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St. Paul’s Family Letter June/July 2017

Be still, and know that I am God

Have you ever been on a cruise before?

For many that’s their dream vacations. People like cruises because on those big

vessels, they get to enjoy all kinds of luxurious things – beautiful scenery routes,

relaxing rooms, midnight buffets with endless delicious desserts, fitness rooms,

SPAs, and care-free services everywhere on board.

A few years back, a cruise ship carrying nearly five thousand passengers on their

dream Caribbean vacation, encountered a ferocious storm in the Atlantic. A helicopter camera

showed that the liner was tossed up and down, side to side by the huge ocean waves like a toy. A

video clip from a passenger’s cell phone showed that all the moveable items on ship were rolling

back and forth with background noise of silver and dishes falling in the kitchens. Meanwhile people

on board were trying to hold on to anything that would not move. The dream cruise vacation of

many had suddenly turned into a horrible nightmare. They were terrified by the storm and wondered

if they would even get out the ship alive.

Would you like to be on that cruise ship? Not the slightest chance, even if someone pays us!!!

However, in our life we find ourselves trapped in those bad situations more often than we want,

buffeted by the unexpected storms of life. Accidents, sicknesses, financial struggles and broken

relationships are just like those huge and powerful waves that toss us up and down in the air. They

shake us side to side like a toy. Everything in life is rolling back and forth with the background noise

of crying and screaming in our hearts. All we can do is try to grab on something that doesn’t move.

But where is the solid thing that will not move in life?

As children of God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we enjoy our relationship with our heavenly

Father. Psalm 46 describes not only our struggles in life but tells us where we can find true comfort

and peace in this chaotic world.

Right at the beginning of this psalm it tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present

help in trouble.” Then in verse 7 we hear “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our

fortress.” Finally, in verse 10, God assures us that He is always in charge, “Be still, and know that I

am God.”

We all know too well that life in this world is not a dream vacation but a journey full of toil and

trouble. Let’s hold on to God as the fortress of our life and be still in the Lord. Amen.

Pastor Kenny

Summer Special Out of Town on Weekends?

No Worry! We have you covered! Summer Wednesday Evening Worship Services

6 p.m. June 21 to August 16

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Vacation Bible School Sunday, June 4th-

Thursday, June 8th

5:00-8:30 p.m.

Sign up today! www.siouxcitystpauls.org,

Stop in the church office for a

form, or Call the church office at

(712) 252-0338

Church Events

6/1 Women’s League 1:00 p.m.

6/4 VBS 5:00-8:30 p.m.

6/5 VBS 5:00-8:30 p.m.

6/6 VBS 5:00-8:30 p.m.

6/7 VBS 5:00-8:30 p.m.

6/7 Lamplighters 9:30 a.m.

6/8 VBS 5:00-8:30 p.m.

6/12 Sewing 9:00 a.m.

6/19 Merry Widows 12:00 pm

6/19 Mary/Martha Circle 7:30 p.m.

6/26 Sewing 9:00 a.m.

7/5 Lamplighters 9:30 a.m.

7/9 Blood Pressure 9:30 a.m.

7/10 Sewing 9:00 a.m.

7/17 Merry Widows 12:00 pm

7/17 Mary/Martha Circle 7:30 p.m.

7/23 School Golf Outing

@ Sun Valley Golf Course 1:00 p.m.

7/24 Sewing 9:00 a.m.

Happy Summer, Everyone!

I’m so excited to share with you what has

been happening this past month and what is

upcoming for our youth this summer!

We have started a Youth Bible Study, which

happens every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at my

apartment. We serve a dinner and talk about

how to grow your faith and how you can have

a steady relationship with God. All middle

school and high schoolers are welcome to

join!

We also started a Young Adult Bible Study of

Coffee and Christ. — great coffee and

devotions about how to create a more smooth

and organized lifestyle with Christ centered

around it. All young adults out of high school

are welcome to join every Thursday at 7 p.m.

at my apartment. For more information on

these bible studies, feel free to text or email

me!

VBS is starting the first week of June. Don’t

forget to register your child or to be a

volunteer! All ages are welcome!

Upcoming in June is the Christian Cross

Festival, June 10th in Norfolk, Nebraska. More

information on that will be coming soon!

Blessings,

Shannon Porter, DCE Intern

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June Anniversaries

6/1

Carrol Egdorf

Ben Schroeder

Erin White

6/2

Marlene Anderson

Rosella Dage

Linda Grauer

Bill Hanna Jr.

