St. Paul Epistle
www.stpaul.org Volume 2000, Issue 6/7 June/July 2000
A SUMMERTIME MEDITATION!
Summer is a time for re-runs ... "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
Why children, Lord? Young, confused, immature, wondering, questioning children. Doesn't the Kingdom of God need adult minds and actions ... precise procedures ... prepared plans ... sacred strategies?
"I want children in my Kingdom!" If you want to know what the Kingdom is all about, put a child in your midst and watch and perceive and understand. Children laugh and dream. They stop and wonder why ants crawl and how bugs are made. A child yearns to learn and he wonders at all he sees. A child has 800 home runs to hit and galaxies and uncharted stars to visit.
Children aren't so serious about themselves or their world, for they still believe that they and their world have a Father. Their thought revolves not around "what clothes shall we wear?" or "what shall we eat?" or "where will we sleep?" - for they know that they are loved and they are secure.
So, instead, they run with the wind. They skip to the rhythm of joy. They dance to the music within. They jump over logs and chasms, real or imagined. They celebrate life. They give hugs and kisses. There is joy in children - children of any age. For childlikeness is measured not by calendars, but by knowing the Father and rejoicing in His goodness.
"I want children in my Kingdom," says the Lord, "for only children grow - grow in the stature and fullness of sons and daughters of God."
Happy childhood,
Rev. Daniel Deutsch, Pastor
Pastoral Ramblings
A monthly (or seasonal, as the case may be) rambling of thoughts ... thanks ... things coming up ... things to think about, etc.
Stephen Ministry - This month the Stephen leaders (Mary Lou Deutsch, Georgene Hildebrand, Leslie Nye and myself) will be meeting with those of you who have applied for the Stephen Ministry program. During this month of June there will also be a table in the narthex with Stephen Ministry materials available. Stephen leaders will be available after each of the worship services during the first 3 weeks of June to help you with any questions. Applications will be available and the deadline for receiving applications for the first training class will be June 30. Please keep this program, its leaders and participants in your prayers as we move toward the first training class which will begin in August.
"An Expression of God's Compassion in our community and beyond" - That's who we are and what we do as God's people here at St. Paul. That is the heart and soul of our mission statement. We need to continue to be aware that every month we send 11% of all of your offerings to St. Paul to our Synod for support of seminaries and colleges and missionaries, etc. - all of those things that we can't do alone but can do together with other congregations of our church. In addition, in order to support God's work done in our local community, we send 2.75% of all of your offerings to a local ministry. The Church Council decides each month where that money is to go and we look forward to continuing to support local ministry opportunities this coming year. Your contributions for this year so far have been sent to the ministries of St. Vincent De Paul, St. Bernard's soup kitchen, the Salvation Army, Sunrise Mission and Special Olympics. Contributions to local ministries average $500-600 each month. Thank you for your continued support as we reach out to touch others with God's compassion.
Prayer ministry - As you pray daily, lifting up your lives and the lives of those around you to His care, please keep in mind the elderly and the lonely and the ill of our congregation. Remember Jim Hartman, Loretta Kowalsky, Matilda Ohlrich, Marilyn Stephan, Agnes Sonnenberg, Cleo Sonnenberg, Alma Welk, Dorothy Sims, Mabel Jury, Dorothy Schiler, Helen Kihn, Helen Townsend, Jeanette Diemond, Margaret Knechtel, Jim O'Brien, Eileen Werner, Ruth Schrader, Louise Cochrane, Alice Standen, Alice Bluck, Helen Martinson, Hilda Sommerfield, Martha Beck, Erna Golder, Betty Kollin, Viola Marquardt, Virginia Kraft, Delores Stevens, Jeanette Pernie, Viola Glennie, Frank & Hilda Kelley, Margaret Kreutzfeldt, Grace McKay, Lila MacMillan, Bessie Nordguard, Pauline Olsen, Ardath Thorburn, Edna Zielinski. Remember the sick and the hurting who we pray for and name weekly in the Sunday bulletin. Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these, my brethren, you have done it to me." (Mt. 25:40)
A Pastoral Concern - I repeat this concern from last month in case you missed it - summer is a time for reruns. I want to hold it up to you and solicit any ideas you might have as the leadership of St. Paul addresses this concern - the lack of involvement and attendance by children at our worship services. There are some parents who regularly bring their children to worship with them and attend Bible Class or fellowship while their children are in Sunday School, but the families that routinely do that are few in number. Many children are still dropped at Sunday School from 9:15-10:15 while parents either attend the 9:20 worship service or find something else to do for that hour.
