1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

ST. PAUL’S WEEKLY EPISTLE
November 16th, 2014
Scripture Readings for Next Week: Last Sunday of the Church Year
The New Testament Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
The Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 20-28
The Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
WELCOME TO OUR FRIENDS AND MEMBERS
Welcome in Christ’s Name. We thank God that you are with us today. Please fill out an attendance card (located in
the card racks on the back of each church seat) and pass it to the center aisle when the offering is received later in the
service. If you would like to receive further information about St. Paul’s, or if you have a prayer request or other
information to communicate to the pastors or church office, please note that on your card. In addition, if you do not
have a Bible at home, we have some NIV Bibles in the church entrance hall. We invite you to take one of them as our
gift to you. May the Lord bring comfort, hope, and joy in your worship with us this morning. Coffee and donuts will
be served in the School Media Center following the 8:00am service.
UPCOMING CLASSES, SERVICES, AND EVENTS
The Sunday Morning Bible Studies: “Looking at the Week’s Lessons” Meets in the Friendship Hall: . Join Pastor
Schroeder and Pastor Warther as they dig deeper into the readings of the day.
Bill Gibson, is leading the Gospel of Luke which is meeting upstairs in the Ed Wing Building:
Wednesday Women’s Bible Study: The Ladies Bible Study is studying the book of Daniel. We will not meet
November 26. The last Daniel class will be December 10, and the class will resume on January 7th. For more
information contact Leslie Reed, [email protected].
Thursday Night Bible Study: Take a walk through the Old Testament, with Pastor John, highlighting the Salvation
thread running through it. We meet in the Friendship Hall at 7:00pm.
MEN’S MINISTRY
Purpose: To support men in their spiritual growth through Biblical study, discussion and application of biblical
principles to their daily lives.
Mission: To serve the members of the community through various service projects throughout the year.
Men’s Group Divorce/Separation Support Group
If you are interested in joining a support group for Divorced or Separated Men please send an e-mail to
[email protected].
VISIT THE INTENTIONAL INTERIM PASTOR’S BOARD
Please stop by the new Intentional Interim Pastor’s Board located in the Narthex. You will find monthly reports and
updates along with Pastor Schroeder’s calendar.
In addition, there is an “Ask Pastor Schroeder” Question & Answer box located in the Narthex on the Welcome Table.
Please take the time to write down your questions on the convenient index cards and place them in the light blue and
white polka dotted box with the red ribbon on the front. Pastor Schroeder will respond to your question either through
a personal email to you, or if it is a general question, the response will be made via the weekly congregational email.
LWML
Ladies, time is short! Get your reservation in for the 2nd Annual Ladies Night Out being held on December 6th at
6:30 p.m. at the Olive Grove. A delicious buffet dinner will be prepared for you followed by an evening of singing
and maybe a guest appearance. Beat the Christmas rush and begin the holiday festivities with good Christian
fellowship and fun!!! See an LWML lady after church service in the overflow area to get your ticket!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Samaritan’s Purse delivers the boxes and the message of Jesus Christ to war-torn areas around the world. St. Paul’s has
generously given to this mission since 1997. This project has been a blessing to both the giver and the receiver. Once
again I am excited to announce that St. Paul’s has pre-printed shoeboxes for you to use! The boxes and brochures
are in the overflow area. Please carefully read through the brochure. It gives directions on filling your box. If you
would like to participate in this mission project, simply fill a shoebox with items, enclose your $7.00 shipping fee, and
return the shoe box or boxes to the overflow or Classroom 134 (Grade 1A) by November 16. If you are not able to
fill a shoebox, but would like to give a donation, simply put your donation made out to Samaritan’s Purse in the
envelope and it will be sent along with the shoeboxes. If enclosing a toothbrush, try to get a multiple pack because the
whole family tends to share the one toothbrush that is in a box. Socks are always needed, and stuffed animals are loved
by all ages. Questions? Please contact Beth Phillips 410-626-8088. Thank You!
