St. Paul Epistle

www.stpaul.org                      Volume 2001, Issue 4                  April 2001 

Dear Disciples of the Crucified and Risen One:

Once again it is time for us to walk with Jesus through the historical events of our Christian faith. The experiences of Holy Week and Easter offer to all of us who relive these events the greatest gifts that God has to offer us - hope and new life in the death and resurrection of Jesus!

Holy Week begins with the contradictory moods of Palm/Passion Sunday - the wild cheering and waving of palm branches by the hopeful crowds ... the gradual deserting of Jesus by all in the events that lead to the cross ... the pain and horror of death and the joy and new life of resurrection. Special services remember these events:

April 12, Maundy Thursday - Worship at St. Paul at 11:00 a.m., a traditional Maundy Thursday service of worship with Holy Communion and the Stripping of the Altar. - Worship at Grace at 7:00 p.m., a traditional Maundy Thursday service of worship with Holy Communion and the Stripping of the Altar and combined choirs singing.

April 13, Good Friday - Community Tre Ore service at First United Methodist Church from 12-3 p.m. This service is sponsored by congregations in our community including St. Paul and Grace Lutheran, Trinity Episcopal, First United Methodist, First Presbyterian and First Congregational Churches. - Evening worship at St. Paul at 8:00 p.m.

We move, then, from the darkness of Good Friday to the light of Easter with services of hope and resurrection joy:

April 14, Holy Saturday - An Easter Vigil service of watching and preparing at St. Paul at 5:30 p.m. Please note that this service will NOT BE an Easter service of resurrection as in prior years, but a Vigil during which the readings and hymns all point forward to Easter Sunday morning - the Easter decorations will be put in place during this service.

April 15, Easter Sunday - Easter Sunday Communion Celebrations at 8, 9:20 and 10:45 a.m.

The season of Easter lasts for a week of Sundays ... seven Sundays in all ... the celebration of resurrection to eternal life too awesome an undertaking for just one Sunday. So the season of Easter begins this year on April 15 and runs through May 27 - each Sunday a mini-celebration of the Easter message of hope and new life brought by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

May God's gracious Spirit surround you and hold you as you relive these great

events in the life of our faith through the worship of this community of faith.

Grace and Peace to you,

Rev. Dan Deutsch, Pastor

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Pastoral Ramblings

A monthly (or seasonal ... or occasional, as the case may be) rambling of thoughts ... thanks ... things coming up ... things to think about, etc.

Holy Week - This is the week that all of creation was once again set right with its Creator. This is the most sacred, most awe- inspiring week of the entire year. It is the week of Palms and Passion, of Death and Resurrection. Please note the times and places of special times for us this week to walk with Jesus as He takes our place at the cross and makes us one with God again.

Committee helpers needed - Under the direction of the Church Council, our congregation operates with 7 standing committees and several ad hoc committees. The seven standing committees include Education, Outreach, Stewardship/Finance, Property, Worship, Personnel and Youth. We are looking for interested members to serve on any of these committees, but, we have an immediate need for members to help in the areas of Outreach and Stewardship. If you have an interest in serving on any of these committees, please express your interest to one of the pastors. Thank you.

Good Friday to Easter Prayer Vigil - Certainly the period of Good Friday to Easter is a good time for a congregation to be in continuous prayer as we contemplate our Lord's activity on our behalf. Last year was our first attempt at this as we utilized the new Prayer Room for the first time. Those who participated all expressed excitement about this new venture and the joy and fulfillment it brought to their faith. So we are once again offering the opportunity to spend an hour alone with your Lord in prayer. On the Kiosk (bulletin board) in the entrance to church you will find a sign-up sheet with times from the end of our Good Friday evening worship (9:00 p.m.) until just prior (5:00 p.m.) toV the start of the Easter Vigil service on Saturday evening. These time periods will be in one hour increments and we are looking for two people to fill each time slot. There will be devotional and prayer material available for you and suggested directions for spending this time alone with the Lord. Please call me if you have any questions.

Stewardship - The Stewardship Committee is in the process of re-formation! Members of this Committee include Jeff Hoeksema and Don Rosenberg as Church Council reps., Jim Kucharek, Rod Lang, Sandra Samp and Harry Werth. We continue to look for additional members to serve in this area. Our first undertaking this year is a new Time and Talents Survey which will be collected and offered up to the Glory of God on Palm Sunday, computerized and used to give each of us opportunities to share our gifts in service to the Church. You should have received a letter from the Stewardship Committee along with the Time and Talent form in the mail this past week. If you cannot attend the Palm Sunday services on April 7/8, please return your survey to the church office as soon as possible. Thanks!

Service opportunity - There is a newly formed group of St. Paul members who provide a complete meal for members of the congregation who have just been released from the hospital when they return home. We are looking for additional volunteers to cook and/or deliver meals. If you are interested or know of someone who would like a meal following their hospital stay, please call Arlene Williams, 356-0598 or Lori Ludwig, 356-4753.

