December 2011

St. Paul’s Lutheran MESSENGER

Phone: 952-938-4683 www.saintpaulslutheran.org Fax: 952-938-1141

We are “an open and inviting church spreading the Good News of Christ.”

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

WHO WE ARE A Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Minneapolis Area Synod, Western Parks and Lakes Conference. MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to be an open and inviting church spreading the Good News of Christ. WORSHIP TIMES You are invited to join us regularly on Sunday mornings for 9:30 AM worship followed by refreshments and Christian education. Please check the enclosed calendar for days and times of activities and events. Also, an interactive calendar is available on our website: www.saintpaulslutheran.org. Just click the “Calendar” button at the top of the web page and click on the time and event for details and map. CONTACT INFORMATION The office is lightly staffed. Regular office hours are 9:15 AM to 1:15 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Please call before coming in case of unexpected closure. Phone: 952-938-4683 Fax: 952-938-1141 email: StPauls@saintpaulslutheran.org , MAILING LIST Please notify the church office when you notify the Post Office you will be temporarily away. This is because our newsletters are not forwarded but are returned to us at a cost. The community of St. Paul’s is pleased to send you this newsletter. However, if you prefer not to receive it, please call the church office or e-mail us. The newsletter is also available on our website. Save paper and postage; view it online.

CONGREGATION RELATIONSHIPS Partners Igelsia Vida Abundante en Cristo, (Abundant Life in Christ), provides a worship service in Spanish at St. Paul’s on Sunday, 1:00 – 3:00 PM and Friday, 7:00 – 9:00 PM Bet Shalom Reform Congregation, Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Lent & Holy Week services Mizpah United Church of Christ, Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service Oak Knoll Lutheran Church, Confirmation Ministry Mission Agora Ministries Augustana Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins Augustana Emerald Crest Children’s Lighthouse of MN Feed My Starving Children Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) Lutherans Concerned/North America (LC/NA), (RIC) Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Meals on Wheels Our Saviour’s Housing ResourceWest of Hopkins Sojourner Project Synod Disaster Relief Teens Alone Thrivent Financial for Lutherans West Metro Grief Support Coalition ARTICLE SUBMISSION Please submit articles as Word documents with your clip art to stpauls@saintpaulslutheran.org. Include your contact information. For pre-printed fliers or brochures, provide a condensed version that can be directly inserted into the newsletter. Submission deadline is the fifteenth of each month. All submissions are subject to editing for space and content. All rights reserved by St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH COUNCIL & ASSISTING ADMINISTRATORS

Officers

President – Vince Jacobson Vice President – Mary Hromatka

Secretary – Jeanne Moe Treasurer – Mike Mikulay

Council Members At-Large

Aly Bonner Jessica Harris Kathy Powers Michael Smith

Pastor

Rev. Louise Mollick

Staff Administrative Assistant

Linda Dundas

Choir Accompanist Linda McGee

Music Director Steve Mollick

Worship Accompanist

Rachel Mollick

Facility Use Coordinator Mary Hromatka

Finance Committee

Assistant Treasurer – Bernie Johnson Financial Secretary – Mary Kay

Peterson

Webmaster Vince Jacobson

AUXILIARY BUILDING USE St. Paul’s encourages use of its facility by groups that will support our mission statement. Examples are the 12 Step recovery programs, local neighborhood organizations, and congregations seeking meeting space. Please contact us for more details. PUBLICATION The Messenger is published monthly by St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA, 13207 Lake St. Ext., Minnetonka, MN 55305.

A Week with God’s Favorite Material Last Monday, I spent the evening with a large group learning about telling our stories. One of the unexpected observations is that no one has a reason to be all that interested in what extraordinary things we bring to the story. The compelling part of the stories is about the challenges that come to us and how we deal with them using the ordinary things that are available to each of us. On Wednesday I had a meeting at Luther Seminary and we arrived quite early. Coincidentally, a gentleman studying near our meeting room mentioned that we would have time to attend chapel. Umm, Ok, that was accurate but not correct; I’ll try again. We were led to the precise time-space coordinate necessary to receive an invitation to attend chapel and were prompted by the Spirit to accept. At chapel, Nadia Boltz-Weber, founder of “House for All”, presented the Homily. She took us on an amazing journey starting with the feeding of the five thousand and weaving through the creation story, with several stops at discipleship examples along the way. The focus in each example was on what materials God had to work with. She made a very compelling case that NOTHING is God’s favorite material. We need to be more concerned about bringing along our own things that get in the way than we do about coming empty handed. It occurred to me that I have again been struggling with faith vs. works. That is, the choice is between going out empty handed with NOTHING and trusting that all I need will be provided vs. packing a few tools just in case the Lord forgets we will need them. I do my best to leave my tools at home, but usually catch myself (or fail to catch myself) tossing in a hammer and a screwdriver “just in case”. On Sunday, I received a hate filled email missive from a man claiming the title of Reverend. At another time that could have angered me but, all I felt was sadness. Here is a man who has apparently dedicated his life to Scripture, but because his tool bag is completely filled with his

