Privacy laws prevent hospitals from automatically in-forming churches of members admitted. You can easily notify our pastoral care staff of a hospitalization: 563-326-3547 x211 or becky@stpaulqc.org.

Our hospitalized: (*released as of Dec. 23)

Joan Carter Dave Jorth Gary Stodden *Scott Teasdale

Death: Jack Grothusen, Dec. 17 Len Holmgren, Dec. 22 Larry Darnell, Dec. 23

CALENDAR

staff connectionsDec. 26 & 27 - Christmas 1

Preaching:All services Liesebet Gravley

Worship notes:Communion served at all services

Readings: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52

next weekend

PASTORSPeter W. Marty Senior pastorSara Olson-Smith Associate pastorKaty Warren Associate pastorAmy Diller Pastor in residencyLiesebet Gravley Pastor in residencyRon Huber Visitation pastor

COMMUNICATIONSAnn McGlynn Director of communicationLauren Brown Artistic directorBecky Harper Adm. asst. to sr. pastor Karen Holden Book Corner managerKayla Bushey Communications internTyler James Communications intern

OPERATIONSTodd Byerly Operations directorPaula Durham Business managerJennifer Garvey ReceptionistTessa Hahn Business office assistantMarcia Robertson Stewardship coordinatorHarris Schneekloth Campus supervisorMatt Spencer Custodial managerJim Akright Custodial/MaintenancePaul Caldwell Weekend hostRon Mullen Weekend hostJoe Wollett Evening host

LEARNINGRyan Bailey Director of faith formationJoanna Roland Preschool & kids’ learningAndy Langdon Director of youth ministriesMichelle Juehring Children & family lifeDana Welser Neighborhood SchoolsTammy Hermanson Residency administratorKatie Hanson Beyond Words coordinatorTeresa Whitbeck Childcare coordinator

MUSICChris Nelson Director of music ministriesBill Campbell Contemporary music Jon Hurty Chorale directorDan Pepper Youth Choir directorLinda Allebach Children’s Choir directorRosita Tendall Children’s Choir directorMargaret Thompson Children’s Choir director

IN OUR PRAYERS

2136 Brady Street

Davenport, IA 52803

563.326.3547

www.stpaulqc.org

December 26 & 27, 2015

today at st. paul

MONDAY, DEC. 28

TUESDAY, DEC. 29

Office closed

Happy NewYear!

FRIDAY, JAN. 1

5pm Book Corner open5:30pm Worship6:30pm Healing liturgy

SATURDAY, JAN. 2

8am Worship8:30am Youth choir & alumni rehearsal9am Book Corner open9:20am Worship10:45am 2015 in Review: New Yorker Cartoons11:45am Worship

SUNDAY, JAN. 3

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 309:30am Staff meeting11am Norm Buck funeral2pm So All May Eat Meal prep5pm So All May Eat Meal serving6pm Adult Children of Alcoholics

With sympathy: Family of Jack Grothusen: Evalie Grothusen, husband Krista & Michael Decker, her father Ben, Emma, & Jacob Decker, their grandfather Dar Darnell, husband Larry Jim & Anne Earel, his grandfather William Atkins Jill & Pat Montgomery, her mother Evelyn Buikema Amanda, Sarah, & Hannah Montgomery, grandmother Evelyn Buikema

Jan. 2 & 3 - Christmas 2

Preaching:5:30/8/9:20 Amy Diller11:45 Ryan Bailey

Worship notes:9:20 Youth Choir & AlumniCommunion served at all services

Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:[1-9] 10-18

RECENT ISSUES OF CONNECTIONS are available at the Info Center and online at www.stpaulqc.org/connections-flyer.

THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES . . . The presents have been unwrapped. The stockings are empty, and perhaps all the Christmas cookies have now been consumed. But Christmas is far from over. The joy and peace we cel-ebrate on Christmas Day can carry us well into the New Year. Enjoy more Christmas carols in worship today.

The tiny baby lying in a manger is just one way we encounter this God who is with us. In fact, we would do well to look for all sorts of ways Jesus appears in our lives every single day. Christ was born to bring hope and comfort to all people, every day. Not just one day a year. Keep your eyes peeled. You might just notice God showing up in some unexpected ways.

THURSDAY, DEC. 31

At St. Paul, we cherish every opportunity to be together. Learning. Friendship. Growing faith. As winter grows colder, come and experience the warmth of Chris-tian community.

ADULTS Sunday morning learning for adults starts back up on Jan. 10, 10:45-11:30 a.m., with the exception of Pastor Peter Marty’s look at New Yorker cartoons on Jan. 3. Explore big questions with presenters in the Chapel. Engage in a thought-provoking simplicity series in the Luther Loft. Dive into a Bible study in Room 208.

