NE9 NOVEMBER 2016 VOLUME 74 ISSUE 10 St. Paul s Epistle
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 2 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR HUGH Pastor s Meditation for November 2016 Gratitude Month I once read that Alex Haley, the author of Roots, had a rather strange picture hanging on the wall of his office. It was a picture of a turtle that was balanced on the top of a fence post. Whenever Alex Haley was asked why that picture was there, he would reply, Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words and think that they are wonderful, and begin to feel proud of myself, I look at the turtle on top of the fence post and remember that he didn t get there on his own. He had help. None of us got to where we are today by merely pulling ourselves up by our boot straps, nor by going it alone. In fact, every facet of our lives, every institution that we may take for granted, every privilege we have... everything has come to us because someone before us directly or indirectly made it possible. That s not to diminish the hard work and creativity that we have contributed to our own pursuits. It is to suggest, rather, that to get to this place and time took help. Isaac Newton, arguably the most brilliant scientist of all time, once famously said, If I have seen further, it is by standing of the shoulders of giants. November is Gratitude Month for good reason. This November we begin with All Saints Sunday where we get to give thanks to the Spiritual Giants who have gone before us. And we end, as a nation, with Thanksgiving Day, a day to be grateful for the unfathomable blessings that God has given to this nation. As I wrote last year at this time, While Thanksgiving has become another excuse to over indulge, its origins sprang from gratitude to God for all the gifts that sustained our ancestors from food to freedom. Gratitude doesn t come naturally to us. Just watch a child being encouraged to share a toy with another and you ll see how easy it is to cry out, mine, mine, mine. Gratitude is a grace-shaped attitude. (Grace + Attitude = Gratitude.) It s something we need to practice every day. So here s to Gratitude Month. As we pause each day to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:17), we will find our natural childish mindset of Mine, mine, mine! slowly become transformed by God s loving grace into grateful prayers of Thine, thine, thine. Pr. Hugh
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 3 ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL BUDGET MEETING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH 9:30 (ONE SERVICE SUNDAY) St. Paul s members will gather as a congregation on Sunday morning, November 6th, for our annual budget meeting. The church council and the budget committee have prepared a proposed budget that has been available to the congregation over the last two weeks. Please plan to join us as we discuss our finances for the coming year. Zach s Table NEEDS YOU! Our free community meal continues to attract new and returning guests with warm fellowship, delicious food and lots of laughs. At our October meal a woman named Susan saw our sign out front and walked right in to see if she could help. What good timing! The Zachary Table staff was short-handed that evening. We are never really sure who will be on hand to set-up, prepare, serve and clean up on the 3 rd Tuesday of the month. What we do know is that about FIFTY guests walk through our doors eagerly awaiting the nourishment that we are able, with God s help, to provide. Please consider joining the Outreach team when we serve others, we are truly filled. Zachary s Table continues to be self-funded due to the generosity of those who can afford to donate a few dollars to the cause. After folks have eaten, it s not uncommon for them to stay and socialize. We have given people a monthly get-together to break bread and enjoy each others company. It s one of the small miracles that take place here at St. Paul s with God s grace. We also thank God for the time and effort of our volunteers. Join us on November 15 th for our next meal. In Christ, Your Outreach Committee REMEMBER: Fall Back to Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, November 6th! Turn your clocks back one hour! PLEASE NOTE A NEW ADDRESS FOR HARRIETT: Harriett Fritsch c/o Autumn Lake Health Care 400 Brittany Farms Road New Britain, CT 06053
