St. Paul Epistle
www.stpaul.org Volume 99, Issue 5 September 1999
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
It's different from the other side of the bed! The hospital bed, I mean. It's different lying there and being visited than it is doing the visiting. For one thing, you're not free to come and go as you please. Even a trip to the bathroom can be a major undertaking. For another, the bed and the room are not your own and you are at the mercy of the schedules and routines of other people. For another, the nights are long and lonely and the fears and the uncertainties seem to gather strength in the darkness.
It is probably good for a Pastor to experience the other side of the bed for a change. It was a first for me, and while it was not all bad, I wouldn't wish the experience on others. I did learn to be patient and let others wait on me for a change. I did learn that our hospital is filled with some wonderful and caring people who do everything from bring meals to pick up dirty linen to draw blood to listen to your heartbeat.
I had one particularly bad day when I couldn't seem to talk without crying. It was a day in which the numbness of my left side from my face to my feet seemed to want to grab hold of me and be permanent. It was during those times that Mary Lou just held me and read Psalms to me - much as I was used to holding others and reading Psalms to them.
I did see the glory of God while I was there. I saw Him in the faces and voices and cards of others who stopped in or called or wrote. And for helping me to see and feel God's hands through the touch of yours, I thank you.
I am in the process of recuperating. The emotional recuperation might take longer than the physical. Like others my age, I am too young to have words like stroke or paralysis or death used to apply to me. So as I begin to pick up pieces of ministry again as a somewhat changed person, I thank you for your patience and your care. I thank you for this place to minister and to be ministered to. God's grace and peace be with you,
Rev. Daniel Deutsch, Pastor
******************
Pastoral Ramblings A monthly (or seasonal, as the case may be) rambling of thoughts ... thanks ... things coming up ... things to think about, etc.
"An Expression of God's Compassion in our community and beyond" - That's who we are and what we do as God's people here at St. Paul. That is the heart and soul of our mission statement. We need to continue to be aware that every month we send 11% of all of your offerings to St. Paul to our Synod for support of seminaries and colleges and missionaries, etc. - all of those things that we can't do alone but can do together with other congregations of our church. In addition, in order to support God's work done in our local community, we send 2.75% of all of your offerings to a local ministry. The Church Council decides each month where that money is to go. So far this year, we have sent contributions to St. Bernard's Soup Kitchen, Area Special Olympics, Call-Us- For-Help, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity. This past month, we sent $1,000 to the nearby community of Comins which was devastated by the recent tornado. Contributions to local ministries average $500-600 each month. Thank you for your continued support as we reach out to touch others with God's compassion.
Confirmation - Confirmation Sunday (now called Affirmation of Baptism) will take place on Sunday, September 26, at the 10:45 a.m. worship service. Please put that date on your calendars and keep in your prayers the 9 young people who have been taking part in the Confirmation program over the past two years - Michael Centala, Travis Cramer, Katherine Dutcher, Abbi Kaszubowski, Michael Lamb, Rachel Marzean, Nicholas Prevo, Brett Steinke and Vanessa Wekwert.
Early Communion - A Communion workshop is scheduled for Saturday, October 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This workshop is for parents and students who are in the 4th grade or older this fall who wish to begin receiving the Lord's Supper. We will spend time talking about Baptism and the Lord's Supper and the relationship between the two. We will be using some videos to help with this process. A light lunch will be provided. If you are interested, please call the church office to sign-up for this event no later than October 15. Parents and children must attend together.
Emergencies - If you have need of emergency pastoral care and I am out-of-town or unavailable for any reason, please call Rev. Owen Williams at (356-0957), Rev. Doug McCormick at 736-3642 or Rev. Lorraine Sundin at 356-5879. Owen is Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Alpena, Doug is Pastor of New Life Lutheran Church in Hubbard Lake and Lorraine is Pastor of Spruce Lutheran Church. They have all agreed to be available for emergency pastoral needs.
Hospital calls - If you or a loved one is going to be in the hospital for surgery, tests, etc., please call the church office to let us know. We will add you to the published prayer list in the bulletin (if you wish) so that others can join in prayers for you. Also let the church office know if you would like me to call on you for prayer while you are at the hospital. Thanks for helping us out with this important ministry.