KIDS & YOUTH Sunday morning learning for kids and youth resumes Jan. 10, too. Kids age 3-fifth grade engage in the Bible with the Spark curriculum. Middle school and high school youth learn about the Bible – and have some zany fun.

TOGETHERNESS Roller skating. Skiing and tubing. Heart Soul Mind Bible study. Book groups. All St. Paul Reads. Salvation Army meal site. Table Graces. 678. Confirmation. Sun-day Night Live. 2136. Prime Time. WELCA. Women Connected. College lunches. Discover life at St. Paul this winter, for learning and togetherness that is nour-ishing, grace-filled, centered in faith.

w i n t e r at St . Paul

WINTER AT ST. PAULDiscover life at St. Paul this winter, for learning and togetherness that is nourishing, grace-filled, and centered in faith. Find upcoming dates and opportunities in the January Journey magazine.

MY NOTES

DISCOVER & CONNECT

SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP: Please join others for coffee, doughnuts, juice, and conversation in the gathering areas on the main level.

A BLUE BOOK, “Welcome to St. Paul,” is situated in every pew near the aisle seat. Please take a moment to share your name and pass the book. As it returns to you, glance at other names and look for your chance to greet one another after worship. The warmth of your greeting can brighten the whole day.

NURSERY: We believe children belong in worship. But if your child needs a break, please assist other worshipers and seek out our staffed nursery in the “Kid’s Corner” in the Library Commons. Silent pagers available. For nursing moms, a designated room is available to you, just 20 feet left of the elevator.

CHILDREN: Children’s messages are a part of our Sunday services at 9:20 and 11:45. Special bulletins are available from an usher. Worship bags for chil-dren are at entrances to the Sanctuary.

COMMUNION: The Lord’s Table is open to believers of all Christian traditions.Adults and children who do not commune areinvited to come forward, crossing arms upon the chest for a blessing. Communion is distributed by a practice called intinction; please touch your wafer lightly to the wine. Gluten-free wafers are available at all stations. Grape juice is available on Sundays in the pottery chalice at the station furthest left.

FAITH RESOURCES: A library and the nonprofit Book Corner on the main level provide wonderful re-sources for growing your faith. Check them out.

MEMBERSHIP: A one-session Membership Inquiry Class is offered once each month for those interested in exploring what membership at St. Paul involves. The next opportunity will be on Saturday, Jan. 9, 9-11:30 a.m. OR Thursday, Feb. 11, 6:30-9 p.m. Childcare is available on request. Sign up online at stpaulqc.org/signups, at the Info Center, or call 326-3547.

NEW TO ST. PAUL?

COME AND ENJOY A HEARTY LAUGH Sunday, Jan. 3, 10:45 a.m., as Pastor Marty reviews the year through the New Yorker cartoons. All other Sunday morning learning classes (for all ages) are on break Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. Classes resume Jan. 10.

youth YOUTH CHOIR ALUMNI: All college and beyond former Youth Choir singers are invited to join the current Youth Choir for worship next Sunday, Jan. 3. Gather to rehearse a favorite anthem, Who Is the Lamb?, at 8:30 a.m. in the Chapel. The choir sings during the 9:20 a.m. service. (Dan Pepper, pepper@stpaulqc.org)

adults WOMEN OF THE ELCA: All women of St. Paul are invited for fellowship, Bible study, and service to others. Meeting dates/times, onsite and offsite:Jan. 4: Lydia (formerly Deborah/Rachel, 9:15 a.m. (Karen Miller’s home)Jan. 5: Dorcas, 9:15 a.m. (Barb Hahn’s home); Sarah, 1:30 p.m. (St. Paul)Jan. 9: Anna (afternoon and evening), 10:30 a.m. (Cafe Indigo)Contacts: Karin Hanson, tkmax2502@gmail.com; Donna Naae, djnaae@gmail.com.

PRIME TIME: Saturday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. Prime Time brings together folks who are 50/60/70-something. In January, come for a fun evening of chili and Bunco in Fellowship Hall. Sign up at the Info Center by Jan. 3 to bring a pot of chili, veggie tray, or dessert. There will be a freewill offering for drinks. (Jim & Linda Hoepner, 386-6737; Karen Huber, 386-5071)

SIMPLER LIVING, COMPASSIONATE LIFE: A Sunday-morning series will explore the practice of voluntary simplicity — listening to our lives through a dialogue about time, money, food, spirituality, heritage, com-munity. Led by Pastor Katy Warren and Ann McGlynn, director of communica-tion, this five-week series will meet in Luther Loft, 10:45-11:30 a.m., beginning Sunday, Jan. 10. A book of guiding es-says, Simpler Living, Compassionate Life, is not necessary, but is helpful in offer-ing a deeper understanding of simplic-ity. (Ann McGlynn, ann@stpaulqc.org)

