st. paul's news - october, 2010

8/8/2019 St. Paul's News - October, 2010

1/10

Another 9/11 has passed and all thetragedies of the day were recalled in avariety of ways. The TV gave coverage tomany of them. As I relived that day, onesmall TV piece came to light again. It wasjust one ten-second sound bite that hasbecome the staple of the medium. For justa moment, one of the people interviewedshared why he was not in Tower One ofthe WTC as he should have been. Hestopped to buy doughnuts for the office.He thought it would be a nice thing to do.

Because of this little thought and action on that fateful morning, his life was spared.There were others who experienced the same thing. One missed the bus. Anothersalarm clock didnt go off. A third got a blister because he wore a new pair of shoesand needed to stop at the drug store for a Band-Aid. There are any number of storieslike this, and the most common question after the sigh of relief that they were sparedwas/is, Why? People ask themselves if it was in Gods plan and why? Does God havea reason or purpose for me to have survived?

As an answer to that, let me say maybe. God does have the ability to alter each per-sons life in some ways, maybe even when a person stops to buy doughnuts for his co-workers. What I dont believe in is predestination. Our lives are not all mapped out withno possible deviation from a path. To believe in predestination denies one of Gods

(Continued on page 8)

news St. Pauls

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ST. PAULS EPISCOPAL CHURCHOCTOBER 2010 VOLUME 35, ISSUE 7

Church EventsOctober

1 CANTERBURYMSU FALL FEAST 3 BLESSING OFF THEBEASTS

4 4FS

10MITTENTREEAPPEARS,MSUV U-M FOOD DRIVE,MATTHEWSHEPPARD MEMORIALSERVICE, CROP WALK,

12 B&PW

16 NEWCOMERS CLASSES

17

INSTRUCTEDEUCHARIST,YOUTHCHRISTIANEDUCA-TION COMMITTEE, UNITY BRUNCH

9 BAPTISMCLASSES

18 4FS 30 FALLBLOOD DRIVE 31 MORNING PRAYER

By the Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

Little Things


2/10

Page 2

4 FsBy Nancy Sheldon

Please mark your calendars and join us for the 4 Fs Group in 2010-2011. This year, our meetings are the first andthird Mondays of each month (*exceptions noted). Anyone is invited who has time in the middle of the day!

12 noon Eucharist 12:30 p.m. Lunch ($4.00)

1 p.m. Bible Study (Steve Lange) 1:15-2 p.m. ProgramOctober 4 Potter Park Tour behind the scenesOctober 18 Maplewood Home for Women & Children (City Rescue Mission)November 1 Programs by Altar Guild and on KneelersNovember 15 Overview of Lutheranism by Amanda Highben of University Lutheran ChurchDecember 6 Someko Singers Christmas Celebration (with Melanie Walker and Emily Laub )*January 10 Program on Australia, Fiji and New Zealand by Nancy Rudd *January 24 Program on Autism, its causes and treatmentsFebruary 7 Visit to Eles Place (grief counseling for children)February 21 Rites of PassageMarch 7 Visit to Mt. Hope Assembly of God Church & Gideon Healing Center*March 9 (Ash Wednesday) to April 24 (Easter) 5 Lenten Book ReviewsMay 2 Visit the Buddhist Retreat Center (lunch & Eucharist at the Millars )May 16 Annual Picnic, book review, planning session at Nancy Sheldons

Canterbury FallFeast FundraiserBy the Rev. Deacon

William Fineout

The Canterbury MSU, Episcopalchaplaincy at Michigan State Uni-versity, is having its Fall Feast &Auction fundraiser on Friday, Octo-ber 1 at 6 p.m. at All Saints Episco-pal Church. Great food, marvelousfellowship, and a fun way to sup-port our campus mission is offered.Help the students pay for program-ming and a spring break missiontrip by buying a ticket for $30.We have a table of 10 reservedfor St. Pauls. Please see DeaconBill.

