 Nancy Burris

2/24 Jan Price

2/26 Dick Hayman

2/26 Parker Smith

2/27 Brynley Edmonds

2/27 Kayla Rethmel

2/28 Eldora Sines

2/01 Mr. & Mrs. David Rush

2/05 Mr. & Mrs. Dick Hayman

2/07 Mr. & Mrs. Robert Belden

2/11 Mr. & Mrs. Tim Nicely

2/20 Mr. & Mrs. Bill Sherry

Monday, February 6 6 p.m. - SPRC in Rm 104

7 p.m. - Trustees in Rm 103

Monday, February 13 6:30 p.m. - Finance in Rm 112

7:30 - Ad Council in the Gathering Place

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

2017 CHARTS ARE READY

SIGN UP FOR FLOWERS,

BULLETINS And FELLOWSHIP TIME

You may either sponsor the Altar Flowers

for $35, Church Bulletins for $25 or the Fel-

lowship Time for $20. The sign-up charts

are outside the Church Lounge on the bulle-

tin board. Be sure to indicate by your name,

if you will be taking flowers home with

you. If not, we will be blessing our shut-

ins with your flowers.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

There are times when each of us needs the care

of another person, a Christian friend, a Stephen

Minister! Some of those needs may include be-

ing hospitalized, terminally ill, people moving in

or out of our community, aging and elderly,

those with disabilities, separated or divorced,

birth or adoption of a child, job crisis, grieving a

death or loss, homebound, and many other

needs. Don’t go it alone, but call Pastor Joe at

419-782-3751 to receive confidential, Christian

care of a trained Stephen Minister.

The Stephen Ministry Team meets on

the third Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.

in St. Paul’s library. The next meeting will

be held on Wednesday

February 15, 2017, at 4 p.m.

LIBRARY

The Insanity of God, a True Story of Faith Resurrected, by Nik Ripken is a new book just placed in the church library. This is a true ac-count of what it means to be part of the Great Commission and proclaiming Christ to all peoples. Just as Jesus was persecuted in his day, so are the followers around the world today. This is truly a book about picking up your cross and following Jesus to where he leads you. The stories will bring tears to your eyes as well as laughter. It teaches one to “be faithful, even to the point of death.” Rev-elation 2:10. Come to the church library, Room 104, and check out this interesting book. You will be so glad that you did!

Please note: When leaving a book in the li-brary on the desk or table, put a note on it if it is being donated to the library for circulation or if it is your personal book that you will pick up later. Books keep appearing; from where they come, I do not know. Your name on the note helps if I need to talk to you about the book. Thanks! Jane Scott/Librarian

Registration for the 2017-2018 school year will start on February 1. If you would like to register your child(ren) please contact Ark at 419-784-5551. The $50 registration fee can be paid any-time to hold a spot. Ark will be having an Open House on Tuesday, March 7 from 6:30-8 p.m. if you would like to tour the preschool and regis-ter at that time.

ARK PRESCHOOL

Loving Well Requires You to Be Spiritually Fit By Rick Warren — January 20, 2017 “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, al-ways perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8a NIV). You cannot love people the way God loves you with-out God’s power in your life, because human love runs out.

But if you feel that nothing seems to be worth the ef-fort, life seems to be futile or purposeless, or you find yourself blaming God for your problems, these are warning signs of spiritual burnout. You cannot love well when you are spiritually burned out.

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:7, “Take time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit” (Phillips). How do you stay spiritually fit so you can love peo-ple? By building habits into your life that keep you spiritually renewed.

Here are three habits to get you started: A daily quiet time. “This is the reason why we never collapse. The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength” (2 Corinthians 4:16 Phillips). Outwardly our body suffers wear and tear, but inwardly we can be spiritually renewed every day by spending time alone with God.

I don’t know what could help your life more than to begin the habit of a daily time with God. Start out with just 10 minutes a day. Find a place where you can be by yourself: the car, your bedroom or living room, the backyard, or even your office. Then pick a book of the Bible, and read a chapter a day. Read it, think about what you’ve read, maybe write some things down. That’s a habit that will keep you spiritu-ally renewed.

Attention Knitters, Crocheters and Crafters

The Crafters is a group of women who enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery, etc. We meet every Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the lounge. In the past we have made hats for WIC, hats, mittens and scarves for the mitten tree and lap robes for the Veteran's home.

Anyone is welcome. If you are unable to join us and would

like to work on any projects, one of us would be happy to

come pick up finished projects. Call Diana Harbourt --

419-796-0098.

We will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1 in

the lounge. Hostess & Devotions will be Jan Cromly.

Program: Human Trafficking.

The Tuesday morning Women’s

Bible Study is studying “What in

the World is Going On” by David

Jeremiah. Come join us at 10 a.m.

in the Church Lounge.

The 50-20 Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at

6:15 p.m. in the church lounge. We are studying

the book, Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God,

by Sharon Jaynes. Any lady is welcome to join us in

this study.

Ruth Circle will meet on Wednesday, February 22 at 1

p.m. in the lounge. Mary Degler has devotions this month.

Sally Snyder is the hostess. Nancy Lundberg will present a

program on church fans and how we can follow Jesus’ life

through her collection. Please join us.

