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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church January 2017
From the Pastor:
Dear Friends in Christ:
It is a new year. Really, we all know that
January 1st is just an arbitrary date. There
is nothing intrinsically significant about
this particular day – it is in reality the same
as any other day. Years, months and days
mark the passage of time. They are a way
we order our lives to the rhythms and
cycles of the world in which we live.
It is a New Year! Traditionally we look to
new opportunities. We make resolutions.
We want to make changes. We promise we
will change. We talk and act as if it all
depends upon us, our efforts and our good
intentions – the strength of our resolve. We
know, too well from experience, that
change does not happen on its own or
merely because of our good intentions.
There is more.
It is God’s Year; God’s Month; God’s
Week; God’s Day; God’s Hour; God’s
Minute; God’s Second. The time we have
and the time we mark are all gifts from
God. Whether in the ordinary activities and
tasks of our lives or in special moments we
remember forever, we are living the gift of
time which God gives to us and all people.
The use of that time is our gift to God.
What are the things you do in your
stewardship of time that gives God glory
and honor? How are you making a
difference in God’s world with the things
you do, the tasks you undertake, and the
time you use? It is God’s time.
As we move into the New Year, may God
give you blessings and guidance in your
life, in your faith and in your serving.
In God’s love,
Pastor Paul
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In January’s Link
Page 1 From the Pastor
Page 2 January at a glance
Page 3 Church Information
Page 4 Pastoral Acts Attendance
News from the Church Office
Page 6 Council Meeting Minutes First Communion Class
Page 7 St. Paul’s Annual Meeting
Volunteer Ministry of the Month
Page 8 Dorcas Rachel Circle Unhanging of the Greens
Page 9 GFL-LYO Games Night RAIHN Women of the ELCA
Page 10 Mission of the ELCA
150th Anniversary Weekend
Page 11 Senior High Winter Retreat
Thank you!
Page 12 Hands4Hope
Page 13 Planning Ahead
Page 14 December Calendar
Page 15 Lay Ministry Calendar
January at a Glance
Meetings
Tuesday January 10th 7:00 p.m.
Church Council Meeting
Thursday January 12th 9:45 a.m.
Dorcas Rachel Circle
Friday, January 13th 4:00 p.m.
Worship & Music Meeting
Sunday January 22nd
(after 9:30 Service)
Annual Congregational Meeting
Thursday January 26th 7:00 p.m.
Property & Maintenance
Sundays
January 1st.
First Sunday after Christmas
One Service of Lessons, Carols & Holy
Communion at 9:30 a.m.
January 8th. Baptism of Our Lord
January 15th.
Second Sunday after Epiphany
First Communion Parent Meeting,
Pick up Annual Report
January 22nd.
Third Sunday after Epiphany
One service at 9:30 a.m.
Annual Meeting after Service
January 29th. Fourth Sunday after
Epiphany
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Advent Wreath Lighting Thank you to all who lead the Advent
Wreath Lighting portion of our Sunday
Worship during the four Sundays in
Advent. We value the involvement of
members of the congregation in various
aspects of worship leadership.
New Members’ Class Planned
Pastor Shoop is planning a Pastor’s
Class for New Members. Classes will
be Sunday, February 5 and 12, during
the Sunday School hour (9:45 – 10:30
AM). This class is for persons who
desire to become members of St. Paul’s
and/or learn more about the teaching of
the Christian Church and its Lutheran
expression.
Pastor gives an overview of the witness
of the Bible to God’s love in Jesus and
the faith of God’s people. The teachings
and history of the Lutheran Church are
reviewed. The mission and ministry of
St. Paul’s is also discussed. At the
conclusion of the Class, those desiring
are received into membership at a
Sunday morning Worship Service.
If you would like to attend the Pastor’s
Class for New Members, please speak
with Pastor Shoop.
HAVE YOU RETURNED YOUR COMMITMENT CARD?
Your help is needed in providing for the ministry of your congregation in the coming year. St. Paul’s relies upon your offerings – financial, time and talent – in order to undertake the ministry we have laid before ourselves. If you have not yet rreturned a Commitment Card for 2017, please do so as soon as possible. Your indication of support helps the
congregational leaders know what resources upon which they can rely. And, it aids members of the congregation in approaching their stewardship through regular, disciplined giving. Additional copies of the Commitment Card are available in the church office or by contacting the church office (585-586-0580 or [email protected]). Your commitments enable our ministry to be strong and healthy as we proclaim God’s Good News in Jesus and let God’s light shine through our lives.
