December 1997
St. Paul Epistle
ADVENT SERVICE & DESSERT FELLOWSHIP
Advent is a special time in the church year a time for new beginnings, a time for preparation, a time to celebrate His Coming. We are planning an evening of worship and fellowship to help set the tone for His coming. We will begin with a short worship service on Wednesday evening, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Following the worship service, we will have a dessert fellowship in the Fellowship Hall. However, we do ask that you sign up so we have hostesses and desserts prepared. If you have not attended in the past, each table is hosted and served a special dessert on fine linen/china/crystal by candle light and prepared by a special hostess. So how about beginning your preparations for the King, by spending an enjoyable and relaxing evening with friends, new and old. You may sign up by calling the parish office or by registering on Sunday morning at worship. SEE YOU!!!
Christmas Eve Worship
ST. PAUL INVITES YOU TO CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
Wednesday Evening, December 24, 1997
Services will be at 5:30, 8:00 & 10:30
Children's Sermon at 5:30 Adult Choir at 8 & 10:30
Holy communion will be shared at all Christmas Eve services
ST. PAUL TO HOST HERB MILLER SEMINAR - "Going Fishing without leaving Home"
September 1998 seems like something in the distance future. Well, in some ways it is, but we need eight people who will begin to make arrangements in January for the Herb Miller seminar which will be Sunday, September 13, 1998. The Synod and conferences through the Trapp Estate has given us $2,400.00 toward the cost of the seminar. The committee will need to work at a number of areas to make this day a success. I have asked David Werner to chair this committee. The steering committee with the eight members will be calling upon a number of you from the congregation to help with the events of the day. The steering committee will have four sub-committees: Publicity, Hospitality, Registration, and the Meal. Please contact either David or Pastor Bessert with your willingness to help. Thanks!!
It will be open to all congregations in the North/West Lower Michigan Synod, and some from the Upper Michigan Synod, as well as all denominations in the northern portion of Lower Michigan.
FOUR OF OUR YOUTH INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Hats off to four young people from St. Paul who on Monday evening, November 10th were inducted into the National Honor Society. The four youth are Holly Webster, Stacy Ohlrich, Chad Kirchoff, and Darby Cornelius. They were chosen based on their Leadership, Scholarship, Character and Service. The induction was lead by the President of National Honor Society, Adam Peirce, another young person who belongs to St. Paul. Congratulations and best wishes as you continue your high school studies!!!
ADVENT is a special time in the church year - a time for new beginnings. It is a time of getting ready ... a time of preparation. It is a time of preparation for His coming. This Advent we once again prepare for His coming into the world and into our hearts and homes. We prepare for His coming again at the end of time.
We prepare for His coming by turning ourselves around and reordering our priorities and our values. We prepare for His coming by redirecting our hearts and lives. We prepare for His coming by turning these chaotic days of preparation into days of prayer and Sabbath rest ... days of being fed with real food in Word and Sacrament.
We prepare with the excitement of little children as we once again turn our eyes toward a star and a manger and the most wondrous event of human history - God become man ... the King of Kings become the Babe of Bethlehem ... the Lord of Lords become the Prince of Peace.
May His love and grace be in your hearts and homes during this season of preparation. God's peace be with you.
Pastor Dan Deutsch
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Small Group News
Womens' Issues Small Group: This group will be meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are held in the lounge and begin at 7 p.m. There will be new activities and new topics this year. Feel free to join in these lively discussions and studies. We would love to have YOU be part of the group. Please call Leslie Nye for more information at 356-6109.
The Support Group "Dealing with Grief" began meeting again this fall. They meet on the first Wednesday evening of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Alice Gapske. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd. This group is open to anyone who has experienced a loss in life and would like help in dealing with their pain. Please call Alice at 356-1910 for more information
The "Practicing Our Faith" Small Group Book Discussion is holding monthly discussions at two different times. We meet on the 1st Monday of each month at 7 p.m. and repeat the class on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 11:45 a.m. For December, the classes meet on the 1st and the 10th. Both sessions will meet in the lounge. Feel free to bring your lunch to the Wednesday noon gathering. Please call Pastor Dan or Mary Lou at 595-2086 for more information.