UPDATE: SPECIAL VOTING MEMBERSHIP MEETING:
The Congregational Meeting on November 16th is still scheduled; however, the Special Voter's Meeting portion
to vote on the Endowment Fund By-Laws is postponed. A new date will be announced soon. The meeting
on November 16th will be a Town Hall styled meeting. The purpose of the meeting will be: 1) Report and answer and
questions related to St. Paul's financials as of the 1st Quarter ending September 30, 2014. (A packet of written
information is available at the back of the Narthex.), and 2) to introduce the Transition Task Force team members and
answers any questions regarding the IIM process, the up-coming congregational self-study, and Pastor Martin's 1st
Quarter Report.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR UPDATE
SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 6, 2014. St. Paul's is having a Free Pancake
Breakfast and Christmas Bazaar; Santa will be there and we'll have a Secret Santa Room, Crafts, Jewelry, Baked
Goods, Oriole and Raven memorabilia, Entertainment, a Silent Auction and more.
Many, many volunteers are needed but most important, we want to see you there. Invite your relatives and
neighbors. Free will offerings from St. Paul members will be gladly accepted and we will be asking all nonmembers to
bring canned goods or other non-perishable foods which will be sent to Neon and Lutheran Mission Society. Any
profit made from this event will be added to the Luke 10:7 Fund for salary increases.
MUSIC NEWS
If you love singing, come join us in the Spirit Choir! If you cannot commit to the whole year, join us
as we practice for the December Christmas Concert. Rehearsals are Wednesdays, at 7:30 pm in the
music room (room #138). No experience is necessary, and you do not need to know how to read
music. If you're interested in learning more about singing and music in general, Spirit Choir is a great
way to grow in a friendly, encouraging environment. If you have any questions, please contact Donna
Haze, [email protected].
EMMANUEL’S TRAIN GARDEN
Benefit of NCEON – November 22 to December 31st 2014, Volunteers are needed to run trains
and collect gift / donations at Marley Station Mall, Monday through Saturday, 10am to 9pm, 2
hours or more at a time. Hours are 10 to 12, 12 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to 6, 6 to 9., Just a few hours of fun
can help someone in need. Sunday Hours. 12 noon to 3, 3 to 6 pm. For information or to
volunteer a couple hours call: George Fornoff, 410 768 3573 or Ginny Cooper 410 437 6477
SPECIAL REQUEST TO ST PAUL’S BAKERS
Men, women, boys and girls who love to bake, this message is for you! The Altar Guild is organizing
a baked goodies booth at St. Paul’s Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 6 th. We think there will
be many more people with a sweet tooth attending than we have ladies in the Altar Guild, so we’re
asking for your assistance to fill our tables with your most delicious treats. Cookies, cakes,
cupcakes, breads and pies will be most appreciated. You may drop off your goodies in the
Fellowship Hall on Friday, December 5, after 6:00 p.m. or as early as you like on Saturday morning. The Holiday
Bazaar and Pancake Breakfast will be held from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Please help us to make the baked
goods sale and the Holiday Bazaar a big success. Questions: Call Pat Walls evenings at 410-451-2535. Thank you!
SPY UPDATES
Ravens Games--- November 23rd at 1:00pm -- Come join us to watch the game in the Youth House and cheer
on your team!
Christmas Bazaar -- December 6 The youth will have their own table to man (details to come), for which
we'll need some volunteers; but we've also been asked to help out as runners and with set-up and cleanup before and
after the event. Set-up for the breakfast and bazaar will be on Friday, December 5 starting at 6pm, and cleanup will
likely be immediately following the end of the event at 1pm on Saturday. We could use a few people to help put up
tables and chairs, hang decorations, and just do odd jobs as they pop up. Please speak to Mr. Jake about how you can
serve !
A MINISTRY MOVEMENT
On November 22-23, 2014 and during all services, we will be hearing a ministry moment about the Christians of the Holy
Land, and after each service we will be hosting at the church fellowship hall a nice display of handmade olivewood
religious carvings from Bethlehem and Jerusalem available for purchase. These carvings include olivewood Nativity sets,
crosses, Christmas ornaments, candle holders, angles and many other religious crafts that make nice wedding, baptism,
confirmation, and Christmas gifts.
These carvings are handmade by Christian families in Bethlehem who rely on sales for their daily bread. For more than
eight years those Christians have been enduring many hardships as tourism in Bethlehem has plummeted and access to
other sources of income has been sharply restricted due to the ongoing conflict and the volatile war situation in the
country. Many Christians left their homeland. The Christian population of the Holy Land went down from 30% in the
last century to 1.8% today.
Please help support our Christian brothers and sisters in the town where Christ was born by purchasing their carvings.
George Ghanem, an indigenous Christian from Bethlehem will be telling us the story of the Christians of the Holy Land
and he will be presenting these carvings after the services.
