t he sword
TRANSCRIPT
St. Paul Lutheran Church 2211 Mills Street
Sandusky, OH 44870 419-625-6800
OCTOBER 2015
Non-Profit Org.
US POSTAGE
PAID SANDUSKY, OH
PERMIT # 131
St. Paul Lutheran Church 2211 Mills St. Sandusky, OH 44870
Northwestern
Ohio Synod
Member: Sandusky Area Lutherans in Mission
St. Paul Lutheran Church is a Sandusky Area Lutheran congregation in Mission
MISSION
“Proclaim God’s love through Word and Sacrament, committed to a life of witness, fellowship and service, uniting people to His will.”
SECRETARY OFFICE HOURS Monday—Friday
8:30 AM—1:00 PM
419-625-6800 phone
“Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is
the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17
“Christ-Centered, Gospel- Based Church Equipping You For SERVICE.”
T he Sword
DEADLINES TO
REMEMBER: Please have information to the church office at the
appropriate times for
timely publication.
Weekly Bulletin:
Thursday, 10:00 AM
Newsletter:
Monday after the
Congregation Council meeting by 12:00 PM
(for November SWORD, October 19th)
USHERS 8:00
Oct. 4 Walt Bauman and Larry Riedy
Oct. 11 Walt Bauman and Larry Riedy
Oct 18 Walt Bauman and Larry Riedy
Oct. 25 Walt Bauman and Larry Riedy
Committee/Ministry Teams The Purpose of church committees (Ministry Teams) is to provide avenues and opportuni-ties for church members to work in Christ’s mission for our church. “Mission ministries” seek to involve all church members in outreach mission; “Resource ministries” are charged with supporting the Mission ministries Note: Committees have leadership responsibilities, not authority. Chairperson’s of committees only lead the agenda; committees acting as a whole lead decisions on mission or resource action items with oversight by the Pastor and Council. Building & Property: a resource ministry which seeks to maintain adequate facilities/resources (building & property) to facilitate the worship, discipleship, ministry and mission of St. Paul Church. Christian Education: a mission ministry which seeks to provide Christian (Lutheran) educational (discipleship) oppor-tunities particularly for the young, for the mission and ministry of St. Paul Church. Evangelism/Publicity: a resource ministry which provides resources for publicity and public relations for the activities and mission and ministry of St. Paul Church. Life & Growth: a mission ministry which seeks to provide fellowship opportunities for the mission and ministry of St. Paul Church. Stewardship/Finance A resource ministry which seeks to organize, maintain and manage the receiving of time, talent and treasure resources for the benefit of the ministry and mission of St. Paul Church. Worship & Music: a mission ministry which seeks to promote the “ work of the people” (liturgy) by organizing and providing worship “work” opportunities for the mission and ministry of St. Paul Church. Youth/[and Family] : a mission ministry which seeks to organize, encourage and support the participation of Youth and young adults in the mission and ministry of St. Paul Church. Community Care: a mission ministry which seeks to provide community service opportunities as an expression of the mission and ministry of St. Paul Church. Church Activities Prayer Chain Diane Lindsey (419) 625-1467 & Linda Skillman (419) 625-6292 St. Paul Choir Marianne Webb Joyful Noise Choir Joan Strouse Stitch n Rip Sharon Dresser (419) 433-0843 Welcome Table David & Deanna Ridenour (419) 626-4600 Dartball Tom Willer (419) 308-0197
Jesus’ Disciple in Mission & Ministry YOU! Interim Pastor Rev. Merlin Jacobs Music Director & Organist Charles Scroggy Choir Director Marianne Webb Pianist Jenny Weichel Church Secretary Elaine Conley Family/Youth Coordinator Jennifer Parkison Custodian Debbie Moltz Grounds Keeper Frank J. Ball
OUR STAFF
GREETERS 8:00
Oct. 4 Don and Teresa Coffman, Oliviana,
Ian and Dylan
Oct. 11 Karol Griffiths
Oct. 18 Ron and Martha Abbott
Oct. 25 Craig and Lisa Hecht, Max
Our 2015-2015 Church Council Leaders and Committee
chairpersons are:
Rev. Merlin Jacobs — Interim Pastor
Larry Riedy—President
Brent Gardner—Vice President
Cindy Ball—Treasurer
Craig Hecht—Secretary
Millie McCready
Tina Walton
David Ridenour
Nancy Glass
Ron Abbott
Judy Pflieger
Charles Showalter
Pat Gresh
Valerie Boothe
ALL COMMITTEES are scheduled to meet at 6:30 pm on
Tuesday, October 6th.
