Decorate St. Paul and the Christmas tree Sunday Dec. 19th following the 11:00am worship Christmas Carolers also can help decorate before or following the potluck dinner ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 330/239-1340 www.stpaulsharoncenter.com December 2010 20 Outward bound! Gathering Awakening Serving 2004 St. Paul Vision Statement 1
WORSHIP IN ADVENT AT 6:30 PM AT 7:00 PM LET US MAKE YOU DINNER AT WORSHIP AT PM As people of faith, we know that Advent is a time of watching and waiting for the coming of Christ, yet our American culture tries to convince us that this time is for shopping and parties. While some preparations are necessary, make time for reflection and prayer. Come to St. Paul on Wednesdays. WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AT 7:00 PM IN THE SANCTUARY: DECEMBER 8 DECEMBER 15 15 EXPERIENCE THE ADVENT PEACE BIBLE STUDY AND CHOIR TO FOLLOW Childcare available 2 December Worship Participants Adult choir Hosanna college Sunday Adult choir 8:30 8:30 10:30 AM 8:30 5-Dec 12-Dec 19-Dec 26-Dec 2-Jan 8:30 AM altar Patty Frase Patty Frase Patty Frase Patty Frase Tammie Clark Nancy King 11:00 AM altar Welty Welty Welty Welty Patty Frase 8:30 AM acolyte Holly Owens Jessica Jarolim Jessica Jarolim Becca Fortner Ally Owens 11:00 AM acolyte Emma Park Becca Fortner Becca Fortner Courtnie Park 8:30 AM a. min John Leach John Leach Rod Sprang Katie Sprang Emily Sprang 11:00 AM Nick Schondel Sherie Hanft Sherie Hanft Jon Edwards 8:30 AM lector Jim Bushman Jim Bushman Glenna Jackson Andy Smith Angela Gasser 11:00 AM lector Denny Shanafelt Denny Shanafelt Dudley Chapman Amy Kundmueller 8:30 AM ushers Barb Scheufler Barb Scheufler Jim Sickels college Braver Family Dave Scheufler Dave Scheufler Laurie Sickels students Braver Family 11:00 AM ushers Bill Osborn Judy Rogers Judy Rogers tba Craig Bailey Donna Osborn Jim Rogers Jim Rogers Lee Ann Bailey 8:30 AM chalice Bob Kahl Bob Kahl Jim Jarolim college Rod Kaufman Doris Kahl Doris Kahl Lesley Jarolim students Ellen Madigan 11:00 AM chalice Barb Heini Barb Heini Dick Stidham tba Mike Sommer Chris Heini Chris Heini Chet Welty Bob Schondel 8:30 AM cup Holly Owens Jessica Jarolim Jessica Jarolim Becca Fortner Ally Owens Debi Gabriel Debi Gabriel Donna Osborn college K. Braver 11:00 AM cup Emma Park Becca Fortner Becca Fortner students Courtnie Park Dennis Shanafelt Dennis Shanafelt Patty Frase tba Kathy Tabor 8:30 AM nursery Tracee Teresko Jamie Tople Adrienne Miller Bill Farr lloyd Knudsen Paula Funfgeld Mike Tople Lois Scanlon Sandy Farr Joanne Knudsen 11:00 AM nursery Lisa Owens Rich Owens Jim Ellis Amy Kundmueller Audrey Owens Jenni Ellis Counters Lloyd Doering Nancy Alber Mike Sommer Cathy Doering Cathy Doering Kim Talbott Pat McGregor Curtis Mall 8:30 AM screen Stuart Arbuckle Amber Thompson Stuart Arbuckle Jenna Heini Stuart Arbuckle 11:00 AM N Kundmueller Emily Sprang Nick Schondel N Kundmueller bread Cathy Doering Cathy Doering Cathy Doering Cathy Doering Judy Rodgers 19
Questionnaire for Possible Fellowship Hall Renovation St. Paul Congregation, As most of you are aware, St. Paul has been exploring the possibility of renovating the fellowship hall and kitchen area of the church. In February a survey was sent out to the congregation asking if such a renovation should be considered. It was nearly unanimous that we as a congregation felt we needed to begin looking at our options. As a result architect Kevin Robinette was hired to draw up plans and estimate costs for such a project. Out of ten options presented, the property committee and church council selected two plans. The first works within our existing space ( Plan A ) and the second involves an addition (Plan B). Both plans have been presented to the congregation and we conducted a question and answer meeting on October 24 th to help ensure that everyone has the information needed to weigh this decision. This survey is intended to receive feedback from the congregation as a whole regarding how we should proceed. We also want everyone to have an opportunity to voice any questions, concerns