SAINT PAUL S EPISTLE EPISTLE October 2014 Volume 72, Number 9 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 Karen Landry karen@stpaulswethersfield.org COUNCIL PRESIDENT Debbie Viola debviola@stpaulswethersfield.org COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT Russ Bengtson rbengt@sbcglobal.net COUNCIL SECRETARY Debbie Howe TREASURER Roy Lewis roy@roylewiscpa.com FINANCIAL SECRETARY/ BOOKKEEPER Mary Procyk mprocyk@stpaulswethersfield.org MINISTER OF MUSIC Melissa Cheyney SUPERINTENDENT OF SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Cathy Evans OPEN THE DOOR TO JESUS Many will remember the finger rhyme, Here s the church and here s the steeple/open the door and see all the people. It starts with the hands folded together, but with the fingers interlocked, the tops touching the palms of the other hand. The two index fingers are raised up, tips together, forming the steeple. And when you opened the door, exposing all the hidden fingers, there were all the people. It s a cute little rhyme usually taught to children. Of course it assumes that a) the child actually knows what a steeple is, and b) knows what a church is. Given the trends today, that s a lot to assume. Open the door to Jesus : This is the theme for our Stewardship Campaign this year. As people of faith, we are called to open our doors to people, and in so doing, we open the door to Jesus. Starting on Sunday, October 5, we will explore a door through which people may be invited into our faith community. I m not going to go into any great details now... but the first door has to do with our educational ministries, especially among our children and youths. A door is an architectural means by which a person enters or exits a building or room. Some doors are open, others are closed. Some can be locked. Some are stuck and hard to budge. Some doors are hidden and hard to find. Others are obvious and stand out. They can be narrow, wide, short, tall, thin and weak, or thick and sturdy. Pop quiz: How many outside doors does St. Paul s have? Note: Double doors (such as the red, front doors into the church sanctuary from Wolcott Hill Road) count as one. (The answer can be found on page 5.) What if each of our doors (or set of doors) represented a different kind of ministry, a different aspect of our congregation? What might these doors represent to you? Are these doors open or closed? Are they open to all or only a few? Are they used and useful or are they no longer functional? This is what we will explore together as we make our way toward Stewardship Sunday (November 16). We hope this will also start a conversation that will extend beyond Stewardship Sunday, and will help us discern the kind of congregation we hope to be in the future. Jesus said, I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. (John 10:9) You and I are called to be like Jesus, to be open doors through which others might come to know Jesus. What kind of door do we make? Pastor Hugh WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Sundays at 8 and 10:30 AM; Thursdays at 7 PM
GRATEFUL FAITHFUL MEETING Tuesday, October 21 st This month we will be meeting on the 21st in the Fellowship Hall for our monthly Bible Study. We will use the Gospel from Sunday, October 19th Matthew, Chapter 22: Verses 15-22 to study and discuss and think about how we can make it part of all that we do. Through our informal discussions and sharing, we grow in our faith and understanding of God in our everyday lives. Part of our mission as the Grateful Faithful is to help the members of our church family in a variety of different ways. This month we are sponsoring the Fall Fellowship Pot Luck Supper to support Bob and Debbie Houseman. Last year we sponsored a backyard clean-up at the home of Russ and Ellie Bengston. Through the surveys we asked the congregation to complete, we are hoping to use the time and talents of our members to match to the needs of others in our congregation. Please consider joining us on the 21st. We are just getting started-all are welcome! Come be part of this exciting new ministry at St. Paul s! Call