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The Monthly Parish Visitor of: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida
AUGUST 2016 Volume 61 Number 8
God’s mission for St. Paul Lutheran Church is to witness God’s love and our faith in the
Resurrected Christ.
The Epistle
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Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. Colossians 4:14 NRSV
August Birthdays 8/3 Lou Hiza 8/3 Eve Dolphin 8/7 Elyse Mayer 8/14 Curt Fritz 8/20 Debbie Stroupe 8/20 Nicky Stroupe 8/22 Lewis Balsizer 8/22 Margaret Tillis 8/23 Jimmy Dunn 8/24 Cory Tillis 8/24 Kaleigh Williams 8/27 Jack Clark
August Anniversaries 8/6 Jack & Ashley Mallo 8/9 Pr Russell & Julie Meyer 8/14 Bob & Ann Delach 8/14 Jim & Winnie Clark 8/17 Mike & Liz Wilson 8/19 Curt & Tina Fritz 8/28 Dennis Douglas & Mike Brannan
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Grace and peace,
Pr Russell Meyer
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Change can be frightening. We like things the way they are, not very exciting, but consistent. Change is exciting. New things, new opportunities things to learn. Both statements are true, it just depends upon your perspective. At St. Paul, change is in the air. We are negotiating the final year of Seminole Presbyterian’s lease, as they have expressed an inter-est in leaving. We have partnered with them for several years, and they sold their property and are now looking to build or lease another property. Scary/Exciting. For them and for us. We will figure out how to replace the funds from their leaving and they are starting fresh. I know that with prayer and planning we will both be successful, and wish them (and us) well as we move forward. St. Paul has moved forward with Justice Ministry – and that’s scary to some. Who are we in the community, what kind of church do we want to be? What is the impression visitors have of us? How about the community in general? I am so thankful for everyone who turned up and participated at our Town Hall. It’s important to talk, and to be heard. We may not all agree, but if we keep in mind that we really all want the same thing, I think we will always find common ground. We will compromise and in the diversity of both our body and the community we will find great strength. Seminole Heights is changing. Apartments are being built, old houses torn down and bigger ones built. Housing prices are sky-rocketing right around us, and with the influx of younger profes-sional people who can afford these houses we can be their church. How do we do that, I wonder. We are indeed welcoming, and for a small church we really do a lot in the community. We need to think about how we can be a church in the new century. I think it’s mission, defining how we help others, how we contribute, how we get to work. We don’t need a rock and roll service, we need more community service. We don’t need to isolate ourselves, we need to continue to reach out. We need to join hands with the community around us and show them a loving God. We can do that. That’s who we are. Respectfully submitted, Tina Fritz, Council President
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St. Paul Lutheran Church of Tampa FL Inc.
July 2016 Congregational Council Meeting
Highlights
1. Check out Campaignzero.com. 2. Remember the “Beatitudes.” How do we become a bet-ter community? 3. We met after service on July 17th, in the sanctuary, with refreshments in the choir room, to discuss our members’ feel-ings and concerns. Everyone is important! 4. Did you know that Pastor has never submitted a mileage reimbursement request?
5. God’s Work Our Hands 9/11/16 – work in garden at Faith.
6. Grant update: Hilde is working on another grant. 7. SPC requested a month-to-month lease when their year-ly lease ends in August. We declined that request and our SPC Transition Task Force, consisting of Tina Fritz, Wayne Tolzman, and Hilde Reno, are working on making this a smooth transition for all. 8. Great to have Danny Williams in attendance after his illness. We thank God that he is feeling better and the cancer is gone. 9. Next Council meeting is August 9, 2016, at 7:00 pm Respectfully submitted, Carmen Hayes, Secretary
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MUSIC NOTES
By gracious powers so faithfully protected, so quietly, so won-
derfully near, we live each day in hope, with you beside us, and
go with you through every coming year. (ELW 626 st. 5)
The text of this hymn (By Gracious Powers) was written by
German Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It is paired
with a somewhat challenging and unfamiliar (to most of us)
tune written by Robert Buckley Farlee, who wrote the music to
ELW Setting 1 in our hymnal. The text of this hymn gives us
great hope that God is always with us, even through difficult
times. I always suggest that when you arrive a church, take a
look at the hymns. If you see any you don’t know, read the
text. Get a feel for the beautiful poetry. Take a look at the
readings for the day, and see how the readings, hymns and ser-
mon all come together.
Choir rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, August 24th.
We would love to have you join us. Everyone is welcome!
