St. Paul Epistle
www.stpaul.org Volume 2001, Issue 2 February 2001
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to get out of bed when it's still dark out?
At this time of year, the nights seem to drag on forever and the days sometimes aren't much brighter. Sometimes the sun refuses to peek out of the overcast skies, like a child who wraps himself even tighter in the blankets when told it's time to get up. The gloomy weather saps our energy and ambition we just want to curl up and hibernate.
While at school in Minnesota, a friend of mine from out East found out that the darkness of the season deeply affected his emotions. He showed signs of depression during the winter months and was diagnosed with SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder. To help fight off the depression, the doctor advised my friend to give himself "light therapy" with a bright lamp during certain hours of the day. The extra light helped my friend immensely; his irritability disappeared and he felt much more energetic and interested in life. His experience helped me understand how much we need light in our lives.
Sunlight gives us warmth and enables plants to grow. We mark time and seasons by its rising and setting. Without sunlight, all life on earth would eventually perish. It seems fitting that in the darkest months of the year we are celebrating Epiphany, the season of light.
The word "epiphany" means to show forth or make clear. Originally, it referred to the official visit of an emperor or king, especially when he displayed himself to the people. In this season, we hear stories about Jesus showing who he is: the light of the world. Epiphany begins with the star that split the darkness and showed the way to the Christ-child. We've heard about Jesus' baptism, and how he revealed his glory by turning water into wine. We listened as he announced in his hometown what his mission was all about, and watched as his own people rejected him.
In the next few weeks, we will hear about how Jesus supplied a miraculous catch of fish and healed and taught all the people who came to him. The season culminates in the Transfiguration, where Jesus' appearance is transformed and his disciples see him in dazzling clothes, talking with Elijah and Moses. After this glorious vision, we begin the more somber season of Lent which leads us towards Jesus' death and resurrection.
So as the days begin to lengthen again, take time to reflect on the gift of light, especially the true Light who has come into the world, our Lord Jesus. Find ways to be a light to the people around you. For "no one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:15-16).
Rev. Kurt Jensen, Pastor
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A Brief Note from Les
PRAYER CHAIN: Yes, there is now a prayer chain at St. Paul!!! And it works!!! The prayer chain is different from the prayer list that is printed in the bulletin. Here's how the PRAYER CHAIN works: Don Smith (354-4479), or the church office (356-1658) receive a phone call with a prayer request. Don makes his call to the next person on the list, she calls the next person, etc. until the last link in the chain is reached (that's me). Then, each 'link' remembers that request during their daily prayer time for the next month. We have already tried it and it works not only from the practical stand point, logistically, but also from the spiritual aspect as well. Have questions? Then talk to me.....
PICTURES: If you see me walking around with my camera over the next several months continue what you're doing and smile! There is now a photo album "Life at St. Paul." I'm taking pictures of various events and activities that happen at our church. This will be used to keep shut ins updated, and for other things like showing new members all of the activities that they could get involved in. Want to see the photo album? It will often be in the narthex during the weekends, and on the shelf outside my door during the week. Stop by and browse through it.....new pages will be added each month....
L.A.R.C. SERVICE: Were you there? If you were, wasn't it wonderful? If you weren't, you really missed a beautiful worship event. The next service will be held in June, to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the covenant that took place in Gaylord last year. You'll be getting more information soon as the location, date, and time are established by the L.A.R.C. Clergy Committee. Just keep it in mind......
DID YOU KNOW?: The information on the kiosk and bulletin boards is changed periodically......when was the last time you browsed over the information in them? Are you looking for some information on some subject that you can't find there? Talk to me. I'll try to help..... Just some of the information that can be found is: Simply Giving brochures, Council members' names and phone numbers, information on Grief and Stress, Portals of Prayer, Minutes from the most recent council meeting.....
SHUT IN TRANSPORTATION: Yes, we are still providing this service, however, we are going to try the Saturday service for awhile. There is no charge involved. We have volunteers who ride the bus with our shut in friends to and from church. We have volunteers who greet and sit with our shut in friends in church during the worship service. We try to make sure we have someone with some medical background worshiping with us at that particular service. So, it would be nice to have someone to share the ministry of these volunteers with. If you know of anyone who like a ride to worship with us at St. Paul on the THIRD SATURDAY of each month for the 5:30 SERVICE Let Les or the church office (356-1658) know.....
