The Apostle from St. Paul The Monthly Newsletter for July 2014 www.stpaullakeland.com 901-387-0007

Worship Services: 9:00 and 11:00 Coffee Fellowship in Fellowship Hall 9:45 Promiseland (with hourly components) in session 9-12 Sunday School: 10:00

THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, JULY 7th IN OBSERVENCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY A Message from Pastor Mike As we approach the 4th of July and the celebration of our nation’s declaration of independence from England’s authority over our land and people; I am reminded of a story I ran across concerning Bishop G. Bromley Oxnan and a speech he made at the Gettysburg National Monument. After Bishop Bromley had finished his oration by reciting Lincoln’s famous address; he felt the speech had gone very well. That is, until an old man made his way forward and remarked: “Son, you made an awful mess of Lincoln’s speech.” Oxnam replied: “What do you mean? I didn’t miss a word of it. Here, look at my notes!” The old man replied: “Oh, I don’t need your notes, I know it by heart. You see, I heard it the first time ’round.” Bishop Oxnam realized that this man had been present when Lincoln had originally delivered the speech. Being curious as to how his presentation had been different from Lincoln’s; the Bishop asked the old man to explain the difference. The old-timer replied: “Abe Lincoln put his hands out over the people like a benediction, and he said, ‘that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, should not perish from the earth.’ You got the words right, son; but you missed the message. You emphasized government; Lincoln talked about people.” I couldn’t help but thinking how often we tend to make the same emphatic mistakes whenever we talk about human communities. When we talk about our country, for example; we often talk about the government, the bureaucracies, the institutions and how they are succeeding or failing. I wonder what would happen if we spent more time talking about the people and how the people are succeeding in life. I wonder how many times we get caught in the trap of seeing “church” as just an institution, a building, a bureaucracy. Perhaps we need to remember that God did not send his son into the world to save a building or organization. God sent his son into the world to save people, all people, from destruction caused by sin. (John 3:16) That is the mission of the Church; to help people to experience the true freedom God offers us to live abundant and joyful lives. Peace and grace, Michael Morris

The following have given in memory of: Eugene Schudder Boyd and Carol Pollard Lake and Joyce Smith Joan Glidewell Jim and Hilda Young June Parks

Lessie Whitlow Boyd and Carol Pollard Lake and Joyce Smith Sammie Walker Bob and Gaylia Stephenson Jim and Hilda Young Richard and Carol Johnson June Parks Jim and Jane Gross

Swan Parks Norm and Dottie Ribble

Elizabeth Anderson The Inquirers Sunday School class Sammie Walker

Joe Lawson John and Donna Lawson Carolyn Beard Debbie and Denis Daurer Holly Ralls and Julie Eubanks Bill and Ginny Skinner Cori Skinner and Drew Skinner Frank and Darleen Lawrence Charlsie and Gene Carrol Lake and Joyce Smith

Lori Wiggins Carolyn Beard

Audrey Tedford Lake and Joyce Smith Carolyn Beard

Dennis Beal Lake and Joyce Smith Carolyn Beard

Mollie Rogers Lake and Joyce Smith

Rev. Bruce Crill Carolyn Beard Lake and Joyce Smith Boyd and Carol Pollard Richard and Carol Johnson Ava Schneiter The following have given in honor of: Shannon Pryor Thelma Scott

Moose Woodward Jennifer Dinwiddie

FROM STAFF PARISH As Jennifer Dinwiddie announced during the June 22 church services, she has made the difficult decision to leave St. Paul to take care of her mother in Alabama. Jennifer’s presence at church will be sorely missed, as she is truly one-of-a-kind. Please be sure and give her a hug and wish her the best before she moves at the end of August. Please also honor Jennifer’s request to keep this news within the congregation. If anyone is interested in filling the vacancy as church Sexton (e.g., head of cleaning and maintenance), please contact Mike Morris or Bill Clemmons, chair of the Pastor Parrish Relations Committee.

