The Our ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be Sunday, November 12, at the

beginning of the Worship service. Additional nominations of active members will be accepted on

Sunday, November 5, for the 2018-2020 Congregation Council, LCMC Delegates for 2018, and

the 2018 Nominating Committee to be voted on at the Annual Congregation Meeting on Sunday,

November 12. On Sunday, October 29, all nominees will be introduced.

The following persons are INELIGIBLE to be elected to the Congregation Council because they

are presently serving or they must fill the constitutional requirement of being off the council for

two years before they may serve again. These persons are listed as to the years they served or are

presently serving:

2014-2016 2015-2017 2016-2018 2017-2019 Ben Bernhardt George Barringer Eric Barringer Bonnie Bernhardt

Perry Bernhardt Crystal Bost Tim Canup Susan Bernhardt

Paul Canup Cindy Hinson Tim Free Lindsay Lowman

Alice Davis Teresa Linker Matt Holland Rick Murphy

Jimmie Deal Beth Whisnant Terri Powlas Jeff Powlas

Brent Monroe Hugh Wilhelm Jane Webb Carol Wilhelm

The Nominating Committee places the following nine persons up for the six positions open on the

Congregation Council:

Gina Barringer Tim Deal Alison Moore

Dana Bost Stan McConnell Vaughn Wilhelm

Jason Burnett Lisa Monroe Kenneth Whisnant

The Church Council has nominated Tim and Patricia Free as our 2018 LCMC Delegates. Additional

nominations may be received on Sunday, November 5, for our 2018 LCMC Delegates.

According to our constitution the 2018 Nominating Committee will be the six persons coming off the

Council at the end of this year (2015-2017 group listed above). The congregation also has the opportunity to

select additional members for the 2018 Nominating Committee on Sunday, November 5. Those serving on

the Nominating Committee this year were the 2014-2016 group listed above.

At the Annual Congregational Meeting we will:

Elect six persons to serve on the Congregation Council for three-year terms

Elect LCMC Delegates for 2018

Present and vote on the 2018 mission budget

Address any other business brought before the congregation at this meeting.

Newly elected Council members will be installed the next Sunday, November 19, during the worship

service.

Monthly Epistle VOLUME 61, ISSUE 11

NOVEMBER 2017

2

God's Promises For You For You Suffering Mental Illness

Dear Neighbor,

Grace and peace in God and in Jesus Christ. I have received word of the

suffering and struggles facing your friend’s mental illness and write to offer

some advice and help. I have no worldly help to give, aside from encourage-

ment to seek the medical assistance needed to treat this kind of illness,

whether with specialized doctors like psychiatrists or with trained counselors.

It is necessary to seek professionals when the suffering is beyond average depression or melancholy

because it is, after all, a bodily illness, even though the harm to the body is not easy to see, if at all.

Doctors who treat mental illness can diagnose the cause and work with the patient through special-

ized treatment, therapy, and medications. Just as I need glasses to see because of the shape and

function of my eyes, mental illness needs a corrective for the brain; and that is what medication,

properly diagnosed, can do.

As I said, I do not have worldly help to give, but let me offer some heavenly help.

As Christians, we know that the devil is always seeking to harm and enhance our current troubles,

whether mental, social, emotional, physical, or spiritual; and our battle is a

spiritual one against him. Our medicine against that spiritual illness (the devil) is the power of

Christ and faith. This is what we do, working a cure alongside modern medicine by praying in

Jesus’ name, since the physical and spiritual are intertwined.

So, proceed as follows. Go to the one suffering with two or three of the faithful. Go in confi-

dence of your office as a minister of Christ called to this purpose and circumstance. Place your

hands on the head and shoulder of this person and say, “Peace be with you from God our Father and

our Lord Jesus Christ.” Proclaim the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer in a clear voice, and

close with these words, “O God, almighty Father who has told us through your Son, “Truly, truly, I

say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you;” (John 16:23) who

has commanded and encouraged us to pray in his name, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy

may be full,” (John 16:24) and who gives us this promise, “Call on me in the day of trouble; I

will deliver you, and you shall glorify me;” (Psalm 50:15) we unworthy sinners, relying on your

words, commands and promises, pray for your mercy with as much faith as we can muster. Gra-

ciously free this person from all suffering and evil, and undo the work that Satan has done, to the

honor of your name and the strengthening of the faith of believers; through the same Jesus Christ,

your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, world without end. Amen.” Finally, when it is

time to leave, lay your hands again on this person and say, “These signs will accompany those who

believe…they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

Do this three times on three successive days, and pray for this dear person during worship, pub-

licly, until God hears them. My prayers and petitions to the Lord are with yours.

