What is prayer? How do we pray? Is there a wrong way to pray? What if we pray and pray, but God doesn t seem to answer our prayers?

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1 !"##$%"&'()!&*+"&,$#*)( A Praying People In the past, when I ve tried to get folks to talk about how they pray, how they see God in their lives, how God has been present to them or working in their minds and in their hearts things of that sort I often get back blank stares. Sometimes folks even look at me like I ve grown three heads! In any case, it seems like people don t know what to think about all that spirituality stuff, and would rather just move on to something else. What is prayer? How do we pray? Is there a wrong way to pray? What if we pray and pray, but God doesn t seem to answer our prayers? I don t know about you, but once upon a time, I used to think that if I didn t hear a word from God in prayer if I wasn t moved in some great, big way then I was ultimately failing at prayer that I must be a bad pray-er. But I have come to see that I was wrong about that. Prayer is a discipline. I have found that I have to make myself do it; I have to make myself sit down in that chair for five minutes. I have to open up that Bible and actually read something. I have to sit still for a moment or two. Sometimes, I feel God s presence, and I feel at peace, and it is beautiful and holy. But sometimes, it s frustrating, because sometimes, nothing But that doesn t mean I shouldn t do it. When we make prayer into a discipline, even if it s just for five minutes, we are allowing a space better, opening a space in which God can work. If we pray regularly, we are slowly, very slowly, honing our listening. We might not even notice a difference at first it s that slow. But if we keep opening up that space for God, and if we keep trying, keep sitting down in that chair and opening up that Bible, eventually, and to our surprise, God will have a word for us. As we enter into our Lenten season in a month or so, my prayer is that we might become a praying people, even more so than we already are; that we would open ourselves up to God in new ways, ways we have not opened ourselves up before. Who knows what God might reveal? Thanks be to God!

2 MODERATOR S COMMENTS Greetings St. Paul's family, Starting off the year 2013 at St. Paul's, my second go round as moderator was interrupted due to a funeral for a close friend. The committee planning sessions continued however, with positive results. I have heard positive comments about goals and upcoming projects of committees. Thank you to John Roosa for his leadership role as vicemoderator in leading the board meeting after the planning sessions That is how I hope my 2 years as moderator continues. People helping people, St. Paul's reaching out to others--the way it should be! Thank you! Peace be with you, Jim Janovick!"#$%!$& &'()*+,-./)0!!!1,231!!"#$%#&'()*#$+%,##-)(*.(,#/0#"1!"2% "!"345"36!!6 7+8)9:79;;<.=>)+':';=?%@'+ A)7+=*B#-)*C#D'+E#-)*(.73F'&*=C "!" G! 8)7+=*?)*CH'+E<I?).:%;=? -=('*)+=*B#J.?#J)@=K.;L "!"345"3MM!! NHN)@=<?;E7.%;=? O.;'#-=('*)+=*B#J=E@#P==7) "!"3Q"13M"5G ;)?8*==7)!<I?).:%;=?

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4 Morning Circle ,'1)%3'676'8)!+-9:;+2 <+:,+28)=>))? 61($%#$#&"$/377%$/4%'"$%)1(89$:+--; % H9I2,+28)JK)? &L@@#M)%$)&BNB#)"%L&G!""#$%#$#&"$'&()'&$%#$,+,-< O+231)PJ)? 4"0$Q)B%&$BA)DAB%LH%&$G %R26-)=S)? $D%.39"%0$2"$#%4="9$%>1(#$>12438?$%?%38@$$$ A0/)38?$'4"%838?@A$1)$0")B38?$%#$%$0&"4#"); O+8))? 4"0$Q?EBC)T"A&Q@*)&BAN@!B) C8$'18D(8'#318$23#&$"89E1FE6"%)$G(89%6$$$$ "4">)%#318% Morning Circle met 11 times during One meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather 69 cards were sent to shut-ins and people who were ill. In April, the Spring Fling was at Apple Tree Mall in Woodward. Spouse or friend was invited. Thirteen attended. June 27 th helped Luther Christian Church serve Guest Day for community churches Donations $100 4 food baskets to local family $150 - Fire and Rescue $ 50 Madrid Home $ 50 Greater Love Ministries $ 30 Sam s Carl, Cindy, Steve, Deb, Dede, and Pastor Mary Beth are having a great year with the youth! Carl, Steve, Cindy, and Pastor Mary Beth continue to teach the youth class every Sunday; and once a month, the youth participate in a fun evening activity. In 2012, we went bowling, had a bonfire, and decorated an Angel Tree; in January of this year, we had a blast at Incredible Pizza in Des Moines. Here are our upcoming activities: *February 17 SKIING AT SEVEN OAKS Meet at the church at 3:30PM. *March 31 YOUTH EASTER BREAKFAST *April 28 TBA *May 12 S. SCHOOL BREAKFAST & YOUTH-LED WORSHIP SERVICE Ellie and Truen Olson will be graduating this year, so we will honor them in our special service on May 12. We love our youth!!!!! Please keep them in your prayers.

