November Newsletter 2022
This month we are giving thanks, giving back, and getting ready. Come and see.
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"Stock the Shelves"
November Mission Project
Oct 30th thru Nov 20th we are supporting a new food pantry called Food For Families out of the Well Child Center in Elgin. This Sunday, Oct 30th we are collecting Proteins: Black beans, Kidney beans, Pinto beans, Rice, Chicken stock, Salsa, Canned Soup. A weekly shopping list is available here.
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Stewardship Sunday
November 13, 2022
We will dedicate our pledge cards and 2023 giving intentions in worship and celebrate with a special coffee hour hosted by the Stewardship Ministry.
God Widens the Narrow Door
A Stewardship Devotion by Rev. James D. ROss II (he, him, hers)
Ministry for DIversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Southern New England Conference UCC
The frequent human inclination to operate as though resources and opportunities are scarce presents itself in the question of someone Jesus encountered during his journey to the Passover in Jerusalem. “Lord, will only a few be saved,” the man asked.
Many scholars agree the man was someone who felt certain of his own salvation – whether because he was following the rules, because of his connection to the lineage of Abraham, or for other reasons. But how many would be saved along with him?
Jesus responded with a parable about people arriving at a house for a party and being denied entry by the owners, who said they did not know the visitors, despite the visitors’ claims of a friendship with them. The message, perhaps, is that none of us should assume that our connection to God is stronger or that our relationship with God is more special than that of anyone else.
Jesus follows the parable with the promise that far from “a few” being saved, “people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God.” Our God is one of abundance. Just as God welcomes people from all directions to the kingdom (and kindom) of God, so has God created the earth with enough resources for us all.
We need only remember that everyone is deserving of them. How is your stewardship reflected in this parable? Do you operate as though there is only enough for you, or do you model generosity and gratitude for God’s provision?
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An All-Congregation Choir!
Do you like to sing but don't want to join the choir? We're having an all-congregation choir on Sunday, December 11. You just need to stay for two, 15-minute rehearsals after church on November 27 and December 4. Plan to join your voice in harmony for this beautiful Advent anthem. We'd love to have a nice group! Contact Jon Kobel for any questions or details, or a copy of the music.
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Sunday, Nov 6th
We will remember the members and friends of St. Paul's who have died in the past year, as well as the saints who have gone on before us.
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Next Living Nativity Meeting
Sunday, Nov 6 at 10:30 AM
There is something for everyone! This event is a major outreach opportunity for St. Paul's and you are an important part of it's success. See hall sign-ups.
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Next Diaper Donation & Packing:
Sunday, Nov 6th
Sizes 4, 5, 6
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Why a diaper ministry? One of our mission partners shared this last week, "I actually gave a pack of [12 St. Paul's] diapers to a mom who was very much in need…. [She told me] how earlier in the week she actually used tape to secure her son’s diapers because she was down to the last two and didn’t have the resources to get more." Thank you for supporting St. Paul's Diaper Ministry and loving the children and parents in our community. Can you help bag diapers after church? Stop by the hall tables to help. Thank you!
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St. Paul's to Host Collaboration Lunch
Thursday, Nov 10th
Inspired by the relationships fostered through the diaper ministry, we are partnering with Amber Peters, director of Elgin Partnership for Early Learning (EPEL), and inviting social service providers in our community to think through the possibilities of how we all can work together to help fill basic need gaps for some of our most vulnerable families.
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Decorating the Church
Sunday, Nov 20th
The Worship Ministry welcomes your help to decorate the church for Advent. Helpers will bring decorations from the house, hang wreaths, decorate trees, setup the nativity set and more.
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Advent Workshop
Sunday, Nov 27th
Here is a sneak peak at this year's craft projects. Our youngest guests will also make hand-stamped wrapping paper and a nativity story trail mix. This all-ages Christmas craft party and light lunch has been a tradition at St. Paul's for over 50 years! All materials are provided by the Christian Education ministry. Invite a friend. The hall table sign-up is coming soon.
