St Paul Church

Annual reports available

Robin W — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:31:47 +0000

The annual reports are now available in the Narthex. Please pick one up to review it before the annual meeting (on the 22nd).

If you’d like one mailed (or emailed) to you, please contact the church office.

Justin Schlueter’s message now available

Robin W — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:14:54 +0000

After dealing with repeated computer issues, I finally managed to get the sermon online from when Justin Schlueter led Sunday Worship back in August. My apologies for the lengthy delay. I hope to get a video clip of it online soon. Meanwhile, check out the audio version at http://stpaulchurch-davis.org/sermons/?sermon_id=17.

Annual Meeting Information

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:41:58 +0000

The following dates have been set regarding the 2011 Annual Meeting:

December 31, 2011 – Church books close. All recorded membership contributions should be made by this date.
January 4, 2012 – All committee reports for the Annual Report due to the office.
January 8, 2012 – Annual Reports ready for pickup at the church or received via email.
January 22, 2012 – Potluck and Annual Meeting following worship.
January 23, 2012 – 7pm Council meeting with newly elected members attending
January 29, 2012 – Installation of newly-elected council members

Please be in prayer as to how God may be calling you to serve at St. Paul. The Nominating Committee has met and will be looking for members to serve on the Church Council and various other committees. Should you be asked to serve, please take the time to pray about it and see if this is where God is asking you to serve.

From the choir loft

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:41:33 +0000

December is a month that keeps the music program at St. Paul busy. We need to thank all who were a part of the various services during that month. Thank you for finding time in your schedules to participate. There were some new surprises with the choices of music from the bells, organists and accompanists, and assistance with percussion instruments.

January 2012 has five Sundays so I am suggesting that for New Year’s Day, we leave that open for special music and not a choir.

We will have Senior Choir practice on Wednesday, January 4th at 7:30pm and then sing for the January 8th service. The Women’s Choir, if desired, could sing January 15th and the Men on January 22nd. Watch for announcements of rehearsals in the Sunday bulletins.

Let us hope that the January weather will be mild as well, so that we can proceed with these plans. It has been great so far this winter. Let us start off the New Year right!

New address directory

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:41:22 +0000

We will be putting together a new address and telephone directory for 2012 and would like current addresses, telephone numbers and emails for those of you that may have updates. If you’ve canceled your home phone and are using only a cell phone, we need to know that, too. Please call or email the church office by January 16th with these changes. The 2012 directory will be available the first Sunday in February.

January 2012

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:41:00 +0000

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:13,14: Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Together we come to the end of one year and we begin a new year together. Often times the end of the year means the opportunity for reflection and with the new year we take some time to dream.

I think the apostle Paul has the right balance … he acknowledges the past … recognizing his imperfections, recognizing that he is not perfect. We can all do that. But Paul says that he is going to forget what is behind him. How often do we really do that? As I come through this Christmas season I think of some of the traditions I have had over the last 20 years and how some had to change this year because we moved. It would have been easy to not change … to try and hold on to the past, but that isn’t really what God wants for us.

We are called to strain toward what is ahead … to press on toward the goal … to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward. It is time to get our priorities in-line with God’s plan for our lives … because our tendency is to go with our desires and ask God to bless them and make them His desires for us. When we do that, we can pretty much justify anything.

Paul addresses this very same thing later in verses 18 and 19: “For as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame, their mind is on earthly things.”

Powerful words … challenging words that should help us start the new year focused on God and His kingdom and His priorities. I’m not real good at New Years’ resolutions, but I know that I want to challenge myself to grow in my faith. I recognize that in the life cycle of many plants there are periods of dormancy … periods of rest … but all with the purpose of growth.

I look forward to 2012 and what God wants to teach me as I yield to His will and direction … my prayer for you is that you look at your own life and ask God to reveal to you what you need to let go of in your past and where He wants you to press on for His kingdom and His glory. When we do that we will be blessed because we are following God’s priorities.

God bless you in this new year ~

Pastor Scott

Awana resumes January 4th

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:40:57 +0000

Awana gatherings will resume on Wednesday, January 4th at 6pm. We hope to see you all there!

Confirmation resumes January 4th

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:40:54 +0000

Confirmation classes for 7th and 8th grade students will resume on Wednesday, January 4th at 6:30pm.

Youth Fellowship – January meetings

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:40:43 +0000

Youth Fellowship will meet on January 15th at 6:00pm to take down the tree. We will also enjoy a time of games, fun and fellowship. We will also meet on January 29th at 6:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

Marriage refresher

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:28:04 +0000

Family Life Ministries Presents:
The Art of Marriage
Friday, February 3rd – 7pm-9:30pm
Saturday, February 4th – 9am-4pm
at Highland Community College Conference Center

A marriage refresher. The opportunity to refresh your marriage and grow stronger in your love for each other. Cost is $50 per couple and includes the cost of materials and lunch on Saturday. Any questions, ask Pastor Scott or Sue.

