CHURCH ST. PAUL LUTHERAN. March 2017

Transcription

1 ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH March 2017 Is it March already? Ash Wednesday and Lent are upon us, and this is my first Article in the Epistle. There is so much going on, which is wonderful, but I'll try to be brief. Greetings! As we spend time together and share our stories, I hope we'll come to know one another better, but for now, I'll just offer some basic facts. Yes, I'm half Irish, my father was Catholic before he remarried my mother. My wife of twelve years is Rebecca and we have two children. My stepson Jaye is nineteen and our daughter Samantha is three. We have a cat named Lilah. Before this, I served as an interim pastor in rural south-western Wisconsin and before that, served as Vicar in a congregation near Duke University in Durham, NC. But my wife and I are both native Midwesterners. My previous career was in the world of business. Rebecca left her career as an Ophthalmic Assistant (like a nurse for eye doctors) to raise Samantha. Everything else will just have to wait until we can spend some time together. Which leads to what I consider to be one of the most important things in God's mission for us and the church - relationships. Christ became incarnate in human flesh in order to mend the relationship between humanity and God and to guide humanity in restoring relationships with one another. And since it is tradition to participate in a Lenten discipline, I would like to invite every member to participate in a Lenten Discipline of Relationship Building and Renewing. Stop by the church office or pick up a packet after worship during Lent and dive right in. I look around the church and the community here, and I'm excited by the things going on and the wonderful opportunities that lay ahead of us. Right now, my primary focus is on getting to know the members of the church, the synod and the community around the church. Over time, I hope to start a large scale project based in an idea called Community Mapping, in which we focus on getting to know our neighbors in the community and deepening our involvement and connection to our community. This is a project that can take years, but in places where the work has been done, it has produced an incredible bond between the church and the community. This is also a project that will help us to identify places where we invest a lot of time and energy with little benefit to the community, places where we could have the same or greater impact by working with others in our community and places where we can reach the unmet needs of our community and those who live in it. So, I'm looking forward to the days, months and years ahead, and I hope you will join me and other members of the church and community in coming together to learn about God's call on our lives and the mission we are called to share together! In Faith, Pr. Joseph O'Donnell

2 St. Paul in the Modern Age This article is the first of a series. In the coming months, we'll explore all the ways in which the tiny things that you might already be doing, or could be doing with little time and effort could be a part of God's mission for the church and congregation, here in this community. I hope you will find these articles enlightening and encouraging. Jesus says, "My yoke is easy, my burden light." (Matthew 11) `Sometimes the task of being the church, especially in the modern age, seems daunting. Young people don't seem to be interested in coming to church, figuring out which programs will have the most impact is a challenge unto itself. Then, when you've finally chosen, the task of organizing volunteers, marketing and implementing the program is another dilemma. And while these remain part of the life of the church, there is an easy yoke and a light burden that can make a difference. Social Media & the Church If you have a TV, you've heard of Twitter. It's hard to escape it in the news. Many of you are already on Facebook. In today's world, these have become a part of good business practice. Just a few years ago, one of the fast food companies, I think it was Burger King, took applications for a marketing position through Twitter only. You might think, but that's business, this is the church, isn't it different? Jesus was incarnate, became truly human, to be among us, to be a part of this world. Jesus still remained true to God and the ideals of the Kingdom, yet became a part of this world, even in the midst of all our sin and short comings. Most businesses use social media for their own gain, but the church can become incarnate in a new way - digitally - and yet remain true to God's mission and the ideals of the Kingdom. That said, we've launched a Twitter Our Facebook page continues, but you'll start to see it's more active. We may find ourselves in other digital venues in the near future, including YouTube and SnapChat. But like any ministry of the church, the church and its staff can only do so much. We need you and your help! "What do I do?" I hope you're asking. If you're not on any social media or only on one or another, you don't need to run out and join. Simply share this information with people you know who are involved in social media. If you are on social media, make sure you've "Liked" our Facebook page and that you "Follow" us on Twitter. And when you're on social media, "Like" and "Share" or "Re-Tweet" the posts that you're encouraged or excited by. "Why does this matter?" Two reasons, when you like, follow, share or re-tweet the messages our church puts out on social media, those messages reach a larger audience. It's just part of how these programs work. When you show an interest in something on social media, the programs behind Facebook and Twitter decide that other people like you might have an interest in those messages too. So that little act of clicking "Like" can cause a message to reach 10, 20, or even a hundred more people. The second reason is that we live in a diverse world with diverse people. Just as we learn to communicate differently with children, or learn jargon for a job, or even pick up a new language, being a church that communicates in new ways is part of embodying Christ in the world. Jesus made the high education of the Pharisees accessible to the people, Martin Luther put the Bible into the language of the people, and in a similar way, sharing the Word of God with the world today means learning to communicate in these new ways. At the same time, we'll continue to communicate in all the ways we have been. Social media won't replace anything, we merely hope to become sort of "bi-lingual" in this way. And in turn, we will share the Word of God with more people. In Hope, Pr. Joseph O'Donnell

