Come and worship! All are welcome!

Transcription

1 Come and worship! All are welcome! Worship on Sunday Mornings at 10:00am with Holy Communion Vacation Bible School July :00-8:30pm St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 721 Twelfth Avenue, Huntington WV The mission of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church is to CELEBRATE and PROCLAIM to all the saving grace of JESUS CHRIST in word and deed. 1

2 Pastor s Reflections I subscribe to a Church Consultant that periodically sends me messages related to church administration and growth. This past week I received an article whose title I found very intriguing: Five Lies We Like to Tell About Church Growth. Here are the five lies the author proposes: 1. Friendly churches grow. 2. Growth is not about numbers. 3. Our children are our future. 4. We grow one new member at a time. 5. Our church wants to grow. I find all of those lies interesting. If you want to see the full article please stop by the church office and we can provide you a copy. I guess my thoughts about the lies is do we here at St. Paul tell ourselves these things when the conversation turns to growth and in particular our church growing? Now I am a firm believer that the church is called to grow and yes growth does mean numbers and spiritually, otherwise why would the book of Acts always remind us of how many people were being added to their numbers day by day. I would like to see this church grow. What tends to happen is that churches like any other organization get what I called stuck. We get stuck in the routine. We get stuck and say things like: We have never done it that way before Pastor. I like routine and order as much as everyone else (just ask my family about that one). The problem is we get stuck and the order and routine become more important than being in mission to the community around us, some of which has changed with new people and new faces. The Stewardship and Finance Committee had a meeting recently where we talked about our Fall Campaign. The group collectively felt the need to do more than just ask people for money. We wanted to engage us all in the work of thinking about our future as church here in Huntington. We defined it this way: Who do we want to be at St. Paul in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years and what will it take to fund the ministry we want to accomplish. This in my mind is thinking about growth. Thanks to the leaders on that Committee who heard the Spirit s nudging that that is what we need to do this year. Maybe all this talk about growth and growing scares you. Frankly sometimes it scares me! Change is hard for all of us. My impression is that when we do this work together. When we struggle to be faithful to our baptismal call. When we put our heart where we want it to be growth will naturally occur. Prayer of course is an important part of this process. I ask that you pray for St. Paul and it s ministry it s future. Be open to the nudging of the Holy Spirit just as those first disciples in the books of Acts. Below is this month s question to ponder. Blessings and Peace from your pastor, Kevin <>< The Church that loves model more than mission will die. When this happens consumer Christianity will die and selfless Discipleship will emerge. Are we becoming selfless Disciples? 2

3 SUMMER PREACHING DISCIPLESHIP The Narrative Lectionary through the summer months divides the preaching texts into several series. This series begin on May 27 and continue through September 2. Below is a list of texts for the summer series. On September 9 we will begin a new series with Old Testament lessons as primary preaching texts and beginning in Advent the gospel of Matthew will the primary preaching texts. Pastor Mackey is suggesting that we look at these texts through the eyes of an overall theme of discipleship. The First John series as a reminder that followers of Jesus (disciples) are people of love. The Ruth series as a reminder that followers of Jesus (disciples) are people of community and commitment. Finally, the stewardship and generosity series as a reminder that we are followers of Jesus (disciples) who are generous with our God given gifts, talents, treasures and abilities. July 1 1 John #2 1 John 1: 5-2:2 and John 1:29 July 8 1 John #3 1 John 4:1-16 and John 14: July 15 1 John #4 1 John 4: 7-21 and John 15: 9-11 July 22 Ruth #1 Ruth 1: 1-22 and Matthew 5: 3-9 July 29 Ruth #2 Ruth 2: 1-23 and Luke 6: August 5 Ruth #3 Ruth 3: 1-8 and Matthew 7:7-8 August 12 Ruth #4 Ruth 4: 1-22 and Luke 1: August 19 Stewardship and Generosity #1 Matthew 6: and Psalm 51: 6-9 August 26 Stewardship and Generosity #2 Mark 10: and Palm 51: September 2 Stewardship and Generosity #3 Luke 12: and Psalm 51: COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION CHANGE IN SUMMER The first Sunday of the month during the summer month s communion distribution will be different. The Worship and Music committee in conversation with the pastor suggested that we distribute communion on the first Sunday of the month the way the choir currently receives communion. This means that we will have tables below the steps with each table having people in them. This is in response to several concerns about worshippers climbing the steps for our traditional at the rail communion. Please know that this will only be done through the summer months June 3, July 1, August 5 and September 2. Please let your leaders know how you believe this trial has gone as the Worship and Music committee will be evaluating it in the Fall. C.I.A. (Christmas in August) Ministry opportunities are plentiful here at St. Paul. The Social Ministry Committee is sponsoring a C.I.A. event (for translation of C.I.A. see above) on August 5 at our Sunday worship. You will notice about the second week in July a Christmas tree in the front of the sanctuary. On this tree will be ornaments that we are asking followers of Jesus here at St. Paul to take and purchase the item on the ornament and bring it back (wrapped or unwrapped) to the Christmas tree in the front. On the C.I.A. Sunday we will have a (Christmas in August) celebration. We will sing Christmas carols. Pastor will preach on the nativity story. We will also hear from a staff person from the Huntington City Mission as a part of the Ministry Mission Moment. This fun ministry activity is a way for us to reach out to our neighbors in need here in the Huntington area. After worship a Christmas in August fellowship 3 will take place in the Parlor complete with Christmas cookies and Christmas music. Thank you in advance for participating in this ministry opportunity here at St. Paul.

