Pastor’s EpistlePastor’s EpistlePastor’s EpistlePastor’s Epistle

Our Mission Statement

Called by Christ to love

God & neighbor

through deepening prayer,

broadening fellowship,

and expanding worship.

Crossings

A N ew s l e t t e r f o r t h e F am i l i e s & F r i e n d s o f S t . P a u l ’ s L u t h e r a n C h u r c h

Volume 14 Issue 8 August 2019

“Making known God’s deeds among us.”

Isaiah 12:4

“In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loves us so much, we also ought to love one another.”

I John 4:10-11

Dear Friends in Christ.

Grace and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ.

This month I wanted to share a couple of items from the Living Lutheran

Magazine: one is an article written by Bishop Eaton, and the other one is

a 2011 article about young people in church. Both of these are instructive

as the congregation begins to think about your future ministry together.

Walking with you along the WAY- Pr. Nancy

(Articles are attached in 2 PDF files)

Bishop Eaton monthly letter from: Living Lutheran

Copyright 2019, ELCA/Augsburg Fortress Publishers

Page 2

St Paul’s Church Council Meeting June 19, 2019

In Attendance: Ruth James- President Richard James Marilyn Woods – Vice President Stephanie Kelley Anita Simmons – Treasurer Curtis Kelley Carol McClure – Sec Pastor, Nancy Reed

Devotion: Pastor, Nancy Reed Call to Order: Ruth James, President Approval of Agenda: Marilyn Woods motion; Richard James 2nd; all approved Approval of Minutes: Richard James motion; Marilyn Woods 2nd; all approved Treasurer Report: General Balance = $ 1,482.87

(tithing is always low in the summer, this summer is no exception & seems especially low) Approval of Treasurer’s Report: Carol McClure motion; Curtis Kelley 2nd; all approved Pastor’s Report: communicated Fall 2020, Art & Religion trip with Pastor McElvain –

potentially to Santa Fe, NM Faith Formation: Lydia & Grayson will be conducting faith interviews. Pastor Nancy will develop questions & will provide a copy to Lydia & Grayson as well as to the interviewees. Interviewees identified to date are as follows: Stephanie & Curtis Kelley; Marilyn Woods; Ruth & Richard James; Anita Simmons; Carol & Mark McClure, Colleen, Andy & Veronica Fuhs.

Property:Michael Thomas is in the process of replacing light fixtures.

Property cleanup & maintenance day will be scheduled for Sat., July 13. Beginning at 9 AM. Tasks include: trimming shrubs; removal of debris; flower bed maintenance; repair fire pit; organizing choir, storage room & shed.

Parsonage: Richard & Nancy discussed the water leak near the fireplace. Richard & Tom looked at the leak (Thank you Richard & Tom) and determined that we need to hire a professional. Ruth will be reaching out to Villeda Construction this week.

Semi Annual Meeting: Sunday, July 28th Agenda was discussed – topics discussed included: To prepare our hearts & minds for thoughtful prayer about our purpose, the following items were discussed: Special music for Semi Annual Meeting on June 28th. Prayer vigil this Fall Call Committee update; review the committee’s responsibilities. Forms for electronic giving will be provided and discussed. Planning for Pastor Retirement:

Call Committee Meeting has been scheduled for Wed., July 24th, 6 PM at church. Reviewed Senior Brunch questionnaires Ruth will reach out to Paul Ostrem about coming to meet with Call Committee & Council. website: seiasynod.org Committee Members to date include: Ruth & Richard James; Veronica & Andy Fuhs; Hayley Dobson; Fred Diers; Carol McClure, Gloria Smallwood

Meeting was adjourned

Page 3

Education/Education/Education/Education/Prayer TeamPrayer TeamPrayer TeamPrayer Team RECENT PRAYERS

2019

Judy Bail & Family

Lois & Gene Behrens

Harold Benson

Carrie Borgland

Nancy Clouse

Judy Framzmeier

Barbara Glasford

Linda Sales Harvard

Robin Holien

Jim Keegle

Mary Ann

Pastor Dennis Miller

Paul Peterson

Emily Swartz

Mary Tripplett

St. Paul’s Shut-ins:

Ruth Johnson

(2018)

Eleanor Anderson

Nate Baggett

Donny Ballard

Sharon Burman

John Clouse

Tony Daggett

Mark Dreier

Shari Kisner

Mary Ann Lewis

Roger Lewis

Shara McDonough

Sam Mahoney

Dakota Miller

Samantha Sabovitch

Misty Smith

Sam Smith

Greg Rickie

Carla Wahl

Phil Whitson

(2017)

Susan Anderson

Linda Bills

Mary Datschefski

Ryver Lane

John Pasuit

Suzie Smith

Ron Swanson

(2016)

