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Epiphany & Star Words | Sunday, January 9th
While awaiting our new star words for 2022 (rescheduled to January 9), here is an invitation from Rev. Charissa Clark Howe to reflect one last time with your old word. She writes, "Epiphany is the observance of the magi coming from far away to visit baby Jesus. They found him by reading the stars and following the one that indicated the birth of a new kind of king, a servant king for all people. Epiphany star words are simply words printed on paper. Each person is given one randomly as a star to 'follow' for the year.
Find your star word from 2021 and consider letting it guide you one last time in prayer or holy contemplation.
- What is the most important thing (or few things) that you have learned this year?
- What do you look forward to as you await a new word for 2022?
- When you think about the star of Bethlehem this Christmas season, think about your star word above the stable. What does it mean to you to see your word above the manger, pointing the way to Jesus? If you have a nativity at home, take down your star word from where it’s been and put it over the scene tonight. Think about this word leading you to Jesus."
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Calling Pastor Liz as Our Settled Pastor:
Congregational Vote Set for January 30th
We called Pastor Liz in January 2020 to be our full-time Designated Transitional Pastor for a two-year period. We agreed to "designate" our two years together for vision work. The pandemic had other plans and still - by the grace and goodness of God - our ministry and discipleship together continues to thrive.
With our two-year call agreement with Pastor Liz approaching its end, the council voted to call Pastor Liz Patz as our full-time Settled Pastor. The congregational vote is scheduled to take place at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 30, 2022. Information including the new call agreement between St. Paul's and Pastor Liz and the financial package on offer will be mailed to members in early January. In the meantime, please contact myself, Vice President Linda Schambach or any council member for more information.
- Dan Heinrich, President
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Help Needed Recording Worship
Worship Ministry
Are you interested in helping us record worship on Sunday mornings? Our system is basic. We use an iPad to record a video of the service. We need a volunteer (or two) on Sunday morning to turn on the iPad Sunday, open the video app, aim the iPad, hit record, and then stop after worship. Contact Pastor Liz if you can help. Thank you!
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Volunteers Needed to Serve Dinner at PADS
Looking for folks to come out to the PADS facility at 1730 Berkley St, Elgin and help serve dinner. It is a 1-1.5 hour commitment starting at 6:30 PM that includes heating up food, setting our plates and silverware, serving the food, and cleaning the space afterward. St. Paul's has committed to serving dinner at PADS of Elgin for over 20 years. We currently commit to provide dinner to guests at the shelter on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. The number of guests ranges from 15-40. Contact Dale Volkening or Anne Heinrich. You can also help make the meals. Email Sandy Volkening to get on the monthly email list.
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New Year, New "J" Dollars Goal
"J" Dollars project ideas come from you the congregation. Project ideas will be collected during the month of January and a vote taken at the Congregational Meeting on January 30th. Past projects include the front stone church sign and accessibility renovations at the Mission House. Two other project ideas were voted on but then gifted as memorials: the hall counter cabinets in memory of Ralph Ward and the playground in memory of Linda Carassco. No project idea is too little or too big!
"J" Dollar projects are funded by your donations of dollar bills. Look for a J at the front of the bill's serial number and consider donating it to the J container in the church hall (J for Jesus). Of course, any bill (or check) is appreciated! Thanks to a generous memorial from Paula DeFarno and Mike and Ginny Mursewick on behalf of Bill and Verona Mursewick, our "J" Dollars balance is clear and we aleady have seed money for the next project.
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Seeking to Hire Weekly Cleaning Help
Properties Ministry
As we prepare for our custodian Dale Volkening's semi-retirement at the end of January, we are looking to hire someone to do basic weekly cleaning of the church and Mission House. Weekly cleaning responsibilities will include:
- Empty trash bins at church and house
- Clean bathrooms at church and house; refill toilet paper and paper towels
- Dry mop church hall floor regularly (especially after events)
- Vacuum the great room and two offices at the house
We currently compensate $85/week for these services. You choose the day of the week. Please contact Dale Volkening for more information at 847-987-3378.
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A Note of Thanks
Dear St. Paul's Church,
Thank you so much for the many ways you have expressed your sympathy to our family during the loss of our mom. Your generosity and kindness, love and prayers have truly given us the comfort and support we have needed during this difficult time. We are so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church family.
With love,
Arlene Huber's family
Debbie, Sue, Karen, Nancy & families
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Evangelism Ministry Thanks You!
On behalf of Evangelism, I say "thank you" to the congregation for being a welcoming voice to visitors. Our church has always been a warm and friendly congregation. Please remember to guide visitors to the round center table by the main front doors to pick-up a welcome packet. Introduce yourself and say, "Hello!" First impressions are lasting. I'm so happy with your cooperation.
- Polly Russell, Evangelism
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Financially Speaking
The total receipts for the month of November was $14,690.02 which includes $1200.00 for OCWM, $190.00 for Building and Maintenance, $150.00 in Memorials, $22.00 for Coffee Hour, $19.00 contributed to the J dollars, and $323.02 in loose offering. As of November 30th we have received $6861.00 for OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission). We have met the $6,851.00 which was pledged. Thank you!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions on your statements.
Karen Westerman
Financial Secretary
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Service in Action at St. Paul's
Clockwise from top left: Volunteers distributing diapers to families at the ECC Uniting for the Holidays Mobile Food Pantry event on Dec 15; World Relief of Carol Stream receiving our Refugee Family Welcome Kit donations; U46 receiving our scarf, hat and glove donations for the Project Access closet supporting students who are homeless; our therapy dog Dolan and his mom Alison joining us for worship in November (and bringing much joy and peace to the congregation).
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January At-A-Glance
Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Prayer on Zoom
Sunday, Jan 2 9:30 a.m. Worship on Zoom
Tuesday, Jan 4 10:00 a.m. Knitting Ministry at Mission House
6:30 p.m. Serving Dinner at PADS
Sunday, Jan 9 9:30 a.m. Epiphany & Star Word Sunday
Tuesday, Jan 18 10:00 a.m. Knitting Ministry at Mission House
6:30 p.m. Serving Dinner at PADS
Thursday, Jan 20 7:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting
Sunday, Jan 30 10:15 a.m. Congregational Meeting
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January Anniversaries
Dave and Bonnie Starr 01/11
Bill and Sally Rhymes 01/12
Doug and Ellen Volkening 01/28
Kimberly and Bill Toth 01/30
Ken and Ramona Volkening 01/30
January Birthdays
Linda Meglin 01/03
Jenn Volkening 01/05
Bill Rhymes 01/10
Ellen Volkening 01/11
Alice Eichhorst 01/13
Bill Guptail 01/19
Sally Wilson 01/19
Dan Heinrich 01/20
Kathy Rabe 01/26
Melissa Wiggin 01/28
Cindy Heinrich 01/30
We ask forgiveness for any omissions.
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2021 Council Members & Emails
Officers
Ministry Chairpersons
Karen Smith. Christian Education
Vernon Knaak, Vernon Knaack
Karen Snyder, MIssions
Janet Werner, Fellowship and Hospitality
Dave Berna, Properties
Judy Reimer, Stewardship
Polly Russell, Evangelism
Ginny Mursewick, Calling and Caring
Staff
Rev. Liz Patz, Pastor
Linda Becker, Secretary
Gay Bouwmeester, Pianist
Jon Kobel, Choir Director
Dale Volkening, Custodian
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