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The Messenger • December 2019 1
The St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bethany Minstry Lifting High the Cross on Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island
This is a picture of our Angel Tree in the
narthex at church. Each of the ornaments is a request for gifts from a child who is in need. What is our dream for these children in need? What is our Advent and Christmastide Dream for our parish and our children? The Advent and Christmastide are seasons of vision and dreaming. Isaiah dreams in vision, Joseph dreams, Mary has a vision of the angel Gabriel, shepherds hear voices from heaven and Wise Men from the east follow the vision and the star.
Advent and Christmastide are seasons of vision. They are also seasons of joyous perseverance; as we strengthen our resolve to do something new in service to our neighbors; as we are stirred by the Holy Spirit to actively work for justice and peace. I pray that our Advent and Christmastide will be filled with wonderment and questions and hopes and visions for what might be for the children that these ornaments represent and the people we want to be in service to Jesus Christ; the Newborn King. Amen. Pastor Mike
Bill and Will Connie and Andrew Claire Pastor and Art
2019
Watch, Prepare, Rejoice, Behold
Advent has always been an exciting time in my faith journey. The Advent Wreath, the lighting of each candle during the Advent season and the words-
Watch, Prepare, Rejoice, Behold
-have great meaning for me on the path leading to
Christmas.
I patiently wait for each Sunday to hear the next word and to see each candle lighted on the Advent Wreath. “Thank you, Lord God for holding me in your forgiving love while waiting and watching.”
The Words
Watch- Advent I- What’s going to happen? We want to be aware of the awesome things to come; the wonder that is coming; that is here.
Prepare- Advent II- Make a place in our hearts to receive the glories to arrive. “Prepare us Lord and strengthen us, making our worship and lives pleasing to you. Thank you for all that is and is to come.”
Rejoice- Advent III- Take the time to celebrate the wonders of the season. God is present, no matter what! Jesus is the light of the world and the candles remind us of that truth. Joy is a sign of the presence of God.
Behold- Advent IV- The Christ will be born in a lowly manger in Bethlehem and angels will declare His birth to the shepherds and all the earth. May we keep giving of ourselves to one another so that Christ is glorified.
These words and lessons have never gotten old and never will be outgrown.
All praise and thanks to our Living Lord.
Carol Conrad
The Messenger • December 2019 2
The Messenger • December 2019 3
Love in Action!! Responding to God's care for us. God's Work. Our Hands. This is what
the social ministry committee is all about. Every month in this column you will find cur-
rent information about projects our congregation is working on and ministries we are
involved in. You will also find news about national and international social ministry
opportunities.
Look for this exciting column to see how St. Paul is engaging our community and
world. You might see something you feel called to get involved in. You are invited to
be a part of this opportunity to serve God and others. For more information con-
tact Nancy Lembke at 254-251-1025.
COMPASSION CARD MINISTRY
Compassion cards are sent to our homebound, letting them know we as a congregation are
thinking of and praying for them.
Presently cards are being sent for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
This ministry is funded through our budget and donations of cards and postage.
Should anyone want to add a name to our card list, please contact Pam, our Church Secretary...thanks!
Your Compassion Card Ministry Committee…
Lois Anderson, Judy Babikian, Linda Murray and Connie Palmer
The Messenger • December 2019 4
DECEMBER 2019 ASSISTANTS
The Reverend Michael T. Lembke Minister of Music Susan Brunelle
DECEMBER 22
Acolyte Jimmy Burnham Altar Guild Carolyn Romelczyk Reader Betty Berntson Communion Jeremy Dexter Assistants Rick Pezza Counter Bob Jacob Fellowship Hour Betty & Russ Berntson Lunch Team Team B Ushers Joseph China Peter Waddington
DECEMBER 24—5 PM CHRISTMAS EVE Reader Bill McEleney Ushers Joseph China Rick Pezza
DECEMBER 24—10 PM CHRISTMAS EVE Reader Marcel D’Auteuil Ushers Rick Pezza Peter Waddington
DECEMBER 25—9:30 AM CHRISTMAS DAY
Reader Lois Anderson Usher s Richard Drake Rick Pezza
DECEMBER 29
Acolyte Vincent Palazzo Altar Guild Karen Hill Reader Nancy Lembke Communion Jeremy Dexter Assistants Rick Pezza Counter Sue Mahoney Fellowship Hour Nancy Nelson Joanne Corbett Lunch Team Team C Ushers Joseph China Peter Waddington
DECEMBER 2019 ASSISTANTS
The Reverend Michael T. Lembke Minister of Music Susan Brunelle
DECEMBER 1 Acolyte Aubrey Castore Altar Guild Carolyn Romelczyk Reader Dennis Murray Communion Jeremy Dexter Assistants Rick Pezza Counter Steve Whitney Fellowship Hour Sue & Zoe Mahoney Lunch Team Team C Ushers Richard Drake Peter Waddington
DECEMBER 8 Acolyte Kate Carlson Altar Guild Karen Hill Reader Linda Murray Communion Jeremy Dexter Assistants Rick Pezza Counter Connie Palmer Fellowship Hour Norma Renzi John Wilson Lunch Team Team D Ushers Don Culton Connie Palmer DECEMBER 15 Acolyte Eve Dexter Altar Guild Arlene Papa Reader Karen Culton Communion Jeremy Dexter Assistants Rick Pezza Counter Ron Strunz Fellowship Hour Don & Karen Culton Lunch Team Team A Ushers Richard Drake Peter Waddington
5 The Messenger • December 2019
DECEMBER 2019
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Tuesdays 6:30 PM
December 3 No Class Leaders Planning December 10 Class (Meal) Pastor Mike/Lesson 6
December 17 6:15 PM Caroling at Matthew XXV December 25 Christmas Day/Worship Opportunities
The deadline for the
January issue of
The Messenger will be
Friday, December 20th.
