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, Lisa Borchard, and Janet Liske. (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:  

* St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, Pastor Matthew Smith 

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE           

Saturday           5:30 p.m.          (12/02)  111      

Sunday             8:00 a.m.          (12/03)    87      

                        10:30 a.m.                     176        

Total                                                     374      

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 Pilgrim Fellowship (Youth Program) at First Congregational Church. 

If you would like to serve as an usher or communion assistant for the 5:30 or 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve services, please sign-up on the sheet that is posted in the Narthex.  Thank you. 

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

Before you return your beverage cans to the store, please pull off the tab and save them for the Confirmation students.  There are collection boxes in the Narthex and in the fellowship room.  The tabs will be turned into the Ronald McDonald House of Michigan.  This program helps children and their families who can not afford serious medical care.  Each tab that is returned is worth a penny.  If you have any questions contact Kathy Froggett at 354-7126. 

Would you like to know about St. Paul Trust and Endowment Fund?  Please call Wayne Kowalski at 356-2882 with any questions. 

The 13th Annual Advent Carol Sing will be held at St. Anne Church on December 10 at 6:45 p.m.  Choirs from area churches, Huron Shore Barbershop Chorus, Organ, Handbells, African Drums and Instrumentalists will perform.  Everyone is welcome.  No admission.  A free-will offering for the poor and needy of Alpena will be taken.  A reception will follow in the new St. Anne Parish Center.  If you have any questions contact Julie Wood at 356-1658.

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.  The last practice will be held December 16 from 10 – 12. Contact Esther Kindt at 471-2274 or Joanne Gallagher at 657-0481 with any questions. 

Pharaohs, Prophets and Jesus the Christ: in the Steps of the Past – Judy Beyer recently traveled to Egypt and Jordan.  Through pictures, videos, stories and discussion she will help us explore pyramids, tombs, temples, Christianity and Islam.  This learning opportunity will be in the dining room during the education hour on Sunday, Dec 17.  Questions, contact Judy at 595-2247 or beyerj@alpenacc.edu 

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. 

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 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. 

A new Bible Study Group will start meeting on Wednesdays in January and February to discuss the book of Acts.  The first meeting will be in the library on January 3, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  If you have any questions call Iris Arthur, 354-2553, or Linda Collins,   356-2937. 

WEEK AT A GLANCE:  DECEMBER 10 - 17, 2006

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.

MON.    WELCA Christmas Dinner – 5:30 p.m.; Line Dancing – 6:00 p.m.; Girl Scouts – 6:00 p.m.; Stephen Ministry Leaders – 5:30 p.m.; Stephen Ministry – 6:30 p.m.; Education Committee Meeting – 6:30 p.m.

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

WED.   Advent Worship Services – 11 a.m. (followed by lunch) and 7:00 p.m.; Children’s Choir – 6:15 p.m.

THURS. Staff Meeting – 4:00 p.m.; Praise Band – 5:45 p.m.; Choir – 6:30 p.m.; Weight Loss Fellowship for Women – 6:30 p.m.

FRI.   Newsletter Deadline

SAT.  Sunday School Christmas Program – 5:30 p.m.

SUN.    Worship – 8:00/HC, 10:30/HC; Education Hour – 9:15 a.m.; Egypt/Jordan Presentation – 9:15 a.m.