The St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bethany Minstry Lifting High the Cross on Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, 2018

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OCTOBER 2018 ASSISTANTS OCTOBER 2018 ASSISTANTS

The Reverend Michael T. Lembke The Reverend Michael T. Lembke Minister of Music Susan Brunelle Minister of Music Susan Brunelle

OCTOBER 7 OCTOBER 21

Acolyte Justyn Martinez Acolyte Aubrey Castore Altar Guild Carolyn Romelczyk Altar Guild Linda Murray Reader Lois Anderson Reader Nancy Lembke Communion Linda Nelson Communion Linda Nelson Assistants Lynn Anderson Assistants Lynn Anderson Counter Steve Whitney Counter Ron Strunz Fellowship Hour Don & Karen Culton Fellowship Hour Nancy Nelson Lunch Team Steve & Dale (Team C) Joanne Corbett Ushers Connie Palmer Lunch Team Lori & Pat (Team A) Richard Drake Ushers Rick Pezza

Connie Palmer

OCTOBER 14 OCTOBER 28

Acolyte Ella Dexter Acolyte Kate Carlson Altar Guild Karen Hill Altar Guild Arlene Papa Reader Pam McEleney Reader Karen Culton Communion Linda Nelson Communion Linda Nelson Assistants Lynn Anderson Assistants Lynn Anderson Counter Connie Palmer Counter Bob Jacob Fellowship Hour Betty & Russ Berntson Fellowship Hour Kim Paiva Lunch Team Heather (Team D) Lunch Team (Team B) Ushers Don Culton Ushers Richard Drake Roberta Pannone Don Culton

St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 401.737.6758 OCTOBER 2018

Reverend Michael T. Lembke Pastor Sunday — Saturday Russell & Betty Berntson—1st Pamela Wilsey, Parish Administrator Monday — Friday Amanda & Vincent Palazzo—2nd 9a – 12p Kim & Edward Paiva—3rd [email protected] Website: http://www.stpaulwarwick.org/ Bill & Patricia Roberts—10th Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/ Steve & Dale Whitney—12th St-Paul-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-83289496451/ Shaun & Dawn Lima—28th

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Pentecost 2019 June 9

Thrivent Choice

Program

We are pleased to announce that our congregants continue to choose to di- rect Choice Dollars to St. Paul in September. St Paul Annual Christmas Party at Pastor Mike and Nancy Lembke’s home Thank you Carol Conrad! Thank you for Sunday, December 16th thinking of and supporting St. Paul. 2:00 p.m.

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GREAT NEWS!!

Fifty-three (53) complete baskets were delivered to Eliza- beth Buffum Chace Center on Tuesday. They were thrilled and so grateful for our generosity. Thank you so much for all of the enthusiasm, hard work and gift donations. And many thanks to Thrivent for the Thrivent Action Team grant that allowed us to print all of the sheets, purchase the extra items to complete the baskets and also to com- plete the beautification at the entrance to the Bethany cemetery. Stop by and take a look. It looks great. All To the Glory of God.

We are already thinking about next years project. If you have an idea or would like to help plan, please contact Nancy Lembke at 254-251-1025.

Blessings and Thank You from the God’s Work. Our Hands team.

OCTOBER 2018 St. Paul Finance Committee

Meetings Schedule Sabine Accetta—1st Monday, October 1 (7-8 PM) John Lampman—2nd Monday, November 5 (6:45-8 PM) Monday, December 3 (6:45-8 PM) Peter Sanita—4th Wednesday, January 16 (6-7 PM) John Abramson—8th Wednesday, May 15 (6-7 PM) Joseph Lampman—10th Ursula Anderson—16th The deadline for the Candace Thomas—16th November issue of The Alan Abramson—20th Messenger will be Saturday, Stacey Charnley—22nd October 20th. Vincent Palazzo III—28th