Shannon Porter

6/3

Chloe Black

Shelly De Mara

Dawn Dodds

6/4

Lane Christiansen

Adelyn Zediker

6/5

Sandra Andersen

Sherri Benson

Joey Ellickson

Benjamin Erickson

Stacy Jaminet

6/6

Marijo Benson

Josh Blanford

Colby Christiansen

Judith Jordan

Cheri Wheatcraft

6/7

Reagan Granstrom

Dennis Harwood

Sean Herfel

Joe Rose Jr.

Vernice Seebach

6/8

Tammy Kasdorf

Kylie Webb

6/9

Jennifer Barnes

6/10

Darlene Allison

Bella Coleman

6/11

Rodney Petersen

6/12

Amanda Petersen

Delbert Johns

Cody Peck

6/13

Angela Bengford

Maxine Jones

Stephanie Roan

6/14

Jeanette Hult

Mary Larsen

Jacob Sulzbach

Patty Sulzbach

6/15

Cody O’Dell

6/16

Bruce Nance

Kathryn White

6/17

Kathy Abbe

Kim Sparr

Mickey Striegel

6/18

Lori Eickholt

Brooklynne Grant

6/19

Mikie Hogan

6/20

Wanita Bishop

Sarah Gunn

6/21

Karsen Gomez

Richard Sulzbach

6/22

Christopher Ford

Marlene Herbst

Lake Larson

6/23

Brandi Beller

Joan Carney

6/24

Noah Johnson

Adam Schuldt

6/25

David Attema

6/26

Deb Durio

Coleen McKeever

6/27

Sue Barnes

Marcus Lane

Lexie Levay

Frances Snyder

6/28

Kathy Coyle

Daniel Durio

Riggen Ferris

Isaac Swearingen

6/29

Dawn Anderson

Tyler Dodds

James Wetrosky

6/30

Rose Attema

Charmaine Black

Larry Doerr

June Birthdays

6/1 Doug & Wilma Siefker 57

6/1 Jeff & Kim Strom 26

6/2 Sue & Gary Munson 20

6/3 Brad & Holly Doerr 5

6/4 Tom & Gail Brown 45

6/5 Brandon & Patricia Kasdorf 8

6/5 Erik & Linda Larsen 24

6/5 Jim & Betty Moser 68

6/5 Roy & Barbara Sampson 46

6/6 Michael & Nicole Lewis 2

6/7 Ashley & David Searls 3

6/7 Norbert & Vernice Seebach 53

6/9 Steven & Marijo Benson 33

6/9 Tom & Cindy Klunker 27

6/9 Dallas & Pam Schulz 27

6/10 Steve & Marcia Shook 39

6/11 Lonnie & Carolyn Stuhr 52

6/12 Ken & Karen Fluent 46

6/12 Robert & Charlotte Grothaus 57

6/13 Steven & Joyce Segebart 30

6/14 Judy & Allen Collins 42

6/16 Frank & Michelle Tenuta 5

6/17 Josh & Amanda Gardner 11

6/18 Jill & Adam Orban 12

6/19 Tammy & Kenny Kasdorf Jr. 35

6/20 Alexis & Jonathon Levay 2

6/21 Keith & Linda Grauer 42

6/22 Darin & Jennifer Grohs 21

6/22 Kenneth & Andrea Hsu 9

6/23 Lisa & Kenneth Sherman Jr 16

6/25 Mary & Stephen Haller 40

6/27 Connie & Dick Dodds 63

6/27 Faye & Don Koch 63

6/27 James & Kim Weier 25

6/30 Cory & Charmaine Black 4

6/30 Jason & Kelly Wagner 16

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7/3 Rodney & Wanda Petersen 47 7/6 Erin & Matt Chatham 16 7/7 Pat & Mark Conlon 13 7/7 Heather & Matthew Koll 16 7/10 Tara & Dustin Felix 7 7/10 Dorothy & Ron Will 24 7/17 Theresa & Robert Hammond 41 7/19 Ali & Damian Comeaux 9 7/19 Kendra & Jose Gomez 3 7/25 John & Joan Ellickson 36 7/27 Richard & Paula Dodds 32 7/28 Jeff & Nancy Arndt 22 7/28 Carroll & Karen Egdorf 50 7/29 Jeff & Lisa Wiese 22 7/30 Matt & Amy Hult 12