Carol Farley, Debbie Howe, Margaret DeBlois, Kathy Coyle or Sue Agne for more details and information. HOLIDAY FAIR 2014 Saturday November 22, 2014 from 9am until 2pm Items Needed! Below are items the Fair Committee will appreciatively accept for Grandma s Attic Gently used treasures Clothing Jewelry (These items are basically what you would find at a tag, yard, or garage sale) Please No furniture or tools! Once the fair is over any remaining items will be donated to a non-profit organization. If you wish to pick up any of your donated items that are left over you may do so on Saturday and Sunday after the fair. The next Holiday Fair meeting is scheduled for: Sunday October 19th following the 9:00 AM service. If you would like further information about donating items for the 2014 Fair please see or contact: William Fischer 860.721.9031 Thank you, The Holiday Fair Committee FUNraiser for Our Children Please join us for a Friendly s FUNraising event for our Sunday School! When: Thursday, October 9th ALL DAY Where: Friendly s Restaurant, 1045 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield 20% of all sales (with certificate) will be donated to our Children s Ministries. Dine in or take out, just bring your certificate for us to get credit for the sale. Anyone can participate, please pass along certificates to family, friends and neighbors. Certificates available in Fellowship Hall or contact Cathy Evans. October 2014 pg. 2
ATWATER-DONNELLY CONCERT Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014 at 3 PM Adults: $15 Kids under 16: $5 Every performance is surprisingly different and always entertaining, exciting and educational with the awardwinning duo Atwater~Donnelly, who provide a unique and thrilling blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance, along with original songs and poetry. The highly praised husband-wife duo blends gorgeous vocals with an astounding array of instruments including the mountain dulcimer, old-time banjo, tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, limberjacks, feet and more. Based in Rhode Island, Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly have traveled extensively for over twenty-five years in the United States, with occasional trips to Ireland, England, and Canada, to perform as well as find their songs and dances one by one. They have produced several books, a film, and many recordings that receive international airplay Atwater~Donnelly last visited us in the Spring of 2013 and everyone who attended can attest that they put on a great show. If your young ones are taking any kind of dance classes this is a great opportunity for them, too. Hope to see you there!! Portion of proceeds go to Wethersfield Social Services. St. Paul s Lutheran Church 371 Wolcott Hill Road Wethersfield, Ct Tickets at Door or call Church Office: (860) 529-5397 ST. PAUL S FALL FELLOWSHIP EVENT POT LUCK SUPPER October 18 TH at 5:30 to support Bob and Debbie Houseman St. Paul s is rallying around Bob and Debbie as they face the challenges of Bob s diagnosis of ALS. Please plan to join us for a fun-filled evening. Bring a dish to share for the dinner buffet. Here is what we are looking for to help make the evening a success: Do you have a TALENT to share that can be part of the evening s entertainment? CALL US!! Is there something you can make or donate that can be added to our RAFFLE PRIZES-maybe you make a great apple pie? Maybe you canned some of summer s bounty and can donate a jar? Do you have a connection with some establishment that might donate a prize for us to raffle? Do you want to make a basket of goodies to give away? Can you paint a scary pumpkin? CALL US!! A free will offering will be collected to benefit the needs of Bob and Debbie. Please contact any member of the GRATEFUL FAITHFUL with questions or to volunteer to help in any way with this event: Carol Farley, Margaret DeBlois, George and Debbie Howe, Dick and Sue Agne, and Mike and Kathy Coyle. There is a SIGN-UP SHEET on the white board in the Fellowship Hall. October 2014 pg. 3