As a result, most of today's children at St. Paul are growing up without a weekly worship experience as a normal part of their spiritual upbringing. The 9:20 service, while offering contemporary worship to the congregation and a time for parents to worship while their children are in Sunday School, has unintentionally exacerbated the problem of families not worshiping together with their children.
During our Church Council retreat scheduled for July 15 this year, a major portion of our agenda will be devoted to addressing this concern and trying to find a solution that will be of greatest benefit to our entire congregation and the least disruptive of our present schedules. There are certainly many options that I and others have wrestled with over these past years, all with pros and cons. I, along with any of our Church Council members, would appreciate hearing from any of you who might have some creative thoughts on finding a workable solution. I look forward to hearing from you!
God's richest blessings to each of you.
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A Brief Note from Les
L.A.R.C. UPDATE: Mark your calendars for JUNE 14th @ 7:00 p.m. Where will you be on that date and at that time? Hopefully, you will be at TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH attending an ecumenical worship service CELEBRATING THE SIGNING OF THE COVENANT. The actual Signing of the Covenant will take place in Gaylord on June 18th.
This covenant is a declaration of the agreement of four church bodies to work together both on a state and local level. The church bodies and their bishops involved are:
At the service on JUNE 14th, representatives from each of the seven local parishes involved will be commissioned to sign the actual covenant on June 18th. The theme for the service at TRINITY EPISCOPAL will be one of Pentecost. Our choir will be there singing with their usual gusto and they will be joined by choir members of the other local L.A.R.C. churches. Please come and join us on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14TH AT 7:00 p.m. at TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH. For those of you who attended the ecumenical service in January, you know how special it was to be able to worship God with our Roman Catholic and Episcopalian brothers and sisters IN THE SAME BUILDING AT THE SAME TIME!!!! If you weren't there in January, please make sure you don't miss this unique opportunity to worship.
DON'T FORGET: As long as you're marking your calendars, don't forget to mark these dates:
JUNE 25TH & JULY 23RD SHUT INS' MORNING OUT. Transportation will be provided free of charge for all those who would like to come to the 10:45 worship service on these dates. If you know of someone who would like a ride to worship on these dates, please call the church office and leave their name, phone number and address. Les will then contact them and make arrangements.
While I'm on the subject of transportation, a warm THANK YOU to those folks who ride the bus, greet our special guests, and sit with them during worship. It really makes our visitors feel like they are a viable part of our church family AND THEY ARE!!!!
JUNE 18TH & JULY 16TH HEALING SERVICE @ NOON. I've had people say they might like to come to this service but they haven't because they weren't sure what goes on. I understand that. Let me explain what this particular service is like.
Within the service are two hymns, prayers, the Apostle's Creed, special music, scripture selections, a one minute (REALLY!) sermon, and a few minutes of silence.
Now we come to the part where some people get nervous....there is a time for those WHO WISH to be anointed. Yes, I can see your eyebrows raise and you squirming as you read this...those WHO WISH to be anointed come to the communion rail. Some kneel, some stand. Each person has the sign of the cross made on their forehead with a special oil (actually it's balm, so it's less messy). At that point, a prayer is quietly said for that particular individual. Some people stay at the rail and pray, others return to their seats.
When everyone at the communion rail has been anointed and have returned to their seats, the service continues with prayer, a benediction and a closing hymn. That's it.
I would compare this service to celebrating Holy Communion you get out of it what you put into it. Only God knows what is in your heart. Only He can forgive. Only He can heal. Please, join us for one of these services on June 18th or July 16th at noon.
Leslie Nye
Pastoral Assistant
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Council Corner
The church council met for a rather brief meeting on May 16, 2000. After our opening devotions, we heard an update from the Call Committee. Pastor Kurt Jenson was, as you know, here for the week before last. He preached at all four services, toured the area with his wife, and underwent an extensive interview with the Call Committee. The committee is checking on his references, and he is to meet with Pastor Deutsch at the synod convention on the weekend of May 21, and probably come back to Alpena to visit some more. The committee welcomes all input from those who had the chance to see and meet with Pastor Kurt. The Church Council Retreat is still set for July 15. We had a brief update on the Stephen Ministry as well, which is slated to begin training at the end of August. If you feel called to serve, contact the church office, or talk to the Stephen leaders so you can get an application.
