The Link St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church February 2017 From the Pastor: This year the season of Epiphany Our worship on the First Sunday after the continues through the entire month of Epiphany (January 8th) was an February. This is different than past opportunity to re-affirm our baptisms. years. Lent does not begin until March 1st Through baptism flows our call to be (Ash Wednesday). We celebrate eight God’s disciples in the world. Our Sundays of Epiphany. This happens worship during the concluding part of the because of how the date for Easter is Epiphany season will focus on growing in determined. (Something to do with the God’s love and sharing God’s light with full moon and the Spring Equinox. In my others. This is the ongoing ministry and estimation, it gets a bit complicated and I mission of God’s people and God’s can live quite well without knowing the church. ‘formula’. Life is complicated enough.) Anyway…we have a full Epiphany. I hope you enjoy and find meaning for your daily ministry and life in this (longer- Epiphany is a time when we are invited to than-usual) Epiphany season and the look and see who Jesus is – to search out worship we share. Jesus’ meaning for our lives reflective of the three magi who searched for the child In Christ, of Bethlehem. Jesus brings God’s light into the world and reveals God’s love for Pastor Paul all people. As God’s baptized people, we are called to share this light with others Pastor Paul E. Shoop and live with God’s love at the center of our lives. Mission Statement In February’s Link” St. Paul’s is a welcoming Page 1 From the Pastor Christian family. Page 2 February at a glance We are created by God, saved by Church Statistics Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Page 3 New Members’ Class Through joyous worship and Confirmation Project From the Church Office Mission Commitment, St. Paul’s furthers the word of God’s Saving Page 4 From the Church Office Grace. (continued) Page 5 Council Meeting Notes Special “Thank You’s” ATTENDANCE “WE COUNT BECAUSE YOU COUNT” Page 6 A Journey Through Lent Early Late Total Nursery Page 7 Ash Wednesday th W.E.L.C.A. Dec. 4 88 65 153 3 11th 84 56 140 2 18th 84 56 140 4 Page 8 Mission of the ELCA th th 24 301 102 403 - 150 Anniversary 25th 27 - 27 - Page 9 LYO Jan. 1st 77 - 77 - th RAIHN 8 64 41 105 5 15th 78 48 126 10 Page 10 Unhanging of the Greens Average Sunday attendance through ESWA December 2016 – 127 Lake Chautauqua Retreat Average Sunday attendance through December 2015 – 118 Page 11 Children’s Agenda Average Sunday attendance through Interfaith Weekend Update December 2014 - 125 “Thank you!” Notes Page 12 February’s Lay Calendar February Church Calendar PASTORAL ACTS Baptisms: January 22nd Ashley Mae Dechau NEW MEMBERS’ CLASS PLANNED Pastor Shoop is planning a Pastor’s Class for New Members during the month of February. Classes will be Sunday, February 5 and 12, during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:30 AM). This class is for persons who desire to become members of St. Paul’s and/or learn more about the teachings of the Christian Church and its Lutheran expression. Pastor gives an overview of the witness of the Please remember that if you are the Bible to God's love in Jesus and the faith of God's people. The teachings and history of the last to leave the church building you make Lutheran Church are reviewed. The mission sure that you pull the doors firmly closed and ministry of St. Paul’s is also discussed. behind you. In the winter both the porch After the Class, those desiring are received door to the offices and the red doors from into membership. the parking lot into the foyer can easily If you would like to attend the Pastor’s Class stick ajar. for New Members, please speak with Pastor Shoop or contact the Church Office for further Those of you who make use of the information. weekly offering envelopes will have noticed that we are continuing to give CONFIRMATION PROJECT space for you to donate to both the Students Sharing Their Faith “Operations Budget” and the “Capital The youth of the Second-Year Confirmation Appeal”. To make the Sunday collection Class are beginning work on a counting easy for our counters, please “Confirmation Project.” This is a new part indicate exactly on the front of the of our Confirmation Ministry. envelope or on the memo line of your The Confirmation Project is an opportunity check how your donation is to be used. If for each of the Confirmation youth to express no specification is given the money will be his/her faith and how he/she is growing in put towards the Operations Budget. faith. The