1 Salad bar Oven roasted chicken Potato casserole Green beans Hamburger sandwich Potato soup Dessert

8 Salad bar

Meat loaf Baked potato California blend Grilled cheese sandwich Beef noodle soup Dessert

15 Salad bar Beef pot roast Mashed potatoes Green beans with bacon & onions Shredded chicken

sandwich Chicken noodle soup Dessert

22 Salad bar Lasagna

Broccoli Hot beef sandwich Vegetable beef soup Dessert

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEALS BEGINNING

New Serving time: 5 - 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

The crafters who knit are going to be making Izzy dolls. "The Humanitarian medical Kit for primary care puts the essential and life-saving medicines into the hands of doctors so that peo-ple can be treated and healed. The Izzy Dolls, which are used to fill up the boxes in lieu of packing Styrofoam, bring joy to sick children and children in the community." These are donated to Health Partners International of Canada. The dolls are also called 'Comfort Dolls'.

We are a community of

Jesus-followers

empowered by the

Holy Spirit to love God

and love others.

FEBRUARY 5 - 8:45 a.m. Michael & Stephanie Wahl DuWayne & Paula Roth

FEBRUARY 12- 8:45 a.m. Evelyn Manahan Mary Jane Allen FEBRUARY 19 - 8:45 a.m. Bart & Jane Scott Sandy McKinney

FEBRUARY 26 - 8:45 a.m. Bill & Karen Zirkle John & Lea Rohrs

FEBRUARY 5 - 10 a.m. Peter & Nancy Lundberg Jerry & Judy Ingle

FEBRUARY 12 - 11 a.m. Clip & Linda Clippinger Andrea Mouser & Marge Case FEBRUARY 19 - 11 a.m. Murel & Melissa Lloyd Elayne Yoder

FEBRUARY 26 - 11 a.m. John & Pat Yeoman Denny & Jan Caryer

ALTAR FLOWERS $35

FEBRUARY 5 FEBRUARY 12 Tim & Connie Nicely FEBRUARY 19 Phil & Mandy Eberle FEBRUARY 26 Sandy McKinney

BULLETINS $25

FEBRUARY 5 Barbara Kieffer FEBRUARY 12 FEBRUARY 19 FEBRUARY 26

FELLOWSHIP TIME $20 FEBRUARY 5 Rick & Denice Edmonds FEBRUARY 12 Richard & Shirley Witteborg FEBRUARY 19 Sandy McKinney FEBRUARY 26 Barbara Kieffer

Liturgist 8:45 a.m.

FEBRUARY

5 Marian Kauffman

12 Andre Ciccotelli

19 Susie Miller

26 Michael Wahl

Liturgist 11 a.m.

FEBRUARY

5 Sylvia Brown

12 Andrea Mouser

19 Elayne Yoder

26 Jayne Yoder

GREETERS SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY

Kingsbury Place

Emily White

Doris Chenhall

Rae Bunten - (Barb Welty’s mother)

The Laurels

Mary Potts

Vesta King

Arlene Steiner

Bessie Warren

Glenn Park

Marvin & Edith Mulford

Lois Gahris

The Meadows of Leipsic

Marilyn Zeisloft -

(Nancy Lundberg’s mother)

Mason Health Care Center

Juanita Easley

Twin Rivers

Mary Lou Renollet

At Home

Fred Potts

Rosemary Anderson - (niece of Alice Boyd)

Ilene Williamson

Ann Grant

Eldora Sines

Grace Kallay (Colorado )

Glada Goodman

Hilda Morse

Bonnie Karr

Marcella Bayliss

Our Homebound Church Family

Lt. Col. Scott Clippinger

USMC The Pentagon, Washington D.C.

SFC Phil Whitesell

Army (father of Collin Whitesell)

Matt Hiltner

SB2 Ryan Hendrickson

Virginia Beach SWIC (Ethel Stambaugh’s nephew)

Col. Josh Burgess

USAF, State Dept., D.C.

Sarah Yoder Coker

U.S. Army, Ft. Bliss TX

Ensign Adam Kline

(Marvin & Edith Mulford’s grandson)

Lt. JG David Kline

(Marvin & Edith Mulford’s grandson)

Caleb Mead

(Scott & Jean Lee’s grandson)

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage Alaska

In the Armed Forces

FEBRUARY YOUTH EVENTS

Regular events:

* LifePath Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.

* Small group study Sundays 10 a.m.

SPECIAL: February 12,19 & 26: Short term study:

Sunday Afternoon Sr Hi Group study (time TBA)

MISSION PROJECT: Feb. 16: Backpack Buddies

New Class

SUNDAY

MORNINGS...

Support your Scouts! Scout Sunday is February 12.

Studies show the best way to build STICKY

FAITH in our youth is to let them see the

faith of others in action, meaning they have

relationships with adults who love God! We

are currently studying Luke. I hope you will

make an effort to try this out. I am praying

that it be a blessing to all who attend. Each

Sunday 10 - 10:50 in the Chapel. –Marcella

St. Paul’s Vision: We are a community of Jesus-followers empowered by the Holy Spirit to love God and love others.

St. Paul’s Mission: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

I want to thank St. Paul’s for the beautiful poinsettia delivered to

me by Mary Degler. Also, I want to thank the choir and other

church members for the many cards that I have received from

them throughout the year. Also , my thanks to Linda Payne for

bringing me communion once a month. I enjoy her visit!

My love and to all - Best wishes for the New Year!

Ann Grant

NONPROFIT

U. S. Postage

PAID

Defiance Ohio

Permit No. 192

400 Wayne Avenue, Defiance, Ohio 43512

E-mail us at secretary3751@defnet.com

Web Site www.defiancestpauls.org

Ph: 419.782.3751 Fax 419.782.9977

FEBRUARY SPIRE 2017

Return Service Requested

ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Congregational Letters