4 A note from Jill... In a flash, June has come and gone in a blink. The transition of the end of the school year and Graduation seems to wind everyone up with excitement for summer time activities and vacations. We honored three of our Graduates on June 3rd during worship service and afterwards with a celebration in the parlor. We congratulated Kathleen Korstanje, Zachary Garnett and Jacob Simpkins on their graduation achievements. We prayed with them and wished them the best of luck on their new journeys. The following Sunday, June 10th the youth held a spaghetti dinner luncheon after worship service to raise funds for those in need of scholarships for Camp Luther. The youth decorated and set up for the festivities. LYO helped prepare the meal and CCC helped to serve the meal. Ron Pease was so generous with his time and talents to start meal preparation at 6am to create his most famous & loved spaghetti sauce. Fellowship and good conversation was a great part of the morning while preparing the meal. As God works through us, we learned something new about one another. It was a special morning for all of us as we joined in His grace to show our love and to spread His love. The meal consisted of vegetarian spaghetti & a spaghetti with meat sauce, Brunetti s Bread, salad, brownies, blueberry cobbler and refreshing water, lemonade, iced tea and fruit punch. I believe the meal was enjoyed by all. A special thank you to Ron Pease for all his hard work and help. A special thanks to all who attended to support our youth to attend Camp Luther. This Changes Everything! The following Sunday, we celebrated Father s Day and sent our youth and adult campers off to Camp Luther in Cowen, WV. I am sure they will have the time of their lives. This Changes Everything, is the theme this year and I am sure for all of our first time campers, their lives will be changed forever. Whether it is acceptance upon arrival, competing in the Olympics, participating in the 5 o clock news, singing on the Hillsides, playing Gaga, swimming in the pool, having classes in the barn, activities in the bull pen, or witnessing during devotions or vespers, but the truth is that God is always there loving us unconditionally and that love is evident and learned and shared greatly during one s time at a Camp Luther. Each camper comes home with IT in their heart. As the summer carries on, we will prepare for our upcoming VBS July from 6:00pm-8:30pm. This year s theme is Shipwrecked - Rescued by Jesus. We will need several volunteers to help evangelize to our youth in our community. You may contact me at anytime if you have questions or would like to help. We ask of any of your time and talents that could be helpful. If you will not be able to actively participate, we will have a list of food items to be donated to help feed the children a snack each night. As the next few weeks press on, enjoy the summer and all the Gifts God gives us. Take time to stop and smell the roses so to speak. Look at the clouds and gaze at the stars. Pay attention to that fresh air that passes your nose and lips. Be Thankful! This Changes Everything! I will call upon the Lord- who is worthy to be praised. And so Shall I be saved from my enemies. The Lord Liveth and Blessed be the rock that made the God of our salvation be exalted! Your loving sister in Christ, Jill May 4