Respectfully, Dana Panknin Council Secretary
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PASTORAL ACTS
MICHAEL "MIKE" BROWN joined his Lord in eternity on April 29, 2000. His funeral was held May 4 at St. Paul Lutheran.
ALVIN A. WARREN, JR. join his Lord in eternity on May 1, 2000. His funeral was held May 5 at St. Paul Lutheran.
HATTIE KELM joined her Lord in eternity on May 22, 2000. Her funeral was held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on May 26.
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A big "Thank You" goes out to all of the blood drive volunteers and to Lori Ludwig for getting all of the cookies baked. Some of the Donors Comments were as follows: "Everything went great!"; "Notify me of next donation date. Thank you."; "I received a post card reminding me about the blood drive. However I did not get a phone call!"; "Everyone was very professional and they know what they are doing.."; "Very friendly - everyone."; " To facilitate holding the arm still, straight and on the narrow table, a tube-like arm holder would help."; "Very fast and efficient - the best ever."; "Nurses and staff as well as volunteers are very friendly."; " Just wish there would have been a better turnout." ; "All went well, no complaints."; Good Drive."; "Nurse was personable, attentive - Well done!"; "Glad to donate."
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Attention All Women! The Synod Women's Fall Retreat will be September 29 & 30, 2000 at Kettunen Center in Tustin, Michigan. It is entitled "Changes and Transitions in 2000." Registrations forms are available in the church office. The WELCA General Meeting will be on June 14th at 7:30 p.m.
The 5th Triennial Convention entitled "Listen, God is Calling" will be held in Philadelphia, PA on July 11-14, 2002. Mark your calendar, start saving your pennies and invite a friend to attend with you!
The church campground is now open for your summer enjoyment. Stop by the office to get a key (deposit required). if you would like to go there for the day. Remember we do not have trash pickup there so please take things home with you.
Calling all women: We have some openings on the WELCA Board and are looking for willing people to help out. We need someone to fill the office of President, Treasurer, Secretary of Action and Secretary of Growth. It is not necessary to be a member of a circle to participate. Please call Brenda Rosenberg 595-3030 or Mary Steinke 356-1425 for more details if you are interested.
Dishes: No, not dirty dishes, but clean ones. In the buffer room, on the counter, are over a hundred plates, bowls, casseroles, pans, and other assorted dishes that would love to be reunited with their owners and returned to the security of their own kitchen cupboards. Please stop by the buffer room TODAY to make sure you don't recognize any of these lonesome pieces. Some have been there for over a year!
The congregation of St. Paul Lutheran Church wishes to acknowledge those who are graduating this year. It is with our best wishes and heartiest congratulations that we list your names and accomplishments for all to share. Great Job! Summer Beauchamp, Ellie Crow, Bradley Cuddie, Heather Fredlund, Jessica Leski, Jennifer Lozen, David MacArthur, Elizabeth Smith, Aaron Werner, Raelyn Zbytowski.
We will be honoring High School Graduates on June 11th at the 9:20 a.m. service. If we have overlooked anyone, please call the church office. Thank you.
ATTENTION All VBS Volunteers: We are having our final meeting for training and orientation on June 11th at 12:00 in the St. Paul Fellowship Hall. It is very important for you to attend. If you are unable to be there please call Denise at 354-7509.
May 21 was the last day of Sunday school. Attendance certificates and prizes were presented to the following children for having the best attendance in their grade: Robert Burke and Noah Barney Steinke (tie) - nursery, Carley Hoeksema - preschool, Taylor Kindt - kindergarten, Matthew Urban - First Grade, Lauren Hoeksema and Amanda Kucharek (tie) - Second Grade, Katie Kieliszewski - Third Grade, Geoffrey Hoeksema - Fourth Grade, Caleb Borchard - Fifth Grade, Nickole Stein-Fisher - Sixth Grade, Josh Suszek - Seventh Grade, and Gillian Nye - Eighth Grade. In addition, all the children present were offered an opportunity to choose a special prize based on their attendance. We look forward to seeing you all in the Fall! Sunday school superintendent and staff
VBS 2000: Time is running out to register for HolyWord Studios which will take place June 19-23 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. We appreciate all the support shown so far with many generous donations and we have almost 60 registrations! We will continue to accept registrations until the June 12 deadline. We can still use your donations of the following items found around the house: Colorful socks (used, mateless), empty paper tubes - (2 liter pop bottles with lids), empty plastic soap bottles - (20 oz. bottles - water, juice & pop). For more information contact Denise at 354-7509 or the church office at 356-1658.