Pastor’s EpistlePastor’s EpistlePastor’s EpistlePastor’s Epistle

Our Mission Statement

Called by Christ to love

God & neighbor

through deepening prayer,

broadening fellowship,

and expanding worship.

Crossings

A N ew s l e t t e r f o r t h e F am i l i e s & F r i e n d s o f S t . P a u l ’ s L u t h e r a n C h u r c h

Volume 12 Issue 8 August 2017

“Making known God’s deeds among us.”

Isaiah 12:4

“In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loves us so much, we also ought to love one another.”

I John 4:10-11

Dear Friends in Christ, Our nation is more polarized than ever, our conversations about hot topic social issues spew forth in angry and hyperbolic rheto-ric that denigrates those who disagree with another's position. As Christians, we are called to live out and model a Christ-like way to discuss these important issues. In thinning out the huge amount of files leftover from my seminary days, I discovered a copy of an article written by Dr. Craig Nessan, one of my seminary professors and Dean of Academics at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. This article is even more relevant today than when it appeared in the November, 1997, issue of The Lutheran. I offer this article with prayers that you will read and incorporate these communication habits into the fiber of your faith and Christ-like relationships with those you meet each day. Walking with you along the WAY - Pr. Nancy

CAN WE TALK? Article is on Page 2

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CAN WE TALK?

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Education/Education/Education/Education/Prayer TeamPrayer TeamPrayer TeamPrayer Team

RECENT PRAYERS Susan Anderson

Nate & Ann Baggett

Ruth Ella Gardner

Marilyn Larson

Christopher Malloy

Claudia Ortego & children

Jaxson Osmundson

Dan Payne

Mike Randall

Rick

Travis Rummans

Susie Smith

Mitch Sullivan

Rachel Thiede

Jeanette Young

Continuing Prayers (2016)

Anthony Allen

Pat & Gerry Anderson

Mary Carder

Gene Dobson

Gerry Gillette

Maya Griebel

Wendy Henexson

Richard McDonough

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St. Paul’s Shut-ins:

Mary Carder

Ruth Johnson

Continuing Prayers (2016 cont.)

Cathy Tietje

Osmundson

Leo Oye

Dr. Marridee Randall

Leeta Sanger

Scott Sanger

Lyle Spieler

Greg Tilton

Fred Witte

(2015)

Linda Ulrich Johnson

Ella Teno (2014) Sharon Glenn

Nick Griffin

Pat Mason

Continuing Prayers Brantley Hemann

Laura Moore

Trisha Raven

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WELCA Bible Study:

Wednesday, August 9 at 11 am. All anew: Ready or not

Session one: Say goodbye to nice--Nice is not the same as good. Making nice is what you do to avoid upsetting people. But Good knows there are more important things than your reputation, your balance sheet and whatever else it is you count on to make you comfortable. Good does what matters.

Council Meeting Minutes July 9, 2017 Continued from Page 5

New Business

Financial Situation: What can we do to grow our congregation? To

meet the financial requirements of the Church? These questions will be

discussed at the Semi-Annual meeting on July 30th. It was voted on and

approved that Council will continue to take funds from the land sale money to

pay any bills not covered by the monthly offering. In addition to discussing

Sunday School and St. Paul’s financial situation at the Semi-annual meeting, we

will also hear Pastor’s Report and get an in-depth Treasurer’s Report.

Outdoor Chapel painting and sign: Don and Karen were invited to

hear and discuss ideas about how to finish the outdoor chapel. It was decided

that the sign will read “St. Paul’s Chapel”. The siding will be creme-colored with

red trim. We will contact Doug Wolfer at Krazy Metal Art to inquire about

making a Luther Rose that will be mounted to the chapel. Ruth motions to

accept the sign design, Rich seconds, all members voted in favor; none op-

posed.

Don inquired about the new reading of the Lord’s Prayer; why the

change in the wording? Pastor explained that it is what is in the liturgy, and

that in time in the Church year, the liturgy refers to the Lord’s Prayer with the

traditional language.

Calendar: July 30th is the Semi-annual Congregational Meeting di-

rectly following church service. NEXT Council meeting: September 17th, follow-

ing church service.

Adjourn: Close meeting with the Lord’s Prayer

Minutes submitted by Amanda Thomas, Secretary

Christian Ed Parent Meeting

Sunday, August 6 after worship. Continued conversation and planning for this coming years Faith Formation for the youth of our congregation.