Prayer ministry - As you pray daily, lifting up your lives and the lives of those around you to His care, please keep in mind the elderly and the lonely and the ill of our congregation. Remember those at local Nursing homes - Tendercare: Jim Hartman, Loretta Kowalsky, Matilda Ohlrich, Marilyn Stephan, Agnes Sonnenberg, Alma Welk - Sally's Care Home: Jeanette Diemond, Otto and Hattie Kelm, Jim O"Brien, Eileen Werner - Other Care Homes: Ruth Schrader, Helen Kihn, Louise Cochrane, Alice Standen, Alice Bluck, Helen Martinson, Hilda Sommerfield. Remember those living at Luther Community Manor: Martha Beck, Erna Golder, Betty Kollin, Viola Marquardt, Dorothy Sims, Dorothy Schiler, Virginia Kraft, Delores Stevens. Remember those living alone at home: Frank & Hilda Kelley, Margaret Knechtel, Margaret Kreutzfeldt, Grace McKay, Lila MacMillan, Bessie Nordguard, Pauline Olsen, Anna Pinkert, Ardath Thorburn. Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these, my brethren, you have done it to me." (Mt. 25:40)
Simply Giving - By now you should have received a special mailing describing new opportunities and new ways for us to participate in supporting the ministry of Jesus through our local congregation - ways that emphasize consistent first-fruits giving. Kick-off Sunday for participation in this new option for giving will be Sunday, September 12. There will be Council leaders available to answer questions and help you fill out the applications. May God surround you with His grace as you think and pray about your monetary giving habits to support the work of your church.
God's richest blessings to each of you as we as we return to involvement and participation in these fall months!
******************
The Sunday school staff is looking forward to the start of Sunday school on September 12th. We will be planning another "biblical re-enactment" for the 9:20 service onSeptember 19 as our Round up - so make sure your children are thereon the 12th to find out how they'll be involved!
We're delighted to be having all of our teachers returning from last year, and the continuance of the nursery program for children from infants to four-year-olds. This year, we'll even have something planned for the 7th & 8th graders, so make sure they come, too. Room assignments will be posted on the board at the ground level of the education building. We hope to see you there for registration on the 12th - but registrations are accepted any Sunday after that, too! Joanne LaFleche-Gallagher Andrea Dutcher Co-Superintendants
PASTORAL ACTS
JOSHUA RINGS AND MANDI NEWHOUSE were married July 31, 1999. They were attended by Lenny Gagnon & Sarah Ableidinger.
On July 25, 1999, LYDIA AMELIA & AVERY ISAAC WERTH, children of Owen & Kristin (Hoppe) Werth were baptized with sponsors John & Elly Diamond.
On August 8, 1999, CADEN LAURENCE LAROCHE-MCHARG & LANDEN KENNETH LAROCHE-MCHARG, children of Roy McHarg and Jodi LaRoche were baptized with sponsors Bill & Kendra Shupert.
On August 15, 1999, ANGELICA L. CONNON, daughter of Brian & Marcie Connon was baptized with sponsors James & Brenda Aide.
A memorial Service was held for ROY E. WEIDE on Saturday, May 29, 1999 at King Settlement Cemetery, Wilson Township.
MARIE D. GRABOW joined her Lord in eternity on July 8, 1999. Her funeral was held July 10, 1999.
PATRICIA LASKOWSKY joined her Lord in eternity on July 11, 1999. Her funeral was held July 14, 1999.
SUSAN C. ZERBST joined her Lord in eternity on July 23, 1999. Her funeral was held July 28, 1999.
