newsbrief

_________


Advent & Christmas Event Listing | Below

Christmas Service of Lessons & Carols | Dec. 9 & 10

Voters' Meeting | December 17

Thanks-Living & Stewardship | Links Below

High School Puppeteers Begin

Help Us Locate School Alumni


User   Employment

seasonal NEwS

Click addme below to read details

  • You're invited to join us in worship this joyous season! Visit our Seasonal menu tab for service times.


    seasonal worship

  • FOUNDATION BIBLE CLASS SERIES

    "NATIVITY PERSPECTIVES"


    Sundays at 9:30 a.m. | Fellowship Hall


    With a focus on Advent themes, we'll explore “Nativity Perspectives" as we look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of those who were there.

    • Nov. 26 - Mary
    • Dec. 3 - Joseph
    • Dec. 10 - Elizabeth and Zecheriah
    • Dec. 17 - Shepherds; Jan. 7 - The Magi (Epiphany)

    Read more about Foundation Bible study.

  • CHRISTMAS SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS

    Saturday, December 9 at 5:00 p.m. 

    Sunday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m.  


    Rest, refresh, renew, rejoice! By shimmering candlelight, the congregation will have opportunities to sing familiar Christmas hymns and carols of the season, with musical offerings by the choirs and instrumentalists of St. Paul’s. 


    Come away from the noise, the hectic pace, and the pressures of the season, and be refreshed and renewed by the message of the heavenly angels: The Savior, Jesus Christ, was born for you.


    Please join us and invite your family and friends. Refreshments and a reception will follow the service. The event is open to the public and is complimentary with a freewill offering.


  • CHANCEL POINSETTIA ORDERS

    order online


    Due: Sunday, December 10


    Help make our church chancel festive for the celebration of Christ’s birth, with the purchase of poinsettias. 


    Each potted poinsettia is $7.50 and you may choose to take a plant home after our 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day service. Order yours at the church office or online.

     

  • Christmas Card Tree Helps Comfort Dog Ministry

    Drop off by Monday, December  11


    Share a Christmas card greeting with the congregation while supporting our comfort dog ministry. 


    Here's how it works: Instead of purchasing extra Christmas cards and stamps for St. Paul's friends, many families like to donate that cost instead and save the time of addressing cards! We'll hang your holiday card on our west lobby tree and list your name in the Christmas bulletin as a participant in the card tree fundraiser.

    • This year, all proceeds will benefit our comfort dog ministry as we raise funds for our second dog. We are working with Lutheran Church Charities and look forward to the dog the Lord sends our way to assist Tabby until she retires.
    • Please mail or drop off your card and donation to the church office; those received by Dec. 11 will be displayed and included in the Christmas bulletin. 

  • CHRISTMAS CAROLING TO HOMEBOUND: DEC. 16


    Saturday, December 16

    Meet at noon for a light lunch, hot cocoa and Christmas cookies before caroling


    Join our merry band of carolers and bring a little Christmas joy to the doorsteps of our valued in-home members who cannot attend Christmas services at church this year. No singing experience required! 


    Carolers will meet at church for lunch, and be formed into groups who will visit a short list of nearby homes and care facilities, also delivering blessing bags made by our youth group.


    Sign-up

  • K-4th Grades Lead Worship
    in Living Stone
    Sunday, December 17 at 10:45 a.m.

     

    5th-8th Grades Lead Worship
    in Sanctuary
    Wednesday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.


    ECC students sing in Wednesday morning Advent services

    Wednesday December 6  at 11:00 a.m. 

    Wednesday December 13 at 11:00 a.m. 

  • This temporary filler text disappears once you click it. This is just placeholder example text that can be deleted. Type your own unique, authentic, and appropriate text for this tab here.

  • Video  Video: How/what to pack in shoebox |  Sticky Note  List: Suggested items


    Send a Christmas gift of hope around the world! Operation Christmas Child collects and distributes shoeboxes filled with gifts, supplies, and the message of the Gospel to children in need in more than 150 countries. Complimentary empty shoeboxes and fill-in-the blank letters are available in our narthex. Three ways to help:

    1. Shop and fill a shoebox | Return to church by Nov. 12
      Include a letter from your family
    2. Donate | Write a check to St. Paul’s with the notation “shoeboxes”
    3. Online | Build a shoebox online here, or make an online donation to Samaritan's Purse

  • CHRISTMAS DECORATING & DINNER



    SIGN-UP


    Wednesday, November 29

    Choose one or both shifts: 3:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.


    Help make St. Paul's merry and bright! Catch the Christmas spirit as we put up Christmas trees, lights, wreaths, and our special "Chrismon" ornaments. Youth, adults, and families are all invited; complimentary light dinner. 


    We request that parents/adults please accompany youth aged 7th grade and younger. Questions, contact Becky Blake.

  • BREAKFAST IN BETHLEHEM & GABRIEL'S GIFT SHOP


     Volunteer   Pay Online  Flyer


    Saturday, December 2 | 8:30-10:30am

    Registration Closed on Monday, November 27

    $10 per adult or child. Age 2 and younger free 


    You're invited for a family morning in celebration of the first Christmas during this beloved annual St. Paul’s tradition. Savor a delicious breakfast and festive music announcing the birth of the Christ child. A variety of family activities will be featured including a live petting zoo, photo zone, crafts, cookie walk, servant project, Christmas carolers, a performance by the H.I.S. Puppeteers, and Gabriel’s Gift Shop, where children can buy gifts for their family members! 


    gift  We're collecting donated items for Gabriel's Gift Shop. Details in news listing below, and in flyer.


