newsbrief

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st. paul's web updates this week

  • PASTORAL CALL | Prayers for Pastor Thomson | read letter below
  • RECONCILIATION BIBLE STUDY | Month of July in Foundation | read more on Bible Study page
  • HIGH SCHOOLERS' SELF-DEFENSE CLASS | August 6 | read more below
  • MATT GERHARDT KANTOR INSTALLATION | August 8 | read more below
  • DR. BENDER RETIREMENT CELEBRATION | August 22 service, reception, and luncheon | read more below
  • "LINK" FOR YOUNG ADULTS | Over-21 group launches | visit Link page
  • "FILL UP THE PICKUP" | Community food drive drop-off site at St. Paul's on September 11 | more below
  • NEW CHRISTIAN READERS GROUP | Led by Kent Burreson, starting September 14 | read more below
  • COVID PROTOCOL CHANGES | Optional masking and distancing, increased capacity, no registration needed | read letter below

  • call received

    July 19: Congregational prayers encouraged as Pastor considers Call


    Pastor Kevin Thomson has received a Divine Call to serve as Associate Pastor at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, Carmel, Indiana, with primary responsibility at the Fishers, Indiana site. As Pastor Thomson considers the two Calls he has — one to St. Paul’s and one to Cornerstone — you are encouraged to pray for him and his family and to speak with him concerning these two Calls. While it is our desire that Pastor Thomson remain at St. Paul’s, we pray that the Lord’s will be done in the work of His Kingdom.


    Read Letter

  • High Schoolers' Self-Defense Class: August 6

    Friday, August 6 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. | Gym | Sign up


    Join our youth group for an evening led by Will Matthews, self-defense specialist, who will discuss situational awareness, safety tips, and effective self-defense techniques. After the class, we'll enjoy a game of kickball at Des Peres Park. Snacks provided. Bring friends!

  • kantor installation: august 8

    Sunday, August 8 at 10:45 a.m. | Sanctuary service


    Matthew Gerhardt will be installed as Kantor for St. Paul’s on August 8. We pray God’s abundant blessings upon Matthew and rejoice in the expectation of being blessed by his musical gifts for many years to come.

  • retirement celebration: august 22

    • 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship service recognition
    • 9:00 a.m. Fellowship Breakfast cake reception
    • Lunch reception and program following late service

    camera  Photo album |  Read more on Music page

    This August, Dr. Mark Bender, Minister of Music, retires from 47 years of music ministry, and 30 years of faithful service and gifted leadership at St. Paul's.  

  • small-setting communion: AUGUST 2

    NEXT DATE | August 2 at noon | Sanctuary


    If physical challenges or concerns about Covid have kept you from in-person church worship or Communion, you are warmly invited to a special small-setting worship opportunity on the first Monday of each month. Our pastors look forward to meeting you in the Sanctuary for orders of worship, with Holy Communion. Masks will be optional for worshipers but the pastors will mask for Communion distribution. Seating will be physically distanced and registration is not necessary.

  • "LINK" for young adults

    Visit our Link information page | St. Paul’s has launched "Link," a fellowship group for young people that focuses not only on faith-based discussions but also provides fun, in-person social opportunities for all over the age of 21.  Link  is not just for St. Paul’s members: if you know of someone who would be interested, please contact  Envelope  Pastor Wade. 

  • FOOD DRIVE CHALLENGE: SEPT. 11

    Saturday, September 11 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | North end of parking lot


    St. Paul's is pleased to serve as a community collection site for the Fill Up the Pickup Challenge — a grassroots food drive happening all across St. Louis on September 11, with the support of the Missouri National Guard. Neighborhoods, families, and friend groups can rally together to fill a truck or car with non-perishable food donations and bring them to St. Paul's. Donations benefit families in need served by the St. Louis Area Foodbank.

  • New Christian Readers Group: Begins Sept. 14

    Read more on our Get Connected page


    St. Paul’s member, Rev. Dr. Kent Burreson, will lead a new book-club style reading group discussing Christian motifs and applications from books across a variety of genres.  September’s book is O Pioneers!  by Willa Cather. 

announcing

covid protocol changes

In his May letter to the congregation, Pastor Thomas details new COVID-19 protocol changes at St. Paul's.


Highlights of the communication include: 

  • Masks are now optional for church and Bible study
  • Capacity will increase with no need to preregister
  • Choices of distanced and non-distanced seating will be offered
  • Fellowship Breakfast returns on May 30 as an indoor/outdoor hybrid.

Pastor shares, "In many ways, coming out of this pandemic is more complex than going into it. ... We have an incredible opportunity to exercise compassion, respect, and grace toward one another as brothers and sisters in Christ going forward."


Read letter