St. Pauls Hat &Mitten Tree for2010By Dorothy Marsh

On October 10, a tree will ap-pear in the cloisters. Each year,the Giving Tree arrives andmagically sprouts gloves, mit-tens, scarves and hats. Well, ofcourse, its not just magic sinceeach of us contributes pieces ofits decorations. Still it is a joyfulfeeling to see it grow weeklyand know that its fruits will be

shared and bring pleasure andwarmth to so many. All sizes,shapes and colors are welcome,and you are invited to partici-pate in growing this bountywhich will be delivered to Chris-tian Services Love Closet atJudson Memorial Church.

Blessing of theBeastsBy the Very Rev. Dr.

Gordon F. Weller

On October 3, the Sunday closestto St. Francis Day, we will have aBlessing of the Beasts service at 3p.m. Please consider bringing yourpet for blessing and prayer. Ourpets represent the unconditionallove of God and, when coupledwith the blessing, offer a very posi-tive message. Refreshments will beserved.


3/10

Page 3

Newcomer?By the Very Rev. Dr.

Gordon F. Weller

Are you new to the parish? Havequestions about the EpiscopalChurch? Questions about St. Pauls?Want to explore what membershipmeans? Consider coming to a classoffered on Saturday, October 16,at 9:30 a.m. We will try to answerall your questions at that time. Inaddition, All Saints Sunday, Novem-ber 7, is when we welcome by nameand individual recognition our newfall members. Please identify your-self to Fr. Weller or Evangelismchair, Sally Lawrence , so you canbe included. In addition, there is aNewcomer dinner on Saturday eve-ning, November 6, beginning at 6p.m. There will be more news as weget closer to that date.

B&PWBy Nancy Rudd, Presi-dent

The October meeting of theB&PW Guild is Tuesday,October 12. We will meetin the Hill Room at 6 p.m.for dinner and a businessmeeting. Our program willbe a talk by Bill Fineout.Please call Debby Pierce for a reservation. Dinner is$8. Join us for an eveningof delicious food, a pro-gram, and great compan-ionship.

Baptisms onNovember 7All Saints Sunday, at the10 a.m. Service

It will again be time for our fallbaptisms. In preparation for thissacrament of initiation, we havescheduled one class on October 9for all people, including parents

and Godparents for children. It willbegin at 9:30 am and last until11:30. Depending on the numberinvolved, there may be a need forother classes. They will be scheduledat the participants request. If inter-ested, please contact Fr. Weller and/or the parish office to reservea time.

U-M v. MSU at St. PaulsBy the Rev. Deacon William Fineout

Who will win the football game? The importantquestion is who will win the St. Pauls U-M v. MSUfood drive! Once again, this fall classic of food anddonations for the Greater Lansing Food Bank willhappen here at St. Pauls. Starting September 24and finishing on Sunday, October 10, we ask eachof you to step up and donate on behalf of yourteam. According to our organizers, Pat and TonySmith and Nancy and Pete Sheldon , the U-M teamis the decided underdog based upon past drives.Details will be posted in the Sunday bulletins.

Matthew SheppardMemorial ServiceBy the Very Rev. Dr Gordon F. Weller

Once again, on the Sunday closest to MatthewSheppards Martyrdom date, St. Pauls will conducta Eucharist service of worship that speaks outagainst hate crimes. Please plan on attending Octo-ber 10, at 7 p.m., and let your presence voice yoursupport.

CROP Walk 2010By Barbara Heany, Vestry Member

Please join St. Pauls Youth Group as it walks in the 34th Annual Greater Lansing CROP Walk on 10/10/10. CROPHunger Walks are sponsored by Church World Services and help children and families worldwide with 25 percent ofthe proceeds staying right here in our own community to aid services such as Advent House Ministries, The Garden Pro-ject, Volunteers of America, among others. Our goal this year is to raise at least $1,100. A local anonymous donor haspledged $50 to each church that increases its previous years total by 10 percent. Please visit our CROP walk table inthe Merrifield Room where more information will be available. If you arent able to walk, please consider supportingSt. Pauls Youth Group with your pledges. Together we can help stomp out hunger!


4/10

Page 4

Instructed EucharistBy the Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

On Sunday, October 17, we will have an instructedEucharist in place of the sermon at the 10 a.m. ser-vice. Because the Eucharist is such an important partof our worship, we want to understand the variousparts and their development as best we can. Variouspersons will intersperse the morning Eucharist withcomments to edify. Please plan on being present.