5 $6.00 adult $3.00 child Valentine s Dinner February 17 th 6:00PM Valentine s Dinner, hosted by the Men s Group. Dinner will be served at 6:00PM, so plan on arriving a little early. The sign-up sheet is in the back of the church. See Clark Douglas for details or if you need a ride call Everyone Welcome! Lay Life Work Committee Co-chairs: Carolyn Douglas and Becky Janovick Goals: Compile list of people to help with funeral luncheons/coffees Host Harvest Home Supper Lay Life and Work Committee is in the process of compiling a list of people to contact when help is needed in providing a luncheon or coffee before or after a funeral. Thank you for your help. I would like to help setup and serve at a coffee or luncheon. I would like to provide a salad or cake/bars/cookies Name Phone NO. Please complete this form and put it in the collection plate on Sunday morning or contact Carolyn Douglas by phone or douglascc@yahoo.com if you are able to help in some way.

6 !"#$%&'!()**+'#,-! Calling all kids from Karen and Deb s Sunday School Class! Sunday School schedule through May 2013: Sunday School every Sunday 9:00-10:15 a.m. Every second Sunday is Family Sunday (with the exception of February) March 31: our annual Easter Egg hunt during Sunday School May 12: last day of Sunday School for the school year. Our annual breakfast will also be held on that morning prior to Sunday School. We plan to have Bible School at St. Paul s this summer. More information and dates to come soon!! Karen and Deb Don t forget Adult Sunday School 9:00AM every Sunday morning. Everyone welcome. For more Information contact Allen or Marie Olson!!"#$"%#&'()*+,-./ R'(@'7()C,#J)@9)*C#M1,#)::#)*'#.@K.+'(#+=#=9*#$+%#A)9:S7#?=@+E:C#8=+:9;L,#>E.;E#H'I.@7#)+#2B11A-%# /@K.+'#C=9*#T*.'@(7#U)@(#T.*7+3+.?'*7#(=@S+#@''(#+=#H*.@I#)#(.7EV%##-)*C#D'+ES7#A)7+=*S7#W=*9?#>.::# *'79?'#+E'#T=::=>.@I#R'(@'7()C,#W'H*9)*C#2%# )&%+*0&,(12%2+% A)7+=*#-)*C#D'+E#78'@(7#E'*#R'(@'7()C7#.@#-)(*.(,#7=#8:')7'#:'+#E'*#L@=>#.T#C=9S(#:.L'#)#E=?'# K.7.+,#=*#.T#C=9S(#:.L'#+=#?''+#E'*#T=*#:9@;E#=*#;=TT''X *+/'52U/)H52,V)'K'*C#R'(@'7()C#@.IE+#)+#2B11#U'Y;'8+#+E'#:)7+#R'(@'7()C#=T#+E'#?=@+E#>E.;E#.7# 8=+:9;LV%##&=?'#N=.@#)7#A)7+=*#-)*C#D'+E#:')(7#)@#.@+'*'7+.@I#(.7;977.=@%