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 4 NOVEMBER ALTAR FLOWERS AND ETERNAL CANDLE NOVEMBER 6TH Given by Helen Peterson in memory of Ray Peterson and Parents NOVEMBER 13TH- Given by Judy Gerken in memory of Jack & Paul Fleming, Paul Gerken and Lester Maassel and in thanksgiving for all who serve our nation in the Armed Forces in celebration of Veteran s Day - Piano Flowers are given by Rosemary and Richard Brancifort for all the members in our prayers with long term health issues or injuries and those serving in the Military NOVEMBER 20TH Given by Bernice Noeker in memory of Ray Noeker NOVEMBER 27TH Given by the Viola Family in memory of Fred & Anna Viola and Sandi Shaw ETERNAL CANDLE Given in loving memory of my daughter, Heidi S. Boutin from Mother Winnie & Husband Paul Boutin. NOVEMBER GOSPEL READINGS NOVEMBER 6TH LUKE 6:20-31 ALL SAINTS DAY NOVEMBER 13TH LUKE 21: 5-19 NOVEMBER 20TH LUKE 23: 33-43 NOVEMBER 27TH MATTHEW 24:36-44
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NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 6 CAN YOU HELP? Counters are needed for 2017. I will soon be making the schedule for next year and hope to have enough counters so that each person only has to do it about five times a year. If you can balance your checkbook, you can do the counting. I urge you to give it a try. I promise that you will be provided with all the help you need. It requires about two hours on your scheduled Sunday. Please give me a call if you can help. Mary Procyk 860-257-4793 CHURCH CHAPTERS St. Paul s Book Club will meet on Tuesday, November 15th at 6:30 at the home of Carole Hughes. We will be discussing the book My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. It is a story of a friendship that takes place in post-war Naples, Italy. Church Chapters members are urged to find the book at local libraries on their own and share when possible. Join us for friendly discussion and great fellowship! MEN S BREAKFAST THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH DENNY S IN WETHERSFIELD 7:30 AM DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR ADVENT Help is needed to decorate the Sanctuary for Advent. Please join us Sunday, November 27th following the late service. All are welcome the more the merrier! BOTTLE COLLECTION Please continue to bring in your bottles to support future youth programs. We are asking you to bring in your bottles and cans each Sunday (or whenever you are in church). Collection buckets are in the coat room & PE building. Mr. William Fischer, Sr. is coordinating this ongoing collection. For more information, he can be contacted at 860-257-1787. PRAY FOR PEACE
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 7 A LOOK AT ST. PAUL S PAST Can you find two of St. Paul s active members from this 1947 Confirmation Class Picture??
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 8 HOLIDAY FAIR COOKIE WALK Last year we introduced a new feature at our holiday fair- A Cookie Walkand it was such a success that we sold out before noon! Obviously, this year we need more cookies and are asking for more volunteers to bake some of their favorites. A Signup Chart is posted on the white board in the Fellowship Hall. Please consider adding your name to our cookie list. We appreciate your help. Thanks! ANGEL TREE 2016 The Salvation Army s Angel Tree program provides new clothing and toys for children of needy families. The Angel Tree is decorated with numbered paper angels with the first name, age and gender of a child who is in need of a gift. Contributors remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child or children described on the tags. The suggested value is between $15 and $35. Our Angel tree will be put up for Sunday, November 27th. We are asking that all gifts be returned (unwrapped and with tag attached) by Sunday, December 11th. Through this important program, you have the opportunity to ensure that a less fortunate child receives a gift for Christmas. We have always had a great response in the past. We pray for an even better response than last year. For more information, please speak with Bernice Noeker. APPLE REHAB CHRISTMAS TREE This year, we have another opportunity to share our generosity and caring with a second Christmas tree for giving. This new tree will benefit the residents of Apple Rehab where our own Beverly Liegey resides. The tree will be put up for Sunday, November 27th with tags to use to shop for the residents. All gifts should be returned to the church with the tag by Friday, December 9th. We will be delivering these gifts to Apple Rehab on Sunday, December 11th when we go there to sing Christmas carols.
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 9 Sunday School News Advent Wreath Making Join us after fellowship on Sunday, December 4th to make your own Advent wreath to enjoy throughout the season! Supplies will be available for each family to make a wreath. Pizza and beverages will be served. Sign up sheet is in Fellowship Hall. Contact Cathy Evans or Margaret DeBlois with any questions. SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, December 18 th at a.m. We are looking for volunteers with sewing and carpentry skills. Please contact Cathy Evans if you can help!