ADULT EDUCATION: Are there any "classes" YOU would like to see available on Sunday mornings during the Education Hour? What would entice you to come to a class at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday morning? Talk to either of the pastors, or myself about YOUR ideas, needs, wants, .....
YOUR SERVANT IN CHRIST,
Leslie Nye
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PASTORAL ACTS
LOUISE COCHRANE joined our Lord in eternity November 28, 2000. Her funeral was held here, at St. Paul, on December 1, 2000.
DOROTHY SCHILER joined our Lord in eternity on December 13. Her funeral was held here, at St. Paul on December 16, 2000.
RANDY L. WEBSTER joined our lord in eternity on December 27, 2000. His funeral was held at Bannan Funeral Home on December 29, 2000.
JAMES E. HARTMAN joined our Lord in eternity on January 3, 2001. His funeral was held January 6, 2001 here at St. Paul.
HAZEL DUTCHER joined our Lord in eternity on January 4, 2001. Her funeral was held January 7, 2001.
HELEN WERTH joined her Lord in eternity on January 12, 2001. Her funeral was held here at St. Paul on January 16, 2001.
THELMA (TOMMY) HANSON joined her Lord in eternity on January 21, 2001. Her funeral was held at Wachterhauser Funeral Home on January 24, 2001.
JONATHAN BAILEY AND KRISTY PARKHAM were joined in marriage on December 30, 2000. They were attended by Jean-Marie Joassin and Kristin Higgins.
On January 6, 2001 DEE HAMANN and her daughter, TIFFANI MCDONALD were baptized with sponsors Ruth Hamann and Brian Hamann.
On January 21, 2001 SHANE RIEGER , son of Kenneth and Carleen Rieger was baptized with sponsors David and Stacy Rieger and Gary Rieger.
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2000 Contribution Statements: Year end statements are now available upon request. You may stop by the church office or call and we will prepare a statement for you.
Jenette Pernie has informed us that she is resigning, after 29 years, from Action for L.S.S.M. Regional Coordinator and also from President of the Miriam Circle, for health reasons. We appreciate your many years of service, Jenette!
THANK YOU The family of Dorothy Schiler wishes to thank you for your caring concern and thoughtfulness during the celebration of her life. Words cannot express the feelings of love associated with her. She would have reveled in all the attention. Thanks to Pastor Kurt, a very unique young man. Thanks to Pastor Dan, Leslie, Tendercare and our entire church family, who we depend on. Thanks also to Wayne McWilliams for his expertise and caring, and the nurses of the 2nd floor and anyone else I may have missed. JoAnn Szymanski
BOY SCOUT TROOP 92 UPCOMING EVENTS: On Friday, February 2, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. they'll have a Spaghetti Dinner here at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The dinner includes spaghetti, salad bar, bread, beverage and dessert. The donation is $15 family, adults $5.00, children (5-12) $3.00. Tickets are available at the church office or from scout members. Sunday, February 4, is Scout Sunday. It will be celebrated at the 8 a.m. service. Saturday, February 10, is the Klondike Derby.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! If you volunteer to be the Host Family of the Week you will have the following opportunities: Greet parishioners, bake or supply bread for Holy Communion (on the 2nd & 4th Sundays), bring the bread to the table with the ushers as they present the gifts during the Offertory, and to assist the ushers if needed. There are other optional opportunities as well. Please go to the kiosk to receive additional information and to sign up. You may sign up for a week, 5 weeks, whatever fits your schedule.
On Super Bowl Sunday (Jan. 28th), St. Paul and Grace joined Hope and Immanuel Lutheran, First Presbyterian, First Congregational and thousands of other congregations across the country in raising funds for the Souper Bowl of Caring. The Souper Bowl is a national effort in congregations of all denominations to raise awareness and funds for hunger organizations on Super Bowl Sunday each year. The youth of each congregation collect donations in large soup pots after worship and choose a hunger organization to support. This year, St. Paul and Grace are sending those funds to Lutheran World Relief, which brings aid to places like El Salvador and India, in the wake of the earthquakes there. In Alpena alone, more than $1400 was raised! As of 9:00 pm on SuperBowl Sunday, over 8,000 congregations had already reported their totals: over $2 million so far! Check out the website at www.souperbowl.org to see how high this year's total goes! In addition, our youth got together with students from Hope Lutheran for a Super Bowl party in the fellowship hall. Next year, we plan to invite several other churches to join us. Thanks to everyone who helped make the Souper Bowl a success!
February Adult Education Opportunities -Sunday mornings at 9:15-
Come to dig into God's Word and grow in your faith!