Our 2020 Flower Chart is now posted for
for sign-up dates in 2020.
Suggested Donations Altar Flowers $35
Eternal Candle $10
DECEMBER 2019
Paula Anderson—1st
Lori Chirico—2nd
Tony Woods—3rd
Megan Crete—5th
Kristi Castore—6th
Deionni Cumplido—6th
Christina Abramson—10th
Linda Nelson—11th
Carol Conrad—13th
Bradley Young—21st
Erik Nelson—28th
Bob & Lori Jacob
December 29th
St. Paul Finance Committee
Meetings Schedule
Monday, December 2 (7-8 PM)
Wednesday, January 7 (6-7 PM)
Wednesday, May 15 (6-7 PM)
Your child has chosen a special part in
our Christmas Play “Live From Bethlehem”
during the service on Sunday, December
15th.
There will be play read throughs to help
learn lines every Sunday during the first 15
minutes of Sunday School from 9:15-9:30
a.m. so please arrive on time.
Play practices will be held December 1st
and 8th.
There will be a dress rehearsal in the
church Saturday, December 14th AT 9:30
a.m.
Attendance is important!
Thank you for your sup-
port for our annual
Christmas Play. Any
questions or concerns
see Marcel D’Auteuil or
Allison Merrill.
The Messenger • December 2019 6
St Paul
Annual
Christmas Party
at
Pastor Mike and Nancy Lembke’s
home
Sunday, December 15th
2:00-5:30 p.m.
All Are Invited!
Join us on Tuesday, December 17th for
an evening of Christmas caroling at
Matthew XXV. We will meet at St. Paul
at 6:15 p.m. and go together to
Matthew XXV.
All are welcome!
5:00 PM
10:00 PM
NO WELCA WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP IN
DECEMBER…SEE YOU IN JANUARY!
HAVE A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON!
9:30 AM
Annual Cookie Tasting
Sunday, December 15 during Coffee Fellowship Hour after service…
Join Us! All are invited!
The Messenger • December 2019 7
WINTER CLOTHING COLLECTION
Are your coat closets over-crowded with
winter coats you no longer wear? Are
your dresser drawers bulging with
sweaters that you don’t wear anymore?
Often we buy new winter clothes, but
hold on to our old clothes even through
they don’t fit or we just don’t wear them
anymore. Yet there is an entire popula-
tion right here in Rhode Island who do
not own a coat, sweater, or gloves at all.
Can you help?
Throughout December and January we
will be collecting gently used winter
clothing for Camp Street Community
Ministries to distribute to those in need.
(Camp Street Community Ministries was
started in 1985 and is located in the
Mount Hope/Rochambeau section of
Providence. It provides food and cloth-
ing to those in need.)
The items may be left in the back of the
church and will be collected weekly.
Thank you for your generosity!
“Whenever you do this for the least of
these, our brothers and sisters,
you do it for me.” Matthew 25:40
The Messenger • December 2019 8
Happy to announce that our
WELCA LADIES are again
sponsoring an Angel Tree for
this Holiday Season.
Our plan is to help 30 children
of inmates at the ACI and also
help 30 children at the Oakland
Beach School.
ANGEL TREE ANGELS ARE
AVAILABLE NOW!
Each Angel has a tag with the
child’s wishes and whether or
not the gift is to be wrapped.
Deadline
for angel tree gifts to be
received at St Paul
is December 8.
Thanks as always
for your support!