Peace in Christ,

Your Friend

From the Pastor

3

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE

2018 PROPOSED ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN

CHURCH BUDGET? IF SO, A MEMBER OF THE

FINANCE COMMITTEE AND/OR COUNCIL WILL BE

IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM FOLLOWING THE

SERVICE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, TO ANSWER

YOUR QUESTIONS.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour

before going to bed on Saturday, November 4.

This will give you an extra hour of sleep before

the worship service on Sunday, November 5.

It’s that time of year again. The OLD TIMEY

STEW will be held in the Picnic Shelter on

Saturday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. Come out

and enjoy the delicious stews and fellowship.

Please bring a dessert to share.

If you would like to learn more about St. Paul's

or are ready to join, you are invited to attend our

WELCOME TO ST. PAUL'S GATHERING

on Sunday, November 5, from Noon-3:00 p.m.

in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be provided

by the Outreach Committee.

At the Gathering we will outline the Mission of

St. Paul's, the opportunities for you to get

involved in the life of the church, and explore

what it means to be a Lutheran Christian.

Please RSVP by calling the church office if

you will be attending. Also, please let us know if

you will require child care.

The Finance Committee will meet Sunday,

November 5, at 3:00 p.m. in the Counting

Room.

Executive Committee will meet Tuesday,

November 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Counting Room.

WOMEN OF FAITH will meet on Thursday,

November 9, at 11:00 a.m. in the Conference

Room. Following the Bible Study the group will go

out to lunch at a local restaurant.

On Thursday, November 9, the Lutheran Men

will meet for their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in

the Fellowship Hall for fun, food, and fellowship.

CHURCH COUNCIL will meet Sunday,

November 12, at 8:00 a.m. in the Conference

Room.

4

The ANNUAL ALTAR GUILD MEETING will be held

on Sunday, November 12, at 5:00 p.m. in the Con-

ference Room. This meeting will focus on plans for

our upcoming Christmas Decorations as well as the

new church season. All members of the Altar Guild

are asked to attend.

HOPE CLASS, sponsored by the Parish Nurse

Ministry, will meet on Tuesday, November 14, at

1:00 p.m. in the Counting Room.

Due to the observance of Thanksgiving,

Newsletter articles will be due in to the Church Office on Monday, November 13.

The Altar Guild needs YOUR help. Please

contact the church office or Bonnie Hinson if you

are able to donate the following items: turnips,

gourds, and pumpkins for the cornucopia for

Sunday, November 19, and Wednesday, November

22, Thanksgiving Eve service.

LUTHERAN WOMEN ...

Please note: for the HAMA LINGLE CIRCLE meeting

on Monday November 6, Hostess will be Martha

Morgan and program leader will be Alice Davis.

Our Girl Scout Troop 743 will participate in a

Investiture Ceremony on Tuesday, November 7, at

6:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

GIRL SCOUT’S SILVER PROJECT...

My name is Chloe Lombard and I am doing my Silver Project for Girl Scouts Troop #743. I am doing a

fundraiser for Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary. I am asking for donations of food and other items listed

below. If you prefer to give money, I will be glad to purchase items from the list for you. Collection boxes

are located at the back of the sanctuary and outside of the conference room. Thank you so much for the sup-

port in helping me help these animals.

Items needed: Purina Dog Chow, Purina Puppy Chow, Canned Food (Purina, Alpo, Pedigree, etc.), Purina

Kitten Chow, Purina Cat Chow, Kitty Litter (prefer Tidy Cat Scoopable), Nyla Bones, Milk bone Dog Treats,

Tennis Balls, Kong's toys, Creamy Peanut Butter, Chlorine Bleach, Dawn Dish Detergent

Love, Chloe Lombard

The St. Paul's FRIENDSHIP CLUB will meet for

breakfast at Rockwell Diner on November 16 at

9:00 a.m. Please let me know if you plan to attend

as I will need a head count. Hope to see you there

for good food and fellowship.