7 Committee chairs and goals for 2013 Membership & Growth Committee Chairman: Julie Mathes Goals: Contact inactive members to see if they would agree to a visit from Pastor Mary Beth and a Membership committee member. Get referrals for potential membership to contact. Have a new membership class this spring. Pastor/Parish Relations Committee Sidney Kirkpatrick, Chairperson Trustees Committee Larry Shepard, Chairperson Gary Kirkpatrick, Acting Chairperson when Larry not available Christian Education Committee Goals : Plan and implement our own Vacation Bible School this summer. Have a confirmation class. Divide the Sunday School into two classes (3 yr.-2 nd grade, 3 rd -6 th gr.) Members: Deb Wibe, Chairperson Brenna Saxton, Secretary Julie Mathes Robin Brown Karen Erickson Worship Committee Co-chairs: Evelyn Ostrander and Phyllis Johnson 1/01 Leanna Burke 1/07 Helen Eppert 1/07 Gene Morning 1/09 Arlo Young 1/12 Dan Burkhart 1/14 Barb Marchant 1/24 Coy Kirkpatrick 1/31 Allison Duling 1/31 Kelly Brozek 1/04 Ann & Willard Lundahl 1/07 Helen & Richard Eppert 1/30 Barb & Allen Olson 1/30 Carolyn & Clark Douglas 2/02 Cade Kirkpatrick 2/03 Bryce Duling 2/07 Dave Novotny 2/12 Kelly Burkhart 2/13 Ernie Bruster 2/16 Roanna Burkhart 2/19 Jessie Renoux 2/21 Jessica Olsen 2/22 Rod Adams 2/22 Ben Ostendorf 2/22 Sophie Saxton 2/25 Rollie Berg 2/27 Gary Kirkpatrick l

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9 2013 Usher Schedule January 06 Fred Erickson & Dave Aves 13 Tim & Deb Latta 20 Gene & Bev Morning 27 Phyllis Johnson & Barb Marchant February 03 Dave & DeDe Novotny 10 Mike & Cindy Tassi 17 Dorothy Harrison & Joyce Christianson 24 Fred & Karen Erickson March 03 Clark & Carolyn Douglas 10 Larry & Jan Sloan 17 Juneal Davis & Marie Olson 24 Nick Novotny & Drew Latta 31 Carl and Connie Duling April 07 Gary & Sidney Kirkpatrick 14 Judy Nelson & Sue Barker 21 Allen & Barb Olson 28 Jim & Becky Janovick May 05 John Janovick & Larry Shepard 12 Mike & Cindy Tassi 19 John & Julie Roosa 26 Sue Barker & Emily McCarty June 02 Dave & Rita Aves 09 Steve & Cindy Harwood 16 Jack Toepfer & Mary Barkey 23 Willard & Ann Lundahl 30 Darwin Berglund & Larry Shepard July 07 Allen & Barb Olson 14 Jerry & Deb Wibe 21 Larry & Jan Sloan 28 Mike & Brenna Saxton August 04 Joyce Christianson & Judy Nelson 11 Gene & Bev Morning 18 Tim & Deb Latta 25 Wes & Julie Mathis September 01 Dave & DeDe Novotny 08 Jim & Becky Janovick 15 Marie Olson & Allen Olson 22 Nick Novotny & Drew Latta 29 John & Jim Janovick October 06 Sue Barker & Evelyn Ostrander 13 Steve & Cindy Harwood 20 Dorothy Harrison & Mary Barkey 27 Dave & Rita Aves November 03 Gary & Sidney Kirkpatrick 10 John & Julie Roosa 17 John Janovick & Larry Shepard 24 Carl & Connie Duling December 01 Milo & Sue Latta 08 Juneal Davis & Evelyn Ostrander 15 Arlo Young & Jack Toepfer 22 Phyllis Johnson & Barb Marchant 24 TBA 29 Clark & Carolyn Douglas Thanks for your important ministry! When you are an usher: Make sure all lights are on (including cross) Light the altar candles during the prelude Record attendance (notebook in drawer of buffet table) Extinguish the altar candles during the singing of the last hymn)

10 January/February 2013