The Monthly Newsletter of St Paul's United Methodist Church

October 2019 Volume 25, Issue 10

Mission Statement

The mission of St. Paul's United Methodist Church is to enable people to see the light, receive the light, share the light of Jesus Christ.

St. Paul's Staff

Rev. Leslie Wood

Senior Pastor

Pastor Donnie Sturgill

Associate Pastor

Rachel Ford

Administrative Assistant/

Financial Secretary

Seth Hastings

Youth Director

Gayle Grace

Director of Music Ministries

Woody Woods

Director of Jubilee Bells

Stephanie Shorden

Organist/Accompanist

Valerie Cox

Nursery Director

Aundrea Fuller

Custodian

Dixie Barnes

Treasurer

Jamie Beckius

Wedding & Reception Coordinator

How to Reach Us

2111 Carlton Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO 80909

(719) 634-7046

www.stpaulsumc-coloradosprings.org

E-mail: stpaulscs@comcast.net

Like us on Facebook: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church- Colorado Springs, CO

Pastor’s Ponderings I remember the very first time that I wrote a check. I might have been 6 years old, maybe 7, and I forged one of my mom’s checks for the offering at church. I don’t remember how much I was trying to give. I do know that I didn’t fill it out properly. I didn’t even know where the money came from. It was all magic to me, I guess. I do remember that I watched my mom faithfully write her

check and place it in the offering plate every Sunday morning. It was, obviously, an important moment, every single week. So that Sunday, when, somehow, I ended up with a blank check in my hand, I knew that I, too, needed to write a check and put it in the offering plate. The next day, the phone rang. “Um, Nell? Leslie wrote a check for the offering.” That was the end of my days as a check forger, but it was the beginning of my awareness of the importance of giving for something beyond myself. Of course, as I grew older, I learned that “where the money came from” was anything but magic. Choosing charitable giving, to the church or to anywhere else, was always being weighed against paying the mortgage, putting food on the table, gas in the car, clothes on the kids. And, let’s be honest. It was also weighed against paying for dinner out, a family vacation, the cost of little league, cable television. I learned that it’s not always easy – or comfortable – to establish priorities when it comes to our finances…particularly our charitable giving. I did, though, have the advantage of being raised by a mother who didn’t just talk about giving. She gave. Even when money was tight – which it often was. Even when holding on to her bank account balance would have made her feel infinitely more financially secure. By watching her, I learned the importance of asking “What if?” What if the question isn’t as much about fear – of financial insecurity, or lack of financial control – but about possibility? What if, when we trust God, we discover that God can do far more with what we give, in our lives and in the lives of others, than we could possibly imagine or do on our own? In October we will consider that question and ponder the possibilities. Author and New Testament scholar Murray J. Harris once wrote, “All too often we regard stewardship simply as a matter of our giving to God, but this aspect is secondary. Before we can give, we must possess, and before we possess, we must receive. Therefore, stewardship is, in the first place, receiving God’s good and bounteous gifts. And once received, those gifts are not to be used solely for our own good. They must also be used for the benefit of others, and ultimately for the glory of God the giver. The steward needs an open hand to receive from God and then an active hand to give to God and to others.”1 There are many uncertainties. Many unknowns. What will be the future direction of the UMC? What will my future financial stability look like? What unexpected needs or expenses will arise? But aren’t there always unknowns? By asking “What if…”, we choose faith over fear. We choose to imagine being a part of God’s redemptive work in the world in ways we might not have imagined. We choose to trust that God is bigger than our circumstances. Celebration Sunday is October 27th. As you contemplate and plan your 2020 financial giving to St. Paul’s, I invite you to prayerfully ask, “What if…?” Then, join with me in imagining what God will do through us if we completely trust God with the blessings that we have received. Shalom,

1 https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/stewardship-quotes , accessed 9/22/19.

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Pastor Leslie and son, Tyler (Utah, August 2019)

Page 3 October Cross Currents

A Message from Pastor Donnie

As the season changes from Summer to Fall, I am reminded of how my life has changed over the years. I recently had my 60th birthday and, thinking back, can’t believe all the changes that have occurred around me. Those of you who are older than I am have seen many more changes. Change has always existed, but never has it happened as quickly as it does today. Change used to be linear at a relatively slow and steady pace. Today, many fields are growing exponentially.

Many lives were changed at the advent of the steam engine. Western expansion increased at a more rapid rate. Then the invention of the internal combustion engine brought us automobiles, an invention that gave us more freedom of movement. We have gone to faster and faster cars with more and more gadgets. My ’66 mustang did not have air conditioning or power windows. The inside of the car was cooled by rolling down the windows. I was an expert back then at rolling down the window on the passenger side while driving. I don’t miss those days. Technology has also provided us with air and space travel.

