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TRANSCRIPT
November 2016
St. Paul’s Lutheran
The Epis†le H ello St. Paul’s and friends,
This month of Thanksgiving, I thank God for our blessings to live and worship in freedom in America. I also give thanks for St. Paul’s and the larger church around the world.
In August, President Samuel Ndanga-Toue, president of the Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic, spoke at a continuing education event I attended here in our synod. He was so happy to be in America for the first time. After he spoke, we laid hands on him and prayed for him and our sister church in Africa.
I saw a sign on the highway, “somos familia,” which means “we are family” in Spanish. God reminded me through President Samuel’s visit that St. Paul’s is part of a church family that goes beyond Schilling Avenue. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in the Central African Republic are joined in Spirit and belief that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
St. Paul’s WELCA (Women of the ELCA) raised money recently for building water wells in Africa. Thank you for contrib-uting! Enough was raised to build 1 1/2 water wells. Thanks be to God we can be a part of the living body of faith in Jesus. Here is a letter from President Samuel who has returned to Africa to continue the work of the church. Blessings in Christ Jesus, Pastor Nancy
D ear Bishop Michael, My greetings in Christ.
I am very happy to take this opportunity to let you know that my return trip went well. I have arrived safely back in my country. I wish to express my deep appreciation for your taking the initiative to invite me to come to the United States. I thank you for the welcome and hospitality that you gave me.
I came home with good memories of beautiful moments that we spent together. Be assured that this visit was not a waste of time. It was very enriching for me. Now I can tell you that I have a bit of an idea of America and its culture. But the positive aspect of my visit was especially the discovery of the different churches that form your Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, and the interest that all these churches showed in regard to companion relationship, which binds us. I was particularly moved to see the desire of these churches to support us spiritually and financially so that we can carry out God’s mission in the Central African Republic. I very much appreciate the way in which you have been attentive to our difficulties and your wishes to see peace come back to our country.
Dear Bishop, we discussed many things. You promised to assist us insofar as you are able. In the coming days, we will send you some of our priority projects for financial aid, as we discussed.
In the name of the Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic, please share with the various churches of your synod my deep gratitude for all that they did for me during my stay.
To you, Bishop Michael, thank you for your love and humility that you showed me during my stay among you. May God further strengthen this partnership between the synod for which you have leadership and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic.
May God fill you with his blessing and his peace. United in Christ Jesus. Rev. Dr. Samuel NDANGA-TOUE, President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic
The Epistle November 2016
Birthdays
4 - Holly Hamilton
5 – Debbie Bakemeier
5 – Carly Baldwin
5 – Debbie Gillespie
8 – Doris Rein
8 – Jada Hylton
8 - Gary Kruse
10 – Jake Fojt
10 – Martin Luther
11 - Richard Cain
12 - Michael Mathews Jr.
13 – Karen Elizondo
15 – Alexa Hylton
15 - Athena Wooten
16 - John Davis Sr.
16 – Regina Rein
18 – Jarrod Boehme
18 - Gregg Simpson
20 – Kaitlin Migl
21 – Myrtle Viereck
23 - Harold Pate
24 – Lorrie Andrews
27 – Elaine Vircant
29 – Dalton Rein
30 - Shelby Davis
Baptismal Anniversaries 1 - Ayden Davis
1 - Lana Lauderdale
1 - Jenna Seymour
2 - Rosie Haas
8 – Kyle Migl
17 - Allie Stephens
24 - Cheryl Boehme
25 - Phyllis Chandler
25 - Grace Reavis
26– Daniel Barras
26 - Alexandria Licklider
26– Chloe Reeder
26 - Birdie Torberson
27 - Alexa Hylton
Serving Our Country Alan Campisi, Aaron Carlin, Justin Giese,
Paul Gomez, Mitchell Handley,
Mike Hobbs, Amy Hoff and family,
Brandon Locha, Stephen McWilliams,
Aaron Molina, Chris Paradowski,
Kaylyn Perry, Chris Salo and family,
Kyle Spence, Garrett Threadgill, Austin
Wilkinson, Sean and Hannah Zarsky
In Our Prayers
Charlotte & Leon Busby-sympathy
Cindy Eschberger- shut-in
Boo Boo Fojt- healing
Helen Fojt- healing
Jake Fojt- healing
Betty Ganske- health concerns
Barbara Garrett- health concerns
Virginia Hackfeld- health concerns
O.J. Lamb- health concerns
Laurence Lauderdale- health concerns
Emily McCoy- healing
Elvie McCullough- health concerns
Lorraine Patterson- health concerns
Colleen & Ken Peting- health concerns
Walter & Doris Rein- health concerns
Gail Salewski- health concerns
Bob Steffler- healing
June Tieman- health concerns
Ben & Elaina Vircant- health concerns
Sherry White- healing
Kathe Wodahl- health concerns
Sharon Zeiss- health concerns
Thanksgiving Holiday
Church Offices Closed
November 23rd - 25th
Thank you
To all our Food Pantry volunteers,
Sunday morning worship leaders,
Tellers, Sound System Technicians,
Committee Members, Choir Mem-
bers, Instrumentalists, Prayer Shawl
Ministry, Eucharist Ministers, Card
Writers, photographers and any
volunteers not mentioned. You are
appreciated!
