ST. PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH The CALLER Our Mission: Empowering others with the Good News of Jesus Christ: Making Connections, Enriching Faith, Nourishing Lives, and Demonstrating love in God s Name March 2016 at St. Paul s Saturday Mar. 12 & 26 at 9 am Men s Club Breakfast & Bible Study Tuesdays Mar. 8, 15, 22-10 am Bible Study - Sunday Readings Thursdays 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal all voice parts are welcome no auditions! Wed. Mar. 2 10:00 Comforters & Prayer Shawl Team meet in the Parish Hall Tues. Mar. 8 7:00 Council 7:00 Eggertsville Community Org Prayer Stations Sanctuary, Gathering Area and Fellowship Room are set with Prayer Stations for people to use through Lent. Weekdays 9 am 4 pm; Wed. 6-7 pm. Wed. Noon bring your own sandwich; brief prayer service follows at 12:45. Thurs. Mar. 10 Noon Retired Folks Pot Luck Lunch and St. Patrick the Myth and the Man Sat. Mar. 12 7 pm St. Paul s Got Talent! See full details inside! Wed. Mar. 16 7-8 pm First Communion instruction Please call the Church Office (835-0407) if you want this instruction for your child(ren). Remember if you re scheduling a meeting or an event, check the planning calendar on the board by the offices to make sure space is available! Or call or e-mail the Church Office: (835-0407 or office@stpaulseggertsville.org) Worship at St. Paul s I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord Psalm 122:1 Mar. 6 4th Sunday in Lent 9:00 Confirmation Class 10:00 Holy Communion 10:00 Sunday School Mar. 13 5th Sunday in Lent (TIME CHANGE spring ahead 1 hour) 9:00 Confirmation Class 10:00 Holy Communion 10:00 Sunday School Mar. 20 Palm/Passion Sunday 9:00 Confirmation Class 10:00 Holy Communion 10:00 Sunday School Mar. 24 Maundy Thursday 6:00 Pot Luck in the Parish Hall 7:00 Holy Communion Mar. 25 Good Friday 2:00 Community Service 7:00 Tenebrae Service The Nursery is staffed during 10:00 worship time. Mar. 27 Easter Sunday! 6:00 Sunrise Holy Communion 10:00 Festival Holy Communion St. Paul s is a congregation of the Niagara Frontier Conference of the Upstate New York Synod Of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
P AGE 2 M ARCH 2016 Dear Friends and Members of St. Paul s, We are knee deep in Lent and hopefully that means "knee deep in prayer!" Mid-February, we celebrated in prayer with nine couples the renewing of their wedding vows. It was a powerful time in the very sanctuary that some of them exchanged their vows for the first time years ago. In worship before that celebration on a cold February day, we laid our hands on (or actually wore because it was so cold) the many prayer shawls that the women of St. Paul s knit and prayed for the shawls and the people that will receive them. Then the community of St. Paul s took thirteen of those shawls to give to friends, family, church family and neighbors to let them know they were being prayer for. Prayer is powerful, both for those who know they are being prayed for and for those who do it! I hope that you ve had more chances and intentional time to pray this Lent. Whether it s the daily devotional or time in church at Stations of Prayer, I want to encourage you to add to your routine and schedule. Prayer stations will periodically change at church, so feel free to come multiple times. In case you missed it, here is the description of our prayer opportunities this Lent: Throughout the 40 Days of Lent: "Stations of Prayer" Each day during Lent, you are welcome to take time at St. Paul's for prayer using the Prayer Stations that will be set up through the Sanctuary, Gathering Area and Fellowship Room. There will be intentional quiet time to engage in one of 12 prayer stations that will lead you through a way, type and time of prayer. You can stay for 5 minutes or 25 minutes, do one station or all of them. They will change each week. Wednesday Lunch & Litany: Mar. 2, 9, 16: At 12pm, bring a your own lunch each Wednesday and gather in fellowship and conversation. At 12:45pm, we will take time in the Sanctuary for a brief Lenten prayer litany together. And already at the end of the month, Holy Week will be upon us. No better time for prayer and reflection than that week for sure. So whether on your knees, sitting by the fire, at home or in church, let me encourage you to get knee deep this Lenten season. Be blessed! Still in One Peace, Pastor Steve New Missionaries at St. Paul s These are certainly exciting times in this worship community and I'm thrilled that more folks want to be part of it! First steps just keep coming to church for worship, prayer, study and fellowship. Keep jumping into any and all gatherings and groups that make sense for you. Keep praying as you discern if this is the right step for you in your faith journey. Next, I'm planning to gather people after worship for a reception and a talk about St. Paul's. It will be very informal (and there will be food). I'm shooting for March 6 th at 11am and offering people the chance to join the community officially on March 13 th. Church Council members will join in too if you have questions for them. I'll have a question and answer time and, of course, kids and other family members are welcome as well. Please rsvp to this invitation via the church office (716-835-0507) or e-mail steve@stpaulseggertsville.org by Feb. 15 th.
