St. Paul Epistle
www.stpaul.org Volume 2000, Issue 10 October 2000
Greetings in the strong name of our Lord!
As October's chilly nights and crisp mornings settle in, the leaves begin their yearly transformation. Before long, the forests will blaze with brilliant hues. Emily and I are looking forward to our first opportunity to enjoy Michigan color tours. Already, a few trees here and there have burst into reds and yellows, as if they could wait no longer to praise their Creator in colorful song. You can almost hear the forest sing in response to the Psalmist's call:
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. (Psalm 96:1, 11-13)
Here at St. Paul's, we have begun to sing a new song to the Lord at our 10:45 worship service. In this new family-oriented contemporary format, we join our voices in praise and communal prayer. We hear God's Word proclaimed in a variety of ways, including a children's message and special music. This service gives us more flexibility and added options as we seek to reach a new generation with the message of Christ's love. Come check it out if you haven't already, and invite others!
Our new Sunday School year kicked into high gear with Rally Day on Sept. 24. The children gathered in the gym to have fun at the "Faith Fair." Regular classes will resume on Oct. 1, including a combined 7th and 8th grade class led by Denise Burke in room 302. Several adult classes are also offered each Sunday at 9:15. I want to personally invite each of you to the "In Heaven's Name, Why On Earth?" sessions held on Oct. 1, 15 and 22. Using thought-provoking color overheads, we will explore how our faith in Jesus connects to the rest of our lives.
Also on Oct. 1, we will be welcoming our latest new members: Lois Cramer, Tim Cramer, Craig & Kathy Froggett, Ernie Bedford & Diane Zarske, Kevin Lockman, Chuck & Amy Hein & family, Ron Zarske & family, Bob & Esther Meno, Sue Karsten & family, Virginia Kraft and Jan Halleck (oh, and Emily and me, too). Please be sure to say hi and welcome them all to St. Paul.
Later this month, Josh McDowell, a nationally acclaimed speaker, will be coming to Alpena. He will hold a seminar for parents and other adults at Alpena High School on Oct. 25, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. The seminar will focus on empowering adults to bridge the isolation gap and experience a deeper relational connection with their children and youth. Tickets are available at Olivet Books or at the door. For more information, stop by the church office.
At the end of October, we will have two special worship events. At the 10:45 Reformation Sunday worship on Oct. 29th, our 9th grade Catechism students will be confirmed. This marks an important milestone in their faith lives, where they publicly affirm the promises that were spoken over them in Baptism and pledge to continue their Christian walk. Later that afternoon, we have the opportunity to gather with our Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and other Lutheran brothers and sisters for an ecumenical service at 4:00 pm here at St. Paul, sponsored by the LARC group. Hope to see you there!
Be sure to go out this month and revel in the gorgeous colors that our Creator paints across the landscape. Dig deeply into God's Word, receive His presence in the Lord's Supper, pray together and sing to the Lord a new song!
Praising Him in Alpena,
Pastor Kurt Jensen
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A Brief Note from Les
"Are any among you suffering?..." Those were the words that began my column of the October 1999 edition of the St. Paul Epistle. At that point, we were resuming the monthly healing services at St. Paul.
As I look back, I am amazed at how fast time has gone by. It doesn't seem that we have held this service twelve times already but a quick look at the calendar and my files tell me that it is indeed true. Twelve additional opportunities to come to worship, to come to pray, to come for healing.
I am astounded at the change in my attitude towards the healing service. I am grateful for the opportunity to plan and lead this service. I consider it a privilege to be with you during this service each month.
Host Family....Please consider helping all of us during our 10:45 worship service by signing up to be a Host Family. Keep reading this edition of the St. Paul Epistle for more information....then call the office and sign up for couple of Sundays.
Transportation Available....If you know of anyone who would like a ride to church, please call the office and let us know. As part of our mission statement to "be an expression of God's compassion in our community and beyond" we provide transportation free of charge to ANYONE who would like to join us at the 10:45 a.m. worship service. Thus far, we have been doing this on the fourth Sunday of the month. We would like to give our shut in friends or those who are 'transportationally challenged' additional opportunities to worship with us, and we can do that when we consistently have a full bus. So, call the church office with the name, address and phone number of someone you know who would like to come to church.....we'll see you there!
L.A.R.C....acronym for Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic congregations. You know that we have been praying for the various ministries that take place in the these congregations in our community. We have been doing that and will continue to do that each and every Sunday all year long. A one time only event was held recently at Grace Lutheran Church as we got together to discuss the CCM (Call to Common Mission) and JDDJ (Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification) . Frankly, I hoped for about 10 people to show up. We had approximately 100!!!!!!!!!! THANKS to each of YOU who attended. If you weren't in the audience, and want to know more, see Pastor Dan, Pastor Kurt or myself. Keep reading this newsletter and see more information on L.A.R.C.
L.M.T.P....more initials....They stand for Lay Missionary Training Program. What's this? This is a special program of our synod whose purpose is "to equip lay members of its congregations for special ministry....". Lay missionaries serve in a variety of areas. They may be involved in mission congregations, in providing supply preaching, in ministry to specific areas such as nursing homes, prisons or support groups. By the time you read this, I will have attended the first of twelve training sessions of the L.M.T.P. You'll hear more about this in next month's newsletter. But meanwhile, ask me about it....
Parish Nursing....You will be hearing more about this program as well. Ask me about it.
