alive! - August 2012

Connected Learning

August 2012

By Pastor Curt Schneider

A quarterly publication from

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School

alive!

Two years ago, when Jean and I spent part of my sabbatical on a dune island on the German North Seas coast, we signed up for a “Tidal Flats Hike.” Outgoing tide exposes miles and miles of grey mud. Led by guide Menno Jür-gens, our group walked barefoot on the flats for three hours. Menno introduced us to a complex ecosystem—a source of

food for fish and birds, and full of mi-raculous processes cleaning the envi-ronment. We saw the flats come alive in a whole new way.

Jesus was very much like Menno Jür-gens. “What is this, a new teaching? And with authority!” The word “authority” is connected to Jesus over forty times in

(Continued on page 2)

2 alive! :: August 2012 stpaulswaverly.org

the Gospels. Jesus changed the way people viewed their world. They could sense dynamic, living, life-giving. and gracious God involved with them. When Jesus preached, people lis-tened. When he taught, they asked questions, shared doubts, challenged him. “Authority” hap-pens when the living God connects powerfully with day-to-day life.

Our church is committed to the powerful, life-changing teaching mission of Jesus—with authority. St. Paul’s consists of communities hiking on the tidal flats to see life differently.

Our congregation’s learning ministries operate quietly—small groups of interest, age, mothers, fathers, short-term and longer-term; large groups, book discussion groups, prayer groups, School ministries, confirmation, Sunday School, peace/justice, service, mentoring, new member.

These are all “no experience necessary” gatherings. All are welcome to bring life experi-ences and engage God with questions, doubts, challenges, joys. By the Holy Spirit, God en-counters us—with the authority of grace—empowering us to leave as forgivers, healers, our words and actions speaking the Word. �

(Continued from page 1)

East Freiesian tidal flats

For people in agri-business, spring is the time for planting and new life. For people in academics, however, it is fall which brings new beginnings. This fall St. Paul’s School is bustling with new life as we prepare for the students arriv-ing with new color crayons, in new clothes, and with excite-ment to meet new teacher and friends as they enter a new grade.

Farmers always have to adapt to new tools, new seeds, and new methods. In the same way, when the stu-dents arrive at St. Paul's School this Fall, they will find some exciting new opportuni-ties. They will find that each student in grades five and six has an iPad, and students from preschool to grade four have access to iPads for use in the classroom. Teachers have new and exciting ways to use these tools to teach. The school will find some new faces as we welcome Danielle Mummelthei (TAG), Angie Steuer (art), and Blair Wilson (preschool aide) to our staff.

When the students arrive this fall, they will also be re-lieved to find that there are many things that are not new. First they will notice that the school is still teaming with stu-

dents. They will also find that St. Paul’s School is still com-mitted to teaching the whole child, including the intellec-tual, the emotional, and the spiritual parts of all of our stu-dents. The Good News of sal-vation by grace through Jesus Christ is still an important les-son taught in worship, in class, and mostly by example. Our students will still learn to serve others, to live in community, and to proclaim their faith.

So, like on the farm in spring, when old tools are used to plant new seeds to bring

new life, at St. Paul’s new tools help to plant seeds of faith and learning to bring both new life and life ever-lasting to God’s children, our students.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School alive! :: August 2012 3

Planting new seeds By Mark Anderson, School Board


Vacation Bible School 2012: Mega Sports Camp

A pastor friend of mine once told me that his children complained to him about having to go to Sunday School because they were “the preacher’s kids.” He said, “I know just how you feel! I felt the same way when I was a kid. I always had to go to Sunday School because my dad was the elevator manager.”

We often yearn for interesting and in-spiring messages, ideas and perspectives that lead us toward a more meaningful faith journey. As the Board of Parish Edu-cation ponders ways in which we can en-rich the spiritual growth of adults at St. Paul’s, we would like to encourage not only your commitment to join us on desig-nated Sundays, but to offer topical sugges-tions that you feel would be interesting and stimulating to our growth as a fellowship of believers.

