St. Paul Epistle

www.stpaul.org                                       Volume 98, Issue 10                                               October 1998

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I begin my final newsletter article with a multitude of feelings and thoughts. It is hard to reflect upon 11 « years of ministry. Yet, I do so with both joys and sorrows, because many things have been accomplished and many more have not. The dreams which I have had for St. Paul will now be left in your capable hands to carry forth.

The most exciting and rewarding for me is the church being restored, the 9:20 worship format and the Saturday evening service. I recall the comments about the 9:20 which ranged from its a crazy idea, it won't work, you are taking people from our service and on and on. In reflecting back, the one thought that I have is this, it was done to serve God and to give people an opportunity to express their worship in a variety of ways by meeting their needs. Has it been easy, No. Has it created more work, Yes. Would I do it again, Yes. Is there more to be done, Yes. You see, we are living in a Post-Christian time when the church needs to reach out to people. We can no longer assume because we have a building that people will come to us, rather we need to go out and meet them, inviting them into the fellowship and into the house of the Lord. It means that we must be more hospitable by caring, reaching, touching the visitor and the member in very special and important ways. It means that we must continue to educate ourselves as to ways of making a difference.

I rejoice and cry as I think of the many lives, events and happenings that I have been permitted to be involved in. They range from anniversaries, weddings, funerals, hospital calls, confirmation classes, adult inquirers classes, counseling sessions and coffee hours, home visits and on and on.

The "Going Fishing without Leaving Home" seminar was a huge success. It was attended by over 120 people from our Synod and community. The sad thing is we had less than 15 of our people and few of our leadership here to benefit from the seminar. In talking with a member from the local Presbyterian church, they indicated that they needed to hear the stuff from the conference and their board was meeting in a week to put into practice many of the things that they heard. We need to remember that we are never to old or sure of ourselves to learn new things.

There are many things which I could say, but time nor space permit. There is one thing which I would like to ask you to do, share words of thanks with people more often. I have had more people come up and share that this or that thing made a difference in their life, but had failed to say something, to say thanks. It is good to hear it now, but it would and could have made a lot of difference as one serves in your midst. There are many people who help in worship, the kitchen, in the education, in leadership, and the list goes on and on. So please, would you say a simple "thank you" along the way. It can make a lot of difference for those days when things are hard, complaints are loud and words of encouragement are few.

I will miss you and I give thanks for you. I have appreciated the support that many of you have given me, the words of counsel and the insights that you have shared. I believe I leave you a stronger and better congregation than when I arrived. "Thanks be to God." The next 10 years are not going according to my plans, since the Lord has other plans for me/us. I request that you remember us in your prayers and I will do the same as we move on to a new ministry. I pray that God will continue to bless you with many good and gracious things in the future.

Pastor Ron Bessert

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ!

Those continue to be among my favorite words of Scripture. They are powerful words that remind us of who we are and why we are here. They remind us of the center of our lives from which everything else flows. They remind me of why I am here and what I am called to do - to share with you in all that I do and say this grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This has certainly been another year filled with grace and peace and opportunities to share that grace and peace. There are some things I feel particularly good about and hope continue in the years ahead. I feel good about our attempt to meet the worship needs of all of our people with our varied times and types of worship. I feel good about our accomplishments so far with the overall educational ministry of the congregation.

We have some wonderful and dedicated teachers touching the lives of our young people. We continue to be successful in growing this program and in our attempts to more closely integrate the life of the Sunday School with the worship life of the congregation. We also have completed our second year of a new Small Group program. Some of these groups will continue to meet in this coming year and some new groups will form. We are still looking to expand the opportunities available to you for growth and fellowship in various interest groups and we continue to need your support and prayers.

As I look ahead, the coming months will bring changes into all of our lives with the departure of Pastor Ron. I look forward to continuing to minister to you and equipping you to minister to those whom God has placed in your paths. To do this I unashamedly ask for your support and your daily prayers. Continued "Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!"

Pastor Dan Deutsch

St. Paul Lutheran will hold their Annual meeting on Sunday, October 25, 1998. It will follow the late service at 12:00 with a potluck dinner and a meeting. We will hold election for Church Council members, review reports and goals for the coming year(s), establish the budget and a number of misc. items.

Dear Pastor Deutsch & St. Paul Lutheran Congregation,

Your checks totaling $4000.00, raised at your auction given to benefit our building fund have arrived! I had to write and personally "thank you" and your most generous congregation for the wonderful fellowship and meal we experienced that night. Needless to say, we were all amazed to have received so much. We are truly grateful to you and your congregation. Seeing all the handiwork, food and so many numerous things representing your congregations love and hard work, just filled us with awe and the awareness of God's good people. Connecting with your congregation has given us more faith and "new life" to fulfill our dedication to build a church to the glory of God.

God's blessings to you all,

Grace Dumas
New Life Lutheran Church

PASTORAL ACTS

RICHARD (DICK) CARL MARKUSEN passed away on September 4, 1998. His funeral was held September 8and was officiated by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert.

LEOTA E. (GILLEM) HEYTHALER passed away on September 15, 1998. Her funeral was held September 18 and was officiated by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert.

