June/July 1998
St. Paul Epistle
May Church Council Summary
Report of Attendance to the Conference at the Community of Joy Church in Phoenix, Arizona, April 1998, and to St. Paul Congregation
The sessions which I chose to attend, centered around church related computer activities and music worship. I found them to be interesting and informative but not particularly applicable to our situation here at St. Paul's. On the other hand, our joint attendance to the general sessions, presented food for thought that I deemed most useful as we try to reach our own Alpena people.
We seem to be a run-of-the-mill type of congregation, conservative in our worship, tied to traditional ways, a modest attendance of mostly middle aged and older members, demonstrating a limited local outreach effort to the unchurched of our community and showing resistance to any real change. It seemed to me that the main thrust of the conference was directed right at St. Paul's. All the research data indicate that the younger members of our society are staying away from church by the droves and yet they have as much spiritual need and awareness, but find little interest in the patterns of worship provided by the traditional services. The language and the music of traditional worship is foreign to them and serves to repel rather than attract them. Furthermore they find that though the churches voice great concern for their fellows, little is done to demonstrate such concern. Our mission seems to them, mostly clanging symbols and not much real charity. To their view, we come to church on Sunday, follow our forms and traditional words, and that is the end of it until next Sunday when we repeat it all over again. They have little interest in becoming a part of such practices.
It seems to me that if we wish to put into practice what we know our faith to dictate, then a way must be found to return the unchurched young people of our area to the practice of Christian faith. All indicators suggest to do that will require our willingness to change. What that change is to be, must be decided by our own congregation, but they must first be made aware of the need for those changes. As one of those members, I believe that we need to put our faith into practice by some pattern of outreach to those in need right here in Alpena. We need to do it with our money and with our own time. We also need to provide some kind of a service which reflects their choice. To your and my ear it might sound like a rock concert, but if the content is the same as our own, what matter the form. We don't have to make their method of worship ours, anymore than they should have to accept ours. But to attract them, we must provide for the change.
To remain alive, our churches need young people. Not only will their presence give new life to the church, it will stimulate our own. The times that each of us has felt especially good about ourselves, are those times when we gave away those treasures that we held most dearly, to someone else who had a greater need for them then we did. That same experience can be had in our church life as well, and the young people who see such action, want to be a part of that. Their idealism drives them to it. Let's try to find a way! by Elbridge Dunckel
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"Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28)
Listen! It is time to listen to a word of authority ... a word of wisdom ... a word from One who is life itself. It is time to listen to the Word ... the Word that spoke once for all ... the Word that still speaks to us today. It speaks. He speaks. Listen!
Listen!
Yours for open ears and hearts - in Christ,
Pastor Dan Deutsch
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PASTORAL ACTS
MAYNARD HAKEN passed away on May 3, 1998. His funeral was held at Bannan Funeral Home on May 6,1998 and was officiated at by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert.
JOHN T. MCKAY passed away on May 18, 1998. His funeral was held at Wachterhauser Funeral Home on May 27, 1998 and was officiated at by Daniel Deutsch.
AUSTIN MICHAEL HANSON son of Alicia Hanson was baptized May 22, 1998. Austin passed away on May 24, 1998. His funeral was held at St. Paul Lutheran church. May 27, 1998 and was officiated at by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert
THO MAS LAWRENCE SIMON AND PAMELA SUE BRUSATI were married by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert on May 16, 1998. They were attended by William Eaton and Jamie Roy.
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Invitation to St. Paul Lutheran Church
By the grace of Almighty God and in accordance with tradition and the Holy Scriptures, James Bradley Authier by the laying on of hands and prayer, will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on June 14, 1998 at 5 o'clock in the afternoon at St. Matthew Lutheran Church 7109 Wolf Creek Road, Herron, MI James has been called to be pastor of Christ Lutheran Church 2 Richmond Avenue, Mozart Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
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Auction - August 12, 1998 -5:30 pm.
Light Meal Provided -Vern Kingsbury-Auctioneer
Needed-many homemade donations Sponsored by Education Committee Proceeds will be going to New Life in Christ Church, Hubbard Lake. Any questions please call the church office. Watch August newsletter for more details.
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The Mother & Daughter Banquet committee wish to thank all who helped in any way to make our banquet a success. Honorees for our Special Memories banquet were: Anna Boboltz, Norma Panknin, Mary Steinke, Catherine Kreft, Ruth Robb. Ruthelma Smith, Myra Hasse, Elgene Lee. It was a wonderful evening reminiscing about the strong ties between mothers & daughters.