CHURCH COUNCIL will be meeting Tuesday, October
13th at 6:30 pm.
Worship and Music
SATURDAY 6:00 pm Worship Assistant (acolyte, usher, communion assistant) is Lynda McCutcheon
and Dave Ridenour.
ACOLYTES
Oct. 4 Jackson Boothe
Oct. 11 Ian and Dylan Coffman
Oct. 18 Max Hecht
Oct. 25 Keegan Schoen
READERS 6:00 Oct. 3 Arlene Wahl
Oct. 10 Vicky Gerold
Oct. 17 Linda Skillman
Oct. 24 Pat Gresh
Oct. 31 Joan Shank
READERS 8:00
Oct. 4 Bill Waldock
Oct. 11 Tina Walton
Oct. 18 Craig Hecht
Oct. 25 Will Cummings
October Lectionary October 4 19th Pentecost Parament Color: Green First Reading: Genesis 2: 18-24
Psalm 8
Second Reading: Hebrews 1: 1-4; 2: 5-12
Gospel: Mark 10: 2-16
October 11 20th Pentecost Parament Color: Green First Reading: Amos 5: 6-7, 10-15
Psalm 90: 12-17
Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 12-16
Gospel: Mark 10: 17-31
October 18 21st Pentecost Parament Color: Green First Reading: Isaiah 53: 4-12
Psalm 91: 9-16
Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 1-10
Gospel: Mark 10: 35-45
October 25 Reformation Sunday
Parament Color: Scarlet First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34
Psalm 46
Second Reading: Romans 3: 19-28
Gospel: John 8: 31-36
Updates are being made to our Facebook page and to
our website. Please visit both sites and let us know
what your think. If you have anything to share or
suggestions please let the office know. You can visit
our webpage at www.stpaulsandusky.org. or like us
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stpaulsandusky.
Social Media
If you want to be put on St. Paul’s new email network,
make sure our office has your email address. The first
email went our on September 24 and several bounced
back.
Please be mindful of our homebound members with prayers, visits or cards!
Elizabeth (Betty) Streng 4012 Venice Rd. Lot # 85 (home address)
Or
P.O. Box 763 (mailing address)
Sandusky, Oh 4870
Viola Shockney
4312 White Tail Ln.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Martha Roesch
3709 S. Campbell St.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Howard Barnum
604 Bennett Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Marilyn & Harold Smith
408 Pennsylvania Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Don Symonds
Ohio Veterans Home
c/o Seacrest
Unit D—Giffin Hall
Room 279
Sandusky, OH 44870
Lois Hummel
Lutheran Memorial Home
Room 209
795 Bardshar Road
Sandusky, OH 44870
FISH FRY time!. St. Paul’s annual Fish Fry will be held Sunday,
November 1, 2015 from 5:00—7:00. Please sign up in the Narthex.
Desserts are needed for the Fish Fry. Please sign up in the Narthex if
you can help with this.
From the Pastor Brothers and sisters in Christ,
One July evening in 2002 Gene Grimm, the Stewardship Resource Person for the Northwestern Ohio
Synod, spoke to the Council and Stewardship Committee of the church I was serving. My experience,
up until that night, when it came to stewardship ministry was keep it “low key.” However, Gene taught
us the good news about stewardship and we all came away feeling like “we can do this.”
I learned that Biblical Stewardship is about teaching and developing positive giving attitudes and habits.
The focus should not be on the need of the church to receive so the church can pay its bills. The focus
needs to be on our need to give, to give “what God has first given us; ourselves, our time and our pos-
sessions. Signs of God’s gracious love.” Now Stewardship is something I enjoy and I’m eager to learn
more.