Fall Blood DriveBy Elisabeth Richardson

October 30 is the Fall Blood Drive at St. Pauls.Please save the date. We need people to give

blood, provide sandwiches, work the blood drive, setup and teardown, and call participants. To sign up,you may call Elisabeth Richardson at 372-1369 oremail [email protected]. You will also be able tosign up at both church services on Sundays startingOctober 3. If you have friends or neighbors whogive blood, get them signed up to give at our drive.As it is the day before Halloween, please feel freeto come in costume. The Merrifield Room will be fes-tively decorated and there will be treats, with veryfew tricks. Thank you.

Morning PrayerBy the Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

For the last 30 or more years, Eucharist has been our primary service of worship on Sunday morning. But there is an-other service that was once used more frequently and is missed by many. It too can be used in the worship of God. It isMorning Prayer. On Sunday, October 31 (the fifth Sunday of the month), we will have the service of Morning Prayeras our principal service at 10 a.m. Please understand that we are not trying to replace Eucharist with Morning Prayer.We are not returning to a previous time. We are trying to offer the widest variety of services in our worship of Godas we possibly can. This throwback service will please some, confuse others, and irritate some, but we hope it ener-gizes all in their worship of God.

Youth Christian EducationCommitteeThe Youth Christian Education Committee is looking fornew members to join us as we plan and provide guid-

ance and direction of our Youth Christian Educationprogram. The Committee meets on the 3rd Sunday ofthe month immediately following the 10 a.m. service.

New Nursery AttendantBy the Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

Mrs. Christine Corcoran is our nursery attendant onSunday mornings. Christine is an MSU student enrolled

in Elementary Education. She comes with experienceand enthusiasm. Please stop by the nursery and wel-come her.

CarsINCBy John Irwin

We are pleased to report that the 14 th car that CarsINC has placed is going to James. He is from the Sudan and is a stu-dent at Grand Valley State. The placement of this car was made possible in part by the generous donation for the Suda-nese Advancement Foundation.

We are eager to report that CarsINC now accepts Laptop computers and iPods for recycling. This is in addition to our cellphones, inkjet and toner cartridges. You can not only help keep the environment green but help to place automobileswhere they can do the most good.


5/10

Page 5

Financial Information as of August 31, 2010

By Julie Young, Treasurer

Pledge income in August was $25,385. This brings year to date total pledge income to $193,448, which is 58 percent ofthe annual budget amount. Operations for August had a net loss of $13,576.

There was one transfer required from the investment account into the operating account during August for $10,000. Anadditional $20,000 transfer was made from the Perpetual Fund and was given as a loan to Father and Linda Weller pervestry authorization. Payment in full, plus interest, is expected on this loan within 90 days.

The investment accounts/funds had a net loss of $17,288 for the month.

Vestry HighlightsOn September 22, 2010 your Vestry:

Had a meal togetherDid devotions together, Deacon Bill Fineout providingleadership, on the new Diocesan program, RSVP(summarized elsewhere in this issue)Had a long discussion with Joe DeLuca, from Maner,Costerisan and Ellis about the cost overrun of our newserverReview the Clergy pension optionsReceived an update on the Pictorial DirectoryReviewed the Church credit card applicationReceived a report on the float scheduled to be in theSilver Bells paradeReminded Vestry that calling of parishioners will need

to take place during the stewardship campaignHeard a reminder that all meetings, however small,need to be cleared through Kathleen in the front of-fice

Heard a synopsis of RSVPBrainstormed ideas about electronic communication

and evangelismWere reminder about Canterbury Fall FeastWere reminded about the dates we have signed upfor to provide dinner for the Canterbury MSU stu-dentsReceived a treasurer's report synopsis found else-where in this issueReceived various Committee reportsDid a mini janitorial reviewHad a mini sound system reviewRatified or pledge to the diocese ($45,503)Pass a motion for include the office managersdaughter in health insuranceApproved money for first aid training for some ushersso they could come back to train other ushers

Needlepoint NewsMandy Lawton, Chairperson

A new memorial kneeler was installed this summer. Gordon and Nancy Milne had the kneeler made in memory of theFrost Family.