Our tentative plans for the coming school year bring a variety of opportunities. Some Sundays we will explore topics and some Sundays we will explore nurturing our relationships through fellowship. You will be challenged to grow and expand your understanding of living out the love of Christ. God wants us to live as verbs—in action.

To the right are just a few of the topics that we have been looking at to explore growth and challenge our faith walk during the Adult Education Forum. If you have ideas that you would like to share, please do not hesitate to contact Kris Meyer (641-512-0338 [email protected]) or Dav id Abkemeier (319-610-5209, [email protected]).

Plans for Good,

Plans for Learning

By Kris Meyer, Parish Board of Education

CELEBRATING 140 YEARS AS ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH • Why and who were committed to start-

ing this parish 140 years ago? • What was it like during that time? • What has changed in our mission or fo-

cus as a congregation over the years?

EXPLORATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUS-TICE SOCIAL STATEMENT • What is the ELCA the Criminal Justice

Social Statement? • What does that have to do with me? • How could it affect those I might know

and love? What are we doing to be the feet and hands of Christ in Bremer County?

• What can I do to take a stand for others in need?

• What should I do though it might be uncomfortable for me?

• What is happening around me that might be needing my help?

WHY SHOULD WE THINK ABOUT BEING A PART OF A SMALL GROUP? • How have lives been changed as a result

of learning to know others and how they experience Christ’s love and purpose though sharing in a small group setting?

• What can I do with my questions, my fears, and my doubts?

WE SEE AND HEAR OUR YOUNG KIDS FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT HOW CAN WE INTERACT AT A MORE MEANINGFUL LEVEL? • What would it be like to experience a

friendship with a younger child in our con-gregation that I may not know very well?

• What can I bring to that relationship be-cause of my experiences?

• What can I learn sharing with younger people in our church?



stpaulswaverly.org/sa or contact Rachael Nelson, 319-596-4123, [email protected]

Liven up your Wednesdays! Everyone can join in this exciting ministry.

Volunteer to assist weekly or

once or twice a month.

Afterschool Assistants: 1:50-3:00 p.m.

Pre/K Afterschool Help: 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Classroom Teachers: 3:15-4:15 p.m.

After Care Assistants: 4:15-5:00 p.m.

There’s a real satisfaction to

helping when you’re little. It

makes you feel strong and grown

up. In school it earned you a little

recognition from your teacher. If

you were in sports, volunteering

to help the coach strengthened

your sense of being on a team.

At some point in life we get a

little more cautious about volun-

teering. Maybe the only chores

you get to help with are the ones

you dislike the most. Or your last

effort wasn’t really good enough,

and you were told so. We all go

through that painful time of not

wanting to stand out from every-

one else by volunteering. Some-

times your offer to help is re-

buffed. No one likes that.

When I was pastor to small

churches of 100-200 members,

volunteering was essential. The

pastor was the only staff person.

Families in the church took turns

cleaning the sanctuary, mowing

the lawn, painting the church

every couple of years. In a

church that size, everyone un-

derstands their volunteer time

and talents are needed.

When a congregation is the

size of St. Paul’s, with a larger

staff, lay ministry gets harder to

manage. I use the term “lay min-

istry” more than I use the term

“volunteer,” because I teach that

offering your time and talents is

in response to God’s call to

serve. It’s in response to God’s

gifts of time and ability. And it’s a

way to offer thanks to God and

care for our neighbor—the very

essence of our new life in Christ.

No matter the size of a con-

gregation, no matter what lan-

guage we use to talk about it,


By Pastor Joyce Sandberg

Where Volunteering Begins


Do you remember the first time you volunteered? It was probably at home when you were a child. You may have volunteered to carry a bag to the car, or to bring your parents something from the kitchen. If your parents were wise, and what you offered to do was within your abilities, they were happy to have you help and thanked you.