Many thanks to our musicians for their participation and sharing
their time and talents with us: Miles Cameron, Gabriel Morgan,
Hilde Reno, Michael Brannan, Jeanine Romano, Adrian Snow,
and Tina Fritz (cantors). Thanks also to those who sang in
Summer Choir in July. There were 13 of us! If you missed it,
please join us in August. The date will be in the e-blast the
week before we sing, and also announced in church.
Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the glory),
Dennis
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OUR NEW CHURCH
BROCHURES have been
printed so be sure to pick one
up in the Narthex!
Please give them to a friend
or mail to an acquaintance.
YEAR TO DATE (June 30):
Total Offerings ( pledged and non-pledged) = 36,106.00
Total Special Offerings: 1,792.00
Total Specified Donations: 3,121.00
Total Other Income (Building use donations, Seminole rent,etc): 28,768.00
Total Year-To-Date Income as of June 30: $69,787.00
Total Year-To-Date Operating Expenses: $83,471.00
Year-To-Date Net Loss as of June 30: ($13,684.00) - mostly attributable
to extensive building repairs this year. This will reduce as the year goes on.
Fund Balances as of June 30 (Those over $1,000.00):
Hamilton House Sale Proceeds: $67,233.00
Castor Fund: 5,000.00
Property Tax Refund: 3,456.00
Roof Fund: 13,263.00
Thrivent Fund 6,000.00
Thrivent Choice Fund: 1,254.00
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The next New Parish Institute is Sunday, August 28 at 4 PM in the
Fellowship Hall of Faith Lutheran Church, 12703 N. Flor ida
Avenue. The theme is community. Pastor Russell Meyer and Rev.
Charles Mckenzie will lead dialogue on Bonhoeffer’s understand-
ing of community in Christ and Dr. King’s commitment to the
Beloved Community.
The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the
more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and
purely will Jesus Christ and his work become the one and only
thing that is vital between us. We have one another only through
Christ, but through Christ we do have one another, wholly, and
for all eternity.
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
But the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the
creation of the beloved community. It is this type of spirit and this
type of love that can transform opposers into friends. The type of
love that I stress here is not eros, a sort of esthetic or romantic
love; not philia, a sort of reciprocal love between personal
friends; but it is agape which is understanding goodwill for all
men. It is an overflowing love which seeks nothing in return. It is
the love of God working in the lives of men. This is the love that
may well be the salvation of our civilization.
― Martin Luther King, Jr., The Role of the Church in Facing
the Nation's Chief Moral Dilemma, 1957
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
NEW PARISH INSTITUTE – August
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The New Parish Institute is based on the concept of the folk
school movement created by Danish Lutheran pastor Nikolai
Gruntvig in the mid-1880’s (see http://
www.peopleseducation.org/a-brief-history-of-folk-schools).
All presentations are open to the public. A special children’s ac-
tivity is provided along the theme of the main presentation. Light
refreshments are also served.
The Christian Education Team has drafted the following mission
statement:
New Parish Institute is a socially conscious learning community
exploring real life questions that generate loving, participatory
actions that encompass Jesus’ universal teachings on compas-
sion and justice. All faiths are welcome.
The Parish Christian Education Team (Pr Russell Meyer, Jeanine
Romano convening, Jane Wiley, Sandy Ehlke, Gabriel Morgan,
Lewis Balsizer, and Tina Fritz) plans the Institute sessions and
invites suggestions for future topics.
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Sun Mon Tue Wed
1st SUNDAY 2 PM Suncoast Area Convention WEEKLY 9AM SPC Svc.
WEEKLY: 11-1 New Bite of Serenity 6:30pm Together We Can 9 pm Never Too Young
WEEKLY: 11-1 New Bite of Serenity 6 pm Men’s Lit Study 8 pm NA Speak-ers Grp
WEEKLY:1 11-1 New Bite of Serenity 5:30pm Sunset Solutions at 8 pm New Life
1 2 3 .
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10 AM Sunday School 11 AM Worship Svc.
8 9 7 pm Council Meeting
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14 10AM Sunday School 11 AM Worship Svc.
15 16
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10 AM Sunday School 11 AM Worship Svc.
22 23 24 7 PM Choir Reh.
28 10 AM Sunday School 11 AM Worship Svc. 4 PM New Parish Institute Presentation
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30
31 7 PM Choir Reh.
