St. Paul Epistle
www.stpaul.org Volume 98, Issue 12 December 1998
Prepare ye the Way of the Lord!
Prepare for His coming into the world ... for His coming into our hearts and our homes.
Prepare for His coming by repenting ... by remaking your values and priorities ... by rededicating yourself to live as one of His children.
Prepare for His coming through daily communication with God ... through Word and Sacrament ... through worship and praise with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Oh come, let us Worship the Lord!
Saturday evenings at 5:30 p.m. - relaxed and informal worship with special music. Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. - a formal, liturgical service using both old and new formats. Sunday mornings at 9:20 a.m. - informal, family worship using contemporary formats. Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. - a traditional, liturgical worship.
Holiday Schedule
December 12, at 5:30 p.m. - a Christmas Cantata led by Sandi Sims.
December 19, at 5:30 p.m. - the Sunday School Christmas program followed by a reception.
December 24, Christmas Eve, at 5:30 p.m. - a family service with a Christmas message for children.
December 24, Christmas Eve, at 8:00 p.m. - a choral, candlelight communion service with signing for the hearing impaired and a Christmas message for adults.
December 24, Christmas Eve, at 10:30 p.m. - a choral, candlelight communion service and a Christmas message for adults.
December 25, Christmas Day, at 10:00 a.m. - an informal Christmas celebration with carols and readings and communion.
December 27, 1st Sunday after Christmas, at 10:00 a.m. - an informal, family worship of carols and readings and communion. (Please note that this is the Only service for this weekend.)
May our King of Kings and Lord of Lords reign supreme in your hearts and lives this Advent and Christmas season.
His love ... mercy ... and peace be with you.
Pastoral Ramblings
A monthly rambling of thoughts ... thanks ... things coming up ... things to think about, etc.
Emergencies - if you have need of emergency pastoral care and I am out-of-town or unavailable for any reason, please call either Rev. Doug McCormick at 736-3642 or Rev. Lorraine Sundin at 356-5879. Doug is Pastor of New Life Lutheran Church in Hubbard Lake and Lorraine is Pastor of Spruce Lutheran Church. They have both agreed to be available for emergency pastoral needs.
Ecumenical Service - a date to put on your calendar - the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity worship service - Wednesday, January 13, at 7:00 p.m. - at St. Mary's Catholic Church - Bishop Patrick Cooney of the Diocese of Gaylord will deliver the sermon - a reception will follow - joint choirs will sing - sponsored by the Roman Catholic parishes of Alpena, Trinity Episcopal, Grace and St. Paul Lutheran.
Bazaar Ladies (and Men) - that's Bazaar, not Bizarre! - What a hard-working group! Thank you for another memorable event for our community of faith ... for a classily prepared and served meal ... special home-made foods (like Salsa) and crafts ... for the opportunity to have the community come to St. Paul ... Thank You!
Pastoral Vacancies Filled - I understand that two of our local pastoral vacancies have been filled. We rejoice with Hope Lutheran that Rev. Herb Kitzman has accepted their call to be Pastor. Some of us might remember that Herb interned at Leer Lutheran a few years ago. We also rejoice with Grace Lutheran that Rev. Owen Williams has accepted their call to be Pastor. Owen is the son of St. Paul members, Gail and Arlene Williams. We look forward to their installations and their presence in our community.
Confirmation Students - During the coming months, you might see 7th and 8th graders that you don't know helping out with things like Altar Care, Church cleaning, Greeting and Ushering, Coffee Hour, Acolyting, attending various Church meetings, visiting shut-ins, etc. This is part of the Confirmation Ministry experience for them. It will be good for them to meet more of the adults of St. Paul and good for you to get to know them. Keep them in your prayers.
Visiting Elderly and Shut-in Members - A group of people has begun a program of visiting and getting to know some of our elderly and shut-in members. We need more volunteers. I will spend time with you talking about this ministry and the people you will be visiting. Please call Jackie in the church office to volunteer your time. Also call if you would like to be visited or if you are in need of transportation to worship services. Please keep this new program in your prayers. Thanks!
Note the 2 special events on Saturday evenings, Dec. 12 and 19, that will take place during the 5:30 p.m. worship services. On Dec. 12, Sandi Sims will lead the Long Rapids Chorus in their annual Christmas Cantata. On Dec. 19, our Sunday School will present this year's Christmas program - a unique event using slides of our children to present the Christmas story. All are cordially invited to both of these special events.
Finally, please make a note of our new winter church office hours (hours that Linda and/or Jackie will be available) beginning Monday, Nov. 30- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Also, please note that our staff meets for devotions and staff business on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
God's richest blessings to each of you as we celebrate the birth of Jesus this month!
PASTORAL ACTS
RONALD F. BESAW joined his Lord in eternity on Tuesday, November 3, 1998. His funeral was held Saturday, November 7, 1998 at Wachterhauser Funeral Home
ROY WEIDE joined his Lord in eternity on Wednesday, November 12, 1998. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
WILMA YEDINAK departed this life on Thursday, November 19, 1998. Her funeral was held at Wachterhauser Funeral Home on Saturday, November 28th.
DOROTHY CAMPBELL joined her Lord in eternity on November 22, 1998. Her funeral was held at Bannan Funeral Home on Friday, November 27, 1998.
On November 15, 1998 baptism of AUTUMN MARGARET WIESCHOWSKI daughter of Kathy and Tim Wieschowski with sponsors Kim Stevens, Tina Benoit, and Shari Leaym.
IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT We are asking for your assistance. Please call 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!!
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Noel Jesus is Born. Long Rapids Community Chorus December 6, 1998 7:00 p.m. Long Rapids Congregational Church, December 12, 1998 5:30 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Thanks to Everyone for Another Fantastic Bazaar
***Heartfelt thanks again to everyone who worked that day upstairs in the gym, serving downstairs in the dining room, in the kitchen preparing the meal, making the coffee, scraping plates, running the dishwasher, counting money, working in the white elephant, and those who came to clean up afterward, and our "SPECIAL GREETER- Naomi Hawkins ( Our former Intern here at St. Paul). TO THE OVER 100 OF YOU WHO SAID "YES" TO COME HELP AND SUPPORT THE 1998 CHRISTMAS BAZAAR MANY-MANY THANKS!! WE SAY APPLAUSE TO YOU.
A wrap-up meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 7, at 7:00 pm, in room #202. The results will be presented at this time so please plan to attend - we would love to see you there. Matching Funds will be provided by AAL BRANCH #9713. Co-Chairs Esther Kindt & Ann Olsen (Thank-You My Pal for my "Special Gift")