Changes in communication have increased at an amazing rate. Letters used to be delivered by Pony Express, sometimes taking weeks to be delivered. Now, we can communicate with someone in less than a second using email and text messages. This quick method of communication can get people in trouble, often when they are angry and send messages before their rage subsides.

Another thing that can easily happen with our new technology is the ease of sending a message to the wrong person, especially with text messages. I’ve heard many stories of people sending text messages to the wrong person that ended up causing a lot of trouble. I can think of one exception where the slower methods of communication didn’t keep someone I once knew out of trouble. When I was in high school in the 70’s, I delivered medicine from my father’s drug store to customers who were homebound. I delivered medicine to one elderly lady whom I will never forget. Her name was Flora Dudley. She was born in the late 1800’s. Flora once told me a story about when she was engaged to three men at the same time. They all lived out of town. One afternoon she wrote a love letter to each of them. Unfortunately, she didn’t place the letters in the corresponding envelope as she wrote them and ended up placing the letters in the wrong envelope, with each fiancé receiving a letter written to a different fiancé. I wonder to this day how many women went from being engaged to three men at the same time to being engaged to no one within a few days.

It’s fun to reminisce about the old days. There are so many stories to tell. But here in the present, for many, life is changing too fast to keep up. The current speed of change can cause stress, anger, and even depression. Though there are some changes we can avoid and keep out of our lives, there are changes we can’t navigate around. One of those areas involves our Christian faith and our churches.

Christianity, and its impact, has been declining in the West for many years. There are fewer people who call themselves Christians. Church attendance has been falling in many churches. There is a continuing number of churches that are closing their doors. Children used to grow up in the church. They would often leave the church only to return at a later time. Today, there are many parents who never grew up in the church. These parents can’t return to the church because they never went to church; their children will never grow up in the church. There are so many people without any religious affiliation that there is a name for them: “nones.”

Christianity in the West is facing new and old challenges, but we can’t give up. The belief that if we build it, they will come is no longer true. But that doesn’t mean we can’t reach those who need God in their lives. The methods we use to reach out to people have changed. We had some visitors at Sunday worship a couple of Sunday’s ago; when asked how they found St. Paul’s they

Fall is here already! The October 14th, 10 am meeting of St. Paul’s UMW will include our program on The World Thank Offering. We will also be discussing the upcoming Bake Sale on Sunday, Nov. 24th during Fellowship Time. We will have homemade goodies, jams and special diet (gluten free and sugar free) offerings for your Holiday gatherings. Donnie’s Famous Cinnamon Rolls will be on the tables. (Remember these go fast!) What a wonderful way to wake up on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning, or any morning, than to the smell of warm cinnamon rolls! If you would like to donate items for the Bake Sale please contact Jackie Fletcher, freedomgoldwing@gmail.com or 719-440-6547 (cell). The location for lunch after the 14th meeting is still to be determined. Over the summer our ladies read Adventure of Ascent by Luci Shaw. Writer and poet, Luci Shaw, has given us a lifetime of exquisite reflections on nature, love, death, suffering, loss, faith, doubt, creativity, curiosity, lifelong learning. If you would be interested in reading this collection of field notes on life’s journey there are several copies on one of the small tables in the Chapel. We are also donating one to St. Paul’s neighborhood Little Library, located in the west parking area and another to our downstairs library.

replied, “online.” Our leadership at St. Paul’s is working to find ways to reach out to people, young and old. There is already a way for many of you to help spread the word about St. Paul’s.

St. Paul’s has a Facebook page. Recently, we have been posting a short, weekly blurb about the topic of the upcoming Sunday’s sermon. Our hope is that some people will want to hear more and attend the service. By hitting “like” the on the post and then sharing it on your Facebook page, other people will see the blurb. Then, on Monday or Tuesday after each Sunday’s service, a video of the sermon will be posted on the church’s Facebook page. You can also “like” and share to your Facebook page. If all our members with Facebook accounts did this, we would share St. Paul’s with hundreds of additional people. Even if they can’t attend our worship service, the sermons will be available for them to watch. Those sermons can have an impact on their lives.

Yes, things are changing. But all change isn’t bad. Sometimes we can use change to do good and help spread the Good News of Jesus and our church. But don’t forget, regardless how much change occurs in the world, Jesus does not change.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

~Donnie

Many thanks to Gayle, Stephanie, Woody and all of St. Paul’s many musicians who blessed our worship on Music Appreciation Sunday — and every Sunday — with their extensive musical gifts. Thank you, too, to the hospitality team who hosted such a delightful Music Appreciation Potluck! Good food. Good fellowship. Many blessings!