5 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JULY :00-8:30PM Pre-school through fifth grade We need lots of help with making VBS a success this year. Below is a list of volunteers and a list of snack items. There will be sign up sheets for these in the narthex. If you can help with any of these please sign up in the narthex, contact the church office or talk to Jill May or Shannon Simpkins. Registration 2 people Imagination Station (crafts) 2 people Music and Missions 2 people Ship Rec Games 2 people Bible Discovery Room 2 people Tropical Treat Station 3 or 4 people Sound an Video 2 people Photography 1 person Opening 1 person Closing 1 person Actor/Actress 2 people Leader for each age group: pre-school, K-1, 2-3, 4-5+ Decorating 8-10 people Cleanup 8-10 people For more information please contact Jill May or Shannon Simpkins. Below is a list of items needed for snacks and for dinner on Friday evening. There will be a sign up sheet in the narthex. 50 gallon size Ziploc bags 200 sandwich bags Clear plastic punch cups Box of plastic spoons 4 large boxes of vanilla pudding 4 large boxes of chocolate pudding 4 large boxes of blue jello 4 bags of tropical Swedish fish packs 4 boxes graham crackers 60 clothespins 60 rubber bands 2 big bags of skittles Big box of rainbow goldfish Big box of Goldfish crackers from Sam s Club 2 bags of green grapes 2 bags of red grapes 100 straws 4 containers of Rainbow sherbert 4-2liter bottles of fruit flavored sparkling water 4 boxes vanilla wafers Hotdog sauce 6 big bags tortilla chips 2 big bags regular chips French onion chip dip Ranch chip dip Mustard/ketchup Relish Cookies brownies 5

6 Henning in Taiwan Dear St. Paul Family, It s been a little over a year now, since I started as full-time music director of St. Paul. I enjoy making music for and with you and would like to thank you for providing a home away from home. End of May, the choir, our pastor, and I met for dinner at Black Sheep downtown to celebrate a fun and successful year. It was a great evening of fellowship and delicious food. As you know, I always travel during the summer, mostly professionally, but I will also get to see my family and especially my two-and-a-half-year-old niece in Germany. My first trip early June was to Taiwan, where I taught and lectured at the National Taiwan University for the Arts in Taipei. In July, I will be in Serbia for the World Piano Conference and in Germany for a summer music festival. I would like to thank Keith Wellman for taking over when I am travelling. It is such a relief to have support from someone as kind and capable as him. Best wishes for the summer, and see you end of July! Henning 6 Choir Dinner

7 If you have a favorite hymn or two you would like the congregation to sing this summer, please fill out this form, tear it off and place it in the offering plate on Sunday morning. You can also your request to: secretary@stpaulhuntington.org I would like to sing: Memorial Service A Memorial service for Pastor Charles Aurand and wife Elinor will be held here at St. Paul on August 11 at 11:00am. Pastor Charles Aurand died on June 1, Pastor Aurand served here at St. Paul from 1958 until Elinor died on December 30, She was a lifelong teacher in the Huntington area. Both Pastor Aurand and Elinor were very active in the church as well as in the community. Please look for more information on the memorial service in the bulletins and the August newsletter. SOUTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD Picnic July 12 at 5:30pm At Ritter Park Please bring a covered dish to share WATER AT THE PARK July 22 right after worship At Ritter Park on the Corner of 8th street and 13th Avenue Sponsored by the Evangelism Committee. Everyone is welcome to come and hand out water and share the love of Christ to our neighbors. Please wear your St. Paul T-shirt. 7