T HE CALLER P AGE 3 In our Congregational Family Did you notice that a number of your St. Paul s friends weren t in church on Jan. 24? If so, you re right, but it s not because they stayed home to read the paper and watch football! Most of them 27, to be exact were at LCLC enjoying a wonderful retreat weekend which began on Friday, Jan. 22. To say that we had fun would be an understatement! It could not have been more relaxing and fulfilling. We laughed and talked. We worshipped and played games. We made new friends. We read books, did puzzles, sat by the fire, drank wine, and ate delicious meals (especially prepared for us). We took walks, went to the Institute, and went crosscountry skiing. We made gift bags for students returning to Buff State and Daemen College. And sometimes we did absolutely nothing! No structure, no rules. What a fantastic weekend! Barb Walter plans this weekend each year, and as usual, she did a superlative job. Her good nature, love of God, and enthusiasm was very contagious. And we each came home with prizes galore. You should have been there won t you join us next year? We hope so! THANKS from: Doris Mogle: St. Paul s Youth thank you very much for the apple pie and your thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Your sympathy and support is appreciated. Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia: Thank you for your recent gift to LTSP. Because of your generous support our mission to educate and form leaders for service to the church and the world will continue as it has for over 150 years. It is most greatly appreciated! Millie Mahoney: Thanks to my St. Paul s friends for the beautiful poinsettia plant, the calendar and the beautiful red bag! And thanks to Jane Woodward for delivering them to me at Beechwood. Ray (& Donna) Keene: Thank you for the beautiful flowers, The bouquets were very much appreciated. Thank you also for your prayers they helped me as well as the surgeon. Evelyn Berger: Thank you for the beautiful flowers. Thank you also to Betty Arbogast for delivering them!