Stewardship is not about arm twisting or guilt which encourages negative attitudes about giving. The
persuasive power comes from the overwhelming generosity of a God whose love for us is more that we
expect, more than we deserve. The challenge for me in stewardship is to keep from going negative and
keep the focus on the generous gift of God’s love, it’s contagious, it’s life changing, and it feels good
when you give it away.
Generous God! Generous People! Is the name of this fall’s Stewardship emphasis. It is a home grown
emphasis designed by the Stewardship and Finance Committee. The people of St. Paul will receive a
letter soon with the details. How have you experienced God’s unconditional love? What impact has it
had on your life?
A steward of God’s gift,
Pastor Merlin Jacobs
Interim Pastor
WORSHIP AT LUTHERAN MEMORIAL HOME
Pastor Merlin Jacobs and members of St. Paul will lead worship at Lutheran Memorial Home on Sun-
day, November 8 at 2 p.m. We need a keyboard player and others to help transport residents to the wor-
ship space. If you have ideas how to make this special for the residents let Pastor Jacobs know.
There is a sign up at the Welcome Place table.
TRINITY LUTHERAN SEMINARY
The past twelve months has brought a number of things to celebrate at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Co-
lumbus Ohio.
Twenty-three women and men from Trinity graduated in May and are now off to serve as leaders in
various capacities in the Church.
Graduates had an average debt of $11,255 – the lowest of all the eight ELCA seminaries.
Added staff which included
Registrar, Lee Richards
Director of Admissions, Rev. Seth Bridger
Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Dr. Julie Faith Parker.
A new server and upgrades to the Wi-Fi network.
Dear Hospice Friends:
Thank you for the hamburgers, hotdogs, buns, coleslaw, chips and ice cream
cups you donated to the Stein Hospice Care Center on July 26, 2015 and thank
you for the chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and ice cream cups
you donated on August 23, 2015. Someone once said that whatever we posses
will double in value when we share it with others. Your generous gift reminds
me how much we depend on your support to accomplish our mission “to provide
comfort, compassion and support during life’s final journey.” Please know your
kindness is appreciated.
Again, thank you for stepping out in good faith and “helping us help others.” It
is noted that you are indeed a special friend.
The number of clients continues to grow and it is only through donations that we
are able to continue our community ministry. This is only possible because of
thoughtful contributions from people like you.
Sincerely,
The Stein Hospice Memorial Team
Meet to Eat
The next Meet to Eat will be on October
30th. Please watch the announcements
for the place. Please join us.
I would like to extend a HUGE Thank You to my fellow Worship and Music
members that took the time to help swap the hymnals to the new cranberry book.
Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated. I would also like to extend thanks
and gratitude to our anonymous benefactor for their generous gift.
God’s peace and blessings,
Tina Walton, Worship and Music Committee Chairperson
LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION FALL ASSEMBLY
Come join us for fun, food, and fellowship at Luther Home of Mercy
5810 N. Main St. Williston, Ohio 43468-0187
October 17 at 8:30 am—2:00 pm
(Registration 8:30-9:30 am)
A homily and communion will be offered by Pastor Donald Wukotich
There will also be a service project, service awards, presentation of bridge walk
funds and more.
Lunch will be served.
ALL ARE WELCOME
Please mail, call or email your registration by Oct. 10 to Richard Noll,
Sec. LMM/NOW, 2474 Twp. Rd. 159
Cardington, Ohio 43315
Phone: 419-864-1474
Email: [email protected]
Adult Study: Down and Out: Where Grace Takes You meets once a
month. We meet next on October 27 at 6:30 in the home of Linda Skill-
man. In session one we learned about justification and vocation. God
loves us no matter what. We don’t have to make excuses or defend our-
selves. We are who we are. God calls us into the world to make a dif-
ference in specific ways based on our skills, interest and passions. In
session two we will focus on what grace means for the life of the con-
gregation inside and outside.
