What we believe makes all the difference in the

world, or at least it should. This year, we as

Lutherans celebrate the 500th year of the

Reformation. Many other denominations

celebrate along with us as they had their roots

in this same movement. Central or the core to

our celebration is what we believe and how

that changes us, our families, and our world

around us. What we believe is not just a set of cold hard doctrinal statements, but is something

that brings purpose, gives us peace, and brings life to those who share these same beliefs.

What do we believe about: God, the Word of God, creation, humanity, grace, the

Means of Grace, growing in grace, the church, prayer, our role in society, the end times?

During Luther’s life, 500 years ago the church was filled with false teaching on all these key

doctrines. This was having a devastating effect on the church and the state. People were being

abused by both the church and the state and this left them filled with uncertainty and fear.

Church and State issues were hopelessly confused and mixed together. Luther was bold and

courageous and took his stand on the truths of Grace alone, Scripture alone and Faith alone.

He understood the role of the Christian, the role of the church and the role of good govern-

ment. He understood that we are all sinners and that only through the suffering and death of

Jesus Christ which paid for our sin, can we be saved. He understood that education for all

people would make them better. He wanted the common man to be able to read and

understand and live fuller lives based on their true understanding.

As we approach our big 500th anniversary celebration the last Sunday of October, we

will teach, beginning August 13th, these important fundaments and how they impacted Luther

and his world and how they impact us today. I hope our hearts and minds are renewed and

reformed by the great truth of God’s Word. I hope you will join us as we share our rich

Reformation heritage based on the truth rediscovered by Luther and other reformers.

Issue 7– AUGUST 2017

We are passionate followers of JESUS, making disciples by eagerly connecting the community with the faith, hope, and love that transforms.

Pastor Ron Pennekamp, Senior Pastor

www.stpaullakeland.org

Workshop on iNeighborhood The simple thrust of iNeighborhood is to connect others to Jesus. We do so

when we put love in action toward others and when we share our faith story–ways

that we truly BLESS others.

Bruce Jaeger will explain the simple concepts and practices of iNeighborhood.

He’ll energize us to be “iGo” people and equip us with tools and ideas on how to

do this. Bruce has presented this workshop to hundreds of pastors, lay leaders,

and folks who have a heart for others. Join us on September 9th from 8:30am to

4:00pm in Room 102 of the middle school. Reserve your seat (and lunch) by signing up in the

Welcome Center or by contacting Becky Howell in the church office.

August 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Connecting at St. Paul

Connecting is published monthly by

St. Paul Lutheran Church 4450 Harden Blvd.

Lakeland, FL 33813 stpaul@stpaullakeland.org

863-644-7710

♦ SENIOR PASTOR

Ron Pennekamp

♦ ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Andy Ritchie

♦ HMONG PASTOR

Zong Yang

♦ MINISTER OF MUSIC

Gloria Klockziem

♦ DIRECTOR OF

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Nick Moss

♦ DIRECTOR OF VISITATION

Peter Herbert

♦ PRINCIPAL

Robert Boyd

♦ EARLY CHILDHOOD

Dr. Kelly Oglialoro

♦ SERVICES

Sunday Morning 8:30am—Worship &

Children’s Church 9:45-10:45am—

Children’s Ministries & Adult Bible Studies

Ten47am—Contemporary Worship & Children’s Church

♦ HMONG SERVICES Sunday Morning

9am Choir & Bible Study 10:45am Worship

“CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY TO CHRIST”

scan for website

Generosity Confirms Love in the Midst of Imperfection

During life, as in death, cherished values manifest in the objects of bounty we choose.

Generosity confirms the value we place on people and things. A reliable barometer of devo-

�on can be traced to the recipients of our generosity. Such an act affirms our allegiances.

In the events of the first family, God’s Word records Adam’s children’s generosity

towards God. Genesis 4:3-7 records, “In the course of �me Cain brought to the Lord an

offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of

their fat por�ons.” No�ce the difference? One brought the best; one brought some.

The record con�nues, “And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain

and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to

Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be

accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you

must rule over it.” The next thing we are told is that Cain killed his brother Abel in a jealous

rage, while in the field.