Birthday’s

1. Dakota Kelley

2. Terry Simmons

8. Kyle Hilton

9. Melissa Griebel

12. Royce Foster

14. Tom Preston

17. Brooke Sparks

19. Kelly Freeman

19. Hanna Freeman

22. Jesse Simmons

23. Jay Heaton

26. Steve Larson

29. Stephanie Kelley

30. Chuck Clouse

Fellowship Team Fellowship Team Fellowship Team Fellowship Team MinistriesMinistriesMinistriesMinistries

Pot-luck

BRUNCH

August 20

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WOMEN of the ELCA

Monthly Meeting will be on Thursday, August 24 at 7 pm. Our hostess to be announced.

WELCA Bible Study: Weds. , August 9 At 11 am. (See more info on pg 3)

RESTORATION DAY BAKE SALE: Aug. 5 from 9 am –noon.

We will be having our annual bake sale on the square. Please bring items to the square by 8:30 am. Please have everything pre-wrapped. Remember chocolate items (things that will melt) don't do well in the heat. Please sign-up for what items you would like to bring; this helps so we don’t have a lot of doubling up on anything.

Senior Fellowship

Pot-luck Luncheon: We will be having our potluck lunch on Wednesday, August 2 at 11 am. Bring a white elephant item for Bingo prizes.

Baptismal Birthday’s

3. Cassie Smallwood

4. Melissa Griebel

18. Mary Mitchell

22. Harold Benson

23. Jay Heaton 28. Broderick Thomas

Anniversaries 4. Michael & Amanda Thomas

8. Tim & Annie (Preston)

Jenkins

5. Larry & Sharon Wilkin

27. Mike & Kay Spieler

28. Brittany & Cody Flattery

28. Nancy & Martin Reed

29. Steve & Marilyn Larson

Congratulation to Larry & Sharon Wilkin who will be celebrating their 50th Wedding anniversary on August 5.

SCHOOL STARTS

AUGUST 23RD.

Council Council Council Council

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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Council Meeting Minutes July 9, 2017 Present: Gail Clouse, Richard James, Ruth James, Stephanie Kelley, Pastor Nancy Reed, Amanda Tho-mas, Marilyn Woods Absent: Kay Spieler, Anita Simmons Guests: Don and Karen Niebuhr, Lana Kaldenberg

Devotions: Pastor opens meeting with prayer

Acceptance of the agenda: Marilyn motions to approve, Ruth seconds, motion passes.

Approval of Minutes: Rich motions to accept June minutes as submitted, Ruth seconds, motion carries.

Treasurer’s Report: We are about $600 in the red to Synod. We still are not receiving the weekly offer-ing needed to meet the budget, which is $1499.27. Ruth motions to accept the Treasurer’s Report as sub-mitted, Rich seconds, motion approved.

Committee Reports

Worship: Hymns need to be chosen for August. Windsor Heights Lutheran donated 17 ELWs, and 24 This Far by Faith. We will write a thank you to this congregation for their gener-osity. Christian Ed: VBS was great! Expenses included mileage for our guest speakers who came from Des Moines and the Passport booklets for the kids. The question was raised, “How is the “Home Huddles” curriculum going? Is a once a week lesson easier for parents to fit into their schedule? Amanda offered that she felt her kids were missing out on the experience of a true Sunday School. Stephanie Kelley added that maybe we could go back to traditional Sunday School, but maybe just twice a month. Pastor Nancy reminded us that it was difficult to find church members who wanted to lead the Sunday School lessons and that sometimes only a cou-ple of kids were at church to receive a lesson. It was determined that a meeting will be held to discuss and decide the future of Sunday School or Home Huddles. Fellowship: Going great! Missions: Busy with collecting items for backpacks for back to school. Property: The church roof looks amazing! The base of the steeple needs cleaning and painting.

Old Business

Parsonage Update: The front entrance with linoleum needs finished before the bill is paid. We will call and talk with Dave to get the linoleum finished.

Continued on Page 3

Next Council Meeting:

Sept. 17th after worship.

St. Paul’s Council Reminder

Have a blessed and safe

Summer.

Faithfully remember your

giving even in your absence.

You can also sign-up for Auto-

Tithe to make your giving even

easier all year long.

Mowing & Property Upkeep: Thank you to Melissa Griebel, Royce Foster, Dan Johnson, Fred & Jo Dier, Richard James, Colleen Putnam, Joan Peterson and every one else who as helped with keeping the Church property looking good. STILL HAVE COUPLE MONTHS LEFT FOR YARD UPKEEP–

please sign—up if you can help.