Thursday, Oct. 8th, “ Tired and Retired” will have there first get together of
the season. We meet at 11:30 am. Please come join us. We’ll be celebrating
‘Halloween”. Bring a dish to share and dress in costume if you want. Cos-
tumes are not necessary but costumes do liven things up a bit. There is al-
ways lots of good food and great people. Come check us out. You won’t be
disappointed.
TIRED AND RETIRED CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
Please join us for the Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4, 2015 in
the outdoor chapel at 2:00 pm.
Basic CPR CLASS
Tuesday, OCTOBER 20TH @ 6:30 PM
Place: St. Paul Lutheran Church
Sign up sheet will be in the Narthex. Deadline for sign up is October 15th.
Any questions contact Toni Nossaman 419-271-3990
We will be having an offsite Healthy Congregations Workshop retreat to help
us to devise a path to grow our church mission in Christ.
A letter, signed by all council members, was sent to Resurrection Lutheran
Church affirming their ministry.
Pastor Jacobs plans on asking some St. Paul members to help him with visita-
tion ministry.
Pastor Jacobs will be attending the Synod Pastor’s retreat in January.
Don and Helen Smith were received as new members transferring from Resur-
rection Lutheran Church.
The church entrance roof is done.
The second parsonage is rented.
The church key inventory is being reviewed.
New acolyte training will be September 20th during Sunday School time.
The Sunday School material being used this Fall is “Kids Own Worship”.
September 13th is God’s Work Our Hands Sunday. A group from St. Paul will
be going to Camp Mowana.
On October 11th the youth will be taking sack lunches to feed area homeless.
On October 3rd they will be going to see the movie Hotel Transylvania and on
October 17th they will be going to Mapleside Farms near Strongsville Mall.
Future events will be visiting Ohio Veterans Home on November 8th and Lu-
theran Memorial Home on December 13th.
We need to form an Evangelism Committee.
The annual Fish Fry is November 1st.
New folks are needed to do the upcoming Coffee Hours.
The old hymnals are on the pew benches in the Fellowship Hall for members
to take until the end of September. We will keep about two dozen at St. Paul
and donate the remaining hymnals.
Foundations for Life/Crossroads would like to use our gym weekly. Their mis-
sion is to enhance/mentor the lives of “Crossroads” residents. Larry Riedy
will be getting more information about the group so council can make a deci-
sion about them using our church.
YOUTH AND FAMILY NEWS ST. PAUL VAGABONDS VAN TRIP
Tuesday, October 13th @ 8:30 am “The St. Paul Vagabonds” will be traveling to “Dundee,
Michigan”. We’ll be going to Cabela’s, eating lunch out and of course a couple of surprise
stops along the way. Traveling together is a great way to get to know your church family and
build great friendships. Come join us. This will be our last trip of the season. There will be a
sign up sheet in the Narthex. Hope you can join us.
The group from St. Paul that went to Camp Mowana on September
13th, “God’s Work Our Hands” Sunday.
Women of the Church
Our Financial Stewardship –General Fund- Please note this reflects our giving (support for St. Paul in offerings) on a monthly basis. Offerings for August $15,562.91 , Expenses for August $17,230.28 Shortfall for the month of August $1667.37
Just a reminder of our annual meeting on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 9:00 am. The
location is to be determined. All ladies of the congregation are encouraged to attend.
We will be having Naomi/Ruth Bible study on Thursday, October 1st at 10:00 am in
the Fellowship Hall kitchen. Lunch follows the study. All ladies are welcome.
SANDUSKY CITY SCHOOLS are looking for volun-
teers to work in elementary school libraries, especially
Mills Elementary, just a few blocks north of St. Paul.
You can work as much or as little as you like. For more
information, please contact Elizabeth Herman-Wells, the
Library Media Specialist, at [email protected],
or 419-984-1120.
Sandusky Area Lutherans in Mission Grace, Castalia – Resurrection, Sandusky – St. John, Sandusky
St. Paul, Sandusky -- Trinity, Sandusky – Zion, Huron – Zion, Sandusky
It is time to get to know the Lutheran Memorial Home (LMH) all over again. Pastor Kathy Shuck and Melissa
McKeller, RN presented information on services the home offers and also an open invitation to get involved with
the LMH. Would your congregation consider adopting a resident? Would your youth group or circle be willing to
host a bingo game or other activity? Each month we will offer news about the LMH. Please invite Melissa for a
temple talk to learn more.