A New Prayer Ministry group that meets in the evening has just been formed. Please call Vern Kingsbury (356- 9790) if you would like to be part of this group. There is also a daytime group that will continue meeting this year. Don Smith leads this group and meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the library. Please call Don at 354-4479 is you are interested.
Daytime Bible Discussion for Retirees: This group is currently studying the New Testament book of Mark. Their meetings for December will include Mondays, the 1st and 15th, at 9:30 a.m. They meet at 454 Oliver St. They welcome new people to join in this time of study and fellowship. Please call Arlene Anderson at 356-1556 for more information. . Do you have an interest in your family history? Genealogy is a hot topic these days. If you are interested in being part of a group to learn about and discuss the practice of Geneaology, please let Pastor Ron know. This group meets on Monday evening this month, Dec. 8, at 7:00 p.m.
A Group for Parents of Young Children that deals with parenting issues meets every third Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth room. Their next meeting is Dec. 16th. Please call Denise Hoeksema at 354-7509 for more information.
A Relationship Group for Young Couples dealing with Marriage is led by Dane and Kori Werth. They meet on the 4th Saturday of the month at 5:00 p.m. at church. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 27th. New couples are always welcome. Call Kori at 354-2688 for more information.
An Interest Group for Basketball Players began meeting this past month. If you are interested in participating and playing in our gym, please call Jeff Hoeksma at 354-7509 for more information.
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
It's time to start thinking about Christmas and Christmas programs. This years program is "Simple Gifts of Christmas." The directors are JoAnn Gallagher, Andrea Dutcher and the Sunday school teachers. Anyone else who would like to help just show up at the practices and let us know. Practices will be: Wednesday, December 10th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - for 1st through - 8th graders who are participating. Wednesday, December 17th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for K through 8th graders who are participating. Saturday, December 20th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon - All children nursery through 8th grade who are participating. A hot dog lunch will be served after the Saturday practice. The program is Sunday, December 21st at 6:00 p.m. Children should be in classroom at 5:30 p.m.
The attendance has been great this year with the following children having 4 week perfect attendance: Emily Fisher, Bradley LaFleche, Shane Lancewicz, Kyle Urban, Brandon Baur, Jonathon Dziesinski, Ashley Cousineau, Brittany Fisher, Lauren Hoeksema, Abby Steinke, Sadie Heythaler, Geoffrey Hoeksema, Emily Lozen, Alison Twite, Chad Bock, Levi Heythaler, Nickole Stein, Lisa Preuss, Emily Twite, Travis Cramer, Rachel Marzean, Nick Prevo, Kyle Suszek, Michael Preuss, Jennifer Lamb and Derek Heussner.
COMMUNITY CHORUS
Thunder Bay Arts Council to present its 11th annual Christmas Concert, Sunday evening, December 21, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. The performance will be presented at the Alpena High School Auditorium.
The program will include excerpts from the Messiah as well as European Carols.
The Esther Circle Christmas Potluck will be on Thursday, December 4th at 6:00 p.m.
CHURCH COUNCIL REVIEW
The following items of business were handled by the church council: Welcomes 2 new council members who were just elected. Scouts were given permission to sell Christmas Trees. They will use the parking lot on the north side of church. Approved Leer's request for Pastor Bessert being their intern supervisor for the 1998-99. Pledged $1,500 to the Alpena General Hospital Chapel Fund. This is to be paid out in three installments with a free will offering be collected in May '98. Discussed that we ended October in the RED ($- 834.67). Installation of Church Council - 12-21-97 Set next meeting for Dec. 10th, 1997.
IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
We are asking for your assistance. Please call Pastor Bessert, Pastor Deutsch or the church office if you know of someone who wishes a home visit or someone who is in need of a Christmas food basket. You all are our eyes and ears and we depend on your help to make certain that no one in need or shut-in is missed.
Thank you for your help!!
Long Rapids Community Chorus Christmas Concert: The Christmas musical "King Jesus is His Name," arranged by Joseph Linn and directed by Sandi Sims, will be presented Sunday, December 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the Long Rapids Congregational Church (Long Rapids Road and M-65N). A second concert will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 13 at 5:30 pm. Please join us for the beautiful musical presentation
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Matt 26:35-36 'for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you visited me.'