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Family Activities In The Home:
November FAITH
This month you are invited to create a family gratitude tree.
Teaching children an attitude of gratitude is so important. We can help them look at different situations in a positive way and become thankful for the things they receive, the people they are with and the fun things they get to do. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to focus on our blessings!
Gratitude Tree Directions:
- Cut out construction paper circles - at least 3 for each family member.
- Punch a hole through the top of the circle and tie a loop of yarn/string through each hole.
- On Thanksgiving Day, before or after your meal, ask each family member to take an ornament and write/draw one reason he or she is thankful. (Remember…you can do more than one ornament)
- Find a special tree/bush outside your house or make a tree with twigs or use a plant you have inside your house. Ask each family member to share his or her ornaments and hang them on the tree.
- After all the ornaments are hung up, have someone say, “Our tree is full of so many reasons why we are grateful on this day. Let us continue our celebration together knowing that our lives are full. Let’s all say, “AMEN.”
Adapted from: Faithful Families by Traci Smith
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Card Sale
Coming to church Sundays November 6, 13, and 20, a card sale of many beautiful Christmas, birthday, anniversary, and miscellaneous cards left from an estate sale. Stock up for the holiday and beyond. Individual cards 6 for $1.00. All proceeds go to "J" Dollars.
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Burlington-Hampshire CROP Hunger Walk
FINAL TOTALS
The incredible success of this year's Heritage Fest added another $1,500 to St. Paul's already awesome donations, bringing our fundraising total to $3,466! Combined with fundraising from First Methodist, Hampshire, Zion Methodist, Hampshire, and St. John, Harmony, this year's CROP Hunger Walk raised an impressive $5,686 - with $1,421 (25%) going straight to the Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry. Thank you, St. Paul's!
- The Missions Ministry
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October Service & Fun
The highway clean-up volunteers and Sunday School Pumpkin Carving event.
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December Highlights
Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, Dec 11
Congregational Nativity Display
Plan to bring your nativity set to church on Saturday, Dec 10 from 10-12 Noon.
All-Congregation Choir Performance
Sunday, December 11
A Living Nativity
Our Christmas gift to the community. Presentations at 4 PM and 5 PM.
Sunday, December 18th
Christmas Pageant
We will celebrate our 10-year building anniversary the same way we celebrated our very first service on Plank Road - with a children's Christmas pageant.
Wednesday, December 21st
Blue Christmas Service at 7 PM
A worship service on the longest night of the year. For those of us struggling to find joy this holiday season.
Saturday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Worship 5:00 PM
Carols, communion, and candlelight.
Sunday, December 25th
Christmas Day Worship
Come and worship Christmas morning with joyful carols. Christmas cookie coffee hour served.
Sunday, January 1st
Pajama Sunday Service
Wear your PJs to church and stay for an oat meal bar hosted by the Worship Ministry.
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Financially Speaking
The total receipts for the month of September was $11,744.85 which included $380.00 for OCWM, $125.00 for Building and Maintenance, $30.00 from Coffee Hour, $74.00 from selling vegetable from our garden for PADS, $25.00 for our Diaper Ministry and $167.00 in loose offerings.
We collected $50.00 for J dollars in September which brings the total for the year to $659.00. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Karen Westerman
Financial Secretary
77% of pledges have been paid thru the end of September in the amount of $112,502.00. Thank you for your generous commitment to the operations and ministries of our congregation.
Judy Reimer
Stewardship Ministry
Monthly financials and Council meeting minutes
are available anytime from the church office.
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November Anniversaries
Wayne & Linda Schambach 11/25
November Birthdays
Jon Kobel 11/01
Jacob Volkening 11/01
Michael Heinrich 11/04
Bernice Bradley 11/05
Tanya Rowe 11/06
Dale Volkening 11/08
Bram Gluchman 11/09
Carol Graeff 11/09
Ken Volkening 11/10
Autumn Young 11/11
Nancy Cain 11/13
Bob Reimer 11/24
Jonathan Cowan 11/27
Jim Pace 11/30
We ask forgiveness for any omissions.
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