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Thurs Fri Sat
Wed
WEEKLY: 11-1 New Bite of Sereni-ty 8 pm A New Way
WEEKLY: 11-1 New Bite of Serenity
WEEKLY: 7 pm NA Men’s Step Group
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6
11 12
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20 9:30 am @ The Well 3rd Saturday Ministry
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26
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PRESIDING BISHOP ELIZABETH EATON’S CALL TO
BE PRESENT: JULY 7, 2016
In Luke it says, “When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had
been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath Day,
as was his custom. He stood up to read and the scroll of the
prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found
the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He
has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of
sight to the blind. To let the oppressed go free. To proclaim the
year of the Lord’s favor.”’
Here we are … again. Just days apart, two African American men
were shot by police. This is an all too frequent occurrence in our
country. And I think it’s because we can’t see. We can’t see each
other as fully children of God. And we tend to look at each other
through the lens of suspicion and fear. Communities of color
wondering what an encounter with the police will bring, police
and others in law enforcement automatically suspicious, it seems,
of communities of color. We can’t see. And we need – we need –
to open our eyes.
As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we have to rec-
ognize that this kind of violence, and also the threat and fear that
it brings to our brothers and sisters in the African American com-
munity and other communities of color, is real. We, as white peo-
ple, have had the privilege of not having to see. But now we rec-
ognize that this kind of violence and this threat is real. And we
have to also understand that it’s happening not to them, but to all
of us. We are killing ourselves. And until we, in the white com-
munity, feel that the death of a person of color is our death too,
it’s not going to change.
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We do have the promise, however, of a God who can bring sight
to the blind. We need to show up. We need to stand with and lis-
ten to our colleagues and brothers and sisters of color. Even if
they don’t want us to be there, or if they do, we need to show up.
These people can no longer be invisible. Our eyes need to be
opened, and they are open.
And then we need to find a way to reach out and build actual con-
nections with people who are visible and real and not just some
sort of stereotype or archetype. Our eyes are open, and in this
painful instance, Jesus is bringing sight to the blind. I urge each
one of us in this church to be present in communities, to go out
from our congregations and get to know other people. And also
find a way to connect with law enforcement, so that they can un-
derstand that they are not doing this by themselves. And also
have the opportunity for their eyes to be opened, that someone of
another color is not automatically a threat.
For a long time, I think, we in the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America, particularly those of us who are white, have been
able not to see. And have been able to say, “it happened some-
place else.” That’s not true, and we know that now. So under-
standing and trusting that Jesus is already there, that Jesus has
restored our sight, and that we can see, in the other, Christ, it’s
time to get out there, people. It’s time to go out, dear church, and
make the invisible visible and see these as brothers and sisters.
8765 West Higgins Road Chicago, Illinois 60631-4101 773-380-2700 800-
638-3522 ELCA.org LivingLutheran.com
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OUR NEW MEMBER CONTACT INFO
Gabriel & Erin Morgan
1214 E Curtis St.
Tampa, FL 33603
Shawn, Michelle Fleenor
Peter
7204 N Coarsey Dr.
Tampa, F 33604
Arnulfo & Carrie Jo Gutierrez
2711 St Isabel St.
Tampa FL 33607
Gabriel cell: 813-245-6812
email: [email protected]
Erin cell: 904-982-3475
email: [email protected]
Michelle cell: 813-368-4063
email: [email protected]
Shawn cell: 727-218-7293
email: [email protected]
phone: 813-876-3410
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Pastor Meyer and St. Paul members,
Thank you so very much for the warm welcome
back. We are truly honored to be back at the
church where we were married 30 years ago! St.
Paul is such a welcoming church. We are happy
to be back home and are very eager for baby Peter to grow in
faith here as his mother, Michelle, did. Bless you all!
God’s peace and love,
Carrie and Arnulfo Gutierrez
NEW ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER
Marilyn Weisz
Allegro
4600 54th Ave. S. Apt. 310E
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
727-864-5278
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PRAYER LIST
Watch dear Lord, with those who wake, watch over, or weep. Tend the
sick, rest the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted,
shield the joyous. In your love give us all this through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen. WE PRAY FOR:
Lillian Arnold member Jeanne Cameron member Winnie Clark member Carolyn Kelley member Teresa Jones member The Meyer Family member Jeanne Purcell member Debbie Tubbs member Marilyn Weisz member Danny Williams member Family of Russell Goldsmith member The Fritz & Kist Families member Kathy Busek aunt of Pam Oliva Kenneth Campbell brother of Pete Campbell James Ellis friend of Danny Williams Corey Hartnagle son of Suzan Hartnagle Lou Hiza mother of Margaret Tillis Glenn Hommert cousin of Lou Falter Geraldyn Levos sister of Gary Levos Catherine Malmquist mother of Eddie Malmquist Lisa Nalencz daughter of Teresa Jones Sharon Olenski friend of St. Paul Elaine Schweinsburg friend of St. Paul Betty Sherrill friend of Lou Falter Rena Smith sister in law of Pat Smith Gracie Sontoro friend of Ron Tillis Gloria Tillis mother of Ron Tillis Gary Toledo son of Fabio & Joyce Toledo Diane Tolzman mother of Wayne Tolzman Wade Williams friend of Carolyn Kelley
OUR SYMPATHY to
Pr Russell & Julie Meyer & family in the death of
Julie’s father, Dr. Rene Y. Balmaseda, on July 15,
2016. Services were held in Miami, FL
Ann Delach & family in the death of her sister ,
Barbie Berggren, on July 25, 2016.
