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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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We exist to
LOVE God and all others unconditionally
SEEK answers to our questions
SERVE God by serving others
 
In this issue:
 

LOVE

:: Message from Pastor Lora
:: Worship
:: New Members
:: Ash Wednesday
Worship Opportunities
:: Lent Sermon Series: Stonecatchers


SEEK

:: Faith Formation schedules for all ages
:: Sunday morning study topics and small groups for Lent forming now
:: Youth Mission Trip registration open now
:: KIDS456: Parents invited to Feb. 16 meeting
 

SERVE

:: Servant Sunday: Update from Pastor Sandra and volunteer opportunities
 

NEWS + EVENTS

:: Brunch with Friends
::
Register now for Shrove Tuesday Pancake Celebration
:: Understanding Strategic Ministry Event
:: Laity Summit 
Children's Time

Message from Pastor Lora

February 14, 2020

Reminders of God's Calling

“Pastor Lora, your scarf has all my favorite colors.”

During Children’s Time on Sunday the kids learned about why pastors wear stoles, what the colors mean, and got a chance to try it on.

A stole is a reminder of God’s calling for a pastor. What are the reminders in your life that God has called you to do what you are doing?

Maybe you hang something in your office at work to remind you. Maybe your child’s hug goodnight serves as a reminder. Maybe the regular lunch you have with a friend is your reminder.

Whatever your calling in this stage in your life, our prayer is that you are constantly reminded and affirmed that you are God’s beloved and your gifts matter to the Body of Christ as we serve God in this world.

One of the ways that I have experienced affirmation of God’s presence and love in my life is through being a part of a small group. Is God calling you to give a small group a try this Lent? Could that be a way you hear God calling you in a new way? Pastor Sandra’s invitation below gives you all the information you’ll need to plug in. I hope you will!

I also want to extend my thanks for your love and support this past week as I shared the news of my engagement. We feel so grateful for St. Paul’s and the way you are willing to continue in mission and Love, Seek, and Serve boldly.

Speaking of which, I hope to see you Sunday for our last Cringey Word – “Saved.” We might all agree that our salvation as Christians is found in Christ, so why then does “saved” feel like a word that excludes people or measures the condition of our faith in an unhealthy way? Come with your curiosity or skepticism and let your mind and heart open to the way God saves us.

See You Sunday,

Pastor Lora
 


Worship

Sunday  February 16, 2020
8:15   •   9:30   •   11:00AM
Cringey Church Words: Saved
Facebook Live Streaming
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.
new members

Welcome New Members


We welcomed new members at both the 9:30 and 11:00 services last week. We are so grateful to hear their stories and celebrate with them about what God is doing in their lives. Welcome to St. Paul’s!
 
Ash Wednesday Worship
If the Church were Christian

Adult Faith Formation


Sundays @ 9:30, lower level classrooms
If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus, by Philip Gulley. Reading the book is not required; Lelia Moore and Bob McCoy will facilitate the discussion with details from the book. All are welcome!

Sunday, February 23 
We'll be participating in Servant Sunday activities at St. Paul's. Join us! 

Sundays, March 1 - April 12
Our Lenten Study begins; see description below.

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.

Sacred ResistanceSmall Groups for Lent

from Pastor Sandra

A few weeks ago, Pastor Lora mentioned her visit to Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC. Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli is the Senior Pastor of Foundry UMC and author of Sacred Resistance: A Practical Guide to Christian Witness and Dissent. In it, Rev. Gaines-Cirelli wrestles with (and proposes solutions for) questions like:
  • When Christians see that something is wrong in our nation or community, how and when should we respond?
  • When we see multiple instances of “wrong,” how do we choose which ones to address?
I want to invite you to be part of a small group that reads this book together during Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday on February 26. I think it will be a great companion to Pastor Lora’s Stonecatchers sermon series and a wonderful opportunity for us to share together in the practice of reading about and discussing putting our faith into action as we seek mercy and justice.

Small Groups will begin sometime after February 26 and meet (or “hangout”!) weekly until Easter, April 12. The last time we read a book together as a church, over 100 people participated in a small group! I would love to see 125 this year!

To be part of a small group, email me with the days and time of day that work best for you and I will match you with others who want to meet at that time. Or, put your own group together and let me know when you are meeting!

Being part of a small group working through questions about faith and life is an important part of spiritual growth. If you aren’t already part of one, this is your time!
Faith Formation classes and groups Faith Formation classes and groups
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, February 16
11th Grade Mystery Day: Worship, Service and Fellowship in Lawrence, KS 
4 - 6 p.m.: Youth Group DEVO and Game Night

Youth Mission Trips
Registration is open now! Find out more.
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 logo


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
KIDS456 (4th-6th Grade Group) 

1st & 3rd Sundays, 6-7p.m., Tween Classroom
Bring $5 for pizza and your friends! Next meeting is this Sunday, February 16; parents are invited to attend and discuss forming Life Groups. 


