I.O.U. FEBRUARY 2019 Over the last several weeks, in our Sunday Morning Bible Class, we ve taken a look at what husbands owe wives and wives owe husbands. (Mutual submission, love, and faithfulness, it turns out.) At its most recent meeting, the Church Council agreed to fill the Director of Youth Ministry position, where there is a Job Description that has a number of things the DYM owes to the church, and the level of compensation the church owes to the DYM. I. O. U. In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul states, For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other s faith, both yours and mine. Paul wants to come to Rome, in part, to be encouraged by the faith of the Christians that are living there. And we get that. We come to church, Bible Study, Youth Group, LWML, Men s Fellowship, Midweek, Chapel, and Ministry Meetings in part because we want to be around people who share the faith we have, to be encouraged by them. But Paul has another reason why he wants to make the long trip to Rome. He continues, I have often intended to come to you in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Paul wants to come to Rome because, in his words, he is obligated to share the gospel to Greeks and barbarians (cultures and uncultured), the wise and the foolish. I. O. U. It is one thing to desire to reach the lost out of a sense of obligation to God and our church. ( I know God wants me to and the church just put it in its Mission Statement so ) It s another thing to see people we know who do not know Christ as being owed the Gospel. But this is what Paul is saying. He is saying that he (and by extension all believers in Christ) owe their non-believing friends, neighbors, co-workers, family, and fellow students the good news of Jesus. It is not a luxury for us to share Christ with them; it is not optional. It is an obligation. We owe it to them. OK, Pastor, so what? Well, Lent is coming up. March 6, to be precise. Between now and then, I d like for you to be thinking about one person you (or your family) could invite to church for our Good Fri- Continued on page eight
Hope By Pastor Andrew Coop So, it s that time of year again, when the old Southwest slogan pops into our mind, Wanna get away? SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) has set in because it s Iowa, and you just can t skip over a season. Winter made its Grand Entrance to the Ball just a little later than everyone expected this year. It doesn t matter whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow or not, winter s here to stay for a while. But, getting away isn t just something that we want to do because it s cold outside, it s something that we have struggled with since the Fall into sin. In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve fall into sin, and they hear the sound of God walking in the midst of the garden we are told that the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:8). They try to get away from the one who created them and placed them where they were. Did they really think that was possible? Or, how about the prophet Jonah? After the Lord God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh and speak out against it, what does Jonah do? But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord (Jonah 1:3). Does Jonah really believe that he can somehow outrun the God of all creation, or that He will let him shrug off his calling? Is not life as David talks about it in Psalm 139:7-12 when he says, Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night, even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you? If we truly can t get away from God, why do we try so hard to do so sometimes? We live at a time and in the midst of a culture that wants to get away from the reality that we live in. Whether it is because times have changed and others simply don t act the way you were raised, or because things aren t going the way that you think they should be. People are trying to escape from the reality we live in and hibernate somewhere else. Why is everyone, not just the young people, or the kids, always on social media? Why do people spend so many nights a week binge watching their favorite TV shows on their favorite streaming service? Why are fiction novels and series so intriguing and best sellers? Maybe it s because Continued on page eight
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Christian Stewardship is a Spiritual Issue For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Tim. 6:10) Stewardship is a spiritual issue. It has to do with God s relationship to us in Christ and how we live out that relationship. Every human being becomes a steward at birth. We become Christian stewards at Baptism. If faith has anything to do with how we are to use our time, talents, abilities and the finances He has entrusted to our care, then stewardship is a spiritual issue. Jesus desires that our hearts be turned to Him. One of the reasons many churches and many church leaders have relegated stewardship education to the back burner (or do not do it at all) is because they see it as primarily an institutional issue instead of a spiritual issue. Institutional issues are about budgets, buildings, salaries and other financial aspects of church life. Spiritual issues are about the relationship God has established with us in Christ. Christian stewardship is more of a spiritual issue than a financial issue because it is about our life in Christ. Board of Stewardship Visitation Sometimes you need someone to talk to and pray with. And sometimes that person is your Pastor. If you d like a visit from one of our Pastors, all you have to do is contact the church office (by phone or e-mail) and set up a time for him to stop in for a visit. If you re on our list of homebound members, as valuable members of our church family, we ll try our best to get out to you each month. LUTHERAN LAUGHS Keep in Prayer the 18 people who are going through Stephen Ministry Training. We are getting close to being half way done, but still have a ways to go. God has blessed our time together as we learn how to give Christ-centered care to those going through hard times. It s impossible to say when we will complete our training. We look forward to that day and when we can become installed as Stephen Ministers here at St. Paul and begin providing care!