We pray for the following people:
Cheryl Bailey, Sonja Jacobson, Kirk Fadden,
Andre D’Auteuil, Sister Alice Fontaine, Bo Gauthier,
Sally Mallett, Kevin Nelson, Mark Pezza, Celestina Cabral, Austin Jacabson,
Larissa Toth, John Whitcomb, Glenn Carlson, Susie Gilbert, Verna Perrott,
Kevin Corriveau, Bob Webb, Lee Gilbert, Maureen, Donna Campbell,
Michelle Calderone, Tom Thibodeau, Duncan Hackmann, William Schenck and
Graham Roberts
We pray for our homebound:
Arline Cookson, Carolyn Lenihan, Evelyn Lofgren and
Russell and Ruth McCombs
We pray for those who serve in the military:
Chad Corrigan, Jimmy Lampman, John O’Brien,
Matthew Wyatt, John Westervelt, Walter Anderson,
John Crowley, Nathaniel MacIntosh, Sean Rounds,
Jennifer Fleming, Stephen Thomas, Samuel Bryan,
Fransheska Gauthier, Zach Shatek and Garrett Knight
The Messenger • December 2019 9
The first of the new year
we will be cleaning up our prayer list.
Please let us know if anyone can be removed from the list…
and anyone who needs to be added.
Thank you!
The Messenger • December 2019 10
St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church
401.737.6758
Reverend Michael T. Lembke Pastor Sunday — Saturday
Pamela Wilsey, Parish Administrator Monday — Friday
9a – 12p
Website: http://www.stpaulwarwick.org/
Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/St-Paul-Evangelical-Lutheran-Church-83289496451/
St. Paul Cemetery Corporation &
St. Paul Housing Corporation
Combined Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 19, 2020
After Service.
St. Paul Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Immediately following Worship.
Annual Meeting Reports due to
Pam in the Office by Sunday,
January 19th.
Thank you!
Thanks to all who have turned in their
pledge cards and a special thanks to those
who have pledged for a first time. A bene-
fit of pledging is your “intentional” com-
mitment to supporting the financial needs
of this church and supporting one another
in this church family.
If you have not yet filled out a pledge card,
please consider doing it today and drop it
in the offering basket during this Christ-
mas season or anytime in the new year. It
is a wonderful privilege to be able to make
a commitment to our budget or help with
things that need attention.
Thank you!
The Messenger • December 2019 11
We are reminding you
that the holidays will
soon be here and we need
your help. We can ex-
press our gratitude for all
the gifts we enjoy by reaching out to
the hungry in our neighborhood.
Will you please be generous and
place a monetary gift in the offering
plate. These gifts will help provide
Holiday baskets for our neighbors in
the community. Bring your gift on any
Sunday during November and Decem-
ber.
Please designate the gift “Holiday
Baskets”.
Thank you for your support.
Social Ministry Committee
Sun
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CH
RIS
TM
AS
PO
INS
ET
TIA
GA
RD
EN
ST
PA
UL
LU
TH
ER
AN
CH
UR
CH
If yo
u w
ou
ld lik
e to m
ake a C
hristm
as Po
insettia
Gard
en d
edicatio
n, p
lease com
plete th
is form
and
return
it to th
e chu
rch o
ffice by
Sun
da
y,
Dece
mb
er 15
, 20
19
.
In M
em
ory
/ H
on
or o
f ______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Giv
en
by
_______________________________________________________
P
lants w
ill remain
on
the altar u
ntil after th
e
Ch
ristmas D
ay Serv
ice.
Th
e su
gg
este
d d
on
atio
n is $
15
.00
pe
r pla
nt.
Ple
ase
fill ou
t a se
pa
rate
form
for e
ach
pla
nt a
nd
pla
ce in
the
colle
ction
pla
te. T
ha
nk
yo
u!
CH
RIS
TM
AS
PO
INS
ET
TIA
GA
RD
EN
ST
PA
UL
LU
TH
ER
AN
CH
UR
CH
If yo
u w
ou
ld lik
e to m
ake a C
hristm
as Po
insettia
Gard
en d
edicatio
n, p
lease com
plete th
is form
and
return
it to th
e chu
rch o
ffice by
Sun
da
y,
Dece
mb
er 15
, 20
19
.
In M
em
ory
/ H
on
or o
f ______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Giv
en
by
_______________________________________________________
P
lants w
ill remain
on
the altar u
ntil after th
e
Ch
ristmas D
ay Serv
ice.
Th
e su
gg
este
d d
on
atio
n is $
15
.00
pe
r pla
nt.
Ple
ase
fill ou
t a se
pa
rate
form
for e
ach
pla
nt a
nd
pla
ce in
the
colle
ction
pla
te. T
ha
nk
yo
u!
December 2019
CHRISTMAS EVE 5:00 p.m. Service with Holy Communion
10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service with Holy Communion
CHRISTMAS DAY 9:30 a.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion
Sunday Worship Service with Holy Communion
Worship Service Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Saturday Healing Services
Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. at Matthew XXV
Christmas Service at Matthew XXV on Saturday, December 21 at 5:00 p.m.