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Ways to you can help yourself and others grow through missional service:

Our October mission focus is The Home Front Cares (THFC). THFC began in Colorado Springs in 2003 as an all volunteer initiative led by two retired Air Force colonels, Bob Carlone and Joe Henjum. As Vietnam War veterans, they were keenly aware of the financial and emotional struggles for families of deployed military members, and how easily these families could fall through the cracks of society. The Home Front Cares provides an emergency financial bridge and responsive support to Colorado’s military members, veterans and families. They provide grants to pay essential life expenses like rent, utilities and car repairs. Last year, THFC was proud to have provided over $400,000 in direct financial aid to families in the state of Colorado. This work helps to complete THFC’s vision—that Colorado’s military members achieve stability and maintain hope for a successful future. This St. Paul’s mission is a wonderful way to support our military in our own community. Do not pass by a man in need, for you may be the hand of God to him. (Proverbs 3:27-paraphrased)

Bags for Beds Do you have plastic bags you would like to get rid of? Would you like to make a positive impact on the homeless in our community? On September 8th, Pastor Leslie talked about making the decision to throw something in the trash, or to recycle it. She continued on, discussing how recycling can breathe new life into something and could be the difference between a good day or bad day for someone else. Your unwanted plastic grocery and newspaper bags can make this difference for someone. Bags for Beds will turn your bags into waterproof, lightweight mats that keep a person from sleeping directly on the hard ground. We are looking for bag donations, volunteers to cut and connect bags, and people to crochet the bags into mats. All you need to make a mat is time, a good crochet hook, and know how to crochet. Please consider helping to make a difference for those who need a little boost in life. “He who said to them, ‘Here is rest, give rest to the weary...” (Isaiah 28:12) If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Deborah Delaney at email tdkxdnns@gmail.com and/or by cell phone (757) 696-9412. A collection box for your plastic bags is located next to the Information Table.

Page 5 October Cross Currents

Communion St. Paul’s members, we need your help. If any of you know of anyone in our St.

Paul’s family that is homebound, in a nursing home, or just not able to come to

church for a while please let me know their name and phone number. I will be

happy to contact them and see if they would appreciate having communion

brought to them. Lu Petersen, 597-2824

Page 6

COOKIES NEEDED!!! It is never too early to start baking Christmas cookies. Turn on the Hallmark movie channel and bring on the hot chocolate. What we need are cookies. You can make them early, wrap and label “Christmas Eve”, then put them in the Fellowship Freezer in the kitchen. The Hospitality Committee says a big Thank You now to all who contribute.

There are only two more Keenager gatherings left in 2019. Our next lunch and program will be on Tuesday, October 8th with lunch beginning at 11:45am in Waddill Hall. Come join us for a time of great food and fellowship. Our program will be presented by Susan Lee, president and co-founder of the non-profit, Sock It To ‘em. Come listen to the story of Susan’s calling and how she and her friend, Phillis Shimamoto, began a charity to help distribute socks to the homeless in Colorado Springs. They now distribute socks all over the United States and in several countries around the world. The deadline to purchase your $7 ticket is Sunday, October 6th. See you on the 8th.

Pizza Palz coupons are here! Rocky Mountain Russia Initiative is selling Pizza Palz coupons to support our partner church in Satka, Russia. The coupons now cost $15 and are good for a pizza up to $30 in value. It is still a good deal and they make great Christmas gifts. They are good Sunday through Thursday at any Old Chicago restaurant. If you have questions or want to purchase, please see Nancy Aksland or Kathy Litton.

Missions Notes: August Mission Care and Share St. Paul’s, you provided 52 lbs of food and $475 for Care and Share. In serving our community and Southern Colorado, you are answering the call of Jesus, “for I was hun-gry and you gave me something to eat.” (Mt. 25:35a)

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Page 7 October Cross Currents

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CityServe Day Sign Up Instructions: • Go to cosiloveyou.com. • Click “Volunteer”. • Filter projects by area of town you’re interested in. (Example: If you’re located up north, you can filter projects by that area). • Select a project that is of best fit and has openings. • Click “Please Sign Me Up”. • Create a New Account. o Info Needed: § Email address § Create a Password § Create a Security Question § First Name § Last Name § Affiliate Church • If you’re bringing a group, indicate how many adults and minors you’re bringing. (Ideally, no more than 10 slots reserved at one time.) • Check that you agree with the waiver. (If you bring a group, please ensure that every mem-ber of your group fills out the CityServe Day Waiver.) That’s it! You’re all signed up! FAQs: Q: What is a Rally? A: This year we are hosting rallies in six different quadrants of our city on CityServe Day. Rallies will last 30 - 45 minutes and will be an opportunity for volunteers to pray and build ex-citement together before going out to serve at their various locations. It’s meant to literally unite and ignite the masses before going out to serve. Rallies are not mandatory, but HIGHLY encouraged. Q: Can I see how many people from my church have signed up? A: Yes! Just email corrie@cosiloveyou.com and she can run a report for you! Q: How do I get a t-shirt? A: You can purchase a t-shirt at any of the rally locations on CityServe Day. Additionally, you can email corrie@cosiloveyou.com to purchase one ahead of time. Cost of t-shirts is $10.