FALL DISCIPLE Bible Study CLASSES Two Disciple Classes will be offered in the fall. One will be Disciple III offered on Sunday Mornings during Sunday School in room 5. This will be 9 months of studying first the Prophets and then the Letters of Paul and will be led by David Franks. The other will be Disciple IV and will meet on Wednesday mornings in Room 2 from 9:30-11:30 am. Sandy Mauney will lead this 9 month study covering first The Wisdom Literature and then the Gospel of John, Letters of John and Revelation of John. You do not have to be a member of St. Paul, but should have taken Disciple I at some time. Contact Sandy Mauney at 465-1364 if you are interested. Cost will be $45.00 per person for the workbook, certificate and pin and you will need a good Study Bible.

Susanna Circle- July Event The Susanna Circle will be going out to dinner on Monday, July 14 at 6:30 PM - we'll be going to "Off the Hook" in Arlington. "Off the Hook" is located at 11695 Highway 70, Suite 110 in Arlington. It's just past the Kroger store on the right side of the road. This will be a fun, social time for our circle and anyone who would like to join us is invited to attend. Hope to see you there!

KID’S DRAMA CAMP This year's drama camp will be JULY 14-19 with the performance on Sunday the 20th. All rising 1st graders through rising 6th graders are welcome to attend. There will be a small fee based the number of children enrolled. If you are interested in helping or sending your children or grandchildren please contact Will Dougan at 496-8021.

VBS Thank You!! WOW! What a fun week we had with VBS imagining and Building with God. We had 115 kids enrolled for VBS and over 40 Volunteers!! A GiANT Thank YoU goes out to the Volunteers. VBS couldn’t have happen without Y-O-U!! So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys were AwEsoMe!! K.W.A.M. Kids With A Mission will meet Sunday, July 27th from 4:00-5:30 in the Fellowship Hall. KWAM is for kids Kindergarten – 5th grades. Questions?? Contact Jill Kirk at [email protected]. Promiseland July News It’s July!! VBS may be over but that doesn’t mean the fun is over! Join us in Promiseland this month where the children will learn how they can show Love to God with prayer and praise. Bible Verse for the month is: “Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with celebration! Come before him with shouts of joy!” Psalm 100:1-2.

Youth News Adult Volunteers We still need volunteers to sign up to help with Youth Fellowship and other Events. Please check out Signupgenius.com and enter my email address ([email protected]) to see our needs.

I have to go to a Residency In Ministry (RIM) Orientation in Jackson TN at 3pm on July 20th and must miss Youth Fellowship that evening.

Then on Aug 10th – 13th I have a RIM Retreat and will not be able to attend Youth Fellowship on August 10th either, which is a Dinner/Game Night.

I really don’t want to cancel youth either of these evenings so I really need your help to lead youth. I will give you all the tools you need to run the meeting for those evenings, and so will our councilors who are available those evenings.

Shoe Drive May 1 st – July 31st Youth Members should be taking home some blue bags and asking neighbors to help you collect 25+ shoes to fill at least 1 bag. You can also take home more bags to get folks to help you fill even more bags. Remember our goal is 300 bags = $3000.

July Hang Out & Study Tuesdays 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm From 2 – 5 pm youth can come up and just hang out in the youth room and gym, we might even watch a movie. FYI we will have snacks (like pizza rolls, chicken nuggets, sandwiches, chips, popcorn and such) while we are there and yes you are welcome to bring some to share too. From 5-6 pm we will move into a Youth Study “What is the Sermon About?” in small group discussions with Bro Mike, sharing about he prepares for sermons and Worship Services Youth Music (2-3pm) will be at the beginning of Hang-Out but if you’re not in music just come to hang out with us. (No youth music on Sundays in July) Youth Summer Retreat!!!! After discussing this retreat with the Youth Advisory Committee We decided to try to hold it Aug 1-3 instead of July. However we need to know how many youth will be able to attend, so I will need permission/commitment forms in by July 15th with a deposit of $20. We are looking at hosting two separate retreats (either overnight or maybe a weekend); One for our Young Ladies and One for our Young Men. WE WILL NEED THE HELP OF ADULT VOLUNTEERS AS CHAPERONS AND SMALL GROUP LEADERS. PLEASE SIGN UP OUTSIDE THE CHURCH OFFICE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THIS RETREAT THE FOCUS OF THESE RETREATS WILL BE: Body Image, Healthy Self-Esteem And Growing into Godly Men and Women (For our guys we would like to also include an element of Father-Son Bonding to the retreat) More info will follow but if you are open to volunteering to help with this retreat please contact Shannon Pryor. Thank you

