ST. PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH 371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109 www.stpaulswethersfield.org (860) 529-5397 MINISTRY LEADERSHIP & STAFF SUPPORT PASTOR Rev. Hugh R. B. Haffenreffer Office: (860) 529-5397 Cell Phone: (860) 966-7360 pastorh@stpaulswethersfield.org OFFICE MANAGER Janet Vasel janet@stpaulswethersfield.org COUNCIL PRESIDENT Jim Newmark: jnewmark@stpaulswethersfield.org COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT Julie Perry jperry@stpaulswethersfield.org COUNCIL SECRETARY Sue Sonstrom suesontrom@stpaulswethersfield.org FINANCIAL SECRETARY/BOOKKEEPER Mary Procyk mprocyk@stpaulswethersfield.org MINISTER OF MUSIC Melissa Cheyney SUPERINTENDENT OF SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Alice Ruppar October 2010 Volume 68, Number 10 How to Grow Our Faith, I It s all in the roots. It seems odd, some how, that the best time to plant a new lawn is in the late summer or early fall. You want to put down the grass seed after the heat of the summer is over, so that the new grass doesn t just wither and die; and you want to give it enough time before the freeze of winter for it to have established some root growth. Grass seed that is put down in the spring usually comes in full of visible growth and promise; but without a deep root system, it isn t able to weather the heat and drought of summer. It is during the winter, beneath the surface of the soil, that the most important growth takes place. Even during the freeze of winter the roots continue to grow. When the warmth of a new spring comes, the grass will sprout from its strong roots and have the ability not only to provide the carpet of green we so cherish in our lawns, it will have the depth of roots to weather the inevitable heat and drought of summer. Spiritual growth is much like the growth of a new lawn. Early on, as our faith is new and full of passion, there is a flurry of external activity. We might get highly involved in our church, or commit ourselves to changing the world around us by volunteering for an important ministry or cause. But without having spent the time and care necessary to establish a deep and healthy spiritual root system, our passion can wither when it is confronted by the inevitable challenges of life times of spiritual drought. Without deep roots we can easily burn out, develop compassion fatigue, or question the value of all our efforts. In the face of a personal crisis, a faith without depth can falter and fall apart. We need to take time tending to our roots. continued on page 2 Worship Schedule: 8:00 & 10:30am
Continuing with our grass metaphor: an important time to fertilize a new lawn? Late fall, just before the winter sets in. Then the new root system will have the nutrients necessary to grow strong, ready for the warmth and hope of a new spring. Are you tending to your roots the roots and depths from which true faith springs? St. Paul s is committed to creating opportunities for the development of deep-rooted faith. Our study of Bonhoeffer s Life Together is but one such opportunity. There will be more. But all the offers in the world won t help if we don t take advantage of them. Contrary to social trends and expectations: There is no quick path to faith. While true faith is a gift from God, it grows and is strengthened through the slow and steady nurturing of our roots by going deep into the real source of our faith: the living Word of God. Through the regular study of Scripture, by being part of a community that worships, and through the many disciplines that grow our faith (our root system) from the inside out, we will know the resilient strength, joy, and freedom that true, deep-rooted faith can bring. Pastor Hugh Haffenreffer Needed: Nursery * Volunteers Needed Volunteer s needed in the nursery on Sundays during the 10:30 service. Please either contact Annie French or sign up on the poster located on the bulletin board near the coat room. Just Joking... Two Kinds of People: There are two kinds of people. Those who wake up in the morning and say, Good morning, Lord, and those who wake up in the morning and say, Good Lord, it s morning. submitted by Woody Anderson November 2010 pg. 2