Brunch with Babies
Saturday, March 7, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m., Bridge Classroom 

Please join us to connect with other parents in a similar season of life. Pastor Lora will be there to discuss baptism for your child! You will also have an opportunity to find out more about joining a Life Group that fits your family’s schedule and needs. Let’s do life together! Find out more and RSVP or contact Jamie Turk.
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
Sign up to volunteer in Kids' Connection!
Servant Sunday
Sorting Legos on Servant Sunday


Servant Sunday Updates

from Pastor Sandra

Here is a list of the organizations and the projects we will do for them this year on Servant Sunday, February 23. We won’t ask you to sign up this year because we feel confident we can accommodate everyone at the project of your choice. But do take some time to review this list so you can decide in advance which project you want to work on.
  • Baby Grace: Assembling newborn kits, no-sew fleece blankets, decorating notes
  • Community Blood Bank: Donating blood (walk-ins welcome, or schedule an appointment with group code KC4A)
  • Giving Brick: Sorting Lego bricks
  • Happy Bottoms: Sorting and packaging diapers    
  • KC Pet Project: Making dog treats and braided dog toys
  • Hands of Love: Knitting and crocheting baby blankets and hats
  • Meals on Wheels: Decorating meal bags
  • Project Patricia: Tracing, cutting, and sewing feminine hygiene products
  • Rise Against Hunger: Creating meal packets of rice and dehydrated vegetables
  • Shawnee Community Services: Assembling boxed and canned food items into bags
Parents, to help you decide where you would like to work with your children, below are a list of skills and abilities that your child could share in the projects that are more kid-friendly:
  • Baby Grace: tying knots, sorting items for newborn kit
  • Giving Brick: sorting by size, matching
  • Happy Bottoms: counting, helping wrap in plastic
  • KC Pet Project: spreading peanut butter with a knife, braiding
  • Meals on Wheels: coloring, applying stickers
  • Project Patricia: tracing using a pattern and Sharpie
  • Rise Against Hunger: measuring, pouring, weighing
  • Shawnee Community Services: reading “grocery list,” carrying boxed or canned food items to bag
Don’t forget to take a look at the donation list, as well. We look forward to working with you as we put our faith into action on Servant Sunday 2020!
 
Volunteers Needed
Contact Sharry Lockhart if you can help, or just show up!
  • Saturday, February 22
    • 2PM: Come and help unload supplies for “Rise Against Hunger," set up tables, and move chairs 
  • Sunday, February 23
    • 7AM: Help unload supplies for “Happy Bottoms” and finish the overall set-up
    • 12PM: We'll need heavy lifters and cleaners to put the building back together again!
brunch with friends

Brunch with Friends


Five women from St. Paul's had a delightful brunch with women from the Dialogue Institute on Friday, February 3. The women had fun sharing ideas and delicious food, and discovering so many similarities in their lives. The discussion ranged from hairstyles, jobs, and weddings to the political climate in their respective countries, difficulties with travel, and finding affordable health care.

The next brunch will be at 10 a.m. on April 3 at Pat Cooper's house. She'll send a reminder a few weeks ahead of time to those already on her list; please let Pat know if you'd like to be added to the list. 
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Celebration

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. Proceeds benefit youth missions.
Contact: Jamie Turk
Register now

Understanding Strategic Ministry


Great Plains United Methodist Men Discipleship Leadership Series & Man in the Mirror present "Understanding Strategic Ministry," a course designed to help local churches create effective men's and women’s ministry. Congregational leadership teams will be coached to develop a plan and process to reach more disciples and enable spiritual growth to maturity as disciples of Christ.

When: Friday, February 21, 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, February 22, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Where: Bonner Springs United Methodist Church, 425 W Morse Ave, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
Presenter: Johnnie Draughon, a men’s ministry specialist and director of Lay Speaking Ministries for the Virginia Annual Conference.
Cost per person: $50. Includes Saturday lunch, snacks, a copy of the book No Man Left Behind by Patrick Morley, and presentation materials.

Register online or contact George Houle ummwbb11@att.net (316) 573-8359 or Don Crim mircnod2@outlook.com (913) 334-6214.
Laity Summit
You're invited to the Laity Summit, an exciting engagement opportunity for all laity, on Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First UMC in Kearney, Nebraska. Learn more and register now.
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. 
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