CHURCHES DEPEND ON VOLUNTEERS IN DIFFERENT WAYS


every church needs lots of vol-

unteers. It’s just a little more

complicated to manage in a big-

ger congregation.

There are three things that

get in the way of your “lay minis-

try:” time, bad experiences, and

not knowing a good match for

your strengths.

It’s work to set aside time to

serve. Even 11- and 12-year-olds

feel they don’t have enough time

in the week. (If your kids are strug-

gling with this, see pbskids.org/

itsmylife/school/time/index.html)

Retired people laugh that they’re

busier now than when they were

working. Parents manage elabo-

rate calendars for their families.

People skip worship simply to

have one unscheduled quiet hour

in the week. Those who are

homebound or in care facilities

grieve that they can’t do as much

as they once did for the church.

Some people have a little time

to offer; others have more. Some

have time weekly, others have a

few hours to give every once in a

while. Circumstances change

over time. Understanding what

time you can offer to benefit oth-

ers is important before you com-

mit to a task. But there’s no ques-

tion in my mind that God has

given us enough time, and it’s our

job to decide how we use it.

Another reason people hesi-

tate to volunteer their time and

talent is that they’ve had a bad

experience in the past. Who has-

n’t dreaded the job that turns out

to be your responsibility forever?!

Who hasn’t offered to help, then

ended up dreading it because no

training or help came with the

job? It isn’t rewarding to offer

your time and ability, then be

criticized by someone else. And

sometimes volunteers step for-

ward to help and don’t receive

even a small word of thanks.

If you had that kind of experi-

ence, don’t promise you’ll never

volunteer again! Instead, ask for

a description of the work that

includes how many hours are

expected and the term of the

service. People who serve in our

Umbrella of Care are contacted

once a year to ask if they would

like to continue for another.

The hardest, but most impor-

tant part of choosing a ministry is

matching the gifts God has given

you—your talents and skills—with

the need. Everyone, the Bible as-

sures us, has been given gifts for

service. People have different

gifts. It is more rewarding to take

on a task in an area you love;

something you think is important.

Greeting is a great choice if you

love to get acquainted with peo-

ple. Cooking for a meal ministry

is fun for someone who enjoys

providing a hospitality of food,

offered as welcome.


“I garden because

I feel that’s where

I can help.”

—Geneva Liebau

“I just do it to

beautify the

church.”

—Marylin Dose

WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF VOLUNTEERING?


When I was doing my year of

seminary study, I served in a con-

gregation where I was assigned

to teach three-year-olds for Va-

cation Bible School. It took only

one day to realize I didn’t have

the faintest idea how to teach

people who couldn’t read. I was-

n’t a Mom yet; I’d never been a

babysitter. Forty-one years later, I

still cringe at the memory.

Our new website will have a

section that briefly describes the

different ways you can offer your

gifts to and through St. Paul’s.

We will organize the needs ac-

cording to different abilities. This

will help you find a good match

for the abilities God has given

you. You will be able to look at

serving by starting with what you

know about yourself.

And, if you aren’t sure where

you’re strengths lie, we will help

you discover them. We’ll invite

you to participate in a short-term

small group that uses an online

tool to help you talk about your

gifts with others. This involves

learning about how God has cre-

ated you—your strengths, your

passions and interests. Once you

know these things about yourself,

you will have new tools to fashion

a life of connection to God.

Time, experience and finding

the right match may be stopping

you from volunteering. But think

about this: God has given you

everything you need to make a

real impact in life. You can make

a difference in your family,

church, and community. You

can be part of making Christ’s

love be felt in tangible, life-

changing ways. �

“It is a way for me to give back to this

church community that has provided

so much support to my family and me

over the years.” —Marilyn Oberheu

“I get a feeling of satisfaction by

helping others.” —Diane Garner

SOME NEW TOOLS AT ST. PAUL’S TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR NICHE

Getting to New Orleans was a challenge that included an 18-hour bus ride through the night. But we arrived in the morning and New Orleans was a beauti-ful sight! At the hotel we met up with former St. Paul’s member Bailey Lambert, who joined our group for the week. We were excited to see her!

