Bulletins/Announcements

St. Paul Lutheran’s Mission is to be an expression of God’s compassion in our community and beyond.

WE REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS:  Jim Stafford, Deb Lange, Hilma Burnham, Garrett Chrzan, Brett Precord, Ron Hansen, Pamela (Anderson) Courtright, Oliveen Marek, Frieda Maggert, Elana Aal, Corbin Miller, Richard Featherston, Alice Cornell, Helen Nickels, Kathleen Kaszubowski, Alice Stoppa, John Matthes, Charles Neumann, Gary Brilinski, Kenneth Richardson, Peter Benoit, Jim Harrison, and Lisa Borchard. (Prayer is the best medicine and we are prepared to pray indefinitely for folks. Would you please help the church office keep our list current?  Unless we know otherwise, our normal practice is to remove names after a month.  Thank you for your partnership in prayer.

We remember our prayer partners in the North/West Lower Michigan Synod:  

* Immanuel Lutheran Church, Big Rapids, Pastor Robert Garrels 

FLOWERS IN THE CHANCEL (foot of the cross) are given in memory of Ilabelle Precord from Terry, Kim and Rachel Marzean. 

ADDITIONAL FLOWERS are given in honor of Ruth and George Nensewitz on their anniversary from your family. 

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE           

Saturday           5:30 p.m.          (11/25)    96      

Sunday             8:00 a.m.          (11/26)    57      

                        10:30 a.m.                     162         

Total                                                     315 

This week we join in prayer with the other LARCC churches (Grace Lutheran, Trinity Episcopal, First Congregational, St. Anne, St. Mary, St. Bernard and St. John the Baptist Catholic churches) for the Ushers and Music Ministry at St. Mary Catholic Church. 

Reading God’s Word at Home: The Egermeier’s Bible Story Book readings for next week are:  Jeremiah Answers God’s Call, page 302, Jeremiah Warns the People, page 303, and An Angel Visits the Temple, page 355.  Parents, will you invest ten minutes a day in your children by reading God’s word with them? All it takes is time.  I’ll bet you’re willing to give it. 

About St. Paul’s Eucharistic Ministry:  Christianity is essentially a lay movement.  Think about that for a moment.  Long before there were ever ordained pastors, Christians were gathering to hear the word and share the Lord’s Supper.  We have in our congregation now trained lay people who will help extend the Lord’s Supper, extend God’s table, if you will, to our homebound members who are not able to come to God’s house.  These folks will see that more regular visits are paid to our shut-ins and that they have a chance to be nourished at God’s table.  So, the first weekend of each month, you’ll see the communion kits that they will use out on the altar.  We will bless the Eucharistic Ministers present at the service and then everyone will be sent out to “Serve the Lord with gladness.” Again, this ministry is an extension of the meal that we share here together.  We still need more Eucharistic Ministers.  If you have questions or want to learn more, please contact Gerry Ludwig, 356-1059, or Pastor Paul (paul@stpaul.org), 356-1658. 

St. Paul Friends:  Thank you … a small and simple phrase that comes from a grateful heart for all that you have done for me during these past weeks of my dad’s illness and passing.   Your prayers, cards, and thoughtfulness have meant so much to me that “thanks” does not seem to be enough to express how I feel about my St. Paul family. You have been such a blessing to me.  May God’s love and care always be with you.  Linda Connon

The December Service Activity is socks for Henry Ford Hospital.  Clean, used socks are needed in the emergency room of Henry Ford Hospital.  Many patients arrive needing a pair or a single sock to be able to go home.  Please leave donations in the designated spots: Hallway leading into the sanctuary, Narthex or dining room.  Questions: Mary Townsend: 595-5675. 

Christian Weight-Loss Fellowship for Women began last Thursday.  We will continue to meet weekly in the lounge at 6:30 p.m.  All are welcome.  There is no charge.  Call Jill with questions, 356-2882. 

Richard Clapp will be ordained on December 3 at 4:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 5462 Nicholson Hill Road, Hubbard Lake.  Everyone is invited to attend. 

The Besser Male Chorus and The Alpena Children’s Concert Choir will present “A Holiday Festival of Song” on Sunday, December 3, at 2:30 p.m.  Admission is free of charge at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  A free will offering will be taken to defray concert costs and benefit the Children’s Concert Choir. 

The 13th Annual Advent Carol Sing will be held at St. Anne Church on December 10 at 6:45 p.m.  Special music will consist of choirs from area churches, Huron Shore Barbershop Chorus, organ, handbells, African drums and instrumentalists.  Everyone is welcome. A free-will offering for the needy of Alpena will be taken.  A reception will follow in the St. Anne Parish Center.  Questions: Contact Julie Wood at 356-1658. 

The Women of ELCA Christmas Dinner will be Monday, December 11th.  Refreshments are at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased at the church office.  Thank offering boxes will be collected.  The deadline to purchase tickets is Dec. 6.  If you have any questions contact Cathy at 354-2858. 

Sunday School Christmas Program:  An original program celebrating the birth of our Lord will be presented on Saturday, December 16 at the 5:30 pm service.  Preschool through 12th grade will be performing a selection of songs that enhance the Christmas story.  Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of Christmas through the voices of our children.  Practices will be held December 9 and 16 from 10 – 12. Contact Esther Kindt at        471-2274 or Joanne Gallagher at 657-0481 with any questions. 

Emmanuel Celebrating Heaven’s Child, created by Joel Lindsey and Russell Mauldin, will be presented by the Long Rapids Community Chorus on the following dates:  December 9 at the First United Methodist Church (Ripley Street) at 7:00 p.m.; December 10 at the Long Rapids Hall at 4:00 p.m.; December 17 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church (Wolf Creek Road) at 4:00 p.m.  Everyone is invited to join us. 

If you would like to serve as a lector, usher, or communion assistant for one of the Christmas Eve services, please sign-up on the sheet that is posted in the Narthex.  Thank you.

WEEK AT A GLANCE:  DECEMBER 3 – 10, 2006

SUN.    Worship – 8:00/HC, 10:30/HC; Advent Breakfast – 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Education Hour –    9:15 a.m.; New Member Orientation– 9:15; Besser Male Chorus – 2:30 p.m.

MON.    Adult Bible Study – 9:30 a.m.; Line Dancing – 6:00 p.m.; Girl Scouts – 6:00 p.m.; Bazaar Mtg.- 7:00

TUES.   Esther Circle – 12:30 p.m.;  Cub Scouts –6:30 p.m.; Boy Scouts –7:00 p.m.; New Day Singers Rehearsal –7:00 p.m

WED.   Prayer – 9:30 a.m.; Advent Worship Services – 11 a.m. (followed by lunch) and 7:00 p.m.; “Breaking Through” Bible Study – 6:30 p.m.; Children’s Choir–6:15 p.m.

THURS. Lois Circle – 9:00 a.m.; Staff Meeting – 4:00 p.m.;  Praise Band – 5:45 p.m.; Choir – 6:30 p.m.

SAT.     Worship Service – 5:30 p.m.

SUN.    Worship Services – 8:00/HC, 10:30; New Member Orientation – 9:15 a.m.; Education Hour –    9:15 a.m.; New Member Installation – 10:30 a.m.