CityServe Day 2019 80 local churches are sending volunteers into the community to serve at over 130 locations on Saturday, October 5th. That’s just a few days away, and I would love for all of you to make time to be a part of it this year.

COSILoveYou has made it really easy to sign up as an individual, as a family, or even as a small group/Bible study/life group/community group. There are already more than 4,000 volunteer openings all over the city, but nearly half of them have already been taken. Please consider making the time to show our city tangible love through acts of service. Many of the projects are family - and kid - friendly, and it’s so easy to sign up. Just go to COSILoveYou.com. It takes less than 5 minutes. Our church talks a lot about loving those right around us - this is the easiest way for us to do just that, and it’s just a few days away.

Page 9 October Cross Currents

Volume 25, Issue 10 Page 10

October Birthdays!

1st

Jan Andrew 2nd

James Ford 3rd

Denise Taplin 4th

Marcus Reynolds 5th

Dave Tohlen 6th

John Butler Sharie Dane

7th

Pat Rinedollar 8th

Marie Suter

9th Doug Johnson

Christian Oberhofer 10th

Kyla DeLaney 12th

Diana Tohlen 13th

Jack Rinedollar 14th

Kristin Cooper Joshua George

Carol Hilty Don Lucke

17th

Tom Dane

18th Jodie Bertram

19th Margo Bowler

22nd Devon Cox

26th Andy Kindell

28th Olivia Bruce Jayne Gnadt

30th Billy Jo Allen Rita Leeper

31st Sue Grover

Dave & Diana Tohlen October 9, 1976

43 Years

Ron & Clara Richter October 12, 1963

56 years

Jon Reimer & Kristina Kafka October 22, 2016

3 years

Schedule of Weekly Events

Sunday 9:30a Worship 10:30a Fellowship Time 11:00a Sunday School

Monday 6:30p Jubilee Bells 7:00p Vocal Fusion 7:00p Barbershop Chorus

Tuesday 10:00a Prayer group

6:30p Over Eaters Anonymous

Wednesday 7:00a Men's Bible

Study 5:30p Exalt! 6:00p Cub Scouts 7:00p Sanctuary

Choir

Thursday 9:30a Friendship Bible Study 7:00p Nightingale Trio

Friday Saturday

Page 11

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 10:45a Line Dancing

2 3 4 5 CityServe Day

6 7 8 11:45a Keenagers

9 10 6:30p Finance Meeting

11 5:30p Globe Charter School Fall Carnival

12

13 2:00p Carol Lindell Piano Recital

14 6:00p Trustees meeting

15 10:45a Line Dancing

16 Deadline for Cross Current articles

17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 9:00a Fall Clean Up Day

27 Celebration Sunday

28 29 10:45a Line Dancing

30 31 Happy Halloween!

2019

Rachel out of office at class

Rachel on vacation

Rachel on vacation

Leslie & Donnie at Clergy Orders

Page 11 October Cross Currents

Ponderings from Pastor Leslie

2

Message from Donnie Sturgill

3

UMW Info 4

Missions and Learning Opportunities

5 - 9

Special Days 10

Calendar 11

The CC deadline is the 15th of each month, unless otherwise noted. For more information contact the Church office at 634-7046. We reserve the right to edit and condense submissions for publication.

St. Paul's United Methodist Church

2111 Carlton Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Email: stpaulscs@comcast.net

Grounded in Tradition, Growing in Faith

Phone: 719-634-7046 Fax: 719-634-4752 Visit us on the web: stpaulsumc-coloradosprings.org

Place Label Here

What does “sacred” look like? How does “sacred” make us

feel?

Is it the calm tranquility of a pond? The wonder in your

grandchild’s eye’s? An awe inspiring sunrise/sunset? The

joy in your loved one’s smile?

This Advent season we will be exploring the Sacred and

are asking for your help. Bring in a 4x6 or 5x7 picture with a brief

description or scripture verse, if you want, of what “sacred” looks like to

you.

We will be using the photos as part of worship during the Advent

season. We will also use them to create a Sacred Advent devotional book

for people to take home.

Don’t have a picture of what “sacred” looks like? Keep your camera

handy, be on the look out and take a snapshot when you witness the

“sacred” in your life!

Pictures need to be turned in to Rachel by November 17th.