The Frosts were long time members of St. Paul's. The Kneeler was stitched by Mary Tuckey, Nancy Milne, and Sue Millar.The kneeler is on the left side of the church by the third pillar. Please take a look at the new "silent beauty" for St. Paul's.

The needlepoint committee refurnished the chair seats in the chapel. These seats had the original filling in them. They aremore comfortable now for our ministers.


6/10

Page 6

New Youth Group Blazes aTrail at St. PaulsBy Barbara Heany, Vestry Member

For the first time ever, St. Pauls will have a youthgroup to accommodate Grades 4 and 5. As our par-ish grows in vibrancy, with more and more youth, wehave felt the need for a fellowship for our youngeryouth approaching middle school. Larissa Clark willbe the Youth Coordinator. Lets all give Larissa ourlove and support as she blazes a trail into the futureof this much needed ministry.

Youth Group PotluckPlanning MeetingBy Barbara Heany, Vestry Member

Parents and youth (grades 4-12) met on September 19to organize and plan fellowship events and outreachprojects for the coming year. All three youth groupsshared a meal together and then broke off into theirindividual groups:

the newly formed intermediate group for grades 4& 5 led by Larissa Clark the junior high group for grades 6-8 led by BarbHeany , and senior high group led by Judi Brown-Clarke .

The youth groups are looking forward to an excitingyear. Look for a schedule of events in next months SPNissue.

Prayer Lists to be Divided into Short Term and Long TermBy the Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

In October, we will begin asking those nominating friends or family to our parish prayer list to let us know if prayers areneeded weekly or over the long haul. Names will be removed from the short-term list after four weeks, and names willremain on the long-term list indefinitely by request. The long-term prayer list will be published in the church newslettermonthly and placed in one Sunday bulletin during the month. The short term list will appear in each Sunday bulletin.

We have some individuals and families who are facing long-term illnesses or recovery periods who still need our prayersbut are not immediately in peril. They have asked that we start a long-term prayer list to keep them in mind and theirbattles before God, but they dont need their names mentioned every Sunday.

We will also continue to have the St. Aelreds visitation and call list for all those who find themselves unable to attendSunday services.

RSVPBy the Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

Here is a logo and some initials you will be hearing a lot of in the coming months

and years. The initials stand for Revitalization and Strategic Vision Planning forthe Diocese of Michigan. They represent the Diocesan attempt to achieve a common vision and goal for all the parishes.During the coming months and years, we will have special events and messages that will be used around the Diocese tohelp start and promote this effort. A group from across the Diocese has been working on this for almost a year. It is sched-uled to make a presentation to the whole diocese at the convention in October.


7/10

Page 7

October 3 Cherubs, Boys and Grace, High School

October 10 High School, Chancel



October 31* Chancel Choir (*Because this is a Morn-

ing Prayer Sunday, the Boys and GraceChoirs and the High School Choir will bein church school classes for the entiretime of the service.)

November 7 Boys and Grace, High School, Chan-cel* (Because it is All Saints Sunday)

November 14 High School, Chancel



Singing ScheduleDate Choirs Date Choirs

Choir News

Choir Newsletter

A big welcome back to all the choristers and their families. It was great to have all of you together on September12. What a wonderful, uplifting, exciting addition you were to the service. It was indeed a joyful noise (emphasis onjoyful!) that you made. Your gift of time and talent enriched and blessed all those present. Thank you!

Special Dates to Save:Cherubs will sing for the Harvest Home service on Wednesday, November 24

The Choir Auction for England Choristers will be Sunday, May 1, 2011, right after church. We greatly appreciateyou thinking about what you might be willing to donate for this auction. This fun event is always the most importantpart of our fundraisers. Thanks! More details will be forthcoming!

New Choir Vestments to be dedicatedAfter nearly 40 years of service, the vestments for the High School Choir are being retired. Through the generosity ofmoney given in memory of Edward Farmer , new vestments that can be machine washed (instead of dry cleaned) and thatare made of a synthetic/cotton blend and not of wool have been purchased and will be dedicated at the 10 a.m. serviceon Sunday, October 3. The color of the vestments will remain blue and will be interchangeable with the adult vestments,

allowing for more versatility in their use. The choristers are especially grateful for these new vestments.