Dear Pastor Hugh & the People of St. Paul s, Mom s move to the Meadow Green Nursing Home went well and we are helping her settle in. The place is about an hour and a half from St. Paul s in Waltham, MA. Mom was glad to see Debbie Howe last week on her visit to see family in the area! Mom and Dad love you, and we are so grateful for all you have done to share Jesus love with us. Thanks for everything. God s peace, Jane DeVinney & Rebecca MacNeill (Krug daughter s) H a p p y B i r t h d a y November Birthday s 1 Hazel Leibenguth 7 Ryan Farley 4 Christopher Hans 6 George Olson 9 Carol Ann Hopkins 13 Mario DeBlois 14 Melissa Malinguaggio 17 William Sonstrom 21 Gary King 22 Heidi Sawrun 26 Suzanne McDonald 26 Pastor Hugh 30 Ellie Bengtson Don t see a birthday listed here that should be? Please let us know if there are any omissions or errors in our information. Change of address: Helen Hube 7900 Creedmoor Road #256 Raliegh, NC 27613 June Krug 45 Woburn Street #240A Waltham, MA 02454 If you know of a member of our congregation that has had an address change please contact the office. Thank you. Dont forget to... Sunday, Nov. 7 th November 2010 pg. 3
ST. PAUL S NEWS OF PEOPLE IN THE PEWS Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. Can you believe that it s time for the Great Pumpkin and Charlie Brown to make their yearly appearance? Have a happy day and a wonderful time with friends and family. And now, for the news. Please give a special hug to Beverly as she continues her good work of greeter at the 10:30 service. Her smile and enthusiasm for us is great. Thank you, Beverly for loving us. Also, did you know that Sue Beckwith was interviewed by Connecticut Magazine? She s featured in an article about cancer treatment centers titled Easing the Burden and Sue spoke about her treatments and how helpful the staff is at The Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center. See you at the Harvest Fair. It s always a fun way to shop for Christmas, see old friends and make new friends as visitors from town and out-of-towners show up to see and buy all the work of our congregation s crafters. Thanks to all of you for your work. Have a blessed holiday season & see you in December. SEND ME NEWS, PLEASE at emilyandles@cox.net Emily - PRAY FOR PEACE Christmas Angel Tree I can almost here bell s ringing can you? It s difficult to believe that fall is here, that means the start of the holiday planning yes the holidays!! Fifty gift tags will be on our tree and a suggested retail price is $15.00-20.00. Our tree will be set up on November 28th. The gifts need to be returned to the church unwrapped with the tag attached to the gift by December 12th. This is a perfect opportunity to purchase a gift for an angel in need. Our response has always been outstanding and we look forward to another great season. Thank you for your participation in this outreach program. Bernice Noeker November 2010 pg. 4
Service & Outreach Holiday Fair Saturday Nov. 20th 9am 3pm St. Paul s Lutheran Church 371 Wolcott Hill Rd., Wethersfield, CT. Just in time for your Thanksgiving & Christmas preparations! Come visit our: Bakery, Holiday Store, Country Store, Café, Handmade Crafts, Grandma s Attic, & Book Nook All proceeds will benefit the following charities: Project Hope, Pure Water, Autism Speaks and Camp Calumet Urban Day Camp! Supplemental funding provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Babysitting will be available! For more information or directions to the fair please call: 860.529.5397 or visit our website at: http://www.stpaulswethersfield.org November 2010 pg. 5
