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This Week at St. Paul's
St. Paul's United Methodist Church  •  7740 Lackman, Lenexa KS  66217  •  913-268-9551
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IN THIS ISSUE
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR LORA

October 4, 2019

 
Greetings from Montgomery, AL! I am just finishing up a few days in the deep south for an ecumenical conference called Christian Churches Together (CCT) where our focus this year was on anti-racism and repentance as we remembered the quadcentennial of the African slave trade. It was a deeply transformative experience for me. I have many stories but one I’d like to share with you happened last night.

We walked down to the river where enslaved Africans would have arrived by boat and we sang and grieved. We then walked toward the center of downtown where those enslaved Africans would have been auctioned off. There is a now a fountain in a roundabout that marks that space.

We were invited to remove our shoes and grab hands with the people next to us. It was 101 degrees at the time (I’m so jealous of y’all!) and I’m sure the heat index was higher than that. We were dripping sweat. The sidewalk on my bare feet burned.

But as we sang together in that circle and prayed, it felt like such a privilege to be there standing in a circle with Catholic priests and Evangelical pastors, with a young Greek Orthodox lay person holding hands with an African American Missionary Baptist pastor, and my own hand holding a white haired and white skinned, southern United Methodist bishop on my left and an African American Lutheran woman on my right.

In our divided culture, it was a good thing to be in a place where we chose to be hand in hand with people who have really different ways of worshiping God and really different ways of understanding how God calls us to put our faith in action. But yesterday we stood hand in hand in repentance and the waters flowed from that fountain like the grace God keeps pouring out on all of us.

And I’m grateful.

This weekend at St. Paul’s we start a new stewardship series called “Splash Zone” where we will focus on how our baptismal waters flow out into our everyday lives—especially in relation to our finances. I will have a hard time not thinking about the Splash Zone at that fountain and its call in me to keep repenting—to keep changing.

This Sunday, we will focus on how God calls us to keep being changed by our faith. What I learned this week is that looks like being intentional about the ways I stand hand in hand with people who are different than me and to feel the holy ground of repentance beneath my feet so that I can walk and relate in the way of Christ in my every day.

Maybe this month you will experience God’s call to be changed by grace in a new way too.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Lora
NEWS AND EVENTS
Splash Zone stewardship series
What does it look like for baptismal waters to splash into our everyday lives? Starting this Sunday, Oct. 6 in worship we’ll take a look at the four promises we make in our baptisms, culminating in a baptism renewal service on Oct. 27. Join us in the Splash Zone!

OCT 6: Making Changes
OCT 13: Generosity as Justice
OCT 20: Trusting God. Trusting Community.
OCT 27: Giving Back. Sending Out.
Dialogue Institute brunch
Dialogue Institute brunch

Bonding over Brunch

from Pat Cooper 
On Friday, September 27, four women from St. Paul's joined four Turkish ladies from the Dialogue Institute for brunch at one of their homes. The food was delicious and the conversation was lively and informative. We plan to meet periodically to socialize and learn. If you are interested in joining us for one of the future brunches, please contact Pat Cooper, patricia.anne.cooper@gmail.com.
Turkish Food & Art Festival
Learn more about our friends from the Dialogue Institute along with delicious food, live Sufi music, and visual arts at the Turkic Food and Art Festival, October 19, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
GP UMCNext
The special post-Leadership Institute Sept. issue of Great Plains UMCNext newsletter is available here.
Marti Johnson Fund concert
It's free and open to the community; bring a friend! Donations to the Marti Johnson Music Fund, which benefits St. Paul’s music ministries, will be accepted. Light refreshments and child care available.

“Since its Off-Broadway premiere in 2002, Brown’s funny, poignant, and devastatingly honest two-person production has enraptured audiences around the world with its spellbinding and emotional score and libretto.” - Ellen Leslie, StageAgent.com 

Last year’s music fund concert, selections from Songs for a New World, was such a big hit we held an encore performance a couple of months later. You are sure to enjoy this year’s concert, selections from The Last Five Years, just as much. The scores for both shows were written by the same composer, Jason Robert Brown, who has been hailed as "one of Broadway's smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim." (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Jackson Thomas, St. Paul’s Director of Choral Music, will direct and perform with an ensemble specially chosen for this work.

St. Paul's Marti Johnson Music Fund was established in 2012 to enhance our music ministry through purchasing new instruments, bringing in guest musicians, and other special needs that may arise. In addition, each year as funds are available, we provide a grant to a student seeking a college degree related to music. Donations to the fund are always welcome, but the primary avenue for funding is through our annual benefit concert. In addition to music scholarships, the fund has provided three octaves of bell chimes, orchestra music, music stands, sanctuary piano repair, and other enhancements to our music ministry at St. Paul’s. 
St. Paul's Legacy Fund
Preparing an estate plan is good Christian stewardship – saying thanks to God, expressing your love and concern for family and showing charity toward others.
-- A reminder from your Legacy Fund Program Committee
Learn more >

Last Golf Outing of the Season

Join us at Shawnee Golf and Country Club on Sunday, October 13 at 1 p.m. $55 includes cart rental. After golf, we’ll gather at the home of Ryan and Emilee Kuhn for food and fellowship. Contact Barb Balzer, babalzer@aol.com, to sign up and receive more information.