To Hoya Ash, Sandra & James
McGee, Don Eschberger, Chuck
Ohm, Steve Burns and any others
who work keeping our church
grounds so beautiful.
A Big Thank You To all who participated in the German
Dinner. It was a big success! For those
that donated, prepared and served food.
To Dave Reavis for smoking the
bratwurst and pork loin. It was
delicious! To those who donated silent
auction items. To the Oompa Band who
set the mood with their festive music.
And thank you for all the hours you put
in with band rehearsals. To all who
bought tickets and supported the event.
$2404 was raised for St. Paul’s capital
improvement fund. Danke!
Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 6th
“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes.
Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.” ― Erma Bombeck
The Epistle November 2016
FOOD PANTRY Open every Thursday 9am - 11am.
Clients may come twice a month.
Volunteers are welcomed!
THANKSGIVING TURKEY & FIXIN’S This year the Inreach/Outreach
Committee has decided to provide
Thanksgiving turkeys for our Food Pantry clients.
Our goal is to raise $1500 by November 13th to accomplish
this. Please make checks payable to St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church with the word ‘turkeys’ written in the memo.
This is a great opportunity for some holiday giving.
FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER Open 9a.m. - 11 a.m.
Thurs. November 3
Thurs. November 10
Thurs. November 17
Tues. November 22
Closed Thanksgiving Day
St. Paul’s is volunteering at the Thrift Shop for the month of November. There is a volunteer sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Please see Debbie Gillespie for more information.
1410 Louisiana Baytown
INREACH/OUTREACH NEWS
Committee Meeting, Monday, Nov. 16th at 1pm
SMALL GROUPS
Depression & Bipolar Support Group
Thursday evenings at St. Paul’s from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Open to the public, all are welcome.
LEARN SPANISH CLASS -On Holiday Break
Class will resume Sunday, January 8th at 2:00 p.m.
BUNCO! The last Wednesday of each month 6:30-8:30pm.
Come out for an evening of ladies’ fellowship.
You’ll enjoy bunco, faith, and fun. The ladies of
St. Paul’s will play and pray together!
Sign up sheet is in Fellowship Hall.
15th Annual
Sponsored by LOVE NETWORK Donate new or gently worn coats, sweaters or jackets
(especially for children) and blankets at the church office
now through November 15th before noon.
The items will be distributed Wednesday,
November 30 from 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at
Coat of Many Colors Church, 304 North
Pruett Street.
Blood Drive In honor of Jaime Guillen Sunday, December 11th 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
DONOR COACH in church
parking lot
To schedule and appointment visit. www.giveblood.org. Sponsor code: 1538
in November
Prayer Shawl & Prayer Blanket
Blessing Sunday, November 27th
If you know of someone in need of a prayer
shawl please come to the church office.
The Epistle November 2016
Education NEWS
Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 13th at 12pm
SUNDAY SCHOOL for all ages 9:00 a.m.
BIBLE STUDY GROUPS Elizabeth Circle Every second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. St. Paul’s Women of the ELCA Bible Study Group. Meet in the Music Library. All women are wel-come.
