St. Paul's November Newsletter

September 2010

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God’s purpose for us at St. Paul’s
is to be a nurturing
Christian community
worshipping and following God
by actively helping others
here and beyond our walls.

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Rally Sunday

Rally Sunday is September 12th. Classes for all ages will begin at 8:45 am and the adults have two classes from which to choose. During the 10:15 worship, the children will be singing, the staff will be installed, and we’ll have lots of good things to eat during coffee and conversation after worship.
We hope all of you will join us, on Rally Sunday, and every Sunday for another great year of sharing God’s stories. Remember . . . there are educational opportunities for everyone and we encourage everyone to choose a study group that interests you. Don’t neglect worship and don’t neglect your study of God’s Book of Faith. See you soon!

Opening Our Book Of Faith On Monday Night

Our Monday evening Book of Faith Study Group resumes on Monday September 13th. We’ll spend our first evening together getting acquainted and making plans for the fall. We meet for study and discussion from 7:00 until 8:30 and, of course, everyone is invited to join us.

Worship Returns to 10:15 am on 9/5

As summer draws to a close, so also does our 8:00 and 9:30 summer worship schedule. We will return to our regular gathering time at 10:15 am on Sunday, September 5th. We hope to see all of you then.

Confirmation Class

Confirmation Class for seventh and eighth grade students begins with a parent / student orientation from 6:30 – 7:30 on Wednesday, September 1st. This years’ study of Luther’s Small Catechism begins a week later on September 8th. If any students and/or parents have any questions, please give Pastor Ken a call.

Prayer Chain Update

We are in the process of updating our list of those who would like to be involved in our prayer chain. If you are currently participating and would like to continue, or if you would like to be a part of the chain for the first time, please put your name and phone number on the list located on the sign-up board at church. Thank you.

Youth Group Resumes

            School has begun another year, and soon so will Wednesday night youth group. Our first get-together (at 7:30 on September 1st) will be for parents and youth, and we’ll talk about and begin planning fund-raising activities for the coming year.
            Youth group will continue every Wednesday evening from 7:30 – 8:30 and we’d love to have all junior high and high school youth be a part of the group.
See you there!    P.S.   Carlinatur is November 5-7

What Does It Mean to be Lutheran?

That question is asked by many who are just becoming acquainted with the Lutheran Church; but it’s also a question that many long-time members ask. With that in mind, I’m testing the waters to see if there would be any interest in getting together for a few evenings, sometime this fall, to talk about being Lutheran. This would be for potential members, for new members and for life-long members too. If you, and enough others, are interested; we’ll make it happen. Just talk to me and let me know. Thanks, Pastor Ken

Hymns You Request

We like to sing the songs that you like and that you’ve requested. During worship in August we sang the following hymns that you wanted to sing . . .

Savior Again to Your Dear Name
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
O God of Mercy, God of Light
Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
Faith of Our Fathers

EXPANDED Hymn Requests

This month, our congregation acquired a Church Copyright License from Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI). This now gives us the opportunity to use many additional songs in worship that are not in our hymn books, but are covered by the CCLI copyright license. This includes much of the contemporary Christian music as well as many old gospel favorites. Please let us know if there are songs you’d like to sing, and we will do our best to find the words and music and make them a part of our worship. Just put your name and the names of the songs you’d like to sing on a piece of paper and give it to Pastor Ken or Carolyn Meier. Thanks

Workshops and Conferences that you might enjoy

            Be sure to check the bulletin board in the hallway at church regularly. We are always posting new information about upcoming events, concerts, workshops, and activities that might interest you.
            For example . . . the very exciting and informative workshop “Walk Thru the New Testament” will be presented on Saturday, October 23rd at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon; or Sunday, October 24th at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cullom. The cost is $25 per person.
            A free workshop, “Ministry and Mission in the Making” will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in   Mt. Vernon on Saturday, October 9th or at St. John Lutheran Church in Bloomington on Saturday, October 30th. Registration information in on the board.
            There are Lutheran Men in Mission gatherings, Women of the ELCA workshops, a “Faith Conference” in Springfield and many other interesting opportunities. Be sure to take a look every week. There just might be something that really interests you!