Youth Drama The scripts for our play are here. We will begin picking parts and practicing over the summer. Our goal is to be ready to perform and host a dinner sometime in August. Practices will begin soon (more information to follow)

My heartfelt gratitude to all who helped in any manner with VBS this year. Special thanks to Spencer Dougan and Garrett Kirk who served as the “MAD SCIENTISTS” (a name chosen by them). Also thanks to Sam Pieh for the awesome robots he made for VBS. God’s blessings to each of you and your service to SPUMC. Grace and Peace, Nancy Ytzen, Nursery Ministries.

Regular Weekly Schedule Sundays: 9:00 am Contemporary Worship ~ Sanctuary 9:00 am Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall 9:45 am Coffee Fellowship ~ Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Youth and Adult Sunday School Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall 11:00 am Traditional Worship ~ Sanctuary Promiseland-sp ~ Fellowship Hall 12:00 pm Prayer Opportunity ~ Sanctuary Conf. Rm. 4:00 pmYouth Fellowship ~ Youth Lounge (no youth on July 6th)

Weekdays 9:00 am Walking Group ~ Wolfchase Mall

Mondays 9:00 am Preschool ~ Education Building (does not meet during summer) 7:00 pm Boy Scouts ~ Education Building (Summer Schedule)

Tuesday 9:00 am Preschool ~ Education Building (does not meet during summer) 7:00 pm Cub Scouts ~ Education Building (does not meet during summer)

Wednesday 5:45 pm Wednesday Night Dinner (does not meet during summer) 6:00 pm Wednesday Night Studies (does not meet during summer) 7:00 pm Choir Practice (will resume on July 30th)

Thursday 9:00 am Preschool ~ Education Building (does not meet during summer) 7:00 pmContemporary Band Practice

Upcoming Meetings and Special Events Tuesday, July 1 9:00 am Summer Fun Camp ~ Education Building 2:00 pm Youth Hang-Out Fun ~ Youth Lounge 5:00 pmYouth Bible Study

Thursday, July 3 9:00 am Summer Fun Camp ~ Education Building

Monday, July 7 Church Office Closed in observance of Independence Day

Tuesday, July 8 9:00 am Summer Fun Camp ~ Education Building 2:00 pm Youth Hang-Out Fun and Bible Study ~ Youth Lounge

Thursday, July 10 9:00 am Summer Fund Camp ~ Education Building

Sunday, July 13 4:00 pm Creative Connection ~ Fellowship Class 4:00 pmYouth Gathering ~ Colonial Park UMC

Monday, July 14 – Friday, July 18 9:00 am Kid’s Drama Camp

Tuesday, July 15 2:00 pm Youth Hang-Out Fun ~ Youth Lounge 5:00 pm Youth Bible Study ~ Youth Lounge

Sunday, July 20 Noon UMW Executive Board Mtg. ~ Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, July 22 – Thursday, July 24 9:00 am Preschool In-Service

Saturday, July 26 8:00 am - Soccer Practice 3:00 pm Sunday, July 27 4:00 pm K.W.A.M. ~ Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, July 29 2:00 pm Youth Hang-Out Fun and Bible Study ~ Youth Lounge 6:00 pm Church Council ~ Fellowship Hall

Thursday, July 31 6:30 pm Preschool Meet and Greet ~ Education Building

Church Staff Church Office ~ 901-387-0007 Aldrich, Daina - Director of Preschool [email protected] Dinwiddie, Jennifer – Sexton [email protected] Dougan, Will - Director of Worship & Music [email protected] Geno, Regina – Pianist [email protected] Goldsmith, Gary – Youth Music Director [email protected] Hamilton, Vickie - Office Administrator [email protected] Holmes, Susan- Finance Administrator [email protected] Kirk, Jill - Director of Children’s Ministries [email protected]. Morris, Mike – Pastor mmorris@stpaul-lakeland,org Pryor, Shannon-Youth Pastor [email protected] Ytzen, Nancy - Dir. of Nursery Ministries [email protected]