All proceeds go to support Christian families from Bethlehem. It is never too late to help.
The website showing the crafts is www.holylandcsc.com
BOOK FAIR COMING!
Hear ye, hear ye! Your presence is requested at Sir Read-A lots Castle located in St. Paul’s Day School’s Media
Center! Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings to school the books children want to read! There will
be a huge selection of royal titles to choose from. Come shop our large selection of children’s books, middle school
books, adult bestsellers, cook books and religious & Christmas books. In a time where most of our local book stores
have closed up, this gives us the opportunity to have a “mini book store” right here in our school (come get some
Christmas shopping done). Plus, all sales are TAX FREE, that’s right TAX FREE, and all proceeds go directly to
buying new books for our school’s library! So come ye come ye to Sir Read A lots Castle…hope to see you there!
Hours are as follows:
~Monday Dec.1st- 2:00pm – 4:00pm
~Tuesday Dec. 2nd- CLOSED
~Wednesday Dec.3rd- 8am-4pm
~Thursday Dec. 4th- 8am-4pm
~Friday Dec. 5th- 8am-4pm
~Sat. Dec. 6- open during Christmas Bazaar 7am-noon
~Mon. Dec. 8th- 8am-1pm
CARTRIDGES FOR KIDS
Please recycle your used cell phones, laser & inkjet cartridges, laptops, MP3s, PDAs and
tablets/readers/notebooks for CFK. A small collection box is located in the Narthex and a large yellow
bin is located in the Media Center. Thanks for recycling!
BOOK CLUB NEWS
Our November Book is “The Women of Christmas” by Liz Curtis Higgins, and our meeting will be
Thursday, December 4th at 6:30pm.
Looking forward into 2015, January’s book is “Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good” by Jan Karon, and
our meeting will be January 29th. For more information contact Ann Zimmerman at
[email protected].
CAREGIVER WORKSHOP
Holiday 911: Learn how you can have an enjoyable holiday while meeting your elderly parent's needs or how you can
get away for a holiday vacation. All this while dealing with your negative feelings during what's supposed to be a
joyful holiday season! Monday, November 17th Pascal Senior Center, 125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie Register online at www.aacounty.org/aging or by calling (410) 222-4464 ext. 3043.
SCHOOL FUNDRAISING !
1.) Yankee Candle Fundraiser - paper orders need to be turned in by Friday, November 14th, however, online orders
will be accepted through January 31, 2015.
2.) Alpine Wreaths - The deadline for all live wreath orders need to be turned in by Monday, November 17th. The
order will be placed at the end of the day.
If you have any questions or need an order form, please don't hesitate to ask. Erin Garnett [email protected] or 410-766-5790.
TRANSFER THE BLESSING
Do you have a lifetime plan for giving? St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the LCMS Foundation (Linking Christians
with giving opportunities) have joined together to provide a “Transfer the Blessings” ministry, designed to help transfer
the blessings God has entrusted to His people so that they are making the very best gifts to their families and the very
best gifts to the ministries they love…“so that they can take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:19. This
ministry (St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School Endowment Fund) with the assistance of the LCMS Foundation will
commence with full awareness in January 2015. Roger Thusius will serve as St. Paul’s representative with the LCMS
Foundation. Hal Solomon and Mike McLean are the standing members of St. Paul’s Endowment Fund Committee.
The Endowment Fund Committee members are Hal Solomon, Mike McLean, and Kurt Klaus.
LMS MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS
The Lutheran Mission Society’s annual Miracle of Christmas ministry is underway, and we need your help. Last year,
152 families were blessed with food and gifts through your participation in this ministry. Will you help us reach even
more families this year? Enjoy Shopping? Consider adopting one (or more) of our families and filling a box for
them. Make it a family activity this year, or perhaps a service project for your group or congregation ! General
donations of food and new gift items (with tags) are also needed. Love to Bake? We include homemade Christmas
cookies in each box, and rely on your donations (needed at LMS headquarters by Thursday, Dec.4). No time to spare?
Financial donations are also needed to ensure all of ur families are provided for this Christmas. Checks may be mailed
to “Lutheran Mission Society, PO Box 438, Linthicum, MD 21090. Please memo your check: Miracle of Christmas.
Donations may also be made securely on our website: www/lutheranmissionsociety.org. Click “Donate Now” and
designate” Miracle of Christmas”.. For more information about how you can help, please call Heather Rosenkoetter,
Community Ministry Director at 410-636-0123 or email [email protected].