It’s remarkable to see that God’s generosity was evident even in this tragedy. He

restored the murderer to a life of increase. Adam and Eve were given another son, Seth.

Scripture tells us that “At that �me people began to call upon the name of the Lord.”

The imperfect cycle began in Genesis and con�nues to this day. We live in a flawed

world where disharmony is o8en the norm, and love is replaced by greed. Yet God’s grace

con�nues within us. We are made in His image. In that grace, we express generosity, aligned

to our priori�es. For more informa�on, contact Jim Pennington, SPLC Gi8 Planning Counselor,

at 863-370-0305 or james.pennington@lfnd.org

About the Can Tab Program

Shriners Hospitals for Children in

Springfield and Boston have been

collec�ng pull-tabs or "pop-tops"

from beverage cans since 1989,

recycling them, and puFng the

money toward programs that

directly benefit children. Since its

incep�on, about a half-million

pounds of aluminum tabs have been

collected and recycled.

Did you know: The tabs are the

only pure aluminum part of the can,

and the cans may s�ll be returned

for deposit even a8er the tabs are

removed.

Start saving your tabs today and

help SPLS 4th

graders next year meet

their upcoming goal!

HMONG UPDATE FROM PASTOR YANG John 16:33—Jesus told his disciples “In this world

you will have trouble. But take heart! I have

overcome the world.”

Jesus summed up all he had told His disciples on

the night He was arrested, in these words, He told

them to take courage. In spite of the inevitable

struggles they would face, they would not be alone.

Jesus does not abandon us to our struggles either.

If we remember that the ultimate victory has already

been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the

most troublesome times.

As you may already know, my wife Neng had a

minor stroke July 3rd, staying overnight in the

hospital. A week later, on July 13th, she went back to

the hospital and a Cat Scan X-Ray showed that she

had a brain hemorrhage, probably caused by the

blood thinner she has been taking over the past ten

years. Now the doctors have taken her off of three

types of medications she was taking. She is home but

needs to minimize her routine around the house.

I certainly want to thank you for your prayers

and your words of encouragement. Please keep our

family in your prayers.

—Pastor Zong Yang

Staffing News We are glad to welcome Dr. Melody Poole to

a part-�me posi�on assis�ng the principal. She

will s�ll serve primarily as one of our first

grade teachers. She will bring her exper�se to

curriculum development, teacher in-service

training, and teacher mentoring. It is a great

blessing to have this energe�c, innova�ve, and

faithful individual take on this role.

Mrs. Amber Conner has joined our staff as a

part-�me teacher three a8ernoons per week

in Dr. Melody Poole's first grade classroom.

She has six years of experience and formerly

taught first grade at South McKeel Academy.

She will definitely be an asset and a great

partner to Dr. Poole.

Mrs. Mary Umscheid has returned to our staff

to teach elementary (K-5) technology classes

and to serve as an on-site technology

coordinator. She had served in a version of

this capacity a few years ago and we are

delighted to have her return.

The following individuals are taking on new

roles this fall:

♦ Mrs. Laura Brickey - 3rd

Grade A home-

room working alongside Miss Denise

Gosch in 3B

♦ Mrs. Leah Horsman - Kindergarten A

homeroom working alongside Mrs. Julie

VanWinkle KB

♦ Mrs. Daniela Sykora - PK 4's B working

alongside Mrs. Rebecca Boyd PK 4's A

♦ Dr. Kelly Oglialoro - Early Childhood

Director, opera�ng our Early Childhood

Enrichment Center (ECEC) and PK 3's and

4's. Dr. Oglialoro started in her new

posi�on June 12 and is off to a great start.

SPLS AUCTION 2017 October 27th At The Rocking H Ranch

An evening of fellowship, fundraising and food in a Boots & Pearls-themed setting. This event is the one and only PTO fundraiser and your participation will allow us to raise the funds needed for the 2017-18 school year. Each year, local businesses, school families and individuals partner with us to underwrite the cost of our school auction. Interested in sponsorship? Contact Kim Burke at 813-523-6866. If you are unable to be a sponsor, please consider donating a ($20-$30) bottle of wine for our Wine Pull or by donating gift cards from Publix or area restaurants. Items can be dropped off at the Welcome Center (labeled PTO Auction). Thank you!