Helen Gordon

5

Due to the observance of Thanksgiving,

Bulletin announcements will be due in to the

Church Office on Monday, November 20.

Thanksgiving Eve Service Wednesday, November 22, at 6:30 p.m.

This Thanksgiving we will be remembering our

Lord and His many blessings upon us with a

special Thanksgiving Eve service held on

Wednesday, November 22, at 6:30 p.m. The

service will be filled with music and a message

from Rev. DJ Lura.

Canned goods will be collected for Rowan

Helping Ministries during the Thanksgiving Eve

Service. We will pause in this hectic life to reflect and

praise God for the many ways that He opens His

heart and hands in love to pour blessings upon

each of us.

Come dressed as you are and join us for this

informal service. Bring the entire family,

especially those who have come in to be with the

family over the holiday.

The CHURCH OFFICE will be closed

Thursday, November 23- Friday, November 24, in

observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Lutheran Men will provide Bingo at the

VA on Tuesday, November 21, at 6:45 p.m.

ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES

St. Paul's donated to the ROWAN HELPING

MINISTRIES for the month of August 104

pounds. For September we collected 39 lbs.

Thank you all for your continued support and

ministry!

RHM items for November are:

Soups

Rice

though any item donated is accepted.

Thank you all for your continued support and

ministry! The shelves are bare and needs are

plenty.

PARISH NURSE NEWS...

6

Greetings from Your Parish Nurse,

As we approach Thanksgiving this year, it is important to remember how blessed we

are. Many will approach this Thanksgiving with a sense of dread. Perhaps it’s that

you already feel overwhelmed with the preparation of the Thanksgiving meal, or guests

coming in from out of town. Young married couples may feel the strain of having to

split their time with 2 families.

There are others that may be dreading Thanksgiving because they are celebrating the first year without

their loved ones. Still others may be sad because they have no one to celebrate with.

Realizing that all stressors are real, it is important to find ways to alleviate the stress. God gives us a plan

for that in His word. He gives us the Bible. Immerse yourself in His word. All of our answers are in His

Word.

“Be Still and know that I am God” ~ Psalm 46:10. This verse will quiet your anxious spirit. We need to

rest in Him, knowing that He loves us so much.

For those that are grieving, Revelation 21:4: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there

shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed

away.”

For those that are lonely - Psalm 23: 4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I

will fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me”. The valley of the shadow can

refer to any devastating time in our lives. You are with me—The Good Shepherd is with us even in what

seems like the most difficult and lonely times of our lives. Your rod and Your staff—Shepherds used the rod

and staff to rescue, protect and guide the sheep. This has become a symbol of The Good Shepherd’s loving

care over His flock. The sheep are not alone; their Shepherd is standing over them, guiding them into safety,

just as the Lord stands over us and protects us.

We are God’s children; for that reason we are Thankful, Grateful and very Blessed.

God wants us to take care of people. He designs us that way and the Word of the Lord tells us how to do it.

7

BLOOD DRIVE...

The next blood drive at our church will be Monday, November 13, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Our goal for the

drive is 35 units. There is a desperate need for blood in our state and across the country.

Fewer individuals are donating and many who were previous donors are unable to give because of medical

or health issues. One of the most important reasons our church switched from the Red Cross to Community

Blood Center of the Carolinas is that blood donated will stay in the Carolinas. The staff from CBCC has

been excellent, and in and out time for giving is approximately and hour for those with appointments.

Our blood drive in August was a tremendous success with 43 units being donated--the best drive ever at

our church. However to reach that goal, six members of our church donated double units and will be unable

to give in November. New donors are needed to help fill their places at our next drive.

Please consider helping our church meet its goal. One donated unit can be used to help three people. If

you or a family member has ever received a transfusion, you understand how important it is that others

donate.

If you have donated at St. Paul's over the past two years. you will be contacted about making an appoint-

ment or to confirm an appointment that was made at the August drive. If you have never donated at our

church and would be willing to do so, please contact Alice Davis at pherford1@yahoo.com to make an

appointment.