Hospital calls - If you or a loved one is going to be in the hospital for surgery, tests, etc., please call the church office to let us know. We will add you to the published prayer list in the bulletin (if you wish) so that others can join in prayers for you. Also let the church office know if you would like to be called on for prayer while you are at the hospital. Thanks for helping us out with this important ministry.

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 Matilda Ohlrich, Marilyn Stephan, Agnes Sonnenberg, Cleo Sonnenberg, Alma Welk, Helen Townsend, Jeanette Diemond, Eileen Werner, Ruth Schrader, Alice Standen, Alice Bluck, Helen Martinson, Hilda Sommerfield, Erna Golder, Betty Kollin, Viola Marquardt, Delores Stevens and Jeanette Pernie, Vi Bailey, Frank & Hilda Kelley, Margaret Kreutzfeldt, Grace McKay, Lila MacMillan, Bessie Nordguard, Pauline Olsen, Ardith Thorburn, Edna Zielinski, Mildred O'Brien, Evelyn Siegert, Marie Kirschner, Inez Owens, Russ Robb, Leona Warren, Sam Kramer. Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these, my brethren, you have done it to me." (Mt. 25:40)

God's richest blessings to each of you as we look forward to participating in another Holy Week and then experiencing the joy of Resurrection!

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Thank You to all the confirmation students, parents and Ellie Diamond for making the banners we used in Lenten worship. If you haven't seen them yet look on the balcony rail.

A Brief Digest of St. Paul Lutheran Church Council Minutes March 20, 2001

Old Business 

• Local missions funds- it was suggested by the members present that Sunrise Mission receive the April donation.
• Harry Werth and Tom Bates brought the estimates we requested from the R & R regarding the total estimated cost of redoing the ceilings and lights for the kitchen, bathroom, halls and classrooms for the entire Ed building. The total is approximately $138,768. The kitchen portion would be about $11,534.
• A letter to the council of concern that the new format and schedule for the Sunday services was not working out as hoped, and that there were not significantly more children in church services nor adults in Sunday school (adult ed) activities. After some discussion, it was suggested that a group from the worship and education groups and the council discuss the issue and come back to the next council meeting.

New Business

• The synod convention will be May 20-22 in the Holiday Inn South in Lansing.
• The Annual Council retreat was discussed and a tentative date of August 11 was suggested.
• The mutual ministry committee has met three times over recent weeks. Members of this group include the pastoral staff, Rod Lang, Jeff Hoeksema, John Diamond, Shirley Houston, Jan Boboltz, and Dave Werner. This committee's function is to give physical, spiritual, and emotional support to the pastoral staff.
• The church directory project is going forward.
• Financial statements were reviewed. Although income trailed expenses by only about $2400, the budget is further behind, and will need some increase in income.

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Sunday Morning Adult Education Opportunities

Bible Study with Bill Urlaub currently working through the Gospel of Luke This group meets in the lounge each Sunday at 9:15 come to dig into the Word!

The Gospel According to Peanuts explore the humor and depth of Charles Schultz's comic strip. This multi-media presentation is drawn from the best-selling book by Robert Short. Pastor Kurt will lead the presentation and discussion on April 1st at 9:15 at the back of the fellowship hall (no, it's not an April Fool's joke, but it's almost as fun!) Grab some coffee and donuts and join us by the big screen!

A Biblical Walk Through Holy Week 9:15 on April 8th,Palm/Passion Sunday. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus as he goes through the weekof his Passion. Pastor Dan will lead this session as we look ahead at Holy Week, the pivotal week in all of history.

Parenting by Heart a 6-week interactive course for parents that begins Easter Sunday (April 15th) and runs through May 20th. This course addresses frequently-asked questions that parents have such as: How can I be a successful parent? (there is one secret ingredient) How can I end my child's defiant behavior? (there are five options) How can I pass along my spiritual values to my child? (there are 3 steps) How can I maintain influence with my kids as they get older? (it's all based on just one thing)

There is an $8 fee (per family) for the course, which includes a workbook to help take home what you learn. Sign up in advance on Sunday mornings in the narthex or fellowship hall, or during the week in the church office. Come join other parents by the big screen TV in the fellowship hall each Sunday morning at 9:15, beginning on Easter breathe new life into your parenting skills! Be a better parent and raise better kids by relearning the basics.

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PASTORAL ACTS

ELIZABETH REDDIE joined our Lord in eternity on March 4, 2001. Her memorial service was held here, at St. Paul Lutheran, March 19, 2001.

RAY KRINIAK joined his Lord in eternity on March 19, 2001. His funeral was held March 22, here, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

On February 24, 2001 BLAIN RUSSEELL HEPBURN was baptized, son of Matthew and Tara (O'Donnell) Hepburn. His sponsors were Shawn Straley and Jason Hepburn.

On March 18, 2001 TYLER LEE HAMANN was baptized, son of Lee and Beth Hamann. His sponsors were Brian and Gail Hamann.