    Credit Card  Payment options | Please pay in advance

    1. Check: Drop off check/cash to the school, church, PDO or ECC offices
    2. By Venmo @stpaulsdesperes pay $10.30 per person (includes transaction fee), noting "Breakfast in Bethlehem" and family name in comments. 
    3. Pay through our website with a checking account number. Scroll to locate "Registration Fee" option and note "Breakfast in Bethlehem" in the memo line.

  • Prepare for Jesus | Women's Advent Candlelight Celebration


    Sunday, December 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Doors open 6:00 p.m. | Gym

    Registration closed on November 28

    Complimentary event for women and girls 8 and older


    Join the ladies of St. Paul’s for a special evening by the glow of the candlelight, as we begin Advent in a spirit of worship, inspiration and peace. Prepare for Jesus is an opportunity for women of all ages and girls eight and older to set aside the busy holiday season and focus on Christ. 


    We will enjoy an inspirational message, special music, fellowship, decorated tables, and light refreshments. Invite your family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and other sisters in Christ. The event is complimentary, with a free will offering. 


    Reservations are required, no later than Tuesday, November 28.  Please contact Sharon Shearman to volunteer for this event. 


    Register

  • We fill Gabriel’s Gift Shop with donations from the congregation, and are now collecting new and like-new gifts for moms, dads, and grandparents.


    The shop is a favorite stop for children during the Breakfast in Bethlehem morning, where all treasures are sold for $1.


    Suggestions include jewelry, purses, books, home décor, Christmas items, trinkets, ornaments, books, sport items, golf balls, ties, mugs, picture frames, games, movies, soaps, and bath items, re-gifted items, or personalized items that say "Mom," "Dad," "Grandma," etc. 


    Find drop-off containers in the church, school and ECC lobbies. (Please note that child-age gifts are not needed.)

  • service of lessons & carols: Dec. 9 & 10

    Saturday, December 9 at 5:00 p.m.  | Sunday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m.  

    Rest, refresh, renew, rejoice! By shimmering candlelight, the congregation will have opportunities to sing familiar Christmas hymns and carols of the season, with musical offerings by the choirs and instrumentalists of St. Paul’s. 


    Come away from the noise, the hectic pace, and the pressures of the season, and be refreshed and renewed by the message of the heavenly angels: The Savior, Jesus Christ, was born for you.


    Please join us and invite your family and friends. Refreshments and a reception will follow the service. The event is open to the public and is complimentary with a freewill offering.


    circlerightarrow Maps and Parking | circlerightarrow More about Music at St. Paul's

  • voters' meeting: dec. 17

    Sunday, December 17 | After 10:45 a.m. service | Sanctuary

    Agenda items include the election of officers, the ECC loan balance, and whether to undertake the construction phase of the Tell the Wonders He Has Done ministry expansion campaign.


    Proxy Designation | A voting member of the congregation may vote by proxy on behalf of other voting members who are not present at a voters' meeting. A Proxy Designation letter needs to be submitted to the church via online form, through our password-protected member portal Rosters and Documents page. 

  •  THANKS-LIVING | stewardship

    View/Print Volunteer Opportunities Booklet | At a Glance

    Online sign-up form | Print a sign-up form


    St. Paul's shares the Gospel through many ministries. In response to the way Jesus has served all of us by His perfect sacrifice on the cross, please consider serving others in one or more ministries. Volunteer forms can be left in the marked boxes in the church narthex and Information Center, or contact Jackie Weber (email), Volunteer Servant Coordinator. Also see our Stewardship webpage.

  • High School Puppeteers begin

    Practices | Sundays 9:30-10:20 a.m. | School room 6

    St. Paul's puppeteer troupe is a fun, high-energy, and creative ministry for high school students. H.I.S. Puppeteers stands for “Hands In Service” and teens perform their popular large-scale musical puppet shows for children at St. Paul’s events and at area Lutheran churches. Contact coordinator Envelope  Katarina Hinck to get started.

  • MONTHLY small-setting communion

    Next date: December 4 | 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.

  • Help Us Locate School Alumni

    Info submission form | We're working to create a school alumni list to keep in touch with past St. Paul's Saints of all ages, and we need your help! If you're a family member or friend of an alum, please share contact info here. Alumni plans include an invitation to a farewell walkthrough before the old school is demolished.

  • kEY DATES: mINISTRY EXPANSION CAMPAIGN

    We're growing!  circlerightarrow  Read more

    • September 24 | Prayer Walk | Noon
    • September 24-October 22 | Sermon series
    • October 5 | Guest Presentation: Charitable Giving
    • October 6 | Prayer Vigil
    • October 8 | Cottage Meetings at Church
    • October 22 | Concert of Prayer
    • October 29  | Commitment Celebration | Reformation | Brat & Pie Fry
    • December 17 | Voters’ Meeting | Approve final building project
    • January 7 | First Gifts | Epiphany Sunday
    • Spring/Summer 2024 | Break Ground
    • January 2026 | Projected Completion