Alice Davis

LOVE LESSON:

1. Care about others more than yourself.

2. Love each other.

3. Make your life a “No Gossip Zone.” Say nothing that would hurt others.

4. Find ways to make other feel welcome and needed.

5. Share God’s word with others.

6. Invite others to your table.

7. Accept others where they are.

8. Be compassionate.

9. Do not judge others.

10. Be joyful.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Jill Earnhardt, RN FCN

Parish Nurse

ST. PAUL’S IS BLESSED AND PLEASED TO INTRODUCE OUR

NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR/ORGANIST -STEPHEN STRINGER. Steve is also an Instructor of Music at Catawba College.

Steve and his wife Erin are parents to a son, Ryan.

"MUSIC IS SO PERFECT"

An interview with Stephen Stringer by Sandy Oravec

If you love Steve Stringer’s organ playing, you can thank symphonic rock groups

like . . . Pink Floyd . . . Rush . . . Yes . . . Genesis . . .and Steve’s father.

“I caught that bug from rock music.

When I was growing up, my dad introduced me to a lot of the 1970s’ progressive rock bands. I would

watch these concert videos and would see these musicians who were surrounded by all these synthesizers.

“I started thinking to myself, ‘That’s amazing. They have all these different sounds. And they can put their

hand on one keyboard and make a certain sound, and then put their hand on another keyboard and make a

certain sound,’ and that was much different than the piano, because you just have a piano sound. So I got

interested in synthesizers first.

“I guess that’s why I gravitated to the organ, because you sort of get the same feeling. You can have a soft

keyboard on the organ, then you can have a loud keyboard and not have to worry about changing anything.

So I think that the huge span of sound dynamic is what drew me to the instrument.

“Bach called it the King of Instruments, and it is. It’s definitely the loudest instrument in the world—that I

know of anyway. I hope that parishioners don’t think that it is the loudest because of my playing! Joking

aside, It’s a grand instrument.”

While progressive rock was the first attractor, it was Steve’s early experience in churches that offered a

vision of a life and career in music. “My first job was playing the organ in church in sixth grade. Other kids

were working bagging groceries, and I was able to make a nice living for myself through high school by

doing what I loved. And that to me was the awakening: ‘Oh my gosh, I actually get to do what I love and I

don’t have to starve doing it. ’ I think at that point there was no going back.”

In sixth grade, he also joined the Archdiocesan Boy Choir of Philadelphia, for which he later became the

accompanist at the age of fourteen. Just being around all the sacred music -“learning about texts, learning

about Latin and foreign languages, and learning how to mean what you sing”- taught him about the impor-

tance of music in worship.

“Through the Boy Choir alone, I was able to travel to some of the most holy places in the world not only

as a performer, but also as a pilgrim. After visiting Europe many times, I realized that I had been blessed to

see the Church from a different view, and I’ve found out why we are one “universal” Church. Everybody all

over the world worships the Lord on Sundays in similar ways. That was a big thing for me, especially at an

impressionable age in high school, just to see that.”

“It’s very normal for us to struggle with faith, especially at that vulnerable period of change and growth,

but to have that perspective that not many people get to see, that’s kind of what drew me closer as opposed

to pushing me further away. So I guess I just wanted to be in church more.”

Early on, Steve says he saw church music primarily as a learning tool =for music theory, for solo playing,

for accompanying choirs, and for becoming a better musician.

“Later, as I got older and started to study Bach a little more, I became

infatuated with the fact that he was able to write his little scribbles of

thought down in his Bibles –which we still have in the Calov Bibles —

and go into his music room and compose a cantata for the following

weekend. Not only was he more of a Sheldon Cooper of music, he also

deeply be wrote what he believed.”

There’s a saying that singing is praying twice. “It really is,” Steve

agrees. “Maybe three times.” He has a theory about why the relationship between worship and music is so

important: “Music is the only thing you can do that incorporates your voice, your lungs, your brain-your

whole body, really—and focuses you to be totally there with God in that moment. “Music is so perfect; there

are days when I feel that is God’s greatest gift to us, the harmony of music that allows us to unite as one

voice and praise God in ways that we can’t do at home in front of the TV or in the shower or whatever.