St. Paul s Members In Service for November 2010 AC O LY T E S : Linda Anderson, Coordinator, 659-4094 Nov 7 - Kaitlin Anderson 14 - Angela Mihalick 21 - Cameron Cheyney 28 - Celia Cheyney A LTA R G U I L D : Linda Anderson, Coordinator, 659-4094 Nov 7 - Mary Procyk & Cindy Seip 14 - Linda Anderson & Sue Sonstrom 21 - Ann French & Winnie Sawrun 28 - Carol Farley & Debbie Howe A S S I S T I N G M I N I S T E R S : Nov 7 - Emily Lourigan... 8:00 - Patty Bengtson... 10:30 14 - Jim Newmark... 8:00 Mary Procyk... 10:30 21 - Art Bruce... 8:00 Jerry Vaillancourt... 10:30 28 - Volunteer Needed... 8:00 Kathy Coyle... 10:30 C O M M U N I O N A S S I S TA N T S : Sue Agne, Coordinator, 563-0776 Nov 7 - Helen Peterson 14 - Curt Leonard 21 - Walter Ruppar 28 - Lillian Doerschler N u r s e ry: Ann French, Coordinator, 529-3245 Nov 7 - Volunteer Needed 14 - Volunteer Needed 21 - Volunteer Needed 28 - Volunteer Needed F E L L O W S H I P H O U R H O S T S : Winnie Sawrun, Coordinator, 529-7588 14 - Carol & Art Bruce 21 - Grace & Bob Durkin 28 - Linda & Kaitlin Anderson F I N A N C E : Mary Procyk, Coordinator, 257-4793 Nov 7 - Winnie Sawrun 14 - Debbie Viola 21 - Mary Procyk 28 - George Howe L E C TO R S : Lillian Doerschler, Coordinator, 529-1939 Nov 7 - Patty Bengtson 14 - Jeanette Serafine 21 - Lillian Doerschler 28 - William Fischer, Jr. Ta p i n g : Debbie Viola, Coordinator, 529-5051 Nov 7 - Kaitlin Anderson 14 - Kate Grottke 21 - Cameron Cheyney 28 - Kaitlin Anderson U S H E R S : Brian Beckwith, Coordinator, 8AM, 563-4066 Nov - Carol & Garrett Hughes Louise Lostocco, Coordinator, 10:30AM, 529-3079 Nov 7 - Dick Kratzer & Mark Olsen 14 - Dick Kratzer & Mark Olsen 21 - Russ Bengtson & Dave Bayek 28 - Russ Bengtson & Art Bruce November 2010 pg. 6
NoVEMBEr 2010 EVENT CALENDAR SuN. MoN. tues. wed. thurs. Fri. Sat. 1 2 3 4 5 6 All Saints Day Outreach Meeting 7pm Ed Gentino 6-8:30pm Downstairs PE OA 7:30pm Bible Study 10:30am AA 7pm Choir Reh. 7:30pm Thur. Grp 10am AA 10am AA 7:30pm 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Day Light Savings Ends Holy Comm. 8 & 10:30am Youth Meeting 9am Adult Forum 9:15am Life Together Grp 12:30-2pm Collecting Stewardship Survey Cub Scouts 6-8:30pm Downstairs PE OA 7:30pm Bible Study 10:30am AA 7pm Choir Reh. 7:30pm Thur. Grp 10am AA 10am Habitat for Humanity AA 7:30pm 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Holy Comm. 8 & 10:30am Youth Meeting 9am Adult Forum 9:15am Life Together Grp 12:30-2pm Holiday Fair meeting 9AM Stewardship Survey Results OA 7:30pm Bible Study 10:30am AA 7pm Choir Reh. 7:30pm Men s Breakfast 7:30am Thur. Grp 10am aa 10am outreach Fair 9am - 3pm AA 7:30pm 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Commitment Sunday Holy Comm. 8 & 10:30am Youth Meeting 9am Adult Forum 9:15am Life Together Grp 12:30-2pm OA 7:30pm Parish Admin. 6:30pm Council 7:30pm Bible Study 10:30am AA 7pm Choir Reh. 7:30pm Thanksgiving AA 10am AA 7:30pm 28 29 30 notes: Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 7 at 2 AM, remember to turn your clocks back one First Sunday of Advent Holy Comm. 8 & 10:30am Youth Meeting 9am Adult Forum 9:15am OA 7:30pm hour Saturday night, before you go to bed! Don't forget, Commitment Sunday is November 2 Janet will be out of the office 11/23-11/28 Church office, closed 11/25 & 11/26
Saint Paul s Ev. Lutheran Church 371 Wolcott Hill Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 www.stpaulswethersfield.org What s inside: November 2010 Volume 68, Number 10 A Message from the Pastor pg 1 Nursery Volunteers Needed pg 2 Announcements / Birthday s pg 3 People in the Pews pg 4 Christmas Angel Tree pg 4 Service & Outreach pg 5 Members in Service pg 6 Calendar pg 7