Issue: XXXVII.a
September 10, 2023
Highlights
- Outdoor Service Next Sunday!
- Sunday School/Pre-Confirmation Resumes
- Lifetree Cafe Intro
- Senior Social Day this Thursday
- Upcoming Concert
Features
- Weekly Devotion
- Theological Study (Heresies)
- Weekly Report
Stewardship Thought for the Week
Matthew 18:4 – “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” What does it mean to have childlike faith? Certainly Jesus does not want us to have a faith that is childish — we are not called to ignorance or silliness. Rather, we are called to trust the way a child trusts: with complete confidence in the Father. We show that confidence in our lives when we follow His directives for our life. Father knows best, so we’ll take His advice!
KIDS HAVE QUESTIONS SERIES… Have your children or grandchildren ever asked you questions about Science & Faith; The Problem of Evil & Suffering; Sexuality & Identity; Heaven, Death & Dying; Relationships, Life Issues and Mental Health? Issues, Etc., a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL, has a series that can help you answer those questions. You can listen to the entire series on-demand at issuesetc.org/kidshavequestions.
Worship Service Information
Order of Service: Divine Service III
Hymns
- The Law of God Is Good and Wise
- My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker
- How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
- “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive”
- Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment
Readings
- Ezekiel 33:7-9
- Romans 13:1-10
- Matthew 18:1-20
Birthdays/Baptisms/Anniversaries
Birthdays
- Shane Hill (Sept 10)
- Lane Marxhausen (Sept 10)
Baptisms
- Bonnie Giese (Sept 15)
Anniversaries
(none)
Book of the Month
The Messianic Message: Predictions, Patterns, and the Presence of Jesus in the Old Testament
People typically associate Jesus and look for Him in the New Testament. However, we do see instances of Jesus throughout the Old Testament. In The Messianic Message R. Reed Lessing and Andrew E. Steinmann go through each book of the Old Testament and explain each prediction, pattern, and presence of Jesus.
This book intended for lay people, helps readers understand Jesus’ role and how these instances were beginning to lay the groundwork for His birth and ministry in the New Testament. Study the Old Testament through a Christ-centered lens in The Messianic Message and continue building your faith foundation and strengthening your relationship with the Messiah.
Order at Concordia Publishing House or Amazon.com (kindle)
Serving Schedule
- Elder - Steve Calander
- Usher - Derek Marxhausen
- Reader - Kris Marxhausen
- Acolytes - Lauren Foster/Ella Roehl
- Musician - Jane Marquardsen
- Altar Guild - Laurie Maurer
- Media Booth - Landon/Lane Marxhausen
- Fellowship - Jen VanDonsel/Sue Drury
Serving Next Week (Next week we have the outdoor service!)
- Elder - Steve Calander
- Usher - Travis Bemboom
- Reader - Craige Roeschlein
- Acolyte -Brayden T./Preston K.
- Musician - Sue Drury
- Altar Guild - Laurie Maurer
- Media Booth - N/A
- Fellowship - Sarah M./April B.
If you are unable to keep your scheduled serving day, please contact the church at least a few days before the service so there is time to find a replacement. Thank you!
St. Paul’s Sunday School for all ages begins Sunday, September 17th! We will have an outdoor service (at the Memorial Garden) to kick off the year.
All the materials for this year are in! Pastor will have them ready to go for our teachers and students.
Teachers, please sign up to teach on the Sunday School Teachers schedule found on the bulletin board just outside the Fellowship Hall. The full years’ schedule is posted. If you have questions, please speak to Pastor. Parents, please make every effort to have your kids in church and Sunday School every week.
7-12 Grade Youth, Pastor Carlson will meet with you on the 17th during Fellowship Time to talk about the year. You are strongly encouraged to be in the youth group room. We have much to discuss and plan.
What is Lifetree Cafe, and why is St. Paul’s doing it? Simply put, Lifetree Cafe is an opportunity for St. Paul’s to reach out into the community through simple and helpful conversation, to fulfill our mission to “Grow together as God’s family in worship, fellowship, outreach, education, and service,” and to help those in our community who do not know the love of Christ.
Every first and third Wednesday, beginning September 20th (7:00pm), the fellowship hall will be setup like a comfortable, cozy, and FREE “cafe” where everyone is welcome to come, enjoy delicious cafe food and beverages, and to take part in a 1-hour conversation-centered experience led by a series of video-based topics and pre-scripted questions and activities. Topics range from simple, day-to-day matters such as stress, vacations, family issues, and even to matters of faith, theology, and spirituality.
Every member of St. Paul’s is invited and encouraged to attend, and to invite friends. In fact, your inviting people to Lifetree Cafe is VERY important! While there will be plenty of marketing throughout the community and online, word-of-mouth is always the best way. You are also encouraged to volunteer. We will need baristas (people who make coffee-based drinks) and servers, and on occasion we’ll need someone to lead the discussion.
Speak to Pastor if you have interest or have more questions about Lifetree Cafe. And please do pray for this endeavor, that it bear good fruit and draw sinners to the cross of Christ.
Finances & Attendance
Please continue to prayerfully commit to supporting the ministry of St. Paul’s through your regular offerings, and to take part in the worship and educational opportunities afforded. St. Paul’s is here for you, your kids, and your neighbor!
Dave Anderson and Roger Walck Concert
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is hosting Dave Anderson and Roger Walck in concert on Friday, September 22nd at 7:00 pm.
Dave and Roger have a combined 100 years’ experience in music ministry! There will be sing alongs, familiar songs and hymns, lots of laughs and more.
Dave and Roger are also ambassadors for Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat, a retreat for church workers who are facing burn-out, stress, depression, or other conflicts. Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat is in Arizona.
You will also hear about the harrowing and famous “Rescue,” a plane crash in the Bering Sea in August of 1993, a story well known throughout the Lutheran church.
Come, listen, sing, and enjoy Dave Anderson and Roger Walck in concert, September 22nd! And as always, bring a friend or two.
Prayer Requests
Tom Litfin
Ray Halgren
Rev. Tim Lamkin
Gary Anderson
Gary Asher
"Be ashamed when you sin, don't be ashamed when you repent...Satan has overturned this order and given boldness to sin and shame to repentance."
Are you saving your Teals receipts and turning them in? Every dollar you spend at Teals returns a percentage back to St. Paul’s, but you have to save your receipts and turn them in regularly. Speak to Jane Marquardsen if you have questions!
The first day of Sunday School is September 17th! To celebrate the occasion, we will open the year with a call to all our kids and their friends to join us for an outdoor service, followed by and opening celebration in the Sanctuary.
It’s time for our kids to return to church and to learn about their Lord and Savior! Let’s work to make this year’s Sunday School full of kids, youth, and adults.
Join us on September 17th for the outdoor service where we dedicated the Jean Larsen & Joyce VanDonsel Memorial Garden!
Continuing this Sunday, the Sunday morning Adult class will walk through the second module of the Re:Vitality series. This module deals with inactive members and how to reach out to them and encourage them to return to regular worship. Remember, this is about eternal life matters! We should not let our inactives slip too far from us. Please attend this video-driven module which will run through August and part of September.
