St. Paul s Lutheran Church 2015 St. Paul s Lutheran Church ELCA 3011 Erie Street Racine WI 53402 stpuals_elca@tds.net Website: stpaulsracine.org 262-639-2038 Announcements for Lent Activities Sunday Lenten Themes March 1: Forgiveness March 8: Needs vs Wants March 15: Spirituality vs Religion Bible Study Opportunity We will meet on Tuesdays at Wilson's Coffee and Tea to discuss these themes. Located at 3306 Washington Avenue, in the West Racine Area. March 3: Forgiveness March 10: Needs vs Wants March 17: Spirituality vs Religion March 24: Sin what is it? Wednesday Lenten Evening Study All are Welcome Wednesday Nights at 6:00 pm all are invited to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 725 High Street. The themes are based on what the Confirmation class is learning. Pastor John will be leading most of the Adult classes. March 4: God's kingdom and will March 11: God gives and forgives March 18: Temptation, Trial and deliverance March 25: Vocation Mission Statement Called by the Holy Spirit, we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all Creation, reaching out to all people with God s message of Love, forgiveness and salvation.
Mission Statement: Called by the Holy Spirit, we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all crea on, reaching out to all people with God s message of love, forgiveness, and salva on. Index Page Altar Flowers order form 12 Bible Reading 6 Birthday' s this Month 7 Calendar March Insert Friends at Home 10 Altar Flower Instructions 8 Lectors for March 4 Web Site /Outreach for Hope 4 Lenten Bible Study 1 Lent Worship Themes 1 Pastor Page 3 Senior Center Menu 11 Shut In s List 9 Usher Schedule 6 The FOCUS is a monthly publica on of: St. Paul s Lutheran Church-ELCA 3011 Erie Street - Racine, WI 53402 (262) 639-2038 E-mail: stpauls_elca@tds.net Website:h p://www.stpaulsracine.org/ Pastor: Rev. A. John Bischoff CHURCH STAFF Karen Dunn Secretary Marcia Braun Neighborhood Center Director Sharon Geyer Musician/Choir Director Steve Christensen Custodian 2
Allow me to say how proud I am of both Zion and St. Paul's. Last month we both had our annual meetings. Both congregations proposed deficit budgets which means we are planning to spend more money then what our projected income show. From an accounting stand point this is not a good thing. But from a faith perspective this can be a good thing. I learned in my stewardship training that it is better to call these deficit budgets Growth budgets. What this means is that we are preparing ourselves to Grow our ministries. So many congregations today are reducing budgets, reducing ministries cutting staff and programs in order to make their budgets break even. Having budgets like that only helps to keep a congregation flat or decline. Proposing Growth Budgets shows that congregations are willing to expand, to grow their ministry and this takes courage, especially in today's economy. The Growth budgets that both Zion and St. Paul's have proposed show growth in a number of key areas. Growth in mission support to the ELCA and Milwaukee Synod. Growth in specialized ministries such as youth (VBS, Sunday School, and special activities), music ministry, Seniors ministry and yes some building repairs and updates. Growth budgets show that congregations are willing to trust that God will provide all that is needed to do the work and ministry that God is calling us to do. But as we all know, God does not simply rain down dollar bills from the skies above our churches...don't we wish! God invites you and me to use the gifts he has first given us to make Growth possible. So how is God calling you to give of your time, talents and treasures? Can you increase your time helping and volunteering at church events and in various church groups? Can you use your God given talents of playing music, cooking, praying, visitations, reading, or building maintenance? Can you increase your financial giving, supporting the various ministries we do? Together we all make up the body of Christ. Together we are the church. Together we grow the Kingdom of God here in this place and at this time. Peace, your brother in Christ. Pastor John 3
On the Web Check out our websites, www.stpaulsracine.org and www.zionracine.org. There you will find Lenten program information, up and coming events, contact information and links to other sites, also make sure you check out our Facebook pages. Date March 1 March 8 March 15 March 22 March 29 March Lectors William David Georgia Horner Bernard Kaplan Frank Patriarcia Sharon Geyer 4