A Message From Pastor Aaron & The Gate Updates Christendom is over. Gone are the days where we as the church provide good preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and worship and people just show up. Some of us are wringing our hands and reminiscing, Wow. Things aren t like they used to be when everyone was a part of a church. Why aren t people coming to church? and the conversation stops there. Others are thinking this is an awesome time to reassess what in the world we are supposed to be about as the church. This is what we are wrestling with at The Gate- where should we focus our energies and efforts? Should we host more cool events so that our people can invite their unchurched friends to what we have going on? Should we have more service events? Should we move to a store front, so we don t have to set up and take stuff down every Sunday? Well, I talked to the Lord about it and this is what He said to me, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even till the end of the age. You may recognize those words from the last chapter of Matthew. Here s what I am learning- when you make a church strategy about anything other than following that command, you re making it about something other than what Jesus wants. We need to make disciples who make disciples. We need to not only teach people Jesus commands but we need to teach people to OBEY Jesus commands. How much of what we are teaching as church leaders are we truly helping our people to obey? What percentage of what we teach people are they obeying? Are WE obeying what we are teaching as pastors and church leaders? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-39). What you have heard from me, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also, (2 Tim. 2:2). Jesus took on flesh, died the death you deserved and rose again to give you abundant life now and eternal life in the world to come. You are forgiven and set free from sin, death and the power of Satan. Wow! That s good news! You now have God s authority and His power to set others free by the word of the Gospel. Love people and proclaim the gospel! Start a prayer gathering or Bible study in the lunchroom at your school. Start a Bible study at your office before work. Throw a party for your neighbors and ask that God would help open doors for spiritual conversations. Go for it! You have God s permission. Don t let anyone hold you back. If you make disciples, you always get the church. But if you make a church, you rarely get disciples, (Mike Breen, Building A Discipling Culture ). Prayer Updates For Camila, who is still undergoing cancer treatments. For Cindy and Linda, who continue to struggle with health concerns. For Owyn, who is awaiting tests for his heart. That God would give us at The Gate a united vision and mission and courage to share Jesus with our friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers. That God would light a fire in Christians all over our country that more and more people would come to believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord. For all those being encouraged in the 2:47 Network to plant churches and for its executive director, Eric Wenger. For the Iowa District West and all of its congregations as we together seek to bring the reign of God to western Iowa. And praise God for Mark Gerken and all his awesome work in the district. For St. Paul, our mother church, and all of her members, that we would continue to work together to reach the lost and disciple the found in Ankeny. Thanksgiving for Olive Garcia, whom God has brought into his family through baptism January 6. Thank you for your prayers and support! Pastor Aaron Hannemann
St. Paul Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A Don t make dinner, dine with your St. Paul family at Chick-fil-A on Monday, February 18 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Just mention St. Paul Lutheran Church when you order and we receive 15%. The Evangelism Committee is donating the money earned to the youth attending the National Youth Gathering in July. Youth will be on hand to volunteer and answer questions. So why cook at home when you can come dine with others from St Paul?! Ask your friends and family to join us too. Remember to mention St. Paul Lutheran Church when you order whether you dine in or drive thru! For any questions, contact Joy Wehmas at 515-971-1323. Evangelism Updates We want to thank everyone for your support and donations to the following organizations: Fill the Manager - 560 items and $275 donated to DMARC. Donations from The Big Rake were divided: $500 to the Compassion Fund at St. Paul and $120 to DMARC. Mission Project donations fr om our budget: $1000 to Mission Central, $500 to AGAPE Pregnancy Center and $500 to Lutheran Family Services. Upcoming Activities Served the Advent meal with Stewardship and will be serving a Lenten Meal together. Preschool - Drive Thru Coffee, January 29-30 for the preschool parents. Name Tag Saturday/Sunday in January. DMACC Ministry - Pastor Coop and Joy Wehmas - January 23 over the lunch hour. Pastor Coop planning to go once a month.