Sunday School Corner "Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together". (Vesta M. Kelly) We talked about all the different kinds of snowflakes there are and that no two are exactly the the same. Just like people! Jesus wants us to love and accept everyone just as He does. To not cast anyone out just because they are different from you. "Love your neighbor!" Take a look at the bulletin board created by the kids in the Sunday School hallway! Transfiguration - It's a big word! We talked about how it relates to change. We did an experiment showing how things can change right before our eyes! We talked about how Jesus transformed into a great light before the disciples eyes and God appeared as a cloud and said this is my Son, listen to Him Valentines Day! The children learned the Bible verse Ezekiel 36:26 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" In children's terms: We took a rock and put it in water. The rock didn t absorb the water. Then we put a sponge in the water and it absorbed it. We talked about how when a friend or family member makes us sad or mad. When we don't forgive them our heart can turn hard like the rock and isn t able to absorb the word of God. But when we forgive and love them our heart remains soft like the sponge and is able to absorb the word of God. For a little added fun we looked at how a tootsie pop is hard on the outside but when our intern Ryan smashed it open we saw that the tootsie roll is softer on the inside. Each of the kids was able to take a tootsie pop home with them for their valentine treat to remind them of this lesson! During Lent we ll be talking about God's promises, the fruits of faith, love and forgiveness and so much more! Each week I am excited about sharing the message of God's love with your children! Watching how they stick together and get involved and participate is so rewarding! In Peace and Love ~ June Piette Cross Training AKA Confirmation March 2016 Soup er Bowl Results! 205 cans of soup! (+$13!) We predicted that the NFC would win Panthers 85 cans, Broncos 51 cans, Don t care 82 cans well we can t be right ALL the time! Everybody Join Us Sat. March 19 9:30am Help Dave & Mary Wolf strip the palms for Palm Sunday & learn how to make Palm Crosses in the Confirmation Room Confirmation for 7 of our class will be: May 15 at 10 am Come to welcome the new Missionaries of St. Paul s YOUTH MINISTRY We have had an amazing 2016 so far. Our last youth night reflected on where we've been as a group and what we want to do in the future. We talked about the light of Christ and how HIS light overcomes all darkness. We've continued our youth room make over so now nearly everyone has had a chance to add to our wisdom wall. Check it out! Sunday School: Every Sunday! 6th-12th grade class Discussion based on the gospel, ping pong and the occasional donut gets eaten every Sunday morning up in the youth room right after the children s sermon. Youth Room Painting: Sunday, March 6th - 11am - 12:30pm - We re putting the final touches on our space. Stay after church to finish (or begin) painting a favorite Bible verses or quote on the wall and we'll hang some of our décor. St. Paul s Got Talent! Saturday, March 12th - 7pm -? We need your help as performers, judges and set up for what is sure to be an amazing night at St. Paul s! Youth Nights: Saturday, April 16th 6pm 9pm - The recent ministry fair got us thinking about who we are, what are gifts are and how they can be used at church and in the world. We'll exploring all that through music, devos and crazy games at our April youth night. Dinner will be served and crazy fun will be had. =) 6th-12th graders Spaghetti Dinner: Saturday, April 30th - Save the date! This fundraiser supports our LCLC scholarships and our trip to the ELCA National Gathering. Thanks for being a part of all this ministry! God's Peace, ~Kristen (KK) 481-8728 or kristen.arends@gmail.com
ALL OF ST. PAUL S is welcome to join in on the fun! Saturday, March 12 at 7:00 pm Like the gong show of yester-year - We need YOU to show off you talents for our judges. We ll need dancers, story tellers, singers, poets, jugglers, jokers, jug bands and of course AN AUDIENCE! It's sure to be a hilarious night and you might learn something you didn t know about the person who sat in your pew last week. Sign your act up in the entrance way and contact Kristen Arends if you'd like to help backstage. We ve got a new person using the building at St. Paul s! The Power in WE Her name is Rachel S. Morrison, LMHCP, Owner and CEO of The Power In We, where she specializes in empowering adults and youth with positive life enhancing skills, through Life coaching and wellness trainings. The Power In We offers trainings on self-esteem and building self-confidence, managing anger, personal etiquette, grief consults, and finding purpose. Although she runs a business, she also volunteers and serves on the Advisory Board for a non-profit agency (P.E.A.C.E. Inc., Parents Encouraging Accountability and Closure for Everyone), where they service survivors of victims of homicide, by supporting the families affected with support groups, raising awareness, and by working on expanding youth programs. Office space at St. Paul s Lutheran Church will be used for The Power In We, and the work that she does for P.E.A.C. E., to conduct meetings, appointments, and possible trainings. Baby Blessings Basics at Crossroads Thank you to all who have been so gracious in contributing to Baby Blessings Basics. In 2015 we were able to serve 75 families (over 90 children) with about 2800 items of clothing. You have helped to make that possible. Your ongoing help is still needed! We need children s clothing from newborn to 6X. There is a storage unit in the parking lot with the Baby Blessings logo on it to receive your gifts of slightly used baby items (no furniture, toys or equipment). And thank you for helping us care for others! If know of someone who could benefit from this ministry contact one of your pastors who can write a referral. Retired Folks Thurs. Mar. 10 at Noon We ll share a pot-luck lunch and share a green theme about St. Patrick, the Myth and the Man BIBLE STUDY We re looking at the readings for the following Sunday on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. We look at the background of the text and also talk about why it was chosen for the particular Sunday. Join us!