8 CAMP LUTHER SCHOLARSHIPS Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Camp Luther Scholarships honoring the Men of Faith in our lives. Along with donations from the spaghetti dinner, we collected over $2,000! IN HONOR OF: Rick Veres by Jacqui Veres Michael Rose by Jacqui Veres Louis Veres by Rick and Jacqui Veres Pastor Mackey by Rick and Jacqui Veres Thomas Kist by Karen Nielsen Joel A. Gensler, 35 year Camp Luther volunteer by Norma Gensler Joel Gensler for decades of dedicated service to Camp by Anna Gensler Joel Gensler by Rachel, Charlie, Faithanna, Lily and Malia Hall Keith Wellman by Bernadette Wellman Aaron Wellman by Bernadette Wellman Andrew Wellman by Bernadette Wellman Brice Dowis by Bernadette Wellman Thomas Mackey by Pastor Kevin, Kathy and Alex Mackey My son Claude by Poppy Cartee Fathers Anders and Tregg Lindberg and their Camp Luther memories by Bonnie Conger Wayne Fricke, camper for many years by Mary Lou Fricke Troy Fricke, camper and counselor by Mary Lou Fricke Our daddy, Stephen Utley by DeLaney and BrookLynn Utley David Stuart by Helen Stuart Greg Eiler by Marie Eiler Our six grandchildren by Kay and Bill Jennings Rex Hale by Jeanna, Brad and Olivia Ron Kelley by Lisa Kelley Ernest Golder by Stephen J. Golder My husband, John Scott by Nola Scott Al Schneider by Madelyn Fizer Keith Wellman by Amy Dowis Dale William Kelz by Susan Kelz and Sophia and Zoe McMillion Joshua McMillion by Susan Kelz and Sophia and Zoe McMillion Maddox Grant McMillion by Susan Kelz and Sophia and Zoe McMillion Neil Arneson by Ruthann, Emma and Ethan Kevin Mackey by Kathy and Alexandria IN MEMORY OF: Q. L. DuVall by Richard DuVall John Brackett by Pastor Kevin, Kathy and Alex Mackey Reverend Kenneth Larkin by Pastor Kevin, Kathy and Alex Mackey My Father Andres Humberto by Poppy Cartee Sandy Fricke: Camp Luther was one of his passions by Mary Lou Fricke William Eid by Rick and Chris Eid Werner Ruedele by Rick and Chris Eid William Everette Campbell by Rick and Jacqui Veres Jack L. Mitchell by Rick and Jacqui Veres Claude Kinder by Rick and Jacqui Veres György Veres by Rick and Jacqui Veres Glen W. Kinder, Sr. by Rick and Jacqui Veres George Veres by Rick and Jacqui Veres Neale Nord by Steve Nord Kent Nord by Steve Nord Joe Labriola by Steve Nord Sandy Fricke by Steve Nord David E. Becker, whose five daughters loved going to Camp Luther, by loving wife Carolyn Becker Our parents by Kay and Bill Jennings Pastor Charles Aurand by Stephen Golder Harlan Fretheim by Barbara Garnett, Zak Garnett and Jaylyn Garnett PA by Linda Schneider Keiffer Wellman (Father) and Euphrates Davis (Grandfather) by Keith Wellman Matthew William Kelz by Susan Kelz and Sophia and Zoe McMillion Arthur Stuart by David Stuart Rev. Charles W. Aurand by Shandra Graf and Brock Tucker with special memories of Outpost The Rev. Charles Aurand, longest serving 8 Camp Director by Joel and Norma Gensler John Pleasants, beloved husband by Linda Pleasants Sandy Fricke by Alice Fricke Arthur Lee Fricke by Alice Fricke

9 Getting settled in at Camp Luther We celebrated with three of our youth as they graduated from High School: Jacob Simpkins, Zakare Garnett and Kathleen 9 Korstanje.

10 CHURCH CLOSING SERVICE Our Savior Lutheran Church Ravenswood, WV Corner of Walnut and Henry streets Saturday, July 14 at 12:00pm SPAGHETTI DINNER A light luncheon will follow. Thanks to all the youth for the delicious dinner. And to Ron Pease for making the wonderful This was the home church of David Stuart and Helen Stuart. spaghetti sauce! 10

11 Please sign up in the narthex if you are able to help with mowing the lawn here at the church. Mowers, gas, and weed whippers are available in the shed behind the church. Any questions please see James May or Keith Wellman. We are in need of volunteers to run the Sound System on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in helping please sign up in the narthex. If you have already been helping in this ministry we ask that you also sign up on the schedule in the narthex. The next council meeting will be on July 29 right after worship. The Book Club will not be meeting in July. We will meet again on August 16 at 10:30am in the parlor. We will be discussing The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Please join us!! COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Several ministry activities mentioned: July 22 Evangelism is sponsoring a Water Hand Out time at Ritter Park after worship, C.I.A. (Christmas In August) sponsored by the Social Ministry Committee Spoke about possible Memorial Service for Pastor Aurand sometime in August (still to be confirmed with the family) Worship and Music committee will meet to decide whether or not to purchase oil candles to replace Christ Candle. Heard preliminary plans by Stewardship and Finance about the yearly stewardship campaign. New web site hopefully to go live sometime the beginning of July. 11