Dear Friends,

            Another great Old Settlers has come and gone. The Sunday morning community worship service beneath the trees at Beckemeyer began it all on just the right note. It is always good for friends and neighbors from the churches in Hillsboro to sing and pray together.
            The country fair and car show on Sunday, the Queen pageant and entertainment on Wednesday, the rides and the walking up and down Main Street as you greet and visit with friends is always fun. The Kiddie parade this year was especially imaginative. There were so many unique floats, and it was obvious that a lot of thought and time went into making them. Parents should be proud of what they do for their kids.
            The main parade was again as enjoyable as ever. There were lots of politicians – it is an election year after all. I counted six marching bands, some class reunion floats with the obligatory water guns, our own Grand Marshal Earl Meier, the queen and her court, the Waterloo German band, the Shriners, the floats, the tractors, the horses and all that candy thrown to the kids.
            On a personal note, I took great pleasure in visiting the Old Settlers food stands. The rib eyes and pork patties and home-made ice cream and garlic chicken and Italian sausage (with garlic) and especially the big thick smoked pork chops – I won’t tell you how much I ate, but it was all good.
            The Old Settler’s Celebration is a great tradition, and it’s also a time of transition. It might still get hot, but summer is over. Now we return to school, to work, to regular routines and to our program year here at St. Paul’s.
            I hope you read and enjoyed Pastor Ben’s article about worship. And if you haven’t read it yet . . . please do! What he wrote about “The First Step” makes so much sense. If we want to be a Christian, if we’re serious about our relationship with God, the first step is to re-connect with worship. No one can do it for you. It’s your choice.
            Re-connecting with worship
re-energizes our faith. Then, with a    re-energized faith, we’re able to re-think our priorities – decide what’s truly important in life. With our priorities straight, we re-engage with God’s word. We hear, once again, and maybe from a new perspective, what it means to be a child of God and a redeemed member of God’s family. And with the power of God’s word behind us, we re-new our commitment to be a nurturing Christian community worshipping and following God by actively helping others here and beyond our walls.
            I’d love to talk with you about God’s purpose for us and for our congregation. If you’d like me to visit, just give me a call – let me know. And, if I don’t hear from you, then you might be hearing from me. Talk to you soon.                    Yours in Christ,
                                    Pastor Ken

The First Step ...

            The first step to being a Christian is to come to church, because that’s where the good news of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. The good news of Jesus Christ does not exist outside the Church. It is only within the community of those touched and transformed by this good news that the good news can be proclaimed, shared, lived, made flesh, and reborn among us.
            Reading the Bible alone in our rooms is no substitute for the Church and the living faith we are called to experience and live. Watching an evangelist on television or on the internet is no substitute for the Church, the body of Christ we are called to participate in and use our gifts in the service of. Praying before a sports event or around a flag pole is no substitute for the Church, the community, the branches of the vine of Christ we are called to blossom on and to give the growth.
            The first step to being a Christian is to come to church. It is that little bit of dying to ourselves that opens the possibility to new life in Christ. We could stay home on Sunday, it is our choice, but that is not dying to self for Christ’s sake. We could arrange our schedules to participate in all the activities we like on Sunday, that is our choice; but we would not be dying to self for Christ’s sake. We could place Church as the choice of last resort on Sunday when we have nothing else to do, that is our choice; but we would not be dying to self for Christ’s sake.
            Dying to self is not a popular message to independent, self-minded, free-to-chose, I-deserve-my-Sunday-for-myself-and-my- family thinking. But there is no living to Christ unless there is a dying to self. Coming to church is a baby step of faith, but without it we will never walk with Christ. Jesus’ invitation to “Come follow me” always meant in community, in Church, with others.
            Typically coming to church falls off during the summer months. The body of Christ, the Church, remains the first claim on us, if we are striving to be Christians. Ultimately there is only one reason for not taking the step of coming to church; that reason would be if it were God’s will for us not to come. Even the most superficial reading of the Bible reveals being a Christian is a community endeavor. Talk of Jesus as our “personal” savior is not authentic to the teaching of Jesus. You will not find that language in the Bible. Jesus promised where “two or three” are gathered in his name, he would be there. (Matthew 18:20)
            More faithful church attendance is a habit that demands a greater commitment to Christ. It really is a dying to self because it will cost us time and effort. Discipleship will not happen without coming to church. It is not that we make ourselves more “worthy” or “holy” by coming to church. It is that we make ourselves more humble and more willing to serve in the name of Christ by coming to church. Coming to church is placing the needs of others over the needs of our selves. If we indeed presume to call Jesus our Lord and Savior, then service to others is our only option.
            Many thanks to Pastor Ben Fiore,       of ZionLutheranChurch in Mt.Olive,
for permission to reprint his words in our newsletter.