own tools and because he has become very skilled in using them, he apparently expects Christ to be only an observer. He is a shining example that reminds me what could happen if I succumb to the temptation to bring my own tools. This Monday, I became a grandfather. I sense that the week was preparing me for this. Here is this wonderful child, created from NOTHING and bringing NOTHING with him; a perfect example of God’s favorite material. I continue on my journey with a renewed awareness that when I am burdened about my shortcomings and feeling guilty that I might not be pulling my share of the ministry load, God simply accepts me as an offering of his favorite material. Blessings, Vince Jacobson

A personal response to the above:

"Vince, you arouse wondrous responses to your week's encounters. For me, you touch the deep mystery within our faith. It all begins as God acts with nothing? Your insights from the week affirm it. I began missions for twenty years. Always, we began with nothing but our own family. I look back on those beginnings, knocking on doors. Though I am skeptical of miracles...Surprise! They happen. I hope we can sense the "God and nothing" spirit in St. Paul’s Family. It is like investing a dollar (or is it dollars) and tools we are entrusted with. Now we follow the tradition of a new Church Year in our church life. Days grow darker. In Nature, so much around us dies. Discouragement is apparent. What is the world coming to? Another Advent: The dark, death, despair abound: Surprise! Somehow that other question breaks through: "What is coming into the world?" Do you suppose that nothing is more than nothing? Anyway...I repeat my invitation to our St. Paul‘s Family: Let us play. Invest your dollar (or is it dollars?) Invest your tools and talents with prayer and with imagination. In confidence that God's Shalom intention lies behind it all, Howard Rand

A MESSAGE FROM

OUR PRESIDENT

Treasurer’s Report for November 2011 by Mike Mikulay, Treasurer

952-933-9068 or kmikulay@aol.com

Highlights from Financial Secretary Report

Actual Budget Variance Oct. Total Offerings $10,647 $13,514 ($2,867) Oct. Total Operating $11,182 $14,380 ($3,198) YTD Total Offerings $122,362 $135,142 ($12,780) YTD Total Operating $130,010 $143,809 ($13,798) YTD Pledged Offerings $102,026 $112,371 ($10,345) YTD Non-pledged Offerings $18,347 $20,854 ($2,507) YTD Building Use $5,762 $7,083 ($1,320)

Note1: “Total Operating” above includes Total Offerings plus Building Use, Fundraisers, Interest Income, & Miscellaneous. Note 2: About $5,000 in stocks was sold in order to cover operating expenses. Note 3: To compare this year with last year, YTD Pledged offerings at this time last year were $9,363 unfavorable to budget and YTD Non-pledged Offerings were $7,119 favorable to budget. Note4: YTD Building Use is unfavorable primarily due to BNI and Odd Fellows no longer using our facility.

Highlights from Treasurer’s Profit & Loss Budget Performance Report

YTD Actual YTD Budget YTD Variance Income $128,629 $143,805 ($15,176) Expenses $150,140 $159,759 $9,619 Net Income ($21,511) ($15,954) ($5,557)

Note 1: Net income (deficit) in October was ($5,857). Note 2: YTD favorable expense variance is primarily due to Outreach expenses, which are $8,182 less than planned.

Highlights from Treasurer’s Balance Sheet

Oct. 31, 2011 Total Current Assets $11,760 Less Total Current Liabilities ($8,690) Working Capital $3,070

Note 1: To compare this year with last year at this time, in 2010 the Working Capital balance was $15,759.

Other News and Notes Coffee Donations: 4th quarter coffee donations will go to Lutheran Disaster Response related to the N. Mpls. tornado relief.

YTD Pledged Offerings: We remain considerably behind plan on pledged offerings.

PLEASE BE SURE YOU ARE CURRENT ON YOUR COMMITMENT; CONTACT MIKE MIKULAY IF YOU DON’T KNOW YOUR BALANCE .

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church welcomed these people to our community on November 13th.

Carol Abbott – Companion Mic Abbott Charlotte Elleraas – Companion Carolyn Carpenter Erik Elleraas – Companion Carolyn Carpenter Katie Elleraas – Companion Carolyn Carpenter Mike Hjelden – Companion Rodman/Rudolph family Karyn Hjelden – Companion Rodman/Rudolph family Trey Hjelden – Companion Rodman/Rudolph family Revvi Hjelden – Companion Rodman/Rudolph family

The role of companion is to reach out in welcome, pray for them and help them find a significant place in the mission and ministry of St. Paul’s.

Please make the following changes and additions to your church directory. A current directory will be issued at the next Annual Meeting in January 2012.