RE-AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM SERVICE
Sunday, January 8 – 8:30 & 11 AM On Sunday, January 8, we celebrate The First Sunday after the Epiphany, The Baptism of Our Lord. Our worship services on this day focus on the gift of baptism. A Re-Affirmation of Baptism is planned as part of our worship. Members and friends will want to be present to participate in this service as we mark the beginning of a new year, reminding ourselves and grounding ourselves in the gift of Baptism. In baptism, we become one of God’s people. God brings us into a very special relationship filled with God’s love and presence. The Re-Affirmation of Baptism brings us an opportunity to give thanks to God for the love God gives and recommit ourselves to a life dedicated to God’s ways. The Re-Affirmation of Baptism portions of the service include an affirmation of our
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faith in God, a renewal of the commitments made at Confirmation, and a lifting up in prayer of the mission and ministry to which God calls us. A special opportunity is offered for worshipers to remember their own baptisms. The baptismal font will stand in front of the chancel. As worshipers come forward for Holy Communion, enter or leave worship, they have an opportunity to place their hand in the water in the baptismal bowl and make the sign of the cross in remembrance of their baptisms. Remember – it is plain, ordinary water used with God’s Word and by God’s command which was used at your baptism. Martin Luther wrote in the Small Catechism – “What does baptism mean for daily living? It means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.” The Re-Affirmation of Baptism Service on Sunday, January 8 will help us to heighten our awareness of living our Baptisms each day during this new year.
PASTORAL ACTS Baptisms: December 4th Annie & Bobby Dodge Funeral: November 22nd Wilma Goehle
ATTENDANCE “WE COUNT BECAUSE YOU COUNT”
Early Late Total Nursery
Nov. 27 62 54 116 0
Dec. 4 88 65 153 3
11 84 56 140 2
Average Sunday attendance through
November 2016 – 128
Average Sunday attendance through
November 2015 – 117
Average Sunday attendance through
November 2014 - 125
News From the Church Office
We would like to give a special thank you to all who helped to decorate and get the Church in order for the Christmas Season. What an amazing congregation we have here at St. Paul’s! The way that everyone pulls together and looks out for the needs of the Church is both heart-warming and inspiring. Special thanks to: All of the familes that took part in our Advent Wreath lighting during Sunday Services. Mara Bernt & Dick Poduska for heading up the Hanging of the Greens Team! Barb & Harlan Granger for assembling our beautiful living advent wreath Our LYO group for assembling luminaries for Christmas Eve services.
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Eileen Whitaker and all of our Lay Ministry volunteers throughout this extremely busy holiday season. Shari MacFarlane and her grandson for putting out poinsettia offering envelopes for us. All of the special hands and warm hearts that made this past season so beautiful! Thank you!
Thoughts for the New Year “Christ in Our Homes”
Devotionals for January, February & March are available for pick up from the Foyer
We are very eager to be
Environmentally Green and to recycle as much paper as possible. You are encouraged to take home your weekly bulletin insert as a reminder of all the events and news of the week. However, if you choose not to do so, please leave your copy at the back of the sanctuary after the service. This way they will get recycled.
If you were not able to attend worship and would like a copy of the bulletin please let me know within a week after Sunday’s Service and I will be happy to mail a copy to you. After this the leftovers are recycled.
A Few Reminders
End of Year Financial Information: The last day for making a cash or check donation is on Wednesday, December 28th. Anything arriving after this date will be deposited in January. If you would like
to make your 2017 pledge using “Simply Giving”, please fill out a form located by the name tags in the Foyer or from the Office. Please return form the Office when completed.
Items for the Sunday bulletin insert must be received by Wednesday morning at 9:00 am. Items for the Sunday bulletin must be received by Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.
If you notice we are low on supplies for communion, flower delivery, office or cleaning, please let me know. Coffee hour and other kitchen needs should be written on the yellow order form in the kitchen.
