The star went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. Matthew 2:9

Transcription

1 An open and inviting church, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. The star went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. Matthew 2:9

2 St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church Epiphany, January 6 WHO WE ARE St. Paul s is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Minneapolis Area Synod, Western Parks and Lakes Conference. MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to be an open and inviting church spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastor Reverend Louise Mollick Pastoral Intern David Nissen Interim Choir Director Regina Johnson Interim Music Director Stephen Mollick Church Council Officers President: Sheri Brenden Vice President: Darcie Rodman Treasurer: Carmela Ariemma Secretary: Tim Feiertag Council Members At-Large Erik Kemnitz Kay Smith Pat Tollefson Assistant Treasurer Bernie Johnson Financial Secretary Mary Kay Peterson Facility Use Coordinator Mary Hromatka Webmaster Vince Jacobson Newsletter Production Diane Nelson Since the Middle Ages, it has been a tradition to bless homes on January 6th, Epiphany (Greek for epiphaneia, manifestation), the celebration of Christ s revealing to the world. Chalk would be blessed and used to write the year and the initials CMB on the doors or lintels of houses, marking them as places of Christ s hospitality. People would go from home to home chalking doors and enjoying each others hospitality. The initials have two meanings: The letters represent Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, traditionally the names of the three Magi, to whom Christ was revealed. The letters also represent the Latin phrase, Christus Mansionem Benedicat May Christ bless this house. There is, too, a whole tradition in Germany that celebrates Epiphany and the CMB blessing. It is called the Star Singers, or Sternsinger. Over half a million children dress up as the Wise Magi, boys and girls, usually in groups of 4 (since we have no idea how many there really were!) with a star on the end of broom handle. They sing from house to house raising awareness and money for issues regarding the suffering of children globally. This movement is now in its 56th year. Their motto is Segen bringen, segen sein! Bring the blessing to be a blessing. If you are looking for a way to close the Christmas season, and look ahead into the new year, find some chalk and write 20+C+M+B+15 above your front door as you pray for God s blessing on your home and all who enter. Join us for worship! Sunday mornings at 9:30. The Messenger is published monthly by St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA, Lake Street Extension, Minnetonka, MN Please submit articles no later than the fifteenth of each month.

3 Jesus Baptism, January 11 Having completed the Celebration of Christmas, we move into Epiphany. Epiphany is a time of growth in the life of Jesus. We see the wisement from the East come to visit him and his family. We learn about Jesus early connection to God, who he calls Father. We also see the beginning of Jesus ministry. His ministry begins with the familiar story of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This story is contained in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, although the Gospel of John does mention John the Baptist. When looking at this story, we can focus on so many things, but what I like to focus on is a Greek word (of course you do, Dave!). The word schizomenous ( ) means to be ripped open or ripped apart. This word is used in the Gospel of Mark at two very important parts: as Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River; and as Christ finally passes away on Good Friday. At Jesus baptism, God rips open (schizomenous) the sky in order to tell who Jesus is. God speaks saying, Thou art my beloved son; with thee I am well pleased. At Jesus death, God tears open (schizomenous) the curtain in the temple, representing God being in the world amongst us. This is the purpose of the verb schizomenous is to show that God is here and God is on the move. God is doing things in our world. As Paul Lutter puts it, God is on the loose. God isn t holding back from us. January Bible Readings Jan. 4 2nd Sunday in Christmas Jeremiah 31:7-14 -or- Sirach 24:1-12 Psalm 147: or- Wisdom 10:15-21 Ephesians 1:3-14 John 1:[1-9] Jan. 6 Epiphany of Our Lord Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 Jan. 11 Baptism of Our Lord Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 Jan. 18 2nd Sunday of Epiphany 1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20] Psalm 139: 1-6, Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 Jan. 25 3rd Sunday of Epiphany Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalm 62: Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20 As we see Jesus baptism, we must remember that God is on the loose in our lives, giving us hope, peace, and grace. Have a blessed January, Pastor Louise Mollick Pastoral Intern Dave Nissen

4 Announcements St. Paul s Annual Meeting: Sunday, January 25 You are invited to the Annual All- Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Jan. 25, after worship. It will start with a potluck brunch and then there will be a review of St. Paul s work in 2014 as well as the vision and budget for Other highlights include: Voting for new council members. Katie Elleraas and Dean Bonner have both expressed a willingness to serve on the council next year. Honoring Pat Tollefson and Mary Kay Peterson. Pat completes her three-year term on church council and Mary Kay is retiring from her job as financial secretary. Enjoying a slide show with photo highlights from the year. Playing the latest game show SPLC Jeopardy! It s an event you do not want to miss. Look forward to seeing you there! Still time for pledging The financial commitment that individuals and households make to St. Paul s is crucial to our ministry. Thanks to all who have made pledges. You can still submit a pledge by sending an to Mike Mikulay at mhmikulay@gmail.com. Musician search continues Despite posting advertisements in multiple locations, no candidates have emerged to fill either the accompanist or the Music Director positions. Fortunately, Stephen Mollick, our temporary worship accompanist, is willing to continue in that role, which is a blessing. We will likely have more conversations about how we want to do music at St. Paul s and what sort of paid leadership we need. If you have any suggestions for possible candidates, please let Pastor Louse know. Church directory is in the works It s time to update addresses, telephone and s. Our St. Paul s Lutheran directory has not been printed or distributed for several months since the resignation of our church secretary. Vince Jacobson is putting his technological savvy to good use by designing an information management system that will help St. Paul s collect and use contact information. No specific deadlines have been set yet, but know that you will have access to more current contact info in Stay Up-to-Date! Visit our calendar at Just click on calendar. Click on any time or event for details.

5 Cuddle Worship Every 3 rd Sunday: Cuddle Worship is a service for families that have children 5 and younger, as well as any other people who want to participate. All are welcome! Afterall, we are all God s children (and we all like singing silly songs with kids). The worship service begins at 8:15 a.m. and is around minutes. It includes songs, a story, and a message based on the story. Scheduled once a month every 3rd Sunday this is a very fluid service, constantly changing and improving through the requests of the participants. Join in the festivities as we gather for worship and celebration. It s faith development, fun, fellowship.

6 A Thank You I am sending a huge Thank You to all the wonderful people at St. Paul s who have kept me in their thoughts and prayers! It worked! I am to say my oncologist has said my cancer is in remission. There were no areas lit up on my last PET scan, which means it s gone! Thank you all so much! Carol is our custodian. Celebrations! Birthdays 2nd Bob Guetschow 7th Beth Mikulay 10th Mary Kay Peterson 14th Joyce Ramsden 19th Joyce Krogh 23rd Jess Harris 23rd Dustin Powers 28th Tom Larson 30th Kate Mikulay January 5th Wanda & Steve Nelson Baptisms 12th Darcie Rodman

7 St. Paul s Lutheran Church Lake Street Extension Minnetonka, MN Welcoming Statement SAINT PAUL S WELCOMES EVERYONE to worship, serve and experience God together. God calls us all to be hands in our community to minister to all people through worship, fellowship and service. Our welcome knows no boundaries of race, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, family structure, physical or mental ability, social or economic condition. We carry out our calling through our faith, love and care with a commitment to justice, peace and inclusiveness. Each individual is a child of God, uniquely blessed with many gifts and great worth, made in God s image. We recognize, value and give thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. All are one in Christ. As Apostle Paul wrote centuries ago, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female. Christ has made us one. (Galatians 3:28) St. Paul s Lutheran Church is an ELCA Reconciling in Christ congregation. Our mission is to be an open and inviting church, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.