Issue: XLII.a
October 15, 2023
Highlights
- Lifetree Cafe (this week!)
- Sunday School/Adult Bible Study
- Voters Meeting October 15
Features
- Weekly Devotion
- Theological Study (Difficult Scripture)
- Weekly Report
Stewardship Thought for the Week
Matthew 21:43 – “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.” The Pharisees were not bearing fruit. Though they were faithful to the letter of the Law in keeping the Sabbath, tithing, and all the rest, they neglected the heart of God’s will. The grace of God belongs at the center. Our giving and all our other good works flow forth from receiving God’s grace and living in that grace on a daily basis.
FINDING JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT… Do you have a difficult time reading the Old Testament? The key to understanding the Old Testament is to find Jesus. Issues, Etc., a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL, recently interviewed Dr. Reed Lessing and Dr. Andrew Steinmann, co-authors of the new book “The Messianic Message.” You can listen to this multi-part series at issuesetc.org/findingjesus.
Worship Service Information
Order of Service: Divine Service IV (p. 203)
Hymns
- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
- A Multitude Comes from the East and the West
- O God, Our Help in Ages Past
- In Thee Is Gladness
- We Praise You, O God
- Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng
Readings
- Isaiah 25:6-9
- Philippians 4:4-13
- Matthew 22:1-14
Birthdays/Baptisms/Anniversaries
Birthdays
- Denis Hardy (Oct 17)
- Thomas Michaud (Oct 21)
- Alan Marxhausen (Oct 21)
Baptisms
- Chase Calander (Oct 15)
- Brian Yeats (Oct 16)
- Waylon Dreyer (Oct 17)
- Michael Maurer (Oct 21)
Anniversaries
- Scott & Beth Totzke (Oct 18)
- Daniel & Miki Dreyer (Oct 20)
- Craige & Nancy Roeschlein (Oct 20)
Book of the Month
Envy, greed, gluttony, lust, anger, sloth, and pride are all vices and manifestations of unbelief. In Battle of the Soul, author Rev. Dr. Michael T. Fieberkorn explains how daily living of the Ten Commandments kills our unbelief.
Redefining the Aristotelian view of vice and virtue from Ethics, Martin Luther transforms their use for Gospel-centered living. Following this transformation, Fieberkorn combines them with the Ten Commandments to show you how you can fight the battle against daily sin, even the ones that seem harmless. Battle of the Soul includes relfection questions after each chapter, prayers to use after finishing the book, and a chart visually showing the connections between vice and virtue.
With clear connections between Luther’s teachings and our world today, this book will serve you as a how-to guide on living a Gospel-centered life.
Preorder at Concordia Publishing House or Amazon.com (kindle)
Serving Schedule
- Elder - Chad Calander
- Usher - Derek Marxhausen
- Reader - Logan Marxhausen
- Acolyte - Brock Theisen/Preston Kuseske
- Musician - Sue Drury
- Altar Guild - Joyce Mueller
- Media Booth - Thomas Michaud
- Fellowship - Kris Marxhausen/Joyce Mueller
- Sunday School/Youth - Tracy Roehl
Serving Next Week
- Elder - Chad Calander
- Usher -
- Reader - Chase Calander
- Acolytes - Brantley Frazier
- Musician - Jane Marquardsen
- Altar Guild - Joyce Mueller
- Media Booth -
- Fellowship - Cassie Yeats/Lane Frazier
- Sunday School/Youth - (teachers, please sign up!)
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!
Voting Members, please attend the 3rd Quarter Voters Meeting on Sunday, October 15th. Among other things, we will be electing officers. Please prayerfully consider serving on a board or on the council. We are especially in need of folks to serve on the Board of Christian Education and Youth, and the Board of Stewardship.
St. Paul’s Sunday School for all ages meets today!
Teachers, please sign up to teach on the Sunday School Teachers schedule found on the bulletin board just outside the Fellowship Hall. It is important that we know who is teaching at least 2 weeks in advance. This year we will also need someone to sign up to teach the Sunday Youth Group. If you have questions, please speak to Pastor. Parents, please make every effort to have your kids in church and Sunday School every week.
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, the fellowship hall is 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.
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.
OUR NEXT MEETING IS OCTOBER 18th at 7:00! See the intro video below. We will be talking about DREAMS and Nightmares!
Finances & Attendance
Stew Supper donations and Scholarship Silent Auction proceeds will be announced at the voters meeting
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!
Stew Supper News
Stew Supper was a great success, serving over 300 meals to many local families. Thank you everyone for supplying ingredients and working together to support this worthy community event and fund raiser.
The Silent Auction went well, with many baskets supplied with a variety of wonderful items. The Scholarship Fund is steadily growing! Thank you for supporting this Vision Team project.
Prayer Requests
Tom Litfin
Ray Halgren
Rev. Tim Lamkin
Gary Asher
Gloria Oien
"Remember this. When people choose to withdraw far from a fire, the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold. When people choose to withdraw far from light, the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness. This is also the case when people withdraw from God.”
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!
“Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 18:3
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” – 3 John 1:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4
We continue normal Adult Bible Study this Sunday. Pastor Carlson will lead the adult study this year.
This year we will walk through the Psalms using the Life by His Word series from Concordia Publishing House. Please bring your bible if you can.