Names on our thoughts and prayers list in the bulletin are kept on for one month. If longer is necessary please renew at the beginning of each month.
The altar flower and bulletin
sponsorship charts are in the hallway by the nursery. Altar flowers are $15 per vase and bulletins are $10. When you sign up please fill out a form.
Office Volunteers are needed on Thursday January 12th to collate the Annual Report and on Tuesday January 24th to assemble the February “Link”. Please sign up in the Volunteer Work area (outside of Pastor’s office) if you are able to help.
Articles for the February edition of the “Link” must be received by 9:00 a.m. Monday January 16th.
Michelle Josephson, Church Admin. Asst.
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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Council Meeting
Church Council gathered for an extended meeting on December 19 with members of Mutual Ministry in attendance. Pastor Malfati and Vicar Nickoloff led a presentation regarding the results of the Congregational Vitality Assessment which indicate we are in good health as we continue the search process for a new pastor.
Property and Maintenance obtained a price quote from Messner's to replace the carpeting in the sanctuary with a selection of similar color and type. The motion was approved and passed.
Mutual Ministry has found an excellent candidate to fill our open nursery position. A job offer will be extended to her with a trial period beginning on January 8.
In Pastor Shoop's monthly report, he shares that he will be meeting with parents of youth ready to participate in Holy Communion on Sunday, January 29 during the Sunday School hour. He will also be holding a class for new members on February 5 and 12 during the Sunday School hour as well.
Council's next meeting will be on
January 10, 2017
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Paul’s is a welcoming Christian
family. We are created by God, saved
by Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and
inspired by the Holy Spirit. Through
joyous worship and Mission
Commitment, St. Paul’s furthers the
word of God’s Saving Grace.
First Communion Classes
First Communion Classes for youth will
be held soon in the new year. A
Parents’ Meeting will take place on
Sunday, January 29 during the Sunday
School hour in the Dorcas Room to
discuss the class content and schedule.
(Parents: Please bring your calendars!)
The First Communion Class prepares
youth of the congregation to being able
to receive Holy Communion. The youth
look at passages in Scripture that help
build an understanding of what Holy
Communion is. There are activities
that help the youth grow in
appreciation for the gifts God gives in
Holy Communion. And, time is devoted
to the “how-to” of receiving Holy
Communion. The youth will bake the
bread used on First Communion
Sunday. Pastor Shoop leads these
classes.
Please see Pastor Shoop with any
questions and to confirm attendance.
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St Paul’s
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Sunday, January 22nd for one service starting at 9:30am. There will be a brief break after the Service for you to grab a cup of coffee, tea, or water with some goodies, so you can bring back into the
sanctuary for our Annual Meeting.
Please come, your input is important.
Folks who are interested in providing a plate of cookies or baked goods, please
bring the day of. If you have any questions, or would like to let us know that you’re providing an item, please
contact Mara Berndt at [email protected]
Nativity Scene in Main Foyer
(Help needed in repairs)
We are in need of a nurse to help take
care of our Joseph. He is in need of some
serious repairs and we were wondering if
anyone might know of someone that
might be able to help us restore our
beloved Joseph.
If you have anyone in mind please feel
free to call the church main office, 585-
586-0580 or Michelle at
[email protected] and or
Mara at [email protected]
Volunteer Ministry
of the Month
Each month we will take a little LINK
space to highlight a ministry in need of
help. This month’s ministry is
Closing.
What is this ministry?
This volunteer locks all doors and turns
off all lights after the 11:00 service.
The sound system, which is located on
the choir loft, also needs to be turned
off.
How long does it take?
This ministry requires a person to walk
throughout the church after the 11:00
service. It takes about 10 minutes to
shut everything down and lock
everything up.
Why do we need more volunteers?
Pastor Hedin used to close the church
every Sunday. Since his departure, the
Whitaker family has taken over this
ministry. When the Whitakers aren’t
there, we need other families to help
close the church.
Call or email Eileen Whitaker to
discuss how you can help!
381-4415 or
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Food for Thought:
A giving church is a living
church.
Beliefs don’t make a good person
– behavior does.
Don’t give up. Moses was once a
basket case.