Applying Bible Principles

            In 1935, Dr. R. A. Forrest, president of Toccoa Falls College in Georgia, embarked on a trip to visit former students who were serving the Lord on the mission field. R. G. LeTourneau, a prominent Christian businessman, heard him speak in Omaha and was very encouraged by what he heard. The night before Dr. Forrest sailed to Japan, a letter arrived at his hotel containing a check from Mr. LeTourneau for $1,000. Mr. LeTourneau thought it would be nice if Dr. Forrest “had some money in his pocket as he went around the world to give to folks in a tough spot.”
            Dr. Forrest was elated and kept a detailed accounting of how he used that money to minister to people in need. When he returned to New York, he mailed the records to Mr. LeTourneau. A few days later, a reply came from    Mr. LeTourneau that simply read, “Come see me.” When Dr. Forrest arrived at Mr. LeTourneau’s office in Peoria, he found a man who was deeply moved by Dr. Forrest’s record of changed lives. He said, “If you can be trusted with $1,000 and make that kind of impact, you can be trusted with $10,000” and gave him a check in that amount.
            Dr. Forrest had received “without payment,” and he gave “without payment.” (Matthew 10:8) He typified the kind of giving that God expects each of us to demonstrate as we respond to His good gifts by giving back to Him what was rightfully His in the first place.
            Charles Stanley wrote this: “When God deals with us, it is always in abundant grace. He is lavish with His love and forgiveness. None of us can ever repay Christ for what He did for us at Calvary. He generously gave His life so we could enjoy eternal life.” He went on to say, “There are two kinds of people: givers and keepers. . . . If you decide to be a keeper, you will miss God’s richest blessings. But when you give yourself away, you will reap the goodness of God.”
            That’s because it is impossible to out give God who has a unique accounting system. He never divides; He always multiplies. Will you trust Him today by giving generously to Him who “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment?” (First Timothy 6:17)

Stewardship Awareness

What is a steward? In the Christian sense, a steward is the manager of the affairs of God on earth. A Christian steward serves God out of love and gratitude for the gifts God has given him. As a Christian steward we know that it’s not how much we have but what we do with it that is important. For the calendar year, January through June, our expenses were $64,485.21. The amount of giving fell short $5,976.88. How can you help?
“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” First Peter 4:10

9-11 Observance

            September 11th of 2001 forever changed the destiny of our country. It is important for us to remember that day, to honor those who sacrificed, and to reaffirm our faith in God.
            Montgomery County will conduct a     9-11 Observance to be held on Saturday, September 11, 2010, at 9:00 am on the lawn of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro. The service will include and honor all Montgomery County Law, Fire and Emergency Service Personnel, Veterans Organizations, and Ministers; and is a cooperative effort of many Montgomery County elected officials and other area leaders.
            You are invited to join your friends and neighbors on September 11th at this special observance. More details will be available in the Journal-News as the day draws closer.

Wedding Congratulations

Congratulations to Amanda Hites and Sean Priewe who will be married at St. Paul’s on September 4th. And also to Stephanie Schoen and Jaimann Ellis whose wedding will be on September 25th at St. Paul’s.