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Early Communion Workshop We will be holding another Early Communion Workshop for 3rd-4th graders and their parents on Saturday, May 5, from 10-1:00 p.m. The workshop will be held together with Grace at St. Paul. If you are interested in attending, please call the church office to sign up. Parents and students must attend together.

Thank you so very much to all the people who helped put on the Potato Pancake Supper at our church. Also to the members who donated. Thank you for the many laughs and good fellowship we all had. It was all greatly appreciated! Alice Gapske & Elroy Eagling

Action for LSSM Region 3 will be hosting their annual Spring meeting and a Coordinators/Reps workshop. We will be celebrating "the Year of the Volunteer" and dedicating this meeting to our long time service-worker Jenette Pernie. The meeting will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2001 at Hope Lutheran Church in Hubbard Lake. Registration with coffee will begin at 9:00 a.m. A $5.00 fee for lunch will be collected at the time of registration. For more information or to R.S.V.P., call Alice Schiellerd at (517) 727-2828

2001 WELCA Conference: The year 2001 WELCA Conference will be held at New Life Lutheran Church, Hubbard Lake, on Saturday, May 19, 2001. Registration and fellowship will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:00 a.m. Our theme of the day, "Women of Faith - Doing God's Work," will be enhanced by the message of our speaker, Mary Henderson, Admissions and Corporate Relations Director and Instructor of Elementary Education at Spring Arbor College. Mary tells an intriguing story about her heritage and the impact of a woman of faith in her life. You are invited to bring guests, your relatives, friends and neighborsr - to hear our inspirational speaker, special music and enjoy the fellowship of women from other congregations of Northeastern Michigan. With many new pastors in the Sunrise area, bring your pastor too.

SEWING BEE: Yes! It was a success! At one point, we had 21 people in the dining room, all working on sewing projects. Those who couldn't sew were cutting fabric, others were tying quilts and still others ironed bags. Some brought their own machines, others used one of the machines that were already here. Some made quilts. Others made bags to hold the school kits. Some stayed all day and had lunch. Others worked for a few hours. Others worked, left, and came back. But when everything was done, the general consensus was that it was fun!!! Some folks said they would come again, although not on a regular basis. Others said they wanted to come weekly. So, the following was decided: 1. For those who can commit on a weekly basis, they will join the folks at Grace Lutheran on Tuesday mornings. That group meets from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. They meet year around. If there is a school cancellation because of bad weather, or holiday, they do not meet. 2. For those who can commit to a quarterly project, they can attend the day long sewing bee that will be held here, at St. Paul on the following dates: May 15th, August 21st, and November 13th. While you're marking your calendar, add February 19, 2002 also. We will begin at 9 am and work until the last person goes home. More details about lunch will be provided as the dates get closer. It looks like this is one of the rare cases where everyone will be happy--whether they can sew or not, and whether they want frequent or infrequent sewing dates. Sew, mark your calendars - we'd love to see YOU !

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A Brief Note from Les Answers to things you may have wondered about on Sunday mornings....

SHOULDN'T THE PASTOR'S AND CHOIR WEAR THEIR ROBES AT ALL SERVICES? It is traditional within most liturgical churches that those leading and participating in worship services wear robes. When robes came into existence, they were the ordinary street garb of the day. Gradually as services became more formalized, a robe was used to 'cover up' the person leading worship. This was so that congregation would not be distracted by the person themselves, but rather that the officiant be seen as the spokesperson for God. As more and more churches added more informal services during the late 20th century, many churches do not use robes for formal services.

WHY CAN LES PREACH AND DO FUNERALS BUT NOT BAPTISMS AND WEDDINGS AND COMMUNION? We talked about this in the newsletter last September, but again...."If a family that she has been ministering to loses a loved one and they ask her to do the funeral, she is certainly more than welcome to officiate at that funeral. Unlike the Sacraments and marriage, where a pastor normally presides, it has never been a requirement by either the church or the state that a person be an ordained pastor to officiate at a funeral". Ordination is a state requirement for officiating at weddings. Bishop Hansen has given me permission to preside during Holy Communion when the need arises, but he has not given the same permission to perform baptisms. As you know, any Christian, in an emergency, can officiate at a baptism. Since the baptism ceremonies done in church are scheduled well in advance, it is appropriate that the person performing them be an ordained minister.

WHEN IS COMMUNION OFFERED? One may receive the Lord's Supper every Sunday during the 8 am traditional service. On the first and third weekends of the month Communion is celebrated at the 530 pm and 920 am services also. On the second and fourth Sundays those attending the 1045 am service have the opportunity to receive Communion. At the discretion of the pastoral staff, there are times when Communion is celebrated at all services.

Maybe you want to see more liturgical questions discussed in future newsletters....Let me know.....Other questions or comments? Talk to me!

Your Servant in Christ,

Leslie Nye, Pastoral Assistant