DORCAS RACHEL CIRCLE
Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017
Time: 9:45 a.m. Fellowship
10:00 a.m. Meeting
Place: Dorcas Room
Program: “Family Recollection”
(Favorite recipe, story or photo to share)
Julie Huse
Devotions: Ellen Bluhm
Hostesses: Dorothy Borglum
Laura Patchen
Pittsford Food Cupboard paper goods will
be placed in Dorothy Borglum’s car
parked by the parking lot double red
doors.
Please note: If the January meeting is
cancelled due to weather, the February
meeting will convene. Otherwise:
February is a “Snow Day” - - no meeting
Un-Hanging of the Greens
Pick a day you can come in to help
un-decorate St. Paul's Church.
(Even if you only have an hour)
It's just that easy!
Sign-up Sheet is in the Main Foyer,
feel free to sign up for more than one
day :)
Days to pick from: (or just write down
time slot you can come during that day)
Wednesday, January 4th @ 9am-11am
and 2pm-6pm
Thursday, January 5th @ 2pm-6pm
Friday, January 6th @ 9am-1pm
Saturday, January 7th @ at 9am-11am
Looking forward to seeing you there!
If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact Mara Berndt at
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GFL-LYO Games Night “Minute to Win It”
Join us on Friday, January 6 at 7:30 pm
At Reformation Lutheran Church
111 N. Chestnut Street Rochester
For an evening of fun and games, fellowship and faith!
Open to all in grades 6-12 and their friends!
Contact Tiffany Laird ([email protected]) or Alisa Piccirilli
([email protected]) if you have to
attend or help out.
RAIHN Rochester Area Interfaith
Hospitality Network
Volunteer Training is being held on the following days in 2017:
Tuesday, January 24th at Artisan Church,1235 S. Avenue,Rochester 14620
and Wed, February 8th at St Louis Catholic,
64 S. Main St.,Pittsford 14534. We would be happy to have you join us.
If you have any questions contact: Jen Canning at
[email protected] or Roberta Fitzsimmons at
Our next rotation is February 26 to March 5, 2017
Women of St. Paul’s
ELCA
Upcoming Events of 2017
WELCA Ingathering will begin in
February.
The Ingathering box will be placed
in the Dorcas room. This year’s
Ingathering will be: FAMILY
SOCKS & UNDERWEAR
In September, our 2017 collection
will be donated to Willow (battered
women).
Genesee Finger Lakes Conference
Women of the ELCA Spring
Communion Brunch:
- Program and Communion
Service will be given by Pastor
Keith Campbell
- Potluck Luncheon will follow
the Communion Service
- No perishable food items will be
collected for Our Redeemer
Food Cupboard
- Date & Location TBA
Women of the ELCA
Triennial Convention
Date: July 11 – 15, 2017
Minneapolis, MN
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Mission of the E.L.C.A. Seafarer’s International House
“Harbor of Hospitality”
Knitters needed. Seafarers International
House is a “Harbor of Hospitality”. It
serves seafarers and immigrants with
pastoral care, hospitality, social assistance,
advocacy and prayer in the U.S. Ports:
Baltimore, Philadephia, New Jersey, New
York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Chaplains from these ports visited over
22,400 seafarers last year. Often the
chaplains greet the seafarers with a useful
kit, a satchel containing clothes, candy,
canned meats and knitted hats to keep
them warm on the open seas.
Women of the ELCA are knitting hats for
Seafarers and sending them to the
Seafarer’s International House to be
distributed ALL YEAR LONG!
St. Paul’s sent 7 wool hats in November!
That is wonderful! Thank you so much.
The next collection of knitted hats will be
sent in April 2017. A box is available for
your donation in the Dorcas Room.
So… KNIT UP A STORM!!
Thank you,
Shari MacFarlane
REMEMBER TO
SAVE THE WEEKEND:
St. Paul’s Lutheran 150th
Anniversary Weekend July 29-30th, 2017
9:30 am - Holy Communion and Celebration of St. Paul’s 150th
Anniversary
11:45 am - Celebration Brunch/Lunch
(Location: Woodcliff Lodge - details/pricing to follow)
All are invited!
Anyone interested in working on this special day please join us for our monthly meetings at St Paul’s.