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For such a time as this… On September 11 I flew to LA with my dear friends Mary Halsey (“Missy’s Funky White Sister”), Donna and Jan to the set of the Ellen Show. What a blessing to have the opportunity to share in this awesome adventure! After Mary singing this song for 15 years, it went viral on the internet, gaining over 15 MILLION! views just on Facebook alone! Crazy how our God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and to bring His message of love, kindness and oneness! I truly believe this is happening for all the world to be deeply touched by the genuineness and humbleness of someone who is just like you and me...to say it’s OK to just be...be you. Love Wins! Pam

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UPDATED 9-18-18 2018-2019 Schedule of Committee Meetings

Facilities Committee Wednesday, September 5, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 9, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday, March 11, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Church Council Monday, May 6, 6-7 p.m. (all meetings Monday, 7pm in the Church Library)

Finance Committee 2018 Monday October 1, 7-8 p.m. October 8th Monday, November 5, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. November 12th Monday, December 3, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. th Wednesday, January 16, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. December 10 Wednesday, May 15, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. 2019 Worship & Music Committee January 14th Monday September 17, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. February 11th Monday, January 7, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. March 11th Monday, March 4, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. April 8th Liturgical Planning Forum, Saturday, May 18, 9-11:30 a.m. th May 13 Mutual Ministry Committee June 10th Monday, September 24, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. July 22nd Monday, January 14, 6-7 p.m. August- NO MEETING Monday, March 18, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, May 6, 7-8 p.m.

Education Committee Wednesday, January 23, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday, March 25, 6-7 p.m. Monday, May 20, 6:45-8 p.m.

God’s Work Our Hands Monday, January 28, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, March 25, 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 6:45-8 p.m. Monday, June 24, 6:45-8 p.m.

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The Mystery at Bethany Cemetery

God’s Work Our Hands Sunday was a satisfying and somewhat spiritual time for many of us — (digging-up dirt in a cemetery is always some- what spiritual). A small group of us had decided, in doubt of the scale of the project, to start early (8:00 a.m.).

With a sense of purpose and fellowship (note: we weren't at the “brief” 9:30 a.m. service) we were finishing the planting area when many oth- ers started arriving to help “clean– up and beautify” Bethany Cemetery. We were stretching the mulch a little thin when Alan Abramson arrived and he volunteered to go to Lowe’s and buy several more bags to complete the project. Alan had noted when he was first looking-over the plantings that an old stump, of a very large tree, near the site, was very rotted and punky. He commented that he had just the tool to remove it. On his way to pick-up the mulch he picked-up his mattocks, at his home. Upon returning, he went to work breaking large pieces of it apart with plenty of helpers hauling the wood pieces.

Alan huffed and he puffed a very large amount of the stump away, but alas the stump held out and a solid portion (shielding a small seedling of the giant’s origin) remains for another season.

As we were pulling the remnants of roots and debris away to dispose of it, suddenly there was a small cylinder container in the dirt. I first thought it was a rusted pipe or even a small burrowing creature. I wiped the dirt away and found its lightness and smooth surface. Then noticed that the surface was a camouflaged print and that it had a lid on. Cautiously I turned the lid slowly (poison gas, coiled viper, gold coins, genie for my service? and peered inside. Fortunately, it contained only a weird assortment of

items.

I first pulled out a small plastic car, then a 3” long ballpoint pen. There was a bracelet-like elastic cord, a wooden token-like coin and an animal-shaped eraser, plus an orange button. The most weird item was a cigarette lighter from an old automobile. Then tucked in a tiny plastic bag (along the inside wall of plastic container) were several pieces of paper. I opened the bag and unfolded the papers and the probable explanation appeared.

Geocaching—a form of treasure hunt using GPS coordinates and well-hidden containers, a place to regis- ter your discovery and possibly an exchange of items to either identify your find or simply to add to the ”treasures”.