3 FROM THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT The first council meeting of the newly elected council members was held on Tuesday, February 20 at 5:15. The agenda always starts with devotions and then an open forum, which means that any member who wants to address the council has the opportunity. It is always good to call the President to request speaking to the council. Minutes from the last meeting are reviewed and corrected if necessary and then approved. The council minutes are then posted on the bulletin board outside the office for the members to read. The council meets on the 3 rd Tuesday so the minutes are posted on the next day. At this meeting, the new members, Pastor Joseph O Donnell, Rebecca O Donnell and Samantha O Donnell were recognized. This was Pastor Joseph s first council meeting and the council was most grateful to have him and his family. All new members were recorded in the minutes. The business items were: assigning council members to the three teams as liaisons, taking action on team reports when needed and approving the reports. The 500 Year Reformation time line was presented with February 26th as the next celebration of the Reformation video by Rick Steves. Other items were the start of working on the constitution, which will be ready for the next annual meeting and a committee working on all St. Paul policies. If you were at the Annual Meeting, you know that I presented the idea of the Luther Bell as part of our celebration for the 500 Year Reformation. The bell must be ordered by March 30th to have it in time for October and for the current price. We are off to a good and busy start and I will keep you informed about the meetings. Always remember our mission statement of Reach Out and Share God s Love, especially during this Lenten season. We will have soup at 5:30 on Wednesdays before the service and all are invited to have a meal and then worship with friends. See you there. God Bless each and everyone, Marian Myers, President

4 PASTORAL EMERGENCY - If you need to be in touch with the Pastor, please call the church Our office secretary, Anna Meller will see that the Pastor is notified. After church hours, contact Marian or Pastor Joseph O pastor@stpauldixon.org. EPISTLE DEADLINE: The deadline for articles for March will be Wednesday, March 15th. If you have any information you would like in the Epistle, please it to office@ stpauldixon.org or drop it off at the office. If your information is not in by then, it will not be put into the Epistle. CRAFT CLASS is every 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. PASTOR S BIBLE STUDY will be held on every Monday from 1:00 2:00 p.m. - bring a lunch if you wish. NIS WELCA LOMC will be held Saturday, April 22 nd from 8:15 a.m. 3:00 p.m. The registration form is available in the Gathering Area and is due no later than March 20, ORDINATION OF PASTOR JOSEPH O DONNELL will be April 2 nd at Faith Lutheran Church, East Flagg Road, 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending the service, please call the church office. If enough members would like to attend, we will rent a bus. The cost will be about $10 per person. JOIN US for Ash Wednesday Worship March 7:00 p.m. Every Wednesday, starting March 8th, there will be a Lenten 5:30 p.m. followed by 7:00 p.m. LUTHERAN OUTDOOR MINISTRIES CENTER - Oregon, IL - Summer brochures will be on the table in the Gathering Area. The theme this summer is Fingerprints - Our Mark on Creation" REFORMATION CALENDAR March 26 9:30 Diet of Worms in 1521 Pudding served with worms. April 23 9:30 Augsburg Confession in 1530 discussion. May 14- organ concert with Ross Jallo at 3:00 p.m.