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Back Pack Mission SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Deadline is week of August 1-5th. St. Paul’s has signed up to fill 8 school bags for this fall’s kindergarten class. Current list below:

8 Headphones (NO EARBUDS)

59 large glue sticks 4 Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

5 pkg. Dry Erase Markers

Extra Items needed in the class room Expo dry erase markers Kleenex Germ-x Ziploc baggies Clorox wipes Sharpie Markers We need all the supplies by the week of Aug. 1-5th so we can fill the bags and bless them on Sun. Aug. 6th. The bags will then be delivered to the Kendall Administration Building and the school will get them to the children. Thanks for all your assistance as we help out the many families who struggle in the fall to meet all the requirements necessary to help their children have a successful experience in school. We have also asked for funds from Thrivent Financial to help us with this mission.

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Boxes of Hope Continuing Mission: for the Emergency Assistance Office. Items that are in the greatest demand are:

All-purpose cleaning products & Bathroom cleaners

Dish soap Laundry Detergent Toilet paper

Men & Women Deodorant Toothpaste Shampoo

Body wash (not bar soap)

These items can not be purchased with the SNAP card (food stamps). ==================================================================================

Restoration Day Water Bottles 8/5: We will be providing free water at the St. Paul’s Bake Sale table this year. Please bring your bottles of water to St. Paul’s by 7/31 so we are able to put our church labels on the bottles. We need about 4-5 cases of water.

MISSIONS TASK FORCE: meeting August 6 after worship.

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Worship Team Worship Team Worship Team Worship Team MinistriesMinistriesMinistriesMinistries

Worship Servers

Altar Guild: Betty Hohneke & Marilyn Woods

August 6 Worship Assistant: Gail Clouse Ushers/Greeters: ??????? Lector: Gail Clouse

August 13 Worship Assistant: Marilyn Woods Ushers/Greeters: ?????? Lector Marilyn Woods

August 20 Worship Assistant: Marilyn Woods Ushers/Greeters: Smallwood Family Lector Gloria Smallwood

August 27 Worship Assistant: Anita Simmons Ushers/Greeters: ???????? Lector: Anita Simmons

Schedule for July

August 6 Lydia light & put out the candles

Nikko collect communion cups

August 13 Parker light & put out the candles

Sophie collect communion cups

August 20 Grayson light & put out the candles

Morgan collect communion cups

August 27 Nikko light & put out the candles

Lydia collect communion cups

We will resume again in the fall. Have a great summer.

USHERS / GREETERS /

LECTORS Needed: We need your leadership as ushers/greeters offering a warm welcome to those attending worship and we need someone to share God’s word by reading the Holy Scriptures on Sunday’s. Please put your name down on the sheets in the fellowship hall.

SPECIAL AUGUST DATES: Pastor will be out of the office August 10-11 and August 17-20 as she will be on vacation. We will have as our pulpit supply pastor on August 20 Pastor David Abrams.

NO SATURDAY

WORSHIP ON

AUGUST 19th.

There will be a graveside service for Carol Blomgren Clark on Saturday, August 5 at the Oak View Cemetery in Albia at 10:00 am.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OFFICE HOURS: Monday 9:30 –11:30 am & 1-3 pm Wednesday 10 am—Noon & 1—3 pm Friday 9 am—Noon

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WEB SITE:Check out St. Paul’s Web site at http://www.splalbia.org. You will find our newsletters, calendar and recipe. Please send the office anything you would like to share on our web site.

Radio Broadcast St. Paul’s worship service is broadcast each Sunday on KIIC (96.7 FM ) during their Sunday Son—Up programs starting at 8:00 am.

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP: Every Saturday at 5:00 pm with Holy Communion.

Summer Sermons Series: as a way to celebrate the 500 Anniversary of the Reformation, during the month August through Sept. 3rd,we will be learning the 10 Commandments as explained in Martin Luther’s “The Small Catechism.”.

RESTORATION DAY BAKE SALE:

Aug. 5 from 9 am –noon. We will be having our annual bake sale on the square. Please bring items to the square by 8:30 am.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church 335 North Eighth Street Albia, IA 52531

Phone: 641-932-7270 Email: splalbia@iowatelecom.net

Web Site—http://www.splalbia.org

Office Hours: Tues.-Weds.-Thurs.

9 am-2 pm

Place Mailing Label Here

Links: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America www.elca.org The Southeast Iowa Synod of the ELCA www.seiasynod.org

Get your newsletter by e-mail and in color. Send your e-mail address to the church office.