M ARCH 2016 ebay News from Sara Gallagher March 2016 Reporting January 2016 sales. Not too much going on in the ebay market, but we did make some sales: Royal Albert flower cosmos Trio Royal China Seltmann Weiden Bavaria Trio Set, Pink Roses Needlepoint of Owl and Owlets, framed Mary Maxim Mellowspun sport yarn, Light Rose 12 round vintage Hand Made Danish Quality Pewter Tray I have some things to list and some promised. Thanks to everyone for thinking of St. Paul s for your donations. Email SaraJG@aol.com, find me at church, or call 834-1833. Thanks to everyone for your donations. Keep the things coming! Email SaraJG@aol.com, find me at church, or call 834-1833. Lutheran Awards Banquet Friday, April 22 6 pm Our own Dorothy Menth and Dolores Shearer will be honored with Magi Awards for service. Plan to come and applaud them at GreenField Manor 5953 Broadway in Lancaster in the Richard Seibold Auditorium. Cost is $45/ person. Reservation deadline is April 8, 2016. Reservation forms available in the back entry. Contact Scott Fierle regarding seats at the St. Paul s table. When Should You Call the Church Office? To arrange for a Baptism To schedule a wedding date and pre-marital counseling sessions Anytime you or a family member is in the hospital (including having a baby!) If there is a death in the family If you move or change your phone number (we have to pay the post office for returned mail!) When you need to talk with a Pastor... When there s a situation you think we need to know about... St. Paul s Memorial Fund The following people have given donations to the Memorial Fund In Memory of Thomas Mogle: Thomas Kelly In Memory of Herman Storfer: Curt & Joyce Chace St. Paul s Choir Dick & Betsy Heuer Dorothy Menth In Memory of Norman Walter Richard & Mary Batt Curt & Joyce Chace Kathy Drozdz Larry & Rita Fenske Marcia Gunther Dick & Betsy Heuer Leroy & Karen Sagerstrom Dorothy Schugardt Mary Schugardt Harlan & Janet Stoker Svend & Norma Allenbach-Schmidt Richard & Betty Venator David & Sue Walter Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Walter Jane & Larry Woodward From the Parish Register Deaths: Into your hands, O merciful Savior Cora E. Allenbach Do you get our E-mail Updates? Every week (and sometimes more often!) an e-mail update goes out from the Church Office to remind you of coming events, and to inform you of things in the life of the congregation that happen between Sundays. If you re not on the list receiving these and you would like to be, just contact the Church Office with your e-mail address 835-0407and let Mary know you want to be added. We need your permission to add your e-mail to the list.