Join the Lady Diners All widows and single ladies of all ages are invited to join the Lady Diners on Tuesday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m. at Wig and Pen on South Ankeny Blvd. Don t miss out on the fun, fellowship and great food! Call Betty Berlau (964-2403) or Carol Wenndt (249-9968) if you have any questions. Men s Mission Group Looking for Projects Men s Mission Group is looking for projects. If you know of someone in need that could use a helping hand with home repairs, maintenance or light construction, St. Paul s Men s Mission Group may be able to assist. Contact Jim Anderson, Bob Peters, or Greg Stokke. Cancer Survivors Group Join us on Monday, February 18 at 5:30 at Perkins in Ankeny. Remember it s free pie night! Contact Mary Stratmann for more information at 515-964-8271. Session Begins Feb. 4 The next session of GriefShare begins on Monday, February 4. They will meet from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Youth Room. GriefShare is a nondenominational group and features Biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics. Registration fee is $15. Call the church office for more information. Sunny View Worship Every third Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm, St. Paul leads a worship service for the residents at Sunny View Nursing home. Join us this month on Sunday, February 17. Please arrive at Sunny View at 1:45 pm and be ready to hand out books, help the residents turn pages, and sing the praises of our God for all he has done for us. The more volunteers the better. Please join us! Save the Date! The St. Paul spring blood drive will be Monday, March 4, 2019 in the Fellowship Hall. Appointments can be made online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or by contacting Dorothy Marvin at iowamarvin5@msn.com or 515-964-3020. Please consider a life-saving gift to your fellow Iowans.
Bible Study Opportunities at St. Paul Brothers & Sisters In Christ Bible Study (B.A.S.I.C.) Our study of the book of Romans continues and we know we can do nothing to earn God s favor but realize salvation comes through faith in Christ. We can look to Christ, His death and His resurrection. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. Come join us as we study God s Word on the February 14 and 28 at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Room. Homebuilders Homebuilders is a group at St. Paul that provides monthly Bible studies focused on marriage, parenting and families. This year, we have found a great study on marriage from Timothy and Kathy Keller called The Meaning of Marriage. We also plan fun events for families and adults only to help build strong families. Interested? Contact the church office and they will get you in contact with one of the Homebuilders organizers. We meet on the third Sunday at 4:00 p.m. in member s homes. Lectionary at Lunch Want to hang out with your Pastors on Tuesdays over lunch? There s a new Bible Study here at St. Paul. From Noon-1:00pm, we will be meeting in the Youth Room, eating lunch and studying the readings for the upcoming weekend services. What s worse than being called on in Bible Class to answer a question? Being called on in Bible Class to answer a question when you ve got a mouth full of lunch! Join us on Tuesdays for Lectionary at Lunch! Men s Fellowship Bible Study Each Thursday at 7:00 p.m. join the men of St. Paul for fellowship and Bible Study. Men s Mission Group That we all die is pretty much agreed upon, it s what takes place two seconds later that makes us wonder. Explore this lively and relevant topic in Death...then what? We meet on Saturday, February 9 at 8 a.m. to have breakfast, Bible study and a discussion of Mission projects. See Greg Stokke with any questions. Sunday Morning Bible Study Join Pastor Duncan and Pastor Coop as they lead this weekly Bible study between worship services. They meet in the FLC at 9:30. Thursday Morning Ladies Bible Study In February, the Thursday morning Ladies Bible Study will be studying Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I Know the Plans I Have for You. This will include other scripture that ties in beautifully to Jeremiah 29. This study is written by Donna Pyle, demonstrating God s love and grace for His plan to those who love Him. Join them on February 7 and 21 at 9:00 am in the Youth Room. Women s Bible Study Ladies of St. Paul, join us for this eight-lesson DVD series on the life and ministry of Peter. Authored by Donna Pyle, this study examines how God uses Peter s brokenness, failures, and triumphs to help us grow in faith. They meet on Thursdays in February from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the FLC.