After moving into our hotel rooms, we went out to ex-plore New Orleans. We had lunch at Deanie’s Seafood res-taurant. I ordered a crab Po-boy sandwich and a cup of gumbo. The sandwich was a whole crab that looked like it was going to attack me! In the

afternoon we went on a swamp tour. We saw lots of alligators! We also got to hold a baby alligator. That night we went to another restaurant in the French Quarter where I got my second bowl of gumbo for the day. We re-turned to the hotel for a swim in the pool and evening devo-tions before bedtime.

On Wednesday we did a self-guided walking tour of the French Quarter. Each per-son in our group researched an important building or land-mark before the trip, and we all shared our research on the tour. We saw so many other

groups walking around the city too. It was fun to ask peo-ple where they were from and tell them where we were from. Afterward we went to a café where I got even more gumbo! Before the meal we sang the “Johnny Appleseed” prayer with another youth group which was really cool.

That afternoon we walked to the Superdome for the first time! We brought a long yel-low pool noodle to hold up high so we wouldn’t get lost in the crowds. The Superdome was huge and there were so many people already there so we sat way up high in the top level. We heard pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, who shared her testimony. She said, “God needs everyone’s unique fla-vor in his big pot of Gumbo.”

After worship, there was a huge rainstorm and lightning, so we formed a line and high-fived the brave people who were going out into the storm. Alex kept saying, “I’m putting a

By Bethany Frantsen

Y’all Are Welcome in

God’s Big Pot of Gumbo!



happy face on someone from a different place!” Everyone was so loud and excited and it was so fun. I don't think I have high-fived so many people in my life. The rain never let up, so we all held hands and walked through the pouring rain back to our hotel.

On Thursday we walked to the convention center where we had a large group worship service. Then we explored the interaction center, where we did things like high ropes, wheelchair races, and other activities. Rachel Lynch and Linnea Kangas got their hair cut at Locks of Love and do-nated it to charity.

We went back to the Su-perdome that night. I really enjoyed the speakers that night! My favorite was Shane Claiborne, who worked with homeless people in Colorado. He told how he got arrested for giving homeless people communion in a park. He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service, which he was excited about, because it meant he could go back and work with the homeless peo-ple again.

After worship, we went to the Sheraton hotel for a fun hotel dance that was super crowded. After that we went to our hotel for evening devo-tions, called “Final Fifteen” and then it was bedtime.

Friday was our service pro-ject day, so we had to get up super early at 5:45 a.m. We walked to the dome for wor-ship and to catch a bus. We went to an elementary school

where we took staples out of the walls, put tennis balls on the feet of chairs, and taped around outlets, light switches and trim to get it ready to be painted. It was really fun actu-ally! It was pouring outside all day long, but we stayed dry inside. On the bus ride back, we saw the streets were flooded with rainwater.

We got dropped off at the dome, so we had to walk back to our hotel through the pouring rain. We all got totally drenched, but it was fun!

After worship at the Super-dome, we went to the Marriott hotel to see a concert by “Agape,” a Christian rapper. There were so many people at



the concert that when people jumped, you could literally feel the floor moving in waves. I was scared it was going to break!

On Saturday morning we went to the Hyatt hotel for our Northeast Iowa Synod As-sembly. It was cool to see hundreds of kids there from Iowa. During the worship ser-vice we heard the bishop preach and had communion. We got different colored bracelets that broke us into small groups with kids from other churches. Our youth group got to lead the “Joy Song” on the stage during the assembly, and we were in a skit with the bishop too.