• Carol Abbott: 612-240-0189 • Mic Abbott: 952-994-6557 • Campbell’s: 952-470-0115 • Erik Elleraas: 763-412-7866 • Katie Elleraas: 763-412-9007 • Lois Lindquist: 612-599-6732 • Rey Lindquist: 612-599-6723 • Jenni MacNaughton: 612-386-8425

2012 Offering envelopes will be available for pick-up in the narthex Dec. 18. Please help us save postage by taking yours home. 2012 Offering numbers Numbers are assigned to those not wishing to use envelopes. Numbers are necessary for accurate record keeping. Please pick-up your assigned number card in the narthex next to the offering envelopes and include it on your offering throughout the year.

Vince & Kris Jacobson are grandparents!

Levi Vincent Lowther, son of Betsy & Jesse Lowther, arrived Monday, November 14 weighing 5 lbs 9 oz.

Congratulations and blessings to the whole family on their new addition!

_______________________

Brighten the Sanctuary with Plants for the Holiday!

Plant orders are being accepted until Wednesday, Dec. 7. Plants may be taken home following the Christmas morning service. Any plants remaining will be donated. Contributions to the music fund will also be accepted. Look for the order form in Sunday’s bulletin. Poinsettia: $12 Red, Pink, or White; Cyclamen: $12 in assorted colors.

Make your check payable to St. Paul’s and please specify “PLANTS” or “MUSIC’.

The Sunday Service Team wants YOU!

The December sign-up calendar is on the office door. Especially needed are participants for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning services. Please check your schedules and sign-up as often as you are able. Thank you, Laura Eggert

1 Britta Moe 10 Darcie Rodman 25 Jesus of Nazareth 26 Emma Peaslee

& & & & Happy Happy Happy Happy AnnAnnAnnAnniversaryiversaryiversaryiversary 7 John & Annette Madson

30 Dick & Shirlee Waltz

Directory Updates:

Dinner at the

Bethlehem Inn

New this year!

You are cordially invited to

join us for dinner

5 – 7 PM Saturday, December 17

People are encouraged to invite family & friends

RSVP with # attending by Mon. Dec. 12

952-938-4683 [Theater arts by Creative Expression]

Nativity of Our Lord

You are cordially invited to join us

in celebration of Holy Communion

Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning

Saturday, 4:30 PM Candlelight service

Sunday, 9:30 AM Festival of Hymns

12th Night Bonfire You are cordially invited to

join us in celebration of Epiphany

5:30 - 8 PM Friday, January 6

Please bring whatever you would like to cook over

the fire and something to share. Neighbors,

family & friends welcome!

Creative Expression Children K thru 6th

are cordially invited to join us

5:30 – 7 PM Wednesdays, Jan. 11 – Feb. 15

for “What Color Are My Days?”

Annual Meeting

Announcing St. Paul’s All Congregation Meeting

following our monthly gathering & potluck brunch

11:00 AM Sunday, January 29

Mike Mikulay and Jeanne Moe’s three year terms,

as well as Mike Smith’s one year term, will expire

January 2012. Nominations for these openings

are currently being accepted by St. Paul’s Council.

Mark you calendars now!

St Paul’s Book Club

Invites you to join them

7 – 9 PM the 2nd Thursday of each month

Munkabeans & Sunshine Café

1206 Mainstreet, Hopkins

[Please come even if you haven’t read the book.] _____________________

Jan. - Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Feb. - Heaven is Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent Mar. - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Apr. - High tide in Tucson: Essays from Now or Never by Barbara Kingsolver May - The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb

Annual Progressive Dinner

Mark you calendars and join us for dinner

Saturday, February 18, 2012

6 – 9:30 PM

The evening begins with everyone gathering at

one location for appetizers. The large group then

divides into small groups that travel to one of

several host houses for the main course. Later,

everyone reunites for dessert at still another

location. Everyone participates as a host or host

helper. You won’t want to miss this.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church 13207 Lake Street Extension Minnetonka, MN 55305 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Please deliver before December 1, 2011

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit #532

Hopkins, MN 55343

WELCOME STATEMENT

We at St. Paul’s are committed to welcoming you . . .

• If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersexual, transgendered or straight.

• If you are seven, seventeen, forty-seven or one hundred and seven.

• If you are black, brown, red, yellow, white or any shade in between. • If you are broken, healed or in recovery.

• If you are rich, poor, or somewhere in between.

• If you are able-bodied, disabled or differently-abled.

• If you have a strong faith, have doubts about your faith or aren’t sure you have any faith at all.

• If you have accepted Christ’s love, question Christ’s love or don’t know if you are loved.

• If you are looking for a church home, have never had a church home or need a place to find peace.

We are committed to welcoming everyone, living as a reconciling people

in our life together and in our outreach to the co mmunity.