Continued from page one day Service. E-mail Kathy or me (or call it in) with the first name of the person you are planning on inviting. We are going to pray for these people by name during the season of Lent, asking God to prepare them for the invitation and lead them to accept it, so that when you ask them to come to hear the gospel on this most sacred of holidays, they will say YES. We ll have more to say about this as we get closer to Ash Wednesday (and the start of the Lenten Season), but begin thinking (and praying!) about who God would have you invite. God bless you in your walk with Christ. Pastor Duncan McLellan God has blessed us with many wonderful ways to spread His word and fulfill His ministry. One of those ways is like no other MUSIC! If God has given you the ability to sing or play an instrument, please consider sharing it! There are many special music opportunities during our Sunday services. If you would like to participate in a service with a solo, duet, or small group, please contact Arkay Brown, Music Director at St. Paul, at arkay@stpaulankeny.org or (515) 451-3241. Continued from page two they take us out of our present reality and place us in an alternate reality, one that may look very much like ours today, but one that gives us hope, or at least that s our hope. But let s keep one thing in mind: this is not a new idea. As much as our culture may believe that it has progressed beyond that from which it came, it hasn t. It s more like an update to your phone than anything. When you power your phone on for the first time the graphics may look a little different, or the swipe gestures may have changed from what you were used to, but the phone still does the same thing. You still send texts, take photos, reply to emails, oh yeah and call people from it. But the same is true of our culture. The hope of leaving this reality for a time being for something better, higher, ethereal, a place filled with hope, meaning, and purpose is not a new idea. Rather it s a derivative of Plato s Theory of Realms and Forms; that the reality that we live in today is simply a shadow of the true reality that we need to ascend to, which is filled with truths and ideals. Now, while this is not congruent with what God has laid out for us in Scripture, it did, and still does give people hope. I hope, at this point, you are almost jumping out of your seat with joy! Why? This is a central message of the Christian faith: we have hope! As one of my favorite Christian writers and pastors, Paul David Tripp, likes to say, Hope is a person and His name is Jesus! People around us, people we love, are looking everywhere and anywhere for hope, and they aren t finding it. They are finding imitations of the real thing, they are being lured into scams that promise the real thing, but these false hopes in the end fail, and they do not follow through on their promises. Hope, true Hope, lasting Hope, Hope that cannot put us to shame, as Paul says in Romans 5, comes through the vertical relationship that our God has established with us through the words and works of His Son, Jesus Christ. May this message, like our God, be one that we simply cannot get away from! In Christ, -Pastor Andrew
February & March Mission Project We will be collecting toiletries for the Des Moines Domestic Violence Center. Items needed are bath towels, wash cloths, shampoo and conditioner, bar soap (such as Dial), toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair brush, deodorant (men and women s), and safety razors. Please place the items in the basket by the LWML table in the Narthex. We will be collecting these items for the months of February and March. Thank you for your support of our mission. February LWML Meeting & Activities We welcome the ladies of St Paul to join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Hostesses are Norma Zubradt, Carol Wenndt and Vel Hans. A select group of ladies from Hope Lutheran LCMS in Des Moines will be visiting our meeting to talk about their ministry to the victims at the Domestic Violence Center in Des Moines. They are the only Christian group allowed to visit the center. St. Paul LWML will host the LWML Prayer Service on Saturday, March 9. Members will be able to sign up to assist with the service at our February meeting. Blessings, Sue Stoll LWML President Nursery Ministry Looking for Fresh Start in 2019 Too often serving in the church nursery can seem like a thankless job. But it s not! Serving in the church nursery ministry is important because: 1. It helps others. Your service in the nursery allows church goes to focus on worship, rather than worrying about their children. 2. Your own growth. A growing Christian is always serving a Christian. Jesus was known for putting others first. 3. Visitors first impressions. The nursery is sometimes the first contact young families have with the church. 4. Front-line prayers. Spend several minutes praying over the children in your care. There is no better way to create an environment of spiritual nurture! St. Paul is looking to expand it s Nursery Ministry by having teams of volunteers, similar to the ushers. We d like to get 8-10 teams for each Sunday morning. They would work in shifts (7:45-9:30 am and 9:30-11:45 am) with two people per shift. Ideally, a team would only have to work once every couple of months. Kathy will be emailing youth and adults that have volunteered before or would be a good fit. Feel free to email or call the church office to get your name on a team. Remember that God blesses those who serve his children.