We do not get asked directly as often as we would think. We would expect to be asked because we work with children. We would really expect to be asked because this is a faith based ministry. But we do not very often get asked what we believe. I could assume that our

website and our handbooks and even inquiries into the denomination of our supporting congregation might have answered some of those questions. Some questions might have been answered by our dedicated and loving teachers and staff. However, we would still like to be asked what we believe about this world, about our place in it, about what purpose there is in life, and what we can do about the many challenges of human existence.…we would still like to be asked what we believe about children, about their nature, about their ability to grow and achieve, about the best ways to interact with them and train them, and about what they need.

This school year is a particularly appropriate one for us to focus on what we believe. October 31st this fall marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. This may not be an event that registers with everyone. However, the Reformation was not only a turning point in clarifying what we believe as people of the Christian faith but it also was a major turning point in the history of society.

What started as simple questions posed by a sincere Roman Catholic monk, turned into a revolution in thinking about the Christian faith and the roles of the scriptures, God’s grace, and human faith in the lives of common ordinary people. And it also shaped what we believe about children and about education and about our place in the world, both earthly and spiritually.

The monk’s name? Martin Luther. What did he do? Well, he read the scriptures. What did he find? He found God’s grace. He found it as a free gift from God through the work of Jesus, not something to be earned or bought. And he found that God’s Word had power to change his life and the lives of anyone who read it. So he translated it into the language of the people. God’s timing connected Luther’s revelation with the invention of the printing press and soon the Bible was in the hands of the “priesthood of believers.” That is you, and me, and all our children.

So here are some thoughts about what we, at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, believe.

• 1st Article: We believe in God, the Father and creator. We believe every child is uniquely created in God’s image and is loved by Him. Through grit and a growth mindset, every child can accomplish amazing things.

• 2nd Article: We believe in Jesus Christ, our redeemer. We believe every child falls short of doing what is right, but through simple faith in Jesus, every child can be forgiven, restored, and empowered to make great choices.

• 3rd Article: We believe in the Holy Spirit, who plants and nurtures faith. We believe every child can grow in knowledge and in understanding of God’s Word and apply those lessons through a life of servant leadership.

• We believe we are part of a worldwide Christian community that shares joys and sorrows on earth and the promise of an eternal home. We believe every child can help make the world a better place through prayer, word, and actions.

In His Service, Robert Boyd, Principal

Talks with Luther Vol. 13

Dear Friends in Christ, It is the start of our second year together sharing the Gospel of our Risen Lord, the teachings of Martin Luther, and the life of my pound puppy, Luther the Dachshund. I have tried every month to write about Martin Luther’s teachings but to start the second year I thought, for this month, I would approach things a bit differently. As many of you know, I have been going through cataract surgery on both eyes. My right eye was done on July 11th and the other one followed on July 25th.

Many of you have had this procedure done so you will know what I am talking about. I cannot believe how this has changed my vision! Out of my right eye, things are sharp and clear, color is amazing and I find myself actually impatient to get the left eye done. Depth perception is out of whack because I am now looking through old and new eyes at the same time.

In essence I have been given the chance to look at things in an old, discolored way like we would see as the sinful beings that we are by nature. At the same time, I can now see the world through a sharp, accurate lens that allows me to see no distortion, true color and the wonder that God intended things to be seen. I have to tell you, I much prefer the new, true way everything is!

This is how living life in Jesus Christ is. Everything is clear…colors are true…the world is a beautiful place! Living our lives with Christ at the center makes everything clear, sharp and true. Out of my left eye, things are still discolored, out of focus and distorted. Much like trying to live life without our Savior!

This is why we have so much strife and discord in this world we live in. So many people, for whatever reason, do not know the truth about living in God’s light. Whether they have chosen a religion that is not centered on the forgiveness of Jesus Christ and the Cross of Salvation or have the arrogant attitude that they can do everything themselves and do not need what they perceive to be silly superstition and the weakness of worshiping any god. These are the lost people

that are living in sin and denying themselves the incredible peace and freedom of life in Jesus Christ. They are seeing life as negative where everything is bad, falling apart and horrible. Satan is devouring them at an alarming rate. They are seeing life through eyes like my left eye, blurry, out of focus and completely discolored.

