The St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bethany Minstry Lifting High the Cross on Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island 2018 The Messenger October 2018 1
OCTOBER 2018 ASSISTANTS The Reverend Michael T. Lembke Minister of Music Susan Brunelle OCTOBER 7 Acolyte Justyn Martinez Altar Guild Carolyn Romelczyk Reader Lois Anderson Communion Linda Nelson Assistants Lynn Anderson Counter Steve Whitney Fellowship Hour Don & Karen Culton Lunch Team Steve & Dale (Team C) Ushers Connie Palmer Richard Drake OCTOBER 14 Acolyte Ella Dexter Altar Guild Karen Hill Reader Pam McEleney Communion Linda Nelson Assistants Lynn Anderson Counter Connie Palmer Fellowship Hour Betty & Russ Berntson Lunch Team Heather (Team D) Ushers Don Culton Roberta Pannone OCTOBER 2018 ASSISTANTS The Reverend Michael T. Lembke Minister of Music Susan Brunelle OCTOBER 21 Acolyte Aubrey Castore Altar Guild Linda Murray Reader Nancy Lembke Communion Linda Nelson Assistants Lynn Anderson Counter Ron Strunz Fellowship Hour Nancy Nelson Joanne Corbett Lunch Team Lori & Pat (Team A) Ushers Rick Pezza Connie Palmer OCTOBER 28 Acolyte Kate Carlson Altar Guild Arlene Papa Reader Karen Culton Communion Linda Nelson Assistants Lynn Anderson Counter Bob Jacob Fellowship Hour Kim Paiva Lunch Team (Team B) Ushers Richard Drake Don Culton St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 401.737.6758 Reverend Michael T. Lembke Pastor Sunday Saturday Pamela Wilsey, Parish Administrator Monday Friday 9a 12p office@stpaulwarwick.org Website: http://www.stpaulwarwick.org/ Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/ St-Paul-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-83289496451/ OCTOBER 2018 Russell & Betty Berntson 1st Amanda & Vincent Palazzo 2nd Kim & Edward Paiva 3rd Bill & Patricia Roberts 10th Steve & Dale Whitney 12th Shaun & Dawn Lima 28th The Messenger October 2018 2
Pentecost 2019 June 9 Thrivent Choice Program We are pleased to announce that our congregants continue to choose to direct Choice Dollars to St. Paul in September. Thank you Carol Conrad! Thank you for thinking of and supporting St. Paul. St Paul Annual Christmas Party at Pastor Mike and Nancy Lembke s home Sunday, December 16th 2:00 p.m. 3 The Messenger October 2018
GREAT NEWS!! Fifty-three (53) complete baskets were delivered to Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center on Tuesday. They were thrilled and so grateful for our generosity. Thank you so much for all of the enthusiasm, hard work and gift donations. And many thanks to Thrivent for the Thrivent Action Team grant that allowed us to print all of the sheets, purchase the extra items to complete the baskets and also to complete the beautification at the entrance to the Bethany cemetery. Stop by and take a look. It looks great. All To the Glory of God. We are already thinking about next years project. If you have an idea or would like to help plan, please contact Nancy Lembke at 254-251-1025. Blessings and Thank You from the God s Work. Our Hands team. St. Paul Finance Committee Meetings Schedule Monday, October 1 (7-8 PM) Monday, November 5 (6:45-8 PM) Monday, December 3 (6:45-8 PM) Wednesday, January 16 (6-7 PM) Wednesday, May 15 (6-7 PM) The deadline for the November issue of The Messenger will be Saturday, October 20th. OCTOBER 2018 Sabine Accetta 1st John Lampman 2nd Peter Sanita 4th John Abramson 8th Joseph Lampman 10th Ursula Anderson 16th Candace Thomas 16th Alan Abramson 20th Stacey Charnley 22nd Vincent Palazzo III 28th The Messenger October 2018 4
For such a time as this On September 11 I flew to LA with my dear friends Mary Halsey ( Missy s Funky White Sister ), Donna and Jan to the set of the Ellen Show. What a blessing to have the opportunity to share in this awesome adventure! After Mary singing this song for 15 years, it went viral on the internet, gaining over 15 MILLION! views just on Facebook alone! Crazy how our God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and to bring His message of love, kindness and oneness! I truly believe this is happening for all the world to be deeply touched by the genuineness and humbleness of someone who is just like you and me...to say it s OK to just be...be you. Love Wins! Pam
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UPDATED 9-18-18 2018-2019 Schedule of Committee Meetings Facilities Committee Wednesday, September 5, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 9, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday, March 11, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday, May 6, 6-7 p.m. Finance Committee Monday October 1, 7-8 p.m. Monday, November 5, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, December 3, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, January 16, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Worship & Music Committee Monday September 17, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, January 7, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, March 4, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Liturgical Planning Forum, Saturday, May 18, 9-11:30 a.m. Mutual Ministry Committee Monday, September 24, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, January 14, 6-7 p.m. Monday, March 18, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, May 6, 7-8 p.m. Church Council (all meetings Monday, 7pm in the Church Library) 2018 October 8 th November 12 th December 10 th 2019 January 14 th February 11 th March 11 th April 8 th May 13 th June 10 th July 22 nd August- NO MEETING Education Committee Wednesday, January 23, 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday, March 25, 6-7 p.m. Monday, May 20, 6:45-8 p.m. God s Work Our Hands Monday, January 28, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, March 25, 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 6:45-8 p.m. Monday, June 24, 6:45-8 p.m. The Messenger October 2018 7