The Giving Garden at St. John’s is inviting anyone to come out and glean whatever is left in the fields. Thank you
to all who worked hard on this new ministry to the area’s hungry. More land is available. If we can get more
workers to join this ministry next summer, we could plant more crops. Look in this space next month for a final
2015 report.
The Second Annual Recovery Walk and the Unity Gathering were both held on a rainy September 19th in down-
town Sandusky. Our SALM banner hung proudly at the Walk and Pr. Phil joined the area’s clergy in a march
from the court house to the Gazebo where prayer and praise followed.
The yellow shirts were out for Gods work. Our hands. Sunday making God’s love known. Zion, Huron hosted
five events. They prepared 50 school bags for Kenya, cleaned condos at Genesis by the Bay recovery center, paid
for 100 loads of laundry while also providing snacks and children activities at the Lake Shore Laundry, and ended
the day with a community meal. Zion, Sandusky made reversible fleece hats for the needy. St. Paul did volunteer
work at Camp Mowana. St. John’s, Sandusky held a Rally Day picnic and then helped at Ability Works, Inc.
Trinity prepared 198 sack lunches for the hungry and needy and also spruced up several members’ property.
Grace, Castalia supported Back to the Wild and the Humane Society. They will continue to collect goods and do-
nations for both agencies throughout the month of September. St. John’s, Bellevue assembled LWR personal care
packets and filled fifty school bags. Way to go everyone!
JOY Time prepared a display for Grace Episcopal Church, thanking them for the $500 star t-up grant in
2014. The Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities announced JOY Time has been nominated for the
Opening Doors Award. Prayers of thanksgiving and glory to God for Zion ELCA of Waterville’s Mission En-
dowment Fund for awarding JOY Time a $1,000 grant. In November, this ministry will be one year old!
Pastor Juli Lejman-Guy, St. John’s Bellevue attended the September meeting to gather some information about
SALM. St. John’s was invited to attend our meetings for a year to decide if they would like to join us.
A new Stevens Ministry class was started in September. Please contact Carolyn Steinfeldt for a temple talk if
your congregation would like to learn more.
The movie “When God Left the Building” will be previewed by the SALM pastors and congregation leaders on
October 19th at 6:30 pm. If found worthy, the film will be presented to the entire community in January.
Several Board members attended the closing service at Resurrection. We will continue to pray for those that lost
their church home. Know that we welcome you to join any of our SALM congregations.
Please keep St. John’s in your prayers as they continue to search for an interim pastor to serve their congregation.
And, congratulations as St. John’s nears its150th anniversary as a congregation!
Announcements and SALM Church news:
October 4th, St. Paul, Blessing of the Animals, 2 pm.
October 4th, St. John’s, Bellevue, Blessing of the Animals at Lyme Village, 4:30 pm.
October 4th, CROP Walk 2 pm.
October 8th, JOY Time, SALM’s faith-based ministry to adults with DD. St. Paul’s 6:00-7:30 pm.
Sunday, November 1st, St. John’s 150th anniversary as a congregation w/ Bishop Lohrmann.
Sunday, November 1st, Trinity is hosting a Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner from 11:30-1 pm.
The ladies of the Congregational United Church of Christ and Grace Lutheran Church
would like to extend an invitation to join them for the annual Ladies Coffee Klatch on
Thursday, October 15, 2015. The speaker will be Bob Cook and he will portray “John” the
beloved Disciple. Let us please join them for a good time of fellowship and a continental
breakfast. Please see the flyer on the bulletin board.
