LOVE God and all others unconditionally
SEEK answers to our questions
SERVE God by serving others
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- Message from Pastor Lora
- Worship this Week
- Faith Formation & Fellowship
- News & Events
- Trivia Night - tonight! Plus an update for parents
- Servant Sunday Updates
- Service Opportunity helping Refugee Family
- Brunch with Friends from the Dialogue Institute
- Monday Morning Service Project
- Shrove Tuesday Pancake Celebration
- Laity Summit
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Calendar
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Sometimes I like to make lists of excellent things. You might have noticed this about me. Here are my top three things for the week:
- Abomination Day! Y’all. Who knew Abomination Day last week would be so fun?! Thank you for being there and for trusting that it would be a message you needed to hear. I have come to know the feeling of the Spirit sweeping over a room full of people in worship, and I felt it this week. It doesn’t always come in loud joy. Sometimes it comes in the quiet, leaning-in that happens when we talk about something so intense. Seriously, thank you for being there. Every week during worship planning feels like holy ground, and I hope you come back this week to keep responding to God and allowing the Cringey Word #Blessed to teach you a thing or two.
- Spiritual Direction. I met with my spiritual director and it was like a revival of my spirit. Spiritual direction is a practice of conversation between a spiritual director and seeker, but really it is about a conversation with God. It’s a chance to be asked questions about where God is in my story, how Scripture relates to my being, and how to be equipped to live out my faith in an authentic way day in and day out. I left that meeting bursting with gratitude.
- Hosting the Kansas City District Clergy Meeting. Part of what I love about these meetings is to be able to see friends and meet colleagues. It’s not every day our sanctuary includes Steve Langhofer, Jim Darby, David Livingston, and me! We had good conversation about the Protocol (that proposal for a separation for more conservative folks to leave the UMC and then the centrist and progressive folks stay UMC). The words that we heard most in our dialogue with one another: Grace, Hope, Relief, Skepticism, Joy, Separation, Pain, Unity, Liberation. I think that sounds about right for our little corner of the world. From pain and uncertainty to hope and uncertainty is a good, good thing. We are leaning into faith. God is so faithful to us. We are trusting that God’s grace will continue to go before us. It was a good day to be church together even if we do not know what’s coming. For those of you interested, we will have a Q&A next Sunday, Feb. 9th at 2pm to learn more about where we are in the UMC right now. Go ahead and save the date and you’ll learn more about that opportunity next week.
What’s your top three for the week?
Maybe it’s the fact that the whole town is painted red for the big game? I hope you are too for Sunday! (Well, it might be a bit awkward if you paint yourself red for Sunday. Don’t do that. But please feel free to wear it!) Make time to come to worship. It will be fun to be all together before our Chiefs do their thing!
See You Sunday,
Pastor Lora
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Presence Worship: Small group worship Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. at CommuniTea in Overland Park. Contact Pastor Mike Marcus, mike@stpaulslenexa.org, for more information.
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FAITH FORMATION & FELLOWSHIP
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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.
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Adult Faith Formation
Sundays @ 9:30, lower level classrooms
John Wesley: A Political Manifesto for Today? See what Snopes.com and Gary Best of the New Room in Bristol have to say about the “Manifesto” attributed to John Wesley. Examples: Reduce the gap between rich and poor; seek to ensure full employment and offer a living wage; offer the best possible education; empower individuals; end all forms of enslavement; avoid wars; promote tolerance and equal treatment for women; care for the environment; promote a world view; create a society based on values, not on profits.
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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, February 2
NO YOUTH GROUP: Have fun with family and friends as you cheer on the Chiefs! Next Youth Group: February 9
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Children PreK - Grade 6
Dive into Bible stories and explore faith with fun and age-appropriate activities! Check out what we'll be learning in February.
Sundays @ 9:30 a.m.
Please check in your child on the lower level and then bring them to service with you in the sanctuary. Before the sermon begins, children who would like to participate in Kids' Connection programming will be dismissed to the lobby and go downstairs for an age appropriate Bible lesson. Kids participate in a large group session called Kids’ Church, then PreK-K, 1st-3rd grade, and 4th-6th grade kids meet in small groups. Activities include Bible lessons, games, crafts, songs, and more! Visit the website to learn more. Parents, please pick up your children from their classroom downstairs.
Sundays through March 15 @ 11 a.m.
“Learning to Use My Bible” class; bring your new Bible!
KIDS456 (4th-6th Grade Group)
1st & 3rd Sundays, 6-7p.m. in the Tween Classroom, lower level
Bring $5 for pizza and your friends!
KIDS456 does not meet this Sunday, February 2. Next meeting: February 16.