RI Geocaching group has nearly 500 members and there are nearly 4,000 caches located in the state. Go online to find out more about Geocaching. Since finding this container and opening it up to all, I feel a strong need to replace it and allow someone else to have that same sort of excitement and awe. But geocaching isn’t the only reason to visit a cem- etery. Reading the tombstones, piecing together the deceased relationship to nearby sites and reading their names is a tribute to them. Also, looking at names and imagining nationalities and origins. It’s always a cliche’, but cemeteries can give you a very “peaceful feeling”, if you let it. Sometimes headstone “sayings” or “quotes” are humorous. My personal favorite is “I told you I was sick”. Visit Bethany Cemetery and imagine your many miles, out in the country, and your heritage—pack a lunch, sit under one of the magnificent oaks and enjoy the solitude.

By the way, the cache was planted at the cemetery 7/28/14 (Schlossy) and was last “found” 7/28/18 by JMCB15-#515. Forty-one (41) cachers have found it and noted this on the paper inside. DJM crew may have started it?? Bob Jacob

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AMMPARO, ADVOCACY AND ACCOMPANIMENT

A Workshop Event of the Synod’s World Hunger Team & the Refugee & Immigration Task Force

Attend either:

Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 9 am to 3 pm Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 15 Hayes St. #1 Providence, Rhode Island 02908

or

Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capitol Ave. Hartford, 06106

Mary Campbell, Director of AMMPARO, will be presenting information about AMMPARO and leading us in an experiential activity, migrating from Central America

Workshops on: Welcoming Congregations, Guardian Angels, Visitations in Detention Centers, World Hunger, Honduras, Advocacy & ELCA World Hunger Domestic Grants, Foster Care for Unaccompanied Migrant Minors

EXPRESS Registration: Email your name & which place you will be attending, Hartford or Providence, by Wednesday, October 10 to [email protected]. You can pay the $10 registration fee (checks made out to the New England Synod) at the event. A light lunch will be served on Saturday; a light supper, on Sunday.

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Words alone cannot express our appreciation for the continued fi- nancial support we receive from our partners. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your donation of $1,331.43 to the ministry of the New England Seafarers Mission. It is only possible by the faith- ful giving of partners, who by their generosity and kindness, that we can extend the love of Christ to the often weary and lonely men and women that work on the sea. Again, thank you and May God bless you.

On behalf of our Board of Trustees and our seafarers, The Rev. Stephen R. Cushing

We pray for the following people: Cheryl Bailey, Malcolm Ekstrand, Sonja Jacobson, Pauline Carlson, Anna Mahoney, Kirk Fadden, Andre D’Auteuil, Araxi Shoushanian, Sister Alice Fontaine, Ed Shunney, Dorothy McLaughlin, Joan Lakey, Bo Gauthier, Sally Mallett, Kevin Nelson, Mark Pezza, Kathy Gremel, Celestina Cabral, Austin Jacabson, Larissa Toth, John Whit- comb, Glenn Carlson, Chris Barszcz, Susie Gilbert, Verna Perrott, Larry Marsch, Kevin Corriveau, Gordon McCrea, Ryan Jacob, Bob Webb,

Mary Ann Drake,Lee Gilbert, O’Brien Family, Maureen and Donna Campbell

We pray for our homebound: Ursula Anderson, Marcelle Chatelain, Arline Cookson, Carolyn Lenihan, Evelyn Lofgren

and Janet Young

We pray for those who serve in the military: Chad Corrigan, Jimmy Lampman, John O’Brien, Matthew Wyatt, John Westervelt, Walter Anderson, John Crowley, Nathaniel MacIntosh, Sean Rounds, Jennifer Fleming, Stephen Thomas, Samuel Bryan, Fransheska Gauthier and Zach Shatek

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October is the start of our budget process for 2019. Employees and coordinators will be WINTER CLOTHING COLLECTION asked to review their expenses so far in 2018 and plan for 2019 and the resources Are your coat closets over-crowded with needed. winter coats you no longer wear? Are