******************
St. Paul Choir: Come join us! To those people who like to sing in the shower.....hum in the car as you're driving along....summer leads into fall, school is starting again, so our choir practices also will begin. We have a good year planned for all those who like to sing. Practice begins on September 9th at 7:00 pm. Bring a friend..... new voices welcome. Come and have fun with music! Your Music Director Sandi Sims
******************
Thank you for the cards, gifts of food and flowers and kind words that meant so much to Marie during her illness. She sincerely appreciated each and every one. We also wish to express our thanks and appreciation of the kindness shown us during the illness and death of wife and mother, Marie ... Helmut, Ruth, Eldon and Carol
******************
Lutheran Challenge Golf Outing
You are invited to be a part of the 8th Annual Lutheran Challenge Golf Outing which will be held September 11th, at 9:00 a.m., at Springport Hills Golf Course (just south of Harrisville). The cost, which includes your game, luncheon, and prizes, is $24 per person. A traveling trophy will be given to the church with the best score. Four person teams may consist of men, women or mixed. Lunch and prizes will follow. Lunch will be at Harrisville Township Hall (about two miles away). Non-golfers may join the luncheon for a cost of $8. They are eligible for winning door prizes. Registration forms are available at the church office. You may call Jim Basselman at 736-8813 for more information
HARVEST DINNER
This year's Harvest Dinner will be October 21st. We will need a lot of helpers, so be thinking now of how you can help with this delicious dinner. Watch the church bulletin for further details!
******************
Don't Forget. . .Those who receive Lutheran WomenToday - it's time to renew your subscription. The cost is $9.50 for a one year subscription. The deadline to order will be in September. Thank You.
******************
LOCAL LUTHERAN WOMEN PREPARE TO "LIVE GOD'S JUSTICE"
Marian Urlaub, Joyce Hines, Mary Steinke, Marjorie Bromund, Theresa Stoppa, Dorothy Carr of St. Paul and Dorothy Gentry of Grace Lutheran were among 4,000 participants meeting July 8- 11 at the America's Center for the Fourth Triennial Convention of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The organization's three-year theme, "Live God's Justice," was unveiled at the convention amid Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops, business sessions and elections. Delegates approved a $4,722,743 budget for fiscal year 2000, including a $1 million gift to the ELCA. They adopted resolutions ranging in topics from support by Jubilee 2000, a campaign to promote international debt relief for the world's poorest nations by the end of 2000, to advancing Women of the ELCA's efforts to dismantle racism in the church and in the lives of Americans.
St. Paul Choir
Come join us! To those people who like to sing in the shower.....hum in the car as you're driving along....summer leads into fall, school is starting again, so our choir practices also will begin. We have a good year planned for all those who like to sing. Practice begins on September 9th at 7:00 pm. Bring a friend..... new voices welcome. Come and have fun with music! Your Music Director Sandi Sims
Auction News
Vernon Kigsbury once again worked his magic, and the crowd. He sold everything from a golf outing, boxes of flowers, quilts, a winter sleigh ride, a cedar garden chair, a bird house, a butterfly house, numerous handmade vests, a t.v., a wooden rocking chair, an axe, and even a ukelele. Plus the silent auction boasted of all the cookies, pies, and canned items you could even think of wanting to purchase.
A light supper of Sloppy Joes, chips, veggies, cookies, desserts, and pop & coffee started the evening off at our 4th annual Auction Fund Raiser.
This year the auction was Co-sponsored with New Life Lutheran Church of Hubbard Lake. Proceeds from the evening of approximately $1800 will be divided between Alpena & Alcona Counties Habitat For Humanity.
Education Committee Members who made this fun evening all possible were Pastor Deutsch, Andrea Dutcher, Marion Dunckel, Rod Borchard, Joanne Gallagher, Annette Kindt, and Esther Kindt - they all deserve your applause and also Lisa Borchard, Lori Ludwig, Kate Dutcher, Vern Kingsbury, New Life Members, and St. Paul Members - A BIG THANK YOU!
You have truly done the Lord's work by helping your fellow man who is in need.
******************
All Committee, Circle and Scout Leaders: Reports are now due for the Annual Meeting. Please get your report in to the church office as soon as possible. Thank you.
Christian Family Campout September 10 - 12 Hoeft State Park
You're invited to a fun weekend! No reservations are needed. Friday-setup and get acquainted. Saturday - share a craft (if you have one), horseshoes, swimming, hiking, games or just visiting - potluck supper at 5:30 p.m. (Bring a dish to pass & one of the following - salad, bread or dessert) - campfire and sing-along in the evening. Sunday - worship service at 10:00 a.m. coffee hour immediately following (bring coffee & a snack to share) If you have any questions, please call one of the following committee people: Ron & Sandi Hempel (354-5277), or Ivan & Corinne Schaedig (356-0806).