8/10

Page 8

Requests for PrayerWe pray for those who are sick and in need: CindyRobinson, Shelley Robinson, Mason Hill, LoisCaswell, Marjorie Belles, Barb Powers, Skip &Marsha Macholz, Tom Foltz, Bill, Jan Bigham,Max Sutton, John & Grace Hawkins, Maureen,Noah, Jared Miller, Pat Amundson, Emilio Garcia,Lloyd Law, Ray Benner, Andrea Ingraham, Mary-Lea Benson, Jacob Thomas, Pat Reno, RuthAnnLubben, Lee Kinney, Ellie Freed, Raymond White,Susan Irish, and Marquerite Upham .

We pray and remember those in the Military, serv-ing in dangerous areas: Jeff Doorlag and JustinMurphy .

We pray for comfort for the family & friends ofArmy Ranger Spc. Bradley Rappuhn, Martha Flo-res and Steve Berger , who recently passed away.

We pray for and celebrate the birth of BenjaminDavid Hall to parents Kym & Matt Hall , and bigsister, Hannah ; and Mallory Lane Barris to parentsSacha Mallory & Seth Barris .

We pray for guidance and continual help in all ourdoings here at St. Pauls.

Mission and Outreach Activities

Where is Christ calling you to help others?October

10 Crop Walk, Food Drive ends, Christian Ser-vices Hat and Mitten Tree begins

30 Fall Blood Drive

1 Canterbury MSU Fall Feast & Auction

3 Canterbury MSU dinner at St. Pauls

Housing Assistance Fund, Fruit & Greens Sale

November

TBD ECW United Thank Offering

14-21 Thanksgiving Baskets

December

Sudanese Education Fund

24-25 Layette Gifts for the Christ child

Ongoing

1st Sunday Manna Sunday, loose and dedicated offer-ings for street ministry, busing and work boots;Youth Noisy Offering for local charities

Heifer Gift Cards

Prayer Quilts

CarsINC

Habitat for Humanity

5 Canterbury MSU dinner at St. Pauls

greatest gifts: free will. What I do believe is that Godcontinually provides opportunities, and we are called todo what is good and right. We should always be lookingfor these opportunities. What I do believe is that time isin Gods control and that we worry too much about it. Allwe can do is manage it to the best of our ability. But,when something happens to upset our control, we shouldnot be overly upset at the interruption in our schedule. Itshould be seen as a chance to practice the love of Godin another way, perhaps in a different place then werewe thought wed be.

See you in Church Sunday. That is unless youre detainedalong the way. God may want to encounter you in Godstime and place. God may have a job for you; be look-ing for it.

(Continued from, Little Things page 1)

Rick Laub and Doug Holmes teamed to top the St. Paul'sMen's Golf League at Groesback Golf Course on Au-gust 26. They defeated Jim Huber and Jon Fancher inthe final match for the 2010 championship. This is thesixth year for the two-member team championship, andSt. Paul's has not yet seen anyone as a repeat cham-pion. While the finalist's dueled for the trophy, the restof the league finished their year with a crazy "fun"scramble followed by dinner and the awards ceremonyheld in the Merrifield Room. See you next year!


9/10

Page 9


10/10

Page 10

218 W. Ottawa

Lansing, MI 48933Phone: 517-482-9454Fax: 517-485-8621Choir Room: 517-482-0369Website: Stpaulslansing.org

St. Paul's Episcopal ChurchLansing Michigan

Non Profit Org.US POSTAGE

PAIDLANSING, MI

Permit 1621

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The St. Pauls News is a publication of St. Pauls Episcopal

Church, Lansing Michigan.

St. Pauls Episcopal Church Staff

The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller, Rector

Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

The Rev. Richard Sauerzopf, Priest Assistant

The Rev. Deacon William H. Fineout

Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music

Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager

St. Pauls News Editorial Staff

Christine Caswell, Editor

Lyn Zynda, Layout Editor

If you no longer wish to receive these mailings, please call the church office (517) 482-9454,any time of the day or night and leave a message to be taken off our mailing list.

st. paul's news - october, 2010

Documents