Thanks to all that made this a wonderful evening: Committee members, Jodi Lahti, Gloria Gunderson, Sharon Anderson, Fannie Diemond, Theresa Stoppa, Marian Urlaub, Norma Panknin St. Paul Quartet-Sandi Sims, Marvis McNeil, Duane Beyer, Arnie Kindt, Norm Dutcher & dining room crew, Don Smith & kitchen help,Vern Kingsbury and servers and all others who helped in any way with this great evening.
St. Paul Ladies: Start thinking now about a chairperson & committee for next year. This committee served for the past three years. Kathleen LaCross, Chairperson
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A big heart felt "Thank You" is sent out from Gerry Ludwig for all of the care and love she has received during this time of loss. You will notice five flowering crab trees that are planted on Second Avenue, bordering the parking lot. They have been planted in memory of Jim Ludwig from memorials received by Gerry and family for St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
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Christian Family Campout
The 47th Christian Family campout was held May 15, 16, and 17th at Clear Lake State Park. There were 21 units with 51 campers and 7 visitors at the Saturday potluck. Eight Churches were represented. A great time was had by all. Come join us for the next campout at Hoeft State Park on September 11, 12, 13th.Doris& Jerry Neumann, Ellie & John Diamond committee members.
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Many thanks Jenette Pernie sends for all the greeting cards which have been collected for LSSM. Keep those cards coming!
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The beautiful Geraniums planted around St. Paul were again furnished and planted by members of the Lois Circle, husbands and friends. A big thanks to all workers for a job well done. Now the work begins for the care taking skills of Anna Mae & Alfred Boboltz.
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Thank you to everyone who gave of their time and helped with the Red Cross Blood Drive. Those workers included Anna Mae Boboltz, Irene Smith, Grace Olsen, JoEllen Lang, Marie Wilke, Shana Grzeskowiak, Esther Kindt, Diane Lozen, Thelma Connelly, Annette Kindt, Barb Urban, Ruthelma Smith, Cindy & Sherrie Newhouse, Denise Hoeksema, Norene Diamond, Mary & Ashley Zitlau, Lori Ludwig, Jan Stafford, Marion Urlaub, Geri Wyman, Carrie Collins, Harriet Kelm, Warren Libka, Bill Wilke, Don Greskowiak, Tom Heythaler, Ray MaldenLauer, Frank Anderson, Shirley Labreque and Evelyn Robarge. The Transfusable Units were 98. The Donors Processed -102, and the First Time Donors were 2. Thanks again for all your help!
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Presque Isle Promenaders Square Dance club will be offering beginner square dance lessons starting Tuesday, July 28th at 6:30 pm at Rogers City elementary school in Rogers City. The first lesson is free. For more information call Bob and Judy Nordstrand at 354-5507. Join us for fun and good exercise.
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The last day of Sunday school was May 17th and we had a great time! All children received at least two gifts provided by the Sunday School that were awarded based on attendance throughout the year. The following children should be specially recognized for having over 90% attendance this year: Chad Bock Travis Cramer Kristen Hartmen Nicholas Hartmen Levi Heythaler Sadie Heythaler Geoffrey Hoeksema Lauren Hoeksema Amanda Kucharek Emily Twite Anne Weide
Congratulations to these students and their parents, who made a real effort to be active participants in Sunday School this year. Plans are already underway for next year. We have a few teachers who won't be returning, so we are looking for volunteers to teach grades Kindergarten and 7th. Nursery age Sunday school is under review-your feedback about whether or not it is a good idea is appreciated. If we decide to keep it, we will need a teacher. We will also be splitting 3rd and 4th grades this year-so we'll need either a 3rd or 4th grade teacher. The first day of Sunday School next year will be September 13. Please call Joanne Gallagher at 354-3181 x114 during the day to volunteer to teach or help.
Andrea & Joanne
Co-superintendents
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Looking for something exciting to do for an evening or two? Why not bring your cheering voice and clapping hands, and come to support one of your St. Paul softball teams? These are teams made up of our church members so you should know some or all of the team players. The Red team plays in the recreational division and the blue team plays in the competitive division. So"Come on out to the Ball Game." Schedule printed on enclosed monthly calendars.