Outreach For Hope Lenten Devotionals There is still time to get copies of the Lenten Devotionals. You can download them from our websites, or you can call the office and we will print one out for you. As you journey these 40 days of Lent, consider putting aside $1.00 (or more) a day to help support Outreach For Hope Ministries. This organization helps fund many of the ministries throughout the synod that help those living in poverty. At the end of Lent you can put that money in an envelope and place it in the offering plate and we will send it directly to Outreach For Hope. Four churches here in Racine receive vital funding for their ministries. 2015 Lenten Devotions Unlikely Neighbors Experiences shared for your faith walk by Bishop Jeff Barrow Greater Milwaukee Synod ELCA Sponsored by OUTREACH FOR HOPE committed to raising awareness and financial support for ministries and issues of poverty in the Greater Milwaukee Synod. 5
March 1, 2015 1st Reading Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Psalm - Psalms22:23-31 2nd Reading Romans 4:13-25 Gospel Mark 8:31-38 March 8, 2015-1st Reading Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm - Psalms 19 2nd Reading 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Gospel John 2:13-22 March 15, 2015-1st Reading Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm - Psalms 107:1-3,17-22 2nd Reading Ephesians 2:1-10 Gospel John 3:14-21 March 22. 2015 1st Reading Jeremiah 31:31-3.4 Psalm - Psalms 51:1-12 2nd Reading Hebrews 5:5-10 Gospel John 12:20-33 March 29. 2015 Palm /Passion Sunday 1st Reading Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm - Ps 31:9-16 2nd Reading Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel Mark 14:1-15:47 Sunday, March 1, 2015 Team #2 Cecil Metz 681-1959 Don Krueger Cal Rossmann Bonnie Rossmann Sunday, March 8, 2015 Team #3 Steve Christensen 681-8124 Alison Christensen Diane Margosian Sunday, March 15, 2014 Team #4 Gene Potterville 886-5701 Doris Potterville Don & Karen Stewart Sunday, March 22, 2015 Team #1 Bernard Kaplan Cecil Metz Daylight Saving Time! Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 a.m. please change your alarm clocks ahead on hour. Sunday, March 29, 2015 Team #2 Cecil Metz 681-1959 Don Krueger Cal Rossmann Bonnie Rossmann 6
Mervonne McKenzie March 5 Stephanie Langenfeld March 6 Bonnie Rossmann March 6 Charles Kiepert March 7 Kitt Ashford March 11 Kyle Hagar March 11 Bill Langenfeld Marach 23 Vincent Tempesta March 23 Garnet Louage March 24 Matthew Nielsen March 11 Gia Riffer March 11 June Spaulding March 14 Carol Baylon March 18 Warren Nitz Marach 19 7
Altar Flowers for 2015 We are trying a new system for placing an order for Altar Flowers for 2015. The Lay Ministry Team has suggested trying this method in order to save phone calls and time for all concerned. The flower chart for 2015 has been moved to the top of the stairs in the entryway. Along with the chart is a display of order forms like you see pictured on the left. We are asking everyone to please use this envelope to order, list what or who the flowers are in honor of or in memory of and what date for alter and payment at least one week in advance to make sure of delivery. If you have any questions or concerns about this new method please speak with Karen Mullikin, Lay Ministry Team leader. St. Patrick's Day trivia You may know that St. Patrick used shamrocks to teach about the Trinity, but did you know these other facts about him? St. Patrick wasn t Irish. (His parents were Roman citizens living in either Scotland or Wales.) He was kidnapped and sold as a slave at age 16. After escaping six years later, he joined a monastery in England. March 17 is the date of St. Patrick s death, not his birth. He died in 461 A.D. The color originally associated with St. Patrick is blue, not green. The harp, not the shamrock, is the national symbol of Ireland. 8
Treptow, Gerald 3433 Fourth Avenue Racine WI 53402-3729 Phone: 262-639-2105 Rhode, Vi Elder Care Cottages 7711 Big Bend Road Tichigan WI 53185 262-902-9516 Fonstad, Douglas Virginia Health Care Center 1451 Cleveland Avenue Room 210B Waukesha WI 53186 Klimek, Betty Jane C/O Lakeshore Manor 1320 S. Wisconsin Ave Room 407 Racine WI 53403 Louage, Garnet 4545 N 92nd Street Room 2722 Milwaukee WI 53225 Phone 262-221-3520 **New room number** McKenzie, Mervonne Harwood Assisted Living 8220 Harwood Avenue Room 29 Milwaukee WI 53213 414-256-6800 If you of any other shut ins not on this list please let the church office know 639-20380. 9
