OLD ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN GAZETTE 2035 Old Conover-Startown Rd. Newton, NC 28658

July 2021

Navigating the wilderness can be a tough experience - just ask the Israelites. All they really wanted was for God to deliver them to the promised land. And the sooner the better, as they were all quite tired of their journey. You can imagine their struggle and the questions they must

have been asking: “Why must this take so long?” “Will we ever get there?”

They would even, at times, wonder if their better days were somehow behind them rather than yet ahead.

But, as we well know, God was faithful to them in every step of their journey. While the Israelites stumbled and grumbled, God gave them Moses to lead them. He provided food and water for them to drink. God granted them safe passage. Indeed, God’s promised land did become their land. God was, through it all, faithful to them all.

Old St. Paul’s, you too are on a journey and what perhaps seems like a long walk through the wilderness. As a church with a tremendous history and now great anticipation, you too find yourselves at a crossroads of change, concern and transition. How long will this journey take? Is there a great future ahead or are our best days somehow instead behind us?

It is into this moment that I am delighted to serve as your Interim Pastor during this summer - and to now enter with you into the wilderness of this transition. I come to remind you of God’s faithfulness and that you are not alone as you continue to journey together. Yes, there’s been great adjustments. Venturing from Pastor Sain’s retirement to Pastor Judy’s leadership and the challenging walk of Covid with which we’ve all shared, your journey hasn’t been the most straightforward transition. But nor was the Israelites’ journey. Their journey took them some 40 years and had many twists and turns along the way. But with God’s help they persevered and with God’s help so will you.

Now I highly doubt your journey between called pastors will be anywhere near 40 years in length, but there will likely yet be some twists and turns along the way. That’s often the case in a journey that takes us to an important and meaningful place.

In these couple of months to come I look forward to focusing with you on God’s presence and discerning with you where God’s guidance is leading. I look forward to hearing your stories and to wondering where God is at work right now, in this church and in this moment. My calling is to help you bridge this time as you navigate to what is ahead and I intend to serve you with great intention and my best pastoral care.

I also, though, don’t claim to know the future or to have all the answers, but I do know where to turn when to find meaning, direction and peace. Our God, through Christ, accompanies us through all journeys and opens to us his will for our future, individually and as a church together. Let’s tune in together and be open to where God is leading us.

Thank you for your warm welcome as your new interim pastor. Let’s be curious together and move boldly into the time to come. Let’s also trust that God is continuing to walk alongside us, faithfully acknowledging that the future God is leading you into will be filled with all the goodness that God intends for you to yet know.

In Christ, Pastor Andrew

OLD ST. PAUL'S (OSP) LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING - 5/16/2021 In attendance were: Mark Sigmon, Ken Kiser, Lisa Black, Lanny Hartsoe, Robin Sigmon, Jody Laffon, Terrell Setzer, Tony Setzer, Joni Bentley, Amy Sigmon, Beth Wilson and Josh Winchester Absent: Pastor Judy Drysdale and Christy Stowe

Mark Sigmon called the meeting and Lanny Hartsoe led devotion.

The minutes for April 11, 2021 meeting need to be revised with changes and will be approved.

Mark let Council know that Pastor Judy Drysdale is looking for full time Pastoral position with benefits. She was the primary candidate for Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and they will vote on June 6th. Ken Kiser led OSP in service this morning with 89 in attendance.

Joni Bentley made motion to lift restrictions on pews and masks are optional for the sanctuary services. Lisa Black 2nd motion and council approved motion.

Tony Setzer made motion to lift restrictions for the Young at Heart group and any indoor events. Joni Bentley 2nd motion with Lisa Black making a comment about someone reaching out to Sharon Marlowe. Jody Laffon offered to call her.

Phone tree needs to be updated to reach out to congregation. Out of date phone numbers.

Lisa requested that Mark write a letter from the president to be put in the weekly epistle regarding lifting the restrictions.

Trustee Report: Discussed needing to give the current roofers and end date to finish. It has been a year and a half. Ken Kiser made a motion to get another quote from different roofing companies. Mark asked Lanny and Terrell Setzer to get another quote.