12 Brown Bag Bible Study will not be meeting during the summer. Please plan to join us when we resume in September. DAILY BIBLE READING FOR JULY Joel 1 Joel 2 Joel 3 Amos 1 Amos 2 Amos 3 Amos 4 Amos 5 Amos 6 Amos 7 Amos 8 Amos 9 Obadiah 1 Jonah 1 Jonah 2 Jonah 3 Jonah 4 Micah 1 Micah 2 Micah 3 Micah 4 Micah 5 Micah 6 Micah 7 Nahum 1 Nahum 2 DAILY BIBLE READINGS NOTE One of the practices of a follower of Jesus is Bible reading. Each month in the newsletter you are provided with daily readings. These readings will help you set a daily discipline for reading the Bible. Sometimes it is helpful to have a journal or piece of paper when you are reading. You can use this to write questions you may have about the text and present those questions to God in prayer. God s blessing as you read God s Word as you seek to be a faithful servant of Jesus. 12

13 JULY WORSHIP HELPERS Assisting Minister Reader Communion Deacon 7/1 Luke Fornash Piper May 7/8 Bernadette Wellman Linda Schneider Bill Korstanje 7/15 James May David Stuart Steve Golder 7/22 David Stuart Bernadette Wellman Creigh Pemberton 7/29 Linda Schneider Keith Wellman Bernadette Wellman Acolyte Crucifer 7/1 Adriana Bakley Piper May 7/8 Alex Mackey Emma Simpkins 7/15 Cameron May Zoe May 7/22 Katie Dowis Garrin Simpson 7/29 Owen Murray Zoie Fornash Bread Providers Ushers 7/1 Kelz Linda Schneider 7/8 Kelz Linda Schneider 7/15 Kelz 7/22 Kelz 7/29 Kelz Sanctuary Lamp Chapel Lamp Altar Guild Linda Hay Janet Grimes and Linda Hay Flowers 7/1 Dale and Susan Kelz Sound System Dr. Grimes 7/8 Norma Gensler Dr. Grimes 7/15 Robert Tucker Dr. Grimes 7/22 Linda Hay Dr. Grimes 7/29 Ruthann Arneson FINANCIAL MINISTRY Offering through June 2018: Year to Date: Income: 17, , Expenses: Net Gain/(loss) 20, (3,697.98) 111, (5,084.25) June 3 84 June June 17 June WORSHIP ATTENDANCE FOR JUNE 13

14 july 2018 Sun Mon 1 10:00am Worship Tue 2 Wed 3 11:30am Yoga 9:00am Quilters 8 10:00am Worship :30am Yoga 9:00am Quilters Thu :30am Yoga 9:00am Quilters Sat Office Closed 11 5:30pm Southside Neighborhood Picnic at Ritter Park 7:00pm Writer s Group 10:00am Worship Fri Noon-Closing of Ravenswood Lutheran Church 6:00pm Scout troop from St. Louis arrives Vacation Bible School 6:00PM 8:30PM 22 10:00am Worship :30am Yoga 9:00am Quilters Hand out water at Ritter Park 29 10:00am Worship Church Council after worship 11:30am Yoga

15 Shepherding God, you are the source of life and health. Surround those who struggle with illness or other difficulties of life and bring them to wholeness and healing: LaDonna, Scott, Marissa, Pastor Jennifer, Eric, Joel, Missie, Sadie, Frank, Husma, Erika, Jon, Alan, Ann, Jamie, Judy, Brenda, Shannon. If you would like to put someone on the prayer list please contact the church office at HAPPY BIRTHDAY 6 Kathleen Korstanje; Owen Murray 8 James May 9 Jill May; Bill Jones 14 Nathaniel Fornash 18 Wilma Anderson 21 Stephen Golder 22 Emma Korstanje 24 Kaylen Simpson 25 David Korstanje 27 Anders Lindberg; DeLaney Utley 28 Trey Bell; William Korstanje 31 Ethan Arneson 2 Bob and Debbie Sabin 8 Joel and Norma Gensler 14 Ernie and Helen Golder 15 Bob and Sharon Tucker 20 Brice and Amy Dowis If you are in the hospital, or are at home with an extended illness, please let Pastor Mackey or the church office know. Pastor Mackey is always available to bring Holy Communion to you especially if an illness has kept you at home on Sunday mornings. Meals can be provided to those who want them. Please call the church office at to make an appointment. 15