ALTAR FLOWERS AND BULLETIN SPONSORS
If you would like to place a flower/bulletin dedication in the weekly worship bulletins, please print your
name in the flower or dedication binders for the date desired for the dedication, pick-up a flower/bulletin
envelope from the plastic holders located beside the dedication binders which are located on the large counter
as you enter the Narthex; clearly print your dedication as you want it to appear in the bulletin and be sure to indicate
whether you plan to take or to leave the flowers. Place the flower dedication envelope in the offering plate or you
may drop it off at the Business Office. Dedication payments are due 2 weeks prior to the date selected.
Flower and Bulletin Dedications help greatly to offset the cost of flowers and bulletins that are used for our
worship services. Flower Dedications are $25 and Bulletin Dedications are $15. You may contact the Church
Office at 410-766-2283 for additional information.
ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN
Thank you for your support of Orphan Grain Train/Maryland Branch by spreading the word!! You are such a
blessing!!!
Now we have another request of you and this is a critical one: Our Crowd Funding video which
seeks to raise the funding for the building of our much needed warehouse up here in Maryland is finished (see link
below). Take a look at it. I hope that you like it. And then, if you would share it with your congregation via facebook
or email - and with your friends on facebook, twitter, linked in and email network. The more sharing the better. If
150,000 people each give us $5 we will have our warehouse built.
Please pray with us that this campaign will
bring us the funding that is necessary to build. We have spent $130,000 and have everything in place - architectural
plans, engineering plans, soil borings and permitting (remember we live close to DC and the Chesapeake). We are
ready to put spade into ground!!!
The checks are to made to OGT with Warehouse on the info line, they can be mailed to Bonnie Jordan, 8328 Oakwood
Road, Millersville, Md 21108.
SPIRITED SENIORS EVENTS Open to the Young At Heart!
REMINDER: Second and fourth Mondays are volunteer days at LMS. For information call Dolores Baumann
at 410-439-9756
PHOTO-Last Chance. Order today. A photo of those 80 and older taken at the "Bless the Years"
luncheon is displayed on the OAM table in the narthex. Please indicate if you would like to have a copy
made, or call Page Richardson at 410-442- 5781.
CRAFT FAIR
The final decorative steps have been completed, and the fabulous plates and handcrafted wreathes are ready to be
displayed and sold at the December 6th Church Bazaar. We hope all prospective buyers will come see our works of
art at the Spirited Seniors table. Kudos to all the volunteers and their team spirit.
Plans for the CHRISTMAS PARTY are set. It will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2014, at
the BELLA NAPOLI RESTAURANT on Mountain RD, Pasadena, starting at 2:00 pm.
It is a great time of the year to express goodwill and friendship. You may want to join in a sing-a long
or take part in a gift exchange game. Bring a wrapped gift, valued under $5.00.
The restaurant will provide a choice of four entrees, You can select one: Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Scampi, Ziti, plain
or with meat, or Filet Mignon. Meals will include rolls and a salad, coffee, tea or soft drink. We will supply a cake for
dessert. The total cost PP is $28.50, payable to Russ Jurmu and sent to 306 Galena CT, Millersville, MD 211081825. Due by Sunday, November 30.
*Please indicate the entree you have chosen on a separate piece of paper, or call the Jurmu's at410-987-9075. Looking
forward to seeing you on December 14th!
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Sunday, November 16
8:00am Traditional worship Service
9:20am Sunday Morning Bible Classes
9:20am God 101: New Members Class
10:30am Contemporary Service
Monday, November 17
6:30pm 2nd year Confirmation Class
Tuesday, November 18
9:00am Crochet 101
9:30am NO Stephen Ministry Training
7:00pm Pastoral Care Meeting
Wednesday, November 19
9:30am Women’s Bible Study Class
7:30pm 1st year Confirmation Class
7:30pm Spirit Choir
Thursday, November 20
7:30pm Praise Team Rehearsal
7:00pm Thursday Evening Bible Study
Friday, November 21
7:00 PM Middle School Hang Out
Saturday, November 22
8:00am Men’s Bible Study
8:00am Altar Guild Cleaning
5:00pm Saturday Blended Church Service
Sunday, November 23
8:00am Traditional worship Service
9:20am Sunday Morning Bible Class
9:20am GOD 101: New Member Class
10:30am Contemporary Service
1:00pm Youth House Ravens Game