July Anniversaries

7/2

Brenda Budzinski Gabriel Hannemann

Jordan Hodges

Lennex Wagner

Travis Yingst

7/3

Lois Donaldson

Krystal Ramirez

Dane Wagner

Katie White

7/4

Roger Lane

Mike Morey

7/5

Bernie Attema

Mary Jordan

Lori Norton-

Johnson

7/6

Jayce Burke

7/7

Robert Grothaus

Leann Orr

7/8

Richard Grothaus

Jayden Langholdt

7/9

Patricia Kasdorf

Edward Petersen

Sue Popken

Morgan Roepke

7/10

Brad Doerr

Don Lantis

Jamie Worden

7/11

Ava Hannemann

Loren Roepke

Adrianna Tenuta

EC Van Cura

7/12

Roger Brown

Kendra Gomez

Elli King-Peters

Rebekah Ramirez

7/13

Barb Lee

Wanda Petersen

7/14

Sandy Crippen

Edgar Hult

Marilyn Pratt

7/15

Cullen Gomez

Leigh Schuldt

Shelli Tuttle

7/16

Frank Tenuta

Kennadi Woehler

7/17

Rachel Carney

Ron Cason

Lydia Gomez

Diane Hueschen

Bonnie Marks

7/20

Kaleb Beougher

Michael Lewis

7/21

Laurie Baldwin

Teresa Matthews

7/22

Barbara Carlson

Karen Dirks

Elijah Yingst

7/23

Carol Cullens

Kyleigh Ford

Samuel Marrinan

Mia Schroeder

Bill Winckler

7/24

Jennifer Monk

Cameron Paul

7/25

Samantha Carter

Daisy Coleman

7/26

Chris Hannemann

Bob Lehr Bob Sensanbaugh

Frances Westhoff

Marcus Williams

7/27

Brittney Kroeger

Ursula Runge

7/28

Don Koch

Jim Winckler

7/29

Jeff Donaldson

Braxi Gomez

7/30 Suzanne Simmonds

7/31

Dawn Biddle

Chris Meek

Chaney Neff

Justice Sherman

Jack Smith

Tanaeya Worden

July Birthdays

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Monthly Bell Choir

Being part of bell choir is easier than ever

before! Bell choir is now a month by month

commitment. What does this mean? This

means YOU GET TO DECIDE what month

you want to play bells! The only requirement

is that you show up for both practices and

you can play on the 4th Saturday or Sunday

of the month you commit to.

Practice will be the 2nd and 3rd Wednesday

of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with a

performance at one of the services the 4th

weekend. This service will be determined by

those who are playing for the month.

Note: if you have not played bells please

contact Andrea Hsu @ 712-899-7113 for a

private mini lesson after the church service

you attend or come to a practice to try out

playing. ALL music is color coded so

reading music is not a requirement.

June Bell Choir

June Bell Choir practice is on the 14th and

21st of June from 5:30-6:30 p.m. We will

play either Saturday the 24th or Sunday the

25th. This decision will be made at the June

14th practice.

Stewardship Scripture Reading: “No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you” (Deuteronomy 16:16-17).

Giving Proportionately

God directs us to give in proportion to our blessings. “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum in keeping with his income . . .” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Through faith, we willingly surrender our proportionate gifts from our income to the Lord. In both the Old and New Testaments, the standard proportion of a person’s income to give was the tithe or ten percent. By grace, Scripture gives us examples of believers who even gave beyond the tithe. Zacchaeus gave 50 percent (Luke 19:1-10) and the poor widow 100 percent (Luke 21:1-4). The Macedonians, who were poor and distressed, gave sacrificially beyond their ability to give. After they gave themselves to the Lord, they gave their resources joyfully and freely to help the poor (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Whether God gives us little or much, we are to give from the blessings that God provides. Our blessings come from the Lord, so His gifts to us will determine what we have available to give. If, in God’s sovereignty, He chooses to give us little, we will be able to give only a little. However, if He gives us much, we have the responsibility to give much. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). When we faithfully give in proportion to the blessings that we receive, a gift of $1,000 from $10,000 of income is just as God-pleasing to God as a $10,000 gift from $100,000 of income. The proportion that we give is determined more by our faith than our financial condition. As our faith grows, we are empowered to increase the proportion that we give. “For Christ’s love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14) to give generously. Through faith, we grow in our giving to the Lord through our churches. Rather than giving our leftovers, our giving becomes a priority. The two or three percent that we gave in past years is no longer satisfactory because we know that God deserves our first and best. As we grow in our proportionate giving, we see God’s grace at work in us as He gives us even more to give (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Discussion thoughts: 1. Read 1 Kings 17:2-24. What portion was the Widow of Zarephath asked to give?

2. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Why did the Macedonians give so generously? Why is proportionate giving fair to the rich and to the poor? Is there an amount of income that giving only a tithe would be selfish?

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are so generous with us. Grant us faithful and giving hearts so we can be generous with You. Help us to hold onto our things loosely. Empower us, Lord, to use our time, talents, and treasures in Your service. In Your precious name we pray. Amen.

Friends of Christ Mystery Tour

The annual Friends of Christ Mystery Tour

is set for Friday, August 4th. The bus leaves

at 7:15 a.m. from St. Paul’s Lutheran

Church and should return about 7 p.m. The

cost is only $50, and includes a chartered

bus, all fees and tips, coffee and rolls,

lunch, and even homemade ice cream! You

should plan on there being moderate

walking, but no steps required. To finalize

your reservation, you’ll need to get your

money to Joyce Santi at 1712 So. Clinton,

Sioux City, IA 51106. You can call her at

712-276-6375 with any questions. Check

your calendar and get your reservation in

early, because space is limited, and we

don’t want you to miss out on this fun day

with your fellow– LCMS members and

friends!

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Mission News Rev. Shauen & Krista Trump (www.TheTrumps.org)

Charles & Connie Cortright (charles.cortright@lcmsintl.org Rev. Tim & Lisa Beckendorf (tbeckendorf@LBT.org)

Rev. Henry & Ruthie Witte

Dear Friends at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Greetings in Christ. In mid-March we returned home from serving two months as volunteer missionaries in East Africa. Thank you very much for your generous support that helped make it possible for us to be LCMS agricultural consultants in Kenya and Uganda. This year our mission work took place in a variety of climates and cultures. For three and a half weeks we were in Lodwar, Kenya among the Turkana people to encourage and work with Rev. Daniel Mutai, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK) missionary to that area. We met and did agricultural training with a group of Christians that are interested in taking confirmation instructions and joining the ELCK. Together with Rev. Mutai we visited various government agencies and organizations that have established agricultural projects in the Lodwar area. We gathered information to determine whether an agricultural project could help sustain a mission congregation. Since Turkana men are traditional livestock herders, most of the existing project plots are farmed by women who depend on the funding organization for irrigation in the desert climate. After leaving the Turkana area we traveled to Lake Diocese of ELCK in Western Kenya. There we taught agricultural and Christian living topics in 3 congregations and two “Project 24” Lutheran boarding schools. Project 24 Centers have plots of land to farm to help feed the children housed there. LCMS volunteer Dr. Jacque Breman taught together with us and used his expertise in soil analysis to make lime and fertilizer recommendations. It was an honor to be asked to travel to Uganda with Area Director, Rev. Shauen Trump to participate in orientation of a new missionary couple, Mark and Megan Mantey who will work at the Lutheran Seminary in Uganda. We also taught four days for two hours each day at the Lutheran Seminary near Jinja, Uganda. The seminary opened in 2016 and 23 men are enrolled in the first class. Pastors generally have gardens and or farms to grow food for their families. The students were very interested in the topics we taught, including soil care, marketing, animal care, Christian marriage and God-pleasing use of money. It was a very fulfilling experience to teach them. Please pray for all missionaries serving in Kenya and Uganda that God would guide and bless their efforts in sharing the Gospel. Pray for favorable weather for growing crops in East Africa which has suffered from drought in many places. Pray that God gives wisdom and understanding to the seminary students in Uganda and Kenya that they may be well prepared as pastors. In Jesus our risen Lord, Delano & Linda Meyer

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Dear Special Missionary Friends,

What a joy and blessing to have the privilege of writing this personal letter to you to let you know how

much we appreciate your special gift of love! I can’t help but think about what a wonderful time Easter

is, and now we are through the season but the message must go out to the world. The Lord Jesus’ first

words when He miraculously appeared to the disciples and the large group of people that were

gathered together on Easter Sunday evening were: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending

you.” (John 20:21) Those words weigh heavily on me each day. They apply to all Christians not just

pastors or professional church workers. That message applies to each and every Christian here on

earth that we are sent to be witnesses to our family, our friends, our community, our nation , and

around the world! It was quite a joy to receive your kind gift of love of $1,000.00 to provide $500.00 for

the dear Trump family in Kenya, and $500.00 for our next missionaries going to start the first Lutheran

Church in Romania Pastor Charles and Connie Cortright. They are such special people, and your gift

couldn’t have come a ta better time for them. We are grateful for your friendship. I always enjoy our

time together with the saints at St. Paul.