Our 2018 budgeted income (213,866) was your dresser drawers bulging with 68% from giving, 23% from outside sweaters that you don’t wear anymore? (Thrivent Choice dollars, Big Sisters collec- Often we buy new winter clothes, but tions, St. Paul Housing Corp., AA and GA) and 9% from the Peterson Trust. hold on to our old clothes even through they don’t fit or we just don’t wear them Sixty percent (60%) of the budgeted expens- es (215,922) is compensation, housing al- anymore. Yet there is an entire popula- lowance and payroll taxes. Another 34% is tion right here in Rhode Island who do for operations—office, utilities, supplies and not own a coat, sweater, or gloves at all. maintenance, Stewardship (envelopes, etc., Worship and Music (altar supplies, tuning, Can you help? repairs, music, etc.) as well as Pastor’s ex- Starting in October and through January penses (travel, benefits, medical, dental, au- to, continuing ed and professional allow- we will be collecting gently used winter ance). The remaining 6% covers Christian clothing for Camp Street Community Ed (Sunday School, confirmation, Good Fri- Ministries to distribute to those in need. day day camp, VBS and WELCA), Outreach (advertising, tracs, Living Lutheran), Social (Camp Street Community Ministries was Ministry (Linus, prayer shawl ministry, started in 1985 and is located in the cards, etc.), Youth activities and NE Synod Mount Hope/Rochambeau section of allocation. Providence. It provides food and cloth- We all should be appreciative of all the con- ing to those in need.) tributions made by our members who volun- teer their time and talents to enable so much The items may be left in the back of the more to be accomplished than if we had to church and will be collected weekly. hire these services.

If you have any questions or would like to Thank you for your generosity! be involved in the budgeting process, please see me or Bill McEleney. “Whenever you do this for the least of these, our brothers and sisters, Faithfully yours, you do it for me.” Matthew 25:40 Linda Nelson

Treasurer

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October 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7:00 PM 6:30 11:30 AM 5:00 PM Finance Confirmation FREE Lunch Matthew XXV Committee 7:00 PM Choir Worship Service Mtg (Pastor Ray)

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 TWENTIETH SUNDAY AF- 7:00 PM 6:30 11:30 AM 9:30 Linus Group 5:00 PM TER PENTECOST Council Mtg Confirmation FREE Lunch Matthew XXV 9:15 AM Sunday School 7:00 PM Choir Worship Service 9:30 AM Worship (Pastor Ray) 10:30 AM Handbells COLUMBUS 11:30 AM FREE Lunch DAY

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY 6:30 11:30 AM 10:00 AM to Noon 5:00 PM AFTER PENTECOST Confirmation FREE Lunch WELCA Women’s Matthew XXV 9:15 AM Sunday School 7:00 PM Choir Bible Study and Worship Service 9:30 AM Worship Fellowship 10:30 AM Handbells 10:45 AM Adult Study “A Time BOSS’S to Mourn and a Time to DAY Dance” (Pastor & Nancy teach) 11:30 AM FREE Lunch

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY 6:30 11:30 AM 7:00 PM 5:00 PM AFTER PENTECOST Confirmation FREE Lunch Special Evening Matthew XXV 9:15 AM Sunday School 7:00 PM Choir Edition of WELCA Worship Service 9:30 AM Worship “Adopt a Family” Advent Christmas Dec- Program/Elizabeth oration Planning Mtg follow- Buffum Chace ing service Center Speaker 10:30 AM Handbells 10:45 AM Adult Study “A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance” (Pastor & Nancy teach) 11:30 AM FREE Lunch

28 29 30 31 REFORMATION SUNDAY 6:30 11:30 AM 9:15 AM Sunday School Confirmation FREE Lunch 9:30 AM Worship 7:00 PM Choir 10:30 AM Handbells 10:45 AM Adult Study “A Time HALLOWEEN to Mourn and a Time to Dance” (Pastor & Nancy NOVEMBER 4 teach) 11:30 AM FREE Lunch

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October 2018

Sunday Worship Service with Holy Communion

Worship Service Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Saturday Healing Services

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at Matthew XXV

We are Handicapped Accessible!