News from Veronica's Voice


The Big Search
On October 17-19, volunteer teams from across the metropolitan area will be participating in an outreach effort called The Big Search KC to raise awareness of missing youth in the KC Metro area. Our friends at Veronica's Voice are conducting this outreach effort in partnership with members of KC-CASE, FREE International, Klass Kids, and a growing number of local churches, corporations, non-profits and civic organizations.
Sign up for the Big Search
Butterfly Boutique
On October 25-26, 10am-5pm, Veronica's Voice will hold their Butterfly Boutique fundraiser at Indian Heights UMC. Support their mission by purchasing gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories, many of which are designer labels. All proceeds benefit Veronica's Voice.
A favorite all-ages tradition
Join us in the parking lot for our annual Trunk or Treat extravaganza! It’s a fun, safe way to celebrate Halloween. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Enjoy pumpkin painting, games, contests, music and more!

Be a trunk
Our goal is to have at least 30 trunks. Have fun decorating your trunk and yourself in the theme of your choice.

Help out during the event
From directing traffic to serving popcorn, we need worker bees to help out during the event.

Sign up
Visit the Connections Center, use the bulletin tear-off, or contact Jamie to sign up or ask questions.
 
Sign up to be a trunk or worker bee!
Interfaith Panel
Welcome our special guests in a panel discussion, Women in World Religions, at St. Paul's on October 27 at 2 p.m. For more information contact Pat Cooper, patricia.anne.cooper@gmail.com

College Student Outreach Team 

It's that time of year again! Please provide us with your college student address, year in school, and mobile number for the 2019 - 2020 school year (undergrads only please) so that they may receive a couple of treats during the school year to let them know we're thinking of them! Each year we begin a new list, so even if they have the same address as last year, it's helpful to know that too.

Please email information to Deedra Dowd: djdksu@gmail.com. Questions? Contact Shari Breckenridge, sharibreck@aol.com.
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WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Worship this Week


Sunday  October 6, 2019

8:15   •   9:30   •   11:00AM
 
Facebook Live Streaming
Presence Worship: Small group worship offsite Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm at CommuniTea in downtown Overland Park. Contact Pastor Mike Marcus, mike@stpaulslenexa.org, for more information.
FAITH FORMATION & FELLOWSHIP

A nursery for infants and toddlers, staffed by certified caregivers, is available downstairs all morning on Sundays. Parents, please bring your cell phones to nursery check-in; we will text you if your child needs you.

Adult Faith Formation


Sunday @ 9:30, Lower level classrooms
Micah Class: Six-week video series of Adam Hamilton’s Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It, connecting John Wesley’s contribution in 18th century England with his legacy for 21st century America, bringing lessons from Wesley’s life and ministry to bear on discipleship today. If you have been to England for a Wesley tour, we welcome you to join us and share your first-hand experiences. 
Contact Sandra Cox, Pastor of Faith Formation Contact Sandra Cox, Pastor of Faith Formation

Youth: Middle School/High School


Sundays @ 11a.m., Student Center, Lower Level
G.I.F.T. Growing in Faith Together: Engaging our Faith with Current Events

Sunday, October 6, 4 - 6 p.m.
Youth Group at the fire pit outdoors. Bring your Bibles and an appetite for s’mores!

November 15-17
Fall Retreat. Enjoy a fun and meaningful weekend at Wilderness Retreat Center! Registration is open; contact Allison@stpaulslenexa.org.
St. Paul's Youth Facebook Group St. Paul's Youth Facebook Group
Youth page on St. Paul's website Youth page on St. Paul's website
Contact Allison Marcus, Director of Student Ministries Contact Allison Marcus, Director of Student Ministries
Kids' Connection

Children PreK - Grade 6


Dive into Bible stories and explore faith with fun and age-appropriate activities!
 
Sundays @ 9:30 a.m.
PreK-K, 1st-3rd grade, and 4th-6th grade kids meet in small groups, then come together for a portion of the hour to participate in a large group session called Kids’ Church. Activities include Bible lessons, games, crafts, songs, and more! Visit the website to learn more.

KIDS456 (4th-6th Grade Group) 
1st & 3rd Sundays, 6-7p.m. in the Tween Classroom, lower level
Bring $5 for pizza and your friends!
 
Sign up now to volunteer in Kids' Connection!
Kids' Connection Facebook Group Kids' Connection Facebook Group
Contact Jamie Turk, Director of Family & Children's Ministries Contact Jamie Turk, Director of Family & Children's Ministries
Children's Ministries on St. Paul's Website Children's Ministries on St. Paul's Website
CALENDAR

God is with us every day of the week! From small group studies and service opportunities to band practice and yoga, there is always something going on. Check out the calendar.
ST. PAUL'S AROUND TOWN
Are you or a loved one participating in a community activity you'd like your St. Paul's family to know about? Tell us about it! 
Note: Submissions are subject to review and approval prior to publication. 

From Malissa Walden:

We've enjoyed being a part of the St. Paul's community, please come celebrate this milestone with us!
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