Josh Winchester receive letter from contractor, they are wondering if they need to cancel the renovation permit through the city. Also told us that prices of building material has gone up. It was agreed not to act on renovation as a council at this time

Lanny made comment about the letters falling off of the corner signage of the church. Josh offered to check on price for replacing letters. Robin Sigmon made comment about getting a new electrical sign on the south side sign.

Financial Secretary Report: Joni Bentley discussed the monthly intake total with 3 months of $64,000. Robin Sigmon asked that the report we receive in council have the year to date amount. Received check for $1,500.00 for the columbarium and it was put in the General Fund. Robin will transfer amount to the cemetery fund.

Treasurer Report: Avery the lawn service that mows the church and cemetery has a contract. He sent invoice to Robin for Jan - May. It was paid and will be reflected on May's report per Robin. The general fund for April showed $68,000. On a side note Avery's helper had his car stole from the cemetery as he was mowing.

Old Business: Mark to check with Sunquest on dimensions of the knuckle lift to fit in the sanctuary. Tony made comment about the action item for Terrell and Robin made in February for them to update the historical church guidelines. Robin requested a copy of the old guidelines. She said that she will work on updating them with Randy Sigmon.

Update on the historical churches siding. East side will be completed the week of May 21st. The south side will be started in the fall. Mark to come up with a proposal to open up the historic church to public.

Erin OIlis has received calls from people looking to see where their family plots are located in the cemetery. She cannot find the books that have that information. Jody Laffon will show her where the books of the graves are. Lisa Black will work on getting the layout to post on the website.

Terrell Setzer is requesting to invite the younger members of the church to a Council Meeting to give ideas for a more modern service and to also include contemporary music.

With Pastor Judy going to another church. OSP will have lay/supply pastors until we find a permanent pastor.

Council to take vote on Constitution in the June meeting.

Mark handed out updated congregational list for the Council to call and check up on them.

Meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer.

Next meeting will be June 13 at 6:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Amy Sigmon, Recording Secretary

Financial Secretary Report

Bank Account Jan-21 Feb-21 Mar-21 Apr-21 May-21 YEAR TO DATE General Fund Account General $ 12,496.00 $ 10,704.00 $ 31,856.71 $ 15,989.15 $ 13,750.50 $ 84,796.36 ECCCM $ 120.00 $ 105.00 $ 250.00 $ 125.00 $ 190.00 $ 790.00 Radio $ 45.00 $ 105.00 $ 45.00 $ 120.00 $ 960.00 $ 1,275.00 Initial Offering $ 139.00 $ 139.00 Endowment Income $ 3,047.14 $ 110.00 $ 335.00 $ 3,492.14 Online Giving Processing Fees ($5.90) ($5.90)

Renovation Account $ 80.00 $ 160.00 $ 80.00 $ 320.00 Rental Account $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 5,000.00 Building Account $ 210.00 $ 205.00 $ 150.00 $ 300.00 $ 100.00 $ 965.00 Cemetary Account $ 10.00 $ 100.00 $ 610.00 $ 720.00 Cemetary Plots $ 2,500.00 $ 1,500.00 $ 4,000.00 Sunday School Ac- count $ 90.00 $ 141.75 $ 231.75