Pat & Gerry Anderson

Gene Dobson

Leo Oye

Leeta Sanger

Scott Sanger

(2015)

Ella Teno (2014) Sharon Glenn

Nick Griffin

Pat Mason

Continuing Prayers Brantley Hemann

Laura Moore

Trisha Raven

Wednesday,

August 14 at 11 am The Gospel of John:

Meetings with Jesus by Julie A. Kanarr

Our sympathy goes out to the families and friends of

Jerry Carr (Mardyll & Harold Benson’s Son-in-law)

Molly McCombs (David & Karen McCombs Sister-in-law)

Mary Mitchell (Mark & Carol Mitchell & Lynn Popson’s mother)

Dr. Marridee Randall

May your comforting presence strengthen them for the days ahead and sustain them with the promise of the resurrection.

Faith Formation Home Huddle materials for September will be ready to pick-up at the church on August 25. We will continue this fall with the Children’s Bulletins.

Confirmation Reminder

Your interview paper’s are due September 9th.

August Birthdays

1. Dakota Kelley

2. Terry Simmons

3. Donna Peterson

8. Kyle Hilton

9. Melissa Griebel

12. Royce Foster

14. Tom Preston

17. Brooke Sparks

19. Kelly Freeman

19. Hanna Freeman

22. Jesse Simmons

23. Jay Heaton

29. Stephanie Kelley

30. Chuck Clouse

Fellowship Team Fellowship Team Fellowship Team Fellowship Team MinistriesMinistriesMinistriesMinistries

3rd Sunday

August 18

Page 4

WOMEN of the ELCA

August Monthly Meeting: Will be Thursday the 22 at 7:00 pm. Our hostess will be Colleen Putnam.

WELCA Bible Study: Weds., August 14 at 11 am. Restoration Days Bake Sale: August 3 from 9 am—1 pm. 50’s theme this year. You can bring your baked items to the North West corner of the square at 8:30 am. We will be setting up table, tent, etc. at 8 am. Fall Cluster Gathering: will be on Saturday, September 21 at First Lu-theran Church in Centerville.

Senior Fellowship Pot Luck Lunch

We will meet on Weds., August 7 at 11 am.

Join us for food and fellowship; we will be exciting our little gray brain cells this month with Picture Puzzle Riddles.

August Baptismal Birthdays

3. Cassie Smallwood

4. Melissa Griebel

22. Harold Benson

23. Jay Heaton 28. Broderick Thomas

August Anniversaries

1. Mark & Carol McClure

4. Michael & Amanda Thomas

8. Tim & Annie (Preston)

Jenkins

5. Larry & Sharon Wilkin

27. Mike & Kay Spieler

28. Brittany & Cody Flattery

28. Nancy & Martin Reed

Eggs ——– Easy

d a n c t e s c e t n o

Art & Spirituality Retreat: Fall of 2020

Santa Fe, NM If you are interested in going this trip, lead by Pastor Jeremy McElvain, please sign-up. This trip is currently in the early stages of the planning process. We are looking to spend 3-4 days in Santa Fe, touring the historic churches and galleries.

Bereavement Ministry

3rd Quarter: July-August-September

Anita Simmons & Evelyn Sharpe

Council Council Council Council

Page 5

Council August 18 after worship

Mowing & Property Upkeep Volunteers

Mark McClure –all of August Hayley Dobson—2nd half of September

We still need help with the first part of

September and all of October is open. We would like to thank everyone who helps to keep our property looking good. Especially Richard James, Ruth James, Tom & Linda Preston and Pastor Nancy for helping on July 13 with property clean up. They did a great job of trimming up the bushes next to the church building. That was a big job as they have not been trimmed for a few years. Thank you also to those that do property up-keep that we are not even aware of. St. Paul’s Council Reminder

Please faithfully remember your

giving even in your absence during

the summer.

You can also sign-up for Auto-

Tithe to make your giving even

easier all year long.

Call Committee members would like you to help them

as they go forward in the call process. Some ways to help is: In prayer: Think about how God is calling us to serve; what service we can do for God; What do we need to do to make that ministry happen. Also it is very helpful for your input when questions/surveys are circulated.

Call Committee Survey: on the Congregation Ministry Site Profile, that they have to fill out, one section asks what type of Pastor the congregation would be looking for . . . With this in mind, the congregation is being asked to participate in a survey. A list of various Traits & Characteristics has been placed on the Sanctuary wall. Each member will be provided 5 stickers & is asked to place the stickers on the traits they feel are most important. Once they have ‘voted’, each member is asked to ‘mark thru’ their name on the list provided by the voting area. Sunday, August 4 is last day to vote on this survey.

Call Committee Meeting

Wednesday, August 14 at 6:00 pm. Pastor Paul Ostrem from the SEIA Synod will be joining us.

