Stewardship Report

A Vision for the New Year

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? I applaud you if you do. If you “resolve” to do a thing; perhaps it is to lose weight, or

save money, or make a difference in someone’s life., you will likely succeed. You have decided this endeavor is important and you want

to commit yourself to its success.

I say that I want to lose weight, but I am not willing to commit myself to success in that arena. I am not big into New Year’s Res-

olutions because I recognize the tendency to set a goal and then abandon the task when it becomes difficult. I want us to do something

difficult together. The key word in that sentence is “together”. I could try to do something difficult by myself and fail. You might try some-

thing else with success or failure but together we are more likely to succeed and more likely to feel good as we applaud one another.

The time between Christmas and Easter seems to pass quickly so we have no time to waste. I want us to come together and

develop some plans toward a common purpose. Our general vision is to “make and nurture disciples for the transformation for the

world.” That is great. We are doing that great work but I suggest we need a goal which is more specific and measurable. I want to start

with the Bishop’s Five Star Award for Excellence.

The criteria may be difficult, but it is attainable if we work together. There are five stars and five requirements which must be satisfied.

1. An increase in Sunday School attendance (or other education events).

2. A new work that impacts growth.

3. A growth (1% plus) in membership through rededication or profession of faith. This means at least six new members who are new

to church or ready to rededicate themselves.

4. Emphasis on Youth Ministries. Doing things targeted at 12-18 years old to enhance and grow them and the overall ministry.

5. All apportionments paid for 2019.

Let us cast a vision and walk together towards completion.

In Christ’s Name,

Scott

Pastor Scott

To give online, go to our website www.stpumcflo.org and click on the give

online tab. This takes you to the giving page.

Click on the give online tab and follow the instructions to set-up one-time or

recurring giving.

Corners of Your Field

Cleaning-out closets, drawers, garages or

spare rooms? Be sure to take the things you

are giving away to one of the House of Hope

Mission Marts and tell them you are from Saint Paul

UMC. We will receive gift cards to give to those in need,

because of your generosity.

Offerings & Tithes Worship Attendance

Wonderful Wednesday

Week of November 17 $18,745.95 139 $298 / 60

Week of November 24 $4,935.23 145 No activities

Week of December 1 $22,643.01 127 $141 / 64

Week of December 8 $6,572.02 144 $235/ 60

Needed Weekly: $13,000.00

Youth @ St Paul

Wow! It’s 2020 already. In this new year our focus will be to have 20/20

vision for God and His plan for us! First agenda in the year will be the

Revolution trip to Columbia on the 24th-26th, and we are looking forward

to it! “Birds of a feather are still flocking together!” Flocking has been fun

but we had a bit of a set back with some of our birds gone missing. So,

We will be finishing up in January as we are committed to helping promote St. Paul in the community! Wonderful

Wednesday is still going strong. Please come out and join us for mid-week worship and invite a friend!

Kids Corner Bible verse: Ecclesiastes 3:11

He's made everything beautiful in his time

Thank you to all the families that came to practices , special music , dances and reading

through this advent season it was such a blessing to see all that beautiful talent used to

glorify God in our worship .

Upcoming Events: January 8—Resume Wonderful Wednesday 5:30-7:30

Hiwire trip for God Squad TBA

Please continue to collect Piggly Wiggly receipts! Melody beck.melody@yahoo.com

RED BIRD MISSION TRIP

April 19 – 25, 2020

Sign up for the Red Bird Mission Trip will begin on January 1st, 2020.

If you are interested in going, contact Mayo Collier at 843 6015968 or mecjr123@aol.com.

Be prepared to sign up quickly. Last year we filled our reservation quota in just a few days.

Our prayer is that God will send us to Those He wants us to serve. Please keep this mission trip in your prayers.

Thank You

On behalf of my family and myself I want to say

Thanks to our St. Paul congregation for the wonder-

ful turnout honoring me on my 100th birthday, and a

special thanks to all those who did the planning and

hard work for the celebration. I am proud to be a

member of St. Paul Church..

Aubrey Snipes

Jay beck.stpyouth@gmail.com

Thank You

The family of Norma Phillips wishes to thank all

those that gave of their time and other expressions of

love after her recent passing. Norma did truly love

the church and all its members and stayed dedicated

to it as long as she could. We did find comfort

throughout this tough time and are most appreciative

of all that was done.