Memorial Account $ 120.00 $ 405.00 $ 50.00 $ 120.00 $ 695.00

TOTAL INCOME $ 19,767.14 $ 12,634.00 $ 33,896.71 $ 17,754.15 $ 18,366.35 $ 102,418.35

Bank Balances Dec-20 Jan-21 Feb-21 Mar-21 Apr-21 May-21

General Fund - 9077 $50,736.08 $42,747.32 $34,221.41 $55,558.36 $67,788.39 $65,479.45 Renovation Fund- 8682 $99,070.27 $99,162.89 $99,174.30 $99,346.94 $99,359.19 $99,451.86 Rental Fund - 1498 $24,846.81 $24,848.92 $24,860.83 $23,696.99 $23,698.94 $24,700.99 Building Fund - 9051 $48,923.47 $49,117.64 $49,306.41 $49,500.61 $49,804.69 $48,207.12 Cemetery Fund - 5920 $31,168.29 $31,168.29 $31,168.29 $33,686.55 $33,686.55 $33,686.55 Sunday School - 3202 $1,244.66 $1,244.66 $1,244.66 $1,296.66 $1,386.66 $1,491.66 Brotherhood - 6532 $6,161.74 $6,161.74 $6,682.15 $6,682.15 $6,372.24 $6,372.24 Women ELCA Circle #2 - 7168 $401.58 $401.58 $401.58 $401.58 $401.58 $331.58 Women ELCA Circle #4 - 0861 $444.56 $302.76 $340.26 $330.26 $382.36 $375.36 Women ELCA - 6268 $1,390.01 $1,531.81 $1,531.81 $1,531.81 $1,565.71 $1,654.51 LYNC - 5311 $5,897.69 $5,897.69 $5,897.69 $5,897.69 $5,897.69 $5,897.69 Memorial Fund - 1456 $20,645.74 $20,667.49 $21,309.10 $21,585.92 $21,637.70 $21,429.52 CD / IRA - 8573 $119,377.95 $119,458.90 $119,540.06 $119,613.43 $119,694.70 $119,773.40 Friends of Old St. Paul's $5,411.65 $410,308.85 $402,711.69 $395,678.55 $419,128.95 $431,676.40 $434,263.58

Old St. Paul's Lutheran Church Treasurer Report 2021

Budget Jan Feb Mar Apr

Benevolence $ 20,400.00 $ 1,000.00 $ - $ - $ - Property Maintenance Equity Account (Building Fund) $ 5,000.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Pastor Salary $ 69,270.36 $ 5,633.33 $ 5,633.33 $ 5,633.33 $ 5,633.33 Pension / Medical $ 19,206.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Payroll Taxes $ - $ 430.95 $ 430.95 $ 430.95 $ 430.95 Mileage Reimbursement $ 3,600.00 $ 400.00 $ - $ - $ - Continuing ED $ 500.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Office and Church Worship Supplies $ 3,500.00 $ 35.00 $ 892.91 $ - $ 56.93 Altar Guild Supplies $ 500.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Unsponsored Altar Flowers $ 500.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Copier Lease $ 5,000.00 $ 662.55 $ 294.92 $ 255.89 $ 499.48 Music Director $ 22,150.00 $ 1,845.83 $ 1,845.83 $ 1,845.83 $ 1,845.83 Organist $ 13,000.00 $ 1,083.33 $ 1,083.33 $ 1,083.33 $ 1,083.33 Organist Substitute $ 375.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Music Ministry Supplies $ 1,500.00 $ 215.45 $ 130.55 $ - $ 392.80 Contracted Musicians $ 1,500.00 $ - $ - $ - $ 600.00 Secretarial Services $ 12,480.00 $ 824.00 $ 768.00 $ 832.00 $ 800.00 Payroll Taxes $ 4,000.00 $ 287.12 $ 282.82 $ 287.73 $ 285.30 Sunday School and Youth Programs $ 5,000.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Young at Heart $ 500.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Fellowship Committee $ 800.00 $ - $ 56.63 $ - $ - Radio Ministry $ 2,000.00 $ 560.00 $ 305.00 $ 265.00 $ 200.00 Advertising $ 1,000.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - Payroll Service $ 1,000.00 $ 75.00 $ 63.00 $ 91.00 $ 69.00 Church Internet and Technology $ 2,500.00 $ 166.97 $ 166.97 $ 166.97 $ 166.97 Electricity $ 15,000.00 $ 1,555.03 $ 1,494.35 $ 1,321.00 $ 62.74 City Water $ 500.00 $ 71.97 $ 73.38 $ 70.20 $ 72.67 Natural Gas $ 2,000.00 $ 645.50 $ 540.69 $ 479.96 $ 213.60 Security $ 3,500.00 $ - $ 40.00 $ 191.40 $ - Insurance (Bldg & Liability) $ 6,450.00 $ 1,612.75 $ - $ - $ 1,612.75 Insurance (Church Bus) $ 450.00 $ - $ 268.65 $ - $ - Property Tax $ 250.00 $ - $ - $ - $ -