When it all comes together, it’s perfect. And even when it doesn’t come together, it’s still perfect. Because

everybody plays their part.” One of Steve’s key concerns in his role here at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish

has been to engage everyone in our church music—congregation, choir, soloists. “We profess that we’re

one church, and if we only have certain members of the congregation singing certain songs, and other mem-

bers of the congregation singing other songs, we don’t have one church, we have a bunch of different people

in a room who happen to be in the same place on a Sunday morning. We don’t have unity. So music can

definitely be divisive, and I tried my hardest to make sure it was inclusive of everybody.

“You want to keep trying to allow people to participate and use their gifts and their talents. That’s when

the worship comes up to another level, when people feel connected to what is going on in Worship-in any

prayer service in any church, really.”

And the connection between music and his personal faith? “Like anybody, I’m still searching. Maybe in

another 30 years, if you ask me this, I’ll have a different answer-a more erudite, scholarly answer. But if

you’re a church musician, it’s important to hear God speaking through the music. It’s very easy to get caught

up in the notes and the musicality of everything. It’s easy to forget God’s existence in a piece. And if you

don’t find it enough, you burn out easily. You need to keep God as the focus of your music program, because

there’s going to be wrong notes, there’s going to be wrong rhythms, there’s going to be bad singing, there’s

going to be out-of-tune instruments. But everything seems to come together in powerful ways once you put

the God equation into it.

“It’s also one of the coolest teaching tools, too. I can say to my choir, ‘Do you mean this? Do you mean

what you’re singing? Do you believe that, when I die, I’m going to walk through a dark valley, but I’m not

afraid because God’s with me? And then I tell them, ‘Sing it like you really believe it.’ And all of a sudden,

everything fixes itself.” Steve is also delighting in the musical life of his young son, Ryan.

“He’s in a Music in Motion class, which is great for him. The biggest thing you can do with young kids is

to let them experience music and let them hear different types of music. He bangs on things-he has rhythm.

He also sings. I love to hear him sing. My favorite time is when he’s settling himself down for bed. He lays

in his bed for maybe like an hour before he goes to sleep, just singing and playing. He makes up songs about

me, his mommy and the rest of our family and friends—putting together songs using a familiar tune and

changing the words. He’s only two, so his vocabulary is limited. But I’m excited to see where all that goes.”

On Saturday, November 4, Grace Evangelical Lutheran

Church will hold a 5K walk/run and a Kids Fun Run to

benefit the urgent need for clean water across the world.

Today, 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed

drinking water services and 4.5 billion people lack safely

managed sanitation services.

Unsafe hygiene practices are widespread, compounding

the effects on people’s health. The impact on child mor-

tality rates is devastating with more than 340,000 children

under five who die annually from diarrheal diseases due to

poor sanitation, poor hygiene, or unsafe drinking water—

that is almost 1,000 per day.

Our Kids Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m. on the church

grounds. Then, the 5K walk/run begins at 8:45 a.m. and

will go through the adjoining Grace Ridge development.

There will be medals and prizes for each age group.

You will find the application form and more details on

our church website at www.grace-salisbury.com<http://

www.grace-salisbury.com>.

In the name of Jesus,

Anita Miller and Susan Moffatt,

Stewardship Committee

Pam Roseman, 5K Race Coordinator

8

YOUTH NEWS...

CONFIRMATION CLASSES for 7th-8th

graders continues on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m.

(with few exceptions) with Pastor DJ Lura and

Katie Funderburk, Director of Youth Ministries in

the Conference Room.

During the month of November they will be

studying the Old Testament.

Confirmation will not meet on Wednesday,

November 22, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

During the month of

November our Grade

School (K-5th grade)

youth are collecting

toy donations for

Main Street Missions "Christmas with Dignity

Store" in China Grove. We NEED your help!

In the Narthex a Main Street Missions Tree has a

list of items needed.

Please bring your unwrapped toy donation to

the church on Sunday, November 25, and place

your item at the Altar BEFORE the service be-

gins. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, the

Middle School Youth want to help you out with

your baking this year. We will bake Pumpkin,

Pecan, and Apple pies, and Cheesecake for your

family for only $10 each. To order, please contact

Katie Funderburk by phone, text, (704) 798-2888

or email splc.kfun1@gmail.com. The

deadline to order is Wednesday, Nov. 15.

If you can donate any of the following items it

will help us to reach our goal. Please turn in all

donations by Wednesday, Nov. 15. Thank you!