Secret sister reveal

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:25:14 +0000

For those ladies that have been part of the 2011 Secret Sister fun, we will have our “reveal” on Sunday, February 12th after church. We will share in a potluck meal followed by the reveal so please bring a dish for sharing, your table service and a small gift for your Secret Sister; drink will be provided.

Screen operators needed

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:23:13 +0000

We are looking for people to help run the laptop/screen during our worship services. If you’d be willing to help serve St. Paul in this area, please contact the church office.

Snow shoveling help needed

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:22:07 +0000

The Building and Grounds is looking for some volunteers to help with shoveling the sidewalks this winter. There is a calendar on the bulletin board for anyone that may be interested. Please sign up for a week at a time. Thank you!

North door entrance closed til Spring

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:20:28 +0000

Due to the cold and snow, the north entrance will be closed until Spring. Thank you!

Women’s Fellowship

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:05:00 +0000

The Women’s Fellowship will not be meeting in January, bur rather in February. Watch the next newsletter and upcoming bulletins for the date.

Mennonite Church meat canning

Robin W — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:03:04 +0000

The Freeport Mennonite Church will be hosting the MCC canner again this year and would like to invite you to join us in the mission project. We will be canning at the church, located at 3416 Brick School Road on January 12th and 13th. If you’re interested in helping with this project or just seeing it in action, please talk with Mike Zettle as he will be there helping and would be glad to show you around. Last year MCC canned at 35 different sites in the United States and Canada from the beginning of October 2010-April 2011 and canned 525,096 cans of meat. Freeport Mennonite Church produced 11,047 cans from 19,000 pounds of turkey last year. 10% of the cans were held back for local missions at Freeport Area Church Cooperative, Rockford Rescue Mission and Gospel Outreach in Freeport. MCC distributed canned meat produced in Freeport to Bosnia this year. (This info was taken from a letter received from Chad Weber.)

December 2011

Robin W — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:48:14 +0000

‘Tis the season of preparing for Christmas. By the time you read this the church will be decorated … and Sue will be wishing that my decorating were already done. The Sunday you receive this, we will be lighting the first candle of the Advent wreath. Preparations are underway for Music Sunday and the Christmas Committee is getting the program ready. We have asked the boys for their Christmas lists so we can get an early start on their shopping. Lists are a good thing because they help us remember … for I can forget some of the simplest things.

As I prepare for Christmas, I am trying to remember some of the simple things that make Christmas so special. I would like to share them with you:

The first Christmas was real. In spite of those who think it is all a myth … it really happened.
God’s plan for Christmas is not about decorations or family gatherings.
God’s plan for Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth in human flesh, bringing the opportunity for the salvation of God.
Jesus came as a Savior … not as a role model, not as a good religious teacher or as a god.
Christmas is not about giving and receiving presents … but it is all about giving and receiving forgiveness. God gave forgiveness to us through Jesus … we simply have to receive it … and extend it to others.
Christmas is all about love, joy and peace … God so loved the world that He gave us His Son. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

I am still going to forget some of the simplest things in my life … but my prayer for myself this season is to remember the simple things of Christmas … because it brings hope every moment of every day.

Enjoy Advent! Christmas is coming!

Pastor Scott

Sue, Kyle, Todd and I look forward to seeing you at our Open House on December 17th. It is our Christmas card to you … our church family. Drop in anytime between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM for a time of refreshment and fellowship.

Time change reminder – fall back!

Robin W — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:39:31 +0000

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour this Saturday night (or early Sunday morning).

St Paul on Facebook!

Robin W — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:33:47 +0000

St. Paul Church of Epleyanna has a page on Facebook and we would love for you to search for it, “Like” it and share it with your friends and family! It’s a great way to keep up to date with what’s happening at the church. Awana reminders are posted there along with other activities throughout the week. Also, check out our website (right here!) to see pictures from our Fall Party and also to hear Pastor Scott’s weekly sermons!! Yes, you read it ~ sermons ON-LINE!!

And a little advance tip from your friendly “techie”: We plan to be on Twitter soon, also. Eventually, we’ll be “tweeting” up-to-the-minute announcements there.

Wise 65th Anniversary Reception

Robin W — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:25:40 +0000

Please join us for a reception honoring Robert and Neva Wise’s 65th Anniversary, Sunday, November 20th, immediately after the worship service. (Rumor has it there will be cake…)