Congratulations

On Saturday, July 24, 2010; Jim, Alison, and Hailey welcomed James Bonham Storm into their arms, their hearts, and their family. James was born at 9:51 p.m., weighing 7 pounds and 8 ounces, and was 19 ½ inches long. The Storms wanted to share their bundle of joy and good news with all of us; and we offer our congratulations.

The Old Settlers’Honor Society

On Sunday, August 15th, people of Hillsboro gathered to worship at the annual ecumenical service, and to recognize members of our community who have served and continue to serve. Our congratulations are extended to three members of St. Paul’s who were inducted into the Old Settlers’ Honor Society during the service. Congratulations to Gerry and Russell Rhoades; and to this year’s Old Settlers’ Parade Grand Marshall, Earl Meier. We thank you for all that you do for our community and our church.

Eco Tips

Eco-tips offers ideas for being better stewards of God's creation. You can learn more from two interfaith environmental groups online at http://interfaithpowerandlight.org/ and www.greenfaith.org.

• Energy: The United Nations estimates that by 2050 there will be more refugees from climate change than from war. To fight climate change and reduce your carbon footprint (and your energy bills), complete a home energy audit:
http://hes.lbl.gov/

Beyond Our Walls

In August . . .
The August Beyond Our Walls donations were given to Chaplain Denise Wiseman at Graham Correctional Center for the purchase of communion supplies to be used during worship at the chapel.

In September . . .
Beyond our Walls in September will benefit the Salvation Army Food Pantry, not only through the monies that are donated; but also though special projects and the efforts of our Sunday School children. See related article in this newsletter.

Food Pantry Collection

St. Paul’s will hold a drive for the Salvation Army Food Pantry. Food will be collected at IGA on Friday, September 17, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Volunteers will be needed for 1 hour shifts. Also, members will be given a grocery sack at Sunday services to fill with non-perishable food items. The filled sacks will be collected during the month of September. Only food items that do not have an expired date on them can be accepted.

Storybook Project

Thank you so very much to those of you who have already donated books to the LSSI prison ministry. The amount of books already collected is quite impressive. We will continue collecting new or like-new story books through January. Please remember that books must be free of handwriting and must be without attached items.

Ronald McDonald House

The ladies of the church will be going to the Ronald McDonald House on Thursday, September 16th to fix supper for the residents. We will be serving supper at 6 or 6:30 p.m. Our menu consists of meatloaf, hash brown casserole, green beans, lettuce salad & dessert. If you would like to volunteer to make any of these dishes and or go to Springfield to help with the meal please let Paula know.

Save Your Tabs and Travel Toiletries

We continue to collect tabs from aluminum cans, travel size soaps, shampoos, conditioners, toothpastes & other toiletries for the Ronald McDonald House. Please drop them off at church.

Ladies Evening at the Winery

The ladies of the church will once again be going to the winery in Coffeen on Thursday, September 23rd at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is asked to bring an appetizer or sweet to share. The Hope Circle will be providing the plates, napkins, and silverware. All ladies are welcome. If you have any questions you may call Paula at the church office. Hope to see you there.
A big thank you to everyone who helped to deliver Meals On Wheels. We are always in need of more volunteers. Our next week for Meals on Wheels is October 11th – 15th. Please consider helping out. Thanks again!!

After Work Bible Study Begins

The After Work Bible Study will begin on September 15th at 4:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s. We will be studying the Holy Spirit.

200 Health Kits

Hope Circle sent 200 Health Kits to Lutheran World Relief last year and would like to send that many again this year. Since we purchase in bulk we can put together a kit for $3.25. We are asking that anyone wishing to donate money for a kit give your donation to Paula, mark it for Health Kits and put it in the offering plate, place it in the box by the sample Health Kit on the table in the sanctuary, or mail it to St. Paul’s. All donations are appreciated. How many kits will you donate?

Rummage Sale

Once again this Fall we will be having a Rummage Sale at St. Paul’s. No date has been set as of yet but you may bring in your donations whenever you wish. Look for more information in the bulletins and in the October newsletter.

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