March 2022 – From Your Congregational President – Tim Grace

Posted on February 28, 2022February 28, 2022 by Jill Richard

March 2022

From Your Congregational President

Declaring & Teaching – Jesus is Lord !

1 Peter 3:8-15

Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing. For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit. And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil. For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken. But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

Are you ready to give an answer about the Hope that you possess?

I have been reading a book called God’s Bible Timeline, The Big Book of Biblical History by Linda Finlayson. In the section on the growth of the Church is a record of 2 Peter indicating he wrote his last letter during his imprisonment in Rome and that he taught about God’s grace that transforms lives and produces spiritual fruit.

So my reason for Hope today is the realization that by seeking the Lord, we experience the Lord’s presence in our lives. We are all familiar with the fruits of the spirit in Paul’s letter to the Galatians; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

With Peter’s contributions, we can add harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humility.

Looking forward to the fish fry. Hope you can attend.

Blessings,

Tim Grace

A Note from Pastor Don – February 2022

Posted on February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 by Jill Richard

S.P.A.R.K.

(St. Paul Church’s Announcements to Read and Know)

February 2022

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy,

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

Romans 12:1

Lent is a season when we take a look at our lives in view of God’s mercy toward us in the sacrifice of his Son for us on the cross. We, in turn, are called by God, especially during this time of repentance and reflection, to be living sacrifices for him, displaying our devotion to him in word and deed. Jesus helps us to see the richness of God’s mercy in his life, death, and resurrection.

I am excited to bring to you “In View of God’s Mercy,” a series of services for Lent by my seminary professor, David Peter. Through this series, we will focus our eyes of faith on the meaning behind God’s mercy made real and true for us in Christ. The services are outlined below:

Ash Wednesday – March 2^nd: “Mercy in Ashes.” In this service, we consider the ashes on our foreheads as a sign of our sins and remember that God lifts us from our ashes to new life in Christ.

Readings: Joel 2:12-18, 1 John 1:8-9, Matthew 6:16-18

Midweek of Lent 1 – March 9^th: “Mercy in Temptation.” In this service, we recall that in the midst of temptation, our merciful God provides us with a way out through Christ, who was tempted just as we are, yet without sin.

Readings: Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 1 Corinthians 10:6-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Midweek of Lent 2 – March 16^th: “Mercy in Suffering.” In this service, we recall that no life is without suffering, but our sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory to be revealed to us in Jesus by God’s great mercy.

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9, 1 Peter 2:21-25, Matthew 8:14-17

Midweek of Lent 3 – March 23^rd: “Mercy in Betrayal.” In this service, we ponder the truth that though we may turn away from our God again and again, our Lord continues to call us back into his merciful arms for Jesus’ sake.

Readings: Jonah 3:1-10, 1 Peter 3:9-12, Matthew 26:47-56

Midweek of Lent 4 – March 30^th: “Mercy in Relationships.” In this service, we come to understand that within the communities God has placed us, we are given the grace to treat one another as Christ has cared for us in his love and mercy.

Readings: Genesis 45:1-15, Ephesians 4:25-32, John 13:34-35

Midweek of Lent 5 – April 6^th: “Mercy in Service.” In this service, we recognize that we are called to serve in mercy the needs of those around us by Christ’s example.

Readings: Micah 6:7-8, Hebrews 6:9-12, John 13:12-17

These midweek services for Lent will be at 1:30PM in the senior center, and 6:30PM in the sanctuary.

Our Holy Week services will continue with “In view of God’s Mercy,” and I will update you on those in next month’s newsletter. In the meantime, may our gracious and loving God, the Holy Spirit prepare your heart for this upcoming Lenten season.

Pastor Don

Greetings in Christ Jesus – Pastor Rich – February 2022

Posted on February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 by Jill Richard

Greetings in Christ Jesus,

Welcome to February. The daylight is returning! Watch the groundhog see how long winter will last. As days become longer, we are reminded that light breaks into darkness. Forty-nine years ago on January 22, darkness came into our country by the Supreme Court in Roe vs. Wade. Since then over 60 million lives have been exterminated by abortion. In June the Court will again address this issue. Please keep this in your prayers. Pray that God’s light will break into the darkness. Jesus wants all to have life. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the end.” Be thankful that our denomination is pro-life. Anyone who has had an abortion can have forgiveness and find new life in Jesus. May God’s true light shine!