FEBRUARY 17, 2015 COUNCIL MEETING NEW COUNCIL The first meeting of the 2015 Council with: Myles Mullikin, President; John Bischoff, Pastor; Sally Brown, Vice President;-Sherri Anderson, Treasurer ; Bernie Kaplan, Properties ; Bonnie Rossmann, Evangelism; Karen Mullikin, Lay Ministry; Kate Villarreal, Youth (Pat Patriarca, Activities; Amanda Santos, Education; and Eileen Cook, Stewardship were absent). PASTOR began reading Psalm 46 and discussed listening to God to find what He is calling us to do. PASTOR S REPORT - Pastor was encouraged by the attitude at the Annual Meeting. We do not want to become a Radio Shack congregation and must change with the times. We need to look at new ways to do things in the 21 st Century. In the next year we will look at the structure of the church council and make recommendations at the next annual meeting, evaluate paid staff and job descriptions and apply for available grants. WEB SITE The schedule of events has been updated and we discussed how to get word to Pastor and Myles, so items can be added to the web site. TREASURER A new bookkeeper has been hired. EDUCATION In Amanda s absence, Sherri present her report. Amanda has plans to have the students sing 3-4 times through the year during the church service and is planning a Sunday School Carnival. Volunteers will be needed, so watch for more information. She requested a permanent whiteboard for the classroom and council approved the purchase up to $50. EVANGELISM Cards have been sent and Bonnie reminded us to let her and/or the church office know if anyone knows someone who is in the hospital or would like to be remembered with a card. LAY MINISTRY - Karen reported Lenten services have been planned. With the new budget in place we will purchase stoles for pastor and some items for the altar. A system to pay for altar flowers with a designated envelope was reviewed. STEWARDSHIP - MONEY COUNTERS ARE STILL NEEDED. PROPERTIES The dishwasher was repaired. We discussed building security and will focus on lower level window replacement as the first priority. We are considering a way to buzz entry into the building and a proposal to re-key the locks. PRESIDENT S REPORT - Myles would like to work on mission, planning outreach and fundraisers. E-mail addresses for the church will be changing. We will now have council meetings on the third Tuesday of the month, so the next meeting will be March 17. 10
March 5th 10:00 11:00 10:- 12:00 Noon Lunch Program Exercise w/millie Cards and Fellowship Oven fried Chicken, Potatoes Wedges, Corn Casserole, Coleslaw Salad, Chocolate Zucchini Cake Glory Singers March 12 10:00 11:00 10:- 12:00 Noon Lunch Program Exercise w/millie Cards and Fellowship Irish Stew and Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable Salad, Irish Jello Dessert TBA March 16 12:00 See sign-up sheet DeRango s 3 Mile and Douglas March 19 10:00 11:00 10:- 12:00 Noon Lunch Program Exercise w/millie Cards and Fellowship Smothered Portk Chops, Red Cabbage, Parsley Potatoes, Ann Landers Lemon Pie BINGO March 26 10:00 11:00 10:- 12:00 Noon Lunch Program Exercise w/millie Cards and Fellowship Pasta/Sausage and Spinach, Salad, Italian Bread, Brownie with Ice Cream TBA 11
3011 Erie Street Racine WI 53402 Email: stpauls_elca@tds.net Website: stpaulsracine.org Easter Flower Order Form 2015 Orders due by March 22, 2015 Easter Lilies 6 pots with 5-8 flowers per plant. (White only) How Many Cost is $8.00 per plant = Total cost for Lilies. Daffodil 7 pots with many flowers (Yellow only) How Many cost is $9.00 per plant = Total cost $ for Daffodils. Asiatic Lilies are in 7 pots with many flowers per plant: (pick your color) Color choices are: Pink Yellow Assorted. Cost is $9.00 per plant how many X $9.00 = $ Total for Asiatic Lilies. Hyacinths are in 7 pots with many flowers per plant. (Pick your color) Color choices are: Blue Pink and Assorted. Cost is $9.00 per plant how many X $9.00 = $ Total for Hyacinths. Tulips are in 7 pots with many flowers per plant. (Pick your color) Color choices are: Lavender Pink Yellow Red Assorted. Cost is $9.00 per plant. how many X $9.00 = $ Total for Tulips. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Name: Phone # Total Plants ordered: Total Amount Paid: $ All plants may be taken home after Easter Worship Service. Thank you for ordering. Please turn in your order by placing it in the collection plate. Any questions please call the church office 639-2038. Monday Thursday 9 am 1 pm, all orders due by Sunday, March 22 this is last day to place an order. All plants are from Milaeger s. 12
March 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 St. Paul s Worship and Sunday School 9:00 a.m. 2 Piano Lessons 5-8 pm JAM Women Pray- 3 Group 9:45 11 am 4 AAUW Card Club 9-11 5 6 7 Group 9:45 11 am 8 St. Paul s Worship and Sunday School 9:00 a.m. 9 Piano Lessons 5-8 pm JAM Women Pray- 10 Group 9:45 11 am 11 AAUW Card Club 9-11 12 13 14 Group 9:45 11 am 15 St. Paul s worship 9 :00 a.m. 16 Piano Lessons 5-8 pm JAM Women Pray- er 17 Group 9:45 11 am 18 AAUW Card Club 9-11 AAUW Cuisine 9-2 19 Group 9:45 11 am Racine Senior 20 21 St. Paul s Choir Prac ce 10 noon 22 St. Paul s worship 9 :00 a.m. Last Sunday to Order flowers for Easter 23 Piano Lessons 5-8 pm JAM Women Pray- er 24 Group 9:45 11 am 25 AAUW Card Club 9-11 Lent Study @ Em- 26 Group 9:45 11 am Racine Senior 27 28 St. Paul s Choir Prac ce 10 noon 29 Palm/Passion Sun- day Cantata St. Paul s worship 9 :00 a.m. 30 Piano Lessons 5-8 pm JAM Women Pray- 31 Group 9:45 11 am 13