St. Paul's United Church of Christ August 2016 Newsletter Church Office Hours Monday-Friday: 9:00am-4:00pm Pastor Mike Roth: Tuesday-Friday Pastor Erica Roth: Tuesday-Thursday Pastor Gail Robins: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Erica Faust: Tuesday-Thursday St. Paul s United Church of Christ 5508 Telegraph Road St. Louis, Mo 63129 314-892-3332 officemanager@stpauloakville.org Website: stpauloakville.org
Dear Friends, Polarization has become a huge issue in our culture, politics, our nation, and the church. Now I am not talking about making things colder well, actually, maybe I am, but not literally. I would define polarization as driving people in such a way that it concentrates them into two opposing positions (polar opposites). It is the loss of the middle ground, the loss of an ability to compromise in order to accomplish shared goals and objectives. It is the abandonment of shared core values. Polarization is also amplified by those whose goal is anything else but to lift others up above their fears. The middle ground is so important, because it is exactly in that middle place where we find those issues vital to our existence and mission, those things which make our work as the church worthy of our efforts to share the Kingdom of God with others. When we are forced to live on the sidelines, we find ourselves afraid and unable to care for anyone else but ourselves. John Winthrop s Book A Model of Christian Charity was written back in 1630. The book has been quoted by nearly every presidential candidate at some point since then including Adams, Lincoln, Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, both Presidents Bush, and Obama. The book talks about the fabled city upon a hill and it calls us to justice mercy, humility, self-sacrifice and peace for the sake of all humanity because, The eyes of all people are upon us, so that if we deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause us to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world. Compromise used to be a good word, but in our ever increasing polarized world, it seems to have become synonymous with failure. That is often because we have left the middle ground. Too many of us believe, If only our side could win, all would be well. And we feel that if we don t win than we are nothing more than a loser. My friends in Christ, I pray that as we look ahead to the future of our church, as we seek guidance in this political season, as we grapple with world issues and national racism, may we not respond in ways that are polarizing because, most likely, that is what probably got us to where we are in the first place. May we instead seek to be aware of God s call and find the middle ground. To remind ourselves that what brings us together is so much greater than what drives us apart. Remember, if someone wins, often another has to lose and God s Kingdom is all about inviting everyone to be lifted up. Pastor Mike DOG (Disciples of God) News Sunday, August 14th: Hosting Emmaus Chimers! The Emmaus Chimers are going to be worshiping with us and performing for us during worship. Please join us at our 9:30 a.m. worship or come after worship around 10:45 a.m. We will have a Bible Study together, play some games and then have lunch. We should be done around 1 p.m. Sunday, September 11th: All Church Picnic! St. Paul s has it s annual Rally Day All Church Picnic right after worship. We invite you to join us for worship at 9:30 a.m. (it will be outside we will have wheelchair seating!) or come after for food, snow cones, face painting, Bingo, and much more! Will probably be done around 2 p.m.?
Sunday School News We have been learning about Old Testament prophets during the month of July. We will learn about the Lord's Prayer during the month of August. See more information below about the Lord's Prayer Challenge. A school-age class and a Pre-K class are offered each Sunday at 9:30. Kingdom Bucks Program Kids earn a buck every time they attend Sunday School. Bucks can be redeemed for prizes and gifts 3 times per year (Palm Sunday, Rally Day and Advent Fest) First Sundays @ St. Paul's--The Board of Christian Education, taking into account feedback from church members and reccomendations from church staff, has decided to continue to include children in worship on the 1st Sunday of every month. We are grateful that our church leadership, staff and congregation values and appreciates the contributions and benefits to including children in worship. Lord's Prayer Challenge--As we learn about the Lord's Prayer in the month of August, we will working on memorizing it so that we can recite it together with our church family during worship. Any child who is able to recite the Lord's Prayer by themselves by the end of the month of August will receive 10 Kingdom Bucks to spend at the Kingdom Bucks Store, which will be open for business on Rally Day. Feel free to get a jump start on this challenge by practicing at home. Family Camp Sept. 24-25 Camp Mo-Val, Union, MO Information/Registration form is attached Family Outdoor Movie Night Saturday, August 20th Arrive at 7:00 Movie starts at 7:30 Popcorn and drinks provided. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. Acolytes Needed!! Calling all 4 th -8 th Graders!! Acolytes are needed to light and put candles out during our worship services. If your child would be interested in serving the church in this way, please contact Erica Faust. Your child will be added to a schedule and will most likely be asked to acolyte once every couple of months. Volunteer Opportunities Sunday School teachers are needed for the fall. Would you be interested in teaching one Sunday per month (pre-k or school-age class)? Contact Erica Faust by replying to this email for more information. SALT (4th-5th grade youth) NEWS: Salt will kick off the year with a Lock-in on Saturday, September 17th. We will meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. and stay through worship on Sunday morning. We will eat dinner together and provide breakfast. More info soon! Habitat Work Dates August 6 & 13 Demolition (All UCC Churches Welcome) August 27 St. Paul s Tentative Work Date (Framing) Sign Up in the Narthex Overnight Branson Trip Sight and Sound Theater Trip to see Moses A Tues.-Wed. in October Estimated cost: $150-&200 Sing up in the Narthex
Middle School Youth Group will begin meeting again on Sunday, September 18th at 5:30 p.m. We will meet on almost every Sunday evening. 5:30 is a meal together, 6:00 is program time and 7 is free time. We will end most nights between 7:30 & 8. We will be having a lock-out on Saturday, Oct. 8th hold the date now! A schedule has been sent to all Middle Schoolers. If you did not receive one but want to be included please let Pastor Erica know! We are starting a new Women s Fellowship group that will meet the 1st Thursday of every month at 6:15 p.m. We will each bring a lite something or other to share (food ladies!), will have a brief devotion and the rest of the evening will be devoted to Table Talk. We want to have a way to connect, share, support and fellowship with one another with a bit of structure, a lot of openness and God s Love abounding! See you September 1st at 6:15! (In the Adult Lounge) Save The Dates 16th Annual St. Paul s Golf Tournament The 16 th annual St. Paul s UCC golf tournament will be held Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Fairfield Golf Club in Columbia, Illinois. Due to the favorable reviews of last year s outing we have decided to repeat the discounted price per person of $50. The tournament is a four person scramble format. Price includes 18 holes of golf with refreshments, dinner, drinks, and prizes. Please see an Athletic Committee member in the social hall on Sundays starting in August or turn in the enclosed entry form to the church office to sign up. You can sign up even if you don t have a foursome and we will match you up with someone if we can. Sign-ups will end on Sunday, September 11 th which is Rally Day. We have 80 spaces available, so sign up early. August 20 August 21 August 27 September 11 Sept. 24-25 Nov. 11-13 St. Paul s Family Night 7:00pm Congregational Meeting Habitat Work Day Rally Day & church Picnic Family Camp Mo-Val Women s Spiritual Retreat If you would like to donate, we will accept contributions toward prizes or hole sponsorships. Hole sponsorships are $100 per hole, but any contribution level is welcome. If you sponsor a hole we will advertise your name in the event handout and the church newsletter. The Athletic Committee thanks all of those who made this event a success in the past and look forward to another great day at the course. Ladies Day Out Sisters Tea Room, 505 West Main St., Fenton, Mo. on August 17, at 11:30. Please call Marvella Lester for reservations at 314-892-2025 Calendar Link: http://73936384.view-events.com/calendar/ calendar.aspx?ci=g1h2o9g1n8l6o9l6i3
TreeHouse August 2016 August is traditionally the time we say goodbye to summer and hello to a new school year. August 2016 is no exception! Tearfully, we say goodbye this year to two of our longtime teachers, Ms. Alisha Mize and Ms. Heather Sell. They have both accepted teacher s aide positions with the Mehlville School District and we wish them well! In their place, we have hired Ms. Rebecca (Becca) Paule and Ms. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Roedel. Becca is a 2016 graduate of Fontbonne University with a degree in Elementary Special Education. Lizzie is a 2016 graduate of UMSL with a degree in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special ED. In the Infant and Toddler Building, we have hired Ms. Courtney VonderHaar who will be graduating from Lindenwood University in December 2016 with a degree in Educational Studies and plans to pursue a Master s in the Early Childhood field. We are beyond excited to see what they can bring to our Program! As we close out the summer and prepare for fall, we are in great anticipation of our 40th anniversary. Please plan to join the staff on Sunday August 28th at the 9:30 service as we celebrate this momentous occasion with all of you!
TreeHouse August Marble painting! Fine motor skills! 2 year olds in the zoo cage! 1,2,3,4,5! We learn through play! Comprehension and collaboration. Create original artwork. Identify the subject of artworks. Know numbers and count sequence. Recognize different emotions. Love between friends! One of our newer 2 s learning her way!
When life gives you lemons, what do 2 year olds do? Make lemonade, of course! Cooperative Play with Peers Socio-Dramatic Play Cause and Effect Taking Turns Sensory Exploration! Can you hear me now?