5 Congratulations Laurin There was a celebration Friday, February 10th at the home of Laurin Williamson. Friends from the Lion s Club, Elk s Club, neighbors and a few St. Paul members gathered to watch the Pinning Ceremony to pin a U.S. flag on Laurin in recognition of his service in the Air Force. Bob Van Stedum, from Serenity, presented the award and pinned it on Laurin s sweater. We learned that he joined the Air Force in 1948 and was sent to Texas for basic training. Then he was sent to the Philippines and Japan for three years. This was during the Korean War, when he was in air reconnaissance and was developing the film of pictures taken from airplanes. Meanwhile, Ruth waited at home in Wisconsin and their daughter, Joan was born. She was 2-1/2 before the family was reunited. Thank you, Laurin, for your service to your country and we are proud that you received this recognition. Please pray and remember all who have served our country in every branch of the military. Please remember the following people in your prayers: John W. Jacobs Judy Hallquist Annette Peterson Laurin Williamson Lucille Beard Peg Miller January 1 thru February 20, 2017 Needed $33, January Income ($17,304.80) February Income Thru 26th ($12,774.00) $32, ($1,076.04)

6 PARISH LIFE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Thank you to Jeanette McWethy for planning and supervising the creation of valentines for our shut-ins. There are extras to share anytime with someone you love! Thank you also to our teachers who welcomed 12 students & 2 parents for the Feb. 12 lesson. Please welcome our visitors and new families! Welcome Pastor O Donnell and his family! God is good! All the time! Sunday School Lessons/Activities: PreS 6 th Grade - 9:30 10:30 a.m. (Parents/Caring Adults always invited) Feb. 26 The Transfiguration plus Rejoice Band at 10:15 Mar. 5 The First Sin Mar. 12 Abram s Call Mar. 19 Woman at the Well Mar. 26 Pool of Siloam & a Reformation Activity Loving Lord, strengthen me in the peace that you have shared with me, that I may share it with others. Amen (Word in Season: Jan. Mar. 2017) Christian Education Marge Asplund, Judy Garnhart, Ashley Mulkins, Jeanette McWethy, Joyce Craney, Leo Patterson, Barb Strom St. Paul LYO News Leadership is a trait that the young people of St. Paul are clearly showing! ELCA YOUTH GATHERING: SURGE-ons: June 27 - July 1, 2018 is the Gathering in Houston which is themed "This Changes Everything." It is based on Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." You can log onto social media and get more information. ELCA.org/gathering. We will continue to develop our fund raisers and to grow our group; we will hold three fundraisers for our group. Cindy Wilson has set in motion the Thrivent pre-event fund allocation. She is obtaining seed money for our Easter breakfast. We will shop on Friday, April 14, prepare the casseroles on Saturday, April 15 and serve on Sunday, April 16. We look to make this intergenerational, especially on Saturday from 9 am until noon - we are few in number, but eager for the work. Help from members of the congregation will be greatly appreciated. Contact Peg Miller ( ) or the office ( ) to help the young people. UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES: April 16 9 am to 1 pm Easter Breakfast May 4-6 8:00 am to 5:00pm City-wide "Yard Sale" (more info to come) July 2 (?) 8:00 am to 2:00pm Petunia Festival Food Booth SURGE S = serve; U = unite; R = reach G = grow; E = exalt

7 St. Paul Lutheran Church Non Profit Org 421 S. Peoria Ave. U.S. POSTAGE Dixon, IL PAID Phone: Dixon, IL Fax: Permit No Website: ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Joseph O Donnell Pastor Anna Meller Secretary/Parish Coordinator Lorraine Hussung Special Funds Peg Miller General Funds Cyndi Brockman Custodian Council Marian Myers President Joyce Craney Secretary Sandra Fry Connie Laidig Barb Strom Vice President Sharon Colglazier Patty Hallquist Carol Moats ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH MARCH 2017