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See you tonight, January 31 @ 7 PM!
Forget to sign up? No worries, just show up with one non-perishable item for the food pantries we serve and you're in! We'll put you on a team. It's sure to be a blast with Nate Herron, Kansas City's top trivia master, as MC. Questions? Contact Mike and Jill Putzier.
Parents, we are offering a movie night for children of parents participating in Trivia Night. Kids are invited to wear their pajamas and bring a cozy pillow and/or a special stuffed animal. We will have snacks. Hope to see you tonight! |
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Decorating paper lunch sacks for Meals on Wheels during last year's Servant Sunday
Servant Sunday Updates
from Amy Rhodes
Servant Sunday is less than a month away! If it’s not already on your calendar, save the date for Sunday, February 23. The church will be buzzing with excitement and activity as we work together to serve God by serving others. The Planning Team has been meeting and collaborating since October. We’ve welcomed several new members this year and are thankful for their enthusiasm and contributions. In addition to continuing many of the partnerships with community organizations from previous years, we are adding two new projects to benefit Shawnee Community Services and Baby Grace.
Servant Sunday is the perfect opportunity to invite someone to church and show them what St. Paul’s is all about! See you on Servant Sunday!
Organizations, Projects, and Donations
Come at your preferred worship time for a brief service followed by serving with family, friends, and new faces! There’s something for all ages to do and families are encouraged to serve together. No need to sign up this year unless you want to schedule an appointment to donate blood (use group code KC4A). We’re also accepting donations for project supplies (see below or pick up a list at church this week).
Organizations/Projects
- Baby Grace: cutting/knotting fleece blankets and packing newborn items
- Community Blood Center: donating blood (the mobile unit will be here); sign up at the Connections Center or online with group code KC4A
- Giving Brick: sorting Legos
- Hands of Love: knitting/crocheting
- Happy Bottoms: packaging diapers
- KC Pet Project: making peanut butter dog treats and braiding dog pull toys
- Meals on Wheels: decorating paper lunch bags
- Project Patricia: sewing/cutting feminine hygiene products
- Rise Against Hunger: packaging meals
- Shawnee Community Services: packing food boxes
Project Supplies Needed
- KC Pet Project
- Dog biscuits (medium & large)
- Peanut butter without xylitol
- Gallon size bags
- Giving Brick
- Legos (old or new Legos or Duplos pieces, no new kits)
- Baby Grace
- Large pack of wipes
- Tubes of diaper cream
- Baby shampoo
- Baby lotion
- Knit hats
- Burp cloths
- Fleece for baby blankets
- Fabric scissors (for use that day only)
- Yardsticks/tape measures (for use that day only)
- Project Patricia
- Fabric scissors (for use that day only)
- Sewing machines (for use that day only)
- Terry towels (new or used)
- Cotton fabric
- Underwear (girls size 12 or 14)
- Shawnee Community Services
- Cereal
- Oatmeal
- Hamburger, chicken, or tuna helper
- Grape or apple jelly
- Canned green beans/corn/peas/carrots/mixed veggies
- Canned chicken noodle soup
- Canned baked beans or pork-n-beans
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Canned spaghetti sauce
- Canned applesauce or peaches
- Spaghetti
- Microwave rice or Rice-a-Roni
- Baking mix, e.g., Bisquik
- Canned chicken or tuna
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Service Opportunity
Our friends at Catholic Charities are looking for up to four volunteers to help a family of four from Burma move furnishings to their new home on Thursday, February 6. Contact Leocadia Tchouaffe, 913.906.8934, if you can help out.
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Brunch with Friends from the Dialogue Institute
We're preparing for another women's brunch with our friends from the Dialogue Institute on Friday, February 7. We'll carpool from the church at 9:30 a.m., enjoy brunch and conversation, and return to St. Paul’s around 12:30 p.m. Children are welcome! If you're interested in attending, contact Pat Cooper.
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Monday Morning Service Project
Our Monday morning Women's Study Group joined forces on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, sewing reusable personal hygiene supplies to be distributed to women and girls in Africa through Project Patricia. The group meets weekly throughout the school year for engaging study and conversation. Contact Linda Stoner for more information.
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Let’s get ready for Lent with a long-held tradition: pancake races! And pancake eating! All ages are encouraged to join in the fun.
- Pancake Races begin in the lower parking lot @ 6:00pm. The winner in each of these divisions will win a pancake medal!
- Preschool
- Elementary
- Age 13-65
- Age 65 & up
- Pancake Dinner begins right after the races inside the church on the lower level. All-you-can-eat by Chris Cakes, $5/person! Your payment is your reservation.
Contact: Jamie Turk
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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.
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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.
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