Repairs & Maintenance $ 6,000.00 $ 1,155.87 $ 1,835.92 $ - $ 259.31 Janitorial Services $ 6,000.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00 Mowing Church Lawn $ 3,600.00 $ 300.00 $ 300.00 $ 300.00 $ 300.00 Mowing Cemetery $ 7,200.00 $ - $ - $ -

$ 246,231.36 $ 19,060.65 $ 17,007.23 $ 13,754.59 $ 15,084.99

Remaining % of Budget May Budget remaining Notes 2021 YTD $ - $ 19,400.00 95.1% $1K 2020 Benevolence $ 1,000.00

$ - $ 5,000.00 100.0% transfer to building fund $ - $ 5,633.33 $ 41,103.71 59.3% $ 28,166.65 $ - $ 19,206.00 100.0% $ - $ 430.95 $ (2,154.75) $ 2,154.75 $ - $ 3,200.00 88.9% expense reimbursements for Pastor Interview $ 400.00 $ - $ 500.00 100.0% $ - $ 329.44 $ 2,185.72 62.4% $ 1,314.28 $ 94.95 $ 405.05 81.0% $ 94.95 $ - $ 500.00 100.0% $ - $ 255.89 $ 3,031.27 60.6% $ 1,968.73 $ 1,845.83 $ 12,920.85 58.3% $ 9,229.15 $ 1,083.33 $ 7,583.35 58.3% $ 5,416.65 $ - $ 375.00 100.0% $ - $ 44.95 $ 716.25 47.8% $ 783.75 $ - $ 900.00 60.0% $ 600.00 $ 800.00 $ 8,456.00 67.8% $ 4,024.00 $ 285.27 $ 2,571.76 64.3% $ 1,428.24 $ - $ 5,000.00 100.0% $ - $ - $ 500.00 100.0% $ - $ - $ 743.37 92.9% $ 56.63 $ (610.00) $ 1,280.00 64.0% $ 720.00 $ - $ 1,000.00 100.0% $ - $ 69.00 $ 633.00 63.3% $ 367.00 $ 177.97 $ 1,654.15 66.2% $ 845.85 $ 946.91 $ 9,619.97 64.1% $ 5,380.03 $ 83.26 $ 128.52 25.7% $ 371.48 $ 27.37 $ 92.88 4.6% $ 1,907.12 $ - $ 3,268.60 93.4% $ 231.40 $ - $ 3,224.50 50.0% $ 3,225.50 $ - $ 181.35 40.3% $ 268.65 $ - $ 250.00 100.0% $ - Jan - transfer $1,115.87 from rental fund; Feb - $ - $ 2,748.90 45.8% $1,701.68 gutter & downspout repair $ 3,251.10 $ 500.00 $ 3,500.00 58.3% $ 2,500.00 $ 300.00 $ 2,100.00 58.3% $ 1,500.00 $ 3,000.00 $ 4,200.00 58.3% $ 3,000.00

$ 15,298.45 $ 166,025.45 67.4% $ 80,205.91 Young at Heart Are you ready to travel? As you know, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, most of our planned trips were cancelled. Your health and safety were our main concerns. Many of the businesses closed temporarily, and some of their activities curtailed after reopening. Many of you have been vaccinated, so we feel better about getting out. Listed below are our plans for 2021. Please note that exact dates are pending for the West Jefferson and Newton events and will be announced at a later date. (Our August trip date conflicted with the youth’s mission trip). Please check for information in your bulletins, newsletters and Tuesday’s Epistle.

August or September 2021 – West Jefferson, NC - We will visit Ashe County Cheese, and then enjoy a cookout at Tony and Sue Ann Setzer’s home located on the New River. Tony and Sue Ann will provide the meat, and we will sign up for side dishes. Additional details will follow at a later date. Bus trip.

October 2021 – Newton, NC – Newton Depot, home of The Southeastern Narrow Gauge & Shortline Museum, and a dedicated model railroad center featuring N, HO, and O scale. (Remember our trip to Wade’s Train Town – HO scale?). Free admission, donations welcomed. Lunch at a local restaurant. We will car pool.