WANTED: Old prescription glasses. The Albia Lion’s will be collecting your old prescription glasses to be re-purposed for other who cannot afford glasses. Leave your glasses in the basket in the fellowship hall.

=================================================================== Boxes of Hope Continuing Mission: for the Emergency Assistance Office. Items that are in the greatest demand are:

All-purpose cleaning products & Bathroom cleaners

Dish soap Laundry Detergent

Toilet paper Toothpaste Shampoo

Men & Women Deodorant Body wash (not bar soap) These items can not be purchased with the SNAP card (food stamps)

==============================================================================================

God’s Grace is Free—————— 7th Annual Community Spaghetti Supper For the privilege of serving the people of Albia; St. Paul’s will be reaching out to our community with a free spaghetti meal for everyone on Tuesday, September 10 from 5-7 pm. Come join us for food & fellowship.

Sign-up sheet will be available Aug. 11. Please Sign-up to help work to put on the meal and we also need cookies and bars for desserts.

Set-up will be Sunday, 9/8 after worship; all helpers are welcome.

We will need volunteers to help cook and serve the meal. We have been blessed with Thrivent Action Team funds to help with this mission again this year. If you are able to help; please wear your Thrivent Action Team t-shirt if you have one; there will be t-shirts that evening if you need one.

MISSIONS TASK FORCE

Page 6

Page 7

Worship Team Worship Team Worship Team Worship Team MinistriesMinistriesMinistriesMinistries

August Worship Servers

Altar Guild: Betty Hohneke & Karen Niebuhr

Aug. 4 Worship Assistant: Gail Clouse Ushers/Greeters: Ruth & Richard James Lector Gail Clouse Acolytes: Sophie –Candles Parker-Communion Cups

Aug. 11 Worship Assistant: Marilyn Woods Ushers/Greeters: Hilton Family Lector: Florence Heacock Acolytes: Morgan –Candles Eli-Communion Cups

Aug. 18 Worship Assistant: Marilyn Woods Usher/Greeter: Charlie & Gloria Smallwood Lector: Gloria Smallwood Acolytes: Lydia–Candles & Communion Cups

Aug. 25 Worship Assistant: Anita Simmons Usher/Greeter: Don & Karen Niebuhr Lector: Anita Simmons Acolytes: Eli–Candles Grayson-Communion Cups

Special Sunday Worship Service September 1 will be a special worship with the singing of hymns, and our message that day will be by Dan Stocker. Come join us. (There will be No communion this Sunday.)

The choir will start practicing in September. Dates to be announced.

Pastor Nancy will be out of the

office from August 26—

September 1st. In case of an emergency, contact Gloria at (641) 895-3551 and she will contact Pastor Josh Fiala from Knoxville. He will be covering for Pastor Nancy while she is gone.

NOTE: for now we are not putting up the center communion rail. It is really beat up and needs to be fixed. (It has been removed from the sanctuary.)

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OFFICE HOURS: Monday 9:30 –11:30 am & 1-3 pm Wednesday 10 am—Noon & 1—3 pm Friday 9 am—Noon

=============================================================================================

WEB SITE:Check out St. Paul’s Web site at http://www.splalbia.org. You will find our newsletters, calendar and recipe. Please send the office anything you would like to share on our web site.

Radio Broadcast St. Paul’s worship service is broadcast each Sunday on KIIC (96.7 FM ) during their Sunday Son—Up programs starting at 8:00 am. Soul Barn Food Bank in Lovilia: Valerie Hughes is the one in charge. It’s open on Wednesday’s from 2-4 pm. Only for Lovilia residents. She can be reached at 641.931.0305.

Food Pantry at Lincoln Center- It is part of the Iowa Food Bank and is partnered with Hy-Vee. The district has pin-pointed the folks in the district who are food insecure and they pack backpacks for kids to take home over the weekend. Restoration Days Bake Sale: Sat. Aug. 3 from 9 am—1 pm; we will be located on the North West corner of the square, by the band stand. Looking Ahead: God’s Grace is Free—— 7th Annual Community Spaghetti Supper For the privilege of serving the people of Albia; St. Paul’s will be reaching out to our community with a free spaghetti meal for everyone on Tuesday, Sept., 10 from 5-7 pm. Come join us for food & fellowship.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church 335 North Eighth Street Albia, IA 52531

Phone: 641-932-7270 Email: splalbia@iowatelecom.net

Web Site—http://www.splalbia.org

Office Hours: Tues.-Weds.-Thurs.

9 am-2 pm

Place Mailing Label Here

Links: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America www.elca.org The Southeast Iowa Synod of the ELCA www.seiasynod.org

Get your newsletter by e-mail and in color. Send your e-mail address to the church office.