Gary W. Thies

Mission News

Dear Brothers and Sisters of St. Paul’s, Greetings in Christ from Nairobi. This is just a little note to say thank you. Our family is now preparing for

the birth of our fourth son. Krista will be flying to the States in just under 2 weeks and the boys and I will

follow her at the end of May. Baby Trump is due on June 8th. We’ll be setting up in Wisconsin for the

summer and I’m working on a schedule for visiting around the US when possible between meetings and

other obligations. Meanwhile the work here continues to go wonderfully. We have a great team of

missionaries working alongside us and it is a true joy to see them thriving and proclaiming the Word of

God across this part of the world. We have recently welcomed new missionaries to Uganda where our

family started out so many years ago. Thank you so much for walking with us in this work, for your

prayers, encouragement, and support. Happy Easter! He is risen!

Have a blessed day. May the crucified and risen Christ continue to shower His grace upon you.

-Pastor Shauen Trump

Dear Pastor Hsu and the members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church,

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!

I was informed yesterday by the folks at Mission Central of your very generous gift in support of my work

in Eurasia. Thank-you so very, very much! My wife, Connie, and I are on the cusp of departing for

Europe (we leave May 16): the news of your support made our day.

My call to Eurasia is to serve as a theological educator and as the region's chaplain serving the

missionary families and our GEOs in the region. The newsletter will introduce you to Vicar Sorin-Horia

Trifa of Bucharest, Romania. I will be working with Vicar Trifa in readying him for ordination and in

mentoring him as a pastor. Sorin is doing tremendous foundational work which we pray will allow for the

reintroduction of faithful, confessional Lutheran preaching and teaching in that country in the language of

the people.

Thank-you again so very much for this gift in support of the Gospel. We are very grateful for your

partnership with us in helping to strengthen Lutheran pastors (and vicars) to bring Jesus to de-

Christianized Europe.

Yours very truly in our risen Lord Jesus,

Rev. Dr. Charles L. Cortright

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Moving Days at St. Paul’s

If you haven’t heard…we are moving the Library, Resource Room, and two classrooms over the summer.

The Library is going upstairs across from the bathrooms. The First Grade will be upstairs in the middle

classroom. The Kindergarten will be in the first classroom by the trophy case (former First Grade

classroom). The Resource Room and lunchroom will be returned to the Kindergarten room and the stage

will be restored!!!

We have two days planned to do this — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 9, and 8 a.m. to noon on June 10. If you

have time any of those two days, please consider helping. We need to tear down outdated chalkboards,

move cupboards and paint before all this happens, so if you can just spare a few hours any time before

and want to help, let me, Mrs. Strong Davis, know.

We want to use our space in the most efficient and effective way. Please, continue to pray for St. Paul’s

and spread the word that we offer Christ-centered academic excellence in education for the Siouxland

area.

Thanks for the help and prayers,

St. Paul’s Board of Ed & Staff

St. Paul’s Lutheran Women’s League– May 4, 2017 Hostesses for the May 4th meeting were Bernice Johnsen and Francis Rameden. Seven members and Pastor Kenny were present. Vice President Bernice opened with a reading “Words of Life” from John 20:3. Pastor’s message was about after Easter. Don’t Complain, Be Thankful. Secretary and Treasurer’s report were accepted. Circle Reports: Anna Circle – Making Quilts Elizabeth Circle – Prayer Chain Mary/Martha Circle will meet at Marlene Mertens No Old Business New Business – The Zone meeting will be held at Latham Park on July 13th at 9:00 a.m. Hostesses for the June 1st meeting are Rosella Dage and Vernice Seebach. We sang the hymns “Jesus Lover of My Soul” and “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Motion carried. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted, Vernice Seebach, Secretary

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage Paid

Sioux City, Iowa

PERMIT NUMBER 117

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School

612 Jennings St.

Sioux City, IA 51101-1820

Return Service Requested

_______________________________________

Church Office 252-0338

School Office 258-6325

Email: mychurch@cableone.net

Websites: Church: www.siouxcitystpauls.org

School: www.splssiouxcity.org

June/July 2017 Newsletter

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