Afterward our group went on a photo scavenger hunt around New Orleans, which was fun! We went to the dome early that afternoon to try to get seats on the floor, but there was such a mob of people we ended up sitting higher up, which was just fine!

Worship was really good as always, and that night we got to see “Switchfoot” in concert in the Superdome!

Sunday morning we had a surprise treat for breakfast. Dan and Geoffrey got up at 5:00 a.m. and bought us beignets (square donuts covered in powdered sugar) from Café du Monde! They were so good!

At the Superdome we had a closing worship and then they served communion to all 33,309 people.

It was sad to leave after such a great week, and to say

goodbye to Bailey too. Our bus ride home went fast be-cause everyone slept all the way home. The National Youth Gathering was an amazing ex-perience and I was so glad to be able to go to New Orleans. I can't wait until the next one! �


VOLUNTEER FOR SAINTS’ CAFÉ Saints Café is in need of volunteers to as-sist our regular cooks in preparing our Saints Café meal. We serve the meal the last Monday of each month. We would like help on the Sunday afternoon before our meal for about two hours and/or on the Monday afternoon of the meal for about two hours. If you would be available to help or have questions about helping please contact Michele Fischer at 352-2711 or Brenda Geuther at 352-3341.

SCHOOL STAFF INSTALLATION A new school year starts on Tuesday, Au-gust 21. The building shines, students are eager to get back to class, and teachers are excited to lead a new group of young peo-ple. From our opening worship week until the sixth grade graduation on the last day of school, faith and learning go hand in hand. School staff members will be in-stalled and affirmed at the 10:30 a.m. Re-joice service on Sunday August 19. The congregation is invited to an open house at the school from 9:45 a.m. until 10:20 a.m. Members of the congregation are invited to visit the classrooms and see the recently remodeled school office.

BACKPACK BLESSING Parents with Kindergartners, mark your calendars for our Backpack Blessing Sun-day, August 19. Students are invited to bring their school backpacks to the 9:00 or 10:30am worship services for a special blessing and gift to use during the school year. We hope to see you there!


Announcements


Tue

28 7:00p Just Faith

Wed

29 11:30a School Picnic

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation Begins

4:15p Cherub Choir

4:15p Friends of the Lords Choir

7:00p HS Back to School Party

Thu

30 8:35a School Baptismal

Remembrance Service

August

Sun

19 — 12th Sunday after Pentecost

9:00a & Kindergarten backpack

10:30a blessing at Worship

6:30p 6th & 7th Mentor Training

Mon

20 5-6:30p Saints’ Café (St. Mary’s)

7:00p & Church Council

Tue

21 — First Day of School

8:35a School Opening Worship

11:30a Senior Adult Lunch

Wed

22 9:00a Do-Day

2:00p Saints Alive starts

4:15p Cherub Choir starts

4:15p Friends of the Lords Choir starts

6:30p 6-7th Confirmation parents mtg

Sat

18 5:30p Worship

Sat

25 5:30p Worship

Sun


9:00a Worship

10:30a Rejoice Worship,

Teacher Installation

11:00a Celebration of Youth Trip

6:30p Confirmation Mentor Training

Mon

27 5:30p Saints’ Café (St. Paul’s)

September 5:30p Worship Sat

1

— 14th Sunday after Pentecost

9:00a Worship

10:30a Rejoice Worship

Sun

2


— Labor Day (Office closed) Mon

3

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir

4:15p Friends of the Lord Choir

6:30p 9th Grade Confirmation

Wed

5

8:35a School Worship

1:30p Bible Study Leaders Meeting

Thu

6

5:30p Worship Sat

7


Worship Times Change

7:45a Worship

9:00a Worship

10:10a Sunday School Begins


12:00n Congregational Picnic

6:30p 8th Grade Mentor Training

Sun

9

5-6:30p Saints’ Café (And., Htg, Trty) Mon

10

3:00p Care Coffee—Ledges Tue

11

— Circles Meet

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir


6:15p Bells of Praise Begins

7:30p Chancel Choir Begins

Wed

12

5:30p Worship Sat

15


7:45a Worship

9:00a Worship

10:10a Sunday School



Sun

16

5-6:30p Saints Café (St. Mary’s)