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HURRICANE EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
What will your family do if a storm is coming? Make sure you’re ready now with the checklist below: Collect copies of important papers such as the deed to your home, in-surance paper work, financial information, etc. Review your property insurance coverage and keep updated photos and/or a video inventory of your personal belongings. Store important phone numbers such as the number of your insurance company, doctor, veterinarian, and family contacts in a safe place. Identify your evacuation routes. Have an alternate route planned in case the first option is not navigable. Identify the safest place in your home to ride out a storm and make sure everyone knows where to go. In case your family is not together when a hurricane hits, make sure you have a pre-identified meeting place in addition to your home, and make sure everyone knows the ad dress and phone number of your meeting spot. If you have a medical issue or may need help evacuating, contact your local emergency management agency now to find out how to get the help you may need. LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA Put together a hurricane emergency kit for your family, including… Three-day supply of non-perishable food and water for each person
in the household (1 gallon of water per person, per day) Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio Flashlight Dust masks (at least 4) Batteries (8 AA and 4 D) Trash bags (4 per kit) First-aid kit that includes: 2 pairs of latex or other sterile gloves;
sterile dressing to stop bleeding; cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic wipes to disinfect; antibiotic ointment to prevent infection; burn ointment to prevent infection; adhesive bandages in a variety of siz-es; eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as a general decontami-nant.
Manual can opener Hand sanitizer Five-gallon bucket or other container for kit supplies STAY TUNED TO LOCAL RADIO AND TV STATIONS IF POS-
SIBLE FOR UPDATES. AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, STAY SAFE! FOLLOW US @LutheranServicesFlorida @LutheranServFLA @LutheranServFLA WWW.LS
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August 7
AM: Lewis Balsizer
AC: Isac Fritz
CA: Sandy Snow
USH: Wayne Tolzman, Patty Tolzman, J immy Dunn
Greeters: Curt & Tina Fritz
Refreshments: tba
August 14
AM: Mike Brannan
AC: Isaac Fritz
CA: Tina Fritz, Patty Tolzman
USH: Bob Delach, J im Clark, Curt Fritz, Brad Haar
Greeters: J immy & Eleanor Dunn
Refreshments: tba
August 21
AM: Eddie Malquist
AC: Isaac Fritz
CA: Ann Delach
USH: Wayne Tolzman, Patty Tolzman, J immy Dunn,
Greeters: Marty Wegner & Patty Tolzman
Refreshments: tba
August 28
AM: Ann Delach
AC: Isaac Fritz
CA: Julie Williams
USH: Bob Delach, Curt Fritz, J im Clark, Brad Haarer
Greeters: Wayne & Patty Tolzman
Refreshments: tba
Altar Guild: Carmen Hayes & Carol Swanson
Counters: Carmen Hayes & tbd
August Worship Schedule
**Please find a replacement for your day if unable to attend**
Thank you!
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St. Paul Lutheran Church (ELCA)
A member of New Parish of Tampa with Faith Lutheran Church. The church is located just west of I-275 at the Hillsborough Avenue exit and three blocks south on Central Avenue. Worship services with Holy Communion are held at 11 a.m. each Sunday. You may reach the church office at (813) 239-3113, or by email: [email protected]. Pastor Meyer’s Office hours are by appointment only. Pastor Meyer can be reached by calling (813) 435-5335, or emailing him at [email protected]. Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
Find us on the web at www.stpaultampa.org.
20th of the month
August 20th is the 3rd Saturday of the month, and that means
St. Paul will lead the team volunteering a The Well. Always
looking for volunteers, we are expected there from 9:30 -
2:30. Can't stay all day? No problem. We are looking for shifts,
some people to come at 9:30, others to come at noon. Come ear-
ly and help set up, come late and help clean up. Come all day
and meet some pretty cool people and make some friends.
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