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP Second Saturday of every month at 7 a.m. Guys, come enjoy breakfast, Bible study & fellow-ship. Talk with Ian Gillespie for more info.
Youth & Family NEWS
Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 13th at 12pm
(high school and college age youth)
Their next meeting will be held Wednesday, Novem-
ber 9th at Chick-Fil-A in Mont Belvieu at 6:30pm. Bring a
friend and come share a meal and fellowship with us!
Please contact Donna Reavis to RSVP 936-336-0370.
Help needed! Please join the Youth & Family
meeting Sunday, November 13th @ noon in the Parlor. We need ideas to help youth become more involved in our church. Contact Donna Reavis with any questions.
Church Women United
World Community Day
November 11, 2016 at
Cedar Bayou Grace United
Methodist Church.
Registration @ 9:30 am,
Program @ 10:00 a.m. Brunch following program.
Board meeting to follow brunch.
Volunteer Opportunity
Also, I’m looking for a volunteer (man or woman) who
would like to serve as board representative for Church
Women United Child Care Center. Someone who has an
interest in children is preferable. The meetings are held
on the 1st Thursday of each month at 11 am. If interested
please contact Dorothy Johnston for more information.
Thank you, Dorothy Johnston
Women of the
Tuesday, November 15th @ 11:30AM Hurricane Tita’s in Oak Island Carpool from Lorrie Andrew’s house
Sign-up sheets for both events are in the Fellowship Hall
INREACH/OUTREACH NEWS continued
FIRST BIBLE MILESTONE BLESSING Sunday, November 27th
We will present a Bible to our three and four year olds to mark the beginning of their faith journey.
WELCA Christmas
Potluck Luncheon
& White Elephant Exchange
Sat., December 3rd at 11:30 a.m.
Please bring a dish to share
and invite a friend. ($10 limit on gift)
The Epistle November 2016
WORSHIP & MUSIC NEWS
Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 20th at 12pm
PROPERTY NEWS
Committee Meeting Sunday, Nov. 6th at 12pm
Many Thanks Has everyone noticed that a TV monitor has been in-
stalled in the Fellowship Hall? This truly was a group
effort. The monitor was donated by Rick Falconi. Rip and
Susan Clanton supplied the mounting brackets, Chris
Napier supplied the electrical hook up materials, and Rip,
Chris and Steve Burns did the actual installation.
The monitor will be used for special services but also for
announcements, happenings and upcoming events.
The Property Committee is in the process of installing
new hymnal racks for some of the pews. You may have
noticed that the veneer on some of the racks has dried
and split. This is a big job to re-create new racks. The ma-
terials being used was donated by Rip & Susan Clanton
and Rip, Hoya Ash, and Dalton Rein have been working on
the project.
Pastor Nancy has a new microphone, just like the rock
stars use! Her new microphone was donated by Rip &
Susan Clanton.
Tidings of Comfort and Joy A Midweek Advent Series
Weekly Themes Week 1: The Angel Speaks to Zechariah’s Fear
Week 2: The Angel Speaks to Joseph’s Confusion
Week 3: The Angel Speaks to Mary’s Doubt
Week 4: The Angel Speaks to the Shepherds’ Curiosity
Wednesday Nights at 7:00 p.m.
November 30th, December 7th, 14th, and 21st
Worship services will be held in the Fellowship Hall.
TRANSPORTATION
There will be two sign-up sheets: One for those who
are willing to provide transportation and the other for
people who need a ride to
and from the service.
A LL SAINTS SUNDAY
November 6th
We remember our St. Paul’s
saints and loved ones who have
finished their course and now
rest from their labors. You will be invited to light a
candle in their remembrance.
Dean Grant, Marjorie Poe, Glenn Mason,
Harold Eppley, Erna Buckels,
Vernon Caninenberg, Pat Witte, Alice Bosart,
Priscilla Busby, Amiel Scheibe
CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
November 20th Christ the King Sunday is the end of
the liturgical year and offers God's
revelation of the end. Through Jesus' throne, the
cross, forgiveness becomes the power that Jesus
Christ gives in the world.
Decorating the Sanctuary
for Advent Sun, November 20th
after worship. Please stay after wor-
ship and join in the decorating.
25 red poinsettias are available for purchase in
honor or memory of loved ones. The are $16 each.