16 Sharing God s love with others... CRIDLIN FOOD AND CLOTHING PANTRY New phone number: New Hours: 12:30-2:00pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday Monday 5:30-6:30pm Cridlin Clothing and Food Pantry is always in need of children s clothing. As garage sales are starting up again please consider purchasing gently used clothing for the children in our community. All sizes are needed. Donations can be placed in the containers in the narthex or in the downstairs hallway. The pantry is also in need of towels and sheets. Please mark the sheets with the size. Items can be placed in the collection bins. JULY Please note that our numbers of donations each month has been way down. Let s try to make our goal this month!! 48+ cans of ravioli 16 Women s underwear size 5

17 PRAYER VENTURES JULY Pray for youth, adults and ELCA Youth Gathering volunteers traveling home from Houston that they will return home safely to share their enthusiasm, deepened faith, appreciation for the diversity and complexity of the body of Christ, and a broadened vision of the ELCA and their role in carrying out its mission in the world. 2 Give thanks to God for being attentive to our difficulties, experiences of human tragedy and questions and for reassuring us that we are loved and that nothing is beyond God s ability to heal, restore or save. 3 We remember in prayer people, communities and regions affected by recent flooding and severe weather that the Spirit will sustain their faith and hope while they deal with loss, damage and the daunting work of recovery and rebuilding. 4 Give thanks for the blessings of freedom we experience in our nation, and pray the Spirit will guide us in using our freedom to exemplify God s ways of justice, peace, humility and mercy while caring and advocating for those who still experience injustice and obstacles to freedom in our society and world. 5 Give thanks and praise to God for being gracious to us and being our helper, turning our mourning into dancing and clothing us with joy. 6 Give thanks for the ELCA missionaries serving in Cameroon, Kenya and Liberia and for their work alongside our global companions in theological education, parish ministry, communications and growing the church. 7 Pray the Spirit of God stirs in us an inclination to be generous and concerned with the needs of our neighbor that The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little. 8 Just as the disciples were sent out with few physical comforts and resources but were well equipped for ministry with the wisdom of Jesus, the power of the Spirit and the company of one another we pray that we too will trust in the guidance and assets God has provided us to do God s work in the world. 9 Hold in prayer the city of Houston, which was host for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering, that the witness and impact of the faith, enthusiasm and service of the youth and adult participants will endure long after the Gathering and give hope and encouragement to its residents and faith communities. 10 Ask God to have mercy on us that our spirits are restored when we feel disparaged or criticized and that we are strengthened to respond not with vengeance or anger but with the same mercy and love we have experienced through faith in Jesus Christ. 11 Pray for congregations, social ministries and community organizations working in partnership to prepare for serving our neighbors in need on God s work. Our hands. Sunday, Sept Give thanks for the bounty and impact of community gardens tended by congregations and neighbors for the sake of those who are hungry, need fresh food to supplement their diets or are uncertain of their next meal. 13 We ask God to help us see and understand our shortcomings, hardships and tragedies in life not as humiliating weaknesses but as sources of strength, preparation and wisdom to help us better understand and serve our neighbor and share the good news of the hope and healing we have in Jesus Christ. 14 Give thanks for the rich partnership and relationship we have with the Reformed Church in America, a full communion partner with the ELCA since Pray for their church and ask God to further our respect for one another and work together sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor. 15 Pray we each have a measure of John the Baptizer s boldness, persistence, courage and confidence of faith as we talk about our faith with others, share the gospel and invite our neighbor to experience God s grace through Jesus Christ. 16 Continue to pray for leaders of nations working toward diplomatic solutions to complex and deep-seated conflicts in the world; ask God to grant them persistence, mutual understanding and an openness to reconciliation for the sake of people caught in the middle who suffer injustice, violence, displacement, division and poverty. 17

