1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

November 1, 2014
Volume 16, Issue 11
FROM THE
PASTOR
St. Paul Lutheran Church
The St. Paul Messenger
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words
that I command you today shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in
your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you
rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your
gates.
And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers,
to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you...take care lest you forget the LORD,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
(Deuteronomy 6:4-10,12)
Life is busy! (But not too busy for God.)
So much to do! (But what’s the purpose of all of it without God?)
I’ll get back to church when things slow down. (What would happen if we made a commitment to
coming back to church and setting aside time to pause for the Word throughout the week? Would
things slow down?)
All these things I HAVE to do!! (God teaches us that we GET to do what we do by His grace-- to
glorify Him, serve for His kingdom, and serve our neighbor in love.)
I’m not qualified to teach my children the faith. (Look again at Deuteronomy 6. See also the headings
of the Small Catechism. I’d love a phone call, email or conversation to start, “Pastor, I want to teach
my children the Christian faith. How do I go about doing that? How can our congregation support and
encourage families to do this?”)
Use those WE GET TO GROW IN THE WORD AND PRAYER inserts!!
Take to heart, spread, engage, respond to the Scriptures, hymns, prayers, and comments on our Facebook Page: St Paul Lutheran Church and Preschool—Liberty Center.
If these ways aren’t working for you, let’s talk about it and find a way, together as a congregation. As
His faithful children, let’s use the time that God gives us wisely. Let’s gladly hear and learn preaching
and His Word. Let’s be devoted to the teaching and preaching of the apostles! Let’s see how God’s
Word will accomplish the very purpose for which God sends it! Let’s see how God will call many to
faith and strengthen the faith of those who already believe through His Word which, dwells among us
richly!
I’ll see you Sunday to show you God’s grace, mercy, and peace through Jesus Christ!!
Pastor Witte
Page 2
The St. Paul Messenger
Volume 16, Issue 11
St. Paul Shut-Ins
We keep in our prayers the following:
DELORES ATKINSON—Alpine Village Assisted Living #317,
1032 S. Perry St., Napoleon, OH 43545
RITA KESSLER– Home—6859 Co Rd U, Liberty Center, OH 43532
MARY MYLES—Home—T 074 County Road 4, Liberty Center, OH 43532
LOUISE TROWBRIDGE—Home—25999 County Road HJ, Archbold, OH 43502
CAROLYN WEIS, The Lutheran Home, 1036 S. Perry St., Napoleon, OH 43545
Remember our shut-ins with a note, card or a visit when appropriate.
BGSU Concessions – Appreciated
We’ve had four sessions of working at BGSU Concessions. We have
been told that we are appreciated. We are reliable, efficient, and easy to
work with. So now we are being offered extra booths and the opportunity to work the hockey
season.
We have received payments for two outings, totaling $1,232.50. Currently these funds are
being used to reduce the debt we have against our own special project accounts. Once we get
that covered, we can apply these funds for other projects. So it is a worthwhile project. We
hope more people will assist us with it.
Our schedule looks like this for the time being:
Friday, October 31
Hockey vs. Minnesota State
Saturday, November 1 Hockey vs. Minnesota State
Wednesday, November 12
Kent State
Friday, November 28
Ball State
Be There at 4:30
Be There at 5:00
Be There at 5:30
TBD
If you are over 18, check out the sign-up sheets in the Narthex. Some of
the game times are not available yet since the game will be televised and they
will schedule the time.
We could also use some babysitters so that parents can help at BGSU. If
you are interested in doing this, please speak to Dan Seedorf.