T HE CALLER F EBRUARY 2016 Reaching Beyond St. Paul s Red Bags! If you would like one (or two!) of the red re-usable bags for your grocery shopping or other use, they re yours for a free-will donation. Money donated will be used to augment the Backpack donations. We re already collecting for the March distribution, so please start filling your backpack bag and bring it in! FOOD PANTRY UPDATE We collected 218 cans of soup for the SOUP-er Bowl! Thanks for your help! The need for March is PANCAKE MIX. Please pick up some when you do your grocery shopping. Thanks for your continuing support of this on-going need! Lord, when did we see you hungry? Who Are Prayer Shawls for?? People in the congregation, friends, co-workers, family people who are sick, home-bound, grieving, going through difficult times anyone who needs to know they are wrapped in prayer! If you know someone who needs a prayer shawl, we have them! Speak with Marilyn Emerson or Jean Brundage and they ll help you choose one for the need! 13 shawls were distributed on Valentine s Day coldest Sunday so far this season and a dozen more were blessed during worship. Dash s Receipts = Cash! Please continue to save your Dash s register tapes and place them in the collection box in the back narthex. They provide a source of extra income which enables the Niagara Lutheran Health System Guild to enrich the lives of the residents and they do add up! A VOICE ON TIMELY TOPIC The ELCA won t tell you who to vote for, or lay blame for the tainted water supply, but it continues to strive for public policies that embody the biblical values of peacemaking, hospitality to our neighbors, care for creation, and concern for our brothers and sisters facing poverty and struggling with hunger and disease, no matter what the issue, or where. Some examples: #ELCAvotes: We are called to conversation and prayer around our role as U.S. residents and as people of faith in ensuring our election systems promote dignity and respect for all. We are called to act by speaking out as advocates and engaging in local efforts to guarantee the right to vote to all citizens. ELCA Votes is an initiative created in collaboration with ELCA Racial Justice Ministry, ELCA Young Adult Ministry, Lutheran Advocacy offices, and synods throughout the country. DHS RAIDS: As a church with faith partners that work directly with deported children and families in El Salvador and Honduras, we know that deportation does not deter children and families from leaving their communities. We join Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) in our concern for ensuring access to justice in the U.S. for Central American families that arrived in the U.S. after Jan. 1, 2014 who now face deportation and who must navigate a complex legal system, often without necessary support. JUSTICE FOR FLINT, MICH.: Many residents in Flint, Michigan are unable to access safe water to drink, do their laundry, wash their dishes, or bathe. Lutheran congregations, volunteers, and local leaders are now working in Flint to help provide clean water for those in need. As ELCA World Hunger prepares to fund relief efforts, federal funding is critical to replace Flint s toxic water pipes. THE HUMAN RIGHTS UP-FRONT INITATIVE: the initiative hopes to guarantee early and effective action on behalf of the U.N. system to prevent or respond to large-scale violations of human rights or international humanitarian law. A monthly Advocacy update can be found on the ELCA website. It is refreshing to belong to a church that doesn t bury its head in the sand about important current events, but tries to find justice for all. Through your mission support, it can continue to do so. Thank you! We are church together for the sake of the world. God s Work. Our Hands.
St. Paul s Lutheran Church 4007 Main Street Eggertsville NY 14226 Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit #3595 Buffalo New York ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Coming in April Tuesdays, April 5, 12, 19 10:00 Bible Study Saturdays, Apr. 9 & 23 Men s Club Breakfast & Bible Study Wed. Apr. 6 10:00 Comforters & Prayer Shawl Team meet in the Parish Hall Sat. Apr. 9 Dragon Boat Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser Sun. Apr. 10 3:00 pm Harmonia chamber choir concert at Crossroads Lutheran Church Tues. Apr. 12 7:00 Council 7:00 Eggertsville Community Org. Sat. Apr. 30 - St. Paul s Spaghetti Supper Sun. May 1 11 am-3 pm because Fundraiser at the Tavern at Windsor Park for Lutheran Charities! Save the Date! More info coming! 15% of your tab and 100% of your tips will support Lutheran Charities of WNY (like Pub for a Purpose!) St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church Our Mission: Empowering others with the Good News of Jesus Christ: Making Connections, Enriching Faith, Nourishing Lives, and Demonstrating love in God s Name Pastor: The Rev. Steve Biegner (868-1232 cell) Editor: Mary E. Wolf Assemblers: Dorothy Menth, Marilyn Emerson, Betty Arbogast, Dolores Shearer, Marilynn Speich, Norma Stevenson, Joyce Chace, Joan Maefs, Bertha Efstation, Sue Keppel Telephone: (716) 835-0407 Fax: (716) 836-3493 e-mail: office@stpaulseggertsville.org Web: www.stpaulseggertsville.org