Items needed: 12 oz Evaporated Milk (10 cans),

Self Rising Flour (3 bags), Sugar (4 bags), Butter

(3 boxes or 12 sticks), Eggs (3 dozen), 8oz Cream

Cheese (20 packages), Condensed Milk (10 cans),

Pie Crust (30 tins and crust), Pumpkin spice (1

shaker), Baking Apples (1 bag), Brown Sugar (1

bag), and Light Karo Syrup (4 bottles).

Thank you for your support!

Our Middle School Youth will begin baking the

pies on Saturday, November 18, at 12 noon in the

Kitchen.

Saturday, November 18, our Grade School

Youth will travel to Main Street Mission to help

pack bags for families to eat at Thanksgiving.

Each year, they’ve had a different job. The youth

are to meet at the church at 8:30 a.m. and will

return at 11:00 a.m. If your child needs a booster

seat and you are not driving to Main Street Mis-

sion leave the seat with the youth for safe travels.

For this trip at least 4 adults are needed to over-

see small groups. If you are available please con-

tact Katie Funderburk. Please let her know if you

plan to drive as well.

THE GRADE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH had a pumpkin

carving devotion in October. We had 15 to participate and the

youth did a great job on their pumpkins. The devotion de-

scribed how God chooses us just like pumpkins are picked from the patch. He cleans us up from the inside

out, He removes all our yucky Sin through His Son Jesus, and He forgives us. Then, just like our jack-o–

lanterns, God fills us with the Light of Jesus to shine to the world.

9

CHRISTMAS PLAY PRACTICES Nov 5th 4:00-5:30 pm

Nov 12th 4:00-5:30 pm

Nov 19th 4:00-5:30 pm

Nov 26th 4:00-6:00 pm

Dec. 3rd 4:00-5:30 pm

Dec 9th Dress Rehearsal after Luminary set up starting at 9:30 am.

All youth participating will need to plan to stay the whole time

even if they do not have speaking parts. Everyone has acting parts, such as Mary, Joseph, or Shepherds. They

will need to know where to stand and what they need to do. We will be working with both Music and Acting

during these practices.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH will

be traveling to Binns-Counts Community Center

Nov. 24-25 to help deliver the toys collected by

the congregation, and help set up for their Christ-

mas party for the community.

THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL group

met to distribute bags for Rowan Helping Minis-

tries Trick or Treat So Others May Eat. 250 bags

were distributed from the church and out into the

neighboring community. We collected the food

and delivered it October 22nd. Our congregation

and community raised ___lbs for Rowan County.

Next month I will try to provide the total amount

collected from the whole county.

The HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH met in October. We

went to eat at Go Burrito, and then to the Ghost Walk

of Salisbury. Pastor John led us through the town

teaching us the history of Rowan County, showing us

a few places that ghost seem to preside. He also

shared scripture with us along the tour. It was very

interesting; if you have not had the opportunity to go

you may want to check it out some time.

Memorial and Honorarium Gifts

for November A gift was received for the Altar Guild in memory

of Paige Johnson from:

Wayne and Bonnie Hinson

A gift was received for the Parish Nurse Fund in

memory of Paige Johnson from:

Tim and Karen Deal

A gift was received for the Cemetery Fund in

memory of Delma Smith from:

Alice Davis

D.W. and Judi Honbarger

A gift was received for the General Fund in

memory of Delma Smith from:

Dana and Crystal Bost

Grady and Jenny Earnhardt

Wayne and Johnsie Taylor

A gift was received for the Helping Hands Fund in

memory of Delma Smith from:

Harold and Dot Goodman

A gift was received for the Parish Nurse Fund in

memory of Delma Smith from:

Tim and Karen Deal

A gift was received for the General Fund in

memory of Orville Trexler from:

Wayne and Johnsie Taylor

Gifts were received for the Choir Music Fund in

memory of Vivian West from:

Terry and Myra Jane Eller

Harold and Dot Goodman

Jim and Sue Young

Gifts were received for the Improvement Fund in

memory of Vivian West from:

Perry and Lori Bernhardt

Carolyn Cress

Gifts were received for the Parish Nurse Fund in

memory of Vivian West from:

Alice Davis

Tim and Karen Deal

Helen Gordon 10

Gifts were received for the General Fund in

memory of Vivian West from:

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bernhardt

David and Carole Chilson

Grady and Jenny Earnhardt

Davy Franks

Wayne and Bonnie Hinson

Nancy Powell

Wayne and Johnsie Taylor

Vaughn and Nancy Wilhelm

Gifts were received for the Helping Hands Fund in

memory of Vivian West from:

James and Mary Lee Earnhardt

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Lyerly

Lottie Simpson

St. Paul’s Health Cabinet

A gift was received for the Altar Guild in memory

of Lyola Weed from:

Bonnie and Wayne Hinson

A gift was received for the General Fund in

memory of Lyola Weed from:

Dana and Crystal Bost

Keith and Summer Deal

Grady and Jenny Earnhardt

A gift was received for the Parish Nurse Fund in

memory of Lyola Weed from:

Tim and Karen Deal

A gift was received for the Cemetery Fund for the

use of the church facility from:

Heilig Reunion

A gift was received for the Cemetery Fund for use

of the Fellowship Hall from:

The Goodman Family Reunion

A gift was received for the Music Ministry in honor

of Alex Day, Johnsie Taylor and Stephen Stringer,

from:

Travis and Cindy Alligood

11

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Thank you Father for the

blessings you've given this day

Help us to remember,

Thou has shown us the way

And give us strength to help those in need

Never letting us forget, Thy merciful deeds

Keep us in Thy tender loving care

Save us, O Lord, when we are in despair!

Give us grace as we walk through life.

Inspire us to seek our brothers amid the strife

Victory in Thee will be our guiding star.

In courage we march not caring how far

Now we ask for the most important thing.

Grant us salvation to escape death's sting.

THANK YOU TO ALEX DAY for serving as our Interim

Music Director since August. We are grateful for Alex’s

willingness to step up and help during the transition

between directors. He is a true blessing to us.

Congratulations goes to Natalie Powlas and Anthony

Tippins on the birth of a son, Paxton Kade Tippins, who

was born on Monday,

October 9.

Proud grandparents Jeff and Mita Powlas

Congratulations to Nancy Minter and Terry Martin

who were married at St. Paul’s on Friday, October 20.

The couple will reside in Salisbury.

Thank You...

Special thanks goes to Johnsie Taylor for her years of

service as our organist.

Johnsie first played for St. Paul’s when she was just

14 years old. She also played for St. Paul’s when she

was in high school, periodically over the years here,

and at other churches in the Salisbury area. She re-

turned to serve as our organist in 1995, and has been

continuously dedicated to our church services for these

22 years. Her service to St. Paul’s spans more than 60

years in total. Johnsie is a true blessing to us and we

are so grateful for her service.

Thank you Johnsie! We love and appreciate you!

Blessings to you from your St. Paul’s family

OUR LOVE AND SYMPATHY is extended

to Randy Johnson and family on the death

of his father, Paige Johnson.

OUR LOVE AND SYMPATHY is extended

to the family of Delma Goodman Smith

on her death, October 8.

OUR LOVE AND SYMPATHY is extended

to the family of Lyola Weed on her death,

August 26.

Dear St. Paul’s,

We would like to thank you for the use of the Fellow-

ship Hall for our family gatherings. It’s wonderful to

have a place to gather where we don’t have to worry

about the weather..We are blessed to be a part of St.

Paul’s.

Ashlee and Elaine Bowles

Congratulations to Melanie Huffman and

Kevin Mondragon who were married at St.

Paul’s on Friday October 13. The couple are

12

DUTY FREE LUNCH at SOUTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL

This is a program that St. Paul's participates in that allows the teachers to have lunch together or

privately in their room. Volunteers are only required to stay in the lunchroom for approximately 45

minutes. We only do this 1 time per month. This does not require a lot of your time. This year,

thanks to great volunteers, we have all the months covered. (6 people per month). NEEDS--It would

be really great if we had back up volunteers that could fill in if someone is ill or unable to go on

a particular month.

If you can help, please call me at 704-870-9176.

Thanks, Louise Eller, Coordinator.

MEALS ON WHEELS

We have great volunteers that help with this program each and every month.