Please Pray for our Outreach Ministries & Ministers

Rev. Rick Howell, Winthrop Wesley Foundation

Lou Jordan, Francis Marion Wesley Foundation

John and Susan McGee, The CRU Foundation

Rachel Hudson, Youth with a Mission

Alejandro Betancur, Ministerial Internship

Non Profit org.

U.S. Postage

Paid

Permit # 48

Saint Paul United Methodist Church 1629 West Palmetto Street Florence, SC 29501 Phone: (843) 669-3134 Fax: (843) 669-5876 Email: stpmed@bellsouth.net

Reminder:

Submit News Articles & Pictures for the February Epistle by January 9th to: stpmed@bellsouth.net (please indicate EPISTLE in the subject line)

WORSHIP SERVICE HELPERS

January 5, 2020

Liturgist: Lou Hanna Greeters: Dotty & Wade Dickens

Head Usher: David Saleeby

Monday Counters: Janet Howell/Nancy Kittrell

January 12, 2020

Liturgist: Don Walter Greeter: Patsy Slice

Head Ushers: Ross Huggins/Richard Schubert

Monday Counters: Virginia Baird/Pat Willis

January 19, 2020

Liturgist: Mark Lott Greeters: Judy & Tom White

Head Ushers: Danny Braddock/Johnny Hamer

Monday Counters: Janet Howell/Nancy Kittrell

January 26, 2020

Liturgist: Don Worrell Greeter: Martha Collier

Head Usher: Worth Adams

Monday Counters: Gwen Jeffords/Pat Willis

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

FELLOWSHIP SUPPER MENU

January 1 – No Wednesday Activities

Happy New Year!

January 8 – Fried Chicken, sides & des-

sert Served by John Wesley Group II

January 15 – Brunswick stew, toss

salad and dessert, pizza

Served by the Friendship Class

January 22 – Chicken bog, green beans,

slaw and dessert

Served by the Upper Room Class

January 29 – Pork loin, roasted pota-

toes, vegetable medley, salad, rolls, pie

and ice cream

Served by Kathy Andrews

Under Special Care

Doreen Copeland Home

Lieze McDaniel Presbyterian Home

Irma Tanner Home

Doris Hammond Home

Sara McNeal Methodist Manor

Don Handley Florence Place

Hazel McGee Home

A monthly publication of Saint Paul United Methodist Church - Florence, South Carolina, 29501

The Epistle January 2020

The pastor and congregation express their deepest sympathy to:

The family and friends of Mr. Christopher Worrell

June 12, 1981 ~ November 21, 2019

The family and friends of Mrs. Arlene Crouch

March 6, 1927 - December 5, 2019

The family and friends of Mrs. Barbara Kaylor

July 30, 1927 - November 12, 2019

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS

Memorials were given in memory of Norma Phillips by:

Jayne & Larry Younginer, Kathy Andrews, Valerie H Johnson, Jo S Horne/Anderson Bros. Bank,

Barbara Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harris, Mary Ballentine,

David Paul Hamilton/Hamilton House Antiques,

Irma & Michael Tanner, Rosemary Ellis, David Saleeby

Memorials were given in memory of Robert Lowman Sr. by:

Patricia and Edward Boatwright Jr., Lanny Rhett & Cathy Gregory, Rosemary Ellis, David Saleeby

Memorials were given in memory of Christopher Worrell by:

Connie & David Askins, Kathy Andrews, Joyce & Ellison Messick

Memorials were given in memory of Mrs. Barbara Kaylor by:

Joyce & Ellison Messick

Memorials were given in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Evans, mother of Patsy Fraley by:

Joyce & Ellison Messick

Memorials were given in memory of Mrs. Arlene Crouch by:

Lilian Galantin

Memorials were given in memory of Betty Mims by:

Carole & Glen Neil, Rosemary Ellis

Memorials were given in memory of Charlie Mims by:

Carole & Glen Neil

Honorariums were given in honor of Mr. Aubrey Snipes 100th Birthday by:

Suzanne & John Saleeby, Connie & David Askin, Lilian Galantin, Rosemary Ellis