and suggestions they may have. As you answer the questions please keep in mind that the plans that we have now are just drawings and can be easily changed. Also, both plans address other issues throughout the building that need repaired including the front entrance ramp, our HVAC system, and waterproofing issues on the East side of the fellowship hall. Please take some time to pray and consider the following questions. Copies of both plans are displayed in the Narthex for your convenience. Please compete the questionnaire by December 19 th on Survey Monkey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/stpaulrenovation or you may complete a written survey and return to the office or the basket in the Narthex. Please include your name and phone number if you have questions you would like answered. You may call Jon Hanft at 330-322-2182 or Julianne Stidham at 330-687-2671 or contact Pastor Judy with any questions. Thank you so much for your time in filling out this questionnaire. Gods Peace, The Renovation Committee 18 From the pastor... The liturgical season of Advent began Sunday, November 28 th which is the Sunday closest to November 30 th, the Feast of St. Andrew. This marks the beginning of a new church year. Advent spans four Sundays and four weeks of preparation. The celebration of Advent has evolved over the centuries although the exact historical beginnings are difficult to pinpoint. Originally, Advent was celebrated in France for the three weeks leading up to Epiphany. During Advent at that time, prayer and fasting was emphasized in preparation for the Day of Epiphany when new converts would be baptized. Eventually similar practices spread to England although it was not until the 5th century that Advent was celebrated in Rome. Briefly, the unfolding of the Advent season evolved as follows: The Catholic Church gradually formalized the period of Advent in the 5 th century when five Sundays of Liturgy would be set aside for this celebration. In the 7 th century, Pope Gregory I added liturgies, prayers, readings and antiphons to enhance the season. In the 9 th century, the Church designated the first Sunday of Advent as the beginning of a new church year. Finally in the 11 th century, the number of Sundays spanning the Season of Advent was reduced to four. Historically, the liturgical color used in Advent Worship services was purple, the color of penitence and fasting. However, the color used for the third Sunday of Advent was always pink referring to a time of rejoicing that the time of fasting was nearly over and turning towards the celebration of Christmas. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 3
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 In the last decades, the emphasis and focus of Advent has changed and with it the liturgical color of purple has also changed to the color of royal blue. Except in the Eastern Orthodox Churches where the church retains the penitential emphasis, the emphasis has turned to hope and the anticipation of the Coming of Jesus Christ. It doesn t totally eliminate the penitential aspect, the introspection and reflection. However, the season is a season of the unfolding of the mystery of new birth. We hear the Prophesies spoken down through the ages of the Word that will be spoken in the silence of our souls. During this season, we watch, we wait, we yearn for a rebirth of Christ in our hearts the same Jesus Christ who lived and died on this earth, of Jesus Christ who never left but is still with us. As the season unfolds, let us reflect and celebrate the joy of anticipation, of a new birth in each of us, a new birth in our church of St. Paul. MOVIE MANIA High School Youth Sunday evening approximately 6:30 p.m. December 19th Regal Montrose Pastor Judy McGuire (Movie choice to be announced one week prior) Discussion will follow at Steak N Shake 4 17
