May 1998
St. Paul Epistle
COUNCIL RETREAT
The Church Council met on Saturday, March 28, 1998. The purpose of the retreat was to review our Mission Statement and the goals which were established in 1993. The meeting was lead by Pastor John Schleicher of the Synod Staff. From the day long event, the following Mission Statement was redefined: St. Paul Lutheran's Mission is to be an expression of God's compassion in our community and beyond!
Along with the defining of the Mission, they lifted up eight areas which will be addressed in the next six months. The areas are: Stewardship, Hospitality team, Lay Ministry for shut-ins, Resource person on Generations, Lay assisting Ministers, Part Time Counselor, Nursery, Worship Time Change.
You will be hearing about some items which we will try for a few months in order to enhance worship (ie. moving worship time 15 or 30 minutes, new programs with youth ministry, etc.). Following the trial period an evaluation with feed back will be requested to determine feasibility. A temple talk will be given at all services on May 23rd- 24th for the purpose of sharing areas of work.
HOLY COMMUNION SCHEDULE
The following schedule will be used for the next six months, at which time it will be reviewed. It comes as a recommendation of the Altar Care group. We will still offer Holy Communion every Sunday at one of the worship services, but it will be on the following schedule. 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays - H.C. at 5:30, 8:00, 9:20 - 2nd, 4th Sundays - H.C. at 10:30
HOLY COMMUNION WORKSHOP
You are invited to attend a 2 hour workshop on Saturday, May 23rd. It will run from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This workshop is open to all students who are at least 9 or 10 years of age or older. If your child is younger and you as their parent feel they are ready for communion, we invite you as well. We do ask that all parents call the parish office to indicate your attendance at this workshop. The young people and parents will be invited to celebrate the Eucharist at one of the Services on the 24th of May. If you have questions, please call the Parish Office and talk with one of the pastors. Thank You!
A Parable for Spring for the body of Christ at St. Paul
Once upon a time there was a town that did not know how to keep going. Everything seemed to be finished in the town. Nothing was exciting and nothing seemed new. It was hard for tomorrow to come. People slept longer. Businesses began closing. People yawned a lot.
One day a visitor came to town and walked down the street eating an apple. This impressed the people very much. The visitor ate the apple as though it was a gift. He blessed the core and gave each family in town one seed from the apple. The visitor left and promised to return one day.
The people returned to their houses as usual, but something new began to happen in this town. Now the people appear as though they are all expecting something to happen. They are opening their windows so the sun can shine in. They believe that the visitor will return. In the meantime, they are taking care of the gifts of seed. They are planting them and nurturing them. The town seems to be taking on new life again. Hardly anyone yawns anymore!
In the Easter Hope and Promise of Resurrection!
Pastor Dan Deutsch
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Perfect Attendance for March l998 The following students have had perfect attendance during March: Bradley LaFleche, Dylan Johnson, Amanda Kucharek, Justine LaFleche, Katie Kieliszewski, Kristen Hartman, Sadie Heythaler, Alysha Losinski, Levi Heythaler, Nickole Stein-Fisher, Nicholas Hartman, Ann Weide, Travis Cramer, and Jessica Weide.
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Responding to the grace of God in our lives, we are called to share Christ's love with neighbors near and far... to the ends of the earth. Your ELCA Vision For Mission offering will help make Christ known locally and globally. Gifts will be shared to help in three different ways:
Here at home- one-third of your offering will help Peace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph Township call an ELCA pastor and embrace additional unchurched families living in southwest Michigan. In Honduras- one third of your gift will help the Lutheran Church of the Honduras construct a clinic/multipurpose room in the town of San Pedro Sula. Churchwide-one third of your gift will benefit other Global Mission and Outreach efforts managed by the Elca Churchwide Office.
Vision For Mission Churchwide offering is scheduled for May 17th. Please help share the love of Christ, near and far. Give generously to the ELCA Vision For Mission Fund.
Acolyte Schedule
5/3/98
8:30 a.m. Katy Dutcher, Abbi Kasubowski
5/10/98
8:30 a.m.Jennifer Lamb Ashlee Zitlau
10:30a.m. Brett Steinke Nick Prevo
5/17/98
8:30 a.m. Ashlee Zitlau Jessica Weide
10:30a.m. Leandra Centala
5/24/98
8:30 a.m. Mike Lamb Travis Cramer
10:30a.m. Abbi Kaszubowski Vanessa Wekwert
5/31/98
8:30 a.m. Derek Heussner Joe Kelbaugh
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Small Group News
Womens' Issues Small Group: This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are held in the lounge and begin at 7 p.m. There are many new topics that we are exploring this year. We invite women of all ages 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 356-6109.
Daytime Bible Discussion for Retirees: This group is currently studying and discussing the New Testament book of Mark. Their meetings for May will include Mondays, the 11th and 25th , at 9:30 a.m. in the lounge. They welcome new people to join in this time of study and fellowship. Please call Arlene Anderson at 356- 1556 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 May, the classes will meet on the 4th and the 6th. 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 Prayer Ministry group that meets in the evening has recently been formed. Please call Vern Kingsbury (356-9790) if you would like to be part of this group or would like more information. They meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. 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 if you are interested in being part of this daytime group.