Questions or interested? Please
contact: Mara Berndt
Trish Blake-Jones [email protected]
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Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center 5013 Rt. 430
Bemus Point, NY 14712
716-386-4125
www.lclcenter.org
SENIOR HIGH WINTER RETREAT
January 6-8, 2017
You are invited to spend the weekend at
LCLC learning about your relationship with
God and having an awesome time with new
and old friends.
Grab a friend, bring your sleds and winter
gear and get ready for a great LCLC
experience. The retreat begins with
registration at 7:00pm. Friday night and ends
with closing worship at 10:30am. Sunday.
Your families are welcome and encouraged to
join us for worship.
$95/person (Includes a $25 non-refundable
deposit)
Includes programming, great meals, delicious
snacks, and lodging in the Retreat Center.
Registration deadline is December 26th 2016
4th-8th Grade Winter Retreat
March 3-5, 2017
A taste of summer in the middle of winter.
Bible studies, sledding, campfires, games,
singing, great food and great friends. Don’t
miss out on this great time.
$95/person (Includes a $25 non-refundable
deposit)
Includes programming, great meals, delicious
snacks, and lodging in the Retreat Center and
Redeemer Lodge. Registration deadline is
February 27, 2017.
Many boxes full of food were
donated to the Eastern Service
Workers Association for their
Thanksgiving baskets.
Hats, mittens and small stuffed
animals were donated to
Hands4Hope
Funds were raised by Friends of
Music through our Annual Wreath
Sale
Pie sales allowed us to donate
$1000 to Habitat for Humanity
Knitted caps were made for
Seafarers by Women of the ELCA
Many shoe boxes were filled and
delivered for Operation Christmas
Child
Over two boxes of Halloween
candy bags were donated to
Pittsford Food Cupboard
Sales from the Rada Knife Sale
were donated to Willow for
battered women
Eleven volunteers assisted at St.
John’s Home
Volunteers donated their time and
talents to RAIHN
42 Thanksgiving turkeys were
purchased and donated to the
Pittsford Food Cupboard
LYO raised over $425 for ESWA
through their Pie Sale. Sixteen
youth volunteered.
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HANDS4HOPE STREET MINISTRY
THANK YOU to all who contributed to the collection of gloves and small stuffed animals! You have no idea how some of these children will embrace these items with love and gratefulness.
Hands 4 Hope is a new social ministry at St Paul's that we thought would be nice to help out when we can. These are just small things we can do for this organization that goes out in any type of weather to help the needy. Here is a little more about them:
Hands 4 Hope - Orleans is a street ministry serving the community by offering food and the Hope of Jesus Christ on the streets of Orleans County.
Our mission is to serve as God's "Hands" in the streets, "Sharing" the love and grace of Jesus Christ to reflect His Glory. We provide nutritional food for the body as well as spiritual food for the soul, to let everyone know that they are loved.
We serve on Saturdays from 10:30am-11:30am in various towns throughout the county. The first Saturday we start in Medina - Star/Orient Street, second Saturday of the month we are in Holley - Holley Square/Holley Hotel area, third Saturday of the month we are in Albion (east) - Lydun Drive Neighborhood and on the last Saturday of the month we are in Albion (central) - Beaver/S Liberty Street Neighborhood.
If you have a facebook page please feel free to check them out. It's another well needed organization to help out when we can.
Again, thank you for helping them out! You have made a difference in a person’s life with your donation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to touch base with Mara Berndt at [email protected]
We will be holding a clothing
drive from January 15th through January 29th here
at St. Paul’s.
The clothing will go directly to Hands4Hope to provide for
those who are less fortunate during this cold winter season.
Please bring your clothing donations to the Dorcas Room
and place them in the box marked “Hands4Hope”
Thank you!
Please contact Mara Berndt or Michelle Josephson with questions.
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Planning Ahead
2017
Dates to Save
January 1st One service at 9:30 a.m.
January 22nd Annual Meeting. One
service at 9:30 a.m. January 29th LYO Church Cleaning January 29th First Communion
Parent’s Meeting February 27th Italian Café March 1st Ash Wednesday March 12th DST begins April 8th Palm Cross Making April 9th Palm Sunday April 16th Easter Sunday May 14th Mother’s Day Brunch June 18th Fathers’ Day
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