Volume 16, Issue 11
Page 3
The St. Paul Messenger
November Birthdays
Joshua Witte—1
Landon Weis—2
Nicole Burton—2
Bridget Knipp—4
Gladys Demaline—4
Miranda Phillips—4
Nolan Cordes—5
Alison Witte—9
Bill Spiess—9
Trisha Hoover—10
Michael Oberhaus—14
Mara Pittman—14
Jason Gonder—15
Mindy Lewis—16
Rob Mohler—16
Brentley Hiltner—17
Landis Burmeister—19
Scott Sonnenberg—19
Dan Rabe—22
Heather Myers—23
Dustin Lewis—27
Tracy Armey—27
Meagan Ross—30
Ken Myles—30
November Anniversaries
David & Linda Myles—4
Bill & Deb Spiess—10
Lee & Lisa Rabe—15
Paul & Linda Bergstedt—17
Craig & Sherry Myers—20
Scott & Tracy Armey—22
Rob & Tiffany Mohler—24
November Baptismal Birthdays
James Sidell—1
Andre Atkinson—1
Michael Engler—2
Brenda Bartels—2
Eric Oberhaus—3
Andrea Zacharias—3
Angela Chapa—3
Lora Pittman—5
Ahna Nash—5
Mara Pittman—5
Zaine Pittman—5
Dorothy Frankforther—7
Donjean Smith—8
Jeff Nash—11
Joan Hardesty—11
Taylor Sexton—14
Hannah Swearingen—16
Ken Glanz—16
Rob Mohler—17
Levi Anderson—18
Donna Minnich—19
Robert Minnich—19
Stephen Minnich—19
Kyle Minnich—19
Jason Perkins—20
Madison Overmier—21
Kenna Cordes—21
Joshua Witte—21
Jackson Zeiter—22
Greg Slee—22
Tabitha Bergstedt—23
Ashley Babcock—25
Nicole Myers—27
Mariah Bostelman—28
Claudia Wittenmyer—28
William Wittenmyer—28
Bridget Knipp—30
Kevin Oberhaus
Page 4
The St. Paul Messenger
Volume 16, Issue 11
Harvest
Gathering
Now through December 7th, we will be collecting food, personal hygiene and cleaning
products. These items will be sorted according to need and given to The Caring Cupboard in
Liberty Center and Henry County Christmas Cheer programs.
If you wish to give a monetary donation to The Caring Cupboard, make your check
payable to “The Caring Cupboard” and drop it off at The Henry County Bank, Liberty
Center, c/o Cindy Overmier. For monetary donations to “Henry County Christmas Cheer,”
send your check to: Henry County Christmas Cheer, c/o LeRoy Helberg, Q610 County Road
19, Napoleon, OH 43545.
List of Needed Items:
(Please check expiration dates on all food products)
Please No Microwave Items
Canned Vegetables, Fruits, Soup, Stews, Meats
Macaroni & Cheese Mixes, Spaghettios
Spaghetti Sauces, Tomato Juice, Broths
Noodles, Macaroni, Rice, Spaghetti
Potato Mixes, Stuffing Mixes
Cereals, Pancake Mixes, Syrups
Crackers, Peanut Butter, Jelly
Pudding, Jello, Cake Mixes, Frostings
Fruit Juices, Coffee, Tea, Kool-aid, Chocolate Drink Mixes
Toilet Tissue, Facial Tissue, Paper Towels
Baggies qt./gal. size, Tinfoil
Bar Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes,
Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant
Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Dish Soap
Kitchen & Bath Cleaners
Bandaids, Women’s Products, Wet Wipes
The St. Paul Messenger
Volume 16, Issue 11
Page 5
Stewardship for October
DATE
ATTENDANCE
10/05
10/12
10/19
10/26
TOTAL
97
130
89
100
SUNDAY
AVERAGE
416
104
COMMUNION
S. SCHOOL
73
SUNDAY
AVERAGE
$ 2,253.00
$ 2,344.58
$ 2,181.54
$ 1,673.00
12
15
65
82
OFFERINGS
SUNDAY
AVERAGE
OFFERINGS
14
$ 8,452.12
73
Special Projects/Memorials for Sept.—$ 2,687.85
Mission Door Offering—Oct.—$164.00
iGive.com—$32.73
BG Concessions—$752.90
Gifts and Memorials
Debt Retirement
Women of the Church from
Soup & Pie
Organ Fund
Delores Atkinson
LeVerne Gerken’s 75th Birthday
Norma Weis
SALLY ELLING MEMORIALS
M/M Tom Mohler
M/M Jim Rettig
M/M Tom Kern
M/M Erv Sonnenberg
M/M Robert Elling
THANK YOU !
SALLY ELLING MEMORIALS
Marlene Buchhop
Jon Leatherman
M/M Michael Hamlin
M/M Sean Fahringer
Tracy Hoff
M/M Harold Smith
Marcille Katon
Peg & Carol Rauch
M/M Chuck Bostelman
M/M Weldon Drewes
M/M Elmer Junge
M/M Craig Goldsmith
Bernice Moore
Mary Myles
STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Matthew 22:21 Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the
things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” So what is Jesus
saying? Doesn’t everything belong to God? Yes—and God has a place for everything. Some of what He gives us goes to Caesar. Some must come back to the
work of His Church. And some goes to support the families He has given us. All
belongs to God—and He has work for us to do with what He has given us in the
Home, in the Church, and in Society.