How can this change? How can these lost people see life as clear, focused and vibrant like what I now see in my right eye? Proclaim Jesus Christ as their Savior, confess their sins to our Risen Lord and that vale of distortion and discoloration will lift and they will see life now and eternal through clear, bright eyes! Praise God the Father!

Okay, so where does Luther the Dachshund fit into all this? He has been my shadow through these couple of weeks. He has stayed with me as I rested after the procedures and followed me through the house to make sure I get where I am going without running into things. He just seems to know that something has changed. He is back to getting up at 5am and spending time in the Word of God with me in the morning. Even he looks better through renewed eyes! I tell him he is a handsome little guy which he really likes. His tail is wagging so quickly, it is a blur!

God is so wonderfully good all the time and to be able to see His creation with renewed eyes is just amazing! May Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior, bless you with the same renewed sight He has given me! It is there for the asking! And just like my Luther, you will know joy, peace and have the clarity of new eyesight in Him who loves us so!

1 Corinthians 13:12 tells us, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

May God bless you with a clear heart, clear mind and clear eyes that you would follow Jesus! He is the way, the truth and the life! Amen and amen!

—Peter and Luther

“RISE: Remember Well the Future” by Gloria Klockziem, Minister of Music This was the theme of the American Lutheran Church Musician’s conference that I was blessed to aPend last month. 2017 finds Lutherans

giving thanks for their Reforma�on heritage. We celebrate the treasure of the last 500 years, praising the Lord for God’s covenant of faith-

fulness. At this conference, church musicians from all over the na�on reflected on the changing role of the ‘cantor’—the leader of the

church’s song. Highlights included a Lutheran Arts Reforma�on Hymn Fes�val, an evening Hymn Fes�val featuring the Na�onal Lutheran

Choir, a discussion at St. John’s Abbey between a Catholic Priest and a Lutheran Minister, and many reading sessions and workshops.

Here are some important reminders for all in worship:

♦ Today, ‘cantor’ is any individual who uses musical talent in worship, called by the Holy Spirit to sing or play to God’s glory.

♦ “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Expect to see Jesus in worship. WE BELIEVE!

♦ Be stewards of the Word of God.

♦ Be teachers, partners in proclaiming the Gospel.

♦ Be ci�zens – forming connec�ons with people in the world around us, taking an interest in the lives of others, Love Like Jesus Loves!

♦ Know your congrega�on! Luther, Bach, Mendelsohn, and others in the past 500 years, wrote for their people.

♦ What do Catholics and Lutherans have in common:

◊ WE BELIEVE in Jesus Christ.

◊ Missions, inside and outside the church.

◊ Bap�sm- human customs become elevated beyond what God intended.

◊ Eucharist (Communion) –the unity of the church in Christ.

◊ Dignity of the human person. ALL are special, uniquely created.

◊ In music – we speak the Gospel.

◊ Our Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Social Services have the same goals in helping others.

◊ As churches let’s unite and share resources, not compe�ng with the church down the street.

So, where is music in the church going in the future? This plenary speaker showed a cartoon of a monkey trying to hit the bull’s eye

by throwing darts on a dart board. Everyone laughed because we all know that only God knows the answer to that question. This is most

certainly true! We need to be faithful to Him and follow His leadership, not concerned about declining numbers in attendance but rather

following the above: Love Like Jesus Loves! “Sir, We Would See Jesus!”

Connecting at St. Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

12-4pm VB Camp 6:30 Trustees

2 8:30 Teacher Meetings 12-4pm VB Camp 6:30 AL-ANON

3 7:15am Men's Group

8:30 Teacher Meetings 12-4pm VB Camp 6pm Church Properties

6pm CancerCare 6:30 Men’s Bible Study

4 8:30 Teacher Meetings Last day of Summer

Camp

5 8am-Noon WORKDAY Classroom Clean-up

6 8:30 WORSHIP -C 9:30 Hmong Bible Study

9:45-10:45 CG 10:45 Hmong Worship

ten47 WORSHIP -C

7 11:30 All Staff

lunch meeting

8 11:30 Lunch Bunch

@Beef o’ Brady’s 5-6pm ECEC

Open House 5-7pm B2SB 6:30 Lay Ministers 7:15 Renovation T.

