OUR VISION: Welcome! KNOW God GROW in Him We’re so glad you joined us in SHOW His love worship today!

We invite you to fill out St. Paul Lutheran the Communication Card by Church • School • Childcare

scanning the QR code The front office is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm with your phone: Monday—Friday. Call us at 956-682-2345. Administrative Staff Church Council Rev. Gregory Lorenz, Senior Pastor Matthew Drefs [email protected] Executive Director [email protected] Rev. James Fickenscher, Associate Pastor Fred Karle [email protected] Assistant Director [email protected] Rev. Ernesto Garcia, Visitation Pastor 956-682-4697 or 956-270-2272 (cell) Joy Madero

Inese Dahl, Director of Christian Secretary [email protected] Education, [email protected]

Jessica Finley, Minister of Music David Hargett [email protected] Treasurer [email protected] Elena Rodriguez, Childcare Director [email protected] Jamie Hempel Board of Lay Ministry Nichole Perez, Principal [email protected] If you are not able to [email protected] Brent Kirchner complete the form on Daniela Gonzalez, Interim Food Service Buildings & Grounds Director, [email protected] [email protected] your phone, don’t worry. Jon Finley, Church Secretary Michael Bird We still see you and value your [email protected] School Board Chairperson

Reyna Willingham, School Secretary [email protected] presence in worship! [email protected] “Dorcas: Service By Sewing” Sofia Vestweber Hannah McCann, Business Manager Childcare Board Chairperson [email protected] You can give prayer requests to [email protected] the pastors by calling the Front Darrell Hagen, Sexton Please submit requests via the Mainte- Office during the week or nance Request Form in the Front Office emailing one of the pastors. Service Schedule—In Person and Livestream Their contact info is right here Saturday: 5pm—Traditional Worship Sunday: 8am —Traditional Worship 9:15am — Bible Study with Pastor James

300 W Pecan | McAllen, TX 78501 10:45am—Contemporary Worship 956.682.2345 | stpaulmcallen.org

November 21—22, 2020 Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

COME AS YOU ARE Welcome to St. Paul Lutheran Church! We are a community of believers from all walks of life, who face all kinds of daily struggles and challenges. We don’t have all the answers, but we know the One who does. We don’t always get Order of Worship — Traditional things right, but by God’s grace we follow the One who never sinned. We are not perfect people, just forgiven Based on Divine Service, people, and you’ll fit in just as you are! You don’t need to bring the perfect clothes or the perfect smile or the perfect family…just yourself, with all your questions or hurts or scars, and let Jesus take it from there! Setting Four

Please remember these brothers and sisters in prayer… In order to keep our prayer list up to date, prayer requests will be removed after four weeks. Welcome and Announcements Order of Worship — Contemporary If you would like for your request to continue, contact Jon Finley at 956-682-2345. Call to Worship ILLNESS/ONGOING Shirley Keszler Karen Wollersheim David Berger Taylor Mauldin MISSION/MINISTRY Invocation Welcome and Announcements NEEDS Eleanor Norbie Carolyn Lechtenberg David Cazares Corey Moss Rev. Rick Black Paul Allen Jackie Perez CARE FACILITIES Diane Drefs Gary Palmer Zion in Alamo Confession and Absolution Opening Song of Praise: Donna Bargsten Joe Portales Van E Foster Lonnie Folsom Rusty Patterson Cathey Middle School Wava Bettes Eddie Salinas Ed Hurley’s Mom Joe Hetrick Penny Pich Collect of the Day Way Maker Delbert Birdsong Vanessa Salinas Isobel Mall Kathy Jennings Lynn Ranson Scripture Readings: Scripture Readings: Anne Cary Debby Schuster Jeanette Marshal Linda Juden Elva Salinas Acts 9:36-43 Oleen Covey Stanley Steere Vi Offutt Eric Kaelberer Nell Smith Acts 9:36-43 Ann Hempel Patricia Rickets Jerry Sullivan Peggy Kirchner Bill Shockley Luke 6:12-16, 8:1-3 Luke 6:12-16, 8:1-3 Muriel Hinrichs Wayne Vestweber Laura Wagner Carol Lompe Shiela Thompson Karen Karle Chris Westphal SPECIAL PRAYERS Steve Lompe Holly Wilson Hymn of the Day: Children’s Message Oh, That I Had a Thousand Sermon Nicene Creed Voices, LSB 811, stzs. 1-2, 4 Sermon Offering Our Gifts to God This Week (Nov 21-22) Next Week (Nov 28-29) Nicene Creed Prayer of the Church Please refer to the “Living As God's Readings: Acts 9:36-43; Readings: Exodus 18:13-18; Offering Lord’s Prayer Luke 6:12-16; 8:1-3 Luke 2:41-51 Stewards-Weekly Update” inside this announcement pamphlet. Prayer of the Church Holy Communion Lord’s Prayer Lord, I Need You Holy Communion Benediction Ordinary People, Extraordinary God *Communion is offered on 2nd & 4th Sundays.* Benediction Dismissal