Saturday, November 13, 2021 - Fort Mill, SC – NarroWay Productions Dinner Theater presents, The Real Christmas Story. Lunch at Noon, and show at 1pm. Tickets are $36.00 each and are non-refundable. You may pay by cash or check. If paying by check, please make payable to Sharon Marlowe. Payment deadline is October 10. Additional details will follow at a later date. Bus trip.

A few reminders: Please remember that sign-up is required for each trip. The people of Old St. Paul’s may sign-up on a “first come” basis. Friends/visitors of OSP may sign up two (2) weeks prior to our West Jefferson and Newton trips once the date is set, and they may sign up October 1 for the November trip, if space is available on the bus. Sharon will maintain the sign-up sheets and the waiting list.

Please contact Sharon Marlowe or Judy Leatherman if you have any questions. Trip Coordinators, Sharon and Judy

The congregation will be singing the national Saturday July 24th anthem for the Hickory Crawdads on Sunday, 3pm-7pm August 22 at 3:00. Singers may attend the game for free. Additional tickets can be purchased at a For all ages! group rate of $6 per person. Please let Christy Stowe know if you would like to sing or purchase The night will end with a congregational additional tickets no later than July 11th. cookout. Annual BBQ Chicken Dinner It’s almost that time again. This year the Annual BBQ Chicken Dinner will be held on August 7, 2021. We are planning to offer inside dining, as well as again having the Sigmon Stringers provide evening entertainment. We will be providing carry out plates as well along with possibly a Drive-Thru option that we did last year. As usual we will need plenty of volunteers to make this a successful event. Volunteers will be needed throughout the week to get everything ready, since most everything is made and not purchased pre-made. We will also be providing flyers for you to distribute, as well as tickets to pre-sale in the next few weeks. If you are willing to offer up some time to help please see or call Kevin Black (828-244-2747) for more information. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Cole and Molly Setzer, and sister Alice, welcome Ava Rose. Ava was born Tuesday June 22, 2021 at 7 lbs 5 oz. !! Everyone is doing well.

Circle #4 members will meet on Tuesday, August 3rd at 6:30 pm at the church. Our Bible Study will continue on page 149 in "A Study of the Ten Commandments". Please mark your calendars now as we try to get back to normal after Covid.

The youth will be taking their mission trip August 8th, 9th and 10th to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Please keep them in your prayers.

Altar Guild members extend a huge ‘thank you’ to Lanny Hartsoe for converting the door on the paraments storage cabinet from hook and latch to two hinged French-style doors. The door was quite heavy and awkward to handle, and is now easy to open. Thank you, Lanny!

Thank you all for your donation of altar flowers this year. We still have a few dates open for the year if you are interested in giving .

Aug. 29th, Nov. 7th, Nov. 14th, and Nov. 28th.

UPCOMING WORSHIP LECTIONARY TEXTS

6th Sunday after Pentecost 7th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, July 4th Sunday, July 11th Ezekiel 2:1-5 Amos 7:7-15 Psalm 123 Psalm 85:8-13 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:1-13 Mark 6:14-29

8th Sunday after Pentecost 9th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, July 18th Sunday, July 25th Jeremiah 23:1-6 2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 23 Psalm 145:10-18 Ephesians 2:11-22 Ephesians 3:14-21 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 John 6:1-21 5 Melissa Duncan Serving in July: 9 David Stewart Gloria Lentz 11 Jody Laffon Jean Sigmon Joni Bentley Sharon Marlowe 12 Jeannie Ballard 13 Donald Canaway 15 Ambria Duncan June Attendance 18 Alice Sain

22 Tommy Overton 6th 78

23 Stephen Harrison 13th 74

24 Corey Jones 20th 83

25 Edith Sigmon 27th 78 26 Callie Laffon Kathy Kiser

Call Committee The call committee is continuing its work of calling a new pastor. There is no major update at this time. Please continue to pray for the call committee and the future of Old St. Paul’s.

Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Andrew Miller, Interim Pastor Angela Kanipe, Music Director Carolyn Sosebee, Organist

Erin Ollis, Administrative Assistant [email protected] Church Office: 828-464-9786 Office Hours: Tuesday –Thursday 9am-1pm