9 8-12 CPR Training 6:30 AL-ANON

10 7:15am Men's Group 8:15am Back to School / MS Retreat 6:30 Katie’s Ladies 7pm Marty’s Men 6:30 Men’s Bible Study

11 MS Retreat

12

13 8:30 WORSHIP -C 9:30 Hmong Bible Study

9:45-10:45 CG 10:45 Hmong Worship

14

15 6:30 School Board

16 8:25 CHAPEL K-8 9:15 CHAPEL PK 9:45 CHAPEL ECEC 6:30 AL-ANON

17 7:15am Men's Group

18

19 9:30 New Member Cls. 10am Koffee Klutch

20 8:30 WORSHIP - C 9:30 Hmong Bible Study

10:45 Hmong Worship

ten47 WORSHIP - C

21

22 10:30 Prayer Group

23 8:25 CHAPEL K-8 6:30 AL-ANON

24 7:15am Men's Group 9:15 CHAPEL PK 9:45 CHAPEL ECEC 6:30 Men’s Bible Study

25

26 9:30 New Member Cls.

27 8:30 WORSHIP -C 9:30 Hmong Bible Study

9:45-10:45 CG & CM 10:45 Hmong Worship

ten47 WORSHIP -C

28

29 9am Heritage begins another year 5:30 Endowment

30 8:25 CHAPEL K-5 9:15 CHAPEL PK 9:45 CHAPEL ECEC 6:30 AL-ANON

31 7:15am Men's Group 6:30 Men’s Bible Study

SEPTEMBER Newsletter articles due.

C= Communion CG = Community Group CM = Children’s Ministry ECEC = Early Childhood Enrichment Center HS = High School MS = Middle School VB = Volleyball

Starting this month, on the 3rd Saturday, ladies are invited to gather together for coffee and fellowship. Sponsored by the Katie’s Ladies group but opened to all women 18 years and up. Come spend time with others to chat about life issues as Christian women. Our first gathering is Saturday, August 19 at 10am at

Panera Bread, 4208 South Florida Ave. Questions? Contact Charisse Pacheco (863-669-8379) or Sandy Jones (863-602-6084).

We are in the midst of a major renovation of our music suite—removing permanent risers to increase floor space. The room was built with risers for choir seating. We found this arrangement to be restrictive

and gave us very little floor space for our PK-5th music classes, our growing band

and jazz band, and even for Sunday morning Bible class. So we decided to

remove the risers and create open floor space. Soon we will pour a new concrete

floor and carpet the room.

Music Suite Renovation SPECIAL MUSIC FOR 500TH ANNIVERSARY During the past two months, at the 8:30 service you learned two new hymns while you were in worship: LSB 932 “Jesus Sat With His Disciples” and LSB 654 “Your Kingdom, O God, is My Glorious Treasure.” Praise the Lord!

In August, September, and October, listen for organ pieces and hymns written within the last 500 years. You will have to arrive at church by 8:20am in order to hear them! They will be played or sung before worship begins at 8:30! Come and enjoy!

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE

PAID LAKELAND, FL

PERMIT NO. 85 4450 Harden Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33813

Children & Youth Ministry Fall TAKE-OFF

We hope that you are all having a wonderful and relaxing summer. Believe it or not, the Ministry Architects Renovation’s Team has been hard at work planning our first ever fall kick-off…”TAKE-OFF” for children and youth

and family ministries. This is a huge opportunity for families from our school to be linked to youth and family activities within our church and for active members of St. Paul to become more involved! The purpose of this event is to have each St. Paul activity pertaining to children and youth ministry represented by a booth that can educate families on all the exciting things they can become involved in. Think of it as a trade show for children and youth ministries!

The “Take-Off” is set for August 20th, 9:30-10:45am (between services) and will be located in the Athletic Center with bounce houses and other games for kids, as well as a pancake breakfast. We would love to have our entire congregation represented, so please mark your calendar! The event is geared for all ages, so come help us “take flight” into the new school year!