This November, we will be looking at different ST. PAUL’S COMMUNION STATEMENT: Closing Hymn: people in the New Testament and how our Ex- Our Lord Jesus graciously shares with us His body and Columntraordinary 1 God does extraordinary things blood to forgive our sins, assure us of salvation, strengthen Where Charity and Love Prevail, through sinful, broken people – just like us! God our faith, and unite us as members of His church. LSB 845, stzs. 1-2, 6 We believe: reminds us that He doesn’t only use “heroes of Dismissal the faith” to share His Gospel, but each one of • That we are sinful human beings in need of forgiveness; His people, in their everyday life, is a beloved, • That the Lord’s Body and Blood are truly present in the valued part of His plan and His Kingdom! bread and wine which He offers us; • That through the sacrament we are forgiven of our sins;

Pastoral Visitation • and strengthened to live as God’s people. Call the Church Office 956-682-2345 or If you share our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we invite you email [email protected] if to join us at His table. If you do not wish to take communion, you, or someone you know, would like a visit you are invited to cross your arms over your chest and re- You can sponsor the altar flowers to celebrate a special event or the memory from one of the pastors. ceive a blessing from the Pastor. If you have any questions,

please consult the Pastor or a Lay Minister. of a loved one by signing up on the sheet outside the Front Office.

Sermon Notes Living As God's Stewards-Weekly Update

Series: Ordinary People—Extraordinary God Title: Tabitha (Dorcus), Service by Sewing For a number of weeks now, we have been keeping you informed about St. Paul’s financial Text: Acts 9:36-43 situation through these weekly updates. We will continue to share this information here, through videos, and in In The Know.

We want you to be informed so that as I. Tabitha was full of ______and acts of ______you lift up St. Paul in your prayers, you Gifts to God can pray specifically for God’s provi- (This is the basis of the whole account) sion for the ministry as you give, par- November 8 Offering $ 5,348.91 ticipate and support the mission and outreach. Special Giving to Deficit $ 0.00

II. Tabitha ______November 8 Online Giving $ 2,983.59 As we celebrate the final Sundays of the Church Year and enter the Advent Last Week's Total Giving $ 8,332.50 III. Tabitha's deeds are ______and Christmas season, we are remind- Last Week's Plan $ 11,538.47 ed that Jesus is coming again soon! IV. Peter ______her from the dead Many people in our community and in Surplus (Deficit) for Week $ (3,205.97) A. Put them outside our world do not know Jesus or doubt Non-payroll expenses 11/9-13 $ 22,039.67 B. Knelt down and prayed that the cross of Jesus is enough. God calls us, as a Christian community of July 1 - June 30 Actual $ 193,427.99 C. Turned to the body faith, to share the message of God’s D. Tabitha, arise righteousness in Christ through Word July 1 - June 30 Plan $ 230,769.40 and Sacrament. That is why we exist. E. Raised her up Surplus (Deficit) for Year $ (37,341.41) F. Called the widows Here are the numbers from last week . . . Last week, the weekly regular offerings (in-person, mail and online) totaled $8,332.50. V. Many ______in the Lord This is $3,205.97 below our WEEKLY budget need of $11,538.47. ($11,538.47 represents our weekly budgeted amount of $600,000 of CHURCH VI. What ______will follow you? OFFERINGS ONLY divided by 52 weeks. School and Early Learning Center income is in addition to this amount and is used to cover School and ELC expenses.)

Thank you for giving over and beyond to help us with our deficit. We still have a deficit of $37,341.41 for the year. To make up this difference, we need to exceed our $11,538.47 weekly income need by about $1000 each week. This could be as simple as 100 people giv- ing $10 a week more. We trust that God will bless our congregation and supply us with what we need to serve His Kingdom. We also pray that God will lead us to look at how we use the gifts that He has given us to support His work through St. Paul.