The Mystery at Bethany Cemetery God s Work Our Hands Sunday was a satisfying and somewhat spiritual time for many of us (digging-up dirt in a cemetery is always somewhat spiritual). A small group of us had decided, in doubt of the scale of the project, to start early (8:00 a.m.). With a sense of purpose and fellowship (note: we weren't at the brief 9:30 a.m. service) we were finishing the planting area when many others started arriving to help clean up and beautify Bethany Cemetery. We were stretching the mulch a little thin when Alan Abramson arrived and he volunteered to go to Lowe s and buy several more bags to complete the project. Alan had noted when he was first looking-over the plantings that an old stump, of a very large tree, near the site, was very rotted and punky. He commented that he had just the tool to remove it. On his way to pick-up the mulch he picked-up his mattocks, at his home. Upon returning, he went to work breaking large pieces of it apart with plenty of helpers hauling the wood pieces. Alan huffed and he puffed a very large amount of the stump away, but alas the stump held out and a solid portion (shielding a small seedling of the giant s origin) remains for another season. As we were pulling the remnants of roots and debris away to dispose of it, suddenly there was a small cylinder container in the dirt. I first thought it was a rusted pipe or even a small burrowing creature. I wiped the dirt away and found its lightness and smooth surface. Then noticed that the surface was a camouflaged print and that it had a lid on. Cautiously I turned the lid slowly (poison gas, coiled viper, gold coins, genie for my service? and peered inside. Fortunately, it contained only a weird assortment of items. I first pulled out a small plastic car, then a 3 long ballpoint pen. There was a bracelet-like elastic cord, a wooden token-like coin and an animal-shaped eraser, plus an orange button. The most weird item was a cigarette lighter from an old automobile. Then tucked in a tiny plastic bag (along the inside wall of plastic container) were several pieces of paper. I opened the bag and unfolded the papers and the probable explanation appeared. Geocaching a form of treasure hunt using GPS coordinates and well-hidden containers, a place to register your discovery and possibly an exchange of items to either identify your find or simply to add to the treasures. RI Geocaching group has nearly 500 members and there are nearly 4,000 caches located in the state. Go online to find out more about Geocaching. Since finding this container and opening it up to all, I feel a strong need to replace it and allow someone else to have that same sort of excitement and awe. But geocaching isn t the only reason to visit a cemetery. Reading the tombstones, piecing together the deceased relationship to nearby sites and reading their names is a tribute to them. Also, looking at names and imagining nationalities and origins. It s always a cliche, but cemeteries can give you a very peaceful feeling, if you let it. Sometimes headstone sayings or quotes are humorous. My personal favorite is I told you I was sick. Visit Bethany Cemetery and imagine your many miles, out in the country, and your heritage pack a lunch, sit under one of the magnificent oaks and enjoy the solitude. By the way, the cache was planted at the cemetery 7/28/14 (Schlossy) and was last found 7/28/18 by JMCB15-#515. Forty-one (41) cachers have found it and noted this on the paper inside. DJM crew may have started it?? Bob Jacob The Messenger October 2018 8
AMMPARO, ADVOCACY AND ACCOMPANIMENT A Workshop Event of the New England Synod s World Hunger Team & the Refugee & Immigration Task Force Attend either: Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 9 am to 3 pm Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 15 Hayes St. #1 Providence, Rhode Island 02908 or Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capitol Ave. Hartford, Connecticut 06106 Mary Campbell, Director of AMMPARO, will be presenting information about AMMPARO and leading us in an experiential activity, migrating from Central America Workshops on: Welcoming Congregations, Guardian Angels, Visitations in Detention Centers, World Hunger, Honduras, Advocacy & ELCA World Hunger Domestic Grants, Foster Care for Unaccompanied Migrant Minors EXPRESS Registration: Email your name & which place you will be attending, Hartford or Providence, by Wednesday, October 10 to Doreen.rinas@gmail.com. You can pay the $10 registration fee (checks made out to the New England Synod) at the event. A light lunch will be served on Saturday; a light supper, on Sunday. The Messenger October 2018 9