November High School Service Event T O R C H TEEN OUTREACH THRU CHRISTIAN HELP What: Gather with youth from other churches and denominations to be Jesus hands and feet to people at various mission sites in Cleveland. When: Every second Saturday of the month Who: Youth in grades 7-12 & adult volunteers Questions: Call Deaconess Marla at 330-239-1340 or mail to: deaconessmarla@gmail.com OH COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL. CHRISTMAS CAROLLING & POTLUCK DINNER Who? All are welcome! When? December 19, 12:30 pm Where? Meet at church, travel together to Liberty 1 nursing home (where Lib Dress is a resident) What to bring? A dish to share for dinner after singing. Mission Sites could lead you to: Play Bingo, play with children, prepare food at homeless shelters, offer many smiles and allow Christ s love to shine through you! Dinner is also provided. Gather at St. Paul at 12:15 pm Be picked up at 5:45 pm Submitted by Carol Sours 16 5
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP! Panera Sharing Center Schedule Friday night 7:00PM WORSHIP 3-Dec Heini Lori Miller 9-Dec Debbie Sprang Jim Troike Denise Troike Jesse Troike Nancy King HOLY COMMUNION CARRIERS OF THE LIGHT - ST, PAUL YOUTH CHOIR CANTATA 10-Dec 16-Dec Laurie Sickels Debbie Sprang Jim Sickles Eleanor Hanson Kim Talbott Laurie Talbott Dan Sickels CHILD CARE AVAILABLE 17-Dec Lori Miller Jan Chapman Dudley Chapman Nora Gleason Marcella Kephart Lloyd Knudsen Joanne Knudsen 23-Dec 24-Dec Sharing Center closed - Christmas Eve 31-Dec Sharing Center closed - New Year's Eve 11:00PM CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP HOLY COMMUNION INDIVIDUAL CANDLE LIGHTING 6-Jan 7-Jan Sue Edwards Leslie Jarolim Lisa Owens Sharon Holmes Jim Jarolim Dale Edwards Holly Owens SENIOR CHOIR ANTHEMS no childcare 6 15
SHARING CENTER - DECEMBER UPDATE The Sharing Center served 130 families in November. We anticipate serving at least as many in December. Any extra help Friday evenings in December would be much appreciated! The Holy Spirit is stirring the hearts of those involved with the Sharing Center. We have received so many gifts from so many different sources: As a Halloween class project, the 4th graders at Sharon Elementary decorated and donated cans of food. Our clients were touched by the thoughtfulness of these students. We have received almost 50 boxes of potatoes gleaned from an area commercial farm. Every client in November and December has had plenty of potatoes for their Holiday dinners! After emptying the shelves the 2nd Friday in November (42 families!), the next afternoon a group of Girls Scouts brought over boxes of food they had been collecting for us. After serving 69 families the Friday before Thanksgiving, Jerusalem Lutheran brought over a truck load of food the next day! A generous Highland family has offered to shop and donate items for 75 of the 150 Christmas bags we anticipate handing out. Highland Middle School and Sharon Elementary are running food drives the first few weeks in December! Praise God! DECEMBER NEEDS: canned peaches & mandarin oranges, boxed rice, skillet dinners, "hearty" (non-condensed) soups, canned chicken, spaghetti sauce, paper towels, toilet paper 14 RECEIVE THE GIFT! WORSHIP SATURDAY, CHRISTMAS DAY 10:00 AM 7
The First Annual College Student Sunday is December 26th Begin with Faithtrek at 9:30 am & gather in the Fellowship Hall for a Happy Birthday Jesus party at 10:10 a.m. ONE COMBINED SERVICE at 10:30 AM Abby Smith will be preaching Potluck brunch will follow at the Sprangs for college students and their families. Adult Fellowship Group CHRISTMAS Party Annual Christmas Party Friday, December 10th 6:30 pm At the home of Ernest and Annelise Funfgeld 5555 Beach Road Sharon Center Come and Share the Fellowship! Sign up in the narthex. 8 13
December: Poinsettias - only $8.00 each!! Sign-up sheet is in the narthex. Questions? Please contact Julianne Stidham 1 Matt Hulme 5 Bruce Hulme 6 Mary Grimm 9 Luke Stidham 10 Nate Florian 10 Ryan Florian 12 Kimberly Braver 13 Beth Hulme 14 Kailey Reau 15 Karly Becker 20 Jim Jarolim 24 Marie Funfgeld 24 Carol Sours 27 Carolyn Landis 31 Everett McGregor LIGHT YOUR BAPTISMAL CANDLE! 12 9
Be sure to check out the interactive calendar! Be sure to check out the interactive calendar! 10 11