etcetera... BRING A FRIEND SUNDAY! Sunday, October 19th WORSHIP AND MUSIC NEWS Coming on Sunday, October 5 ELW Setting Eight Our Worship and Music Team has been hard at work trying to find ways to make our Sunday worship experience even more enriching. After exploring many worship resources, it was agreed that starting on Sunday, October 5th, we will begin to introduce a new worship setting: Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW, for short the name of our red hymnal) Setting Eight. (Actually it will be mostly setting Eight, with on part, This is the Feast, coming from Setting Two.) In addition, we will be adding variety to the brief order for Confession and Absolution, with which we begin our worship service. The new service booklet will include two different versions. We don t intend to introduce the entire service right away, but will roll it out over several weeks so that we will grow into it together. If you would like more information, or would like to share your input or ideas about how we might improve our worship experience, please let us know. Worship Team It s a special day when members of our church invite their friends who don t have a church connection to join us for worship and fellowship. Who will you ask? Have you talked to this person recently? Plan to get together with your friend this week, maybe for a meal together, a cup of coffee or a shared activity. Continue praying for our bring your friend Sunday and pray that God will speak to your friend s heart. You may help your friend make the decision of a lifetime. THURSDAY NIGHT WORSHIP Another opportunity to strengthen our faith Every Thursday night, at 7 PM, people gather in our sanctuary to explore what it means to grow as a disciple of Jesus. We follow the 12-Steps from Alcoholic Anonymous. And while there are those who are looking for spiritual support to help them in their recovery, the truth is we all can use help in our journey through life. Becoming a follower of Jesus means letting go of our old ways of being in the world and holding fast to new ways of thinking, being and acting. We all need help doing that. Come and try it out. It can t hurt. It actually might help. Think about it. The WELCA Hartford/Central and Eastern Conference is holding its first planning meeting for its 2015 Spring Gathering on October 11, 2014 from 10 am - 12 pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Windsor CT. The Spring Gathering will take place May 2, 2015 at Christ the King. If you are interested in attending or would like to help, please contact Winnie Sawrun at 860-529-7588. October 2014 pg.4
ST. PAUL S GIVING TREE Our Giving Tree focus for the month of October is Building Maintenance. This category is huge! It covers everything from trash bags and light bulbs to cleaning supplies, mowing the lawn, painting as needed, cleaning windows, necessary repairs that pop up unexpectedly and a whole lot more! Giving Tree envelopes have been placed in the pews in church to make it easier to place in the offering plate during Sunday Worship. As always, the Giving Tree remains in the Fellowship Hall with many leaves to choose that include other areas of our Ministry that will be a focus in the upcoming months. Any amount will be greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!! If you have any questions, please give Sue Agne a call (860-563-0776). POP QUIZ ANSWER from page 1: How many outside doors does St. Paul s have? Nine. 3 on Wolcott Hill Rd: Main double door and 2 into the Fellowship Hall; 1 side door into the Narthex on Westway; 5 doors off the parking lot (Boiler Room door, entrance to the Fellowship Hall/Offices, unused door to Pastor s office, double doors to the PE Bldg, and the lower PE Bldg doors from the ramp.) CHURCH CHAPTERS The next meeting of St. Paul s Book Club will be held on Tuesday, October 14th at 6:30 at the home of Carole Hughes. Our book for this month is Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah. This book explores the mother-daughter bond as two sisters, Meredith and Nina, finally learn the truth about their mother Anya and her life in war-torn Leningrad. The book is told in the