Lent starts with Ash Wednesday on March 2^nd. So note this: Wednesday Lenten Services will be in the Sanctuary at 1:30 or 6:30pm. It will be the same Service both times. Choose the time that is best for you. Do not miss this opportunity to be in the Light May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Light of His face shine on you. May the Lord be gracious to you and give you His Peace!

In Christ Jesus!

Pastor Rich

Hello from your Basset Hound friend at the Senior Saints Center!

It is my duty to sniff out rabbits, but at the request of my friend Bugs Bunny, I am sniffing out ground hogs this month so I can give you an update on winter weather. The Senior Saints had their annual who sees The first Robin contest. I had two $10 gift cards as prizes. Alas, they are already gone! This year the winners are: Myrna Miller and Marge Peters! Congratulations!

Here are several important questions you should know about Bassets.

What side of the Basset has the most fur? It’s the outside.
How many hairs are in a Basset’s tail? None they are on the outside.

You may want to share that important information.

I don’t want to leave out my friends who prefer cats to Bassets.

So here are some important cat facts.

Why do cats ask for drum sets? They want to make mewsic!
What’s a cat’s favorite TV show? Claw and Order
What’s a cat’s favorite cereal? Mice Crispies!
Before chasing a mouse, what does a cat say? Let us prey,
One more? Why do cats not eat lemons? They make them a sour-puss!

Thanks for reading. Come by the Senior Saints Center and say Hi.

Love, Bingo

A Note from the Vice President of the Congregation February 2022

Posted on February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 by Jill Richard

Dear Church family,

On Sunday, January 16^th, our church installed the Congregational officers for 2022. Long-standing officers; Tim Grace, Karen Baldwin, and Terri Greene; were installed at the 8:30 Worship Service. Our new officers; Craig Anderson, Elaina Anderson, and myself; were installed at the 10:45 Worship Service. When I heard Pastor Don’s installation address to us, I felt myself standing taller and accepting the responsibility and instruction he was giving us. I could feel God’s presence and blessing on us. Needless to say, the words “I do” were a commitment to my office.

Sunday, January 23^rd, about eight of us women gathered at 2:00 pm in the basement for a special time of fun and fellowship. While we colored or worked on other crafts, we had a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better and to support each other. Pastor Don, who learned proper tea-making when he lived in England, made and served us tea. Of course, we had snacks available. I’m looking forward to our next opportunity to craft-and-chat.

On February 14^th, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. When I was small, I was told this romantic tale of a kind old Bishop who secretly gave a dowry to several young women so they could marry. Although I found out that story probably didn’t happen, I believe that we can celebrate the day with that same attitude of kindness and love for others.

Love to all,

Dottie Buss

Children, Youth and Family February Update 2022

Posted on February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 by Jill Richard

Hello everyone!

Happy February! I hope you all are warm, cozy, and filled with the love of Christ this entire month!

Waltz Through The Old Testament

In Sunday school, we are starting a new unit that will finish up our waltz through the Old Testament and carry us into the birth of Christ. You can drop off your kiddos each Sunday at 9:30. Our lessons will begin by 9:45 and finish up just in time for the second service to start. Just as before, pre-k/kinder will meet in the library and elementary in the Connect Center. Our middle & high school will be meeting in Pastor Don’s office for the time being. All are welcome to join us!

Connecting with the Seniors

Each month we will be connecting with our senior friends who are homebound by making cards, crafts, gift baskets, etc. It is vital that our children know their elders and learns from their resilience and strength of faith. This month, we will be making Valentine’s Day cards for our homebound friends. We are collecting any Valentine’s Day stickers, cards, craft items for this project. You can drop them off in the Church Office by Feb 11 if you wish to contribute.

A big thank you to all who attended our first Coloring and Tea afternoon. It was wonderful to chat, color, laugh, and drink tea together! I am very pleased to announce that we will be having this once a month. We are expanding on the theme and have hereby renamed it- Craft and Chat. Bring any craft, painting, and/or coloring project you wish to work on. There is plenty of room in the lower level of the church for all of us. I hope to see you on Feb 20^th for Craft and Chat from 2-4 pm., feel free to bring your favorite snack if you like to nibble while you craft. As always, we will have extra coloring pages and supplies available.