Words alone cannot express our appreciation for the continued financial support we receive from our partners. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your donation of $1,331.43 to the ministry of the New England Seafarers Mission. It is only possible by the faithful giving of partners, who by their generosity and kindness, that we can extend the love of Christ to the often weary and lonely men and women that work on the sea. Again, thank you and May God bless you. On behalf of our Board of Trustees and our seafarers, The Rev. Stephen R. Cushing We pray for the following people: Cheryl Bailey, Malcolm Ekstrand, Sonja Jacobson, Pauline Carlson, Anna Mahoney, Kirk Fadden, Andre D Auteuil, Araxi Shoushanian, Sister Alice Fontaine, Ed Shunney, Dorothy McLaughlin, Joan Lakey, Bo Gauthier, Sally Mallett, Kevin Nelson, Mark Pezza, Kathy Gremel, Celestina Cabral, Austin Jacabson, Larissa Toth, John Whitcomb, Glenn Carlson, Chris Barszcz, Susie Gilbert, Verna Perrott, Larry Marsch, Kevin Corriveau, Gordon McCrea, Ryan Jacob, Bob Webb, Mary Ann Drake,Lee Gilbert, O Brien Family, Maureen and Donna Campbell We pray for our homebound: Ursula Anderson, Marcelle Chatelain, Arline Cookson, Carolyn Lenihan, Evelyn Lofgren and Janet Young We pray for those who serve in the military: Chad Corrigan, Jimmy Lampman, John O Brien, Matthew Wyatt, John Westervelt, Walter Anderson, John Crowley, Nathaniel MacIntosh, Sean Rounds, Jennifer Fleming, Stephen Thomas, Samuel Bryan, Fransheska Gauthier and Zach Shatek The Messenger October 2018 10
October is the start of our budget process for 2019. Employees and coordinators will be asked to review their expenses so far in 2018 and plan for 2019 and the resources needed. Our 2018 budgeted income (213,866) was 68% from giving, 23% from outside (Thrivent Choice dollars, Big Sisters collections, St. Paul Housing Corp., AA and GA) and 9% from the Peterson Trust. Sixty percent (60%) of the budgeted expenses (215,922) is compensation, housing allowance and payroll taxes. Another 34% is for operations office, utilities, supplies and maintenance, Stewardship (envelopes, etc., Worship and Music (altar supplies, tuning, repairs, music, etc.) as well as Pastor s expenses (travel, benefits, medical, dental, auto, continuing ed and professional allowance). The remaining 6% covers Christian Ed (Sunday School, confirmation, Good Friday day camp, VBS and WELCA), Outreach (advertising, tracs, Living Lutheran), Social Ministry (Linus, prayer shawl ministry, cards, etc.), Youth activities and NE Synod allocation. We all should be appreciative of all the contributions made by our members who volunteer their time and talents to enable so much more to be accomplished than if we had to hire these services. If you have any questions or would like to be involved in the budgeting process, please see me or Bill McEleney. Faithfully yours, Linda Nelson Treasurer WINTER CLOTHING COLLECTION Are your coat closets over-crowded with winter coats you no longer wear? Are your dresser drawers bulging with sweaters that you don t wear anymore? Often we buy new winter clothes, but hold on to our old clothes even through they don t fit or we just don t wear them anymore. Yet there is an entire population right here in Rhode Island who do not own a coat, sweater, or gloves at all. Can you help? Starting in October and through January we will be collecting gently used winter clothing for Camp Street Community Ministries to distribute to those in need. (Camp Street Community Ministries was started in 1985 and is located in the Mount Hope/Rochambeau section of Providence. It provides food and clothing to those in need.) The items may be left in the back of the church and will be collected weekly. Thank you for your generosity! Whenever you do this for the least of these, our brothers and sisters, you do it for me. Matthew 25:40 The Messenger October 2018 11
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October 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7:00 PM Finance Committee Mtg 2 6:30 Confirmation 3 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 7:00 PM Choir 4 5 6 5:00 PM Matthew XXV Worship Service (Pastor Ray) 7 TWENTIETH SUNDAY AF- TER PENTECOST 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship (Pastor Ray) 10:30 AM Handbells 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 8 7:00 PM Council Mtg COLUMBUS DAY 9 6:30 Confirmation 10 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 7:00 PM Choir 11 9:30 Linus Group 12 13 5:00 PM Matthew XXV Worship Service 14 TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Handbells 10:45 AM Adult Study A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance (Pastor & Nancy teach) 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 15 16 6:30 Confirmation BOSS S DAY 17 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 7:00 PM Choir 18 10:00 AM to Noon WELCA Women s Bible Study and Fellowship 19 20 5:00 PM Matthew XXV Worship Service 21 TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship Advent Christmas Decoration Planning Mtg following service 10:30 AM Handbells 10:45 AM Adult Study A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance (Pastor & Nancy teach) 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 22 23 6:30 Confirmation 24 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 7:00 PM Choir 25 7:00 PM Special Evening Edition of WELCA Adopt a Family Program/Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center Speaker 26 27 5:00 PM Matthew XXV Worship Service 28 REFORMATION SUNDAY 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Handbells 10:45 AM Adult Study A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance (Pastor & Nancy teach) 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 29 30 6:30 Confirmation 31 11:30 AM FREE Lunch 7:00 PM Choir HALLOWEEN NOVEMBER 4 The Messenger October 2018 13
October 2018 Sunday Worship Service with Holy Communion Worship Service Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary Saturday Healing Services Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at Matthew XXV We are Handicapped Accessible!