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 10 AS SEEN RECENTLY AROUND ST. PAULS
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 11 ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS The poinsettia orders for the Christmas Memorial Garden can be dropped off at the church office on or before December 5th. It is important that you let us know ahead of time whether you will be taking a plant. All remaining plants will be delivered to our homebound members. The poinsettias will be ordered from House of Flora in Hartford. The cost will be $15.00 per plant. 2016 Christmas Memorial Garden - Poinsettia Order Form Given in memory of Please print name(s) exactly as you want it (them) to appear Given by Please print name(s) exactly as you want it (them) to appear Amount (Note: $15.00 per plant)
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 12 UPCOMING EVENTS AT ST. PAUL S CHURCH CHAPTERS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH 6:30 PM ZACHARY S TABLE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH 5:00 PM MEN S BREAKFAST THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH 7:30 AM ST. PAUL S ANNUAL CHURCH FAIR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH 9:00 2:00 PM FAMILY ADVENT WREATH MAKING SUNDAY DECEMBER 4TH 12:00 NOON CHRISTMAS CAROLING SUNDAY DECEMBER 11TH 4:00 PM SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT SUNDAY DECEMBER 18TH AM SERVICE HOLIDAY CHURCH SERVICES CHRISTMAS EVE 5:00 AND 9:00 PM CHRISTMAS DAY 9:30 AM NEW YEAR S DAY 9:30 AM
November 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 Confirmation 6:00 PM 7pm AA 10 am Recovery Bible Study 9am Salem Church 7:30 pm AA 7:30 Choir 10:00am Thursday Group 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 WORSHIP: 9:30 One Service Family Sunday Budget Mtg Confirmation 6:00 PM 7pm AA 7:30 Choir 10 am Recovery Bible Study 10:00am Thursday Group 9am Salem Church 7:30 pm AA ALL SAINTS DAY 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 WORSHIP: 8:00 & SUNDAY SCHOOL Zachary s Table 5:00 Confirmation 6:00 PM Church Chapters 6:30 7pm AA 7:30 Choir Men s Breakfast 7:30 AM 10 am Recovery Bible Study 10:00am Thursday Group 9am Salem Church 7:30 pm AA HOLIDAY FAIR 9:00-2:00 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WORSHIP: 8:00 & SUNDAY SCHOOL Parish Admin & Church Council 7: 00 7pm AA 7:30 Choir 9am Salem Church 7:30 pm AA 27 28 29 30 WORSHIP: 8:00 & SUNDAY SCHOOL Confirmation 6:00 PM 7pm AA 7:30 Choir 11:45 Decorate Sanctuary
MEMBERS IN SERVICE - NOVEMBER 2016 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE NOVEMBER 6 NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBER 20 NOVEMBER 27 DECEMBER 4 Assistant Minister 9:30 Mary Procyk 8:00 TBA Bill Fischer, Jr. 8:00 Debbie Viola Patty Bengtson 8:00 TBA Kathy Coyle 8:00 TBA Mike Coyle Communion Assistant Patty Bengtson Dick Agne Mike Coyle Sue Agne Curt Leonard Acolyte Liann Dunn Marina Perry Cameron Cheyney Brenda DeBlois TBA Reader Lillian Doerschler Sue Agne Patty Bengtson Mary Procyk Bill Fischer, Jr. USHERS 9:30 Dave Bayek Jerry Hansen 8:00 Brian Beckwith Pat Farley Jerry Hansen 8:00 Brian Beckwith Dick Agne Jerry Hansen 8:00 Brian Beckwith Dick Agne Jerry Hansen 8:00 Brian Beckwith. ALTAR GUILD Patty Bengtson Winnie Sawrun Ann French Mary Procyk Jennie Dotts Deb Howe TBA FINANCE Mary Procyk Lillian Doerschler Helen Peterson Kathy DiMartino Bob Bowman FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS LeAnn Power Stephanie Lohmann and Alice Ruppar Mary Procyk Pam Speno MaryAnne Mead Russ and Patty Bengtson November Taping Autumn DeBlois
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 15 WHERE AT ST. PAUL S CHURCH ARE WE? Can you locate where this picture was taken at St. Paul s? Look around to see if you can find the answer to this month s scavenger hunt. The answer will be in the December Epistle along with another picture to identify! Answer to October s Scavenger Hunt: This little child is one of the children surrounding Jesus in the picture hanging opposite the doors to the church.
NOVEMBER 2016 PAGE 16 ST. PAUL S LUTHERAN CHURCH 371 WOLCOTT HILL ROAD WETHERSFIELD, CT 06109 860-529-5397 www.stpaulswethersfield.org PASTOR: Rev. Hugh R. B. Haffenreffer Office: 860.529.5397 Cell: 860.966.7360 pastorh@stpaulswethersfield.org OFFICE MANAGER: Karen Landry Karen@stpaulswethersfield.org MINISTER OF MUSIC Melissa Cheyney SUPERINTENDANT OF SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL: Cathy Evans COUNCIL PRESIDENT: debviola@stpaulswethersfield.org COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT: Russ Bengtson rbengt@sbcglobal.net COUNCIL SECRETARY: Sue Agne susanagne@yahoo.com TREASURER: Roy Lewis FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Mary Procyk mprcyck@stpaulswethersfield.org