Pastor Gregory Lorenz

Opportunities to Give Above and Beyond Announcements Below are some giving opportunities that congregation members can give to above and beyond their regular tithe. “Advent In a Box” Sign-Up | November 18 Advent in a Box provides creative and easy to use resources to help your family celebrate Advent and connect with each other and God right in your home. Step back from the rush of the season Highlighted Opportunity This Week: School Wish List and spend a few precious moments making and lighting Advent candles, doing FAITH5 devotions, reading a Christmas book or having a hot chocolate party focusing on the real purpose of the sea- son. Advent in a Box includes supplies for making your own Advent candles, an Advent activity for each week with all the supplies, and Advent FAITH5 devotions. Suggested donation to help us cov- *2020 School Wish List Goal Donated Remaining er the costs of the boxes is $8. If, for whatever reason, you are not able to do that, we will happily give you Advent in a Box as a gift. Sign up by November 18: https://stpaulmcallen.breezechms.com/form/3b42b0 Desk Guards for a Classroom $700 0 $700

Curbside Communion | November 23 Bibles for 1st Grade $540 0 $540 We will offer communion in our circle drive on Monday, November 23, 2020 from 11am- 12pm. We will be using the pre-packaged wine and wafers. To be respectful of our neighbors, we ask that you do not line-up in or block the alley. Please only use St. Paul parking lots as you wait to Picnic Table for East Side of Playground $200 $200 $0 commune. Please also be careful of our School and Early Learning Center children and families.

Thanksgiving Eve Worship | November 25 New Wi-Fi access points $2,000 $1,200 $800 We invite you pause for a few moments before the big turkey day begins, and give thanks to the *As you know, this year has been quite different for St. Paul. We may be smaller than previous years but we are Lord for His goodness and blessings in the midst of this challenging year. Thanksgiving Eve still sharing Jesus with our students and their families! Every year we put together a wish list – items that would be worship will be held on Wednesday, Nov 25 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. so nice to have but aren’t in the budget for us. Please consider donating to help us get these “extras” that would help us further the mission of the school! In-Person Youth Group—Wednesdays

Middle and high school students are invited to join us for a youth meeting every Wednesday from 7 to 8.30 PM at St. Paul parking lot (by the soccer field). Come play some games, talk with old and new friends, and grow in your relationship with Jesus! More information on safety guidelines here: https://stpaulmcallen.breezechms.com/form/f3892332 Opportunities to Give Above and Beyond Goal Donated Remaining **Organ Tuning ($2500/ 2x per year) and Christmas Gift for Children | Coming Soon Small Repairs $7,000 $2000 $5,000 Brighten the Christmas of a child from Jackson Elementary School whose family struggling during this time. Watch for the link to sign up for the gift or pick up an envelope from the table outside of the Sanctuary or Gym. Return the wrapped gifts with attached name tag to the church by December Live Stream Equipment $12,000 $12,000 $0 15. Don’t know where to get the gift? Give a gift card! **St. Paul has been blessed with a beautiful Hofmann pipe organ. The pipes naturally move a lit- tle bit due to Youth and Families Christmas Party | December 6 changes in temperature and humidity, so it should be tuned twice a year to keep it sounding at its best. The organ Middle school and high school youth and families, join us for a Christmas party on Sunday, Decem- also has a list of maintenance and repairs that are needed due to age. We have had some of the smaller repairs ber 6, 5-7 PM in the St. Paul parking lot. An amazing meal of tamales, buñuelos, and Mexican hot done over the past few years. There are a couple smaller things that can be done this year (ex: replace the leath- chocolate. Christmas spirit shirt/ sweater contest, games, being together and looking forward to ers that have completely rotted in a handful of notes, causing them to be “dead notes”), and some larger items that celebrating the birth of our Savior. Sign up by November 27: https://stpaulmcallen.breezechms.com/ must be done within the next 5 years (ex: replace the blower for the Positiv, which is starting to go bad; replace the form/e50678 leathers in all of the flute ranks as they are now rotting due to age). If you especially love the traditional service and

music the organ makes, please consider a one time gift or even a small recurring gift to go towards establishing an organ repair fund. To make a special donation, please write “Organ Fund” in the memo of your check or online giving.