Page 6
The St. Paul Messenger
Volume 16, Issue 11
OFFICIAL ACTS
MARRIAGE
AMANDA NAGEL
to
RYAN McCLURE
On
Saturday, October 25, 2014
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Lord of Life and Death called to His Eternal Glory,
CAROLYN SPIESS on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at St.
Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo. Services were held
on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Liberty Center, with Rev. Keith Witte officiating. Interment
was at Young Cemetery.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
November Greeters Selected
The Board of Evangelism has selected the greeters for November. Greeters are requested to greet for
Sunday morning worship service. Greeters are asked to be on hand by 9:30 a.m. If there are handouts for that
day, they will be labeled as such. Greeters should welcome all who come to worship, and request visitors to
sign the Registration Book. If a person is unable to greet, please call Dan Seedorf at 419-265-2798, and he will
see that a greeter is in place. A big “Thank You!” goes out to all who help to make our worshipers feel more
welcome.
November Greeters are:
November 2:
November 9:
November 16:
November 23:
November 30:
The Derek Meyer Family
The Ray Carpenter Family
Pam Myles/Traci Conmay
The Scott Armey Family
The Harold Smith Family
Volume 16, Issue 11
The St. Paul Messenger
Page 7
PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS
It’s hard to believe its November!!! We have a busy month in the preschool room. We
will learn about Community Helpers, dinosaurs, and Native Americans, Pilgrims, and
Thanksgiving. We will have a dino dig for the children to explore and search for dinosaur
fossils. We are also excited to set up a log cabin and teepee for the children to play with.
We will have a table for them to have a pretend feast. Then on the Monday or Tuesday
before Thanksgiving we will have a feast.
Five Little Turkeys
Five little turkeys standing at the door,
One waddled off, and then there were four.
Four little turkeys sitting near a tree,
One waddled off, and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
One waddled off, and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the morning sun,
One waddled off, and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away,
For soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.
Page 8
The St. Paul Messenger
Volume 16, Issue 11
Special Music Enhances our Worship
The musicians of St. Paul have been busy preparing for special music for our worship services. Our
thanks go out to so many who offer their time and talent for the glory of the Lord!
We have been blessed with the violin and piano music provided by a new face in our congregation, Malik Khalfani. We hope to hear more from him as he finishes his senior year at Maumee High School.
Combining our choirs has turned out to be a blessing. Offering their worship assistance on Sunday,
October 19, and Reformation Sunday (October 26) brought many compliments and uplifted us as we
offered our praise to our loving Lord. Those who are currently participating in the group are Carol
Carpenter (handbells, accompanist), Marielle Glanz (choir), Deb Nash (handbells and choir), Jeff Nash
(handbells), Ahna Pittman-Nash (handbells), Lora Pittman (handbells), Mara Pittman (handbells and
choir), Dan Seedorf (handbells, clarinet, and choir director), Loretta Seedorf (choir), John Swearingen,
Jr. (handbell director, clarinet, and choir), and John Swearingen, Sr. (handbells). If you are interested in
helping with this group, rehearsals are on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. or talk to Dan Seedorf or John
Swearingen, Jr.
We will hear from our own Hannah Swearingen on the harp soon. With the Senior Ensemble, our worship will be enhanced, especially when we consider that David played the harp as he sang his psalms to
the glory of God.
The Little Lambs and Cherubs, under the direction of Deb Nash, with Myrna Gibson at the piano, are
practicing before their Sunday School classes so that they can share their joyful voices to the glory of
Jesus their Savior. We’ll hear from them soon.
Perhaps you have other musical talent that you would like to share with the congregation. Talk to Dan
Seedorf to get things moving your way. He’ll gladly help you in anyway that he can to help you offer
your talent for the glory of the Lord.
We praise God that He has blessed us with so much talent. Our special music enhances our worship. We
are a singing congregation and we love to rejoice through our music.
Senior Combined Choirs rehearse on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with some Thursday evenings
at 7 as needed.