October wedding anniversaries
October birthdays
October Baptismal anniversaries
October 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 10:00 Bulletin An-nouncements Due
10:00 Naomi/Ruth Circle
2 6:30 AA
3 6:00 Worship
with Holy Com-munion
Hotel Transylva-
nia
4 8:00 Worship with Holy Communion
9:15 Sunday School
2:00 Blessing of the Animals
5 6:30 Cub Scouts
6 6:30 All Commit-
tees 6:45 Boy Scouts
7 9:00 Erie County
Children’s Services 6:15 Bell Choir
6:30 AA 7:00 Confirmation—
Zion 7:15 Choir
8 10:00 Bulletin An-nouncements Due
11:30 Tired/Retired
6-7:30 JOY Time
9 6:30 AA
10 9:00 Healthy Con-gregations Work-
shop 6:00 Worship
with Holy Com-munion
11 8:00 Worship with Holy Communion
9:15 Sunday School
Youth taking lunch to the homeless
12 6:30 Cub Scouts
13 8:30 St. Paul Vag-
abonds 9:00 Stitch ‘N Rip
6:30 Church Council
6:45 Boy Scouts
14 9:00 Erie County
6:15 Bell Choir 6:30 AA
7:00 Confirma-tion—Zion 7:15 Choir
15 Ladies Coffee
Klatch 10:00 Bulletin An-nouncements Due
16 6:30 AA
17 8:30 Lutheran Men in Mission at LMH 10:00 Mapleside
Farms
6:00 Worship with Holy Communion
18 8:00 Worship with Holy Communion
9:15 Sunday School Care and Share Do-
nations
19 SWORD articles
due 6:30 Cub Scouts
7:00 SALM 7:00 Wine, Wom-
en and Word
20 6:30 Basic CPR
Class 6:45 Boy Scouts
21 9:00 Erie County
Children’s Services 6:15 Bell Choir
6:30 AA 7:00 Confirma-
tion—Zion 7:15 Choir
22 10:00 Bulletin An-nouncements Due
23 6:30 AA
Cub Scouts Hal-loween Party
Overnight in Gym
24 6:00 Worship
with Holy Com-munion
Welcome 6:00 Table Set up
25 8:00 Worship with Holy Communion
9:15 Sunday School 12-1:30 Welcome
Table
26 6:30 Cub Scouts
27 9:00 Stitch ‘N Rip 6;30 Adult Study 6:45 Boy Scouts
28 9:00 Erie County
Children’s Services 6:15 Bell Choir
6:30 AA 7:00 Confirma-
tion—Zion 7:15 Choir
29 10:00 Bulletin An-nouncements Due
30 5:00 Meet to Eat
6:30 AA
31 6:00 Worship
with Holy Com-munion
William & Ruth Glass 10/8
Robert & Debbie Weichel 10/9
Barry & Nancy Glass 10/18
Richard & Marcia Ninke 10/19
Wayne & Donna Russell 10/25
Peggy Schwanger 10/2
Timothy Schwanger 10/2
Dawn Hush 10/3
Bryan Kurilic 10/4
Richard Griffiths 10/7
Daniel Hampton, Jr. 10/9
Ellen Hanck 10/9
Brian Hackenburg 10/11
Larry Parsons 10/11
Stella Pelkey 10/12
Thomas Willer 10/12
Caitlin Carolus 10/14
Allison Nagel 10/14
Jan Tunnell 10/14
Jacob Jones 10/16
William Glass 10/18
Makayla Canino 10/19
Karol Griffiths 10/19
Keith Christian 10/20
Elaine Brown 10/21
JoAnn Spore 10/21
Diane Lindsey 10/22
Pat Babiuch 10/23
Margaret Cheetham 10/23
Patricia Hartley 10/23
Mary Zuck 10/23
Karen Barnum 10/31
Holly Zelm 10/2
Jenna Hush 10/3
Andrew Lang 10/5
Emma Canino 10/6
Allen Puckrin 10/10
Brooke Ries 10/10
Lauren Ries 10/10
Darcy Russell 10/10
Keith Wehner 10/11
Timothy Parker 10/12
Will Cummings 10/13
Ralph Roth 10/13
Cherie Riedy 10/15
Kristen Ball 10/17
Nathan Glass 10/17
Shannon Blevins 10/19
William Glass 10/19
Madison Boothe 10/20
Stella Pelkey 10/26
Charles Showalter II 10/29