St. Paul Council Meeting November 19, 2018 Minutes The Leadership of St Paul Lutheran Church met on Monday, November 19 at 6:30 PM for its monthly council meeting. Those in attendance were: Troy Marshall for Libby Wielenga, Andrew Coop, Cordell Wabeke, Tim Krehbiel, Joy Wehmas, Ray Marvin, Jason Buls, Amanda Weathers, Dan Drefke, David Reddel, Jim Turner, Amy Schmidt, Cari Poock. Meeting was called to order by Tim Krehbiel. Pastor Coop opened up the meeting with a devotion from the Gospel of Matthew. Chapters 5 & 6. Text discussed teachings on the necessity of life. You cannot serve two masters. What does it look like to be a follow of Christ and what does it look like to be in leadership in the Church. Motion to approve budget as previously discussed at special council session. Motion by Jason Buls. Motion Second by Ray Marvin. Motion passes. Tim Krehbiel asked everyone how they have been blessed this past month. Tim shared with the group the passing of a family member but also knowing where her faith which provided reassurance. Dan Drefke shared story of Cousin s double lung transplant and Joy Wehmas shared a story of change in a family member. Secretary s Report (David Reddel) David Reddel presented the meeting minutes from the October 15th 2018 Council Meetings and the November 5th Special Council Meeting regarding the budget. Motion by Cari Poock to approve October 15th 2018 Council Minutes. Motion Second by Jason Buls. Motion Passes. Motion by Ray Marvin to approve November 5th Special Council Meeting on the Budget. Motion Second by Dan Drefke. Motion Passes. Senior Pastor Report - (Pastor McLellan) - Absent. Report Highlights from Dropbox as follows: Will be recommending to the Voters a New Mission Statement. Rooted in Christ, Growing in Grace, Reaching the Lost. Mission Statement comes as a result of much prayer and various groups coming together asking Why Does God have St. Paul in Ankeny? Nothing new from what Amy has to report on Youth Research Committee. Will discuss more on the Constitution Committee process in December. Would like to take what we have learned from our book readings and apply it to our current Constitution. Is it helping or hindering our Mission and Ministry effort at St. Paul? Chapel attendance continues to grow. Worship Attendance is strong. Was very impressed with the turn out for Pastor Coops Bible Study and the turn out for our study of the Lutheran Theology of Marriage. Stephen Ministry continues to go well. Associate Pastor Report - (Pastor Coop) Thank You for Your Service. Excited about Daily Chapel. We had over 80 people last week. Not about the numbers, but the formation of the habit. Going back to the Lectionary for our Readings in the 2019 Year. We have improved our time for Advent. Need to spend some more time on our monthly meet ups and the communication of the events. Not just for new people. DCE Report - (Amy Schmidt) Impressed with Youth at Youth Gathering. Very Engaged Group. Can drive is coming up. Youth has requested a late start bible study during Advent. Christmas program is coming up. Could use some extra Greeters. Midweek is going on with earlier start to Advent Meals and Service. Please be mindful. Winter Jam coming up for Youth as well as Retreat at Camp Okoboji. Motion by Joy Wehmas to accept Staff Reports. Motion Second by Ray Marvin. Motion Passes. Treasurer s Report - (Amanda Weathers) Unrestricted income for September was $45,836.00 while YTD unrestricted income was $505,795.00. October operating costs were $48,862.00 and YTD operating costs are $451,797.00. October financial results report a loss of $3,025.00 and a 2018 YTD surplus of approximately $54,000.00. Three month trend of expenses running greater than unrestricted contributions which is a combined 3 month loss of $19,245.00. YTD unrestricted contributions are at 102% of the budget while combined expenses are running below budget at 92% resulting in St. Paul being $49,000.00 ahead of the budget. Accounts receivable show a refund of $3165.00 from duplicate insurance payment. Short-term CD of $42,000.00 with Edward Jones generating return of 1.6% pending further direction from Voters. $50,000.00 General Fund being held in CD at Edward Jones generating return of 1.6%. This is being reflected as savings on current Statement of Fund Balance under current assets. As part of our