Who wants to gladly hear and learn God’s Word, together as God’s Family??
If so, we’ll see you in Adult Bible Study on Sunday Morning at 9:00!! Right now we are
delving deeper into the parables of Jesus Christ. After all, who doesn’t like a good story or
image to teach us about how our God rules?
Volume 16, Issue 11
The St. Paul Messenger
Page 9
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS SCHEDULE
November, 2014
DATE
ACOLYTES
CRUCIFER
DEACON
USHERS
Nov. 2
Mackenzie Armey
Madison Overmier
Nathan Smith
Nov. 9
Alyssa Woods
Cassidy Chapa
Nov. 16
Bailey Izor
Benjamin Aschliman Brian Baker
Claudia Wittenmyer
Mike Elling
Bill Zeiter, Sr.
John Engler
Nov. 23
Levi Anderson
Olivia Zacharias
Ken Glanz
Lee Sonnenberg
Tom Mohler
Bill Zeiter II
Erv Sonnenberg
Harold Smith
Ray Carpenter
Rob Mohler
Tom Mohler
Paul Bergstedt
LeVerne Gerken
Jeff Nash
Nov. 26
Alexis Mohler
(Thanksgiving Emily Pippin
Eve.)
Nathan Smith
Ken Glanz
Leo Rabe
Kirk Rumsey
Kody Woods
Nov. 30
Garret Seiler
Tom Mohler
Dan Woods
John Overmier
Harold Smith
Madison Overmier
Mackenzie Armey
LWML FALL CHRISTIAN LIFE WORKSHOP
Jesus, Always the Same
Guest speaker—Rev. Dale Kern who will portray the Rev. John Adam Detzer, a Circuit Rider
Preacher who established Lutheran congregations in this area beginning in 1845.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
8:30 to 11:15am
Emmaus Lutheran Church, Wauseon
We will be collecting nonperishable items or monetary donations for Lutheran
churches in the area that have food pantries.
Preparing communion for November are Harold &
Kathy Smith
Providing flowers for November are Paul & Linda
Bergstedt
Page 10
The St. Paul Messenger
Volume 16, Issue 11
YOUTH & FAMILY NEWS
Family Fellowship Supper
Baked Potato Bar
November 19 @ 5:30
Bring a topping to share and enjoy some potatoes
and fellowship!
Family Mission Trip
June 5-9, 2015
Help us reach 100 likes! We have a new Facebook page! St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool‐Liberty Center. Login and like us! Share our page with your friends! The more likes we have, the more people our posts reach and the more our page is suggested to others!
Volume 16, Issue 11
The St. Paul Messenger
Page 11
Let us pray to the Lord:




For all Christians, who are made righteous because of Jesus; that the
LORD continue to deliver us from all afflictions, evils, and temptations (Psalm 34:19).
For all who serve and lead the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; for
Rev. Matthew Harrison, our synodical president; for Rev. Terry Cripe, our district
president; for Stephen Niermann, our Circuit Visitor; for Rev. Keith Witte, our Pastor, that God bless the work of their hands for the sake of our church and world
(Hebrews13:17).
For Ryan and Amanda McClure, joined in marriage on Oct 25; that Christ would
always be present in their marriage so that they love and honor each other until
death parts them (Colossians 3:18-19; Matthew 19:6).
For those who are sick, suffering, in pain, mourning, or under severe temptation;
including Fred Wheeler; Judy Thompson; Dee Hyde (daughter of Harold and Kathy
Smith); Emilie Rabe; the family and friends of Carolyn Spiess; those who suffer
from Ebola; that God hear their cries (and our cries) for help and deliver them from
all their troubles (Psalm 34:17).
The weekly edition of our prayer requests may be found in every Sunday bulletin and
on our church website: saintpaullc.org. If you would like to include someone’s
name in our published prayer requests, (printed or online) please secure permission
from the individual and then contact Pastor/church office. You can say, “We at St.
Paul, Liberty Center, believe in the power of prayer and would love to lift you up in our
weekly and daily prayers. Would it be ok if I share your name so that it’s on a printed
list and published online?”
BIRTHS
We rejoice with Michael and Sarah Butcher on the birth
of a new baby daughter, MADELYN MAE, born on August 27,
2014 at Toledo Hospital. She weighed 7lbs. 9 ozs. and was 20
inches long. God’s Blessings!