7:00p Church Council

Mon

17

11:30a Senior Adult Lunch Tue

18

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir


6:15p Bells of Praise

7:30p Chancel Choir

Wed

19

— 7th-8th Grade Confirmation

Retreat

Fri

21

5:30p Worship Sat

22


7:45a Worship

9:00a Worship




Sun

23

5-6:30p Saints’ Café (St. Paul’s) Mon

24

8:35p School Worship Thu

13


20

9:00a Do-Day

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir


6:15p Bells of Praise Begins

7:30p Chancel Choir Begins

Wed

26


27

5:30p Worship Sat

29


October


7:45a Worship

9:00a Worship



Sun

30


7:45a Worship

9:00a Worship



Sun

7

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir



7:30p Chancel Choir

Wed

3

8:35a School Baptismal

Remembrance Service

Thu

4

5:30p Worship Sat

5

5-6:30p Saints’ Café (And, Htg, Trty) Mon

8

3:00p Care Coffee—Waverly Manor Tue

9

— Circles Meet

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir



7:30p Chancel Choir

Wed

10

8:35a School Worship Thu

11

5:30p Worship Sat

13

5-6:30p Saints’ Café (St. Mary’s) Mon

15

11:30a Senior Adult Lunch Tue

16

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir



7:30p Chancel Choir

Wed

17


18

5:30p Worship Sat

20


7:45a Worship

9:00a Worship

10:10a Intergenerational Sunday

School Service Project


Sun

21

9:00a Do-Day

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir



7:30p Chancel Choir

Wed

24


25

5:30p Worship Sat

27


7:45a Worship

9:00a Worship—Confirmation

10:10a Confirmation Reception


Sun

28

5-6:30p Saints’ Café (St. Pauls’) Mon

29

2:45p Saints Alive

2:45p Confirmation

4:15p Cherub Choir



7:30p Chancel Choir

Wed


7:45a Worship

9:00a Worship



Sun

14

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

112 2ND AVE NW

WAVERLY, IA 50677

Return Service Requested

Nonprofit

Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 32

Waverly, Iowa

Contact Us [email protected] [email protected]

Church (319) 352-3850

School (319) 352-1484

Fax (319) 352-3999

Head of Staff Pastor Curt Schneider 352-3850 or 352-4840 [email protected]

Pastor Joyce Sandberg 352-3850 or 352-0181 [email protected]

Principal Christi Lines [email protected]

Director of Music Ministry Nick Klemetson [email protected]

Director of Administration Sally Schneider [email protected]

Director of Family & Youth Ministries Paul Frantsen [email protected]

Saints Alive Afterschool Coordinator Rachael Nelson 596-4123 [email protected]

BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY St. Paul's high school youth are invited to a party at Kayla Shepherd's house beginning at 7pm on August 29. There will be games, food, outdoor fun, and a taste of what to expect for the coming year in our youth program.

YOUTH GATHERING CELEBRATION Our group will be sharing stories, highlights, photos, and food from the Youth Gathering trip this summer. Come and hear about the trip and get a taste of some Cajun cooking as well. The celebration begins at 11:30am in the Parish Hall on Sunday, August 26. Everyone is invited!

ST. PAUL'S ANNUAL PICNIC You are invited to the annual St. Paul's Picnic! The picnic will be on Sunday, September 9 at 12:00 p.m. on the street between the church and the school. Please come for food, games, conversation, and an opportunity to meet others who attend St. Paul's. Pork sandwiches, hot-dogs, root beer floats, drinks, and tableware will be pro-vided. Please bring a side dish or a dessert to share. We hope to see you there!

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alive! - August 2012