past and present as the sisters come to truly understand the fairy tale their mother told to them as children but this time finally hear the story all the way to the end. This story will shake the foundation of their family and change who they have always believed they are. Upcoming titles include: November: The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracey Chavlier (at the home of Winnie Sawrun) December/January: My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor We hope you will join us! If you have any questions, please call Sue Agne (860-563-0776). VACATION BIBLE CAMP SUNDAY October 5 at 10:30 am Join us Sunday, October 5th at our 10:30 a.m. service for Vacation Bible Camp Sunday. The children will be sharing this summer s Weird Animals camp experience where Jesus love is one-of-a-kind with songs and a picture slideshow. October 2014 pg. 5
St. Paul s MEMBERS IN SERVICE for OCTOBER 2014 ACOLYTES: Oct 5 - Jared Christensen 12 - Evan Bernard 19 - Collin Grottke 26 - Brayson Bernard ALTAR GUILD: Debbie Howe, Coordinator, 860-529-8583 Oct 5 - Winnie Sawrun & Ann French 12 - Deb Howe & Donna Camillo 19 - Bob Bowman & Bill Fischer, Jr. 26 - Tracy Newmark & Mary Procyk ASSISTING MINISTERS: Oct 5 - Jerry Vaillancourt 8:00AM Mike Coyle 10:30AM 12 - Jim Newmark 8:00AM Bill Fischer Jr. 10:30AM 19 - Art Bruce 8:00AM Mary Procyk 10:30AM 26 - Debbie Viola 8:00AM Kathy Coyle 10:30AM COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Sue Agne, Coordinator, 860-563-0776 Oct 5 - Joan Kratzer 12 - Mary Procyk 19 - Patty Bengtson 26 - Lillian Doerschler FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS: Winnie Sawrun, Coordinator, 860-529-7588 Oct 5 - Mike & Kathy Coyle 12 - Mary Procyk 19 - Lillian Doerschler & Winnie Sawrun 26 - Carol Hopkins & Pam Speno FINANCE: Mary Procyk, Coordinator, 860-257-4793 Oct 5 - Debbie Viola 12 - George Howe 19 - Heather Christensen 26 - Linda Johnston LECTORS: Lillian Doerschler, Coordinator, 860-529-1939 Oct 5 - Joan Kratzer 12 - George Howe 19 - Sue Agne 26 - Bill Fischer, Jr. USHERS: Brian Beckwith, Coordinator; 8:00AM, 860-798-8874 Oct - Suzanne McDonald Louise Lostocco, Coordinator, 10:30AM, 860-529-3079 Oct - Walter Ruppar & Bill Fischer, Sr. TAPING: Jan Pergande, Coordinator, 860-644-2888 Oct - Walter Ruppar October 2014 pg.6
OCTOBER 2014 EVENT CALENDAR SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT Highlights for October VBC Sunday, October 5 Friendly s FUNraiser for our Children s Ministries, Thurs. Oct. 9 Grateful Faithful Potluck Fundraiser, Sat. Oct. 18 at 5:30 PM Atwater-Donnelly Concert, Sun. Oct. 26, 3 PM 1 2 3 4 5 Pentecost 17 Family Sunday VBC Sunday! Holy Comm. 8 AM Holy Comm. 10:30 AM Outreach Mtg. 12 PM National Youth Gathering Planning Mtg 12 PM 6 7 8 9 Friendly s FUNRaiser Men s Breakfast 7:30 AM Friendly s Restaurant (Note: Different date) Grt. Faithful Planning 5 PM 10 11 WELCA Planning Mtg. Christ the King, Windsor 10-12 PM AA 7:30 PM 12 Pentecost 18 Holy Comm. 8 AM Holy Comm. 10:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM 13 Columbus Day 14 Church Chapters 6:30 PM 15 16 17 18 Grateful Faithful Potluck Fundraiser Event 5:30 PM AA 7:30 PM 19 Pentecost 19 Bring a Friend Sunday Holy Comm. 8 AM Holy Comm. 10:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Holiday Fair Mtg. 9 AM 20 21 Grateful Faithful 7 PM 22 23 24 25 AA 7:30 PM 26 Reformation Sunday Holy Comm. 8 AM Holy Comm. 10:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Atwater-Donnelly Concert 3 PM 27 28 Parish Admin. 6:30 PM Ch. Council 7:30 PM 29 30 31
SAINT PAUL S EPISTLE Saint Paul s Ev. Lutheran Church 371 Wolcott Hill Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 www.stpaulswethersfield.org October 2014 Volume 72, Number 9 What s inside: Pastor s Message: pg. 1 Open the Door to Jesus News & Notes pgs. 2-3 Grateful Faithful, Holiday Fair, Friendly s FUNraiser, Atwater-Donnelly concert, Fall Potluck etcetera... pgs. 4-5 New Setting, Bring a Friend Sunday, WELCA, Thursday Night Worship, Giving Tree, How many doors?, Church Chapters, VBC Sunday Members in Service pg. 6 October Calendar pg. 7