Do you have any ideas, suggestions, questions, and/or you want to volunteer?

My email is stpaulsaintsvbs@gmail.com or jennifergatke@gmail.com

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” –Romans 5:8

Jennifer Gatke

Sunday School Superintendent Children’s Ministry

CYF calendar February 2022

February 2022 From Your Congregational President

Posted on February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 by Jill Richard

February 2022 From Your Congregational President

Declaring & Teaching – Jesus is Lord!

Hebrews 3:1-4, 7-11

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus; He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.

Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says: “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As on the day of trial in the wilderness. Where your fathers put Me to the test, And saw My works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with this generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they did not know My ways’; As I swore in My anger,‘They certainly shall not enter My rest.’”

This reading is in the three-year lectionary for February 27 with a few extra verses included. It spoke to me as it describes Jesus as being faithful to His father and it reminds us to be on the lookout for that soft voice of His calling. I also like the reminder that God is the builder of all things.

Here we are listening!

Just this very moment as I’m sitting to write this article I received a text message from Ethel Simpson; she was thinking of the wraps that we had at the church one time from Poke Makana the Hawaiian restaurant owned by friends of the church near Safeway here in Sherwood. Well, we are sending Ethel a wrap so she can have the lunch that her heart was desiring. That was simple, what did it take? Listening and a willing heart to respond to God’s calling. We are going to make her day and she will know she is loved not only by us but by God as well.

So keep listening for that soft voice and keep responding with LOVE. Pick a friend to bless this month in a way that you might not otherwise and do something really simple to share the Love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and crisp cold air.

Blessings,

Tim Grace

“IN ALL THINGS …” NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK January 24TH – 28TH, 2022

Posted on January 5, 2022January 5, 2022 by Jill Richard

The Theme “IN ALL THINGS …” for the 2021-2022 Preschool year, is also the same theme for the National Youth Gathering this summer!

The Preschool will begin the New Year 2022 celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week, January 24^th – 28^th. NLSW provides our network of more than 1,800 LCMS preschools, elementary schools, and high schools with the opportunity to proclaim and celebrate God’s work among us in Lutheran Schools.

During the week of January 24^th, St. Paul Lutheran Preschool will celebrate “Days of Creation” based on this year’s theme:

“In All Things” Colossians 1:15-20

Monday – Jesus

Tuesday – Creation

Wednesday – Children

Thursday – Church

Fun Day Friday – Community

I give thanks to God and celebrate the many opportunities, that we as a congregation have and continue to have in the new year, to share Jesus with our preschool parents’ most precious gift: his or her little child.

Joyfully,

Kathy Prehm

A Note from Pastor Don – January 2022 – The Angel’s News is Louder

Posted on January 5, 2022January 5, 2022 by Jill Richard

S.P.A.R.K. January 2022 – The Angel’s News is Louder

(St. Paul Church’s Announcements to Read and Know)

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:9-10

There is no good news on the news right now.

National and local news reports would have us believe we are in an ever-increasing state of crisis. That’s partly true because the world is in an ever-increasing state of decay because of sin. Nevertheless, you and I are still able to buy our groceries, make a nice dinner, sit down and eat before bedtime. We can still go to church and do the necessary things in life.

More importantly, the angel’s news is louder and more meaningful than what’s coming out of your T.V. set.

A Savior has been born for you in Bethlehem, and He has overcome the world with all its crises. This good news will keep us faithful and true through 2022 despite more of the same this sinful world has in store for us.

I really enjoyed the “Wait Upon the Lord” Advent series, and I hope you did too. It seemed a timely message as we also wait for life to return to the way it was before Covid. I don’t know how long we will have to wait for that, but our waiting for the Lord’s birth on Christmas has come. This new church year will bring more hope and blessings from God’s Word.

From my family to yours, we thank you for your cards and gifts this Christmas. This is our 13^th Christmas at St. Paul and they get better every year.

Happy New Year and God’s peace be with you.

Pastor Don

A Note from Pastor Rich – January 2022 – Clothe yourselves Colossians 3-12

Posted on January 5, 2022January 5, 2022 by Jill Richard

Greetings in Christ Jesus

Welcome to 2022! We wish people to have a happy New Year…that is our hope and prayer. We might even make a resolution or two to make a change about something. But soon the New Year will be routine. The past year may have been good or not so good for you. Allow me to make a suggestion for you.