At certain times of the year, it would be nice to have additional volunteers to

fill in when the regular volunteers are unable to go. St. Paul's has delivered

meals to deserving folks for many years. This program requires meals to be

delivered each day for an assigned week. If you could be a back up or full

time volunteer, please call Betty Monroe at 704-279-3598.

13

CALLING ALL TURKEY-COOKS

We have formed a partnership some years ago to help Koontz Elementary School.

Steve Thomas from First Presbyterian Church, Salisbury wants to supply a “Christmas Meal”

for those that are on the “Food for Thought” program. They did one last year but did not include

Koontz.

The Lunch will be December 21, from 11:00-2:00 at First Presbyterian Church.

The families will be coming from Overton, Isenburg and Koontz. Steve would like help from

our church to cook about 10 turkeys.

The turkeys and food will be supplied through donations that he collects. If anyone could help

serve –that would be great too. They also hope to collect some canned goods and paper products

that families could get after they eat.

If you would volunteer to cook a turkey and deliver it (cut up) to the church on December 21, I

will see that they are delivered to First Presbyterian Church. Hope to get 10 volunteers to cook

and some servers-A good way to give to others less fortunate this Christmas season.

Susan Bernhardt, 704-637-0155, srbernhardt@carolina.rr.com

14

15

ORDER FORM FOR LUMINARIES

It is time to beautify our church outside for Christmas with our beautiful Luminaries. If you

would like to sponsor one of our Luminaries please fill out the form below and return to the church

office in the offering plate or by mail. You may make a memorial or honor gift.

Please make all checks payable to: ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.

All funds will go to the St. Paul’s Youth.

In Honor of ______________________________________________________________________________

In Memory of_____________________________________________________________________________

By: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Amount Given: $_________ (any amount given is appreciated)

DEADLINE: Sunday, December 10

A Luminary booklet will be available during the Christmas Eve Service.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC)

205 St. Paul’s Church Road

Salisbury, NC 28146

Phone: 704-633-0922

Fax: 704-636-1300

Email: splchurch@att.net

Website: www.splcweb.org

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/StPaulsLCMC

OUR MISSION: A family of faith sharing the

gospel and love of Christ.

WEEKLY WORSHIP

OPPORTUNITIES:

Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday Evening Service

at 6:30 p.m.

OFFICE HOURS: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Rev. DJ Lura,

Senior Pastor

splc.pastordj@gmail.com

Tim Free,

Congregational Council

CHURCH STAFF:

Genevieve Baker,

Church Secretary

splchurch@att.net

Pamela Cottingham, Office Assistant

Katie Funderburk,

Director of Youth Ministries

splc.kfun1@gmail.com

Jill Earnhardt, Parish Nurse

RN, FCN

splc.Jillrn@gmail.com

Nicole Amos,

Girl Scouts Troop Coordinator

Louise Eller, Treasurer

leller6@gmail.com

Steve Stringer,

Music Director/Organist

steve.p.stringer@gmail.com

ORDER FORM FOR POINSETTIAS

It is time to order poinsettias to beautify our church for Christmas. The

cost per plant is $9.00 (6 inch wrapped pot).

Please fill out the information below if you would like to purchase a

poinsettia or designate a gift in lieu of a poinsettia. Make all checks

payables for Poinsettias to: ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH. Orders

may be placed in the offering plate, turned in to the church office, or mailed

in by December 10.

In Honor of __________________________________________________

In Memory of_________________________________________________

By: _________________________________________________________

TOTAL NUMBER OF POINSETTIAS GIVEN: __________

AMOUNT GIVEN FOR POINSETTIAS: $ __________

IN LIEU OF POINSETTIAS you may make a memorial or honor gift to

the General Fund, Improvement Fund, Youth, or any other area of St. Paul's

ministry. Please make all checks payable to: ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN

CHURCH. Clearly mark the desired fund and turn in the order form as

directed above.

FOR:________________________________________________________ (Name of Fund to receive gift.)

In Honor of __________________________________________________

In Memory of_________________________________________________

By: _________________________________________________________

Amount Given In Lieu of Poinsettias: $_________

DEADLINE: Sunday, December 10

__Yes __No I plan to pick up my poinsettias after the Christmas Eve

Service or Sunday, December 31. [All poinsettias left after Sunday, December 31st, will be removed or given away.]