ongoing discussion regarding the budget and expenses, Jim Turner read from Malachi Chapter 3. Motion to accept Treasurer s Report by Jason Buls. Motion Second by David Reddel. Motion Passes. Elder s Report (Larry Robinson) - Absent. Per Dropbox - Official acts as reported at Elders meeting as follows: Baptized Blake Daniel Reeder October 14, 2018. Profession of Faith Joel, Caleb & Ella Ausan. Received Caleb & Candra Grev. Transferred Jason, Lynn, McKenna, Oakley & Cashton Demaray to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Iowa. Other items discussed: All Elders have been assigned members. Advent Service times have been changed to accommodate families with Young Children. Meals will begin at 5:30 with Worship Time beginning at 6:15PM. Service to end by 7PM. Motion to accept Elders report by Dan Drefke. Motion Second by Jason Buls. Motion Passes OLD BUSINESS Mission Statement - (Pastor Coop / Tim Krehbiel) No change in approach or proposed Mission Statement to present to Voters at upcoming Voters Meeting. Youth Research Committee (Amy Schmidt) Job description presented to Council as agreed upon by committee. Discrepancy between agreed upon approved council budget and proposed plan by Elders and hiring committee as to proposed salary. 15K per year is the current approved budget. 20K to 23K per year is what the job description states. Discussion by council as how to reconcile difference. Options are to reconcile budget or to push back start date. Motion by Cordell Wabeke to amend budget to reflect job description needs. Motion second by Cari Poock. Motion Passes. Motion to approve job description as presented by Troy Marshall. Motion Second by Cordell Wabeke. Motion Passes. Amy Schmidt made offer to give up Car Allowance to help. Offer is appreciated by Council, but was rejected.
Preschool Growth Committee (Troy Marshall) Originally put together to discuss preschool but grew into an overall collaboration. Brought in Christian Education as example to discuss how space can be best utilized. Troy presented plans to council on options and related costs. This would be a special project separate of the 2019 operating budget. Synopsis of Future Growth Review of Statement (Jason Buls) Jason reviewed how this will be presented to the Voters at the upcoming Voters meeting. Statement as follows: Fund established to pay future capital expenditures of St. Paul Lutheran Church as approved by the St. Paul voter s assembly for this location or a new location, thereby reducing future borrowing needs or debt obligations. This is not a fundraising campaign, but an available opportunity for those members who wish to contribute to assist in paying future capital needs instead of borrowing future debt. Upon approval by the voter s assembly, giving to the Future Growth fund will be available through four quarterly designated envelopes in the 2019 envelope boxes and as an online giving option effective January 1, 2019. Communication regarding the new fund will go out to the entire congregation in December. The fund was approved by the St. Paul Church Council at the July 2018 council meeting. 2019 Budget Committee (Ray Marvin and Amanda Weathers) Nothing New to Report Constitution Committee Process (Pastor McLellan) Absent More to Come NEW BUSINESS Board Meeting Changes A request from Greg Stokee to change the current meeting time of Boards from 7PM to 6:30PM was discussed. Land Committee Members (Tim Krehbiel) As part of the 5 year plan which was approved in May, Tim Krehbiel presented the following members to serve on the Land exploratory committee. Members to approve were as follows: Katie Turner, Greg Stokee, Tim Krehbiel and St Paul Staff. Motion to approve committee members by Cari Poock. Motion Second by Jim Turner. Motion Passes BOARD REPORTS Christian Education (Cordell Wabeke) Everything continues to go well. Practice for the upcoming Christmas program will be Saturday December 8th. Program is on December 9th. Long Term we are looking at an event similar to Walk with Jesus which we did several years ago. Started the process of reviewing material for VBS. Material from Concordia looks promising. Evangelism (Joy Wehmas) Evangelism Team made it through the Fall! Big Rake and Trunk and Treat all Completed. Received $570.00 in donations from the Big Rake. We are looking at how best to utilize those funds. Fill