The Support Group "Dealing with Grief" meets 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, May 6th. 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.
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 meetings in May include the 5th and the 26th. Please call Denise Hoeksema, 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, May 23rd . New couples are always welcome. Call Kori at 354-2688 for more information.
A Scripture Discussion Group that meets weekly on Tuesday mornings from 7-7:45 a.m. in the lounge. The Scripture lessons appointed for the following Sunday are discussed. New participants are always welcome to come and bring a cup of coffee and join in the discussion. Please call Pastor Deutsch if you have questions or would like more information.
An Interest Group for Basketball Players recently began meeting. If you are interested in participating and playing in our gym, please call Jeff Hoeksma at 354-7509 for more information. They meet on Thursday evenings at 8:30 p.m.
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Calling all Grads...... We are requesting the names, graduation dates, institutions of learning and future plans of those who will be graduating from college or special training this year. We look forward with pleasure to sharing the accomplishments of our St. Paul members and their families. If you know a graduate who would like to share their graduation news with us, please call or write the parish office: 356-1658 or 727 S. Second Ave., Alpena, MI 49707. The information we collect will be shared in our June newsletter.
CHRISTIAN FAMILY CAMPOUT
The 46th Christian Family Campout will be held at Clear Lake State Park on May 15, 16, & 17 1998. There will be lots of fun and activities for all ages. A Potluck will be held on Saturday night, and worship service on Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome to join us for fellowship and a good time. No reservations needed. See the kiosk for more information or call Jerry and Doris Neumann 354-5721 or Bill and Marian Urlaub 354-3351
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Mother-Daughter Banquet
Mark Wednesday, May 20th on your calendar for our Mother & Daughter Banquet. This years theme will be "Special Memories past and present."
The banquet will be held one week later this year because we did not have any volunteers until recently. The group from the last 3 years with the help of a few others has agreed to do it again!!
The dinner will be catered and the men of the church will do the serving. Dinner will be roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, vegetable, rolls, dessert and beverage.
Watch your Sunday Bulletin for additional information about ticket sales. Kay LaCross-Chairperson
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Action for LSSM provided $2,462 in grants and contributions to Project Trust, a program of Lutheran Social Services. We received a $900 Action grant, a $1,058 Convention offering, and a $504 offering from Region 3.Action funding made a significant difference for special client needs. Action support means so much spiritually, as well as financially. On behalf of staff and people we serve, thank you. Jenette Pernie
Blood Drive Information
St. Paul Lutheran Church will be sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 13th at the Presbyterian Church from 12:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Needed are people to make phone calls from their home on the evening of May 11th. We also need canteen supplies cookies, and non-sweet canteen items (monetary gifts will be accepted to put toward these items) Sign-up slips for the canteen items and phone caller volunteers, worker positions and those who wish to donate blood will be on the bulletin board and at a table during coffee hours on Sundays. We need our participation to make this Blood Drive a success. Please call Sherri Grzeskowiak at 356-2755 if you wish to volunteer but cannot sign up at church.
Pastoral Acts
On April 4, 1998 RYLAN FOSTER MCDONALD son of Angela and Lee McDonald with sponsors Jennifer Grzeskowiak and Sean Robere.
On April 11, 1998 NOELLE JUSTINE KORPUSIK daughter of Shawnee Korpusik and Blane Wolfgang with sponsors Judy and Tony Makowski.
On April 26, 1998 RYAN LOUIS WIRGAU son of Becky and Ronald Wirgau with sponsors Joan Konieczny and Dale Zielaskowski
Still Needed: Teachers for 1st & 2nd grade also 5th & 6th grade. VBS workers (teacher assistants, kitchen help, and gym/activity helpers - OLDER STUDENTS ARE EXCELLENT VBS HELPERS!) are welcome to make our VBS a great week for the students who will be attending. Please give a couple of hours a day for a week in this ministry for our youth. What a wonderful opportunity to witness to your faith by helping the children - call Esther Kindt evenings at 471-2274 to offer your helping hands during the week of VBS!
Later items needed will be paper plates (small or large), napkins, paper cups, lots of cookies (these can be packaged ones or homemade) and juice (this can be cans or bottled), kool-aid with sugar added. Drop off closer to VBS and Mark VBS on them. Thanks!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
St. Paul Lutheran Church
727 S. Second, Alpena, MI 49707
June 22 - 26, 1998 9:30 a.m. - noon
Deadline to Register - June 15th.
Student's Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Last school grade completed: _____________ Birth date: ____________________________________
Known allergies or medical concerns: _____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________
Parent's name:________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _______________Work phone: _________________Emergency phone: ______________
Parent's church: ______________________________________________________________________
I can donate: Juice _____ Cookies_______