CALL US FOR HELP is an information and referral service to help people in times of need. Sponsored by participating local churches and human service groups. We need our community support, please give generously to participating churches. Also ask your Pastor or benevolent board if they are participating in supporting this ministry.
CALL US FOR HELP started helping people in February this year. We get an average of 60 contacts and approximately 28 applications filed for help each month. We try to help anyone in need and we also assist them in long and short term goal setting and budgeting.
CALL US FOR HELP has helped many families with food, shelter, clothing, heat, electric and evictions including over 20 homeless.
If you're interested in further information.....please call 358-3107.
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We are looking for persons who would be willing to help for a couple hours putting up the Christmas tree Wednesday, December 10th at 6:00 p.m. We will also be decorating the church on Thursday, December 11th at 7:00 p.m. Hope you will help us make our church look beautiful for the holidays.
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May you have a joyous Christmas and a New Year blessed with Peace and Happiness From All The Staff of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
WELCA Christmas Celebration Coming Soon!!!
We would like to invite all women from St. Paul & Grace Lutheran to join us for an evening of great food and fellowship to be held on Thursday, December 11th. Our catered dinner this year will be Turkey and all the delicious trimmings.
Social Time at 5:30p.m. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Cost $7.00
Tickets are still available at coffee hours from Grace Olsen, circle members Sharon Anderson, Pauline LeBlanc and Geri Ludwig and the church office. Please make your plans now to attend. Invite a friend and enjoy the occasion to visit with old friends and meet new ones.
Lutheran World Relief - Margaraet Kreutzfeldt reports that the following items were donated to the relief effort this year: 145 quilts 29 School kits 20 Health Kits 34 sweaters 9 Layettes
We do not have a report from headquarters concerning the total donations for 1997. As soon as we receive this news, we will share it with you. If the wonderful effort by the devoted workers here at St. Paul has been repeated at all of the churches this will have been another year of generous Christian assistance for those who suffer greatly and have much need.
The Boy Scouts will be selling Christmas Trees on Saturday & Sunday, November 29th & 30th here at St. Paul Lutheran Church. They will be selling all trees for $5.00 on a first come, first serve basis, all day beginning at 10:00 a.m. until all trees are sold. One hundred percent of the profits will go to the long term camp for the Boy Scouts.
A Big Heartfelt Thank you for another Memorable Bazaar!!
*to those who prepared the delicious lunch
*to everyone who attended the monthly meetings and helped to plan our bazaar
*to all who donated their many wonderful crafts, homemade treats, goodies of all kinds and everyone who donated canning jars so that others could fill them with wonderful food items.
*to those who made and sold the luncheon tickets
We had so many wonderful items this year and also some new faces - we say "Welcome!"
Thanks also to everyone who worked that day upstairs in the gym, downstairs in the dining room and kitchen, and those who came to clean up afterwards. TO ALL WHO CAME AND HELPED SUPPORT THE ST. PAUL 1997 CHRISTMAS BAZAAR, MANY THANKS!
A wrap-up meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 PM. In room #202. The results will be presented at this time so please plan to attend - we want to see you there!
From our hearts we want to offer thanks to the over 100 people who said "yes" to give of their time and talents to make this bazaar so much fun for us and such a grand success!! Matched funds will be from Lutheran Brotherhood #8060.
Co chairpersons Esther Kindt and Ann Olsen
PASTORAL ACTS
WARREN & JEN (KATHERINE DODD) CHABOT had a Blessing of their Civil Marriage service on October 4, 1997, officiated at by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert
BURT & JOANNE (DONNELLY)STONE were united in marriage on October 18th, officiated at by Pastor Eric Schwochow.
On November 1, 1997 CORY LEE MCCONNELL, son of Steven & Sue Libka with sponsors Warren Libka, Jr. and Shari Alexander.
RONALD G. PIECHAN passed away on November 3, 1997. His funeral was held on November 14th, with Pastor Ronald C. Bessert officiating.
SUZAN MILLER passed away on November 15, 1997. Her funeral was held at St. Paul Lutheran on November 19th with Pastor Daniel Deutsch officiating.