the Manager is coming up. Will be helping Stewardship with upcoming Advent Dinner. We have also misplaced a banner. If found, please let Joy know. Finance (Jason Buls) Offering Envelopes will be in the Hallway the Week of December 1. Troy Marshall asked if Alissa McLellan could receive notice when someone pays tuition online? Property (Dan Drefke) By year end, will have much of the electrical projects completed. Rest of report on Dropbox. Per Dropbox other items completed or in the process of being completed are: Fix roof leak in Family Life Center. Please let Dan know if you identify another leak and where. Will donate old stage utilized in Family Life Center. Finalizing snow contract which includes sidewalk removal. Coordinating annual inspections for water backflow prevention, fire extinguishers, fire alarm and fire sprinkler system in the remaining months. Stewardship (Jim Turner) Will be decorating the Church on Saturday November 24 starting at 9:00 AM. Working with Evangelism for Advent Dinner. Bought a New Coffee Pot. Youth (Cari Poock) Trunk and Treat, Scavenger Hunt and Youth Gathering highlighted recent activities. St Paul had the Highest Number of Kids at recent Youth Gatherings. Discussed purchasing Laser Tag equipment for Youth. Planning a Dodge Ball Tournament. Youth will be serving supper at upcoming Advent Supper. Senior Youth will be attending Winter Jam. Would like to plan for a Talent Exchange night to bridge gap with Youth and Members of St. Paul. Preschool (Troy Marshall on behalf of Libby Wielenga) October was busy. Had Trunk and Treat, Growth Committee Meeting and worked on revisions to Pre School Handbook based on State of Iowa Recs. Bake Sale raised about $700.00. We are gearing up for Registration in January. We will also have a Fun Night coming up. Friends of Preschool as raised $2785.00 to date per report by Amanda Weathers. Motion to accept Board Reports by David Reddel. Motion Second by Amanda Weathers. Motion Passes Motion to adjourn council meeting by Troy Marshall. Motion Second by Joy Wehmas. Motion Passes. Meeting adjourned. Lord s Prayer. Next scheduled council meeting for December 17, 2018 as normally scheduled. Respectfully Submitted and Presented by, David Reddel St. Paul Lutheran Board Secretary
St. Paul Lutheran Church Board of Elders Board of Elders Meeting January 8, 2019 Official Acts (baptism, confirmation, wedding, funeral): Baptized: Brady Randall Kilgore, December 9, 2018 To be received, transferred or released on January 8, 2019: Transferred: Mark, Kelly, Olivia, Sara, Catelyn & Matthew Buttery, to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale Average worship Attendance in December: 2018: 654 2017: 567 (incl. The Gate) Average Worship Attendance YTD through December: 2018: 447 2017: 486 (incl. The Gate) Total Baptized and Confirmed members: Baptized 786 Confirmed 627 Family Units 308 St. Paul Preschool Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year Open Please spread the word about our Christcentered preschool program. Listed below are the programs being offered for the 2019-2020 school year. families (Dads and Donuts, Moms and Muffins, Drive Thru Coffee for Preschool Parents, Preschool Family Fun Night, etc.). We could always use an extra hand at these events. 3-Year-Old Preschool Monday/Wednesday 8:30-11:00 am Tuesday/Thursday 8:30-11:00 am 4-Year-Old Preschool Monday/Weds/Friday 8:30-11:00 am Mon/Tues/Weds/Thurs 12:00-2:30 pm PreK Program Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2:30 pm How can you support the preschool? Volunteer! We would love to have more hands in the classroom. If you would like to volunteer on a regular basis or just every once in a while, let Alissa know. Donate! We always need to update classroom furniture, curriculum, and materials. We also appreciate small donations such as snack items, apple juice, napkins, cups, etc. Donate! Friends of Preschool is a fund that is used to financially support students of families that desire Christian education, but are not able to finance it. Pray! Please pray that the Lord would continue to bless our preschool ministry and that all the families who attend would hear the Gospel message. Alissa McLellan, Preschool Director Volunteer for Preschool activities! Our St. Paul Evangelism and Preschool Boards put together some amazing events for our preschool