You may put your payment in the offering plate with
the word “poinsettia” and your offering envelope
number written in the memo. Make check to St.
Paul’s Lutheran Church. There is a sign-up sheet in
the Fellowship Hall. You may take your poinsettias
home after the Christmas Eve worship service.
The Epistle November 2016
Treasurer’s Report From this statement you can see that the Balance Sheet for August, shows a negative $8,527.76 was received to meet the expenses YTD. In order to pay the bills, we have had to "borrow" from the designated accounts. We do not have the September closing balance yet, and we will publish that information when it is available.
National Night Out
German Dinner
The Epistle November 2016
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Minutes of Church Council Meeting October 10, 2016
Present: Pastor Nancy Simpson, Debbie Gillespie, Tena Burgess, Kim Holle, Renee Napier, Becky Linsenbardt, Lorrie Andrews, Ian Gillespie, Donna Reavis, Susan Clanton and Kevin Johnston (guest).
Lorrie Andrews gave the opening devotion.
Tena Burgess gave an overview of Chapter Three in the book What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty. Tena Burgess gave an overview of the social statement study booklet: Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement. Council discussed hosting a discussion group to review the study booklet. Tena will write up an article for the November epistle.
Approval of Minutes Minutes from the September Council meeting were approved as published in the Epistle.
Pastor’s Report Pastor informed Council that the Church of the Nazarene has volunteered to advertise our church events Pastor discussed the Religion in Politics webinar she attended. The Coastal Bay Conference will be held at St. Paul’s on October 18. The church will only need to provide coffee and water
only.
Treasurer’s Report Kim Holle informed Council that income exceeded expenditures marginally for the month of September. The Boy Scout
accounts have been closed and the balance of the accounts has been transferred to the church account and will be reported in October. Debbie Gillespie stated that the Boy Scout leader has returned the church keys.
Council discussed budgetary cuts for the 2017 budget. Council will continue to look at ways to cut expenses. Discussion included: janitorial services-reduction in services (number of cleaning and carpet cleaning); education-reduction in amount of material purchased; and inreach/outreach-reduction in the number of attendees to Synod Assembly (Pastor only to attend).
Old Business Review of facility policies- Council reviewed and made changes to the funeral policy. Witte Family Memorial-Pastor continues to call and leave messages in an attempt to make contact with the Witte family. After School Program- Kim Holle is waiting on a food reimbursement to close the account. Once received she will close the
account. Constitution Revision-Renee will review the constitution regarding term limits and report to Council at the November meeting.
New Business Review of Red Book timeline
October 30 Potluck dinner November 20 decorate the Sanctuary January 8 remove the decorations in the Sanctuary
Committee Updates Education- Becky Linsenbardt will speak with Rick Falconi regarding a Christmas Program. Worship & Music will discuss Advent services at their October meeting. In November, they will meet after the decorating on
November 20. Council discussed offering rides to members to attend Advent services. Two sign-up sheets will be set out. One for members that are interested in providing transportation, and another for those who need transportation.
Youth & Family- Donna stated that 24 tickets have been sold to date. Last year at this time, 39 had been pre-sold. Council members should arrive at 4 p.m. to set-up and prepare for the dinner.
Letters to Inactive members- Council discussed sending the letter for this year. Debbie Gillespie will ask Jada to print the previously sent letter for Council review.
Other Kevin Johnston attended the meeting. He proposed the idea of renting out the church to someone who would like to operate a daycare center at St. Paul’s. Council suggested/requested a business plan be presented. Respectfully submitted, Renee Napier
OCTOBER MEMORIALS
In Honor of: Walter & Rita Scholz 70th wedding anniversary Given By: Debbie & Ian Gillespie Designation: Family Choice
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church- ELCA 712 Schilling Avenue Baytown, TX 77520 Tel (281)422-9333 Fax (281)422-3648 Web Site: www.stpaulsbaytown.org Office Hours: 9:30AM-3:30PM, M-TH SUNDAY SCHEDULE: Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Nursery available STAFF: Rev. Nancy Simpson, Pastor Rick Falconi, Director of Music Ministries Jada Hylton, Director of Office Ministries
What a good looking bunch. Thank you to everyone for your support of the German Dinner!