How about dressing up with a new set of clothes? Paul writes In Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

I suggest we wear these clothes in 2022. I am picking kindness for the Senior Saints. Simple acts of kindness go a long way to brighten someone’s day. They express God’s love in tangible ways. In today’s world, we are becoming increasingly isolated from one another. We need kind relationships. We wear kindness because God is kind to us. This year brighten others with kindness. You are holy and dearly loved. Lonely and need some kindness? Come to Senior Saints. Want to share kindness? Come and share yours with us! We will resume our weekly gatherings on Wednesday, January 12. Maxine and I wish you a kind giving and receiving New Year!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Rich

Hi Gang,

I am eager to see you in the New Year. It has been a lonely three weeks at the Center. I hope

to sniff some new folks when we gather again. US Basset Hounds have good sniffing noses. As Pastor Rich suggested to put on kindness, I will sniff around to find what is happening this year. I sniffed out some humor for you. A smile is good for your health. So let me see a big smile.

Why do birds fly south for New Year’s Eve? Give up? It is too far to walk.
Not to brag, but I already have a date for New Year’s Eve. It’s December 31st.
Why should you put your new calendar in the freezer? To start off the new year in a cool way.
What does a ghost say on January 1st? Happy Boo Year.
What is corn’s favorite holiday? New Ear’s Day!
At the beginning of last year, I made a resolution to lose 10 pounds…only 15 more to go.
What happened to the man who shoplifted a calendar on New Year’s Eve? He got 12 months.

Okay, I will stop for this month. Happy New YEAR! Be kind!

Love from Bingo,

Your Basset Hound from the Senior Center!

Children, Youth, and Family January 2022

Posted on January 5, 2022January 5, 2022 by Jill Richard

Hello everyone!

Thank you all for a wonderful 2021. I am looking forward to 2022 and all the opportunities we will have to grow our faith together! We are truly blessed at St. Paul Lutheran.

In Sunday school, we are picking back up where we left off before Advent with our study of the Old Testament. Starting on Jan 2, pre-k will meet in the library, elementary in the Connect center, and middle & high school will meet in the Old Schoolhouse. All are welcome to join us!

Game Night – Yay or Nay

In November, we had a couple of game nights where no one came. I would like to continue our family game nights but I need your input. During the winter months, it can be a challenge to get together in the middle of the week for an evening game night. I, for one, love to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book on these dark and stormy nights. What are your thoughts and suggestions? Should we wait till spring to have a weeknight family game? Should we plan a mid-day family game on a Saturday? Let me know what would work for your families.

Join us for Coloring and Tea (Childcare not provided)

Thanks to several suggestions and a few nudges, on January 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, we are having a quiet afternoon of coloring books, conversations, and tea. In the lower level of the church after the Voters’ meeting, you are welcome to come color and sip tea with us! You are welcome to bring your own coloring books and markers, or you may use some from my extensive collection. This is a wonderful way to relax and get to know your fellow church members better.

NYG Meeting

There will be an NYG meeting this month. Look for the announcement of when and where, in the near future.

Lutheran Schools Week

Lutheran Schools’ Week is Jan 24^th thru 28^th, continue to keep our preschool and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

High School Youth Ski Trip

Finally, we will be having our annual High School Youth Ski trip! On Friday, Jan 28^th Pastor Don and Jill will lead the caravan up to the Golden Chalet Ski lodge for a 2-night adventure filled with devotions, food, and winter fun! On Saturday, Jan 29^th, all ages are welcome to come up and go sledding/skiing with them. You will be able to use the lodge we have rented as a home base for the day and enjoy a day of snow! If you are interested in sending your High School Youth for the weekend or bringing your family up for the day, let me or Pastor Don know.

Do you have any ideas, suggestions, questions, and/or you want to volunteer? Please reach out to me; I would love to hear from you.

Email is stpaulsaintsvbs@gmail.com or jennifergatke@gmail.com

“So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”

-Psalms 31:24

Jennifer Gatke

Sunday School Superintendent Children’s Ministry

Upcoming Schedule

23

January 2022

Coloring and Tea

2:00 – 4:00pm

St. Paul Church Library

24-28

January 2022

Lutheran Schools Week

St. Paul Preschool

28-30

January 2022

High School

Youth Ski Trip

CYF Events