Prayer Chain....Talk to me about this as well. Our prayer group has resumed their meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning October 11th. One of the specific ministries that they want to establish is a Prayer Chain. Can you help out with this? No, it doesn't involve much of your already limited free time. Talk to Don Smith, Marian Gennrich, Bill or Janis Lange, or myself if you would like to be a link in the chain. Talk to Pastor Dan, Pastor Kurt, myself, or call the church office if you have a prayer request. We will then pass it on the prayer group and the prayer chain. YOU are an important link in the chain....
Outreach Committee.....Talk to me about this...
Your Servant in Christ,
Leslie Nye
Pastoral Assistant
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Fellowship of Lutheran Youth Grace and St. Paul Lutheran Churches
You are invited to... The FLY Program for 2000-01.
Who: All High School Age Students Wanting to be a Part of the Most Promising Up and Coming Church Youth Group in Alpena !
What: Christian Fellowship, Friends and More Friends . . . Bring a Friend - Be a Friend !!
When: Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. (See schedule below)
Where: St. Paul Lutheran Church (on the corner of Second and Mirre Streets right here in Alpena, Michigan in the newly decorated Youth Room on the 3rd floor)
Why: Because you can't afford to miss out on the rest of your life !!! Put these future dates on your busy calendar:
Hey! All the Wednesday night meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.
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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: Louise Cochrane, Jim Hartman, Matilda Ohlrich, Marilyn Stephan, Agnes Sonnenberg, Cleo Sonnenberg, Alma Welk, Dorothy Sims, Mabel Jury, Dorothy Schiler, Helen Kihn, Helen Townsend, Jeanette Diemond, Eileen Werner, Ruth Schrader, Evelyn Siegert, Alice Standen, Alice Bluck, Helen Martinson, Hilda Sommerfield, Martha Beck, Erna Golder, Betty Kollin, Viola Marquardt, Virginia Kraft, Delores Stevens and Jeanette Pernie, Viola Bailey, Frank & Hilda Kelley, Margaret Kreutzfeldt, Grace McKay, Lila MacMillan, Bessie Nordguard, Pauline Olsen, Ardath Thorburn, Edna Zielinski, Marie Kirschner, Leona Warren. 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)
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. Besides the 11% of our monthly offerings that we send 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 - we also send 2.75% of our 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 each 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, Special Olympics, Alpena General Hospital Cancer Building Fund, Camp Michi-luca, Call-Us-For Help and the two local Hospice organizations. 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.
Council Corner
The St. Paul Church Council met on September 19, in the church Lounge. On the agenda were a number of items. The local mission donation will be divided among the two Hospices in Alpena. We reviewed and approved the new church usage policy for the church building and the picnic grounds. A major item for discussion was the proposed 2001 budget. It will be 10 % higher than the 2000 budget, or approximately $370,000. There will be a new member reception meal with several members of the church council on October 1st in the dining room. Another area of discussion was the possibility of a new pictorial directory, not that the call process is completed, since it has been five years since the last one. In the financial arena, we spent about $5200 more than we took in for August. Hopefully, this will improve in September.
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Panknin
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The World Relief Truck is coming here on October 14th. The items needed are quilts, blankets, new bars of soap, lightweight men and children's clothing, women and men's sweatshirts. They are not accepting shoes. If you have items to donate, please have them here by October 10th. Thank you.
White Elephant Sale and Bake Sale
Luther Community Manor will be holding a White Elephant Sale and Bake Sale on Saturday, October 14 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. It will feature white elephant "treasures," homemade bake goods, and some craft items. Everyone is invited to attend this event in support of our seniors, which are raising money for their activity fund.
The Annual Meeting will be Sunday, October 22nd, at noon beginning with a potluck luncheon. Please make this important date on your calendar.
Sermons-on-line - We're trying to keep up with the fast-moving technology (thanks to one of our more computer literate members). On our web site (www.stpaul.org) you will find newsletters, bulletins and devotional aids posted. Also available since the beginning of September is the weekly sermon. So if you were sick or out-of-town, you can listen to the weekly message by one of our pastors.
PASTORAL ACTS
IONE ANDERSON joined our Lord in eternity on September 13, 2000. A memorial service was held September 25 at St. Paul Lutheran.
MARGARET KNECHTEL joined our Lord in eternity on September 25, 2000. Her funeral was held September 28 at St. Paul Lutheran.
KEITH SORENSON joined our Lord in eternity on September 25, 2000. His memorial service was held September 27 at St. Paul Lutheran.
LAWRENCE DAVID GRIMM and ELIZABETH ANNE DEUTSCH were married September 3, 2000. They were attended by Jason Reid and Rebekah Douthitt.
KEVIN LYNN STEVENS and CHRISTY LEE HILBORN were married September 16, 2000. They were attended by Kim Stevens, Jr. and Lisa Hilborn.
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HOST FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES AT SUNDAY MORNING 10:45 A.M. WORSHIP
The Host Family of the Week would have the following opportunities:
Other Optional Opportunities Host families may want to assist in the worship life of St. Paul by providing some or all of the following optional services:
*Bread: 1 small loaf is needed to use during the Words of Institution and A loaf cut into small cubes (not larger than « in) to use during the Distribution. Approximately 100 pieces of bread are needed. The basket for the bread will be in the sacristy. See Pastor Dan, Pastor Kurt, or Les if you have any questions.
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LARC SERVICE
DATE: 10/29/00
TIME: 4:00 P.M.
PLACE: ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH
There won't be another opportunity like this one until 2001, so MARK YOUR CALENDARS and DON'T PASS THIS ONE UP!!!!!!!!!!!