JOHN PATRICK O'BRIEN and GRETCHEN REBECCA STRICKLAND received a Blessing of a Civil Service on September 5, 1998 by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert.

DANIEL KEITH BILLS and SABRINA LYNN JOHNSON were married on September 12, 1998 by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert. They were attended by Cathy & Scott Welker.

PHILLIP LEE LISKE and PAULA JEAN MCDONALD were married on September 26, 1998 by Pastor Ronald C. Bessert. They were attended by Shevelle Finney and Marvin Liske

On September 19, 1998 DALE REYNOLDS AND CAROLINE REYNOLDS.

On September 20, 1998 NATHANIEL FORD LETOURNEAU son of Richard LeTourneau and Jessica Johnson with sponsors Jeremy Johnson, Jacob Johnson and Michelle Panich.

The Council and Bishop Hansen met on Sunday night the 13th of September. He provided us with direction on how to proceed from this point forward in respect of our Pastoral needs. Thus far the following persons have been appointed to the Call Committee: John Diamond as Chairman, Leslie Nye, Shirley Houston, Dana Panknin, Dave Werner, Don Smith, Jeff Hoeksema, Rod Borchard and Rodney Lang as ex- officio liaison. Please feel free to talk to your Call Committee members and keep them in your prayers. They will begin working on the "Congregational Profile" and plan to meet in the later part of October.

The Lutheran World Relief Pickup date will be October 17th, so it's time to start rounding up items. Needed are quilts, blankets, soap, layettes, sewing kits, school kits, health kits, sweaters & sweatshirts for men, women & children, light weight men's clothing, children's clothing, men's work clothing (no shoes, socks or heavy winter clothing). Volunteers are needed to help load the truck. Call the church office if you can give a couple hours of time!

There will be two orientation sessions for those interested in volunteering at St. Bernard's Soup kitchen. St. Paul Church volunteers every month on Tuesday from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. The orientation will be Thursday, Oct. 1 and Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the St. Bernard's Friendship Room on Chisholm Street. You must attend one of the sessions in order to volunteer. If you have any questions call Lori Ludwig, 356-4753.

Action for LSSM would like to thank the people who brought the beautiful set of care & share items to the church, and others who bring greeting cards and care & share articles. We'd like yarn, jewelry for bingo prizes. Also we would like to thank the ELCA ladies for the donation for Heartline, and all the ladies that donated the food, worked and attended the Reg. #3 fall meeting. It was very nice. Keep the greeting cards coming in. Thank you. Jenette Pernie

Have you noticed the Bulletin Board, when you enter the Education Building? This is decorated by our Sunday School children with a little help from their teachers.

Each month has a different theme and decoration. Right now you can stop and read all about or "Star Staff". These are the dedicated teachers and superintendents who give of their time, and show up all year to make a difference in the lives of our young people. Plus you can find out something you did not know before about your child's teacher. There has been some talented work on the bulletin the last few years. If you have a few minutes, check it out and enjoy it!!

Christmas Bazaar Saturday November 7, 1998 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m Luncheon 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Continuous Serving Tickets Adult $5.00 Children under 12 $3.00 Tickets are now on sale at the Church office, coffee hour, and from circle members. Get yours early - the last 2 years we almost sold out!. Our luncheon will consist of cranberry salad, turkey casserole, rolls, and dessert. Our annual Christmas Bazaar is drawing close, and the excitement is building. Keep working on those projects, making all those wonderful crafts and goodies, don't forget canned goods ALWAYS sell well. We will also need lots of baked goods and especially those FANCY cookies for our famous "Cookie Walk."We always sell out of these, so lets keep those ladies walking. The "No Clothes Please" White Elephant will be held on the 2nd floor this year. All your very special and clean items can be taken up to the rooms marked on that floor. Your items need to be there by Nov 4th, so there is time to mark the items and be all setup. Still needed are men to carry tables from the gym back to the Sunday School rooms, and the decorations back up to the 3rd floor. If you are willing to help out, please call Esther at 471- 2274 evenings. I need your help. Our funds from this year will be combined with last years proceeds to help decorate and furnish the new "prayer area" in the basement. This is the room under renovation now for funeral and wedding waiting, and small special occasions. Part of last years funds were already used to fix up and paint the Altar Care Room (Thank you Joellen Lang who did all the pricing, painting, and fixing.) Thank you to the wonderful people who donated jars for canning. We can always use more pint jars if you have them. Just drop them off in the room off the kitchen. Plan on attending our next planning meeting Monday, October 12, at 7:00 in Room 201. Matching Funds will be provided by AAL Branch #9713. Please place the completed attached sign-up slip in the box marked "Bazaar" that is located in the Narthex. Thank You! Bazaar Co-chairs, Esther Kindt & Ann Olsen

St. Paul Bazaar/Luncheon Donation Slip

I will donate: Crafts (all types needed), fancy cookies, 'old fashioned cookies', pies, breads, other baked goods, aprons, throw pillows, all canned goods, fresh produce, homemade dishcloths, potholders, etc. Please list donated items here: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

Your name:__________________________________________

Telephone No.___________________

Please place your completed form in the "bazaar box" in the Narthex.

Don't forget to turn your clocks back a hour on when you go to bed Saturday night, October 24, 1998.