18 17 Pray our ears, minds and hearts are open to what Scripture tells us about God s steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, peace and goodness and what it means for our life and baptismal journey. 18 Remember in prayer youth and adults involved in service learning and mission trips this summer; pray they discover mutual bonds of faith, understanding and partnership in communities where they serve and that a spirit of servanthood will grow and endure in them throughout life. 19 Give thanks and glory to God for the gift of eternal life and the coming time when we will be gathered in heaven as loved children adopted through Jesus Christ a gift that infuses our life with understanding and appreciation of true love and mercy. 20 For physicians, scientists and researchers who commit their lives and skills to curing, treating and ending life threatening and debilitating diseases, we lift up prayers of thanksgiving and encouragement. 21 The ELCA and The Episcopal Church are committed to prayer, fasting and advocacy addressing cuts to public programs that are vital to hungry people who are living in poverty. Pray for these concerns, our leaders and people in need on the 21st of each month through December Pray we learn from the selfless, empathetic example of Jesus to not turn our backs on our neighbors, especially those in need or crisis, but to move close, accompany them and exercise generosity and compassion. 23 Mary Magdalene, Apostle The stories of women in the Bible who are examples of faith, courageous leadership, serving neighbors in need and sharing boldly the good news of Jesus Christ sometimes remain untold or unfamiliar to us. We pray to be disciplined in studying their stories in Scripture and to share far and wide the inspiring stories of women of faith in the church today. 24 We may not know much about shepherds in today s world, but we know enough to be grateful that God like a shepherd is attentive to our daily lives and needs for care, comfort and guidance. 25 Pray for the ELCA missionaries serving in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Jamaica and for their work alongside our global companions in health education, teaching English, human rights, leadership development and theological education. 26 Pray for communities preparing for the long hurricane season ahead. Ask God to move us to be generous in supporting Lutheran Disaster Response and the congregations, volunteers and agencies that are quick to mobilize and assist with disaster relief and recovery across the United States and the Caribbean region. 27 Ask God to remind us of and restore among us the unity and peace we have in the promises, love and sacrifice of Christ Jesus that reconcile us to God. 28 Young Adult Ministry of the ELCA serves a diverse population of young people who are students, working, serving in the military, raising families, exploring life and may or not be affiliated with a community of faith. Pray the inspiration, opportunities and resources Young Adult Ministry offer bear fruit and complement the work of congregations in supporting and connecting young adults with communities where they can uncover their identity as children of God, experience belonging and find opportunities to serve their neighbors. 29 Give thanks for the work we participate in through ELCA World Hunger and our partners to end poverty and hunger in the world, and ask God to stir our confidence and faith in the assets, resources and capacities with which we ve been equipped for the challenges before us. 30 Remember in prayer congregations facing challenges of changing communities, demographics and economic contexts; pray they find insightful assistance, draw on the resources of synods and churchwide programs and move forward with creativity, new wisdom and renewed energy for the mission of the church. 31 We rejoice that whether new to faith in Christ or a mature leader or elder in the faith, the same Spirit is at work in us, the same love of Christ dwells in us and we are blessed by the same fullness of God that broadens our imagination of our baptismal calling and what can be accomplished together as followers, witnesses, teachers and servants in daily life. 18

19 ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH th Avenue Huntington, WV CONTACT INFORMATION Reverend Kevin L. Mackey, pastor Henning Vauth, Music Director Jill May, Youth Director Wayne Doss, secretary Kathy Mackey, secretary Please visit us at COUNCIL MEMBERS/OFFICERS Pastor Kevin L. Mackey, Council President, ex-officio Steve Golder, Vice President, Stewardship Finance Andrew Wellman, Treasurer/Stewardship Finance Linda Schneider, Financial Secretary Emma Arneson, Council Secretary/ Christian Education Barbara Garnett, Worship and Music/Christian Education Christina Eid, Evangelism John Scott, Social Ministry Cam Hale, Fellowship Kay Jennings, Fellowship James May, Property Richard Eid, Evangelism Rick Veres, Property Jacqui Veres, Christian Education Norma Gensler, Worship and Music The mission of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church is to CELEBRATE and PRO- CLAIM to all the saving grace of JESUS CHRIST in word and deed. 19

20 St. Paul Lutheran Church th Avenue Huntington, WV July