youth can use a variety of ways to The “Operations Budget” is the express themselves in their Confirmation same as regular giving. This is the money Projects (words, pictures, sounds, etc.). It is that is used for our annual budget also an occasion for the youth to share an expenditure. important (for him/her) aspect of what he/she has learned during the two-year Confirmation program. Reminders for February An adult mentor from the congregation will If you have not collected a copy of work with each youth as a guide and support person as the project develops. If you are the 2016 Annual Report, please do so. It’s approached by one of our youth to serve as a a very full and complete synopsis of the mentor, please prayerfully consider this as Church for the year that many people put one way to support these fellow Christians in a lot of time and effort into it. Thanks to their journey of faith. Clara Firth, Juergen Lein, Mara Berndt & Alisa Piccirilli collating & stapling this year! Please welcome our Articles for the March edition of the new Church Staff “Link” must be received by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 16th. It will be Members! mailed on Tuesday 28th of February beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please sign up to help assemble the newsletter for mailing in the volunteer work area. Alisa Piccirilli is our new Bookkeeper as of August 2016 Statements of Financial Giving for 2016 are available for collection from the Michelle Josephson is our new Foyer on Sundays and in the Church Office during the week (Monday through Church Administrative Assistant Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm). If you have a as of August 2016 question on yours please call Alisa Piccirilli in the Church Office at 586-0580. Sebastian Brundage is our new Church Sexton as of December Sign up to provide Soup & Bread at one of our Lent Lunches. The sign-up 2016 sheet is in the Foyer. This year’s programs will be presented by the Worship & Music Kendra Farrier is our new Committee! Nursery Attendant as of January Several dates are available for 2017 sponsoring altar flowers and Sunday bulletins throughout 2017. Sign up in the Foyer on the notice boards in the hallway Be sure to stop and say “Hello!” to the nursery. Altar flowers are $15 per vase (lilac form needed) and bulletins are if you see them throughout the $10 per Sunday (green form needed). week! Church Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 PM. (I apologize for the incorrect information in our last newsletter.) As always, please feel free to call the office with any questions or concerns. With warmest gratitude, Michelle Josephson Church Admin. Assistant St. Paul’s Lutheran Church St Paul’s Council Meeting During its January meeting, Church Council was presented a detailed update by Susan Comer of her successful pilot program for young adults to connect and network with others. Classes center on opportunities to develop and practice social and pragmatic life skills in a fun and functional setting with an eye toward At our Annual Meeting on Sunday, independent living. Council approved this January 22nd, special thanks were worthwhile program through the end of given to: 2017. Deacon Interest in Call Committee membership Laura Patchen has been satisfactory, but we are still Pageant Coordinator seeking a few more dedicated people for Holley Haynes this important volunteer post. We hope to have representation from a varied Event Coordinator demographic. Members will be voted Mara Berndt into position by the congregation at the Annual Meeting on January 22nd. Sunday School Superintendent Sue Wyatt The financial summary through the end of December shows a healthy status with no Volunteer Coordinator concerns. Council and the Finance Eileen Whitaker Committee are coordinating efforts to ensure the budget for 2016 is carefully Web Masters Ron Uhlig & Ann Luebke balanced. As well as Council's next meeting will take place Retiring Members of Property & on February 13th at 6:45. Maintenance George Harris Harlan Granger Gary Schwartzbauer Clyde Stephens Thank you all for your extra efforts throughout last year are previous years here at St. Paul’s! Each Sunday during Lent we will We are collecting the items listed share soup and bread after our 11 a.m. above until Sunday March 13th. Collection service. Please join us. This year, each boxes will be in the Dorcas Room beginning Sunday will feature a different presentation Sunday February 14th. from our Worship & Music Committee, and gives us a great opportunity to get to know We will collect loose change during each other better.