MONTHLY GRIEF SUPPORT: Sec-ond Mondays of the month, 6 p.m., in the Church House, next meeting Jan. 11. Gather to share with others who are experiencing grief. Move through important dates — birthdays, holidays, anniversaries — and the everyday of discerning a new normal, together with others. (Pastor Sara Olson-Smith, 326-3547 x248, sara@stpaulqc.org)

FAITHFUL READERS: Second Thursday evenings, 7 p.m. Listen to the whisper of God’s voice in the pages of good books. January’s selections are “Music on the Muscatatuck” by Jessamyn West and “Ringwork” by Kate Wheeler in Faith Stories. Faithful Readers, St. Paul’s lit-erature discussion, meets in the Church House Living Room Thursday, Jan. 14. Enriching conversations are always topped off with tempting desserts. The engaging leaders are Katie Hanson and Dave Crowe, who both teach English at Augustana College.

ALL ST. PAUL READS: Flight Behavior, a novel from American author and biol-ogist Barbara Kingsolver, is the 2016 All St. Paul Reads selection. This book tells the story of a young mother trapped in rural poverty, who discovers millions of monarch butterflies glowing like a “lake of fire” in a pasture. That vision and its aftermath becomes a wake-up call about climate change for an Appalachian community. It also marks the beginning of a new life for the mother. Discus-sion about the book will take place on Thursday, Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m., in the Library Commons. An old-fashioned church supper, courtesy of the Book Corner, will begin the evening. Sign up online at stpaulqc.org/signups. The event is free. The book is available for purchase in the Book Corner.

children/families FAITH MILESTONE: For families with babies born Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2015, Sunday, Jan. 31, 10:45-11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. This faith milestone moment is a chance to share some ways that you can pass on your faith to your child from the very beginning, with Pas-tor Sara Olson-Smith. Each family will receive an illustrated Bible storybook, a gift from the congregation. Advance registration helps with planning. Sign up online: stpaulqc.org/signups. (Michelle Juehring, michelle@stpaulqc.org)

OF SPECIAL NOTE

For more info, visit stpaulqc.org/connect

HABITAT HOME DEDICATED: The Habitat house that St. Paul supported financially and with volunteer hours was dedicated on Saturday, Dec. 19. Tan-neshia Garcia, her three daughters, and grandchild, celebrated Christmas in their new home. Watch for information this spring about how to help build a house in 2016 – the year Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities plans to build its 100th house. A SMALL COMMUNION TEAM is being formed of individuals interested in assisting with the set-up and clean-up of our altar table each Sunday. The prep work mostly involves care before and after our 9:20 a.m. service, as well as certain festival service days. If you have an interest in exploring what service on this newly forming team involves, we would love to hear from you. Contact Chris Nelson, music director, chris@stpaulqc.org, 326-3547 x214.

A BRIEF HEALING LITURGY will be offered at 6:30 p.m. next Saturday, Jan. 2 in the Church House Living Room. Each month, on the first Saturday, we pro-vide an opportunity for individuals in need of physical, spiritual, or emotional healing to come and seek God’s goodness and care.

AFTER-CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE: Stop in the Book Corner and check out the reduced-priced Christmas items.

2016 OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE IN and lined up alphabetically in the Elevator Commons this weekend. St. Paul members, please stop and pick up your personalized box. These envelopes are for you as a convenient reminder of the faithful discipline of giving.

MISSION APPALACHIA: April 2-9, 2016, Chavies, Kentucky. Help make homes warmer, safer, drier. St. Paul people will meet a family and work on their home during this week-long trip to an Appalachia Service Project center. To sign up, visit stpaulqc.org/signups, or contact Pastor Katy Warren, 326-3547 x232, katy@stpaulqc.org.

Next Sunday, Jan. 3, 10:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

VOICE YOUR FAITH! Wednesday rehearsals begin Jan. 6. No auditions — just come and sing!

Alleluia Choir Age 4-K Wednesdays, 6-6:45 p.m. Margaret Thompson

Jubilate Choir Grades 1-3 Wednesdays, 6-6:45 p.m. Rosita Tendall

Cantate Choir Grades 4-6 Wednesdays, 6-6:45 p.m. Linda Allebach

Youth Choir Grades 7-12 Wednesdays, 6-6:45 p.m. Dan Pepper

Chorale College & adult Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. Jon Hurty

Thank you, St. Paul people, for your generosity all year long. We share our lives and our resources as a way of loving and thanking God. Together, we make the ministry of this place alive! Every year-end offering and completion of a pledge commitment card is beautiful. Thank you for helping us finish 2015 strong.

Noon on Dec. 31 is the moment by which to share any remaining 2015 gifts. Online users please note: Contributions must be made by 3 p.m. Dec. 30. If you are a St. Paul member who hasn’t yet pledged for 2016, please do so online ASAP at www.stpaulqc.org/pledge-2016. Thanks.